Although she was inwardly quite surprised, the purple-haired woman made no sound, her gaze flickering as she continued to watch Han Li's subsequent actions.
But next, Han Li's gaze swept lightly over the few remaining wooden racks behind him. Without further delay, he walked directly to a rack in the last row and plucked a demonic tool that resembled a geomantic compass from it, then turned and headed toward the hall's exit.
Seeing this, the purple-haired woman's eyes sparkled as she let out a soft laugh: "Brother Han has set his eyes on this Yin Compass — a wise choice indeed. With this item, even if you venture into some of the more dangerous regions of the Mirage Howl Desert, you needn't fear losing your bearings. It seems your knowledge of the Mirage Howl Desert far exceeds what this sister had expected. Though your earlier selection of that piece of strange demonic gold truly caught me off guard."
"Nothing special — I simply need to refine a rather unusual demonic tool that requires a fair amount of demonic gold of this size. Naturally, seeing it here in your treasury, I had no intention of letting it slip by." Han Li replied in his usual tone, giving a vague answer.
"So that's how it is. Then this sister congratulates Brother Han. Now, let us leave the treasury first. The restrictions here are only temporarily suppressed — they will reactivate on their own before long." The purple-haired woman did not believe him, but she was not so tactless as to press further.
"Of course — after you, Fairy." Han Li readily agreed and took a few steps back to the woman's side.
The woman waved a single hand toward the empty air of the hall, and the jade pendant that had vanished earlier reappeared in a flash, transforming into a ball of white light that shot back toward her.
Only then did the woman gently exhale, her mind relaxing slightly.
This treasury was merely the least valuable of several the Bai family possessed, but it was still the accumulated wealth of countless Bai family members over tens of thousands of years. She naturally did not wish for anything to go wrong.
"I have one more question I'd like to ask — might the Fairy clarify a matter for me?" As Han Li followed the purple-haired woman out of the pavilion, he suddenly spoke up.
"If Brother Han has something to say, please do. This sister and you are already somewhat acquainted — there's nothing you can't ask." A flash of surprise crossed the purple-haired woman's eyes, but she quickly concealed it and replied with a smile.
"In that case, I'll ask directly. Han would like to know where this piece of strange demonic gold in the treasury originated, and how it came into the Bai family's possession?" Han Li asked in a seemingly calm manner.
"Strange demonic gold! Heh heh — if it were some other material or demonic tool, this little sister might need to make inquiries. But if you're asking about this item, I know all too well." The purple-haired woman was briefly startled, then chuckled softly.
"Oh? I look forward to the Fairy's guidance." Han Li was inwardly delighted, though his expression betrayed nothing.
The purple-haired woman's lovely eyes turned upon Han Li's face twice, but seeing nothing unusual, she felt a touch of disappointment. After a moment's thought, she said with a hint of mystery: "This piece of strange demonic gold was placed in the treasury only within the last few years. As for its origins, Brother Han should actually already know something about them."
"I should already know?" Han Li was stunned by these words, somewhat perplexed.
"That's right. The Blood Tooth Rice — Brother Han once asked both this sister and my elder brother about it. This piece of strange demonic gold came to us through the same channel. The difference is, during that transaction, the Blood Tooth Rice was the primary item, and this piece of strange demonic gold was merely an incidental gift." The purple-haired woman spoke leisurely, wearing a composed expression.
"So that's how it is! In that case, this strange demonic gold may very well have originated from the same place as the Blood Tooth Rice." Han Li stroked his chin, a thoughtful look on his face.
"On that, this sister cannot make any guarantees. All I can say is that the person who traded the Blood Tooth Rice with our Bai family is, nine times out of ten, from 'Blue Cascade Lake.'" The purple-haired woman batted her lovely eyes as she spoke.
"I thank the Fairy for this information. Han will consider this a debt of favor." Han Li nodded and offered the woman a slight bow.
"It's a small matter. You did this sister a great kindness by helping us at the Fire Cloud Mine Vein — I haven't even had a chance to repay you properly yet." The purple-haired woman smiled enchantingly, speaking as if it were of no consequence.
Seeing her nonchalant manner, Han Li gave a faint smile and said nothing more, following her back toward the main hall.
Once they returned to the hall, Han Li once again met with the yellow-haired big man. After exchanging a few more words, he took his leave.
This time, the two Bai family patriarchs personally escorted Han Li to the gates of the Bai family fortress before returning together to the hall.
"Which three treasures did he choose? Tell me, Fifth Sister." The moment the big man sat back down in his chair, he turned to the purple-haired woman and asked.
Previously, in front of Han Li, he had not uttered a single word about the matter.
"A box of Golden Whale Pearls, a piece of strange demonic gold, and a Yin Compass." The purple-haired woman answered honestly.
"Hmm? He actually took those three things. They aren't the most valuable treasures in the treasury — that's rather strange." The big man frowned upon hearing this.
"That's something this sister also found puzzling. The Golden Whale Pearls and the Yin Compass are one thing, but that piece of strange demonic gold really isn't worth much in our eyes." The purple-haired woman nodded as well.
"Did he say anything?"
"He gave only surface-level reasons, but when pressed, he inquired about the origin and source of the strange demonic gold." The purple-haired woman answered without hesitation.
"If that's the case, he really is interested in the strange demonic gold — and it seems he needs a fair quantity. But if I recall correctly, several shops in Mirage Night City also carry strange demonic gold for sale, yet we didn't see him seeking any out earlier." The yellow-haired big man remained troubled, unable to make sense of it.