Chapter 60 - 59: Back to the Black Market, No Deal Without Trickery

Chapter 60: Chapter 59: Back to the Black Market, No Deal Without TrickeryFor the common Martial Artists in Pingling County, what Qi Yuan said wasn’t wrong at all. Their Martial Arts were inferior, their resources lacking. If they encountered trouble, they could only nod their heads in subservience and give way. But the problem was, he had an extraordinary advantage! For him, Martial Artists from the county government? Martial Artists from wealthy families? As long as he had enough time, let alone these Skin Grinding Realm Martial Artists, even those of a higher Realm wouldn’t necessarily be unbeatable for him! Jiang Shu returned to the small courtyard he rented, practicing the Thirty-Six Forms Innate Guiding Skill and the Famished Tiger Roar Mountain Strength day after day. During this time, Pingling County had a sense of an impending storm. Since the Yao Family had celebrated a grand longevity festival, the Luo Family’s pharmacy was completely taken over by the influential Yao Family and rebranded with the Yao Family’s restaurant signage. In the restaurant, the most famous dish was the former blood-nourishing medicinal cuisine. The price had nearly doubled. Yet, even so, customers still flocked to the restaurant in an unending stream. The Zhou Family’s restaurant business was also affected by this. After all, no matter how unique the flavor, how could it compete with a culinary dish that could genuinely enhance ordinary people’s Qi Blood? In Pingling County, Martial Arts were the foundation! In the small courtyard, Zhou Yang, his face etched with anxiety, had been visiting for two consecutive days. "Brother Jiang... what do you think... should we cooperate with the Yao Family..." The business at the Zhou Family’s restaurant had fallen by about ten percent so far. But as they say, a small breach can cause a great dike to collapse. Today ten percent, tomorrow another ten percent. How could they continue their business in the future? No matter how good the Zhou Family’s business was now, no matter how much more influence it had compared to other restaurants, when compared to the Yao Family, it was like a kitten facing a real tiger. "They said that as long as we can provide our special formula, they’re willing to share the blood-nourishing medicinal cuisine with us. Then our two families’ restaurants could make money together..." "Do you believe them?" Jiang Shu, crouching like a tiger, circulated the Inner Strength within his body. "Why do you think I ensured your Zhou Family gets a forty percent cut of the profits? That extra ten percent margin you have? Now’s the time to use it." "Drop the price by five percent. There’s still a profit to be made, and it’ll attract some customers. Attract whomever you can." "The Yao Family came to negotiate with your Zhou Family because they know my master, Master Qiu, is supporting me. So, for now, nothing will happen to the restaurant. Just do your business peacefully and keep it going for as long as you can." "The other big families will definitely not allow the Yao Family to become the sole power. It’s already quite an achievement for them to have taken over a blood-nourishing medicinal cuisine recipe and opened a restaurant." "Stabilize your business. The blood-nourishing medicinal cuisine is mostly aimed at ordinary people. Once someone reaches the level of Qi Blood Sensing, its effect becomes very limited. Naturally, they’ll come to the Zhou Family’s restaurant to dine then." After asking Zhou Yang to leave, Jiang Shu immersed himself in practicing Martial Arts with peace of mind. The more unstable Pingling County became, the calmer his heart needed to be. The Skin Grinding Realm is still too weak. 「Night.」 The moon was bright, and the stars were sparse. Jiang Shu, dressed in black and wearing a mask, with a bundle on his back, walked familiarly toward the black market. This was his third time visiting. The first time was to get the lay of the land, the second to become accustomed, and now, on this third visit, it was time to take action. "Setting up a stall costs ten taels of silver." Tossing the silver in his hand to the knife-wielding man, Jiang Shu took a numbered plaque and headed to the square. By this time, the square was already gradually filling with stalls. He found a relatively empty spot and displayed all the items from his bundle. Artificial diamonds, four centimeters in diameter. (From Pinduoduo, a special gift-box edition available for only 9.99.) A specially made copper mirror from last week, capable of reflecting even the finest hairs with clarity. (From Taobao, a special deal for only 11.80.) Jade Pendants carved with various birds and beasts, lifelike and exquisitely crafted. (Wholesale price from a small commodities market in some city: two silver pieces each.) His selection of goods wasn’t extensive. He focused on the principle of "rarity increases value," aiming to fool whoever he could. "How much for this item?" No sooner had Jiang Shu set up his stall than the diamond glittered with a strange light under the moon, attracting a masked Martial Artist. He approached, speaking in a hushed voice. "One hundred taels of silver, paid by silver note. Or ten taels of gold." "Thirty jin of Fox Bear meat. Will you trade for that?" "No." "A pity." The Martial Artist stared intently at the diamond, seemingly reluctant. He looked up at Jiang Shu, took a breath, and then promptly walked away. It seems the price was a bit steep. Jiang Shu mused, though he had no intention of lowering it. For a truly wealthy Martial Artist, there’s no substantial difference between eighty taels and a hundred taels. But for those Martial Artists who need to meticulously budget their training resources, not only would a hundred taels of silver seem expensive—so would ten taels. Take Qi Yuan, for instance. Jiang Shu sat comfortably, occasionally responding to price inquiries from various Martial Artists. Half an hour later, a rabbit-shaped Jade Pendant finally sold for twenty taels of silver. Then, a bronze mirror went for ten taels of silver. Only the diamond, far too extraordinary, remained unsold. Despite continuous inquiries, potential buyers were deterred by the price. It appears that, when it comes to bestsellers, it still has to be these fake Jade Pendants. Next time I’ll find some landscape carvings and see if they sell, Jiang Shu thought to himself, not showing any undue urgency. Many of the stalls in the black market had been there for a long time. It was like how Qi Yuan would regularly go to buy exotic beast meat. It’s only my first time setting up a stall; it’s normal to have few customers. Once I’ve built up a reputation over time, customers will know there’s someone selling jade and stones here. Then all I’ll need to do is come set up for half an hour each day and enjoy this considerable income. One Jade Pendant for twenty silver taels. That’s two taels of gold. Converted to Xia Country currency, that would be fifty thousand. Selling a dozen or so would be enough for a down payment on a property in Ji City. To really make money, one has to do business! Dreaming of these pleasant possibilities, Jiang Shu sat for another hour and sold two more Jade Pendants. He then packed up his stall, strolled around the black market to make sure there was nothing else of interest, and walked out. 「By this time, Pingling County was plunged into the depths of night, utterly silent.」 As Jiang Shu emerged from a residential house, barely taking two steps, a sinister voice rang out from behind him, accompanied by the sound of approaching footsteps, "Kid, if you know what’s good for you, leave that gemstone behind." Jiang Shu halted and turned to see a masked man brandishing an iron club. The iron club tapped menacingly against his palm, radiating a dazzling, cold light. "All right." Without a moment’s hesitation, Jiang Shu agreed. It seems I still lack experience. I originally thought that even if someone targeted me, they’d wait until I’d made three or four sales. I didn’t expect to be ambushed on my very first time selling. Luckily, it’s just one person. Jiang Shu reached into his robes, pulled out the diamond, and waved it at the masked Martial Artist. Then, to the man’s surprise, he actually tossed it over. The masked Martial Artist was startled. He clearly hadn’t expected that this person before him would actually hand over such a Treasure so readily. Instinctively, he reached out to catch it, fearing the Treasure would fall and shatter. However, before he could touch the Treasure, a handful of lime powder flew straight into his eyes. Amidst the explosive sound of movement, the cold glint of a dagger suddenly flashed into view!