Chapter 373 - 242: Black Market 2

Chapter 373: Chapter 242: Black Market 2

After spending half a year at Shenhan University, Yu Fei’s perspective had completely broadened. He finally understood why his senior, Chen Yu, had thought his request to purchase Vitality Elixirs was child’s play.

This type of cultivation medicine, meant for first-realm Martial Artists, was actually in an awkward spot. True geniuses had no need for it, while Martial Artists with slightly better aptitude only required a minuscule amount to see a massive boost in their martial arts prowess.

Meanwhile, the martial arts world had little demand for the very people who truly needed Vitality Elixirs—Martial Artists of ordinary talent. This made the elixirs themselves rather superfluous.

It was only because Yu Fei’s own talent was constantly improving that the Vitality Elixirs had room to be effective.

On the third day after the New Year, Yu Fei finally received a message from Zhang Wenji. He bid farewell to his family and once again rushed to Jingshan.

The Golden Stone Gang Realm was of great importance to his Cultivation Technique practice. If he handled it properly, he might be able to make significant progress with his Melt Gold Jade Body Skill.

After a long journey, Yu Fei returned once again to the Zhang family’s villa in Songfeng City.

"Young friend Yu Fei, I’m terribly sorry to have kept you waiting for so long!"

Zhang Wenji clasped his hands in apology. In his mind, Yu Fei’s importance had risen yet again. As a local, Zhang Wenji was very well-informed and knew a great deal about the major battle that had taken place at the Xiling City Security Bureau half a month prior.

For example, he knew that the young prodigy before him had slain many Gang Qi-level bandits and that he was always protected by a powerful Grandmaster.

Zhang Wenji was well aware of his own capabilities. His Gang Qi Realm cultivation was superficial, built entirely on resources. In terms of combat power, he was no match for those bandits of the same realm. In other words, if this young man in front of him had ill intentions, he could kill him in minutes.

"Mr. Zhang, thank you for making this trip."

Zhang Wenji waved his hand. "Nonsense, young friend. You helped me recover my Zhang family’s treasure. I can’t thank you enough!"

The two exchanged pleasantries for a moment before finally getting down to business.

Yu Fei then heard Zhang Wenji say with satisfaction, "This time, I used the theft of the Jade Refining Treasure to put pressure on the Kong Family. Even that Grandmaster couldn’t say much; on the surface, at least, he severely punished his own people. From this, I managed to secure a spot for you. You can explore freely, but it will be under a false identity, and you’ll only have one week."

Yu Fei nodded. "Then I’ll be troubling you, Mr. Zhang."

Zhang Wenji said politely, "It’s no trouble at all. If my father were still alive, this sort of thing could have been arranged casually. There would have been no need for a special trip."

At this point, Zhang Wenji’s tone changed. "However, once Yuan’er enrolls in university this year, things might take a turn for the better.

"Although the Kong Family Patriarch is a noble eighth-realm Grandmaster, he is getting old, and his aura is gradually weakening. Below him, there’s no one in the Kong Family who is up to snuff. I’m afraid they’ll have a hard time in the future.

"Yuan’er has become a prodigy Martial Artist with a bright future. The Kong Family Patriarch is now interested in improving relations with us, which is why I stayed a few extra days.

"In a few months, when Yuan’er’s placement is finalized, the Kong Family will gift me shares and operational rights to some of their companies. In the future, if you wish to enter the Golden Stone Gang Realm again, young friend, it will be much more convenient!"

Yu Fei’s heart stirred. ’He understands that Zhang Wenji is showing off his own value. The old fox has probably figured out how much I need the Golden Stone Gang Realm.’

Yu Fei sensed for a moment but detected no malicious intent. He smiled and thanked him for the kind offer, deciding that he would make a final decision after this operation was over.

After discussing some details with Zhang Wenji and agreeing to explore in two days, Yu Fei took his leave. He needed to prepare some supplies.

With the convenience of a personal storage space, he naturally had to make some preparations.

This time, he sought out Taolang for help.

Even during the New Year’s holiday, the Jingshan Security Bureau was still extremely busy. That list had exposed far too much information.

Among those who had taken jobs from Night Owl Mansion, about half had been clearly identified, and there were clues to track down the others.

It had to be said, the person who created the Night Owl Mansion assassin platform was quite cunning. It was completely open on the surface, but behind the scenes, they exploited Martial Artists’ unfamiliarity with civilian networks, secretly using hacking methods to obtain their information.

Mei Shasha had taken it a step further, grabbing photos of many individuals. As a result, many who had participated in assassinations had their covers blown.

The list included teachers from Martial Arts Universities, wanted criminals, officers from security bureaus, soldiers on leave, employees of martial arts corporations, and more.

As a result, they were even more short-staffed and had to borrow personnel from other regions to handle the cases.

"Everything else is negotiable, but if you want to get super-powered firearms, that can’t be done through official channels!"

Taolang said, rubbing his tired head.

Yu Fei smiled and said, "That’s why I came to you!"

Super-powered firearms were only permitted for use in border-realms, or by individuals holding a Class B or higher firearms license.

The Yu Kingdom’s control over super-powered firearms was extremely strict. Illegal possession or carrying of such weapons was a serious crime.

Taolang thought for a moment, then asked uneasily, "What do you need a firearm for?"

Yu Fei said seriously, "I need to infiltrate a border-realm!"

Taolang was confused. "Then how will you get it in? The inspections at every border-realm entrance are extremely strict. There will be at least Grandmaster-level Martial Artists monitoring them!"

Yu Fei put on a mysterious air. "You don’t need to worry about that. I have my ways!"

Taolang pondered for a moment. "Come on, I’ll take you. I know a black market. We were originally planning to take them down in April. Might as well let them serve one last purpose!"

The two disguised themselves and, under Taolang’s guidance, drove to a mountainous area.

They wound their way through the area for over three hundred kilometers, finally arriving at an entrance in a cave system surrounded by mountains on all sides.

The closer they got, the more signs of human activity they saw, even though the area was incredibly desolate.

Taolang led Yu Fei through a series of turns inside the cave. There were countless branching paths; anyone unfamiliar with the route would definitely get lost.

Finally, they reached a relatively wide underground platform, where Yu Fei, following Taolang, saw other people.

The person was wearing an earth-yellow gas mask and uniform. Taolang stepped forward and took out a special card. After the person verified it, they were led to a hidden door.

Pushing it open revealed an elevator.

Throughout the process, both Yu Fei and Taolang wore cloaks and masks. Taolang handled all communication while Yu Fei followed quietly behind.

The elevator ascended continuously, finally stopping after about four hundred meters.

As soon as the two stepped out, they were greeted by a shocking sight.

It was a town built into the face of a mountain, arranged in a two-tiered ring and surrounded by dense vegetation on the outside.

Yu Fei could imagine that from high above, this would look like nothing more than an ordinary, desolate mountain. He never would have thought it hid such a secret.

A single glance revealed the place was teeming with illegal activities.

The scope of business here was incredibly broad: assassinations, intelligence gathering, selling of military merits, fencing stolen goods, treasure appraisal, arms dealing, Cultivation Techniques, cultivation resources, and so on. There was even human trafficking.

Taolang sighed and said to Yu Fei in a low voice.

"This place is called the Half-Mountain Black Market. We only discovered it last October. Preliminary investigations suggest it’s been in operation for about five years."

Yu Fei nodded. He noticed there were quite a few people here—at least a thousand at a glance. Most of them were third or fourth-realm Martial Artists. In his Reversing Destiny Vision, the majority of the people here had talents represented by the colors blue and green.

"Follow me. I’ll pay later. The transactions here require special tokens and accounts. The Security Bureau has some that we’ve seized. Don’t look around too much. Because of our big fight with Night Owl Mansion before the New Year, this place was closed for about a week."

"Come with me!"

Yu Fei kept his head down and his gaze low, acting as if he were invisible.

As they walked, Yu Fei saw a brightly displayed price list for assassinations.

[Second Realm: 10,000–50,000

Third Realm: 100,000–200,000

Fourth Realm: 500,000–1,000,000

Higher realms: Price negotiable.]

The text was clearly written in human blood, which had dried to a brownish color over time.

Some people had simply thrown down a tarp to set up a stall, displaying blood-stained weapons and various resources.

Yu Fei felt like he had entered a world he could have never imagined. Everything here was overturning his understanding of reality.