After threatening Giseonhyang and extracting the location of the Black Fragrance auction, I came to the site–and memories began flooding back. Since this place is where masters of the dark path hold their auctions, entry wasn’t too difficult.

Security here is maintained through solidarity among the auction participants.

You could call it a gathering of wrongdoers. The only time the participants clash is when they’re bidding against one another.

Among the guests are powerful figures planted by Heukhyang, who help drive prices down.

What makes Heukhyang such a pack of idiots is the fact that they take requests to retrieve the items.

Someone’s sword, someone’s ring, a family heirloom, a boy, a girl, a virgin, a mixed-blood, elixirs, silk, spiritual creatures, poisonous insects, secret manuals, liquor, poison, hidden weapons, paintings, books, obscene texts, beast cubs, beauties, even slave girls from Kunlun.

That’s why the participants change every time.

A lowlife from the dark path might come to get poison, a martial master might show up looking for a painting, or some filthy rich pervert might arrive to throw money around.

I disguised myself as one of the auction participants, supposedly introduced by Giseonhyang, and at the entrance to the underground auction hall–connected to the gambling den–I had my token and silver verified. In other words, you need money to even step inside.

Escorts aren’t allowed in, so I had to leave the Drunk and the Lecher waiting at the gambling hall.

Of course, the Lecher got excited over gambling for the first time in ages and borrowed money from me.

After being swindled by him, I descended alone into the dust-scented depths of the underground auction.

The dim stairwell grew brighter the deeper I went.

I’d faced near-death several times in Jianghu, and one of those moments was when I fought against Heukhyang.

As I descended, a grin formed on my face.

“Unbelievable.”

***

From beyond the silver curtain came the sounds of a performance. Before entering the tent, a table full of bizarre masks awaited us.

Wearing masks in places like this is routine.

After all, you’re here to buy shameful things, so covering your face is a courtesy from the hosts.

While selecting a mask, a thought crossed my mind.