The market at Stone Path Hall was always lively, a place where students traded, bartered, and boasted about their latest acquisitions. Lin Shu moved through the crowd silently, his steps light, eyes scanning the stalls. Beneath his plain robe, his armor was back to its natural bone-white, hidden from view. He needed information — but asking outright would only draw unwanted attention. Subtlety was key.
As he passed through the market, a familiar face caught his eye.
Xu Jin.
The chubby boy who'd taken tenth place in the competition, now sitting comfortably behind a makeshift stall, surrounded by an assortment of goods. His round face shone with a sheen of sweat, though whether from the heat or excitement over his wares, Lin Shu couldn't tell. He'd heard rumors about this one — despite being new to the institute, Xu Jin had made quite a name for himself, not for his fighting skills but for his knack at trading. People said he had connections, knew where to get rare items, and always managed to turn a profit.
Perfect.
Lin Shu approached the stall, his face impassive. Xu Jin looked up, eyes squinting slightly before recognition dawned on him. "Ah, you… Lin Shu, right?" Xu Jin grinned, his tone friendly. "Didn't expect to see you here. Looking for something special?"
Lin Shu glanced at the items on display — pills, talismans, even a few low-tier weapons. Nothing caught his interest. Still, he picked up a small jade pendant, examining it idly. "I heard your goods come from far-off places. That true?" His tone was casual, as if making conversation.
Xu Jin chuckled. "Of course! Can't make a name for yourself selling the same things as everyone else." He leaned in conspiratorially. "Got connections in places you wouldn't believe."
Lin Shu set the pendant down and pulled out a small pouch, quietly slipping ten gold coins onto the counter. Xu Jin's eyes flicked to the pouch, his grin widening. "You're not just here to browse, are you?"
Lin Shu met his gaze. "Let's just say I'm curious. Places like this… they only have so much to offer. But cities? I hear the markets there are full of hidden treasures." He kept his voice low, almost lost in the noise of the crowd. "Must be nice to have access to that kind of… variety."
Xu Jin's eyes narrowed slightly, his grin fading as he leaned back, rubbing his chin. "Black markets, huh? Dangerous places. Hard to find. Even harder to get into without the right contacts." He tapped the counter with his fingers, pretending to think. "But… if someone really wanted to go… they'd have to know the right towns. The ones that attract the right kind of people."
Lin Shu nodded subtly. "And where might those be?"
Xu Jin chuckled, shaking his head. "Not something people talk about lightly. But…" He patted the pouch of gold. "I might've heard a thing or two."
He glanced around, ensuring no one was eavesdropping, then lowered his voice. "Ever heard of Darkveil Crossing? It's a small town, not much bigger than Greenwood Hollow. But every few months, traders from all over pass through. Word is, they deal in things you won't find in ordinary markets. Then there's Ironclad Ridge. Bit more dangerous, but if you're looking for forbidden arts or stolen goods, that's where they end up." He shrugged. "Of course, you didn't hear that from me."
Lin Shu filed the names away, giving a slight nod of thanks. He turned to leave, but Xu Jin called out. "Wait a second."
Lin Shu paused, glancing back. Xu Jin scratched the back of his neck, looking almost embarrassed. "Look… truth is, I'm heading to Darkveil Crossing soon. Got a long mission, and I figured I'd pick up some goods while I'm there. Could use a hand." He eyed Lin Shu appraisingly. "You're strong. I saw your fight during the competition. Wouldn't mind having someone like you watching my back. What do you say?"
Lin Shu considered him for a moment. Xu Jin didn't seem the type to take unnecessary risks, and having a guide to the black market could save him days of wandering and searching. Plus, traveling with someone from the same institute made things simpler. Less suspicion.
Xu Jin grinned. "Don't get me wrong — I'm not asking for charity. We split the profits if we find anything valuable. And hey, if you're looking for a better cultivation technique… places like Darkveil have more than just goods. They've got knowledge."
Lin Shu gave a small nod. "When do we leave?"
Xu Jin clapped his hands together. "Tomorrow morning. Meet me at the north gate."
As Lin Shu walked away, Xu Jin watched him go, a thoughtful look on his face. He's cold… but not reckless. Good. Xu Jin knew he needed help on the road. Traveling alone wasn't just dangerous — it was stupid. Bandits, rogue cultivators, even wild beasts… the journey was long, and danger lurked at every turn. Better to have someone at his side who could handle himself. And Lin Shu? He'd seen the boy fight. Quiet, ruthless, efficient.
Xu Jin smirked to himself. "This might just work out."
Lin Shu returned to his small room, quietly preparing for the journey ahead. He packed his belongings with practiced efficiency, checking his weapons, supplies, and the hidden compartments of his armor. Once everything was in order, he lay down on his worn mat, closed his eyes, and allowed sleep to claim him.
Morning arrived swiftly. The first rays of dawn painted the sky in hues of orange and pale blue as Lin Shu made his way toward the meeting point. Xu Jin was already there, waving enthusiastically as soon as he spotted him.
"Ah, Brother Lin! Right on time." Xu Jin grinned, wiping a bit of sweat from his brow. "Let's head to the Quest Hall. You'll need to register for the same mission as me — we're not the only ones going, you know."
Lin Shu raised a brow. "You didn't mention there would be others."
Xu Jin laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of his head. "Yeah… sorry about that. It wasn't confirmed when we talked yesterday. Honestly, I didn't think they'd agree, but… here we are!"
Lin Shu studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Fine. Let's go."
Xu Jin sighed in relief. "I knew you'd understand, Brother Lin! The others are already at the hall — you'll remember them from the competition. The twins, Yun Bai and Yun Hei, sixth and seventh place. Quiet types, but good fighters. And the last one…" Xu Jin hesitated, scratching his cheek. "Well, it's Xie Lang. Fourth place. He's… a bit strange. Battle-hungry, like a beast. Don't tell him I said that." He lowered his voice conspiratorially. "Though if you watched his fights, you probably figured that out yourself."
Lin Shu gave a slight nod, silently processing the new information as they made their way through the morning bustle of the institute.
The Quest Hall stood tall and imposing, the air inside filled with quiet anticipation and the rustle of parchment. Students milled about, scanning the mission board or speaking in hushed tones. Near the back, Lin Shu spotted the trio waiting for them. The twins, Yun Bai and Yun Hei, stood side by side as always, their expressions calm and composed. The other boy, however, was anything but.
"Ah, Brother Xu! Finally!" Xie Lang's voice boomed across the hall, loud enough to turn a few heads. His sharp eyes landed on Lin Shu, and a wide grin stretched across his face. "And you — Lin Shu, right? I liked your last fight in the competition. That was a proper clash of strength! The others, though… boring. I almost fell asleep." He laughed loudly, clapping Lin Shu on the back hard enough to make a lesser boy stumble. "But that last one against the Zeng brat? Hah! Now that was a fight!"
Lin Shu said nothing, merely inclining his head slightly. Xie Lang's grin only widened.
The twins greeted Lin Shu more politely, offering small smiles. "Finally, you're here," Yan Bai said, shaking his head. "We've been stuck listening to this moron ranting about fights all morning."
Yan Hei sighed dramatically. "Please. Take him off our hands for a while. We've been trading shifts dealing with him — any longer, and I might lose my mind."
"Hey, you identical little shits — who are you calling a moron?!" Xie Lang barked, jabbing a finger at them.
Yan Bai smirked. "We train in a martial art that lets us see ghosts. We were talking about them, obviously."
Yan Hei barely held back his laughter, but the glare Xie Lang shot them made it clear he wasn't buying it. He stared at the twins for a long moment, then huffed and turned back to Lin Shu.
"Anyway," he said, crossing his arms, "why don't you ever show up at the arena for the weekly fights? You could make some serious coin, you know." He grinned. "Maybe you and I should have a match. I bet it'd be fun."
Lin Shu met his gaze, expression unreadable. "No."
Xie Lang blinked, then burst into laughter. "Hah! You're straightforward. I like that."
Xu Jin coughed awkwardly, trying to ease the tension. "Well… now that we're all here, let's get you registered for the mission, Brother Lin."
Lin Shu nodded, following Xu Jin toward the registration desk. Behind them, the twins exchanged knowing glances, while Xie Lang's grin remained firmly in place. The group was an odd one — but the road ahead didn't care for oddities. Danger lurked beyond the safety of Stone Path Hall, and whether they liked it or not… they would soon be facing it together.