Chapter 51: Chapter 50 Paper Kite l
Translator: 549690339
“Come on, Friend Lu, try this aged brew of mine. It’s been maturing for nearly a
decade.”
In the home of Daoist Wu, the two were, deep in their cups.
Lu Xuan swirled the golden ling wine in his silver glass. As he moved, the heaviness and richness of the wine aroma drifted out.
“I can hardly believe that our neighbor, Wang Shan, a patrol guard from the Enforcement Hall, was actually corrupted by a demon envoy. Luckily, it was discovered early, and it didn’t affect us neighbors.”
Putting down his wine glass and thinking of the possible consequences, Daoist
Wu shivered.
“Yes, if the demon envoy hadn’t been promptly discovered and annihilated, it would be hard for us living nearby to ensure our own safety.”
Lu Xuan echoed.
“These worthless Enforcement Hall guards. They’ve been watching our area, making it inconvenient for us to do anything.
“They couldn’t even protect their own, and allowed a demon envoy to invade. What good can they do for us? They’d better conduct a thorough investigation within their ranks-they might even uncover a few more!”
The Wu older man, slightly drunk, had a vague look in his eyes.
“Friend Lu, why don’t you grow those spirit plants suitable for brewing spiritual wine? If you grow them, I’ll buy as much as you have!
Before he knew it, Daoist Wu had shifted the conversation towards Lu Xuan.
“I have been considering it recently, but the spirit field in my yard is too small and there’s no extra space to plant other spirit plants. For now, I also lack the energy to cultivate other spirit plants.
“If I decide to do so, I’ll definitely come to you, Friend Wu, for cooperation.
The two continued to drink.
“By the way, Daoist Wu, do you know of the black market in Linyang Market?
Lu Xuan asked the old man.
“The black market? Why, are you thinking of going in?
“I do have such an idea, but since I’ve never been there before, I don’t know much about it. And you, Friend Wu, are skilled in cultivation and have spent a lot of time in the market. Therefore, I want to ask you about it.”
Lu Xuan smiled.
“I’ve indeed been in a few times, with the most recent being about two years
ago.”
The old man sobered up a bit, showing a reflective expression.
“The black market is located at the center of the market. It is rumored to be managed by several underground forces in the market, but I suspect there are one or more of the major families in the market behind it.”
“The market was originally built on an abandoned secret land, the black market sits in a natural maze, which can only be accessed by purchasing a guiding talisman with a few spirit stones.”
“Named the ’Black Market’, it differs significantly from the Loose Cultivation Market and those big shops. Most of the goods there are things that can’t stand the light of day, and the cultivators who come there generally hide their faces and cultivation levels.”
“The goods inside are similarly like that, and there are quite a few treasures that you can’t see in the market or shops. Some are obtained under unknown circumstances, which makes them difficult to sell normally, and others are various strange and bizarre materials, often involving demon envoy related items.”
Lu Xuan occasionally nodded.
“Then do regular loose cultivators have safety guarantees when they enter the black market?”
“It’S definitely safe inside, with powerful cultivators standing guard, and it’s rare to hear of anyone making trouble inside.”
“As for the outside, it’s not under the jurisdiction of the black market. Among the cultivators who come and go in the black market, there are many vicious and wicked individuals, or evil cultivators practicing sinister cultivation techniques. So the safety is much lower than inside, and occasionally, there are incidents of robbery and murder.”
“Normally, it’s still safe. After all, the black market is located in the central area of the market. Anyway, I’ve been there more than once during my low-level Qi cultivation period, and I’ve never encountered any accidents.”
“If you truly wish to enter, just be cautious. If you’re really terrified, you can enter with a familiar cultivator.”
“I’m grateful for this important information, thank you Daoist Wu.”
The older man with the surname Wu waved his hand.
“None of that was particularly significant, you’ll leant more if you ask around outside.”
The two weren’t very close, so he did not ask Lu Xuan about his intention to enter the black market.
Lu Xuan stayed a while longer, then returned home with the Cloud Leopard Juvenile Beast who had been quietly sitting on his shoulder the entire time. He pondered for a moment, then decided to make a trip to the Black Market. According to the older man with the surname Wu, many odd and curious things appear on the black market, so the possibility of finding an unknown spiritual seed is greater there than at the Loose Cultivation Market. Moreover, entering and exiting the black market is generally safe. Lu Xuan felt that as long as he does not expose his wealth or provoke any trouble, he can leave unscathed.
Furthermore, he has complete confidence in his current strength.
With level six Qi cultivation, nearly grandmaster level Golden Sword Technique, a first-grade special magical tool (the Split Silver Blade), two grade two Million Swords Qi Talismans, a grade two Flying Sword – Fire Departing Sword, a first-grade treasure – Thunder Fire Pearl, and numerous charms… Even if he went up against a high-tier Qi cultivator, Lu Xuan has quite a bit of confidence in defeating them.
The next day, Lu Xuan inspected his Spirit Field and ensured that all his spirit plants were in optimal condition. Then, according to the location provided by the older man with the surname Wu, he headed to the black market.
Because the Cloud Leopard Juvenile Beast is too conspicuous, and there was no appropriate means to conceal it, Lu Xuan decided to leave it at home.
Upon learning that it couldn’t accompany Lu Xuan outside, the Cloud Leopard stared at Lu Xuan with it’s emerald eyes, as if it was so afraid that Lu Xuan would abandon it, filled with helplessness and fear.
This almost caused Lu Xuan’s heart to soften. However, after considering the potential risk of revealing his true identity, he comforted the creature and left some dried meat strips for the Cloud Leopard before setting out alone.
About an hour later, Lu Xuan arrived outside the black market.
Although the black market is near the center of the market, the surroundings are very desolate, devoid of courtyards or residences. A few cultivators, who seemed wary of each other, were hurrying along the road.
The entire blackmarket is enveloped by a dense black fog. When spiritual sense probes into the fog, it feels as if it is blocked by something, and can’t advance a single step.
Lu Xuan, with a simple mask on his face, approached the cultivator who was guarding the entrance of the black market.
Along the way, he noticed that almost all cultivators were dressed similarly, wearing masks or cloth on their faces while a few used special magical devices to conceal their identities. Some didn’t seem to care, showing their true faces, although whether they were their real faces or not, Lu Xuan couldn’t tell.
He observed how the cultivators ahead of him paid three spirit stones to a cultivator shrouded in black fog at the entrance.
Shortly after, he received a guiding talisman with black runes drawn on it, with a slightly moving black arrow on it.
Once inside the black fog, his surroundings became hazy. The black arrow on the talisman flickered and continually adjusted its direction, leading Lu Xuan forward through the fog.
Awhile later, Lu Xuan felt a sudden refreshment as he passed through the black fog and arrived inside the black market.
The black market was more spacious than he had imagined, with around one to two hundred cultivators in sight. The atmosphere was relatively quiet, with only soft murmurs of discussion.
Overhead, it seemed as if a thick black cloud was covering the black market, and in the high skies, about ten black kites were slowly flying.
At first glance, the kites seemed to be made of beast skin, floating in the sky. As they flew over Lu Xuan’s head, he could feel a malevolent thought sweeping over him, causing goosebumps to appear on his skin..