Chapter 967: Yan King

As Daji's cultivation level increased, Zu An began to consider preparing items for her breakthrough. After all, he couldn't wait until the last minute.

After Daji reached the sixth rank, she could no longer break through and upgrade simply by consuming Vitality Fruits as before. Each subsequent rank advancement would require various materials to aid her breakthrough.

"What a crooked merchant!" Zu An secretly grumbled about the designers of the Valkyrie System. It was clearly designed to extort money, just like the online games from his previous life.

Grumbling aside, preparations still had to be made.

For Daji to break through from the sixth to the seventh rank, she would need 5 Wuyang Jade pieces, 10 Cyan Wolf King's Teeth, 30 Azure Fenghuo Flowers, and 20 Nine-Headed Pheasant Feathers.

Wuyang Jade, among these items, was unheard of even by the imperial physicians. However, they suggested that the Yu family in Yunzhong, who dealt in jade throughout the land, would most likely know its whereabouts.

Recalling the Purple Frost Divine Milk Mi Li needed, it seemed that even if the emperor didn't assign him the task, he would still have to make a trip to Yunzhong Commandery.

As for the remaining items like the Cyan Wolf King's Teeth, though valuable, they weren't extremely rare, and he should have a chance to obtain them.

Lost in these thoughts, Zu An unwittingly fell asleep.

Originally, he wanted Daji to sleep with him, ostensibly to observe Agent Eleven's every move up close, so Daji could imitate her more accurately later.

He repeatedly promised he wouldn't do anything—just lie on the same bed, with a quilt between them. After all, a beauty like Daji was delightful enough just to look at.

To his surprise, Daji rejected his proposal without hesitation.

This made Zu An quite dejected, thinking, "Daji clearly has no soul, so why is she so resistant to me, her master?"

Furthermore, no version of Daji should possess the characteristics of a chaste and virtuous woman; a seductive fox should be her true nature. Shouldn't she be shamelessly trying to seduce me, so I can then sternly reject her?

In the following days, Zu An trained Daji day and night to help her more accurately imitate Agent Eleven's movements and appearance, and the results were increasingly satisfactory.

One day, Pei You and Gao Ying found Zu An. Pei You said, "Brother Zu, in a few days, we'll reach Yicheng territory. How about we go into the city together then and see the northern girls?"

They had been traveling by boat for some time, and even the most homebody-inclined person was almost driven mad by boredom. Everyone was eager to disembark.

Zu An chuckled, "It seems you can't stop thinking about the northern girls."

Ultimately, Pei You was only showing this true side of himself because he considered Zu An one of his own.

At this moment, Gao Ying said gravely, "Yicheng is the domain of the Prince of Yan. It would be bad if we caused trouble there and offended him."

"The Prince of Yan?" Zu An asked, puzzled. After all, he hadn't been in this world long enough and still lacked knowledge of many common things.

Gao Ying explained considerately, "The Prince of Yan is the emperor's uncle, and his fiefdom is Yijun Commandery, with its capital in Yicheng. Because his fiefdom is frequently plagued by bandits and often troubled by demonic cults, the imperial court permits him to train an army to suppress them. He is one of the more powerful vassal kings."

Zu An's expression changed. Due to Yun Jianyue and Qiu Honglei, he already considered the demonic cult his own people, so he was particularly interested in news about them.

"Does that Prince of Yan often achieve military merits by eliminating many members of the demonic cult?" Zu An asked tentatively.

Gao Ying shook his head. "The Prince of Yan has indeed suppressed many bandit groups and captured many members of the demonic cult over the years, but unfortunately, the cult members are like weeds that regrow with the spring breeze. Many in the court speculate that the Prince of Yan is too tyrannical, only understanding warfare and not conciliation, which is why the demonic cult and banditry keep resurfacing."

Hearing that the Prince of Yan and the demonic cult were in a stalemate, Zu An couldn't help but feel relieved.

At this point, Pei You said, "We're just going to visit a brothel for drinks. How could we possibly offend the Prince of Yan? Brother Gao, you're overthinking it."

Gao Ying thought it over and agreed, so he stopped trying to dissuade them. Moreover, having been cooped up on the river for so long, he also wanted to go out and relax.

Zu An, on the other hand, thought of Daji's breakthrough materials, so he tentatively asked, "By the way, have you ever heard of Wuyang Jade, Cyan Wolf King's Teeth, Azure Fenghuo Flowers, or Nine-Headed Pheasant Feathers?"

He had considered asking Xiao Jianren about these, but meeting him as Agent Eleven so soon might be too conspicuous. Who knew if he would turn around and report it to Zhu Xie Chixin and the emperor?

Furthermore, Xiao Jianren was only familiar with the Embroidered House's library, not a professional alchemist. He might have heard of some special rare treasures, but he might not know about many slightly more common medicinal ingredients.

Gao Ying and Pei You were different; they had grown up in influential aristocratic families and had seen countless resources. Perhaps he could get clues from them.

As expected, Pei You replied, "I haven't heard of Wuyang Jade, but I've heard a little about Cyan Wolf King's Teeth, Azure Fenghuo Flowers, and Nine-Headed Pheasant Feathers. Among them, Cyan Wolf King's Teeth and Nine-Headed Pheasant Feathers are relatively common and can be found in many black markets. Azure Fenghuo Flowers might be a bit more troublesome; I heard they originate from the demon territories, so cities near there should have them."

"Black markets?" Zu An was somewhat surprised.

Gao Ying explained with a smile, "Due to the war with the demon race years ago, the imperial court officially banned market trade with the demon race and other surrounding groups. Even when borders were occasionally opened, the quotas and conditions were extremely harsh. However, market demand still existed, which is why black markets emerged. You can find specialties from various races there, and the closer you get to the border, the stronger the black market presence. Later, many illicit human goods also began to be traded there, and black markets became increasingly prevalent, even deep within the mainland."

Zu An frowned, "Why haven't I seen any in the capital?"

Gao Ying replied, "The capital is the prime city, and the Embroidered Envoy's headquarters are located there. Who would dare to do such things right under the emperor's nose? So naturally, there are no black markets in the capital. Yicheng, which we're approaching, is also a large city and a transportation hub, not too far from the Northern Wilderness. If all goes as expected, there should be a black market there."

Zu An's eyes lit up upon hearing this. "Then I definitely need to visit Yicheng."

Pei You laughed heartily, "Brother Zu, you truly are one of us. However, this time at the brothel, we won't be as yielding as last time at the Red Sleeve Pavilion. It'll be every man for himself to see who can win a beautiful lady."

Zu An: "???"

I said I was going to the black market. When did I say I was going to a brothel?

At this moment, Gao Ying let out a faint sigh, "Brother Pei, do you know what I admire most about you?"

Pei You was taken aback. "Is it my cultivation talent? Or my handsome looks?"

Gao Ying shook his head with a strange expression. "No, it's your confidence."

Pei You wasn't foolish and naturally understood the teasing in Gao Ying's tone. "Hmph, Yijun Commandery is in the north, and the girls here appreciate heroes, unlike the capital where literary talent is highly valued. I think my appearance still gives me a certain competitive edge."

What he said wasn't false; as a handsome young master from an aristocratic family, he would indeed be eye-catching.

Gao Ying laughed, "If the girls of Yijun truly appreciate heroes, how could you compare to Brother Zu?"

Hearing this, Pei You showed no signs of discouragement. "It's fine if I can't compare to Brother Zu, as long as I can compare to you."

Gao Ying: "..."

A few days later, the boat docked at Yicheng pier, and Gao Ying and the others requested leave from Sang Hong to explore the city.

Because restocking the ship would take some time, and the people on board had been cooped up for so long while traveling on water, Sang Hong was quite understanding and readily agreed.

Zu An originally invited Sang Hong to rest in the city as well, but he refused, saying that due to his special status, he did not want to have too much interaction with the Prince of Yan and Yijun officials, and thus remained on the boat.

"Lord Sang is terrifyingly disciplined." After the group disembarked, Gao Ying expressed his admiration.

"If he weren't like that, he wouldn't have established such a great reputation in previous years. All the court officials fear him, privately calling him 'Sang the Tiger'," Pei You added.

Zu An nodded in agreement. He had witnessed Sang Hong's methods in Brightmoon City; he acted with devastating force when he did, but kept his power hidden otherwise. If not for the divine intervention that helped the Chu clan, they would likely have been eradicated long ago.

Suddenly, he noticed that the path they were taking was becoming increasingly secluded, and couldn't help but ask, "Aren't we going into the city?"

"What's fun in the city?" Gao Ying said with a mysterious expression. "Today, I'm taking you to a truly fun place."