Chapter 115: Chapter 115: Revisiting
Chen Ping’an left the restaurant, a large crowd of people already following close behind him.
This banquet had been organized by Tian Fuliang, so it was naturally considered official business for the Garrison Commandant’s Office.
"Lord Chen, it’s windy outside. Would you like a cloak?"
Zeng Jihe was also trailing Chen Ping’an, cloak in hand. Zeng Jihe now served as Chen Ping’an’s personal attendant, and he even had two men under his command.
When they were alone, he called him "Chief," but in front of others, he addressed him as "Lord Chen."
"No need."
Chen Ping’an waved his hand dismissively.
He was accomplished in the Martial Dao; a little chill from the wind was nothing to him.
"Yes."
Zeng Jihe replied respectfully.
Following behind Chen Ping’an and gazing at his back, a hint of fervent gratitude flickered in his eyes.
Just a few years ago, he, Xiaozeng, could never have imagined he would be where he was today.
Now, by Lord Chen’s side, never mind the official constables—even the Constables would often greet him with a smile. And not only that, his future was incredibly bright.
Lord Chen was still young, yet he had already secured the position of Candidate for Deputy.
’In the future, Vice Inspector? The Inspectorate? Or even higher...’
’Anything was possible!’
’What could be more gratifying than serving by the side of a lord like this?’
Chen Ping’an walked down the street. The night was already late, and the dim moonlight was barely visible. His immediate surroundings, however, were brightly lit. Specially assigned constables held torches for him, illuminating the path ahead.
As Chen Ping’an walked, his thoughts drifted to Old Chen, to when he had first arrived in this world, and to many, many other things. His mind wandered, and as he looked at the surrounding streets and alleys, an idea suddenly struck him.
"Let’s go check out the Black Market."
The moment the thought appeared, Chen Ping’an made his decision.
At a fork in the road not far ahead, he made a turn and headed down a different alley.
"Lord Chen, this is..."
Zeng Jihe followed behind, a flash of doubt crossing his mind.
However, as a personal attendant, it wasn’t his place to ask questions. He simply followed obediently behind Chen Ping’an.
If this was true for Zeng Jihe, it was even more so for the other constables.
Ah, people!
The higher one’s position, the more every decision they make affects the honor and disgrace, the rise and fall, of many others.
...
The Black Market was still in its old location. After so many years, it had barely changed.
Its existence was tacitly approved by the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office and various other powers.
Inside the Black Market, transactions were guaranteed to be safe. Outside, however, you were on your own.
He once had to prepare for ten full days, only daring to come here alone after his Martial Arts Realm had reached Qi Blood First Level Perfection.
Now, that was no longer necessary.
He could come whenever he pleased, but he no longer had any interest in the things traded in the Black Market.
At the entrance to the Black Market, the same burly man stood guard.
Chen Ping’an looked from a distance and made out the man’s appearance.
’Heh, an old acquaintance.’
He had been to the Black Market a few times, and this man had always been the one standing outside.
’Qi Blood Second Layer cultivation. He’s certainly dedicated to his duty.’
"Two small coins to enter. No fighting inside, or you’ll face the consequences!"
"Once you leave the Black Market, your safety is not our responsibility. You assume all risks."
Every time someone entered or left, the man would give these two reminders with a deadpan expression.
Tonight, however, the man’s face actually had an expression. He looked solemn, his hand already resting on the hilt of his greatsword, ready to draw at any moment.
"No need to be nervous. We’re just here to look around," Chen Ping’an said with a smile, looking at the man.
Hearing this, the man’s expression relaxed slightly.
He thought this group had come to cause trouble.
He glanced at the large crowd behind the speaker, each with a saber at their waist, and in the end, he didn’t dare say the line about "two small coins to enter."
"Relax." Chen Ping’an glanced at Zeng Jihe. "Xiaozeng."
"Yes, Lord Chen."
Zeng Jihe took a cloth pouch from his robes and drew out some silver coins.
"The rest of you wait out here. You’re coming in with me."
Chen Ping’an said, then strode into the Black Market.
"Yes." Zeng Jihe responded, taking out four small coins and handing them to the man.
"His Lordship is benevolent. Please, take it."
With that, not waiting for the man’s reaction, Zeng Jihe entered the Black Market and hurried after Chen Ping’an.
The man accepted the small coins and stared, somewhat stunned, at the large group of people standing around him.
The Qi Blood of the men around him was roiling and intense; it was obvious that every single one of them was an initiated practitioner of the Martial Dao.
A few of them even had a Martial Arts Realm no weaker than his own.
’Who is that young man?’
The man wondered, bewildered.
...
Although it was late, the Black Market was still quite lively. People milled about, most with their faces covered by masks, hoods, or bamboo hats.
Chen Ping’an, walking into the Black Market completely undisguised, naturally drew a great deal of attention.
"Who’s this guy?"
"So bold, not even wearing a hood!"
"Doesn’t look very old. Probably a rookie."
"Hahaha, young people. So headstrong."
"He’ll learn his lesson after he suffers for it! Too bad it’ll be too late by then."
"Yeah, let’s watch. We might get to see a good show."
"..."
People in the Black Market whispered amongst themselves.
With his astonishing hearing, Chen Ping’an naturally overheard many of their conversations.
But it didn’t matter.
He gave a carefree smile and continued walking through the market. Numerous stalls were set up within the Black Market. Most were just a cloth spread on the ground with a few items and trinkets laid out on top.
The stalls sold a wide variety of goods: sabers, swords, long spears, Leather Armor, Soft Armor, Major Medicines, Medicinal Ginseng...
Ginseng.
Chen Ping’an’s gaze fell upon a small, root-covered stalk of ginseng.
He remembered when Old Chen was still around; he had brought him to the Black Market once.
He had brought him here specifically to buy ginseng.
Back then, Old Chen was preparing to teach him Martial Arts. But his aptitude for martial arts was abysmal; he couldn’t even handle the preliminary training. Old Chen had thought of buying him some Major Medicine to supplement his body.
In the city’s legitimate pharmacies and Treasure Pavilions, the prices for such Major Medicines were exorbitant. In the Black Market, however, some Medicine Gatherers sold their wares directly, and the prices were much cheaper.
That time, Old Chen had bought a stalk of ginseng for him.
As it turned out, he couldn’t even take it; his body was too weak to absorb the nutrients. The ginseng actually gave him a nosebleed.
Most of the remaining ginseng went to waste, and in the end, Old Chen ate the rest himself.
A small smile touched Chen Ping’an’s lips at the memory.
He wandered aimlessly through the Black Market. It wasn’t large, and before long, he had seen all the stalls. He lingered a little longer at the very last one.
The owner of the stall was a man in gray clothes wearing a bamboo hat. Chen Ping’an focused his senses slightly and realized the man was an initiated practitioner of the Martial Dao.
The stall was covered in various trinkets, but one item, in particular, caught Chen Ping’an’s eye.
