Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

Chapter 69: Chapter 69: The Black Market

Gu Sheng paid two coins to listen to the storyteller and stood there for a while.

Mr. Li’s storytelling style was somewhat similar to Mr. Zhang’s from before. He also talked about the Fire Worship Sect and the Flying Thunder General, but his version had some discrepancies compared to Mr. Zhang’s.

Additionally, there were some local rumors from Canghe County.

Not much was fresh or new.

Originally, Gu Sheng had hoped to glean some fragments about last year’s turmoil in the county from the storyteller, but Mr. Li didn’t dare to even touch on the subject.

Recalling Mr. Zhang’s passing, Gu Sheng immediately understood a bit more.

He sighed lightly to himself, feeling somewhat bored and disappointed, shaking his head as he walked away.

Back at the side courtyard, Gu Sheng carefully stored the remaining hides and made meticulous preparations for his disguise. He headed to the place where he had sold the bow last time.

It was still the same alley.

After knocking and entering the courtyard, Gu Sheng stated his purpose:

”I was referred by Brother Knife. I want to go to the black market.”

Upon hearing this.

The old man with the somber expression immediately raised his head and scrutinized Gu Sheng with a hint of surprise.

”Brother Knife is dead. Were you one of his old friends?”

Gu Sheng froze for a moment, then nodded slightly.

The old man didn’t press further and said in a deep voice:

”The rules are simple. If you want access to the black market, pay one tael of silver to get a token for entry.”

Gu Sheng didn’t hesitate and handed over twenty large coins to the old man behind the counter.

After counting the money, the old man bent down and rummaged under the counter. Soon, he tossed a dark wooden token onto the counter in front of Gu Sheng.

On it were the characters for ”black market.”

”At 12:45 AM, take this token and head to Black Dog Alley. Someone there will guide you in. Do not cause trouble in the black market; your life will be at risk otherwise.”

”Additionally, the black market only recognizes tokens, not people. If your token is lost, you’ll need to apply for a new one.”

The old man gave him these instructions before closing his eyes and resting.

Gu Sheng pocketed the token and turned to leave.

”Now that Brother Knife is gone, you can just say Old Xu referred you in the future.”

The old man’s voice suddenly came from behind. Gu Sheng paused for a moment, nodded, and pushed the courtyard gate open to leave.

He didn’t know where Black Dog Alley was, but after asking around a bit, he quickly found its location.

Returning to the secluded courtyard.

By then, the evening had grown darker, and villagers who had been out began to return one after another.

Gu Sheng rested quietly in the yard. Without Gu Renxu’s help, he didn’t have such favorable conditions this time. He refrained from practicing martial arts and instead pondered his upcoming night trip to the black market.

”Everyone who frequents the black market is shady or dangerous, and there are even martial artists among them. I must remain especially vigilant, especially against poisons and devious items like lime powder...”

Gu Sheng meticulously considered every potential point of oversight.

Nightfall descended swiftly.

12:45 AM.

The surrounding area was silent.

Gu Sheng took out the night travel outfit he had prepared in advance and put it on, wrapping his face tightly, leaving only his eyes exposed.

He listened carefully for any noise around him, then deftly vaulted over the courtyard wall.

The streets were enveloped in darkness, lit only faintly by moonlight. From afar, the sound of the town crier could be faintly heard.

While Canghe County officially enforced a curfew.

In practice, patrols were lax, and for someone like Gu Sheng, a martial artist, avoiding them was not difficult.

Following the direction to Black Dog Alley, Gu Sheng moved swiftly and cautiously.

Black Dog Alley had been a known refugee gathering spot in Canghe County in years past. Many places here remained abandoned, with collapsed houses and ruins. Few people ventured here anymore, and deep within lay the black market.

Upon arriving at the location, Gu Sheng didn’t rush to enter.

From a distance, he could faintly see several shadows flashing by. He observed carefully for two full quarters before finally feeling reassured.

He approached, holding the token in his hand, and displayed it to someone hidden in the shadows.

”Go ahead, but don’t cause trouble inside!”

The voice from the shadow was low, and Gu Sheng could sense more than one gaze sweeping over him. He kept his breathing steady and unchanging, mimicking the movements of those before him as he slipped into the depths of Black Dog Alley.

He twisted and turned, passing through several bends, and noticed many eyes brushing over him along the way.

He couldn’t help but feel a chill in his heart. Just who was behind this black market?

It was undoubtedly someone from the uppermost echelons of the city. To organize such a large black market, substantial resources and influence were necessary.

After several more twists and turns.

The scene suddenly opened up before him, illuminated by torches, far brighter than it had been previously.

From a distance, it resembled an ordinary daytime marketplace, with stalls set up here and there. People with their faces obscured went to and fro, sometimes stopping at stalls to haggle over prices.

”Halt! Entry into the black market requires payment of half a tael of silver.”

A squad of patrol martial artists, their faces full of hostility, approached coldly and glared at Gu Sheng. He froze for a moment—additional fees?!

But he quickly realized.

This was likely the black market’s main profit source. A token was nothing; requiring payment for every entry was a steady income stream akin to a hen laying golden eggs.

He took out ten large coins and handed them over.

The leader of the martial artists merely warned, ”Don’t cause trouble,” before turning away.

Gu Sheng inwardly marveled. These martial artists hadn’t restrained their strength; their aura matched that of Gu Jingang, Gu Dajiang, and others unmistakably. Without a doubt, they were at the Blood Refining Realm!

As he passed the guards to enter the black market, several almost imperceptible gazes lingered on him.

Gu Sheng ignored them and wandered leisurely among the stalls.

He did not act immediately but instead took time to observe first.

”Top-grade antiseptic medicine, only half a tael per bottle! Excellent for stopping bleeding and healing wounds!”

”Divine weapons, sharp and unmatched! Walk by, don’t miss out!”

”I have a peerless martial skill book here, only one tael per volume! My family has fallen on hard times, selling it with great reluctance!”

...

Various shouts of merchants echoed around him.

Gu Sheng found it quite intriguing. If one set aside the somewhat dim torchlight and the scene of people in black clothing and veils, it was hardly different from an ordinary marketplace.

But he knew that nine out of ten of these people were ruthless killers.

Caution was paramount.

He watched carefully.

Among the stalls, those selling medicine powders and weapons were the most popular. Aside from these, there were stalls with odd and unconventional items. However, the stalls with martial skill books were mostly ignored; even when someone approached, they quickly shook their heads and left.

After observing for a while longer, Gu Sheng gained a general understanding of the black market’s situation and stopped at a particular stall.

”Look here, don’t miss out! Divine medicine for Body Refining Realm martial artists—Body Refining Ointment! Premium quality, only one tael per portion! Buy ten portions and get one free!”

The stall owner was shouting enthusiastically.

He was one of the rare people in the black market not concealing his face. His pale, round face, paired with his slightly plump physique, stood out.

Seeing Gu Sheng linger at his stall, the owner’s eyes lit up, and he greeted him with a smile:

”Sir, how about some Body Refining Ointment?”

Gu Sheng glanced down at the Body Refining Ointment on display and deliberately rasped his voice:

”Your Body Refining Ointment—is it genuine?”

The plump middle-aged man smacked his chest resoundingly.

”Rest assured! If I dare show my face in this place, I guarantee authenticity. I work for Pill Master Ge Qing. If I dared to deceive anyone, I’d have been hacked to death long ago!”

Clearly, he had confidence and showed no fear of revealing his wealth.