Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

Chapter 308: Chapter 175: Going Alone with a Blade, Instant Kill

This was truly shocking; after a quick flip through, even Gu Sheng felt embarrassed for him!

This martial arts manual wasn’t just incomplete—it was utterly shattered! Based on its content, it could only be cultivated to the entry-level realm. Even if this martial arts technique had been outstanding when complete, with so much missing, its power wouldn’t even qualify as second-rate now—it’s value was dubious. Naturally, Gu Sheng wasn’t naïve enough to be easily duped!

Listening to the stall owner lavishly praise the manual, Gu Sheng put it down and prepared to leave. Seeing this, the stall owner panicked and grabbed Gu Sheng’s arm: ”Hey, brother, don’t go! This martial technique is truly incredible. Buy it, will you?”

Gu Sheng rolled his eyes and said, ”You’ve got a lot of nerve asking for fifty thousand for this broken martial arts manual! Why not just rob me outright?”

The stall owner had a unique skill: he could estimate bone age. The reason he persisted in holding on to Gu Sheng was that from his young age, he figured Gu Sheng would be inexperienced and easy to trick. However, he didn’t expect him to be so savvy. Still, the owner didn’t let go but instead smiled brightly and said, ”Come on now, no need to talk like that. Business is business—I’ll name my price, and you counteroffer! Name an amount; if I think it’s acceptable, you can take it with you!”

Gu Sheng couldn’t help but laugh as he responded, ”Forget it. The price I’d offer would definitely not meet your expectations.”

The stall owner waved nonchalantly and said, ”That’s fine—just name it! Buying and selling, after all, is a matter of mutual agreement. Go ahead, give me your price—I’m listening.”

This martial arts manual was too incomplete to be worth anything—it could only be cultivated to the entry-level stage, which made it practically useless for the average person. Yet for Gu Sheng, this wasn’t an issue!

Thanks to his system panel, he only needed to cultivate to the entry-level stage to record it, then he could progress methodically. The subsequent techniques wouldn’t matter, as his system panel would automatically fill in the gaps.

Even so, Gu Sheng wasn’t overflowing with money to squander—he had no intention of being ripped off.

Seeing the stall owner refuse to let go, Gu Sheng grew impatient and said, ”Three hundred taels! Take it or leave it. If you refuse, I’m walking away!”

”Deal! Pay up!”

The stall owner, afraid Gu Sheng might change his mind, hurriedly grabbed a manual from the stall and stuffed it into Gu Sheng’s hands, extending his hand eagerly for payment.

”What the—? Did I pay too much?”

Seeing Gu Sheng hesitate to pay, the stall owner became anxious and said, ”You offered your price! Here, if you name an amount and I agree, you’re obligated to buy it! Breaking this rule carries serious consequences—so don’t think a measly three hundred taels will get you out of trouble!”

There was indeed such a rule in the black market. For the black market to reach its current scale, the power behind it must be significant. Gu Sheng naturally wouldn’t push his luck over a mere three hundred taels.

He pulled out three hundred-tael silver notes and handed them over to the stall owner, who finally let go of his grip.

Holding the silver notes, the stall owner wore a triumphant smile and didn’t even bother to remind Gu Sheng about any resale restrictions or conditions.

Though, even if he had, it wouldn’t have mattered—after all, selling such a manual required a solid knack for swindling.

At this moment, Mu Qinghe had already completed his transaction and left, prompting Gu Sheng to head straight to Mu Qinghe’s previous stall.

The stall owner there beamed with delight upon seeing Gu Sheng: ”Looking to shop? All my poisons and hidden weapons are genuine Thousand Poison Sect products—top-notch quality at fair prices. Care to buy some?”

The two sects and three factions within the Red Cloud Prefecture domain were akin to a golden brand. Anything associated with these powers had its price inflated by ten or twenty percent.

The stall was stocked with numerous hidden weapons—throwing knives, sharp needles, darts—and many bizarre items that even Gu Sheng couldn’t name. These weapons were painted with vibrant colors, clearly coated with potent toxins, reflecting Thousand Poison Sect’s distinct style.

In addition, the stall displayed countless bottles and jars. Gu Sheng casually opened one, and immediately, an overpowering stench assaulted his senses, almost making him retch!

”Hey! My goodness! Sir, this is Ten Veins Soft Bone Powder! Opening it like that—aren’t you afraid of being affected?”

The stall owner, alarmed at Gu Sheng’s recklessness, quickly snatched the bottle back and capped it. With a glare, he shoved the bottle into Gu Sheng’s hand and said, ”Since you’ve opened it, you have to buy it! Eight hundred taels—no negotiation!”

Gu Sheng stared at the stall owner in disbelief: ”How much?”

The stall owner replied irritably, ”Eight hundred taels! This is an authentic Thousand Poison Sect formula, with devastating effects. Even anyone at the Bronze Bone Realm who ingests this powder will lose their combat ability within ten seconds. Eight hundred taels is a fair price! Now hurry up and pay!”

Then, the stall owner pointed to some black-armored enforcers in the distance and said, ”I’d advise you to pay quickly! Those enforcement teams don’t mess around. Without my permission, you opened the poison—if you bring them into this, eight hundred taels won’t be sufficient to settle the matter!”

Gu Sheng pulled out eight hundred-tael silver notes, yet he didn’t hand them over immediately. Instead, he asked, ”Is this powder truly from the Thousand Poison Sect?”

The stall owner visibly brimmed with pride: ”Of course! My cousin is an official inner sect disciple of Thousand Poison Sect—these goods were handed down from him!”

Gu Sheng nodded thoughtfully and continued to ask, ”What did that person before me buy from you?”

Upon hearing this, the stall owner looked at Gu Sheng meaningfully and replied, ”Two hundred taels!”

Without hesitation, Gu Sheng pulled out two additional hundred-tael notes and handed them over to the stall owner: ”Now will you tell me?”

The stall owner hadn’t expected Gu Sheng to be this agreeable, handing over two hundred taels for such a simple piece of information. Flashing an ecstatic grin, he said, ”That guy was generous—he bought a bottle of my signature Gut-Wrenching Poison and some hidden weapons.”