The Heaven-Defying Trickster

While Therese was getting the wine, Marlans leaned closer to Ye Weian and whispered, "I know you look down on the waitresses here, but since you're here, I suggest you at least watch the first show. Many people here, including quite a few of the 'sellers' you might want to meet, are here at this time because of the show. The atmosphere is most lively and it's easiest to start a conversation before and after the show begins. Going straight into business would seem too hasty."

Valona nodded in agreement.

Ye Wei'an readily agreed: "That makes sense. When does the performance start?"

"When the bell strikes eight," Maranth gestured with his chin, pointing to a bronze bell decorated with a dragon's head on the wall in the distance, "that's when everyone is truly present, and the atmosphere really warms up."

As they were talking, some acquaintances noticed Maran's table and came over to greet them. Maran took the opportunity to introduce Ye Weian.

The first to arrive was a pale-skinned, thin young man dressed in what appeared to be an ordinary street-style belted jacket and riding breeches, with somewhat disheveled black curly hair.

"This is Bernard Buckmantel, a battle mage. If you need a stable supply of magic scrolls or standard potions, especially in large quantities, he's the one to go to."

The next man to arrive was slightly burly, his face appearing both gloomy and handsome in the dim light, and his clothes were elegant yet understated.

"Harlans Dastorin Taranda, a courtier, but he's more commonly known as a 'middleman.' He can make connections for many deals and introductions that aren't convenient to do openly, especially those related to the court. He has a wide network of connections."

In addition, several men and women with different appearances and unique temperaments were casually mentioned by Maranse, either because of their special family backgrounds or because they had considerable influence in certain gray areas.

Clearly, the reason this club was able to quickly become a social hub in a certain sense is because it brought together a group of "young people with different resources and channels".

As soon as the wine that Therese brought was poured, several familiar faces at Maranse's table naturally gathered around and started chatting.

"Have you heard? 'The Silent Shadow' succeeded again last night. This time, old Valtin is the unlucky one. It's said that all the jewels he hid in the secret room of his bedroom have vanished. The old man was so angry he almost had a gout attack."

"The Shadow of Silence? That sounds like the title of some priest named Kranz (the Grim Reaper)!"

"My dear Valen, you've been in Danger Rock Castle for too long and are too out of touch. The Silent Shadow is the hottest thief in Susar. That guy is rotten; he committed so many murders and maimings last winter."

"Ah." The nobleman named Valen had clearly only recently returned to Susar. He smiled and nodded his thanks to the maid who offered him the wine. "But I've heard that this 'Shadow' is more of a thief than an assassin?"

"Ah, it seems you do know quite a bit. However, the Shadow of Silents and the thieves of the Thieves' Guild are completely different. Although they both steal, the guild's thieves are hired thieves; they won't steal from nobles, and we won't use them to steal from our colleagues—but they are free to rob or harass non-nobles. But that 'Shadow' is different..."

Ye Wei'an, somewhat curious, turned to Valuna and asked, "What are they referring to as the 'Silent Shadow'...?"

"A legendary thief, elusive and stealthy, who targets the secret chambers and treasures of noble families. For years, he's never been caught. Some hate him to the core, while others... well, they think he's pretty bold."

At this point, the battle mage Bernard joined the conversation, steer the discussion towards a more chilling area: "No matter how skilled a thief is, they can't compare to the frightening 'residents' of the palace. I know quite a few members of the palace guards, and they say that when they're on night duty, they can hear the clatter of armor and the sound of horses' hooves every few days in that abandoned corridor... but that place has been sealed off for decades!"

"I heard it all stemmed from some terrible magic, which is why they sealed off that corridor and left it abandoned for so many years! But even if it's haunted, we should have had enough priests to quell it by now!"

"I say, you should find a servant who has a relative working in the palace, invite them for a drink one night, and listen to their stories! Our king has tried many priests! They even reclaimed a few rooms and held out for a few months... but time and time again, the Iron Princess always returns with her spirit!"

"The Steel Princess? Is it Princess Yaluser?" Yevian asked Valona curiously.

Valona nodded helplessly: "Indeed, quite a few people have witnessed Princess Yaluser riding her ghostly warhorse through the haunted corridors, freely passing through walls, floors, ceilings—and even people. Wherever her sword points, death is certain, and when her ghostly hand passes through your body, it will chill you to the bone and make you tremble for days."

Ye Wei'an listened with great interest to such court rumors.

The conversation quickly shifted to more practical concerns. "No matter how fierce the ghosts are, they only cause trouble within the palace," a middle-aged man dressed as a merchant, who hadn't spoken much until now, said in a deep voice. "Those lich lords of Shadow City have taken over Zambia, and that's a real thing. I have a cargo ship that has fallen into the Star Sea, and now I have to be on tenterhooks even when crossing Dragon Lake. Who knows if they'll extend their reach to coastal trade next? Cormier's fleet... sigh."

He shook his head and didn't say anything more.

Several young nobles whose families' businesses were related to trade with the East also frowned.

Then, they started talking about a lot of gossip.

Some people mentioned the romantic escapades of a certain captain in the Purple Dragon Legion, a certain emerging merchant guild was suspected of trafficking magical fungi from the Underdark, and even the heir of a minor noble family was found to have a faint dragon bloodline...

Valona, ​​having heard about a certain merchant guild smuggling "Glowing Mushrooms," wanted to share her thoughts with Ye Weian.

Then she noticed that Ye Wei'an beside her seemed a little absent-minded.

She gently touched his arm: "What's wrong? Are you bored?"

"It's nothing," Ye Wei'an said, turning his gaze away and smiling at her. "I just saw something interesting."

In fact, his attention was indeed drawn to something else.

Having just overheard the nobles talking about the "Silent Shadow," Ye Wei'an almost immediately connected the scene before him with the events described.

She was a woman with a curvaceous figure, dressed as a maid, with thick black hair tied up at the back of her head, and wearing the club's standard metal mask, revealing only a pair of captivating black eyes.

When Ye Wei'an noticed her, she was pouring wine for a nobleman who was dressed extravagantly, wearing a gilded wig and pointed boots.

However, behind that nobleman, a completely transparent mage's hand was gently grabbing a bulging money bag.

Of course, what caught Ye Wei'an's attention was not the woman's theft methods, but her label.

【阿玛露恩·白浪，Lv.6诡术师，属性：力量10、敏捷18、体质12、智力15、感知14、魅力16。】

The system allows Ye Wei'an to see information that others absolutely cannot see.

The so-called Trickster is a subclass of the Wanderer, skilled in using magic to enhance their stealth, theft, and assassination abilities.

This Dragon Knight Club is certainly full of professionals, most of whom are typical noble professions such as warriors, purple dragon knights, warriors, and rangers, as well as battle mages like Bernard.

But wanderers, especially such high-ranking sorcerers, should never appear on the guest or servant list of the owner of this place.

What surprised Ye Wei'an the most was her attributes.

Although he couldn't see her face, Ye Wei'an could tell from her firm skin and youthful figure that this Amalune Bailang was definitely not too old.

At such a young age, he has reached Lv.6, with an agility of 18 points. His other attributes are also without any weaknesses. His total attribute value even exceeds that of Ye Wei'an himself, who has the system's assistance!

It's important to know that Ye Wei'an is a system holder; the way he acquires attributes is something that ordinary people simply cannot do.

Compared to him, who was a cheat code, the girl in front of him, who had reached such a height through her own talent, was more like the kind of genius that Master Ganlahast described as one in a million.

A genius's talent, a sorcerer's profession, and the act of stealing from a nobleman...

Ye Wei'an was almost certain that she was the so-called "Silent Shadow," or at least one of them.

Ye Wei'an didn't make a fuss, but observed with great interest.

The other person seemed to be unusually perceptive to eye contact.

Almost at the same time that Ye Wei'an was looking at him, the other party also noticed him.

Realizing that her theft had been discovered, Amalune Whitewave's silver wine jug trembled slightly, and the deep red wine nearly spilled on the nobleman.

But she immediately steadied her wrist and poured the last drop of wine steadily into the glass.

But Ye Wei'an saw it clearly.

Wrapped in the maid's long dress, her entire body tensed instantly, like a feline ready to hunt its prey; she could escape at any moment should Ye Wei'an show any intention of exposing her.

Having finally encountered such a promising genius with no special background, Ye Wei'an certainly wouldn't do something as foolish as exposing him.

So, meeting her wary dark eyes, Ye Wei'an simply smiled slightly and nodded in a friendly manner.

Amarun hadn't expected Ye Weian to react this way.

Seeing that the other party really didn't intend to expose him, his tense shoulders visibly relaxed.

Then, she lowered her eyes, no longer looking at Ye Weian, and continued her work—putting the wine jug back on the tray and gently wiping the bottle neck.

At the same time, the mage's hand finished its work, silently slipping the money pouch under her skirt.

Having done all this, Amarun picked up the tray, gave a slight bow like every other maid, and then turned to merge into the bustling crowd.

After a few turns, she disappeared from Ye Weian's sight, with only a faint green dot on the minimap proving that she had not left the club.