Chapter 039 – The Black Market

Three days later, snowflakes fluttered down, clinging lightly to the ground, the rocks, the rooftops, and the soil. The gentle hush of falling snow brought a sense of calm, yet the hurried footsteps outside the little shack disrupted that peace, reminding Li Yuan he was in a brand-new, unfamiliar place.

Under the eaves by the doorway, Yan Yu stood on tiptoe, fastening the ties of her husband’s newly bought cloak. Then she wrapped her arms around his waist, rested her cheek against his chest, and said worriedly, “It’s your first day going to the black market...”

Li Yuan smiled. “And there will be many more days like this to come.”

Still concerned, Yan Yu asked, “There must be a lot of dangerous characters there. Will you—”

“I’ll be careful,” Li Yuan reassured her.

She nodded, then handed him an oil-paper umbrella and a lunchbox. He took both, opened the umbrella, and stepped into the snowfall.

Next door, the wooden door was already open. A charcoal stove puffed out plumes of steam, and the large kettle on top had just boiled, sending billows of white vapor into the late-winter air, a cozy, homey scene.

A slightly plump middle-aged woman stood behind the stove, her face kind and welcoming. Hearing movement, she lifted her head and saw the young man walking through the snow, then smiled and called out, “Master!”

Behind her, a young boy and girl peered shyly around her shoulders and echoed in unison, “Master!”

These three were Auntie Wang and her two children, formerly neighbors of the Li family. They had followed Yan Yu to Silver Creek, feeling immensely grateful. Auntie Wang was quick to adapt to new circumstances. no longer calling Li Yuan by his name or addressing Yan Yu in her old way, she now formally used master and madam.

Li Yuan stopped at the doorway. “Auntie Wang, treat this place like your own. If you need anything, just let Yan Yu know. No need to stand on ceremony.”

Auntie Wang bobbed her head. “Understood, Master. Take care.”

˙·٠✧🐗➶➴🏹✧٠·˙

The black market in Silver Creek occupied a peculiar location, a small island in the middle of Silver Creek Lake.

Though called a creek, Silver Creek was actually a large lake, with most of its waters outside Gemhill County and only a portion within. Because of this, outsiders could travel by boat straight into the county.

The black market’s island sat right in the path that led from the lake into Gemhill County, like a natural barrier augmenting the county’s defenses from the water route.

Li Yuan had learned a bit about this place when he paid a visit to Cai Ze. This entire area belonged to the Blood Blade Sect—a nation within a nation. Even when the Red Lotus Rebels attacked the county, they never tried to invade from here.

Thanks to the island’s special geography, a lot of black market goods bypassed the county’s overland checkpoints and arrived directly by water, allowing for a far wider variety of items to be traded.

And now, Li Yuan stood on a small skiff bound for the black market.

Snow fell across countless homes, while layer upon layer of ripples spread across the lake’s surface. The young man stood alone at the bow, dressed in the Blood Blade Sect’s black robes trimmed with red, bundled in a navy-blue winter cloak. An umbrella rested in one hand, a bow on his back, and a blade at his waist.

The skiff cut across the greenish lake like an arrow, leaving a wake that was quickly swallowed up. After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the boat drew up to the island’s shore. The boatman hopped onto the dock and began securing the mooring rope, waiting for passengers who would make the return trip.

Li Yuan stepped off the boat. A man wearing a simple padded jacket but carrying a blade at his waist caught sight of his attire and hurried over.

After Li Yuan showed his identity token as an associate member of the Blood Blade Sect, the man bowed and said, “Ah, Young Master Li! I’m one of the island’s menial workers. Senior Li asked me to wait here and guide you all. Whenever someone arrives, I’m to take them to see him.”

“Young Master Li?” Li Yuan paused, then remembered that the person in charge on this island also had the surname Li. The staff called him Senior Li, so naturally they called Li Yuan the young master. It was just a polite form of address; after all, he was still a newcomer to the sect.

“No need for formalities. Li Yuan is fine,” he said. “Lead the way...”

The man led him through the black market, and Li Yuan carefully took in his surroundings. He quickly realized the market had both a front and a back. Coming from the county side, he had landed on the southern part of the island, where a few scattered buildings housed Blood Blade Sect disciples and armed attendants.

This side was relatively safe because all people and goods from Silver Creek would be inspected at the armory checkpoint before landing here. In other words, he had arrived at the market’s back entrance.

Meanwhile, Senior Li was stationed at the side facing the outside of the county, which was riskier—naturally the market’s front entrance.

Contrary to Li Yuan’s assumptions, the black market wasn’t just some dark, chaotic place. It had open-air stalls, proper shops, and even tall buildings. He quickly adjusted his preconceptions. This market was

black

in terms of what it sold, not in how it looked.

Clearly, in order to attract all kinds of contraband, the Blood Blade Sect had invested in the necessary infrastructure—shops and other basic facilities—to keep business thriving.

They walked on for a while before Li Yuan suddenly halted, having heard the sound of several women sobbing. He turned and looked toward a narrow alley framed by evergreen wood. The crying drifted from somewhere deep inside, and the alley seemed to lead to another section of the black market—one that felt distinctly separate from this side.

“What’s that place?” Li Yuan asked.

“Li... No, Young Master Li...” The menial worker stammered.

“Just call me Li Yuan.”

“I...I wouldn’t dare,” the worker said hastily. “If anyone found out I’d spoken your name so casually, I wouldn’t stand a chance around here...”

Li Yuan sighed. “Fine, if that’s how it is, call me what you like.”

“Yes, Young Master Li...” The worker exhaled in relief, then glanced toward the alley’s entrance. “The black market separates live goods from everything else. That alley leads to a more secluded, more secure trading area specifically meant for, well, people.”

“Live goods?” Li Yuan echoed.

The worker smiled. “Human beings. That’s where they’re bought and sold.”

Li Yuan went quiet. Memories of his conversation with Cai Ze and the maid flashed through his mind, along with images of a world in chaos, where buying and selling people wasn’t unusual. His chest felt oddly heavy.

A moment later, he pushed the feeling aside. For now, protecting himself and his own family was all he could manage. He had no room for grand altruism or sympathy in such times.

The worker leaned closer and offered, “If you’re ever interested in buying, we can keep an eye out for anything good. We’ll let you know as soon as something worthwhile shows up. Let you have first pick.”

Li Yuan simply nodded.

Some time later, they arrived at the island’s northernmost edge, which was also the black market’s north gate. Out front stood a small pavilion with a bamboo lounge chair draped in soft furs.

Even from the side, the man stretched out there appeared imposing. Resting on the ground beside him was a long-handled blade, unlike the sabers most fighters carried—more akin to the massive weapon used by ancient generals, like Guan Yu’s legendary Green Dragon Crescent Blade.

The menial worker led Li Yuan forward and bowed. “Senior Li, we’ve got another newcomer.”

The man answered with a grunt.

Li Yuan glanced at him and noticed the numbers 130~140 floating faintly around him. There was also another set of faint numbers in parenthesis displaying 200~210. His pupils tightened. Even if they weren’t in peak condition, this was the strongest person he had encountered so far.