At Cheng Yu's question, Wen Yang smiled helplessly, then asked in return,
"Brother Yun, do you think those officials at court would simply watch us snatch up such a lucrative prize as trade with the Demon Race?"
Without waiting for Cheng Yu to speak, Wen Yang continued,
"The merchant associations that trade with the Demon Race all have powerful figures at court behind them. Perhaps even the one in the Imperial Palace in the Central Capital is their true backer."
Cheng Yu chuckled.
"If what you say is true, wouldn't that make your own activities a heinous crime?"
Wen Yang smiled mysteriously.
"One trading trip to the Demon Race earns as much as ten trips within Baiyue Prefecture for my Chenyang Merchant Association. With such an enormous temptation, I have no reason to pass it up. Besides... the Heavenly Dynasty knows some things cannot be stopped by banning them outright. They might as well take another cut of our profits and turn a blind eye."
Cheng Yu was hardly surprised. Without dwelling on the subject, he and Wen Yang moved on to discussing the customs and culture of Azure Sky City.
After nightfall, Cheng Yu gazed out of the inn's window at Azure Sky City's nighttime scenery.
Compared with the morning, Azure Sky City was even livelier at night.
The shops lining both sides of the street blazed with light, their signs and banners swaying in the wind and drawing the eyes of passersby. The night market buzzed with voices, and customers crowded around the food stalls as enticing aromas drifted through the air. The vendors called out enthusiastically, deftly preparing mouthwatering treats.
Whenever he smelled the aromas in the air, Cheng Yu silently cursed his uncooperative body. He could not eat anything and could only savor the smells.
Children