Chapter 230 - 198 Black Market_2

Words : 1444 Updated : Oct 15th, 2025

Chapter 230: Chapter 198 Black Market_2 These furtive pursuers of spies fully understood and accepted that, despite their attempts to track their target, it was impossible for them to remain unnoticed—especially considering the expert’s high level of skill. He seemed to hold no intentions of reacting to their offenses. As before, Yan Xiaobao returned to the hostel where he had been staying recently. In a rush, he disguised himself in the garb of a commoner and slipped through the back entrance, escaping as casually as any errand boy might. The boy wore a satisfied smile as he glanced at the crowd waiting outside the hostel. Yan Xiaobao ignored the gathering and turned toward the City Lord’s mansion. As Yan Xiaobao entered the City Lord’s mansion, sunlight stretched across the edges of the city walls. Earlier, Yan Xiaobao had been invited to dine with the Rong twins, and he had accepted the invitation; however, on his way to the manor, an abrupt satori struck his currently calm yet bewildered mind. Yan Xiaobao, dressed in humble clothing, remained nothing more than an obscure child in appearance. Entering the City Lord’s mansion was no easy feat—how should he go about it? Fortunately, Rong Xing had planned ahead for this scenario, and as long as the boy looked around ten years old, with striking blue eyes and white hair, a guard’s decree would allow him entry. That evening’s dinner passed without complication. Lord Rong Liang and Bu Huang were absent, leaving the three children to chat over the day’s gossip. "I heard Dad talking about something truly amazing!" Rong Ming exclaimed, his eyes gleaming as he devoured a mouthful of stew. "An expert has appeared in town!" Rong Ming paused as he looked at Yan Xiaobao and Rong Xing, anticipating a shocked reaction. "This person is even stronger than our esteemed father, and apparently, they’re auctioning something at the Black Market Auction House next week! Dad was so excited—he mentioned it to Bu Huang, and they forgot to shut the door." Rong Xing chuckled as she watched her excited brother, while Yan Xiaobao performed an exaggerated display, gasping dramatically and widening his eyes. The rest of the evening revolved around Yan Xiaobao asking several questions about this expert and how Lord Rong Liang might soon glean such information. It turned out that the first envoy responsible for bringing him back from the market selling Memory Gems belonged to the Rong Family. Night fell, and the final rays of sunlight painted the sky in shades of violet. As they returned to the Royal Art Academy, the three children gathered together, none detecting the shadow that had been tailing the carriage throughout the journey. Upon reaching the foot of the mountain, the carriage had to turn back. Only students or individuals carrying badges from the Royal Academy could enter the mountain grounds. Meanwhile, the shadowy figure lurking behind them deftly bypassed the protection mechanisms, blending seamlessly into the night’s haunting gloom. When the trio arrived at the residential area, Yan Xiaobao and the Rong twins each took separate paths to their individual homes atop the mountain, leaving behind the young boy to walk the final stretch alone. Within the shared spirit between boy and bird, a growing sense of satisfaction and confidence blossomed. The day had exceeded all expectations. They had managed to purchase two Memory Gems, sell their skills at a high price, and roam the town to draw attention; the intrigue and allure they cultivated skyrocketed. Ultimately, they safely returned without blowing their cover. Today was unquestionably a day of triumph for Yan Xiaobao and Lan Feng, who felt deeply satisfied with their accomplishments. The pair soon entered their homes, eager to rest for the night. However, as they busied themselves inside, the shadow perched upon the neighboring courtyard roof remained in view. The sky turned as black as ink, yet despite the dark curtain that veiled the heavens, the luminous moon illuminated the warm night. Beneath the moonlight, a figure cloaked in shadows observed the children moving within the adjacent house. A vicious, resonant smile crept across the stranger’s face as two tawny eyes gleamed with a latent, forceful energy. Even as the lights within the neighboring house slowly dimmed one by one, the cloaked figure lingered for much of the night, hesitating as they stared at the room where the children slept. "Soon, little master," she murmured at last as the first rays of dawn streaked across the sky. Enveloped in retreating shadows, she maneuvered to blend seamlessly into the twilight’s fading veil. When the woman vanished into the quiet depths of night, Xu Yue awoke at the break of dawn, feeling more rested than he had in ages. He spent the early hours in the courtyard, his focus on gardening. As the day unfolded, it soon became one among many for those roaming the grounds. Yan Xiaobao and Wang Julong attended the Sun Kingdom’s historical cultivation courses, though these sessions had evidently transformed into open battlegrounds of rivalry among the new generation of prodigies. The two boys did their best to keep their distance from one another yet found immense satisfaction in casting unnoticed, contemptuous glances in each other’s direction. "You better not mention my behavior again," Lan Feng replied with a laugh, each word dripping with self-satisfied mirth. "You absolutely wouldn’t act like someone your age does—especially since you weren’t strong enough to beat him the last time." The cursed bird’s words echoed the essence of Yan Xiaobao’s hometown. Though he was fully aware that he was now past thirty years old, he could hardly suppress his childish impulses and continued engaging in his feud with Wang Julong. The young master possessed an ability to provoke Yan Xiaobao, a skill he’d been honing since birth. At least their rivalry didn’t interfere with the lessons, but that wasn’t because either student genuinely cared for them. Instead, they used the lessons to further their own agendas. Wang Julong spent each class doing precisely that from day one, while Yan Xiaobao occasionally asked probing questions about the Dark Era. Unfortunately, their instructor, Li Yuan, refused to address any inquiries about the Dark Era, claiming his abilities were insufficient to secure such knowledge. If Yan Xiaobao was truly interested, he would have to grow far stronger. Frustrated by this response, the white-haired boy pursed his lips in irritation before heading to the library for his own search for answers. What he discovered was that every book, scroll, or Memory Stone tied to the Dark Era had been destroyed. This destruction resulted in the loss of vast martial arts techniques, spiritual arts, and even cultivation methods. After the first class ended, Yan Xiaobao spent the remaining lectures combing through the library’s neglected archives, quickly skimming through whatever he could. Finally, after three days of relentless searching, he struck lucky. Yan Xiaobao unearthed a book crafted near the end of the Dark Era. It was hidden in one of the library’s darkest corners. The book was old and dust-ridden, with pages partially singed and worn. Yet, some passages remained legible, and Yan Xiaobao immediately sensed that the book harbored a secret. "Behind the Dark Era lies a great sin A sin so immense that darkness rose victorious The sin embedded itself deep into our souls’ cores Darkness achieved its purpose, achieving its end. Heroes were born into this enslaved life Heroes of rebellion became free Yet, as rebellion surged, blood fell like rain The darkness washed away, granting us liberty Nations reborn lay in ruin But even now, freedom remains what we pursue’ This scripture was etched in the worn book. As he read each word, Yan Xiaobao felt his body quiver, and Lan Feng—upon seeing the passage—was equally shaken. The world painted in these verses differed starkly from the one Lan Feng had described to Yan Xiaobao before. Yan Xiaobao realized that the great sin associated with the Dark Era was far more intricate than he had originally assumed. Lan Feng’s soul visibly reeled in shock, unable to comprehend why anyone would depict his world as a form of slavery. This revelation deepened Yan Xiaobao’s conviction that Lan Feng himself wasn’t concealing the truth from him. Lan Feng was a domineering beast. He would kill anyone who blocked his path without hesitation or mercy, employing violence if necessary to claim what he desired. Unless benefiting from it directly, he was void of compassion. Still, despite his arrogance, Lan Feng was unfailingly loyal to those under his protection. He wouldn’t trouble his own people, which, from Yan Xiaobao’s perspective, seemed to hold true for other heirs as well. ...

Chapter 230 - 198 Black Market_2

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