6. Not Just Money Has Value
“Don’t worry, though the color is indeed quite noticeable, it’s completely undetectable when mixed with red wine,” the shopkeeper patiently explained, sensing Mu’en’s concern.
“Besides, compared to its lack of discretion, its advantages are far greater. Just one tiny drop, and even an elephant would go limp and collapse.”
Mu’en’s eyes lit up. “That powerful?”
“Of course! You get what you pay for. I run a small honest business, fair to all.”
The shopkeeper boasted a bit, then extended abnormally slender and fair hands to both Mu’en and the other black-robed person, smiling, “That’s 130,000 Aimil total. No bargaining or credit, thank you.”
“130,000…”
Mu’en’s mouth twitched slightly.
Aimil was this world’s universal currency, with purchasing power roughly equivalent to RMB from Mu’en’s previous life.
So now he understood that all the shopkeeper’s talk about running an honest business was nonsense. Who would sell a bottle of sleeping drug for 130,000?
Fortunately, he was still the almighty Duke’s son, and 130,000 wasn’t beyond his means.
“Card or cash?” the shopkeeper asked, excitedly rubbing those small hands together. Opportunities to find two suckers at once were rare, so naturally, they’d overcharge as much as possible.
“Card.”
Mu’en extravagantly tossed out his crystal card. For someone of his status, the card had extremely high-level security measures, so he wasn’t worried about revealing his identity.
“Very well.”
The shopkeeper skillfully charged 130,000 Aimil, then took a small bottle from a nearby shelf and handed it back along with the crystal card.
“Please enjoy, young master. This is a small gift for you.”
“A gift? What is it?”
“Heh heh, one must maintain some mystery, right? But I suggest using it with that other bottle for a special effect.”
“Special effect?”
Would it enhance the drug’s potency?
Mu’en frowned slightly. Not too knowledgeable about magic potions, he didn’t pay much attention and simply put both bottles in his pocket, preparing to leave.
Meanwhile, after collecting 130,000 Aimil from Mu’en, the shopkeeper turned to the other black-robed person.
“And you, customer? Card or cash?”
“I don’t have enough Aimil, nor do I intend to pay with Aimil.”
The black-robed person spoke calmly but said something extremely dangerous. Hearing this, Mu’en paused and turned a curious gaze toward the robed person.
Could it be that even in a place like the underground black market, someone dared to rob in broad daylight?
“Oh? The customer means…” As expected, a cold chill emanated from beneath the shopkeeper’s hood.
“Though I have no money, I can sell you information.”
“130,000 is no small amount.”
“This information is definitely worth 130,000.”
The black-robed person handed the shopkeeper a note: “In fact, to different people, it’s worth far more than 130,000.”
“Oh?”
Though the face was hidden, Mu’en could imagine the shopkeeper raising an eyebrow in curiosity.
“Interesting.”
The shopkeeper took the note, unfolded it, and quickly scanned its contents.
For an instant, Mu’en felt the air freeze.
“Oh my, oh my, this is indeed…”
The shopkeeper looked up at the black-robed person, voice now carrying a hint of gravity.
“Are you sure this information is accurate?”
“Whether it’s accurate or not, with the shopkeeper’s abilities, you’ll find out easily.”
“…You really trust me. But as you said, this information is indeed worth 130,000.”
The shopkeeper tossed the drug to the black-robed person: “Take it. It’s yours.”
The black-robed person caught the drug, remaining as silent as before, not saying anything more before turning to leave.
Cold and efficient, like a machine.
Mu’en hadn’t even fully processed what happened, instinctively leaving his curious gaze on that note.
What kind of information could be worth 130,000?
“Oh, is the young master also interested in this information? Then I might as well sell it to you too. Since we’re practically old friends, I’ll give you a discount—just this price.”
The shopkeeper extended nine slender fingers, indicating the price.
“90,000?”
“Heh heh, the young master jokes. At 90,000, my little shop would go bankrupt.”
The shopkeeper paused, then said:
“900,000 Aimil.”
“…”
Mu’en’s mouth twitched, and he ignored the shopkeeper, turning to leave.
Trying to sell information obtained through deception with sleeping drugs of unknown actual value for 900,000 Aimil.
Indeed, just a pure swindler.
…
“Oh my, oh my, this really is something.”
After Mu’en left, the shopkeeper still looked at the information on the note.
The disguising hood had been removed, revealing willow-like fine eyebrows raised high.
“Tomorrow was originally just the coming-of-age ceremony for that incompetent son of Duke Campbell, but it seems that if this information spreads, it will suddenly become interesting.”
“Now, who should I sell it to? The Second Prince would be a good choice. He’s always disliked his talented sister. Given his status, asking for 2 million wouldn’t be too much.”
“And that old fellow Duke Raymond would certainly be very interested too.”
“Oh my, killing two birds with one stone. I’m so bad.”
The shopkeeper rested her face on her hand somewhat troublingly, but with a smile that would make hearts flutter:
“But then again, nobody said information can only be sold to one person, right?”
…
“Young Master Mu’en.”
When Mu’en returned to the Duke’s mansion, he happened to meet Ann, who had just returned from her busy tasks.
“How did the maid situation go? Is it handled?”
“It’s been taken care of. The head maid will recruit people overnight. The staff has been rearranged, and there shouldn’t be any manpower issues tomorrow.”
“That’s good. With such tight timing, you’ve all worked very hard.” Mu’en nodded.
“No, it’s our fault for not making proper arrangements in advance. We’ve troubled you, young master.” Ann bowed in apology.
“There’s no need for that. This is my responsibility.”
Mu’en waved his hand, gesturing for Ann to stand up.
“You should rest early too. There won’t be much time for rest tomorrow.”
“But I still need to attend to you, young master…”
“That won’t be necessary. I’m not a child who needs constant care, and I’ll be going to bed early tonight.”
With that, Mu’en didn’t give Ann a chance to respond and turned directly toward his room.
Tonight, it would be better for him to be alone. The sin he was meant to bear shouldn’t be shared by another innocent person.
“…”
Left behind, Ann watched Mu’en’s retreating figure, the confusion in her eyes growing deeper and more profound.
“How strange.”
Ann pondered, unconsciously biting her lip.
Even as blood seeped from her lip and dripped onto the clean white fabric of her maid uniform, she remained unaware, staring fixedly at Mu’en’s back until he disappeared from view.
“Young Master Mu’en, when did you become so gentle?”