Chapter Nineteen: The Ghost Mask

"Let's go inside and take a look."

The shop was small, containing nothing but a counter. It lacked the pot-bellied, greedy black-market merchant Liu Xie had imagined; instead, a man wearing a demonic mask emerged. Behind him stood a young attendant in black, his face covered by a red chrysanthemum mask, appearing quite youthful.

Liu Xie’s brow furrowed in confusion. Was it not said that all merchants in the Duobao Market were required to wear masks? Seeing Liu Xie’s puzzled gaze, Fuhu was equally bewildered.

Watching Fuhu’s blank expression, Liu Xie couldn't help but mutter to himself that Fuhu was truly unreliable at times. However, in this instance, Liu Xie was unfairly blaming him, for the two men before them were none other than Liu Zhiyuan and Wen Shu.

Liu Zhiyuan stepped forward and asked proactively, "What kind of goods are you two looking for?"

At this moment, Liu Zhiyuan exuded an air of approachability, a stark contrast to the cold, ruthless demeanor he had shown Wen Shu just moments ago.

Hearing this, Liu Xie was momentarily taken aback, but a quick thought clarified the matter: the "goods" the shopkeeper referred to were the slaves he intended to purchase.

After a moment of contemplation, Liu Xie asked, "Do you have any around fifteen or sixteen years old? Preferably none over seventeen."

Liu Zhiyuan’s eyes flickered slightly, and he asked with a smile, "We do. How many are you looking for?"

"As many as you have," Liu Xie replied. Upon hearing this, Fuhu tugged at Liu Xie’s sleeve and whispered in a worried tone, "Your Majesty, please, not so many. Dong Zhuo has already emptied the Imperial Treasury; we have no money left."

Liu Xie calmly pressed down on Fuhu’s arm, signaling him to remain silent. Fuhu complied, though he had no idea what Liu Xie’s plan was. He assumed that since the Emperor had made this decision, he must have a way to follow through.

"Oh? I have about a hundred. I must emphasize, I only accept gold," Liu Zhiyuan said, his brows arching beneath the mask.

"What is the price per head?" Liu Xie’s expression remained unchanged. Beside him, Fuhu’s face paled, wanting to warn him against asking for the price so directly, but Liu Zhiyuan had already named his figure.

Why was this merchant so unversed in the rules?

"Ten taels of gold each!"

"That is a rather steep markup," Liu Xie frowned slightly. Ten taels of gold for one person was far higher than the market rate.

"This is the black market, after all. Furthermore, these are official slaves we obtained through connections with the government; their physical condition is far superior to the sickly wretches sold by common human traffickers," the masked man explained.

"These people... are all promising seeds," Liu Zhiyuan remarked, seemingly offhandedly, but the words sent a tremor through Liu Xie’s heart.

Liu Xie looked up and scrutinized him deeply.

"Very well, I will buy them all," he said, decisive and firm.

Liu Zhiyuan seemed surprised, as if Liu Xie had piqued his interest. He sized the Emperor up and asked with an intrigued tone, "With such a large order, are you certain you can afford it?"

As Liu Zhiyuan looked his way, Liu Xie noticed that the man possessed a pair of blood-red eyes. He was momentarily stunned before regaining his composure. "I can certainly provide the payment, but I will need a few days' grace."

"Of course. Since you say so, may I have your name? I shall arrange for the goods to be delivered to you at a later date," the masked man smiled. Though his expression remained hidden, Liu Xie was certain the cunning merchant was grinning.

"That won't be necessary. Just tell me where the goods are, and I will collect them myself," Liu Xie said.

"That works too. This is my token. When you go to the Hanyu Studio ten miles outside the south gate, show them this, and someone will lead you to the goods." The masked man took a white jade tablet from his robe and handed it to Liu Xie.

Behind Liu Zhiyuan, Wen Shu’s eyes flashed with shock upon seeing the token, though he quickly masked his reaction.

Liu Xie took the token, finding it warm and smooth to the touch. He examined it briefly: there were no gaudy carvings, only two entwined snakes etched along the sides and a large character—"Who"—engraved in the center.

After a quick inspection, Liu Xie tucked it away and bowed slightly. "Many thanks. May I ask your name?"

Liu Zhiyuan pondered for a moment. "I have walked the underworld for many years; just call me 'Ghost Face'."

"Then thank you, Brother Ghost Face. I will bring the gold to the Hanyu Studio in a few days," Liu Xie said, cupping his hands.

"It is but a trade; no need for thanks. We are merely taking what we need," Liu Zhiyuan laughed.

"Farewell!"

...

Watching Liu Xie’s receding figure, Liu Zhiyuan grew quiet once more. Wen Shu, standing behind him, hesitated to speak, but finally gritted his teeth and asked, "Chief of the 'Who', the 'Who' Decree..."

"I know what you wish to ask. The 'Who' Decree was entrusted to me by the late Emperor; returning it now is merely restoring it to its rightful owner," Liu Zhiyuan said calmly. "Besides, there are two 'Who' Decrees in this world. That one rightfully belongs to him."

"The 'Who' agency—we hear the orders, but we do not follow the summons."

"Whoever holds the 'Who' Decree, the agency obeys. I am no exception!"

"Wen Shu, you must remember: the 'Who' agency is the shadow of the Great Han, the most loyal and efficient hounds of the Emperor!"

The Chief turned to face Wen Shu, his eyes icy and void of emotion, a complete transformation from his demeanor when Liu Xie was present.

"To put it bluntly: we are the Emperor's dogs. I am one, and you... are one too!"

Wen Shu’s heart trembled. Despite his inner resentment, he bowed low. "Understood!"

...

By the time the four of them emerged from the Duobao Market, it was late. Upon returning to Luoyang, the streets were entirely deserted.

"Your Majesty, we truly cannot afford such a sum! That merchant was clearly fleecing us!" Fuhu complained the moment they were out of earshot. "Ten taels each—his heart is pitch black! And you actually agreed to it..."

"The money in the Imperial Treasury was all spent on your 'Palm Thunder' and the paper-making improvements. There isn't a single tael of gold left..."

"Your Majesty..."

Liu Xie looked at the grumbling Fuhu with a mix of amusement and frustration. It was the first time he felt this rugged man was being so tedious.

"You’ve been whining since we left. My head is about to burst from your nagging!" Liu Xie glared at him.

Sensing the irritation in Liu Xie’s voice, Fuhu realized he had overstepped. He immediately bowed. "Your Majesty, I was wrong. I shouldn't have spoken so much! Please punish me!"

"Enough, enough. Just stop. I’m exhausted, let's head back," Liu Xie said with a yawn. "Don't worry about the gold. Accompany me out again tomorrow."

"Ah? To do what?" Fuhu asked, scratching the back of his head in confusion.

"To earn it!"