Chapter Nineteen: The Gray Elixir

Li Le listened to these words without much change in her expression, only her eyes curved slightly as she smiled at the old man and said, “It’s nothing, really. Bai asked me to help out, and as for courage and such, I’ve learned a bit from Bai after all…”

Her tone was firm, neither yielding nor flustered, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

In this place, being low-key isn’t a virtue. Strength and intimidation are what earn recognition and respect here.

That was the conclusion Li Le had drawn from her days of observation.

Sure enough, when he heard Li Le’s words and saw how naturally she carried herself, the old man’s gaze grew even more appreciative.

He picked up his pipe again and leisurely walked behind the wooden counter that stood about waist-high. After taking a couple of puffs, he grumbled, “…Well then, what is it Bai wants you here for?”

His tone was a little less familiar than when Bai had brought her the last time.

Li Le didn’t mind; after all, no matter how kindly the old man looked, he was friends with Bai, not with her. This attitude was only natural.

The anxiety he’d shown earlier was probably not for their sake, but for Bai’s. After all, if something happened to a newly adopted sister, Bai would have to answer for it, wouldn’t he?

Someone like Bai, who treated her sincerely and regarded her as a sister, was rare indeed… Li Le couldn’t help but wonder at her own luck, silently sighing with gratitude once more.

Her thoughts spun in circles, but outwardly she kept smiling, looking at the old man and saying, “We’re just here to exchange some shamanic medicine.”

The old man understood nearly everything at that point. He tapped his pipe against the counter, pondered for a moment, and finally said, “…I get it now. If I count the days, it should indeed be about now… Money for goods, three silver coins will do.”

Li Le breathed a sigh of relief. Bai had told her nothing beforehand, so if the old man hadn’t spoken, she wouldn’t have known how to start—if he sensed uncertainty, who knew if she’d be swindled?

Although the old man didn’t look like the type, as the saying goes, better safe than sorry.

Li Le calmly slipped her hand into her sleeve and fished out three silver coins, which she handed over with a smile. “Of course, Bai specifically told me not to short you even a copper!”

The old man’s face relaxed a little, taking the coins with satisfaction. “…That’s what I like about Bai—never owes a debt. Not like those ‘barbarians,’ always up to no good… hmph…”

He scoffed, and with a flick of his hand—like a magician—the silver coins vanished. He then reached beneath the counter and pulled out a wooden box, placing it on the table before returning to his pipe.

He hadn’t even gone through the small door, which showed he’d been prepared for this for quite some time.

Li Le glanced at Lie, stuffed the box in his arms, and spoke seriously, “Lie, go wait outside for a bit. I have something to discuss alone… I promise, it won’t take long.”

Lie looked at the old man, then at Li Le, realizing he couldn’t change her mind. He curved his dark eyes into a harmless smile. “Alright, big sis. I’ll wait for you outside, but if you don’t come out, I’ll go get Bai!”

Li Le laughed. “I promise… I’ll be right out.”

…

“Big sis, you’re out!” Lie’s eyes brightened as he saw Li Le emerge from the ramshackle ‘Trading Hall.’

Li Le pinched the dark gray medicine bottle in her arms, lost in thought. Hearing Lie’s voice, her brows relaxed and she smiled, raising an eyebrow. “What, you thought I wouldn’t come out?”

Lie hugged the small wooden box, grinning sheepishly, and silently sized Li Le up and down, only relaxing when he saw she was unharmed.

Li Le didn’t expose him, merely pulled up her hood and smiled. “Let’s go, Lie. The market should be starting now, right? You said you’ve been here many times… so why not show me around?”

Lie perked up at her words, boasting, “…Sure thing, big sis! Trust me, I know this place like the back of my hand…”

“When Father isn’t around, I often sneak… cough… leave home to come here and play.”

“In any case, don’t worry, big sis. No one will give you trouble in this little public area… as long as I’m here.”

Lie spoke with conviction, though his dark eyes betrayed a hint of guilt—he’d almost let something slip.

Luckily, big sis hadn’t noticed. If Father heard about this, he’d probably break his legs…

Li Le’s eyes flashed with amusement. She caught the truth just by listening, but out of respect for his pride, she pretended not to notice and followed Lie toward the market.

…

The outermost edge of Cloud City was marked by a tall wall, its symbolic significance far outweighing any real purpose. For it wasn’t the wall that shielded the mist-dwellers, but the central lighthouse, which emitted a gentle glow day and night.

The inner city of Cloud City was roughly divided into thirteen districts, though the boundary between inner and outer city was not strictly defined.

Occasionally, powerful individuals would choose to live in the outer city, while some weaker folk, for various reasons, stayed temporarily in the inner city, providing labor for the strong and promising youth of the inner city.

The market itself had arisen from this fluidity, situated at the border between inner and outer city—a place for trade.

It wasn’t that there were no places for exchange within either part of the city, but the junction between inner and outer city saw more traffic, offered a greater variety of goods, and grew larger over time, eventually becoming known simply as the market.