Chapter 042: Freedom

Unlike public auctions, the internal private auction held by the Tull family began with the auctioneer giving a brief introduction of all the items.

Yun Xi was surprised to find that most of the items were detection-related tools.

Especially one item—a high-grade detection rune. Though it was single-use, the fact that it was labeled “high-grade” meant its starting price was at least a white crystal, not even gold coins could purchase it.

So many detection items in one auction—it wasn’t hard to associate them with what the noblewomen earlier had referred to as “that incident.”

The location of “that incident” was still some distance away from Qinglan Town. If one needed precise locations or inside information, detection-type tools were essential.

Chances were high that this auction was adjusted to align with current events, gathering all relevant items it could.

As Yun Xi surveyed the room, she was surprised to spot a familiar figure sitting in the front row—the senior alchemist from the Enchanted Accessories Shop.

As always, he was wrapped in robes from head to toe, making it impossible to see his face. But his signature silver-white hair was unforgettable.

There were plenty of white-haired people in Qinglan Town, but none had hair so lustrous and radiant—it could only be him.

As a high-ranking alchemist, his senses were naturally keen. He seemed to notice Yun Xi’s gaze and turned his head slightly.

Then, unexpectedly, he stood up… and sat down right beside Yun Xi.

Everyone around was stunned. This alchemist had lived in Qinglan Town for several years now, in one of the best houses on Yulan Street, but he was famously aloof and rarely socialized.

This was only the third time he’d ever appeared at a public event, barely even once per year on average.

And yet, this fallen noblewoman had somehow gained his attention? Could it be that they already knew each other?

Yun Xi, too, was taken aback by his approach. In her eyes, their relationship was no more than buyer and seller—certainly not close enough to sit side-by-side in public.

Why did he come to her? Did he need something?

As if reading her confusion, the alchemist came straight to the point:

“Can I request an early advance on a few months’ installment payments?”

…Huh? Yun Xi was momentarily stunned.

“But our contract is already active. Isn’t it inappropriate to ask for an early advance?”

“I’ll waive the monthly overage. Let’s reduce your monthly payment from 120 green crystals to 100. Deal?”
As he spoke, a rune silently ignited in his hand.

It was a high-grade privacy rune, blocking others from eavesdropping on their conversation.

After all, when green crystals were involved, prying ears were inevitable.

Dropping the payment by 20 green crystals each month…

“Is that for all 300 months?” Yun Xi asked immediately.

“That’s too much. I meant just for these few months I want advanced.” The alchemist’s tone was flat and calm.

“How many months do you want to advance?”

“Twenty…”

Yun Xi frowned.

“Or eighteen?” He was clearly testing the limits of Yun Xi’s savings.

Yun Xi said nothing.

“Twelve then. I really need some money right now.”

“Ten months at most,” Yun Xi replied after a moment’s thought. “I still need to buy other supplies.”

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to offer more—it was just that, according to her knowledge of the Yuqin Principality, even a fallen noble lady wouldn’t carry too much liquid wealth on her. Around 2,000 green crystals was a believable amount.

Ten months’ worth of payments, with a 20 crystal discount per month, would be 1,000 green crystals—a reasonable and believable sum.

“Fine, ten months it is,” the alchemist agreed.
Though it wasn’t quite enough for him, he didn’t try to push Yun Xi further.

Just as they were about to update their contract and finalize the ten-month advance, Yun Xi suddenly said:

“Respected Alchemist, since I’m willing to pay this amount upfront, could you grant me a small favor in return?”

“Oh? What kind of favor?”

“I want to know more about the major event about to happen in Qinglan Town. I suspect… it’s related to why you need this money, isn’t it?”

Yun Xi hadn’t originally planned to get involved. But after hearing the noblewomen talk about it—and the fact that the Duke’s own children would be participating—

That meant the resources at stake were not the kind money could buy.

This was a rare opportunity—she couldn’t just let it slip by.

If she seized it, it could become one of her greatest future assets.

Even if she failed, at worst she’d just lose some spiritual attributes and get revived—a risk she could afford.

In other words, she was willing to trade some mental attributes for rare items.
But if it was just some thankless and dangerous mission, then it wasn’t worth it.

“Are you sure you want to know? Because once you know… it means you’ve accepted the mission.”

“Before you answer, I need you to understand something. The reason I’ve been stuck in Qinglan Town for so many years… is because I once participated in this mission and lost my freedom.”

“Pay attention: freedom.”

Thanks to Yun Xi’s generosity, the alchemist offered her this warning.
Whether or not she understood the weight of his words… would depend on her own intelligence.

When she heard the word freedom, Yun Xi immediately thought of the Statue of Liberty at Qinglan’s town entrance.

That… suddenly sent a chill through her.

The alchemist’s hint was very clear now: this “incident” is deeply connected to the Goddess of Liberty.

The Goddess of Liberty was mentioned in An Introduction to the Shuyu Plains.
She had arrived 2,000 years ago to protect the people and mysteriously vanished 500 years ago.

In recorded history, she lived on the Shuyu Plains for 1,500 years—the longest of any god, helping many towns exorcise spirits and earning widespread devotion.

Even though she had been gone for 500 years, many regions still worshipped her as their highest deity.

Back when Yun Xi read about her, she had assumed such a divine being was completely out of reach—after all, this was the “Continent of Fallen Gods.”

But now… if the alchemist’s words were true—could the Goddess of Liberty still be alive?

It was known that this alchemist had participated in “that incident” a few years ago… and lost his freedom as a result.

The more Yun Xi thought about it, the more convinced she became:
Who else, besides the Goddess of Liberty, could possibly restrain a powerful alchemist’s freedom?

“By the way, my master died because of it,” the alchemist added.
“He lost his freedom… of life.
So, think carefully before you decide whether you truly want to know about this.”

This final statement cemented Yun Xi’s suspicion.

His master was a legendary figure, one of the strongest beneath the gods.

Even someone like that had lost his freedom—and life—because of it…

It could only mean one thing:

It really was connected to the Goddess of Liberty.