The black-robed man nodded to the two armored men, then pushed open the door and said to Lin Taichu, "Go in. The person above is waiting for you inside."
Lin Taichu took a deep breath and entered the room with the mermaid girl.
The room was spacious. A huge stone table stood in the middle, and behind it sat a person in a red robe. A golden mask covered his face, making his features impossible to see.
Four men in black armor stood on either side of the stone table, long blades in hand, their cold gazes fixed on Lin Taichu.
"You're the one who bid four hundred gold coins for the mermaid outside?" the red-robed man asked. His voice was hoarse, making it impossible to tell his gender.
"Yes, sir." Lin Taichu lowered his head and feigned respect.
The red-robed man chuckled, his voice carrying a trace of disdain. "A mere peddler can produce four hundred gold coins and even dares to compete with nobles for something. Do you think I'd believe you're an ordinary merchant?"
Lin Taichu's heart sank. He knew he had fallen under suspicion. He hurriedly said, "Sir, I really am just an ordinary merchant. I was merely lucky some time ago, made a few big deals, and earned a little money."
"I came to the black market this time to buy a few things. I never expected to encounter a mermaid. I thought she was pitiful and wanted to buy her. There was no other intention."
"Pitiful?" The red-robed man sneered. "In the black market, how much is pity worth? If you truly pitied her, you wouldn't have bid against others here. You would have charged in and saved her directly."
"I think you're not here to buy anything at all. You're here to gather