Chapter 9: The Shadow Weaver
CHAPTER NINE: THE SHADOW WEAVER
The Black Market's eastern district was the heart of the city's underworld, a chaotic maze of stalls and alleyways where anything could be bought or sold—information, weapons, pills, even lives. The air was thick with the smell of incense and the murmur of whispered deals.
Shen Chen found the Shadow Weaver in a small, unassuming teahouse tucked away in a back alley. She was a woman of indeterminate age, her face hidden behind a veil of shadow. Her eyes, however, were sharp and piercing.
"You've been asking questions," she said, her voice soft but commanding. "Questions about the Li Clan. Questions about a secret realm."
Shen Chen sat down across from her, his expression calm. "I have information that the Li Clan would prefer to keep hidden. I want to make sure it spreads."
The Shadow Weaver's eyes narrowed. "And what makes you think I'm interested?"
"Because you're in the information business," Shen Chen said. "And this information is worth a fortune."
He leaned forward, his voice dropping to a whisper. "The Li Clan has a map. A map to the Secret Realm of the Heavenly Flame, the legacy of the Blazing Sovereign."
The Shadow Weaver's eyes widened slightly. "The Blazing Sovereign? The Divine Transformation Realm cultivator? That's... that's impossible. No one has found his legacy in thousands of years."
"Exactly," Shen Chen said. "And that's why the Li Clan wants to keep it a secret. If they find the realm first, they'll become unstoppable."
The Shadow Weaver was silent for a long moment. Then she nodded slowly.
"This information is valuable. But why are you giving it to me? What do you want?"
"I want the Li Clan's plans to be disrupted," Shen Chen said. "I want the other powers of the empire to know about the realm. I want chaos."
The Shadow Weaver studied him for a long moment. Then she smiled, a cold, predatory expression.
"You're more dangerous than you look, boy. Very well. I'll spread the rumor. But it will cost you."
"How much?"
"Five thousand Spirit Stones. And a favor."
Shen Chen's eyes narrowed. "What kind of favor?"
"I don't know yet. But when I call, you will answer. Deal?"
Shen Chen hesitated. A favor to the Shadow Weaver could be dangerous—it could be anything from assassinating a rival to stealing a treasure. But he had no choice. He needed the rumor to spread.
"Deal," he said.
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