Chapter Twenty: Elder Sister Pays the Bill

It was precisely because of the high mobility here that transactions in this place were so varied and casual—barter and coin exchanges were both common sights.

As Li Le and Lie wove their way through the crowd, the street was alive with the constant calls of hawkers:

“Animal pelts! Soft pelts of all kinds! The perfect bedding for your cubs!”

Among them were the soft furs that Brother Bai had used to make her bed, along with other types of pelts.

“Bone knives! Sharp bone knives! Don’t miss out as you pass by!”

These knives were a full four handspans long and one and a half handspans wide, their craftsmanship rough, yet their bone blades gleamed sharp and white, exuding a primitive savagery under the dim lights.

Judging by eye, Li Le thought those things must be quite heavy. She doubted she could even lift one, let alone wield it.

Yet recently, she had noticed a marked improvement in her vision, and she vaguely sensed her strength growing as well...

This transformation was still ongoing, and she suspected it had something to do with the increasing faith she had been gathering. She was integrating into this world, gradually being accepted and assimilated by it.

…

Cloaked in gray, Li Le walked alongside Lie, keeping to the edges of the bustling crowd. Though she was curious about the many goods, she merely glanced at them in passing, never lingering—her demeanor was discreet.

“Fogbeast fangs! Beast fangs! Second-tier fogbeast fangs!” shouted a vendor from a stall.

Drawn by the call, Li Le glanced over, catching sight of the white, horn-like fangs on display, wreathed in a faint mist.

Some were large, some small, but each was shrouded in a delicate haze.

A few Fogfolk had already gathered in front of the stall, inspecting the fangs and haggling with the vendor.

The scene was all too familiar, and Li Le’s gaze lingered a moment longer.

Noticing her interest, Lie leaned in to whisper, “Sister, these fogbeast fangs have been out too long—the mist around them is almost gone. They’d make ugly jewelry…”

“…If you really want one, just tell me a few more stories. Next time I go out, I’ll hunt one for you, pull out a tooth, and grind you a bone-fang necklace. All the ‘Ji’ girls will be jealous for sure!”

Lie grinned, his dark eyes curling with mischief, his tiger tooth lending him a wild air.

Li Le glanced at him, eyes narrowing slightly. Go out? Could Lie really leave?

She kept her expression unchanged, not wanting to startle him, and smiled, “Alright, your sister will wait.”

Lie’s face shone with pride and excitement. “Sister, heh, most of what’s sold here is materials and crafted items. If we go further ahead, there’ll be all sorts of potions and herbs…”

Li Le paused. “Potions and herbs? Aren’t those things valuable? Aren’t you afraid someone will just steal them right off the stall?”

From her observations so far, Li Le had already noticed how powerful the currency was here—the bone knife earlier was only worth five copper coins.

But by comparison, when she’d bought a tiny box of herbs at the Barter Hall, it cost three silver coins—and Lie had acted as if nothing was out of the ordinary. Clearly, potions and herbs were precious and expensive.

To see such items openly displayed at a street stall—wasn’t that inviting robbery?

Lie chuckled, a sly pride in his voice. “You don’t know, Sister, but the market here is protected by the guard squad—patrolled by the strongest from every district. No one dares act recklessly… unless…”

Li Le instinctively turned to him. “Unless what?”

Lie flashed his tiger tooth in a brash smile. “Unless someone wants their head hanging from the market’s signboard!”

Li Le was momentarily stunned, then laughed soundlessly, shaking her head at Lie. Of course such a large market would be defended—she’d been overthinking it.

Just then, Li Le caught sight of another small stall out of the corner of her eye. A thought struck her, and she pulled Lie over.

He was confused but let her guide him to the stall, clutching the box meant for his elder brother and squatting down to take a look, muttering, “Sister… aren’t these just fog bamboo and glue sheets…”

Li Le eyed the rolls of translucent, leathery film and the crisp bamboo stalks. Her eyes glinted as she thought of the dozing “Firefly” in her pocket, and her smile curved.

She remembered an old craft…

…Wouldn’t it be impressive to walk through the Dead Fog with a lantern someday?

“Pack them all up!” Li Le smiled, not even asking the price—a look on her face reminiscent of a seasoned shopper from her past life.

Lie, who had just been muttering about the uselessness of bamboo, gaped in silence.

The stall owner, too, was momentarily surprised. Then, seeing their cloaks, he quickly realized these must be the offspring of some high-ranking household, out for a bit of fun and unconcerned with money.

Without a word, he swiftly bundled up all the fog bamboo and glue film, packing them into a leather pouch. His blackened nails held the goods out as he rasped, “Nine copper coins, or trade for other goods.”

So cheap?

Li Le’s lips curled in amusement. She pulled out nine copper coins, placed them on the cloth, and took the leather bag, handing it off to Lie.

Lie weighed the goods, not particularly concerned, but nervously swallowed and asked, “Sister… buying things like this—won’t Eldest Brother be angry?”

“…I mean, doesn’t he need this money…”

Li Le was striding ahead when she heard this and nearly stumbled. She shot an odd look at the anxious youth, her eyes under the cloak growing soft with sympathy.

Did this child really have so little money?

Li, who had never been short on cash, replied with a note of pity, “Don’t worry, this is all your sister’s own money. I have plenty—buy whatever you want. I’ll pay for you.”

After all, she’d already acknowledged him as her little brother. How could she be stingy with money? If her friends from her past life ever heard, she’d never hear the end of their teasing!