Intercepting Brocade Banner's Deal

"Where did True Person get that idea? We're all lowly folk. If there really were any important goods, there's no way they would end up in our hands." The steward wore a placating smile, but the palm pressed against his thigh had already begun to sweat.

Song Changsheng said nothing, merely looking at him calmly. His sharply defined black-and-white eyes were as deep as a starry sky.

After staring for a moment, the steward finally failed to withstand the immense pressure Song Changsheng exerted. Cold sweat seeped from his brow, and he gritted his teeth. "True Person saved our lives, so this lowly one will not continue deceiving you.

"The cargo aboard the ship is indeed somewhat extraordinary. It is contraband strictly controlled by the Great Zhen Immortal Dynasty, which is why we risked coming to Great Qian by sea."

"Contraband strictly controlled by the Great Zhen Immortal Dynasty." Song Changsheng's heart stirred slightly, and he blurted out, "Void Demon Crystals?"

Seeing Song Changsheng state the answer with perfect accuracy, the steward could not help but freeze. "True Person already knew?"

"Do not be nervous. It was merely this seat's guess.

"After all, although the Great Zhen Immortal Dynasty strictly controls many cultivation resources, there are just as many methods of smuggling them. The only thing that would require you to take such risks and transport it in this manner is Void Demon Crystals.

"Besides..."

Song Changsheng stood up from the soft couch, seized the steward's arm, and pulled up his sleeve. A vicious wound over half a foot long stretched upward from the crook of his elbow, while the skin around it was an unnatural bluish-black.

"Besides, there is this.

"This wound should have been left behind when you hid those Void Demon Crystals, correct?

"Hiding treasures in one's