Feng Ye exited the marketplace area. He reached the fountain town center once again. Gazing around, he noticed the Auction House.
This auction house was where fortunes were made, secrets were bought, and futures were decided. The true power players of Redwood operated here.
To most, it was a place of opportunity. However, to Feng Ye, it was an information goldmine. Here he can mingle and try to uncover secrets, get exposed to high ranking treasures, and locate those with power.
But first, he needed to get inside.
Just a glance at the entrance and it was obvious that entry was not easy. Two armored guards blocked the entrance.
They let only specific people in. These people fell into a few categories.
Nobles, guild-affiliated traders, and mercenaries were let in as long as they showed an engraved token. Anyone else without the token was denied entry.
A desperate-looking man tried to bargain with the armored guards. He held out a bag of beast cores.
The guards didn't even spare him a glance.
"No token, no entry."
The man turned around and left in frustration.
So that's how it was. Even money wasn't enough to guarantee entry. Feng Ye had to find a way in.
There was no time to waste. Instead of waiting around outside, he moved toward the side streets while scanning for people who may have had access.
Where do those with the tokens gather? Taverns. Gambling halls. These two locations should be great candidates as they would be where high risk, high reward profiles spend time.
Sure enough, outside a decorated tavern, he spotted a small group of armored men. Not nobles. Not merchants. Mercenaries.
One of them seemed to be spinning an item in his hand. Feng Ye immediately realised this was what he was looking for. Somewhat lucky?
He needed this and this was his opportunity. Perhaps, theft would be a good method. Otherwise, he could try a less violent approach.
Feng Ye moved closer listening in to the group's conversation.
One of the men in the group comments.
"Tonight's auction is packed. Boss won't be happy if we don't all make it in."
Another responds. "Tch. Should've held onto our second token. Idiots lost it in a bet."
"Shut it. Doesn't matter. I'll make it back tonight."
A peaceful approach would be the most suitable at this time. Feng Ye adjusted his stance, then casually approached for his attempt.
The mercenary with the token glanced up, eyes narrowing slightly.
"Need something stranger?"
Feng Ye's gaze briefly glanced at the token before meeting the mercenary's gaze.
"Just a friendly game. I heard you looking to bet?" Feng Ye's eyes shift referring to the nearby man in the group holding some dice.
The mercenary grinned.
"You interested?" Feng Ye calmly prompts.
The mercenary twirled the token in his fingers.
"You win, you walk away with this."
Feng Ye raised an eyebrow.
"And if I lose?"
The mercenary's grin widened.
"We'll take 10 grey beast cores."
A steeper price than usual. Too steep. Feng Ye pretended to consider before nodding.
"Deal."
The group moved into a nearby alleyway.
One of the mercenaries retrieved the dice, shaking them in his hands.
"Rules are simple. We have three dice. One throw. Highest total wins. As the challenger, you go first."
Feng Ye was handed three eight sided die. Immediately, his eyes narrowed. The stakes were oddly high. These die definitely have been tampered with. He recalled that there were numerous ways to rig dice like magnets, weights on specific faces, and many more methods. Impossible to truly detect in this situation though.
He played without hesitation. With a swift, uninterrupted throw, three eight sided die hit the ground.
After a single bounce, the result was clear. 1, 2, 2. An unfortunate result.
The mercenaries burst into laughter. The leader grinned, not even bothering to roll.
"Hah, might as well just pay up now. No need for us to roll."
It was a rigged game. Everyone knew it. Obvious and they are no longer even pretending. The scam was blatant.
Feng Ye stared at the dice, then slowly looked up. He was being extorted. They thought he was an easy mark.
The mercenary with the token held out his hand.
"Tough luck. Better luck next time. Pay up and we'll forget you asked us to play."
Feng Ye tilted his head slightly. A single moment of silence. Then, he moved. His hand snapped forward, grabbing the mercenary's outstretched wrist.
With a quick twist, a sharp crack followed.
The mercenary yelled in pain, staggering backward. The other two reacted too late. Feng Ye was already moving.
The group thought this alleyway was perfect as it was out of the crowds. This decision was a double edged sword. They thought a numerical advantage would be fine, but unfortunately, they ran into Feng Ye.
Feng Ye stepped forward and kneed the second mercenary followed by a blow to his back. The mercenary collapsed directly.
The third mercenary fumbled for his weapon. Too slow.
Before, he could unsheath, Feng Ye slammed his fist to his chin. This mercenary also crumbled to the floor.
The alley was completely silent besides two unconscious and the leader writhin in pain.
Walking over to the leader with the token, Feng Ye gently snagged it away from his hand.
Then, he leaned in slightly. "Tough luck," he whispered. "Better luck next time." Then, without another word, he turned to leave.
A few steps deeper into the alleyway, a calm voice startles him.
"Efficient."
Feng Ye froze. His eyes glanced behind him.
At the end of the alley, standing partially in shadow, a cloaked figure could be barely made out.
Feng Ye met the stranger's gazed.
"Enjoy the show?" Feng Ye probes with a calm voice.
The figure stepped forward.
"Careful how you play this game," the man murmured. "Some pieces get removed before the match even begins."
Feng Ye didn't react immediately.
A test.
A warning.
A probe for information.
He exhaled slowly, then tilted his head slightly.
"That depends."
A pause.
The cloaked man's eyes gleamed with curiosity.
"On what?"
Feng Ye smirked.
"On who's making the first move."
A chuckle.
The cloaked man turned slightly, as if amused.
"No one's made a move yet," he said. "But the board is already shifting."
Without another word, he disappears into the shadows.
Feng Ye stared at the empty space for a moment. Then, without a word, he turned toward the Auction House. He had secured entry. However, he wasn't just walking in blind.
Someone seemed to have taken notice. They were watching. They don't seem to be a friend nor foe. Their intentions are still unknown.
Feng Ye walked back to the Auction House. Flashing his token upon entry, the guards let him through smoothly.