Two days later, Wei Huoran arrived at North River city, and after entering the front gate with no issues, he rented a courtyard. This time, however, he picked a more expensive place that would suggest that he had a possible backer. He wanted the people that were greedy to think twice before attempting to rob him. After laying a few arrays around his temporary residence, he went strolling around the city to find the slums and slave traders. There were a few notable differences between the two cities as North River city was bigger and had way more disciples of the Mountains and Rivers Sect patrolling the city. The next few days went the same as his time in North Wind city as he visited slums offering opportunities to the residents there.
On the fourth day he went to the first slave trader and was greeted by a servent.
"Young master, how may this humble one assist you?"
"I want to know how many slaves you have for sale", Huoran asked.
"I'm afraid this humble one doesn't have the authority to make deals like this, please wait a moment as I get the merchant", the servant replied while bowing out of the room.
A few minutes later, a man in fine blue robes and fan entered and smiled.
"Greetings Young Master, I was told you are looking to make a large purchase. I am Shi Deming and I am able to make whatever deal you require", Shi Deming introduced himself.
"Wei Huoran, and yes I would like to know how many slaves you have available to purchase right now. Please include the elderly, men, women, and children in total." Huoran requested.
"Excellent, please follow me and I'll display all my stock", Shi Deming clapped his hands, rose out of the chair, and walked through a door.
As uncomfortable as Wei Huoran was, he followed after.
'It's fine, once I bring them back to the island, I can free them and improve their life', he thought as he walked behind the merchant.
As they entered a large area in the back of the business, he saw a large number of people, men and women, of all ages in tattered clothing and living in terrible conditions.
"Is everyone present here available?" Huoran asked.
Shi Deming smiled and replied, "Of course, shall I guide you through? Of course, if you tell us your requirements we can bring them here as well."
"No need, I will take every available slave and I want them promptly delivered to my address", Huoran requested, "let us start discussing the price."
"Yes, well, right this way please", Shi Deming gestured as he pointed to a door.
Once inside, the two sat down and after a moment, Shi Deming offered his first price.
'Xiao Ran, this merchant is trying to take advantage of your youth', Quanliyan suddenly suggested, 'Even if it's been a long time since I've been to this type of establishment, I can sense this merchant is not being sincere.'
'I know, even if I'm only thirteen, this merchant is going too far', Huoran agreed.
After weighing his options, he let out some of his aura and said, "Merchant Shi, it seems that you have ill intentions stated such a price, I believe it would be best that I leave and find someone else to buy from."
As soon as Shi Deming felt the slight pressure and heard Huoran's words, he began to sweat, "Young Master Wei, my apologies, that last price was just made in jest."
"I apologize then Master Shi, I'm not from around here and didn't understand the humor", Huoran smiled gently.
An hour later, Wei Huoran left having made a deal and Shi Deming escorted him outside personally. As Wei Huoran walked away, Shi Deming spoke with his guards, "How strong was that boy?"
The lead guard replied, "Master, we couldn't gauge his strength, so he must at the Qi Gathering stage, we should have invited Daoist Yuan."
"We can still invite Daoist Yuan with us when we deliver the slaves", Shi Deming decided.
A few hours after Wei Huoran returned to his courtyard, a man and woman with two children came to his door.
"Young master Wei, we have come to talk business", the man said as Huoran opened the gate.
"Yes, please come in, I believe that we can come to an agreement. I have a business partner that knows all the details, so I will arrange a meeting for you", Huoran explained.
Once inside, He brought the family to a room with a complex array set up inside.
"When I will open the portal, quickly step through, and the people on the other side will receive you. They will guide you and help you get settled in", Huoran instructed the family.
A minute later the portal opened and the four of them walked through. Huoran closed to portal and prepared for the next 'visitors'. He reflected on his new plan which staggered the movements of the families from the slums without attracting undue attention from greedy cultivators or bandits. He would have everyone moved before the arrival of the slaves and then he would return back to the island before they could stop him. About this time, his next appointment showed up and he went to greet them. During the week, he transported seventy five families and he was ready to receive the three hundred and seventy four new citizens tomorrow.
The next day, Huoran was sitting in yard awaiting Shi Deming's arrival when he detected a large group of people traveling in his direction. Once a servent announced their presence, he opened the gate and greeted Shi Deming and an unknown man who appeared to be in his thirties.
"Welcome Master Shi Deming", Huoran offered his greetings.
"Ah, Daoist Wei, I can't accept such a greeting from you", Shi Deming nervously replied.
"No need to worry, shall we start bringing in the people?" Huoran suggested.
"Of course, Daoist Wei", Shi Deming quickly turned and instructed his men to guide the crowd into the courtyard.
After everyone entered, Wei Huoran paid the balance in low quality spirit stones which caused Shi Deming to immediately become serious, and left with his guards quickly. On his way back, Shi Deming left a couple men close by to watch the courtyard.
Jiang Qiang and Yao Shan had spent part of the morning watching the courtyard and were beginning to get bored when they noticed another large group of slaves arrive and enter the same courtyard they had came from. The two watching felt something was wrong because there shouldn't be enough room for that many people but they stayed to watch for longer. Three hours later, another group showed up and even though it wasn't as large as the first two groups of people. Once again everyone entered the the courtyard with no issues. At this point both men decided that had to report this to Shi Deming and they left to return to his pavilion.
As Shi Deming heard the report from the two men he immediately called Doaist Yuan out and the two of them traveled to Huoran's courtyard and announced their presence. Frustration built up after no one answered the gate after several attempts so they located nearest patrolling cultivators and the landlord and requested their help. The landlord opened the gate and the cultivators and Doaist Yuan entered quickly only to be greeted by an empty courtyard.
"What, that's impossible!", Shi Deming shouted as he looked inside.
The patrolling sect members looked at him and one asked, "what seems to be the problem, Merchant Shi?"
"Today, I delivered 374 slaves to the cultivator renting this courtyard but hours later, my rivals delivered 344 and 167 slaves as well. The last deliver was within the last hour and yet no one is in the building and no one saw them leave", Shi Deming recanted.
The patrolling team looked at each other with suspicious looks and told Shi Ming, "we will report this to the Mountain and River Sect, but it's possible he was a disciple of a high ranking sect" and they left the courtyard leaving Shi Deming standing there wondering what happened.