As he got up, Jin noticed an envelope close to the door. Someone slipped it in while he slept. There were booby-trapped packages back in his previous world so he remained on alert. Until the door burst open with an excited Min-Su coming in holding a black piece of paper with a golden skull and an open envelope. You didn't need to be a genius to get the point. Min-Su received the same letter and opened it right away.
It was both stupid and not that stupid. On one hand, it could have been a trap but on the other hand, who would dare try to trap Hae-Hyuk's disciples? And if they didn't know who Min-Su and Jin were, why send letters? So, what was the right course of action? It didn't matter. Not anymore. Since Min-Su had already taken action.
As he entered the room in a hurry, he walked on the envelope and noticed it. He bent over, picked it and opened it himself without letting Jin any time to react. Then, he took an identical card from it and said: "Oh, cool, we both received the same invitation!"
Jin grumbled before asking him: "So, what is it about?"
Min-Su grinned as he elegantly threw one card (Jin's) to his fellow disciple. As he did so, he said: "See for yourself"
Jin grabbed the card, ignoring the antics of Min-Su, and began to inspect it.
One side was devoid of any writings. There was but a golden skull on a black font. The other side was on a white font and filled with golden letters. It read so:
[ " Dear Sir,
You are hereby invited to the prestigious Chromatic Abundance's exhibition that will take place the 18th of the 5th month of this year.
This exhibition allows you to bring a partner and remain anonymous if you so wish.
This card will serve as your proof of invitation, please do bring it along with you or entry will not be allowed.
The exhibition will take place at our third branch shop situated in (...).
(...)]
There was much to read but it could be summed up in a few sentences. They were invited to an anonymous showcase of goods by the Chromatic Abundance as VIPs and they would be allowed to purchase the best of the best of their goods there. Also, it was in two days, after lunch.
Jin watched Min-Su fidgeting around and knew that he would go. Well, to be fair, he wanted to go too. Black markets always provided the best of goods. As for all that justice crap from yesterday? Out of his ears, out of his mind. He asked Min-Su: "So, we going?"
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Min-Su nodded fervently. Then, Jin asked him: "What about helping that psycho deal with them?" to which Min-Su answered with a voice filled with a fake responsible tone: "We need to first check the enemy before attempting anything. This will serve as recon"
"Alright, I get it"
Then, they both laughed and began to chat about what might be sold there and whether they would have enough money. Hae-Hyuk provided them with ample resources but not cash. Well, he gave them some pocket money every month to fool around but it wasn't much. Min-Su had spent most of it already. Only Jin still retained quite a sizable amount though he did spend on some Frone. Gods, he loved that drink.
Anyways, it was settled. They were going to the exhibition. Not as spies, not as troublemakers but as VIPs and potential customers. Because what mattered the most was their own benefits. They could always turn against that organization after they had bought their merchandise.
Meanwhile, a beautiful maiden sporting a ravishing half-covering butterfly mask had been sitting at an inn's table for hours. It was Sophia Crowe, disguised. Though recognized by everyone. When the inn owner beamed at her arrival and welcomed her with an enthusiastic "Welcome Miss Sophia!", she coldly retorted: "I am not the beautiful Sophia Crowe, only an anonymous dashing maiden. Please call my comrades for me, they should have checked in yesterday"
The owner got the point. This little miss was once again going to stir up trouble somewhere and was trying to do it anonymously for once. Not like it was working. But who was he to spoil the fun of this top dog? No one. So, he followed with her antics and answered her: "Of course, anonymous maiden. Might I ask who those comrades might be?"
She nodded while thinking that her disguise was really good. She also thought for a second to reward Justin but that thought disappeared as soon as it came. She answered the inn's owner: "Jin and Min-Su, young cultivators"
"So much for secrecy, alright..." were the thoughts of just about everyone around. Well, they were used to the miss's antics. They named it the princess syndrome in their own circles. Of course, they would never dare tell her.
But the owner was now having a problem. He did want to play along and not anger her but he could not. The reason was that he had no idea who those two were supposed to be. Yesterday was a dry day where only a few women checked in. Not a single man was sleeping here! Except his son... But it was unlikely she meant him. He wished it could have been him but it was too unlikely.
He told her: "I am deeply sorry, beautiful maiden, but there are no customers with such names here..."
To which the young miss had an epiphany: "Right! They would have checked in with fake identities too! It's fine! I will wait for them here! ... Can you get some snacks while I wait?"
"Right away, dashing maiden!"
He wiped the sweat off his forehead as he hurried backstage to start preparing the snacks. He would likely be paid by one of her shadows so it was fine. But more importantly, he didn't know how to break it to her... How was he supposed to explain to her that her new playmates had ditched her?! She might trash his place in fury! Even if he was to be compensated later on... His image...
He was going to sweat for some time.