Chapter 173 - 173 155 Black Market

Words : 1678 Updated : Sep 27th, 2025

173: Chapter 155: Black Market 173: Chapter 155: Black Market It was a confirmed fact that there was a mole within the Special Service Team, and a very high-ranking one at that. Two rounds of investigation had already been conducted, with blood tests and lie detectors being employed, but the results still yielded no answers. If the Infiltrator doesn’t possess some more “extraordinary” means, considering the opponent is the Life System Evil Gods’ Church, it is almost certain that the Infiltrator is a high-level Healer “Replacer”. This ability allows the user to fully “infiltrate” into the target (living puppet) body and only interfere when necessary; the person under control might not even know they’re already dead. Most infiltrators use the puppet’s sleep time to do their own activities, without the need to completely interfere in the puppet’s daily life. When acting as a spy, this is an excellent ability. However, once it comes to a full-scale conflict between both parties and the infiltrator must completely replace the target’s autonomy, the living puppet becomes useless. This “sixth-tier Abnormal Ability” is not without its flaws… of course, if the Replacer is a ninth-order Healer like Big Cat, even gods wouldn’t be able to tell the difference, and there would be no need to investigate. Further investigation is still underway, with measures and Taboo items for high-level Healers being deployed, but time is needed. In the meantime, it is necessary for teams and even team members to distance themselves from each other… “Gardeners cannot be replaced, so you are safe.” In a way, the conflict within the Life System has become a layer of protection. “And Brother Tu’s Chamber of Commerce is most popular among the Life System, especially Gardeners… ” Without a doubt, Brother Tu is an Evil God, a highly ruthless and anti-human sinister deity. However, the “Healers” who borrow his power might not necessarily believe in his doctrine. It has to be admitted that many medical areas, advances, and new discoveries have been initially counter to mainstream and even basic ethical views of the times. For example, during the era of prevailing theology, dissecting a human corpse was a serious crime. This is not to say that crossing the line is a good thing, but it is a fact that those who cross it often gain more “truths” and then turn them into achievements and wealth. In some aspects of practical needs, Brother Tu’s Church can be useful or even necessary… “Prosthetic limbs, the most perfect human prosthetic limbs, available for everyone from children to the elderly; there are even pianist’s hands that are super great! Purchase now and receive a top-quality transplant surgery for free.” As soon as he arrived, just hearing this sales pitch made Lu Ping’an feel a sudden urge to report their activities. However, from what he had seen in the materials, this was also one of the main businesses of Brother Tu’s forces. Lu Ping’an glanced at the stalls and saw vacuum-sealed bags holding human arms, with a blood transfusion pipeline and a blood bag next to them. Professionals were bound to be injured or even lose limbs. Compared to regenerating limbs with the help of a high-level Healer and at a hefty price, these “prosthetic limbs” were actually quite “affordable” and “valuable”. Lu Ping’an scanned the shops along the street, most of which dealt in various “parts”. Moreover, this place was not accessible to ordinary people. It was unlikely to be sealed off. “Take this, and infuse it with your power… ” It was a rusty black nail. One could only see a little contamination with Spirit Vision. But once a Life professional held it and input the Life System contamination while chanting a spell, then stepped through a black door, they would find themselves on this street. It was a street imbued with a strong sense of time. Not far away were tall factory buildings, the smell of steam and oil mixed together, extending all the way to the residential area. Huge white exhaust pipes ran through all the buildings, and there was an unbearable stench of rotten eggs. Large cranes and heavy machinery were everywhere, with eye-catching tentacles entwined around them. Behind the steel and factories, there seemed to be the presence of hidden colossal beasts. Under the mist of steam in the distance, there were mechanical giants and monsters apparently engaged in a battle, with the faint sounds of monstrous roars and engine noises echoing in the air. Under those huge pipes and machines were the shops. The exaggerated size of everything gave people the impression that they had entered the land of the giants. Yet this scene made Lu Ping’an feel strangely familiar… “Is this your first time here? New customer? This is the Ancient City, just an Ancient City from 30 or 40 years ago, well, at least it looks like it. Back then, this place was an industrial base and a chemical processing factory.” The quick-witted “tour guides” spotted Lu Ping’an’s hesitation. This was a dancing “little spirit” with insect wings and a leaf skirt, which gave it a sort of fairy-tale vibe… if you could disregard its long whiskers and the fact that, despite its small size, it still had proportions similar to a dwarf from a story. “Hello, Steam Sprite?” “Just call me Andrey; you wouldn’t want me to call you ‘human’, would you?” Despite being a small sprite, Andrey had a loud and rough voice. Lu Ping’an smiled and nodded. Since he had researched it, he knew that this fantasy creature coexisting with the “factory” was actually a relatively friendly and neutral existence. This Secret Realm and its methods of entry were all restricted to the “ancient city”. It had always been speculated that it was controlled by an ancient city power or individual. The Special Service Team had tried to crack down on it, but there had been no leads. “New face, do you need a tour guide service?” The steam sprite didn’t look like a fairy-tale creature, and its gesture for payment was very realistic. “Can you tell even with my mask on?” Lu Ping’an was wearing a cat-faced mask, which was customary for most of the black markets. “Heh, we recognize people by their life force and not their face. Such abundant Life Source Force; I saw you coming as soon as you entered the area. Even though your tier is low now, you definitely have a limitless future… Don’t worry, we humans can’t do that. We have a signed agreement that we won’t disclose any guest’s private information,” answered Andrey. So that means they can disclose information about non-guests? Lu Ping’an smiled. The information from the special agents should be correct, and he indeed needed a guide himself. “Abandoned Factory” was one of the large-scale professional black markets in the ancient city. It wasn’t the most prosperous because those who wanted to enter needed a Life System Ability user to lead the way. However, it was very illegal and dangerous because those who wish to enter must rely on a life-system type to guide them… The indifference of life-system types towards life and morals was an indisputable reality among professionals. This was not an absolutely safe secret realm; some ability to protect oneself was required. Compared to human tour guides who might betray them at any moment, the factory’s accompanying steam sprites were said to be reliable, at least they didn’t “lie” …as long as one didn’t act so foolish as to believe everything it said and joins it in the unpopulated steam pipeline areas to dig for treasure – your relics would make it a fortune. After a brief negotiation on the price, Lu Ping’an followed “little Andrey” through this place, where most visitors wore masks or cloaks. Amazingly, there were many “good things” to be found here. Since several “Evil Gods Churches,” including Brother Tu’s, were located in the ancient city, the variety and quality of “goods” and “services” here were not only numerous but also quite good. As a result of being outlawed Churches of Evil Gods, they were quite united internally. Lu Ping’an’s mission was to represent the Special Service Team and communicate with the local forces of Brother Tu… at least to get a feel for the situation. However, he didn’t rush into his official business. Instead, he strolled around with interest, looking at various stores and their offerings. He had nearly 300,000 in cash in his pocket, but after looking at the local prices, he could only afford one or two items he was interested in. He felt his poverty. However, looking around was always a good idea. The prosperous and quiet streets reminded him of some of his plans in the near and distant future… “Do you want a door nail?” Andrey proactively offered more services to the visitor. “It’s only 110 for one piece, I’m only making a small profit.” Doornails served as both the keys and offerings required to enter this Secret Realm. However, they were also consumable items. The Special Service Team had provided him with one, but it had already been used up. If Lu Ping’an wanted to come back, he would need to buy more door nails. The information said that these door nails could be picked up at the “factory,” purchased from a small store, or even requested from a shopkeeper while shopping. “You’re getting 10 bucks per nail? Give me three.” Since Lu Ping’an had to buy them anyway, he took three on the spot. With that, the little sprite became much more enthusiastic. Lu Ping’an implied to Andrey that he wasn’t ignorant about the situation and was just giving him a chance to make some money, as a gesture of goodwill. But while he was being friendly, others were not. As he walked down a slightly secluded street, two burly men followed him. Lu Ping’an sighed helplessly. This was the “black market,” huh? It really was quite dark.

Chapter 173 - 173 155 Black Market

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