Chapter 74: Chapter 74: Black Market
Han Yuan didn’t give the matter a second thought after the killing.
In Cangshui County, there were Three Major Sects: the Divine Fist Sect, the Cyan Cloud Sect, and the Rain Flower Sect.
These Three Major Sects had each taken control of several prosperous areas in Cangshui County. They had been entrenched for many years and wielded immense power.
In the regions they controlled, the Government Office was merely a decoration, possessing no real authority. The common people only recognized the local Sects.
The Cangshui County Observatory had allied with the Noble Families precisely to deal with these Sects.
If Du Qiuxu learned that Han Yuan had killed Liu Zhou on the street today, he would probably laugh out loud.
After all, Liu Zhou was one of the most outstanding members of the Divine Fist Sect’s younger generation.
Killing him was no small blow to the Divine Fist Sect.
Han Yuan also wanted to use Liu Zhou to make an example and establish his own prestige.
Otherwise, every Tom, Dick, and Harry would try to use him as a stepping stone, and that would be a constant nuisance.
Before long, Han Yuan returned to the Observatory and resumed his arduous training of the Black Whale Oversea Skill.
Meanwhile, the news of him killing Liu Zhou spread through the city like wildfire.
The name "Han Yuan" once again reached the ears of the people of Cangshui County.
The streets and alleys buzzed with discussion about his "sparring match" with Liu Zhou.
.....
「The next evening.」
The night was bright.
A lone figure walked through the desolate outskirts of the city.
When going to a place like the Black Market, it was only natural to hide all traces of oneself and prevent anyone from discovering one’s identity.
For this reason, Han Yuan had deliberately worn a loose-fitting robe to conceal his Cold Blade, and he also wore a mask over his face.
The mask depicted a majestic divine general with wide, angry eyes. It was brightly colored and had a formidable aura.
It was said to be a Divine Spirit named Fu Tian, who specialized in subduing demons and could exorcise evil.
Han Yuan had bought it at the time simply because he thought the mask looked cool.
Following Shopkeeper Pang’s directions, Han Yuan left the city. After walking for more than ten li, he noticed many other figures nearby.
These people were all dressed similarly to Han Yuan. They either wore Conical Hats or were masked with black cloths—in short, they all made sure not to reveal their identities.
They also maintained their distance from one another, careful not to get too close.
Clearly, these people, like Han Yuan, were all heading to the Black Market.
Han Yuan remained silent and simply continued on his own way.
Afterward, the stream of people converging on the path grew larger and larger.
Half an hour later, they finally arrived before a valley.
Two people dressed in black with black cloths covering their faces stood guard in front of the valley.
Their eyes were sharp, and their temples bulged slightly—they were Inner Breath Experts at a glance.
They were the ones responsible for maintaining order at the Black Market.
Don’t be fooled by the mere two at the Inner Breath Realm; there were even more powerful experts hidden in the shadows.
That was why no one dared to cause trouble at the Black Market.
After lining up and entering the valley, they came upon a large, temporarily cleared-out open space.
A dozen or so braziers were burning, illuminating the entire valley.
This open area was a place for free trade, with no restrictions.
However, after a transaction was completed, the Black Market would collect a ten percent fee.
Deeper in the valley, a series of bamboo sheds had been erected.
Business that couldn’t see the light of day, or the exchange of secret information, would take place inside these bamboo sheds.
By now, many people had already started setting up their wares in the open area.
As Han Yuan walked along and looked around, it was a real eye-opener for him.
There were Martial Arts Secret Manuals, precious treasures, Spiritual Elixirs, and some strange, bizarre artifacts of unknown purpose.
He even saw two Black Wind Crossbows, which were strictly regulated by the Court.
One must understand that these Black Wind Crossbows were no simple matter; only certain special elite units of the Great Ling Dynasty were equipped with them.
Compared to ordinary crossbows, the Black Wind Crossbow had a faster firing rate and greater penetration power.
Even a Body Tempering Martial Artist couldn’t withstand more than a few shots.
A volley from a dozen or so Black Wind Crossbows could even threaten an Inner Breath Martial Artist.
Han Yuan made a point to ask the price.
The two Black Wind Crossbows were bundled together for five thousand taels of silver.
And not a single coin less.
Han Yuan only hesitated for a moment before someone else bought the two Black Wind Crossbows.
It was clear that the Black Wind Crossbows were quite sought-after.
After all, a Gathering Power Martial Artist could pose a threat to an Inner Breath Martial Artist after just a few days of training with one.
Han Yuan didn’t mind.
He hadn’t come for the Black Wind Crossbows anyway, so he continued to browse.
There were several hundred people in the Black Market, a sea of flickering shadows, yet there wasn’t a trace of noisy clamor.
There were only faint whispers.
The entire scene looked somewhat eerie.
Han Yuan made a full circuit but didn’t see the Martial Arts Secret Manual he wanted.
He wasn’t in a hurry. He found a spot for himself, sat down, and took out a Martial Arts Secret Manual.
This was the Ghost Claw Hand manual he had obtained when he killed Luo Zhang.
It was a Second-Class Martial Arts, so there should be plenty of people interested in it.
As for the Blood Essence Scripture, Han Yuan had found it too vile and unconscionable, so he had burned it long ago.
In addition, he had the Arhat Iron Cloth Shirt and the Mountain-Breaking Fist, a Third-Class Boxing Skill.
Before long, the three Secret Manuals quickly attracted some curious gazes.
A figure wearing a white mask approached and asked in a low voice, "Friend, what are you looking for?"
"A Fierce Fist Technique."
Han Yuan didn’t waste any words.
In the Black Market, transactions didn’t have to be in gold or silver; bartering was also an option.
Hearing Han Yuan’s request, the figure left immediately. He clearly didn’t have the Fierce Fist Technique Han Yuan wanted and didn’t want to waste any more time.
Afterward, several other figures came forward to ask, but they too left helplessly after learning of Han Yuan’s request.
’Is my luck really this bad?’
Han Yuan muttered.
If he couldn’t make a trade at the Black Market tonight, his only other option was to earn Contribution Points and exchange them at the Martial Arts Pavilion.
Just then, a tall, thin man wearing a face cloth walked over.
He seemed very interested in the Ghost Claw Hand and said softly, "Friend, can I take a look?"
Han Yuan said flatly, "I want to trade for a Fierce Fist Technique, a Second-Class Martial Arts at the very least."
"I don’t have a second-class one... but I do have a first-class Fist Technique on me."
"You won’t want to miss it."
To show his sincerity, the tall, thin man took out a Martial Arts Secret Manual of his own first.
Han Yuan glanced at it. The cover of the Martial Arts Secret Manual had five large words written on it.
Giant Spirit Monument-Opening Hand.
He knew the etiquette. In front of the tall, thin man, he only flipped through the first three pages.
Han Yuan knew with a single glance that this Martial Arts Secret Manual contained the very Fist Technique he was looking for.
It was incomparably fierce, focused on overwhelming opponents with sheer force.
"Acceptable."
Han Yuan handed the Martial Arts Secret Manual back.
The tall, thin man smiled and looked over the Martial Arts Secret Manuals Han Yuan had laid out on the ground one by one.
Finally, he said softly, "Friend, mine is a First-class Martial Arts. You only have two Second-Class Martial Arts and one Third-Class Martial Arts here."
"Even if I trade one for three, I’m still taking a loss."
Han Yuan said calmly, "I can add some silver to the deal."
He was clearly determined to obtain the Giant Spirit Monument-Opening Hand.
"How much silver do you plan to add?"
the tall, thin man asked in a low voice.
"Three thousand taels."
Han Yuan held up three fingers.
"Not enough... at least this much."
The tall, thin man held up a hand.
"You’re too greedy."
Han Yuan didn’t want to agree immediately.
"Not greedy at all... Since you can offer three thousand taels of silver, it means you should be able to scrape together five thousand."
The tall, thin man chuckled.
