The building stood on a corner where the commercial district met the craftsmen's quarter, its position strategic without being prominent.
Xu Jun had identified it during his third day in Sky Abyss City, noting it with the same methodical attention he applied to everything potentially useful. Three stories of solid construction, the ground floor featuring large windows suitable for shop display, the upper floors with smaller windows suggesting residential or office space. The exterior showed age—paint faded, some roof tiles mismatched from repairs—but the structure itself remained sound, bones still strong beneath cosmetic deterioration.
Most importantly, it was available. A faded 'For Sale' notice hung beside the entrance, the characters barely legible after months of weather exposure, suggesting the property had been on market for some time without attracting buyers.
That made it perfect. Properties that sold quickly tended to have multiple interested parties, creating bidding situations and drawing attention. Properties that lingered indicated either inflated asking price or some flaw that discouraged buyers—and flaws could be negotiated around while attention could not.
The notice listed a contact name—Manager Liu, property agent—and an address in the administrative district where such professionals maintained offices.
Xu Jun arrived at Manager Liu's office shortly after dawn on his fourth day in the city, calculating that early morning would find the man either desperate for business after a slow start to the day or annoyed at being disturbed before proper business hours. Either emotional state could be exploited, though desperation was generally easier to work with than irritation.
The office occupied a small storefront, its interior cramped but organized, walls covered with property listings and maps marking available buildings throughout the city. Manager Liu himself was a thin man in his fifties, his robes showing careful mending that suggested modest success at best. His desk was covered with papers and ledgers, evidence of a business that involved substantial record-keeping.
He looked up as Xu Jun entered, his expression cycling through the standard responses of someone in customer-facing work—initial alertness, quick visual assessment, recognition of potential client, manufactured enthusiasm.
"Good morning, sir! Manager Liu, property agent. How may I assist you today?" His voice carried the practiced brightness of someone who'd learned to project optimism regardless of actual circumstances.
"I'm interested in the building on the corner of Prosperity Street and Craftsmen's Way," Xu Jun said directly, seeing no benefit in preliminary pleasantries. "The three-story structure with the shop front. I understand it's been available for some time."
Manager Liu's expression shifted immediately, genuine interest replacing manufactured enthusiasm. A customer who knew exactly which property he wanted and had clearly done preliminary research was far more promising than casual browsers.
"Ah yes, the corner building! Excellent property, excellent location. Good foot traffic, solid construction, very suitable for retail business with residential space above." He was already pulling files from a drawer, his movements suggesting he'd given this pitch many times. "The asking price is fifty-five gold, which I'll admit frankly is somewhat high for the current condition, but the location alone justifies the premium. Corner positions are rare in that district."
Fifty-five gold. Xu Jun had estimated the property's actual value at perhaps forty to forty-five gold based on comparable sales he'd observed and the building's obvious need for renovation work. The asking price included substantial markup, probably reflecting both the owner's inflated assessment and Manager Liu's commission structure.
"The property has been listed for how long?" Xu Jun asked, though he already knew the answer from the weathered condition of the notice.
"Four months," Manager Liu admitted, his tone suggesting he wasn't happy about revealing this but recognized that lying would be counterproductive. "The previous owner moved to a larger facility and initially priced it optimistically. We've had interest but no serious offers."
"Because fifty-five gold is excessive for a property requiring significant renovation," Xu Jun stated flatly. "The roof needs work, the paint is failing, the interior likely needs updating given the building's age. I estimate ten to fifteen gold in immediate repairs plus ongoing maintenance."
Manager Liu's expression showed he'd expected negotiation but perhaps not quite such blunt assessment. "The structure is fundamentally sound," he protested, though his tone lacked conviction. "The cosmetic issues are minor."
"Cosmetic issues reduce property value regardless of structural integrity," Xu Jun countered. "I'm prepared to make an offer, but it will reflect realistic valuation rather than aspirational pricing. Forty gold. Cash payment, immediate transaction, no complicated financing that might delay or complicate the sale."
The offer was deliberately low but not insultingly so—low enough to leave room for counteroffer and negotiation, high enough to demonstrate he was serious buyer with actual capital rather than speculator hoping for miracle pricing.
Manager Liu's face showed internal calculation, weighing his commission from accepting a lower offer against the risk of losing a genuine buyer by holding firm on inflated asking price. Four months without sale suggested the owner was likely getting impatient and might accept reduced price just to conclude the matter.
"I'll need to consult with the owner," he said slowly. "But I think I can present your offer in a favorable light. The immediate cash payment will be attractive—he mentioned wanting to avoid drawn-out transactions. When would you be available to tour the property?"
"Now," Xu Jun said simply. "I have time this morning and prefer to move efficiently."
"Let me just..." Manager Liu gathered keys and documents with the slightly flustered efficiency of someone whose schedule had just been disrupted. "Yes, of course, let's go immediately. The more you see of the property's positive qualities, the better we can justify the investment."
The walk to the building took fifteen minutes, Manager Liu filling the time with continuous narration about the neighborhood's commercial advantages, the reliability of foot traffic, the quality of surrounding businesses, the future development plans that would supposedly increase property values throughout the district. Xu Jun listened with half his attention while the other half observed the route, noting landmarks, assessing accessibility, confirming his preliminary assessment that this location offered optimal balance between visibility and anonymity.
The building's interior matched his expectations—aged but serviceable. The ground floor shop space was larger than he'd realized from outside observation, easily capable of displaying substantial inventory while maintaining areas for customer interaction and storage. The walls needed fresh paint and some plaster repair where water damage had created staining, but the structure showed no signs of serious deterioration. The floor was solid wood, worn but repairable through sanding and refinishing.
The second floor contained what had probably been office space or workshops, several rooms of varying sizes connected by a central hallway. Windows provided adequate natural light. The walls were plain plaster, currently dingy but cleanable. One room showed evidence of having been a small kitchen, with a chimney and the remnants of what might have been a cooking hearth.
The third floor was clearly residential—several smaller rooms that could serve as bedrooms or private studies, a larger common area, another small kitchen space. The rooms were empty, dusty, showing signs of neglect but no catastrophic damage.
Throughout the tour, Manager Liu maintained his commentary, pointing out features and advantages while carefully avoiding direct mention of flaws. Xu Jun noted everything—the loose floorboard in the second-floor hallway, the window on the third floor that didn't close properly, the water stain suggesting roof leak above the third-floor common area, the questionable state of the building's formation arrays that should have provided basic protection against pests and minor weather damage.
"As you can see," Manager Liu concluded as they returned to the ground floor, "the property has excellent bones. Nothing here that basic renovation couldn't address quickly and economically."
"Nothing here that doesn't reduce fair market value," Xu Jun countered. "The roof leak alone represents serious concern. Water damage can undermine structural integrity if it's been ongoing, and addressing it properly requires expensive work. I maintain my offer of forty gold, and that's generous given what I've observed."
Manager Liu made a show of reluctance, expressing concern about whether the owner would accept such a reduction, but his body language suggested he'd already decided to push for acceptance. Four months without offers had probably made the owner quite amenable to reasonable proposals.
"I'll present your offer this afternoon," he said finally. "Can you provide proof of funds? The owner will want assurance you're legitimate buyer."
Xu Jun produced his money pouch, opening it just enough to reveal a glimpse of gold coins without displaying the full amount. "I have capital available for immediate transaction. If your owner accepts forty gold, I can complete purchase today. If he insists on higher price, I'll pursue other properties—I've identified several alternatives."
The threat of walking away was calculated pressure. Manager Liu's commission depended on completing sales, and a certain forty gold was more valuable than an uncertain fifty-five gold that might never materialize.
"Let me speak with him," Manager Liu said quickly. "I'm confident we can reach agreement. Where can I contact you with his response?"
"The Tranquil Lotus Inn, room three. I'll be there this evening."
They parted with appropriate professional courtesy, Manager Liu already hurrying off toward whatever location the property owner occupied, clearly motivated to present the offer while Xu Jun's willingness to buy remained active.
Xu Jun spent the rest of the day conducting additional reconnaissance, this time focused on identifying suitable individuals for his planned information network. Information flowed through cities like water through channels, and successful intelligence gathering required positioning yourself at the convergence points where multiple streams met.
He identified several promising contacts through careful observation: a clerk in the merchant guild office who handled licensing applications and therefore knew which businesses were starting or failing; a tea house owner whose establishment attracted sect disciples during their off-duty hours and who undoubtedly overheard considerable gossip; a warehouse guard who supplemented his income by reporting on shipment arrivals and departures to interested parties; a widow who ran a laundry service and therefore had access to many households' private spaces.
Each would require cultivation through different approaches—bribery for some, friendly relationship for others, perhaps subtle coercion if necessary though that was generally less reliable than willing cooperation. But identifying targets was the first step. Actual recruitment could wait until he had secure base of operations and stable presence that would survive the minor scrutiny that came from asking questions.
By evening, Manager Liu had sent word to the inn that the owner accepted forty gold for the property, complete with formal contract ready for signature and immediate transfer of ownership. The owner's eagerness suggested Xu Jun probably could have negotiated down to thirty-eight or even thirty-five gold, but that would have created suspicious questions about why someone offering legitimate business would haggle so aggressively over amounts that small. Forty gold was high enough to appear normal while low enough to conserve capital for other investments.
The formal transaction took place the following morning in Manager Liu's office, with a city official present to witness signatures and register the property transfer in official records. The official was a bored-looking clerk who processed the paperwork with mechanical efficiency, clearly having handled hundreds of similar transactions and finding nothing remarkable about this one.
Xu Jun paid forty gold in imperial coins—a substantial portion of his remaining capital, but calculated investment in infrastructure—and received in return a deed bearing official seals and his legal name Chen Wu, establishing him as legitimate property owner with all associated rights and responsibilities.
The building was his. First major asset acquired. Physical presence established.
The next week passed in systematic activity as Xu Jun converted the empty building into functional business operation. He hired workers to address immediate maintenance needs—roof repair, window fixing, floor sanding, wall painting, chimney cleaning. Nothing elaborate, just sufficient work to make the property presentable and functional. Total cost: eight gold including materials.
While workers addressed physical renovation, Xu Jun focused on acquiring inventory for his cover business as rare book and antiquities dealer. This proved simultaneously easier and more expensive than the building purchase.
Easy because Sky Abyss City, as a major trading hub, had numerous sources for old books and curiosities—estate sales, failing businesses, private collectors looking to liquidate assets, even legitimate antiquities dealers willing to sell wholesale to someone establishing new shop. The market existed; he merely needed to tap into it.
Expensive because creating convincing inventory required mixture of genuine items and carefully crafted reproductions. Genuine pieces provided legitimacy and served customers with actual interest in antiquities. Reproductions allowed him to satisfy specific customer requests or create items as needed without depending on authentic rare materials that might not be available.
He spent twelve gold acquiring legitimate inventory: thirty books of genuine antiquarian value including cultivation texts, historical records, literary classics, and scholarly treatises; several pieces of authentic ancient pottery and bronzeware; a collection of old coins that demonstrated the region's currency evolution over centuries; various small sculptures, seals, and decorative items that qualified as genuine antiques even if not particularly valuable.
He spent another three gold on materials and tools for creating reproductions: quality paper similar to historical varieties, inks formulated to mimic aged composition, seals and stamps that could replicate various official marks, binding materials, aging chemicals that could make new items appear centuries old. With these resources and his ability to negate newness and impose apparent age through his cultivation techniques, he could create utterly convincing reproductions of virtually any book or artifact a customer might request.
The combination gave him flexible business model—sell genuine pieces to knowledgeable collectors at appropriate market rates, create custom reproductions for customers seeking specific items, and potentially engage in profitable fraud when opportunity presented and risk remained acceptable.
By the tenth day after his arrival in Sky Abyss City, Chen Wu's Rare Books and Antiquities was ready to open for business.
The ground floor shop was cleaned, painted, arranged with appropriate displays. Books filled shelves along the walls, organized by subject and age. Glass cases held more valuable items, positioned to catch light and attract attention. A desk near the entrance provided workspace for transactions and customer consultations. The atmosphere suggested scholarly respectability with commercial practicality—exactly the balance that made customers comfortable spending money while believing they were dealing with knowledgeable professional rather than mere merchant.
The second floor became his actual working space—a private office for sensitive transactions, storage for inventory not currently displayed, workspace where he could create reproductions without observation, secure room where he could meet contacts who preferred discretion.
The third floor remained his personal residence, furnished simply but comfortably. He had no need for luxury—comfort was irrelevant to someone who experienced physical sensations as mere data—but maintaining appropriate living space was part of his cover identity. People expected merchants to live in reasonable comfort proportional to their apparent wealth. Anything less would raise questions.
On the morning of his eleventh day in Sky Abyss City, Xu Jun opened his shop for the first time. He'd distributed simple notices around the commercial district announcing the new establishment, targeting them specifically to areas where scholars and collectors congregated. Nothing elaborate, just basic information about location, specialty goods, and credentials as experienced dealer in rare materials.
Traffic the first day was light—a few curious browsers, one serious collector who purchased an interesting but not particularly valuable historical text, several people who asked questions and promised to return later. Exactly normal for a new business establishing presence.
But by the end of the first week, word had spread. The scholarly community in any city was relatively small and closely connected, and a new source of rare books attracted attention quickly. He had genuine quality inventory, which established credibility. His knowledge—accumulated over fifteen centuries of similar operations—impressed customers who asked detailed questions. His prices were fair, neither so low as to suggest fraud nor so high as to drive business elsewhere.
More importantly, he demonstrated willingness to source specific items that customers requested but couldn't find elsewhere. This capability—enabled by his ability to create convincing reproductions of virtually anything—made him particularly valuable to collectors and scholars seeking specific texts or artifacts for research or personal interest.
Within two weeks, Chen Wu's Rare Books and Antiquities had established itself as legitimate and respected business. Customers came regularly. Sales generated revenue that supported operations while building reputation. The cover identity was functional, tested, stable.
Phase Two: Complete.
He'd started with nothing. Now he had property, business, capital remaining for future operations, growing network of customers and contacts, and a presence in official records that marked him as legitimate resident and merchant.
The foundation was laid. The infrastructure was functional. The next phase would be expansion and consolidation—building deeper relationships, expanding operations into more profitable areas, positioning himself within the power structures that actually governed the city rather than merely existing on its periphery.
But that required patience. Rushing created suspicious patterns. Moving too quickly attracted attention from those with enough power to investigate thoroughly. The art was in steady progression that appeared natural rather than calculated, in building influence so gradually that no single person noticed the accumulation of power until it was too late to oppose effectively.
Xu Jun was very good at patience. He'd spent fifteen centuries perfecting it.
One day at a time. One transaction completed. One relationship cultivated. One thread woven into the growing web.
Until the entire city was caught in invisible net it never realized existed.
The void endured. The void expanded. The void was patient.
And Sky Abyss City had no idea what had entered its boundaries and begun the long, methodical process of making itself indispensable to its continued function.
Perfect. Absolutely perfect.
The game continued.