Chapter 72: Chapter 72: Provocation
"Are there any other ways besides the Martial Arts Pavilion?"
Han Yuan’s interest was piqued.
"First-Class Techniques or Inner Breath Techniques are indeed hard to find in the outside world."
"But if you’re just looking for a Second-Class Boxing Skill, that’s relatively simple."
"Coincidentally, the Black Market is tomorrow. You should go take a look; you might find something."
Duan Xu said with a smile.
"The Black Market?"
Han Yuan had heard this name many times.
"Yes... The so-called Black Market is just for transactions that can’t see the light of day."
"The Black Market is very mysterious. It’s said to be organized by a secret power from Jianghe Province, and every county has one."
"Even we at the Observatory have always turned a blind eye, pretending not to know."
Duan Xu said.
The Great Ling Dynasty was vast and boundless, comprised of nineteen provinces.
And Cangshui County was one of the dozens of counties in Jianghe Province.
"So mysterious... Interesting."
Han Yuan was lost in thought.
"Of course... The Black Market has all sorts of weird and wonderful things."
"Going will broaden your horizons."
Duan Xu said with a laugh.
"How do I get to this Black Market?"
Han Yuan couldn’t help but ask.
"It’s simple. The Black Market is held once a month. The location changes randomly, but it’s usually somewhere near Cangshui County Town."
"Before each market opens, rumors about its location spread through the Martial World."
"Go to Longsheng Inn and ask the fat shopkeeper; he’ll know the location."
Duan Xu explained.
He then told Han Yuan about the rules of the Black Market.
After carefully committing it all to memory, Han Yuan took his leave.
He left the Observatory in plainclothes, walking briskly, and soon arrived at Longsheng Inn.
Business at Longsheng Inn was as booming as ever.
The main hall was filled with people from all walks of life, bragging, chatting, and exchanging news.
The stout shopkeeper’s abacus never stopped, constantly ringing up bills for customers.
Just then, a figure walked into the inn.
When Shopkeeper Pang saw him enter, his expression jolted. He had a waiter take over a customer’s bill, walked out from behind the counter himself, and greeted him with a beaming smile, "Master Han! What fortuitous wind has blown you here today?"
"I’m surprised you still remember me, Shopkeeper."
Han Yuan said with a smile.
"Now, what kind of talk is that?"
"Who in Cangshui County doesn’t know you now?"
"You’re the most dazzling rising star in all of Cangshui County right now."
"The stories of you capturing the Tattooed Monk, Yan Xuan, on a night patrol and defeating Iron Bead Niu Jin in two moves are already common knowledge."
Shopkeeper Pang said with a grin.
Although his words were a bit exaggerated,
Han Yuan’s reputation in Cangshui County was indeed considerable.
First, he had defeated Bai Hao during the Observatory’s assessment, and even clashed with a Demon Exterminator on the spot.
After word spread that he had captured Yan Xuan alive and killed Niu Jin, his fame had skyrocketed.
"So, what nickname have the people in the Martial World given me?"
Han Yuan asked curiously.
He knew that in the Martial World, anyone with a bit of a reputation would get a nickname.
"Of course you have one."
"Because you’re not a local from Cangshui County Town, but from a remote place."
"The people in the Martial World call you the Overseas Dragon."
Shopkeeper Pang said with a laugh.
"Overseas Dragon... Not bad."
"At least it’s not some ridiculous nickname."
Han Yuan nodded.
"Naturally."
"It sounds powerful and imposing."
"It’s quite fitting for someone of your status, Master Han."
Shopkeeper Pang continued to suck up to Han Yuan.
"Alright, alright."
"I came to see you about something important."
Han Yuan interrupted the stout shopkeeper.
’If I let him go on, he could probably keep this up for another hour.’
"Master Han, please wait a moment."
Seeing an empty table in the main hall, Shopkeeper Pang quickly led Han Yuan over to sit down, then personally poured him a cup of tea.
"Master Han, what would you like to ask?"
Shopkeeper Pang finally asked with a grin.
"I’m here about the Black Market."
"Where will the Black Market be held tomorrow?"
Han Yuan asked directly.
"The Black Market... That’s a simple one."
"If you head out from the West City Gate and walk for about twenty-some *li*, there’s a valley."
"Tomorrow night, the Black Market will be held there."
Shopkeeper Pang said with a smile.
"Alright."
Han Yuan memorized the location and ordered some meat dishes.
After all, he couldn’t just get information for free; he had to be a paying customer.
Besides, he had grown tired of the food at the Observatory lately.
However, Han Yuan soon noticed that more and more people were staring at him.
Someone must have recognized him, and the news was gradually spreading.
They were all curious to see what this Overseas Dragon looked like.
Han Yuan felt a bit annoyed and looked up.
In an instant, all the gazes vanished.
No one dared to meet Han Yuan’s eyes.
"What a pity... They’re all a bunch of slippery old-timers. A fight didn’t break out."
Shopkeeper Pang sighed upon seeing this.
"Shopkeeper, if a fight broke out, wouldn’t a lot of things in our inn get broken?"
The waiter was a little confused.
"What’s there to be afraid of? Lord Han isn’t short on money. We’d just have him pay for the damages."
"It’d be like getting a new set of tables and chairs for free."
"A pity a fight didn’t break out."
The shopkeeper shook his head.
Just as he was feeling disappointed,
a sarcastic voice suddenly rang out.
"What ’Overseas Dragon’? Looks more like a worm to me."
"That’s right," another voice chimed in, as if performing a comedy routine. "Compared to Brother Liu, he’s just a pathetic worm that can be crushed with ease."
And just like that,
Han Yuan himself hadn’t even reacted, but the other diners all left their seats and scattered to the sides, waiting for the show to begin.
"Who’s so arrogant that they dare provoke the Overseas Dragon, Han Yuan?"
"Judging by their clothes, they seem to be from the Divine Fist Sect."
"Divine Fist Sect... surnamed Liu... Could it be the prodigy of the Divine Fist Sect’s younger generation, Liu Zhou of the Meteor Fist?"
"So it’s him... I heard his Fist Technique is unparalleled, and he’s been challenging experts all over Cangshui County."
"I’ve heard that too. I think Gao Lan of the Silver Fox Sword lost to him before."
"No wonder he’s provoking Han Yuan... Besides forcing his hand, he probably wants to take the opportunity to humiliate the Observatory."
The people who frequented Longsheng Inn were all from the Martial World and well-informed. They quickly identified the provocateurs.
The Observatory had always been at odds with the Three Major Sects.
If Liu Zhou defeated Han Yuan, who was currently the Observatory’s rising star, it would indeed be a blow to the Observatory’s reputation.
At this, the crowd of onlookers grew excited.
Given their respective identities, once a conflict started, neither could afford to back down.
They were about to witness a battle between titans.
"Shopkeeper."
"How come your face has turned dark again?"
The waiter looked at Shopkeeper Pang in confusion.
’Didn’t the shopkeeper just say he hoped they would fight, so he could get new tables and chairs out of it?’
"Are you blind, kid?"
"If those two start fighting, they’ll probably wreck my entire inn!"
"Please, I’m begging... take it outside."
Shopkeeper Pang felt like crying.
