The Dawn of the New World

Hao Xuan coldly stared at the dark robbed trader that looked like a shady character from a video game. Occasionally a slithering sound like that of snakes moving across human skin would come from his face.

Even Poriverse had never seen these traders in person. His every interaction happened through intermediaries, slaves that he sent on his behalf. Out of all the roaches, it was these traders that were the most mysterious even more so than the House Lords and Emperors that controlled their entire race.

Poriverse had guessed traders were an anomaly, an unexpected evolution within the roach species, something that should not normally exist. He had been quite curious about them and wanted to study them in detail but never got the chance.

And with Hao Xuan having inherited most of his memories and thoughts was equally intrigued.

The trader's body trembled once before he regained his once again.

"The most sincerest of apologies esteemed customer, I was not aware you were acquainted with the House elders," he said humbly, even bowing from the waist which was not usually accepted in their culture. They could only bow in front of the Altar and to no one else.

But in human society, it wasn't such a big deal. Obviously he was an informed and educated individual.

He straightened his back once again, well, as much as it would straighten and continued in a much more respectful tone.

"I belong to the House of The Obsidian Nebula, dear customer. Does esteemed customer know anyone from our house? If so I could give you a discount if you could give me their identification number."

Hao Xuan unconsciously broke out in a somewhat sinister smile but hid it almost instantly. Normally traders would never give discounts. They worked on commission from each sale so it made a huge part of their own profits. It didn't matter who a person knew (unless of course it was royalty they were acquainted with) they would never get a discount.

The trader giving Hao Xuan a discount now meant three things.

One, he was trying to see how high in the house Hao Xuan's reach went and thereby find his identity. There weren't a lot of humans that were allowed to do business with them so he would surely be known somewhere by someone.

Two, the discount he was offering did not exist. The difference would be coming out of his own pocket.

Third, he probably crossed a line and was sent to this planet as a punishment.

This guy was obviously not an amateur judging from his fluent language, humble mannerisms and reaction to Hao Xuan speaking their mother tongue.

He most probably pissed someone very high up off or committed a crime and was here on a "forced vacation". He would barely find any customers here and in turn, barely make any money himself.

But Hao Xuan wasn't going to let this opportunity go either. He recalled some of the individuals Poriverse knew or heard off. Only one of them was in the House of the Obsidian Nebula. So with a stone-cold expression, he replied.

"It's been a long time since I met with anyone from the Houses," he lied through his teeth, intentionally trying to mystify himself as much as possible. "Is that kid Mirek still doing well? Last time I met with him he wanted me to build him a new starship but I didn't have time so only gave him a few suggestions."

Hao Xuan sounded like he was recalling some old memories, his gaze softening a tad bit. Mirek was a young roach Royal from Obsidian Nebula House Poriverse met with the first time he went to talk to the house lord of the House of the Black Serpent.

Back then he wasn't anything special, quite a lazy guy in reality. Poriverse ignored him for the most part. He liked to travel and went all over the place so pestered Poriverse for a new ship design until he gave him some scraps.

Hao Xuan intentionally chose someone low-key because it would be trouble if he named a famous person, especially someone that was still up and about. Considering Poriverses's interaction with him was more than ten to fifteen thousand years ago, he should have long passed away even with the roach's long lifespans.

The trader froze for a second. It wasn't for long but enough for Hao Xuan to notice.

"Y-Yes, Great Lord Mirek is doing well, I will let him know a friend of his came to me, he will be very happy," the trader replied energetically, but Hao Xuan's heart almost skipped a beat.

'Motherfucker! That kid's still alive?!?'

But Hao Xuan didn't let his panic show. He cleared his throat before continuing.

"O-Oh, how has he been doing? It's been a while since I last saw him. Is he still running around that crappy ship I gave him? What did he call it, rose something?"

'There was no way he would have kept the same ship for so long....right?'

But hearing Hao Xuan's words, the trader's body visibly shook once again and he backed up a step. The excitement he was feeling just a second suddenly vanished, replaced by a seed of doubt. The ship Hao Xuan mentioned was pretty famous. Mirek had had it since he was a child and many people even made fun of him for it, behind his back of course.

He looked up and peered at Hao Xuan from the corner of his eye. This human looked extremely young and wasn't even older than himself, so how could he be talking about something like this? The obvious answer was he was bluffing! But he didn't let it show and continued to act surprised and happy.

"He is doing great! Lord Mirek recently broke through to the next realm and is now a contender for the next House Lord! And Lord Mirek's, 'Rose Petal' vessel has gone through many changes. It is now a deep space travel vessel that he uses personally," the trader sounded like he was about to pass out from the excitement. Little did he knew Hao Xuan was much in the same condition.

"Hmmm," Hao Xuan nodded satisfactorily and smiled stiffly for the first time like he was hearing about an old friend.

But his heart was about to burst out of his chest.

'Sweet baby Jesus! That lazy fuckwad is in line for House Lord??! Fucking hell, time really is the best teacher! And he still has the ship?!'

From what Hao Xuan knew from Poriverse's memories, House Lord's cultivation was immeasurably deep. They were at the same level as actual gods!

If Mirek knew his name was being thrown about here, he would probably not be very happy.

Hao Xuan took in a deep breath and calmed himself down as much as he could but a storm was brewing in his chest. He was starting to sweat under the mask.

"Good good. I'll have to pay him a visit when I'm done here with my business. Don't tell him anything yet, I want to surprise him. Plus I'm working for a new client so don't want information getting out," he quickly made up an excuse but it only made the trader doubt him more.

Under his robe, the trader grabbed onto a small black ball, ready to throw it out instantly.

Hao Xuan looked straight towards the trader, where his eyes would be under the hood.

"Only you know I'm here, this information better not leak out, understand?" he was trying to sound authoritative but his voice quivered a couple of times during the sentence.

Unfortunately, the trader was looking for a reason and tightened his grasp around the black ball. 'One more reason, give me one more reason!''

He swiftly bowed once again.

"Of course respected Sir!"

Hao Xuan went from an esteemed guest to respected sir. At this point both of them wanted to end this interaction as soon as possible.

"Good," Hao Xuan nodded plainly and waved his hand.

"Bring me the inventory you have here, whatever you have for sale. I'm short on time. I need both goods and information, whatever you are allowed to give."

The trader was waiting for that and quickly jumped up in joy.

"Yes sir!"

He went towards a pile nearby and took out a glass panel with a metal frame. This was like a mini quantum computer that was connected to their entire network.

"Please enter your information here, respected sir," he said passing it to Hao Xuan.

This computer would find Hao Xuan's identity and if there were any inconsistencies, he would attack at once.