Chapter 034: Setting Up a Stall in the Black Market

Hearing those words, Yuwen Che’s eyes brightened, and he was about to speak when Dan Zhiqing, beside him, spoke in a delicate tone, “Senior Brother, I’m tired. In a couple of days, we’ll be heading to the secret realm, and I want to take these days to cultivate well. Will you guard me while I practice?”

Cultivation with someone standing guard—both Liu Zhiqing and Yan Shu found this request somewhat baffling.

Yuwen Che frowned and spoke softly, “Junior Sister, you’re grown now...”

But before he could finish, Dan Zhiqing suddenly began to cry, her round eyes brimming with tears as she looked at him, “Senior Brother, do you not care for me anymore? You promised Father you’d take good care of me.”

Yuwen Che’s brows furrowed even more at her words, and his voice cooled, “Cultivation depends on oneself. Besides, there are other senior and junior brothers and sisters in the inn. With them around, you won’t be disturbed.”

“But... but they’re not you!” Dan Zhiqing’s tears streamed down. “You promised me!”

Yan Shu was so weary of this drama between the brother and sister that she turned to Yuwen Che and said, “Since you two still have things to discuss, my senior brother and I will take our leave now.”

Liu Zhiqing saw that she was decided and cupped his hands, “Farewell.”

He watched Liu Zhiqing and Yan Shu’s figures disappear before finally turning his gaze back to Dan Zhiqing. “Junior Sister, whatever Master said to you, my care for you is only as a senior brother to a junior sister. I agreed to accompany you to the Brahma Heaven Secret Realm solely upon Master’s request. I hope you understand.”

Dan Zhiqing never expected her usually gentle senior brother would say such harsh words to her.

It was all that woman’s fault! Before meeting her, Dan Zhiqing had always been the most special person in her senior brother’s heart.

Hatred filled Dan Zhiqing’s heart, though her face remained innocent and pure.

She looked up at Yuwen Che, “I understand, but I… I don’t know anyone here and I’m a little scared to go back alone.”

Hearing this, Yuwen Che sighed softly, “I’ll take you back to the inn.”

True to his word, Yuwen Che simply escorted Dan Zhiqing back to the inn and then turned to leave.

Dan Zhiqing watched his retreating figure, her hand clenched into a fist inside her sleeve.

It was all that woman’s fault! That woman shouldn’t even exist!

Since leaving the tavern, Liu Zhiqing had been sighing repeatedly.

Yan Shu couldn’t help but ask, “Senior Brother, what’s wrong?”

Liu Zhiqing glanced at her and sighed again before speaking quietly, “Yuwen Che is quite wealthy. I was hoping to sell him the Blood Qi Pills I refined. He seems interested in you, so he certainly wouldn’t have bargained.”

Yan Shu’s lips twitched, “Have we fallen so low that we must rely on selling our charms to sell pills?”

Liu Zhiqing coughed awkwardly, “Not exactly. It’s just that having a ready buyer saves us from having to sell them on the black market and getting our price pushed down.”

Yan Shu wasn’t familiar with this and asked, “How much difference is there between selling on the black market versus to Yuwen Che?”

Liu Zhiqing held up three fingers in front of her.

“Three hundred mid-grade spirit stones?”

“No, three thousand mid-grade spirit stones, three hundred high-grade spirit stones, thirty supreme-grade spirit stones!”

Upon hearing this, Yan Shu suddenly stopped in her tracks, turned, and walked back.

Liu Zhiqing was stunned for a moment and hurried after her, “Junior Sister, where are you going?”

Yan Shu didn’t look back, “Suddenly, selling a bit of charm doesn’t seem so bad.”

Liu Zhiqing: ...

He suddenly felt that after Junior Sister rid herself of her inner demons, she had become more adorable—and more like a true member of the Xuantian Sect.

Of course, she wasn’t seriously going back. Yan Shu and Liu Zhiqing were only joking, but losing three hundred high-grade spirit stones still made Yan Shu join the ranks of the sighing.

As dusk fell, Liu Zhiqing led Yan Shu through twists and turns until they arrived at a shop.

Only two lamps hung on either side of the shop, and there was no one inside.

Liu Zhiqing led her straight to a door, pushed it open, and stepped inside.

Yan Shu watched him disappear through the doorway. She peered inside, seeing only darkness; after a moment’s hesitation, she stepped in herself.

Suddenly, darkness gave way to light. Yan Shu instinctively closed her eyes before opening them again, only to find herself standing at the head of a long street lined with houses, lamps everywhere, crowds bustling, stalls of every kind set up along the sidewalks—far livelier than any mortal street during the day.

Behind her was a patch of darkness.

Liu Zhiqing, noticing her dazed expression, smiled, “That door is a teleportation array, separating mortals from cultivators. This is the black market, where only cultivators are allowed. Do you see that tallest building up ahead? That’s the Treasure Pavilion.”

Yan Shu looked in the direction he pointed. At the end of the street stood a five-story tower, striking and grand amid the ancient-style buildings that mostly stood no taller than two stories.

Liu Zhiqing smiled, “Impressive, isn’t it? I was stunned the first time I came here myself. But this is only Brahma Heaven City. If you ever see the imperial capital of Central State, that’s truly a sight.”

Yan Shu nodded, “I suppose I am easily impressed.”

Liu Zhiqing comforted her, “No matter. Now that you’re well, you can go wherever you wish. First, let’s find a place to set up a stall. Once we’ve traded for some spirit stones, I’ll take you to the Treasure Pavilion to broaden your horizons!”

Yan Shu agreed and followed Liu Zhiqing deeper into the market.

After quite a walk, Liu Zhiqing found an empty spot, pulled out a cloth from his storage pouch, and spread it out. He then laid out items for sale, clearly experienced: various pills, weapons, treasures, even talismans.

He explained as he arranged, “These talismans are crafted by our eldest brother, the weapons and treasures by our second brother, the pills by me. Our fourth brother, a sword cultivator, is responsible for gathering materials—he’s rarely seen all year. With all the sects gathered here now, we should sell plenty of spirit stones.”

Yan Shu’s nose tingled with emotion. She blinked rapidly, crouched down, and said, “Tell me the prices, Senior Brother. I’ll help you sell.”

Liu Zhiqing waved her off, “No need. I brought you here to see the world, not to work. Just wait nearby.”

“But I’m a member of Xuantian Sect, too.” Yan Shu looked at him earnestly. “I’ve grown up, Senior Brother. I should help share your burdens.”

Liu Zhiqing was momentarily stunned by her sincerity, then smiled, “Yes, Junior Sister has grown up.”

He continued introducing the items and prices to Yan Shu while conducting business.

The black market is so named because it cares not for provenance, only for price. Even goods gained through theft or violence, once sold here and the buyer leaves evidence, are considered legitimate. Even if the original owner comes seeking recompense, they cannot forcibly reclaim it—that’s the rule.

Thus, buyers at the black market always use a recording stone to capture an image when purchasing suspected illicit goods.