Shen Yuan stared at her for a second, but he was not much surprised.

In fact, he was happy on the inside.

The fact that she had found information about him means she could get information he wanted.

"I hope you don’t mind. I was just curi—"

"Don’t worry about it." Candy froze hearing Shen Yuan cutting her off. She thought he would be angry about her looking into his identity, but when she saw the dangerous smirk on his face, she could not help but gulp a mouthful of saliva.

"Can you tell me about the major events that have been happening in the area?"

Candy did not even realize when she had been dragged into his pace instead of her leading the conversation: "You have to know, there are not many notable things that usually happen in this area."

The keyword here was usually.

Because even she was surprised by the waves going through the district.

"Most of the servant distractions are quiet, but there are a few making waves. Servants are forming factions within their districts and trying to monopolise the profit of the market."

Shen Yuan felt like there was almost a hint of mockery in her voice.

"This marketplace is common for all districts and also the outer sect. I don’t think there are many intelligent people among them who could realize that they are playing with fire."

"The oldest senior servant in the inner region, who is 130 years old, was caught being whipped by a 20 year old woman in an estranged alley. Reports say..." She paused and looked at Shen Yuan with a twitch in the corner of her mouth. "They were naked at that time, and the woman had a cucumber tied to her waist with a robe."

’Oh! Pegging exists in this world too.’ That was the only thought he had, and he did not show any outward reaction.

Candy, who was keeping an eye on his face, saw the lack of reaction and panicked inwardly for a second. ’No reaction? Does he not feel weird hearing that information? Does that mean he is also into that kind of stuff? Is that why he hasn’t laid a finger on me?’

"There has been a surge in demand for herbs and body-tempering ingredients. Even the Treasure Trove is almost out of the basic ingredients with the speed they are being sold."

Now this information made Shen Yuan frown. He needed those herbs to complete his body tempering realm and advance to the next stage.

"The most notable servant among the juniors is a young woman named Ce Xin." Shen Yuan stopped drinking just to look at her. "She has been making moves everywhere. she is smart enough to not touch the profits of the market and focusing more on gathering manpower."

"She has completely taken over her district and even got control over her overseer somehow. What’s more, she even has connections with an outer sect disciple as far as we know."

Shen Yuan recalled the headstrong woman who tried to recruit her openly. She radiated confidence like she could deal with Shen Yuan at any moment.

"As for your district..."

"There have been cases of natural disaster. A few houses on the edge of the cliff had caved in on their own. Sect wrote it off as the wrath of heaven."

"Someone was caught growing hallucinogenic herbs in their backyard. The sect confiscated them, as they are not allowed to be grown without a permit."

"I also heard about the situation between you and Peng Ho, but what irks me the most is that I have a feeling there is something else at play there. The power structure there is very... shaky."

Shen Yuan saw the worry in her eyes and smiled faintly. "I think I have the gist of whatever’s happening there. I am more stumped about the herbs being out of stock."

’Looks like I need to find another way to temper my body. I might find some herbs in the forest.’

Candy stopped playing with her hair before tilting her head. "You need herbs? Can you tell me which ones?"

Although confused, Shen Yuan passed her a parchment he had been carrying on himself.

It contained the herbs he did not have from the recipe.

"Is this for a medicinal bath? I can see these medicines working." Being an apprentice Alchemist she instantly recognized the materials written there. "Indeed, you might not find these medicines in the market currently."

Candy looked over her shoulder and snapped at the guard standing in the back twice, calling him.

A tall man dressed in metal gear walked towards them and bowed.

"Get me everything on this list and place them in my room." The guard bowed upon hearing Candy’s order and then left with the list.

The black-haired beauty finally turned to Shen Yuan only to see him looking at her strangely. "What is it? I told you I train in alchemy so the pavilion has a batch of herbs lying around for me."

Shen Yuan shook his head with a wry smile, "It seems I am underpaying you."

His words had deeper meaning than they let out to be. Shen Yuan had a doubt that she was not any simple courtesan. Candy might not act like it, but he noticed how other workers were respectful towards her.

Although none of the customers seemed to notice this, he did.

"Not at all~" Candy covered her face and let out a bell-like laugh, drawing the attention of those around them. Shen Yaun could feel gazes of envy and jealousy focused on him. "Think of this as an investment by me in you. I hope in the future you don’t forget me if I need your help."

Shen Yuan did not have to be told twice. "Oh, I am sure I will not let you down when the time comes."

He already knew that he now owed her a huge favor. Not because she had done him a huge favor but because of the timing.

"But let me pay for the herbs at least."

Candy smirked teasingly and said, "That is obvious. I’m not paying for those expensive herbs myself."

Shaking his head, Shen Yuan took the pouch hanging on the side of his waist and placed it on the table. "This should cover everything I took from you today."

Then he proceeded to pour drinks for the both of them and raised the glass.

"To our friendship."

Candy gracefully matched his pace and raised the glass of her own.

Clank!

"To hell of a future." She did not know why, but she was feeling that their partnership would last a long time and it would be a very profitable one.