Chapter Thirty: East and West

Silence. Silence is the Cam River tonight.

No one present could believe their ears. Even though many had already sensed what was coming, when those words actually left Carlotes’ lips, the shock was overwhelming.

What did it mean to have no shame left at all!

Shocking—!

Compared to Carlotes’ current actions, even selling official positions and titles seemed gentle and virtuous.

Carlotes finished his sentence unhurriedly, then swept his gaze around and smiled. “It seems some of you have doubts?”

“Allow me to offer a further explanation.”

“As you all know, every year the Student Council acts as the question setter for the Night of Leaves’ Third Trial, and we are required to ensure that both the format and the focus of the test vary each year. Undoubtedly, this is an enormous burden for us.”

“Therefore, this year, we plan to make some changes.”

The audience remained utterly silent, most still digesting the news.

Carlotes turned, snapped his fingers, and instantly all lights in the hall went out. Only a single circular beam descended from above, illuminating the red-haired student council president.

He quietly produced a blue envelope from his coat and waved it for all to see.

“The test for this year’s Third Trial is right here.”

“We will begin the auction now.”

“The starting bid is one Golden Leaf.”

“You are all welcome to bid enthusiastically.”

Carlotes spoke slowly, folding his hands and waiting for someone to make an offer.

But the hall remained silent.

Until someone raised a hand high.

“You wish to bid?” Carlotes looked at the person.

“I have a few questions,” replied a blonde girl. In the darkness, her face was unclear, but her voice was clear and pleasant.

“Go ahead,” Carlotes smiled.

“First, I believe this test is genuine, but if I buy it, will it affect me in any way?” the girl asked. “At the very least, will I be considered cheating?”

At this, everyone held their breath—for this was exactly the information they all wanted.

“Good question. Are you my plant?” Carlotes asked in return.

“If the president doesn’t know, then I’m certainly not,” the girl replied with a smile.

Carlotes nodded. “Let me answer your first question. Nearly eight hundred students are present as witnesses, each selected by a certain process, and most from distinguished backgrounds. It would be impossible for me to bribe you all; that’s why I’m sending out eight hundred sealed boxes.”

“Anyone who obtains this test will not be considered a cheater by the Academy, but rather a VIP guest.”

Once he’d finished, everyone felt a weight lift from their hearts.

Previously, silence had reigned because the test, for all its value, was also a hot potato. Even if you gained an edge in the Third Trial with it, wouldn’t you fear being reported?

The Night of Leaves’ Third Trial valued fairness above all. Without fairness, what meaning would the trial have?

But Carlotes dared to say this openly—he truly had nothing to fear. Even if it meant shaking the heavens, he was unfazed.

“A second question,” the girl continued. “If I win the test, can I show it to others?”

“Or does the Academy have any restrictions?”

Carlotes’ gaze grew more appreciative. “Interested in joining our Frost Burial Society? We need people like you.”

“Not until I pass the Third Trial, at least,” the girl replied quietly.

“True, but I doubt that will be a problem for you.” Carlotes smiled. “As for your second question, in principle, the Academy does not restrict you. But you must know, obtaining this test here comes at a great price. I’m sure there are many here determined to get it.”

“Of course, you could resell or share it within a small circle and at least recoup your expenses. But if the test spreads widely, the greatest loss falls upon whoever wins it here.”

“How you weigh the benefits is up to you all.”

At this, whispers began to ripple through the Hall of Stars.

Though most of the eight hundred people present were strangers, some had come with friends or family. Realizing the test could be freely shared, everyone’s excitement grew.

Indeed, many here were confident of gaining admission to the Night of Leaves Academy even without the test, so its allure wasn’t overwhelming. But the temptation was real—the test increased one’s chances by at least thirty percent. For the sake of entering the Academy, any cost was worth paying.

But as Carlotes pointed out, you could also act as a middleman, and the value of the test grew significantly.

Of course, the value of information lay in its scarcity. If Carlotes hadn’t taken steps to prevent piracy, distribution would incur no cost; word would spread, and soon the test would become common, rendering any effort pointless.

Still, you could share it with only your most trusted, or enforce some kind of deposit-based compensation, minimizing malicious spread.

No fools had made it into this hall. They quickly deduced many ways to maximize the test’s value.

Now only one question remained: how to ensure one could win the test.

“A third question,” the girl asked, still standing. “Can bids be made only with Golden Leafs or coins, or will other valuables suffice?”

“Is there no cap on bids?”

“Payments in Golden Leafs are most welcome, of course—who would refuse money?” Carlotes replied, standing with a smile. “But I know some here are wealthy but short on cash.”

“Some are determined, yet fate blocks their way.”

“Since this is the Hall of Stars Auction House, all auctions will follow its rules. We offer appraisal services for valuables, but let me say up front, all items are valued at eighty percent, and the Auction House will handle recovery.”

“Lastly, there is no upper limit to the bidding.” Carlotes concluded quietly.

“I have no further questions,” the girl said, sitting down and quietly opening her palm.

In her hand was a coin, gleaming gold.

Heavy and cold.

…

…

This silent yet, in a way, ostentatious auction was taking place in the East Market. The East Market was the official marketplace of Night of Leaves City; all merchants operating here had to provide sufficient funds and credentials—only the oldest and most international brands could establish themselves in the East Market.

Meanwhile, in the West Market, a boy in a newsboy cap gently tapped the back of the man before him.

The man reacted as if jabbed by a needle—he leapt up, spun around, and assumed a fighting stance.

But he was met with the boy’s quiet laughter.

A flush crept up the man’s face.

Indeed, if someone could approach him so quietly and tap his back, killing him would have been just as easy. His reaction was not only excessive, but faintly ridiculous.

He stared at the boy, but no matter how he searched his memory, he could not recall meeting him before.

“I wish to see the Mountain Master,” the boy said with a smile. “And—my codename is Butterfly.”

At the word “Butterfly,” the man’s expression changed. He scrutinized the boy, unmoving.

“I should have the right to meet the Mountain Master, though this is my first time in Night of Leaves City,” Butterfly continued. “Lead the way.”

The man hesitated, then shook his head. “I must ask the Mountain Master for permission.”

He didn’t believe Butterfly could be so young, nor could he bring someone to see the Mountain Master based solely on a codename.

He knew the Mountain Master could always tell truth from lie, and feared no visitor.

But he cared.

“No need to ask,” Butterfly smiled. “The Mountain Master is probably watching us right now.”

He placed a hand quietly over his heart in salute toward the empty air. “At last, we meet.”

In the next moment, a gentle male voice came from the emptiness.

“Bring him to me, Xiaohua.”

The man addressed as Xiaohua finally believed this was Butterfly. He nodded and said softly, “Come with me.”

He led Butterfly through a nearby wall, then down a dark passageway into the depths. After several turns, he asked quietly, “I know I shouldn’t be curious, but—how did you find me?”

Working in the West Market was his disguise. How had the other seen through it so easily and known he was the one to find?

“You wouldn’t understand,” Butterfly said with a laugh. “Let’s just say your scent is different from everyone else’s.”

“Scent?” Xiaohua repeated softly, but asked no more. He had heard of Butterfly, and knew the codename was of great importance to the West City.

“The Mountain Master is waiting just ahead,” he said.

…

…

This was the underground of the West Market. No one knew that beneath this vast, castle-like marketplace lay a hidden world.

Xiaohua led Butterfly to a row of low, black houses, and pointed ahead. “The Mountain Master is inside.”

Butterfly studied the row, smiled, nodded, and went up to push open the wooden door.

Behind it was a long table, and behind that sat a man with deep chestnut hair. He wore a black shirt, every detail immaculate. He could have been anywhere between twenty and fifty years old. Most striking were his eyes—a subtle shade of violet.

Even in the whole world, violet eyes were a rare thing.

“I didn’t expect the Mountain Master himself to meet me,” Butterfly said, closing the door behind him.

“Nor did I expect you to actually come,” the Mountain Master replied with a gentle smile, his voice soft as wind.

“If I didn’t come, I would probably die where I was,” Butterfly said quietly, meeting his gaze.

The Mountain Master showed no surprise. “But someone as cautious as you must know that meeting me is also extremely dangerous.”

“It’s the danger that brings me here in person,” Butterfly replied calmly. “I am no longer His Highness.”

“I’ve heard a little about that.” The Mountain Master looked at the youth before him. “Still, I can hardly believe your stories—sometimes I think you have a powerful persecution complex. You’ve always been too careful.”

“Which is exactly why I’m still alive,” Butterfly replied with a smile. “As for that matter, perhaps soon the whole world will know.”

“If that’s so, shouldn’t you tell the one who most needs to know?” the Mountain Master asked quietly.

Butterfly shook his head. “It’s no use. If you wake in a dark, suffocating room to find yourself about to suffocate, would you rouse everyone else, so you all use up the last of the oxygen together, or would you quietly find a doghole you alone can escape through?”

“A curious and clever metaphor,” the Mountain Master smiled. “Are you sure there’s no one in that room who could tear off the roof?”

Butterfly looked at him and calmly confirmed, “There isn’t.”

“Very well, I trust your judgment.” The Mountain Master nodded. “You’ve come here to enter Night of Leaves Academy?”

“What else?” Butterfly replied.

“You could come work for me,” the Mountain Master said with a smile. “Believe me, I have the means to protect you.”

Butterfly quietly took a gold coin from his pocket and placed it on the table. “Perhaps you should rephrase that.”

The Mountain Master looked at the coin and couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Where did you learn such skillful bootlicking?”

“Innate talent,” Butterfly replied succinctly. “I thought there was nothing in this city that could escape your notice.”

“I can’t keep my eyes on Yunmengze all the time,” the Mountain Master shrugged. “And Yunmengze would have a hard time finding you, too.”

“With your abilities, if you didn’t come to Night of Leaves City, no one in the world could find you.”

Butterfly smiled slightly.

“I heard—”

“There is a path to godhood in Night of Leaves Academy.”