133: Living Goods

Shan Zhong Ward

In a grand residence, there were outer courtyards, inner halls, backyards, everything imaginable, and even a dedicated women's courtyard to accommodate the maidservants.

In the backyard, the wide roadsides were planted with trees everywhere, such as forsythia, white magnolia, and camphor, neatly arranged according to a pattern by famous Masters. Within this, water from wells was channeled into streams, weaving through the garden residences, forming endless beautiful scenes like small bridges over flowing water, flower beds, rockeries, ponds, and pavilions. Being within it felt like being in a large mountain garden.

But if an expert Master were to see it, this place has mountains and water, forming a layout like a flying dragon and dancing phoenix, a coiling dragon and crouching tiger. It is precisely a 'mountain and water embrace,' forming a pattern like a straight dragon's head. Those who live here are either rich or noble and possess immense ambition.

At this time, on the stream in the backyard, the water shimmered like strings of pearls, and occasionally a few golden dragon fish would blow bubbles.

A middle-aged man with a pale, beardless face and slightly gloomy eyes was lying on a lounge chair in the pavilion, scattering fish food.

"Sect Leader, have another one..."

Beside the middle-aged man, a beautiful maidservant with a curvaceous figure spoke in a sweet, syrupy tone, as if she was about to lean onto him, extending her slender fingers to bring fruit to his mouth.

"I am not the Sect Leader, just a 'deputy' one!"

The middle-aged man said coldly.

The maidservant didn't dare to breathe heavily, pretending she heard nothing. If not for the slight rise and fall of her chest, she would be indistinguishable from a rag doll.

She could only do this, because those maidservants who heard this sentence and showed something unusual all disappeared mysteriously the next day!

Just then, a Disciple wearing Inner Sect black robes hurried along the path leading to the pavilion. He was carrying a large bundle in his arms, which seemed to be some kind of books or scrolls.

"Sect Leader, the news of your return just spread, and Steward Ding immediately sent someone to deliver the unresolved matters from this period..."

He held them up with both hands, lowered his head, closed his eyes, and held these matters before his head.

Placed on top was none other than the list of Disciples who advanced in this Sect minor competition.

Afterward, the beautiful maidservant supported herself with her jade-like hands, moved with graceful steps, and descended from the pavilion. She let out a sigh of relief, subtly patted her snow-white chest, and took the matters that were waiting to be approved.

"First place, Han Yi. Second place..."

"Han Yi, Outer Sect Disciple, Mining Camp... has made meritorious contributions, specially permitted to advance to Inner Sect Disciple, defeated Song Qing..."

This roster not only recorded the names of the advanced Disciples but also briefly introduced the origins and deeds of each Disciple.

"Heh, this kid named Han Yi is a bit interesting..."

The middle-aged man chuckled lightly and said, "Since the Sect minor competition is over, that matter should proceed as well..."

He said to the Disciple kneeling on one knee below the pavilion with a respectful expression, "Notify each Hall to hold a morning meeting after the rest period ends. Except for the Hall Masters and Elders who have important duties outside, everyone else must be present!"

"Yes!"

The Disciple wearing Inner Sect black robes bowed respectfully and withdrew.

——————————————————————

In a windowless room somewhere in the Crimson Flame Sect, Li Residence, a few lit oil lamps flickered dimly, stretching and distorting the human figures into extremely long shadows cast on the wall, like terrifying ghosts from the underworld.

"This kid, it's time to deal with him!"

In the room, Li Chengfeng's voice was cold, his face ashen, like a green-faced, fanged evil spirit, eager to devour someone.

"Yes!"

Behind him, a Black-Clothed Man responded.

"Don't be careless!

"Although this little guy crawled out of a pit, his cultivation level isn't high, but his combat power is considerable, and he has quite a few Mind's Eye. Don't fall for his schemes!"

"Heh heh, Uncle Li, don't worry. I am already at the Late Blood Refinement Stage cultivation. I don't even put the mere Refining Blood in my eyes!

"What's more, there's also the item bestowed by that Lord, which guarantees it will be foolproof!"

The Black-Clothed Man responded coldly.

"Hmph, it's best to use that item sparingly. You should also be aware of the consequences of overuse..."

"Also, don't speak so confidently. You must be careful. Over there at Black Wind Stronghold, I suspect the death of Second Boss Iron Kill is related to this kid!"

"Iron Kill?

"How is that possible?

"With the help of that Lord, how could Iron Kill possibly die at the hands of a boy who hasn't even fully grown hair!"

A trace of horror showed in the Black-Clothed Man's eyes.

"Idiot!"

"If only you had even five-tenths of Li Feng's brains!"

Li Chengfeng cursed angrily. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly, thinking how good it would be if Li Feng were here. He would definitely understand his meaning and even draw inferences, coming up with plans. Unfortunately, Li Feng is too upright and pedantic. Bringing Li Feng in still requires careful consideration...

"A few days ago, the Sect Leader and Deputy Sect Leader, along with several Hall Masters, all secretly went out together..."

Although angry, Li Chengfeng still patiently explained to this person. Currently, he had no one capable under him and could only slowly Cultivate them.

"Uncle Li, you, you mean that kid is the bait thrown out by the Sect Leader and the others?"

"Besides this, there is no other explanation. Before Iron Kill went down the mountain, Black Wind Stronghold had asked me about the kid's whereabouts. Afterward, Iron Kill disappeared..."

"So, when you go to handle it, you must be careful!

"Also, try to preserve the Qi and blood inside the corpse. Don't forget to dump it in the usual spot!"

"Understood!" the Black-Clothed Man replied in a deep voice, then turned and left the room.

"Han Yi, Han Yi, since you are unwilling to be my dog, then you have no value... It's a pity, before I was optimistic that you could replace Xiong Li..."

Li Chengfeng sighed deeply and shook his head. He already knew that Han Yi chose to go to the Inner Affairs Hall and guard the Black Market.

He could clearly perceive that this little guy, Han Yi, wanted to stay away from his sight and escape his control!

Therefore, he no longer held back and prepared to get rid of Han Yi. He could even make use of the waste, killing two birds with one stone.

Afterward, Li Chengfeng walked to the corner and twisted a porcelain bottle a few times.

With a soft 'creak'.

The bookshelf flipped over, and a secret room suddenly appeared.

In the very center of the secret room, there was a futon. The futon had many signs of use, and over the years, the surface had been worn white. When the oil lamp shone on it, the light spots it cast were not obvious.

"Lianxue Stage, Martial Artist, abundant Qi and blood, corpse, old spot..."

"Tie Tu, don't forget what you promised me!"

Vaguely, Li Chengfeng seemed to be talking to someone.

———————————————

The sun rose in the east and set in the west, time flew like a white horse passing a gap. In the blink of an eye, Han Yi had already guarded the Black Market for seven days, and tomorrow would be his day off.

"System!"

Han Yi, who had just finished cultivating, prepared to look at his cultivation results.

[Name]: Han Yi (16/120)

[Realm]: Refining Blood (32/100); Sword Intent: Ten Steps, One Kill; Blade Intent: Solid as a Mountain

[Cultivation Technique]: Yang Yuan Skill (Incomplete, Trait: Rejuvenation, Minor Accomplishment 8/50, can be upgraded); Jade Bone Skill (Mortal Rank, Trait: Strong Bones, Body Protection, Great Accomplishment, cannot be upgraded)

[Martial Arts]: Ben Lei Palm Technique (Yellow Rank Upper Grade, Traits: Stone Cracking Earth Splitting, Frenzied Strike, Minor Accomplishment (6/50), can be upgraded); Flying Swallow Kick (Yellow Rank Lower Grade, Trait: Gale, Minor Accomplishment (15/50), can be upgraded); Dual Blade Sword Kill (Mysterious Rank Lower Grade, Traits: Concentration, Dual Wielding, Proficient (7/30), can be upgraded)

[Essence Power Value]: 56

As expected, after reaching the Lianxue Stage, the progress became much slower...

Han Yi massaged his temples. Even though he had the supply of pills from Bai Sanren, the pills only served as an auxiliary function and could only be taken once every three to five days.

Cultivation, cultivation, cultivating the Martial Artist's spirit, refining the Martial Artist's physique. In the final analysis, cultivation still depends on the Martial Artist themselves.

He knew his own situation. Han Yi's personal talent was not particularly outstanding. Although stronger than ordinary people, he was far from those with brilliant natural endowments. Although diligence can compensate for lack of talent, a large part of the reason he could break through to the Lianxue Stage at this age was by relying on the System's points allocation.

Therefore, Han Yi wanted to preserve some Essence Power Value to use after mastering the 'Huoyuan Skill', so his cultivation progress naturally slowed down.

Perhaps, when he rests next week, he should go to the Bureau of Unusual Matters to take a look?

Han Yi kept rubbing his temples, thoughts churning in his mind.

A bull cart 'creaked, creaked' as it drove out from the depths of the Black Market alley.

On the bull cart were some wooden cages about two meters high, all covered with black cloth.

The edges of the black cloth were stained with blood, looking like ink drops on snow-white silk gauze.

Moo~

The cart driver flicked his whip, and the old ox pulling the cart stopped at the main entrance with a 'moo'.

"Master Han!"

Several Outer Sect Disciples first bowed respectfully to Han Yi in the pavilion, then lifted the black cloth and looked around the cages, seemingly verifying something.

After the black cloth was lifted, the women and children inside were revealed. Each of them had their heads covered with black cloth, and their gender could only be distinguished from their build.

Han Yi frowned slightly. This was clearly more of those 'live goods'.

During these days guarding the Black Market, he also figured out the main profit methods of the Crimson Flame Sect in the Black Market.

First, the entry fee for entering the Black Market, which is the fee that sellers of prohibited items or things they are eager to offload, and buyers who want to try their luck or find a bargain, must pay. The items traded here are mixed in quality, with genuine articles and fakes, all depending on personal discernment. However, the things traded are nothing more than weapons, Cultivation Techniques, and the like.

Second, there are the 'live goods'. The 'goods' here are specifically delivered by brokers and agents and must be specially registered. The registration records the general characteristics of the 'goods'. The registration ledger is in triplicate: one copy is kept by the agent, one copy remains in the Black Market, and one copy is sent to the Sect. After the transaction is completed, and after being checked and verified by Disciples, the agents can go to the Crimson Flame Sect to collect the silver.

The reason it is so troublesome is because the profit from 'live goods' is the main source of income for the Crimson Flame Sect!

One must know that selling 'live goods' not only requires an entry fee but also an additional head fee. The head fee is paid after the transaction is completed, and it is exactly half of the selling price!