Large-denomination silver notes, like those for one thousand or five hundred taels, did circulate in Linji City. However, they were a hassle to exchange and were typically reserved for bulk transactions between major merchant guilds, rarely seeing use in common trade.

The most common notes in circulation were those with a value of one hundred taels or less.

Places like the Black Market usually didn’t accept notes worth one thousand or five hundred taels. The one hundred tael note was effectively the largest denomination in circulation there.

The middle-aged manager accepted the silver notes with both hands and examined them carefully. Once he had confirmed their authenticity, he respectfully handed them back to Shen Qingyao.

"These silver notes are worth five thousand taels of patterned silver. You two honored guests are indeed qualified to enter the Cloud Pavilion.

Honored guests, this way, please."

The middle-aged manager gestured for them to follow and led Chen Cheng and Shen Qingyao into the inner chambers.

’The rule at Hundred Treasures Studio for entering the Cloud Pavilion is a lot like buying luxury goods in the future,’ Chen Cheng mused. ’You have to undergo an asset verification first. They’ll only show you the goods after you’ve proven you have the money to buy them.’

’If you can’t afford it, you don’t even get a chance to look.’

’Of course, the asset verification at Hundred Treasures Studio is also quite discreet. I noticed that while the manager checked our funds near the entrance, the area was shielded by folding screens. The main first-floor hall, where they sell their wares, was behind them.’

After the two of them went inside, two guards in black, wearing Long Sabers at their waists, stood watch at the entrance, temporarily preventing other customers from entering.

’Both guards have long, steady breaths and abundant Qi Blood Power,’ Chen Cheng noted. ’They’re probably Martial Artists of the Muscle Strengthening Realm.’

’The middle-aged manager seems even stronger—he’s likely at Muscle Strengthening Realm Perfection.’

Even Chen Cheng was stunned. The sheer Martial Arts Power of the staff just greeting customers was formidable.

’The Cold Crow Village Black Market is full of hidden masters,’ he thought. ’And Hundred Treasures Studio is truly worthy of being a subordinate power of the Taiyi Sect. It’s extraordinary.’

Shen Qingyao whipping out five thousand taels in silver notes also taught him a lesson. ’Never trust a woman’s words. The prettier she is, the less you should believe her.’

’After all, Shen Qingyao had explicitly said it was inconvenient to carry silver coins, only to turn around and audaciously pull out five thousand taels in silver notes. She not only brought money, she brought a lot of it.’ 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

’Clearly, the eldest daughter of the Shen Family understood the wisdom of not flaunting one’s wealth. She’s quite clever.’

The two followed the middle-aged manager into the inner chambers and up a set of stone steps to the second floor. Two more guards stood on the second-floor landing, and they also seemed to be at the Muscle Strengthening Realm.

Near the landing, the doors to several rooms were shut. Only the largest hall at the far end was lit. Above the door hung a plaque inscribed with the gilt characters for "Cloud Pavilion."

"Our Cloud Pavilion has always valued privacy. While we are serving you, we will ask other guests to wait. Therefore, you need not worry about being disturbed."

The middle-aged manager added this explanation before leading Chen Cheng and Shen Qingyao into the Cloud Pavilion.

’This rule is clearly meant to put customers at ease,’ Chen Cheng thought. ’After all, in a lawless place like the Black Market, there are countless Jianghu Martial Artists who specialize in robbery and murder.’

’The Cloud Pavilion sells only valuable items. If customers were to run into each other, anyone thinking of buying something would have to weigh the risk of being targeted by others.’

The Cloud Pavilion was brightly lit by Glazed Lamps mounted on the walls, but the two rows of display cabinets were veiled with red silk.

A middle-aged man sat before the counter, flipping through a book. He wore a long, black silk robe, his face was obscured by a black cloth, and his hair was streaked with white.

Behind him stood two guards in black, each wearing a Longsword at his waist.

’The three of them are positioned just like any other shopkeeper and his guards, but I can faintly sense an elusive aura... or rather, some kind of formation,’ Chen Cheng thought.

’After a moment’s thought, I suddenly recalled a book of miscellany I’d read in my master Mr. Zheng’s study. The Three Talents Array described in it seemed to match this formation perfectly.’

’To form an array just by their positioning... These three must be incredibly strong.’

’And yet, my senses tell me their Qi Blood Power is quite ordinary—even weaker than that of the manager who greeted us, or the other guards.’

’This has to be an illusion. After all, this man is the Shopkeeper of Hundred Treasures Studio, and his two guards are responsible for protecting the sanctum of the Cloud Pavilion. How could their Martial Arts Power possibly be average?’

’The only explanation is that the Three Talents Array they’ve formed is concealing their Qi Blood Power, making it impossible to gauge their true Martial Arts Power.’

’For a mere dispatched subordinate force to be this extraordinary... the Taiyi Sect’s foundation is truly profound.’

Shen Qingyao’s fine brows furrowed in thought. She had evidently also noticed that there was something special about the three men.

The middle-aged manager announced their arrival and then quickly departed.

The Shopkeeper sized up Chen Cheng and Shen Qingyao, a flicker of almost imperceptible surprise in his eyes.

’These two young masters before me have deliberately restrained their auras, but their breathing is long and steady. They must be powerful martial experts.’

He chuckled and cupped his hands in greeting. "I am Bi Ziqian, the Shopkeeper of Hundred Treasures Studio. And how may I address you two honored guests?"

Chen Cheng returned the gesture. "We are the two prodigies of the Xiong Family from Linji City. I am Xiong Da, and this is my younger brother, Xiong Er."

’This was the story they had agreed upon beforehand. Since I was taller, I naturally took the role of the older brother,’ Chen Cheng thought.

Most people who frequented the Black Market used aliases, so Bi Ziqian paid it no mind. He smiled. "Our shop has a fair number of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures with a cold aura, but they are typically items like Cold Jade, which I imagine are beneath your notice.

As luck would have it, our shop has recently acquired a Thousand-Year Snow Silkworm—an exceptionally rare treasure."