Li Wei clutched the silk pouch of eighteen taels, the weight of his first victory grounding him as he stood in Pingyao Slum's market. The morning sun climbed higher, casting golden light over the floating island's tiled roofs, their Ming-inspired curves worn by time. The market buzzed with life—vendors hawked Suzhou silk scraps and Sichuanese chili pastes, their voices blending with the clatter of airship docks in the distance. Wei's patched hanfu felt lighter now, but the Jade Ledger's jade-inlaid scroll, tucked into his belt, pulsed with a new challenge.
The Ledger's interface glowed in his vision, its calligraphy sharp:
Quest: Expand Influence
Objective: Establish a stall in Pingyao's market by week's end.
Reward: Skill – Aura of Commerce (Boost negotiation success).
Penalty: Loss of reputation.
Wei's new skill, Basic Market Sense, tingled at the edge of his awareness, whispering trends: Rising demand for low-grade Jade Essence among small traders. He scanned the market, spotting an empty spot near the center—a prime location, but controlled by the market overseer, Lord Hu, a Xi'an noble notorious for extorting vendors. Wei's jaw tightened. He'd need more than taels to secure that spot.
As he moved through the crowd, a familiar scent of Sichuanese spice caught his attention. Chen Xiaoyan leaned against a stall, her silk robe shimmering in the sunlight, a jade hairpin glinting in her coiled hair. Her sharp eyes met his, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "Still here, Li Wei? I thought you'd be halfway to Chengdu with those taels."
Wei smirked, his confidence bolstered by the Ledger's guidance. "Pingyao's where I start, Xiaoyan. I'm setting up a stall—going to turn this slum into a trade hub."
Her laugh was light but edged with curiosity. "Ambitious. But you'll need more than charm to deal with Lord Hu. He'll bleed you dry for that spot." She stepped closer, her voice lowering. "I know his type—greedy, but he loves flattery. Offer him a cut of your profits, and he might bite."
The Ledger hummed, its Confucian voice dry. "She's right, but don't trust her too far. Chengdu traders like her always have an angle. Still, her guanxi could be useful." Wei nodded subtly, weighing Xiaoyan's advice. "Thanks for the tip. Care to join me? I could use a sharp eye."
Xiaoyan raised a brow, then shrugged. "Only if you make it worth my while, slum boy. Let's see if you're as clever as you think."
Together, they approached Lord Hu's pavilion, a lacquered structure with dragon carvings that loomed over the market. Hu, a portly man in a Xi'an-style robe embroidered with phoenixes, lounged on a wooden chair, sipping tea from a porcelain cup. His beady eyes narrowed as Wei bowed, Xiaoyan at his side.
"Lord Hu," Wei began, his tone respectful but firm, "I'm Li Wei, a humble merchant seeking to set up a stall in your market. I deal in Jade Essence—low-grade, but perfect for small traders. I offer three taels now and ten percent of my weekly profits for your blessing."
Hu's lips curled into a sneer. "Three taels? You insult me, boy. Ten taels, upfront, and twenty percent—or I'll have my guards toss you into the slums' gutters."
Wei's Basic Market Sense flared: Hu's bluffing. He's desperate for quick coin to fund his gambling debts. Wei glanced at Xiaoyan, who gave a subtle nod, her own trader instincts confirming his read. He straightened, his voice calm but edged with steel. "Five taels, and fifteen percent. I know you need coin for Xi'an's card tables, Lord Hu. Take my offer, or I'll sell my Jade Essence in Chengdu instead."
Hu's face reddened, but the mention of his debts hit its mark. He spat, "Fine. Five taels now. But cross me, and you're done." Wei handed over the coins, his pouch lighter but his future brighter. The stall was his.
As they set up—a simple bamboo table with a faded silk canopy—Xiaoyan helped arrange the remaining Jade Essence shards Wei had bartered for, her movements efficient. "You've got guts," she said, her tone softer now. "Most would've folded to Hu. Why risk it?"
Wei met her gaze, his voice steady. "Because I'm not just building a stall. I'm building an empire. The Tianyu Empire's falling, but I'll make sure Pingyao rises."
Xiaoyan's eyes softened, a flicker of something deeper—admiration, perhaps—crossing her face. Before she could reply, a shadow fell over the stall. A young woman in a flowing Wudang cultivator's robe, her hair tied with a silk ribbon, stood before them. Her name, Zhao Lihua, was embroidered on her sleeve, and her presence radiated a quiet strength. "Li Wei?" she asked, her voice clear as a mountain stream. "I heard you sold a Wudang-forged shard. I'd like to see it."
The Ledger chuckled. "Trouble and opportunity, Wei. A Wudang cultivator in Pingyao? She's either here to help—or to test you." Wei's heart raced, but he smiled. The market was heating up, and so was his destiny.