Manager Xu asked, "What do you want to sell miss?"
As he looked at Su Mei, who was covered in a cloak and veil, only her striking purple eyes were visible. However, despite her slim frame, her unusually large stomach caught his attention. He quickly deduced that this woman was pregnant, but why was she alone?
Before he could think further, Su Mei stepped closer and placed the gold earrings on the counter. The moment Manager Xu picked them up, his experienced fingers traced the metal, and his brows lifted in surprise.
Blood Sun Gold… he thought, recognizing the rare material. The craftsmanship was exquisite, and the gold alone made it worth at least 10,000 gold coins! He glanced at the woman before him, but her veil concealed her expression.
Keeping his voice steady, he said, "Well, these are quite good… I can offer you 100 gold coins."
Su Mei nodded without hesitation.
Manager Xu nearly dropped the earrings. Is she serious?! He had expected her to bargain, but she simply accepted his offer. Hiding his excitement, he turned to a nearby young girl dressed in simple linen robes. "Xiao Lan, bring 100 gold coins."
Xiao Lan, a petite girl with long black hair and bright green eyes, quickly brought over a small bag of gold coins. Manager Xu handed it to Su Mei with a polite smile. "Here you go, miss. It was a pleasure doing business with you."
Su Mei took the bag, nodded slightly, and left without another word.
Manager Xu watched Su Mei's departing figure, his sharp eyes gleaming with interest. He signaled his assistant to alert the Black Viper Gang is one of the most notorious criminal groups in the scorchwind city.
A rich pregnant woman selling her jewelry?He chuckled inwardly. She must be ignorant of how dangerous this place is. Countless criminals and even rogue cultivators lurk in the southern region. Someone like her is an easy target.
Despite his composed expression, excitement flickered in his eyes. The earrings she sold were no ordinary trinkets.
He was certain they were a pair of the Blood Sun God Earrings, crafted by the legendary master artisan Yan Wujin. If he could obtain the other earring from her, the value would triple instantly.
A foolish woman walking into a den of wolves, he mused, a sly smirk forming on his lips.
As she walked out, she clenched her stomach. The pain was steadily growing. Although she was blocking the baby from coming out using spiritual energy, it was quickly draining her reserves.
The Azure Sky Sect had soft, refined spiritual energy that nourished the body, making recovery easy.
But here, in the harsh Southern Territory . The energy was dense and rough, difficult to absorb. Each step she took made it clearer that her spiritual energy was running out faster than she could replenish it.
She spotted an inn nearby and made her way there.
The inn's entrance was simple, with a wooden sign swaying gently in the wind. Inside, the manager, a middle-aged man with short black hair, a round face, and dark brown eyes was seated behind the counter, watching people enter and leave. The scent of roasted meat and cheap wine filled the air.
Seeing Su Mei approach, he greeted her with a wide smile. "Welcome! Are you here to stay or to eat? A night's stay is 1 silver coin. A meal with wine is 10 bronze coins."
"Stay," Su Mei answered and pulled out a gold coin.
The manager's eyes widened in excitement. A single gold coin was worth 100 silver coins! Trying to maintain his composure, he turned and shouted, "Xiao Rui! Show this lady to a VIP room!"
Xiao Rui, a tall young man with short, messy brown hair and gray eyes, hurried over. He wore a simple beige tunic and bowed slightly before gesturing toward the staircase. "Please, follow me."
Su Mei walked upstairs, her steps steady despite the increasing pain. Upon reaching the room, she took out another gold coin and handed it to Xiao Rui.
His eyes shone with gratitude. "Thank you, miss! If you need anything, just call me."
Once the door closed behind her, Su Mei's expression darkened. She could sense several people tracking her ever since she left the shop. Her patience ran out.
With a cold look in her purple eyes, she released a wave of spiritual energy in their direction.
Outside, in a hidden alley, five figures who had been lurking in the shadows suddenly froze, their bodies convulsing as blood gushed from their mouths. Within seconds, they collapsed, lifeless.
The sudden deaths once again sent waves of fear through the city. People whispered in hushed voices, some fleeing the streets while others hurriedly shut their gates. Panic spread like wildfire, this was the second time such a thing had happened.
Su Mei sighed. I should have destroyed that shop too, but why did I even come to this city? I could have given birth outside or on the boat and threw the baby away. Why go through all this trouble just to abandon the baby later?
But before she could dwell on these thoughts, a strange calmness washed over her, pushing away the dark impulses.
Just then, another wave of pain surged through her body, making her tremble. I don't have much time left…
She quickly took out a protective device from her spatial ring. A glowing jade talisman covered in complex runes. Activating it, a soft, translucent barrier formed around the bed, ensuring that no one could enter while she was vulnerable.
Without hesitation, she spread a large number of spiritual stones around herself, their rich energy seeping into the air. She then took two pills, one for pain relief and another to recover spiritual energy. Both were of the highest quality.
Almost instantly, a soothing warmth spread through her body. The unbearable pain dulled, and her drained spiritual energy began replenishing at a rapid pace.
Su Mei exhaled, gripping the edge of the bed tightly. The baby is coming… I need to focus.