Back at the inn, Daziel sank onto the bed and pulled out his phone. He fired off messages to both Scott and Yukong, relaying his discovery of the anomaly within the Aurum alley Merchant Guild's boxes.
Yukong's reply was swift and serious, stating she'd launch a full investigation into the matter.
Scott, however, practically vibrated with excitement. He showered Daziel with thanks, explaining that his company had long suspected Aurum alley was shady, but they'd never managed to put their finger on anything concrete. Daziel's information, he declared, was the breakthrough they needed. He promised fresh intel by the next day.
Daziel wasn't holding his breath for anything truly valuable from Scott. His company's hands weren't exactly clean either, after all. Still, he had to admit, aside from some underhanded dealings in the shadows, their operations weren't on the same scale as magically modified merchandise. Smuggling felt almost quaint compared to Aurum Alley's apparent tricks.
With the day's mysteries seemingly wrapped up, Daziel spent some time chatting with March 7th, then switched off his phone and succumbed to a deep sleep.
The insistent buzz of his phone's message alert dragged him back to consciousness the next morning.
Daziel fumbled for his phone, still half-asleep, and blinked at the screen.
Another avalanche of unread messages!
[Daziel, bro, wake up! Our people found their hideout, or at least, what we think is one of them...]
[Address coming right up. Reply when you're up, and we'll go grab some evidence!]
[Could report straight to the Sky-Faring Commission, but honestly? Don't trust those Xianzhou bureaucrats right now. Who knows who they're in bed with.]
[Bro, seriously, when are you gonna surface?]
...
Daziel quickly scanned through Scott's barrage of messages, ignoring the shift from "Mr. Daziel" to the enthusiastic "Brother Daziel."
"They actually found something this fast?"
Surprise flickered in Daziel, quickly followed by a healthy dose of wariness.
Adding to the mix, a few messages from Sushang were also present. She too had gathered intel and already linked up with Yukong, ready to investigate. Sushang's earlier defense of Aurum Alley now stung with regret. She was determined to expose the truth, whatever it was! If the Merchant Guild was indeed dirty, she vowed to hold them accountable.
Daziel shot off a private message to Yukong, questioning why she hadn't just dispatched Cloud Knights to raid Aurum Alley directly.
Yukong explained that merchant guild affairs fell under the Sky-Faring Commission's purview. Without solid proof, escalating to Cloud Knight intervention was impossible.
Cornered, it seemed they'd have to dig up the evidence themselves first.
Daziel quickly replied to Scott: "Setting off now, coordinates received." Then he hauled himself out of bed and threw on some clothes.
Following Scott's directions, Daziel arrived at the Aurum Alley market and found him waiting.
Scott was clearly playing the part today. Decked out in a brand-new Tang suit, shielded by unnecessarily expensive sunglasses, he looked every bit the well-heeled investigator.
"This market? Here is the hideout?" Daziel gestured around the bustling stalls, skeptical. The place, while not packed, still teemed with easily a hundred people milling about.
"Of course not! Snack stalls as far as the eye can see. How could it be here? Come on, Brother Daziel." Scott gave a slight bow, rubbing his hands together with a grin. "These guys are tucked away tight. You need connections to even sniff them out."
Scott led the way, a step ahead, through the market's maze until they halted in front of "Du's Tea House."
The tea house exuded an antique elegance, the air faintly scented with tea, a world away from the Aurum Alley clamor. Wind chimes tinkled crisply as Daziel pushed open the door.
"Welcome, esteemed guests. What tea will you be having?" A genial, fair-faced man in a long robe greeted them, smiling warmly. Boss Du, the proprietor.
Daziel recognized him instantly. This NPC, the one who claimed to sell tea that was anything but ordinary, often laced with ingredients that could intoxicate and plunge drinkers into memory… In this Reverse-Side world, spiraling into collapse, what would he become?
Scott strode forward, lowering his voice. "Boss, we're after the new import, the premium stuff."
Boss Du's smile faltered for a fraction of a second, a flicker of panic – barely there, but definitely present – in his eyes. He sized up Daziel and Scott, a silent assessment.
"Two… please, one moment." With that, Boss Du turned and disappeared into the back.
Daziel was taken aback by Scott's words. Imported new tea? Was that some kind of code? Wait a minute! Hadn't he heard somewhere… illegal establishments using "drinking tea" as a euphemism?
A moment later, Boss Du reappeared, his smile re-established, though now edged with caution. "Gentlemen, this way."
He guided Daziel and Scott through the tea house's rear, a winding path leading to a shop nestled deep within Aurum Alley.
The shop sign, emblazoned with three gold-plated characters – "Embroidered Spring House."
People streamed in and out of the entrance, mostly men, all with hurried steps and jumpy expressions, some even glancing nervously over their shoulders, as if afraid of being watched. Yet, strangely, they emerged again mere moments later…
"This…" Daziel frowned, a cold premonition settling in his gut. This Embroidered Spring House… it screamed anything but legitimate embroidery workshop. These hurried, furtive actions…
In his past life, he'd been a homebody, a stranger to such places. Visiting somewhere like this felt… jarring, out of sync with his self-image as a partner of justice. What awaited them inside?
Despite the unfamiliar territory, Daziel couldn't betray any unease. Undercover investigation, after all. He tamped down his nerves, adopting a mask of nonchalance.
"Hey, Brother Daziel, relax." Scott, on the other hand, seemed in his element. "Seen places like this across a dozen planets. It's just business, you know? Not that I'm interested in… this kind of business, of course. Purely social."
Scott puffed out his chest, hands clasped behind his back, strolling with the practiced air of a seasoned patron.
"In that case," Daziel sighed softly, "your specialist experience is definitely appreciated. This sort of thing… always feels a bit grimy."
Just as Daziel and Scott were about to step inside and unravel the mystery, a bright, feminine voice cut through the air.
"Gentlemen, please, come in."
Daziel and Scott turned towards the sound, eyes widening as a woman in a Merchant Guild uniform, gold-rimmed glasses glinting, stepped out of the Embroidered Spring House. She stood at the entrance, smiling directly at them.
"Mingxi?!" Daziel and Scott exclaimed in unison, their faces a mixture of shock and utter disbelief.
_____
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