Lin Han knew that Shen Qingshu wasn’t distressed over the money.

She was simply annoyed because she kept losing the game.

Lin Han and Shen Qingshu had known each other for a long time, so he had long known that she was someone with an exceptionally strong sense of competitiveness and self-esteem.

Yet, it just so happened that outside of matters related to the Transcendent Domain, she was quite disappointing…

Seeing this, the woman in the red dress gave a soft laugh and suggested, “Just playing the game is a bit dull. Why don’t we chat a bit about why we’ve all come to this banquet?”

The woman made this suggestion only half out of social interest; the other half was the fear that if she didn’t provide some distraction, this beautiful little fat sheep would run away.

Although the chips on the table weren’t considered real money to the people sitting there, no one would ever complain about having too much.

Furthermore, gambling—especially when winning—naturally stimulated the primitive pleasure of hunting inherent in human nature.

The woman in the red dress wanted to keep playing for a while to enjoy that pleasure.

By now, she was convinced that this unbelievably beautiful girl was likely the daughter of some nouveau riche in X City.

As for the reason, for one, she didn’t recognize her, so she figured she wasn’t part of X City’s inner circle.

Secondly, based on Shen Qingshu’s playing style, she felt that this was a little girl spoiled by her family; such a child was actually less likely to come from a truly prestigious, established clan.

Lin Han glanced at the woman, realizing she seemed to have misunderstood something.

Of course, if the woman hadn’t been playing cards in the hall earlier but had instead seen the scene of Shen Qingshu’s arrival at the square, she probably wouldn’t be thinking this way.

Her thoughts flashed by in an instant. Although the woman in the red dress had already set Shen Qingshu’s “tier” very low in her heart, she showed nothing on the surface, still saying with a beaming smile:

“Since I proposed it, let’s start with me.”

“Why don’t you all try to guess how old I am this year?”

The wealthy businessman sized her up, her skin was lustrous and supple, and her expression was radiant.

Comparing her to the women he encountered in his business dealings, he estimated she should be around thirty. To make it sound more flattering, he would shave off a few years…

Ultimately, the businessman offered the number “twenty-five.”

Hearing this answer, the woman looked quite pleased with herself, even letting out a laugh.

“Then you have misjudged me, sir. I am already forty-five.”

The middle-aged businessman clearly didn’t believe her. He waved his hand and laughed, “Impossible.”

The woman clearly enjoyed this reaction, her fingertips lightly brushing against her cheek.

“And that’s why I’m here.”

Then, her voice dropped a notch.

“You’ve all likely heard of the ‘Awakening Serum’ that’s been circulating in X City’s underworld lately, haven’t you?”

“I’ve heard of it. A while back, my son was even pestering me to find a way to get some for him.”

The middle-aged businessman said, his brow furrowing as he added with a hint of suspicion, “However, I’ve also heard some… less than savory rumors regarding that serum…”

The businessman spoke vaguely, but it was clear from his expression that he was wary of it.

Lin Han and Shen Qingshu nodded, indicating they had heard of it as well. Meanwhile, the woman in the long trench coat shot a glance at the woman in the red dress before quickly returning her gaze to the card table.

“Of course, of course. The ‘Awakening Serum’ circulating in the underworld—the kind you buy through back-alley deals—those are nothing more than experimental prototypes.”

As the woman spoke, a hint of pride crept into her expression. Just as she thought, she was the only one at this table who had access to that level of society.

“The truly wealthy and powerful in X City have already moved on to the Type II Serum, a special supply from the Radiant Foundation.”

The woman smiled and pointed at herself, saying in a playful tone:

“Take me, for instance.”

The middle-aged wealthy businessman finally showed a look of shock and uncertainty. Her words were so startling that he was even starting to feel tempted.

“That so-called Type II Serum can even restore one’s youth?”

Smugness spread across the woman’s face.

“It does more than just restore youth. It also grants me extraordinary power for up to an entire day, with almost no risk of losing control.”

As she spoke, a hint of regret flickered in her expression.

“Unfortunately, the Type II Serum has a limited duration after all. Once you stop using it, the body gradually reverts to its original state.”

“So, when I heard the Radiant Foundation would be showcasing the Type III Serum—the Masterpiece—at this auction, I came without a second thought.”

“I wonder what kind of surprise the Radiant Foundation will bring us this time…”

During their conversation, another round of the game ended.

The chips in front of Shen Qingshu were completely gone.

With a sullen expression, she called over a waiter and exchanged for more.

But no one paid much attention to this minor interlude; everyone’s focus was on the businessman, waiting for him to speak.

The wealthy merchant cleared his throat, seemingly enjoying the sensation of being watched by everyone.

“My initial reason for coming here wasn’t actually for those serums…”

Having said this, the merchant smiled again. “Though what that lady just said has certainly changed my mind a bit.”

The lady took a small sip of her cocktail and asked, “Then what did you originally come for?”

“For an auction item that is said to be appearing tonight, and a story of unknown veracity.”

The merchant paused, first throwing out an intriguing premise before continuing smoothly:

“I don’t know if you’ve heard a certain theory: that ten years ago, when transcendent powers first descended, the first batch of people who touched that power possessed strength far exceeding that of subsequent awakeners.

And in District 11, there once lived a highly prestigious swordsmith who forged countless legendary blades throughout his life, hailed as a national treasure of a master.

But according to those who knew him, this swordsmith was not satisfied with his achievements. For by his own account, he had yet to touch the ‘ultimate of the blade.’

Later, he became one of the first people to awaken an ability. Yet, he did not use that power to build a faction or scramble for resources during those ‘primitive times’ before SAVE even existed.

Instead, from the moment he awakened, it was as if he had witnessed some kind of divine revelation; he never stepped outside again.

He told his wife that he was going to forge the final blade of his life.

From that day forth, he locked himself in the forge and went into seclusion, seeing no one. Even his meals were left at the door by his wife. This ascetic toil lasted for a full year.

A year later, his wife, acting on a sudden intuition, opened the forge door—

The swordsmith was already dead.

But his physical body still maintained the same solemn, cross-legged posture he had held in life, eyes closed as if in deep meditation.

And a long blade lay quietly across his lap. That was his final masterpiece.

Named, Mumyo Kanesada.”

The atmosphere around the card table unknowingly grew quiet.

The middle-aged businessman continued:

“No one knows what ability that swordsmith awakened, nor does anyone know what he truly saw, and it is even less likely that anyone knows whether Mumyo Kanesada was indeed the ‘ultimate blade’ he pursued.

Later, it was proven that aside from being incredibly hard, the sword possessed no supernatural qualities. In terms of practical combat value, it could not even compare to many of today’s established transcendent equipment.

But the story was simply too captivating. Thus, some said the sword’s power was sealed, while others said it was waiting for its destined owner.

And some even believed that they were the person the sword was waiting for.”

The wealthy businessman chuckled.

“I heard the previous owner of that sword bought it with the same thought in mind.

But after many years passed, he finally gave up. I heard he handed Mumyo Kanesada over to the Radiant Foundation for auction.

I came here originally wanting to see this evocative sword for myself.

However, I might have to add one more reason now; I also want to see if that so-called Masterpiece is truly as miraculous as they say.”

The wealthy businessman finished speaking and looked at the woman in the long trench coat.

The woman in the long trench coat had barely spoken from the beginning; now, she only said indifferently:

“I am a Calamity Hunter.”

“I am here to hunt a target.”

“Nothing more.”