35: Life is worthless

The first rule: you cannot ask about the origin of the goods. As long as you rent a stall or shop and pay the tax, you can sell.

The second rule: you cannot ask about the origin of the guests. As long as you pay the market entry fee, you can enter. Also, no matter what grudges existed before, you cannot fight here.

The third rule: money and goods are exchanged simultaneously. As long as the transaction is complete, even if the seller cheats or deceives and the buyer didn't discover it on the spot, there can be no recourse.

"Senior Brother Pan, are there any tricks to buying things here?" After hearing these rules, Han Yi prepared to seek advice from Pan Sheng, who was experienced in this matter.

"What tricks could there be?" Pan Sheng said with a laugh, "Stalls are cheap, but it all depends on your eyesight. Shops are more expensive, but they guarantee quality.

"If you want to find a bargain, maybe you can look at those stalls, but these stall owners are all as cunning as ghosts. In all these years, I've never heard of anyone finding a bargain!

"However, don't worry, this Black Market is our territory. Here, these stall owners absolutely dare not cheat Crimson Flame Sect Disciples!

"Of course, if you want to buy some 'good stuff', you can check out those shops. Although the price is higher, it's definitely worth it!"

Pan Sheng leaned over at this moment, lowering his voice mysteriously, "For example, the 'Standing Spear Unyielding Powder' I bought here last time really made a person full of vitality..."

"Ah?"

Han Yi's lips slightly lifted, and he said helplessly, "Senior Brother Pan, your words are too strong. Withdraw them quickly!"

After entering the main gate, there happened to be several teams of Crimson Flame Sect outer sect Disciples preparing to patrol. Han Yi casually glanced and found their values were between '15~20', meaning their cultivation was around the Refining Bone Stage.

Han Yi and the other person walked a few steps deeper and turned a corner. Instantly, it was as if they had suddenly come to an open area.

Han Yi had previously thought that the so-called Black Market must be open at night, with transactions taking place in the dead of night where you couldn't see your hand in front of your face. The surroundings must be chaotic, and both buyers and sellers must be wearing black robes, covering their faces, and wearing straw hats. He even thought someone would definitely follow you after you bought something, wanting to rob you and kill you!

But at this moment, a market bustling with people and filled with noise came into view, instantly shattering Han Yi's preconceived notions.

"Rare treasure... Heaven and Earth Limitless Iron!"

"Big sale, big sale, Jadeite Guanyin!"

"Selling Secret Manuals at a low price... Wounding Sword Technique, with Entering Vigor observation diagrams, can be cultivated to the Tongmai Stage, only ten taels of silver!"

However, the things on these stalls seemed to be just as Pan Sheng said - they didn't sound very reliable!

But since I'm in this Black Market, I might as well browse around.

"What is this?"

A stall with various miscellaneous items scattered on the ground appeared before his eyes.

The stall owner was a short old man wearing a small black hat and sporting a walrus mustache.

On this stall, something that looked like a stone attracted Han Yi's attention.

Getting closer, he found that it didn't quite look like a stone. Its surface was oval, with several deep, strange patterns in the middle, while the two ends of the oval emitted a faint luster like obsidian.

Upon closer observation, Han Yi felt an inexplicable sense of palpitation in his heart, as if this stone had a strange attraction to him.

He stepped forward and picked up this 'stone'.

[Detected absorbable Yin energy, absorb?]

Hmm?

Han Yi's heart raced, and his eyes flashed with brilliance!

He suppressed the urge to select 'Yes', calmed his excited mood, and asked the Boss in a calm tone, "Boss, how much is this stone?"

This stall owner was old and cunning. Seeing Han Yi walk over and head straight for this 'stone', it was clear he eagerly desired this item.

He twirled his walrus mustache and said in a profound manner, "Since you've taken a fancy to this treasure, I'll make you a friend with a fixed price. I'll only charge you one hundred taels of silver!"

"One hundred taels of silver?" Han Yi secretly regretted being too hasty just now, which the stall owner saw, giving him an air of certainty that he could fleece him.

But he absolutely had to buy this stone!

"This stone is a meteor iron formed from an extraterrestrial meteorite," the old man said in a tone that suggested Han Yi was getting a great bargain, "This old man spent a lot of money to get this piece of extraterrestrial meteor iron!"

"Oh, is that true?"

The old man followed the conversation thread and let slip, not noticing that Pan Sheng, who had been browsing elsewhere, had walked over.

"Absolutely! Do you see my sign?" A banner stood next to the old man that read 'Fair Prices, No Deception'.

"Old man, look carefully before you speak!"

Pan Sheng slightly lifted his robe, revealing the Crimson Flame Sect Inner Sect Disciple waist token.

"This..." The old man shrank his neck and gave an awkward smile, "This stone was discovered by this old man on the ground not long ago. I picked it up because it looked strange. If Lord likes it, just take it..."

"Hmph, that's more like it!" Pan Sheng snorted coldly.

"It's good to be in your own sphere of influence..." Han Yi sighed inwardly. He felt himself increasingly liking this kind of bullying behavior in the market...

"No, no, I'm a good young man of the new era!" He secretly warned himself, "Don't go down the wrong path!"

"An Yan County Geographic Gazetteer"?

Han Yi casually picked up a booklet from the stall and flipped through it.

"Good stuff?" His eyes lit up. This book was a simplified textual map, introducing the geographical locations around An Yan City.

"Boss, don't say I'm bullying you. I'll buy this book, and that stone can be an extra."

The old man agreed without delay.

After putting away the 'stone', Han Yi continued to wander. He planned to carefully study this 'stone' after returning home in the evening.

As he passed an alley entrance, Han Yi suddenly stopped.

Because he seemed to hear heart-wrenching cries coming from inside the alley.

Although he couldn't hear clearly, it sounded like a mix of children's and women's voices.

Seeing Han Yi stop and seemingly gaze into the depths of the alley, Pan Sheng stepped forward, patted Han Yi's shoulder, and said slowly, "Don't look. That's the Live Goods Area."

"Live Goods Area?" Han Yi asked in confusion.

"A Black Market inevitably has some unsavory transactions..." Pan Sheng's tone was low, "Some families have too many children and can't make ends meet, or some refugees with outstanding looks..."

Han Yi instantly understood. This Live Goods Area was a place where people were bought and sold...

"Is that place also for transactions with silver?" he asked in a heavy tone.

"Women with beautiful looks can go for twenty taels or even over a hundred taels of silver, while ordinary ones are just over ten taels."

"If it's a man sold as a laborer, he's selling himself just to get a meal!"

"This damn world!" Han Yi thought silently, feeling as if a large stone was pressing on his heart, making him feel suffocated and uncomfortable for a moment.

Although he had also been a refugee in the past, during that time, in order to get a meal to survive, exchanging children or even wives for food was commonplace!

It was at this moment that he truly felt how cruel this world was for ordinary people.