Judging by the paper and ink, these extracted directory pages had probably been compiled decades ago. Pang Qing's grain shop had still been operating then, which meant the lead was not too stale.
It was perfectly normal for a grain shop to close after several decades, but it was equally normal for it to change hands. Either way, he had to investigate.
Yi Yang dog-eared the page, tucked it back into the hidden drawer, and secured the concealed lock.
He lifted his tea bowl and drained the last mouthful of cold, coarse tea, then rose, walked to the door, and gave it a push.
"Someone, come here."
Footsteps sounded from the far end of the corridor.
The door opened halfway.
A young woman in her early twenties entered, wearing Sunbright Tower's standard pale blue, front-fastening jacket, its cuffs embroidered with a fine ring of cloud patterns in silver thread. She was fairly pretty, with clear, composed features and fair-skinned hands. One glance showed she was not accustomed to rough labor.
She stopped in the doorway and bowed slightly.
"What are your orders, sir?"
Yi Yang glanced at her and used the simplest possible wording.
"Fetch five bottles of cultivation pills from the storeroom. High grade, fourth-grade or above."
The maid stiffened for an instant. It was almost imperceptible, but nothing escaped the senses of someone at the qi-blood sixth level.
Her head remained lowered, but her eyes darted rapidly. She pressed her lips together, her fingertips unconsciously clutching the fabric of her cuff.
Yi Yang caught every little movement. He said nothing and waited.
The maid remained rooted to the spot.
The silence lasted four or five breaths.
Yi Yang's brows lowered slightly, and displeasure crept into his voice.
"What are you still standing there for? Go on. It's not