Chapter 38
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Chapter 38: The Real and Fake Black Market
From Duobao Pavilion, Lin Jiang and several independent cultivators in the Qi Refining later stage walked out. They agreed to gather at a nearby restaurant, where they enjoyed a table filled with delicious food and drinks.
Although Lin Jiang had left his previous residence and no longer visited the South City Market, he still had connections with Duobao Pavilion.
There was no other way—Lin Jiang had spent too much money at Duobao Pavilion. Every year, he spent thousands of spirit stones. Over the past ten years, his total spending was no less than sixty to seventy thousand.
Plus, the amount he spent on auctioning the Green Rock Pill made Lin Jiang one of the highest-ranked guests in Duobao Pavilion during the Qi Refining Period.
This status came with many benefits. The most basic one was getting discounts when buying items. Additionally, Duobao Pavilion provided various services, including facilitating communication skills and hosting high-profile auctions.
These benefits made Lin Jiang reluctant to give them up, as reaching this level again would require a great deal of time, money, and effort.
Therefore, Lin Jiang continued to deal with Duobao Pavilion under the alias Jiang Lin, while carefully keeping his real identity a secret.
“Taoist Friend Jiang, I have known you for many years. I see that you have a good income, so why have I never seen you visit the black market?”
“The area outside the city is too chaotic. I rarely leave the city—maybe only two or three times a year. Once I finish my business, I return immediately.”
Lin Jiang shook his head.
He knew about the black market, a place located somewhere outside the city. It was said that one needed a recommendation to find it.
In the black market, there were many valuable items not found in regular markets. However, most of these items were illegal, often obtained through robbery, which could easily lead to misunderstandings.
“The marketplace outside the city is indeed unsafe. Many cultivators in the Foundation Building Period die there every year. However, Taoist Friend Jiang, you can try the fake marketplace inside the city instead.”
“Fake? There are fakes in the black market?”
Lin Jiang was shocked. What the heck? There are fakes in the black market?
“Haha, Taoist Friend Jiang, you are fully dedicated to your spiritual practice. You must be unaware of many things, right?”
“Indeed. Please enlighten me, Taoist Friend.”
“The black market was born out of the needs of cultivators. It exists because of demand. While it’s true that the black market deals in many shady transactions, not everything in it is necessarily illegal.
Moreover, even though the black market outside the city has been raided more than ten times, it still exists. Even the Zhonghang Sect and the Cloud Sword Sect cannot eliminate it.
Instead of letting others make all the money, wouldn’t it be better for them to profit from it themselves?”
“That makes sense. But why call it a fake black market?”
“Because it differs from the real one.
The black market outside the city is a lawless place where anything goes. In addition to being a hub for thieves to sell stolen goods, it’s also a meeting place for assassin organizations and a location where people hire killers.
Moreover, many shady activities take place there—gambling fights, fights between humans and monsters, and other dangerous bets.
The fake black market inside the city, however, does not allow these activities. These things disrupt the city’s order and pose a significant challenge to its security.”
“What kind of things does the fake black market sell?”
“It’s not much different from the large city markets, except it deals more in stolen goods.
For example, if I leave the city and someone tries to rob me, I can fight back and take their belongings. However, it’s difficult to sell these items openly, so I can take them to the fake black market.
It’s a place where secrets are kept.”
“In that case, does the fake black market get much business? Wouldn’t it be better to go to the real black market?”
“Taoist Friend Jiang, you are mistaken. The fake black market is extremely popular because it is safe.
Fighting is not allowed within the city. If someone is being pursued by enemies, they have a chance to escape. But outside the city, the black market is far more ruthless—murders happen in the streets without consequence.”
“Nowadays, only the most dangerous and illegal dealings remain in the real black market outside the city.
If Taoist Friend Jiang is interested, it would be a good opportunity to broaden your horizons.”
“Oh, I see. I’ve learned something new. Thank you.”
Lin Jiang politely gestured with his hand.
He didn’t actually know all of this, but indeed, the factor of safety could attract many cultivators. The real black market offered no such guarantee.
“Actually, the fake black market is secretly managed by the high-level officials of Yunzhong City. It’s their personal source of income, so the security is quite reliable…”
Then, someone leaked further information—although called a black market, the fake black market was actually controlled by the high-level officials of Yunzhong City.
The top positions in Yunzhong City were held by members of the Zhonghang Sect and the Cloud Sword Sect. It was considered part of their official duties within the sect.
However, despite holding these prestigious positions and managing the city’s treasury, their incomes were not particularly high.
Instead of resorting to corruption and bribery—actions that could be discovered and punished by the sect—they sought alternative ways to generate wealth.
The black market became one of their financial channels. The entrance fees and taxes collected from the black market went directly into their personal accounts, bypassing official records.
To ensure a steady flow of income, the higher-ups put in significant effort to maintain the existence of the black market.
Hearing this, Lin Jiang was immediately intrigued.
······
Brother Jiang, Come With Me
In a corner of Yunzhong City, Lin Jiang followed a cultivator named Zhang into a hidden black market.
The black market was actually a mix of residential houses, somewhat similar to a village Lin Jiang had visited before.
At the entrance, a cultivator at the Foundation Building Period stood guard. The entry fee was ten spirit stones. In exchange, each person received a hat—a magical tool that could conceal one’s appearance. The spiritual sense of a Qi Refining Period cultivator couldn’t penetrate it. However, the hat had to be returned upon leaving.
The two entered the black market, where Lin Jiang saw people setting up stalls along the street, as well as some shops. The shops had no names, only special symbols. Only those familiar with them knew what they were for.
Many of the items on display bore obvious bloodstains, making Lin Jiang shake his head.
Couldn’t they at least wipe them off?
“Yunzhong City has a million residents, and there are no less than fifty thousand visitors from outside each day.
Along the roads outside Yunzhong City, dozens of bandit groups linger all year round.
Therefore, the number of cultivators who fall each day within a thousand miles of Yunzhong City is never less than three figures. It’s normal for people to die. We cultivators have it tough.”
“I’ve heard about this.
Qi Refining Period cultivators can live up to a hundred years, but more than thirty percent of them don’t even make it past sixty.”
Lin Jiang nodded.
Being a cultivator was dangerous and chaotic.
Sometimes, being born into a family or sect was a blessing because it significantly increased the chances of living to old age.
But for independent cultivators, life was truly unfortunate.
“Yeah, cultivation is not easy. Well, forget about that.
I’m going to buy something. Jiang, feel free to look around. Just remember the rules I told you.”
“Got it. No asking about origins, no bargaining, and less talking.”
“Exactly.
Even though this is a fake black market, it’s still a black market. Be cautious.”
“Okay.”
Lin Jiang and Zhang nodded at each other before parting ways to handle their own business.
“What kind of demon beast’s Demon Core is this? How much does it cost?”
Lin Jiang wandered around for a while and noticed a stall selling Demon Cores.
Curious, he approached and inquired.
“This is the Demon Core of an Iron Arm Eagle, a third-grade, medium-quality item. Price: fifty thousand spirit stones.”
“I want to inspect it.”
“Alright. There’s an appraisal center in the black market.
Here’s the appraisal certificate they provided.”
“Okay.”
Lin Jiang nodded and took out fifty thousand spirit stones.
He could afford it without any issue.
He decided to buy the Demon Core for Big Shadiao and Small Shadiao.
The transaction was straightforward.
In less than a minute, Lin Jiang completed his purchase and left.
Afterward, he entered a shop to dispose of the miscellaneous items he had collected.
Some of these items were obtained after killing people, but he didn’t sell everything.
For example, he held onto the possessions he had taken from He Yunwei.
There was a chance that the He family had influence in this black market, and he didn’t want to take unnecessary risks.
After browsing for a while, Lin Jiang left.
By now, he had a solid understanding of how the black market operated.
Most of the items here had dubious origins but were significantly cheaper than those sold outside.
For instance, the Demon Core he purchased would have cost at least eighty thousand spirit stones elsewhere.
Additionally, this Demon Core seemed to have been around for some time.
It was likely someone’s treasured collection or even a family heirloom that had somehow ended up in the hands of another.
Such occurrences were not uncommon.
A few days later, Lin Jiang had the Demon Core divided into six parts.
Only then did he dare to feed it to Big Shadiao and Small Shadiao.
Otherwise, a mid-level Golden Core stage Demon Core would have been too much for them, possibly causing them to explode.
The difference between them and a third-grade, medium-quality Demon Core was immense.
In less than an hour, Big Shadiao and Small Shadiao fell into a deep sleep.
This was a normal reaction for advancing monsters.
Lin Jiang expected them to sleep for about two to three years.
Of course, there was also a possibility that they would never wake up.
After all, monster advancement could fail, and failure meant death.
The cultivation world was cruel—whether for cultivators or monsters.
Big Shadiao and Small Shadiao’s deep sleep actually saved Lin Jiang some expenses.
He decided to invest more in his talisman-drawing skills to increase his income.
His supply of spirit stones was running low, and without them, he wouldn’t feel secure.
