130: Rules

Going to the Black Market to perform missions not only offers meager rewards from the Sect but also provides no opportunities for personal gain. Furthermore, due to the Black Market's unique rules, those who go there are people who conceal their identities. It's possible they might even offend individuals they shouldn't!

Therefore, Crimson Flame Sect Disciples working in the Black Market essentially turn a blind eye. They rarely meddle in others' affairs, primarily serving as gatekeepers.

Consequently, within the Inner Affairs Hall, those who go to the Black Market are jokingly referred to as 'gate dogs,' meaning house guards. Only Disciples who are low in rank, old and frail, or lack ambition choose to go to the Black Market.

Official channels, patrols, the Open Market, the Black Market...

Within its territory, the Crimson Flame Sect is clearly like a small court, encompassing the food, clothing, housing, transportation, birth, old age, sickness, and death of a quarter of An Yan City's population!

At this point, Han Yi finally gained a more comprehensive understanding of the basic operations and structure of the Crimson Flame Sect, this colossal entity...

Furthermore, among these four choices, Huang Ze frankly stated that the best options were naturally the official channels and the Open Market. Of course, competition is fierce, but if Han Yi wanted to go, it would also be fine.

After all, although Huang Ze is just an Elder with a leisurely position, he can still make the decision on such a minor matter.

So, essentially, Han Yi was free to choose whatever he wished, entirely depending on his preference.

After thinking for a long time, Han Yi finally made a choice.

His lips moved slightly, and he said, "Master Huang, I choose to go to the Black Market..."

"Pfft..."

Huang Ze had just picked up his teacup, and the sip of tea he hadn't yet swallowed nearly choked him due to Han Yi's unexpected decision.

"Cough, cough..."

Huang Jiu'er quickly used a handkerchief to wipe Huang Ze's mouth.

"Han Boy, forgive this Old Man for being blunt, but this Black Market, while comfortable, isn't exactly a good place to stay..."

Huang Ze thought it over carefully. Considering Han Yi's close relationship with Bai Sanren, he couldn't help but offer a reminder.

"Thank you, Master Huang, for your guidance, but I believe the Black Market is the most suitable place..."

Han Yi cupped his fists and bowed.

In Han Yi's view, firstly, the Black Market is not valued by Disciples and has a low sense of presence. Going there would make him disappear from the sight of most people. At the very least, it would allow the fame he gained from winning first place in the Sect's minor competition to cool down, preventing him from becoming a target for being too prominent.

Secondly, the Black Market is managed by the Inner Affairs Hall, making it difficult for Elder Li to interfere. Moreover, the Black Market is located in the heartland of the Crimson Flame Sect and requires long-term guarding, making it extremely safe.

Additionally, Han Yi didn't care about the low remuneration Huang Ze mentioned. For him, mastering any martial art technique was simply a matter of Yuan Power. As long as his Yuan Power value was sufficient, resources were irrelevant.

Furthermore, Huang Ze had also said that there were few tasks in the Black Market and it was leisurely. Han Yi already understood the Bureau of Unusual Matters' missions well enough. He could take advantage of this period to go out alone and accept missions from the Bureau of Unusual Matters.

After all, dealing with those Yins didn't require him to use Talismans, so it wouldn't affect his Peak Qi and Blood state. Also, when he previously took missions from the Bureau of Unusual Matters with Bai Sanren, the System's absorption was something he couldn't yet use. Going alone would allow him to increase his Yuan Power value.

In short, considering everything, the Black Market was indeed Han Yi's best choice!

"Alas..."

Seeing this, Huang Ze knew that Han Yi had made up his mind. He put down his teacup, paused, and seemed to have thought of something. A hint of regret flickered in his eyes, and he said, "Going to the Black Market... is also good. It's stable, which is better than dying outside..."

What did that mean?

Han Yi was startled. He felt that Huang Ze seemed to have an ulterior motive, hinting at something.

"Ahem!"

At this moment, Huang Ze took a sip of tea, cleared his throat, and said, "Since you plan to go to the Black Market, I'll tell you about the rules there. The Black Market is different from our outer Sect..."

"The first rule is that the origin of goods is not questioned. As long as you rent a stall or shop and pay taxes, you can sell.

"The second rule is that the origin of customers is not questioned. As long as you pay the entry fee, you can enter. Moreover, no matter what grudges existed before, you cannot fight here. If someone causes trouble, you must deal with it promptly.

"The third rule is that payment and goods are exchanged hand-to-hand. As long as the transaction is completed, even if the seller cheats or deceives you and it's not discovered on the spot, you cannot pursue the matter..."

Huang Ze rambled on for a long time, also telling Han Yi some interesting stories from the martial world. He was a straightforward and uninhibited person, always imparting wisdom to Han Yi through his stories.

And although Huang Ze had suffered severe injuries and his cultivation had dropped significantly, he was still a Connecting Vessels Stage Martial Master. Many of his cultivation experiences greatly benefited Han Yi...

After saying goodbye to Huang Ze, Han Yi walked towards the Bai Family Courtyard. He felt a sense of excitement. Settling the matter of going to the Inner Affairs Hall and the Black Market was the first step in temporarily escaping Elder Li.

His next step was to take advantage of this lull period to develop rapidly...

—

At this time, in Shan Zhong Ward, within a magnificent council hall, an Old Man wearing a white robe with silver hair and beard, looking youthful despite his age, was writing furiously with abitter expression on his face, addressing the reports submitted by various halls.

Various things happened in the Crimson Flame Sect every day, from minor changes in taxes within their territory to major handling of external provocations. Anything with wide-ranging implications, or decisions that Hall Masters and Elders couldn't make, would be sent here to the council hall for the Sect Leader to decide.

But unfortunately...

"Alas, I wonder when the Sect Leader and Deputy Sect Leader will return..."

The Old Man, who had just replied to a matter, shook the hand holding the brush and said subconsciously. The next moment, his face changed drastically. Like a thief, he quickly glanced around and only relaxed after finding no one.

If someone had heard what he just said, he would probably be in big trouble!

"These high-level officials in the Sect shouldn't gossip behind others' backs casually."

Then, the Old Man gave a few bitter laughs and continued to handle the matters.

On the table, there were two stacks of reports. The smaller stack on the left contained matters he had the authority to handle, while the stack on the right, piled up like a small mountain, required the Sect Leader's return to decide!

"Lord Steward, this is the list of Disciples who advanced in this year's Sect minor competition... How should it be handled?"

Just then, the door of the council hall opened, and a Disciple wearing a black robe with red trim hurried in, holding a booklet.

"Just put it on top of this stack..."

The Steward said weakly, pointing to the large stack of reports on the right.

"I don't know when these days will end..."

Then, the door of the council hall closed. In the hall, only the Old Man's faint sigh echoed.