Capital City Ghost Market

"This?"

The young man looked at the black pottery fragment, a trace of puzzlement flashing through his eyes. But in an instant, his expression changed. He gave a thumbs-up and said mysteriously, "Boss, one look and I can tell you've got a discerning eye."

"This thing's no ordinary object. Ever heard of Boerqi?"

Li Yan frowned slightly. "Who's that?"

"Now that's a long story—and a story with quite a pedigree!"

The young man flicked open his fan and struck the pose of a storyteller. Shaking his head, he said, "Back when the Golden Horde Wolf Country seized the capital, this man was the general stationed to guard the imperial palace. You know how costly it is to run the capital. Naturally, he had to find ways to get his hands on some silver..."

"Enough, enough!"

Before the other man could finish, Li Yan impatiently cut him off and made a gesture. "Old buddy, spare me the fancy flourishes. Speak straight—no smoke and mirrors. Tell me the truth!"

The young man froze. Then he noticed the weapon wrapped in cloth behind Li Yan, and cold sweat immediately broke out across his forehead. He respectfully clasped his hands. "Forgive my poor judgment. May I ask which mountain your excellency worships, and which incense stick you burn?"

Li Yan said indifferently, "I bear the Three Incense Sticks. Don't dig too deep, or you may sink to the bottom of the sea."

Seeing that Li Yan was a man of the martial world, and one with an imposing presence at that, the young man no longer dared to spout nonsense. Lowering his head, he said quietly, "I make my living under Sixth Master of the Copper Camel Alliance. If I've offended you, I hope you'll be magnanimous."

"To tell you the truth, I can't