?Chapter 112: Chapter 102: Can the Proud Cat be Shy? _1 Chapter 112: Chapter 102: Can the Proud Cat be Shy? _1 [“I’ve never heard of an entrance fee increase for the black market.”]]


    [Shopkeeper Lena’s voice came through the mask, sounding muffled, “Is this a rule you made up yourself? Collecting extra fees to line your own pockets?”]]


    [The doorman said indifferently, “Anyway, come in or not.”]]


    [In the end, Shopkeeper Lena still took out a gold coin and threw it over, “Give me two silver coins change.”]]


    [The doorman pinched the gold coin and laughed, “Didn’t you say no need for change?”]]


    [Lena’s voice was eerie, “Don’t push your luck. You’re just a doorman; aren’t you afraid you’ll mess with the wrong people?”]]


    [“…”]]


    [The doorman suddenly fell silent, he fished out two silver coins from his pocket and tossed them casually.]


    [Lena caught the silver coins and said to you, “Let’s go.”]]


    [Traveler, you followed behind Lena as she walked into the alley.]


    [Shopkeeper Lena snorted, “Dunno where that doorman got his confidence. If he’d run into some big shots and made them unhappy, he wouldn’t even have time to beg for mercy on his knees.”]]


    [Traveler, you said, “Well, people die for wealth as birds die for food.”]]


    [“You’ve got that right,” Lena agreed, “There are plenty of people in this world ready to crack their skulls over a bit of profit. Anyway, enough talk; we’re at the entrance to the underground black market. When you hear a strange noise later, close your eyes. Once inside, stay close to me and try to talk less.”]]


    [Traveler, you stood in front of a pitch-dark two-story building.]


    [In the shadowy alley, a few patrons who looked like you started trickling in from other openings.]


    [You observed each other, but it was merely that—there was no intention to interact.]


    [Pop—]


    [Suddenly, you heard a strange noise from the building in front, recalling the shopkeeper’s instructions, Traveler, you immediately closed your eyes, and then a blinding white light shone.]


    [Some people exclaimed in surprise, obviously they were dazzled by the light.]


    [Squeak—]


    [You opened your eyes, only to see the building’s large doors slowly opening to both sides, its interior as bright as day.]


    [A person wearing a deer skull mask walked out from the inside.]


    [He spread his arms in a welcoming gesture, “Welcome to Dongze Underground Black Market. I hope you can all find items that meet your desires here. There is only one rule: no fighting, no matter what. Please keep your eyes sharp, don’t end up buying counterfeit goods and come to us for compensation.”]]


    [Many of those present laughed.]


    [Having said that, the person with the deer skull mask turned and went back inside, and many people surged in after him.]


    [You and Wei’er followed behind Shopkeeper Lena, entering the black market.]


    [Inside the gate was a downward slope, and once at the bottom, you raised your head to look into the depths, discovering to your surprise a long underground street lit with various lights, approximately five meters in height and more than twenty meters wide.]


    [It was hard to imagine how such an underground black market could have been constructed under the noses of the rulers of Winter City.]


    [Traveler, you wondered, was it because those in power were themselves part of the black market’s backing?]


    [Along both sides of the street, an array of vendor stalls had been set up, and the stall owners were wrapped up snugly, displaying an assortment of strange items whose names you couldn’t even guess on the cloth-covered tables.]


    [Led by Shopkeeper Lena, you didn’t look at the stalls; instead, moving beyond the two hundred meter stretch of stalls, you arrived at the deeper section of the long street where many little houses with signs stood—it was full of shops.]


    [Many people were heading directly there.]


    [Shopkeeper Lena pushed open the door of one of the small houses.]


    [“Welcome to ‘Know-It-All Wine Shop’, dear customers. What would you like to drink today?”]]


    [Upon entering, an elderly voice rang out, startling you, and Wei’er instinctively grabbed your arm and took a small step back.]


    [Traveler, you slightly lowered your head, glanced at Cat Cat’s hand gripping yours, and pretended to be oblivious.]


    [It was rare for Cat Cat to initiate contact with you.]


    [Ding! Your Happiness Level +5]


    [However, Cat Cat quickly realized she was holding you, and the girl nonchalantly let go of your hand.]


    [It was uncertain whether Wei’er’s face under the mask turned red.]


    [Note: If that were the case, could you, the Trash Traveler, say, “Yo, are you blushing? Let me take a look.”]]


    Luo Xi: “…”] sea??h thё Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This Damn Text is really getting better at playing with memes.


    [Traveler, you began to observe the layout of this wine shop.]


    [The place wasn’t very large, the bar was only two meters long, and a person wearing an owl mask was sitting inside. However, given the premium on space in such a location, owning a room like this was telling of the owner’s substantial wealth or power.]


    [But weren’t you supposed to be looking for an informant? Why are you here for drinks all of a sudden?]


    [“Two beers and one fruit juice,” said Shopkeeper Lena, taking a seat on a high stool at the bar and signaling that you should sit as well.]


    [Traveler, you and Wei’er took your seats on the high stools one after the other.]


    [Squeak—]


    [The wine shop’s door suddenly closed on its own.]


    [Traveler, you and Wei’er thought it might be a trap and tensed up, about to get off the stools, but then Shopkeeper Lena tapped on the bar and said, “No need to be afraid.”]