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024 - The Black Token Holder
🕑 Added 2024-07-10 12:09:36 +0000 UTCQin Yun stopped in front of a large building that took up most of an expansive plaza near the middle of the city. The building was a massive tower with well-defined layers overlooking most other nearby structures. A broad set of stairs led toward its entrance from the plaza, where two guards in shining armour guarded the checkpoint, armed to the teeth.
Yun Jingfei looked at the oppressive structure, unable to understand why they were even here. As a foreigner, she had no idea what this structure's function was and could only infer that it had something to do with their lodging situation. As Qin Yun had mentioned, they were here to get a house. Still, this tower looked nothing like a real estate agency. She was confused, to say the least.
She could see customers go in and out of the building, leaving with predominantly lighter pockets. She figured this was a store of some sort, yet couldn't fathom how this was relevant to their situation. Still, she didn't question it and followed Qin Yun inside.
While the guards gave them looks as they entered, at least they weren’t stopped. She could only sigh that they had become the talk of the town after their walk of shame out of the clan. It seemed the word had spread around already. While she didn’t know the exact rumours said about them, she could speculate. Still, she ignored most of it, as their attitudes were all too familiar.
She followed Qin Yun to the counter, where two ladies, slightly older than she was, awaited them. Unlike the guards at the entrance, they didn't bat an eye and welcomed them professionally. Qin Yun then asked to meet someone, saying a name she was unfamiliar with. She only knew she should be a woman and part of the Lian family.
Still, judging by the receptionist's reaction, that woman should have been someone of exceptionally high status in that family as the two women grew uneasy, unsure whether to call her. It wasn't until Qin Yun retrieved a black token and showed it to the two ladies that they finally took them seriously. Their expressions grew sterner before both of them exchanged looks without a word.
One bowed deeply before hurriedly leaving, while the other motioned for another to take her place at the counter while she escorted the duo through the building. The customers in the lobby gossiped incessantly as they had never seen this reaction, yet Yun Jingfei could also feel the guards' stares linger on her. It was clear they held prejudice. At least the woman seemed genuine in her interactions.
Qin Yun and Yun Jingfei were granted a facility tour as they waited. To Yun Jingfei's benefit, the woman explained that this was the largest store affiliated with the auction house managed by the Lian Clan and that anything in the world could be found within its walls. While Yun Jingfei knew it was an exaggeration, she must admit it made for a good advertisement.
They walked the halls, following the woman, yet most of the items on display behind glass cases didn't hold her attention. While they would be tantalizing for any average cultivator, as these artifacts could enhance their strength exponentially, most of those were useless for Yun Jingfei. All she needed was a sword in hand to slay the world—at least, that was the goal.
With nothing catching their attention, they were led to the second floor, where the quality of each item was obviously worlds apart from what was found on the first floor. Still, Qin Yun found nothing useful, especially considering the prices. He wondered why someone would buy these useless, overpriced items until he remembered he had done as much just an hour ago. He couldn’t help but smile deprecatingly at himself, yet didn’t regret it.
Just as she thought, Yun Jingfei noticed that Qin Yun also seemed slightly bored. Yet, since the young woman leading them was polite and professional, they simply went along with the tour. Although looking at the prices displayed near the item, she knew that affording such items was unrealistic.
If it was before her accident, she could have cleaned them out of all these items if she were to rely on her clan. Yet, since then, she has been cut off and unable to receive any support. And now, all her savings had dried. She was almost out of spirit crystals and had to rely on Qin Yun for their expenses. Knowing she had to depend on him made her feel awful; she would have to remedy this situation at some point. Besides, she didn't know Qin Yun's financial situation and didn't wish to be a burden.
Yet, all those thoughts floated away as she saw the next item on display as they reached the third floor. It was a sword, but not just any sword. Both the blade and scabbard were displayed, and they were all completely white—even the blade, as if it were made of pure snow. Ironically, this was also the sword's name, as characters reading Chun Xue were written on the blade near the hilt.
Somehow, Yun Jingfei felt attracted to this weapon, as if it was meant for her alone, as if owning it was destiny. Still, she knew she couldn't possibly afford it, yet her gaze betrayed her intentions. Even the guards surrounding the open space were fully aware of her desire for this blade despite the mask she wore. Such was her yearning for it.
All around, the guards looked at them with derision as they, too, were aware of the rumours surrounding the couple. As for who was responsible for their dissemination, the answer was obvious. Only the Qin Clan, who dealt with information all the time, had the resources to do so in such a short time frame.
The four great clans were the backbone of Jin City. While the Sun Clan was responsible for its administration, with the City Lord's Mansion at the helm, the Lian Clan was responsible for its economy. They owned most of the large businesses in town and managed their day-to-day operations.
As for the Qin Clan, they played the role of diplomacy between the various forces within the Western Regions. Yet, despite their history as an Immortal Clan, their influence couldn't reach the sects that ruled this immense territory. This was why the Yun Clan's offer to become a bridge was so attractive to them.
Still, unbeknownst to most in the city, the Qin Clan also dealt in information, whether collecting or spreading it around. As such, it didn't take much effort for them to make most of the city aware of what had transpired a day prior.
On the other hand, the Ma clan’s main business was security. As such, Ma Clan personnel could be found in most of the Lian Clan's business. It wouldn't surprise Qin Yun that most of the guards present on this floor belonged to the Ma Clan. Still, he ignored them for the most part, even while they glared at him.
Looking to his wife, Qin Yun knew right away her intentions, as they were much too obvious. Besides, he could see the blade ring slightly in her presence as if it had found its mate. To keep them apart would be much too cruel, so he asked for its price, even though it was written in big font on a card prominently displayed before the item.
At the mention of someone wishing to buy Chun Xue, most patrons turned to see who was foolish enough to spend such an exorbitant amount only to receive just a pretty sword. They weren't wrong. Chun Xue was a sword like any other. It was merely a Middle-Grade Common Rank artifact you could find on any street corner. For curiosity's sake, Yun Jingfei asked why it was displayed with all the other items if it was such an ordinary sword, yet the answer stunned her.
“This sword was a gift to the Lian Clan’s young lady by a renowned artifact refiner affiliated with the auction house. Knowing the young lady didn't use swords, they both decided to display this piece as a token of friendship. The price is merely to discourage potential buyers," the young woman replied slightly awkwardly.
The woman had always found this reasoning convoluted yet was never in a position to dispute it. This store belonged to the young lady, and she could do anything she wanted with it, even if it made little sense.
While Yun Jingfei felt reluctant to let the sword go, she wasn’t in any position to afford this price. She could only come back later when she had the funds. Yet, Qin Yun had other plans.
"I'll take it," he said calmly, drawing the attention of all the patrons in the hall.
They were all too aware of who Qin Yun was and couldn't help but laugh as if trying to bury him in ridicule. Still, Qin Yun paid them no mind and only waited for the young woman to return to her senses.
At this point, the woman had worked in this establishment for years, and this was the first time she had been stunned into silence. Still, she was a professional and would do her job flawlessly.
“How would you like to settle this account?” she asked in the most neutral tone possible. While she was unaware of Qin Yun’s history—who would bother to remember a minor character like him?—the woman highly doubted he had the funds to pay for it. If only judging by the clothes they both wore, she couldn't fathom it. Yet, that was only until she remembered a minor detail.
“You can put it all on this token,” Qin Yun said as he flashed the black token he had shown previously.
Only then did it really sink in. This store had many repeat customers and, as such, had implemented a system that rewarded brand loyalty. It was precisely the token Qin Yun held. Usually, tokens were separated into three colours based on the customers’ spending habits, with white being the lowest, then yellow and finally red for the biggest spenders.
Yet, there was also an even more exclusive colour reserved for the highest VIPs. As far as the woman knew, the black token had only been issued three times, and she was sure this token wasn’t one of them.
At first, she was reluctant to believe this token could be genuine as only the young lady could issue one. Yet, if she were to refuse this transaction and offend the owner of an actual black token, she couldn’t bear the consequences.
While the woman weighed her options, a group of pompous young adults reached the floor where Qin Yun and his wife were currently. At the centre of the group was a young man who wore long, exquisite black robes and short black hair.
He was surrounded by four young ladies who clung to him as if afraid they would be discarded. They all wore light and fluttery dresses that exposed much skin, which reminded Qin Yun of the prostitutes in the mortal district rather than immortal fairies—not that there was anything wrong with that, as Qin Yun had used their services more than once.
The man was loud and obnoxious, parading through the hall as if he owned the place. The other patrons, afraid of crossing his path, silently scurried away, wishing no part in anything that would occur later.
While Qin Yun knew the man, he hadn’t bothered to learn his name. He only knew that he belonged to the Ma Clan, and that was enough to stay far away. Yet, the man had other plans.
As soon as the man noticed Qin Yun, he frowned and approached him, probably wanting to gloat over yesterday's events. They were all too aware that the Ma Clan had a hand in his exile. Still, the man stopped abruptly once he noticed the black token in Qin Yun’s hand.
“Guards!" the man shouted as his voice reverberated off the hall's walls. "Arrest this man for forgery and impersonating a Black Token Holder!"
