Male lust

Ye Wei'an naturally wanted to ask them about the black market.

Of course, he wasn't foolish enough to directly ask these people where he could buy smuggled goods.

He certainly wouldn't reveal such illegal activities to others casually, so he used a different excuse.

"It's nothing major, I just wanted to ask you for some information," Ye Wei asked casually. "Since we're all on the same side, I won't beat around the bush. I'm about to head to the Western Frontier to expand, and I need to gather a lot of supplies, some of which are difficult to obtain openly. Do you know where in Susar City there's a black market that can handle large quantities of contraband?"

In a place like the black market, you can buy and sell anywhere, so he wasn't worried about being introduced to the wrong place.

Schulderen and the others exchanged glances, revealing knowing smiles.

They're very familiar with this kind of thing.

Being a mage is a very expensive profession, as both spellcasting materials and experimental materials are extremely costly.

Even academies can't provide free materials indefinitely. For some young mages who want to improve, buying extra materials at their own expense is the only option.

To fill this money pit, even the sons of wealthy families often secretly made scrolls and basic potions to sell for cash.

"If you want high-quality potions, I know the 'Crooked Neck Tavern' in the lower town..."

"If you're looking for a banned necromantic catalyst, there's an old man in 'Dead Fish Alley' in the dock area..."

They all offered clues, but when Ye Wei'an inquired about their transaction volume, the answer he received made him frown slightly.

"You can only sell twenty two-ring scrolls at most?" Ye Wei'an shook his head. "That's too few. I'm looking for a large store that can buy and sell materials on a large scale and provide a lot of magic gems. This kind of small workshop business is simply not enough."

The students exchanged glances, and Schulderen scratched his head somewhat awkwardly: "Ye Weian, the scale you're talking about... that's no ordinary 'black market.' We junior mages can't even get our hands on a place of that level."

Just then, a flippant voice came from the shadows of the archway:

"If you're looking to do big business in those small places, you're in for a disappointment."

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw a handsome young man leaning against the doorway.

He was dressed in a well-tailored dark gold hunting suit, and his every move was elegant and relaxed, clearly indicating that he was a nobleman from a prestigious family.

"Marans Golden Feather." The young man straightened up and gave a noble bow. "I had no intention of eavesdropping on your conversation; I was simply waiting here for a friend. But if you are troubled by such matters, I would be happy to offer a small clue."

Shuldron and several other mages instinctively took a half step back, their expressions becoming extremely wary.

In their perception, the young man seemed to have never been there at all.

These elusive creatures are the most hated type of enemies for fragile characters like mages.

Ye Wei'an wasn't surprised by this.

He could see the other party's true strength: [Marans Golden Feather, Lv.4 Swordsman]

"Swordsman" is an advanced subclass of the Wanderer. Although it focuses on direct combat ability, it still retains the Wanderer's basic stealth and concealment abilities, so it is not surprising that it can fool these low-level mages.

In fact, Ye Wei'an had already spotted him on the minimap, but because the other party was always displayed as a "green dot" representing friendliness, he did not point it out on the spot.

He was somewhat surprised by the other party's identity.

The Golden Feather family is a well-known name in Cormier, and the current Crown Prince Cormier's wife, Ospra, is from the Golden Feather family.

It can be said that Maranse has the blood of the most elite in his veins.

"Why would the young master of the Jin family be interested in my business?" Ye Wei'an scrutinized the other party.

In the past, he was merely the illegitimate son of a baron, and had never crossed paths with such a top-tier second-generation heir. The other party's motive for taking the initiative to extend goodwill is intriguing.

"If this is love at first sight... as before, would you accept this kind offer?"

Marans chuckled, ignoring Schultren and the others, his sticky gaze sweeping back and forth over Ye Weian, making him somewhat uncomfortable.

This young master from the Jin family was being strangely enthusiastic.

However, the other party's identity on the minimap was still green, indicating that the other party indeed had no malicious intent, so Ye Wei'an chose to believe them.

"In that case, I'd like to hear your opinion."

"Thank you for your trust," Marans smiled even more broadly, taking two steps forward and asking enthusiastically, "How large is the shipment you're ordering? Is it a few boxes of magic scrolls, or more?"

"My goal is to expand the borders, and the goods I need will naturally be worth tens of thousands of gold coins."

Maranth's pupils suddenly contracted.

In Susar, black market transactions reaching a few thousand gold coins are considered serious; black market transactions of tens of thousands of gold coins are indeed beyond the reach of most places.

He dropped his nonchalant expression and lowered his voice, saying, "Ordinary black market shops certainly can't support transactions of this size. But I know a place where no matter how much you want, it's no problem. We can discuss the details."

Considering the need to ship the goods as soon as possible, Ye Weian nodded.

Ye Wei'an bid farewell to his classmates.

Next, the two walked side by side on the tree-lined path in front of the college. Maranth, like a child eager to share treasures, started a conversation with great interest.

"I want to recommend the 'Dragon Knights Club' to you." Marans turned to look at Yevian. "Have you heard of it? It's Lord Tres's private property. In Susar, if you haven't had a drink on one of their black velvet sofas, you can't really call yourself 'high society'."

"A private club?" Ye Wei'an asked, following up on the conversation. "I thought it was just a place for nobles to squander their gold coins."

“Oh, if that’s the case, you’re underestimating it.” Marans said, beaming. “You can’t imagine how wonderful it is. By day, it’s the best healing place in town, offering haircuts, hot baths, and even massages from Ser. But its true soul lies in the night.”

He leaned closer, and Ye Wei'an could smell the perfume on him: "Back then, this place would house the most beautiful masquerade dancers in all of Cormier. Many wealthy merchants and nobles would be willing to throw away thousands of gold coins for just a glance from them."

"Beauty is indeed an excellent cover," Ye Wei'an said without any reaction. "But I was asking about the black market."

"That's the point I wanted to make." A glint of light flashed in Marans' eyes. "It's precisely because the wealthiest people in all of Cormier gather there that the club has become the largest distribution center for contraband in the entire kingdom. There, whether it's enchanted weapons of the elves or embargoed weapons from Zanbia, it's all a matter of negotiating a deal in the time it takes to drink a few glasses of red wine."

As they talked, Maranse moved even closer, his right hand seemingly unintentionally reaching out to gently rest on Ye Weian's arm, even teasingly rubbing it a couple of times, his eyes filled with an almost greedy infatuation.

It was only at this moment that Ye Wei'an suddenly realized that the nobleman from the Jin Yu family was so enthusiastic towards him not for any other reason, but simply because he had taken a liking to him.

In other words, he is gay!

"Bang!"

Almost instinctively, Ye Wei'an vanished from his spot, leaving Maranse with empty air, only managing to grasp a wisp of silver mist.

The figure he was so fascinated by suddenly appeared behind a stone pillar ten meters away.

Almost being hugged by Nan Tong, Ye Wei'an instinctively activated the [Stealth Step].

He looked as if he had been touched by something dirty, his face turning ashen as he patted the cuff that Maran had just touched, wishing he could cut the cuff off on the spot.

"Damn it...this is disgusting!" Ye Wei'an cursed under his breath.

This is even more difficult to guard against than an assassination attempt!

He glanced at the minimap, and Maran's green friendly dot was still flashing—the system still judged that the other party was not hostile.

But for him, this "friendliness" was more terrifying than a demon's curse!

Seeing Maran still standing there, rubbing his fingers with a look of unsatisfaction, Ye Wei'an finally couldn't suppress his anger.

"You pervert, wake up!"

Ye Wei'an suddenly grabbed at the air with his right hand, locking onto the space around Maranth.

【Whirlpool Warp】!

Marans, who was still immersed in some kind of morbid fantasy, had no time to react to Ye Weian's sudden disappearance when he felt an irresistible force engulf him.

"Wait! I just..."

Before he could finish speaking, he vanished from the spot.

A muffled thud was followed by a terrified scream.

The next second, on the eaves of the towering tower on the other side of the academy gate, Marans was hanging bewilderedly from a grotesque stone statue of a gargoyle. He was more than thirty meters above the ground, and he looked like a nailed specimen, his limbs flailing futilely in mid-air.

"If you dare to lay your hands on me again, next time I'll hang you right on the city wall!"

Ye Wei'an patted his robe one last time with disgust, and without even turning his head, walked straight to the carriage waiting by the roadside.

"Let's go! To the Dragon's Jaw Tavern!"

He practically jumped onto the carriage and slammed the door shut. Although the news from the "Dragon Knights Club" was important, at this moment he just wanted to get away from this guy who was making him physically uncomfortable as soon as possible.

As for black market transactions, once Ye Wei'an knows the name, he can easily find a way to get there on his own—at worst, he can bother old man Ganlahast again.