Chapter 27
Tonight was a significant night in Jeok I-geon’s life.
Thanks to that, despite my embarrassing antics, I managed to avoid any consequences and got through the ordeal.
That alone was something to be thankful for, but Jeok I-geon even bought me expensive clothes.
Jeok I-geon and Cheon Gang also switched from their comfortable attire worn on the way to Sichuan to glamorous outfits.
Jeok I-geon, who was already strikingly handsome, now looked like someone out of this world, and even Cheon Gang, whose appearance could be described as modestly handsome, looked twice as good as usual.
Of course, all of this was meticulously planned.
Why would Jeok I-geon suddenly buy someone like me clothes out of kindness?
We were merely dressing appropriately for the place we were about to visit.
A place that could be called the starting point of Jeok I-geon’s legend in the original story.
On a pitch-dark night, guided only by moonlight, we were heading to a place called the Black Market.
“From here, it’s best to wear these bamboo hats.”
Cheon Gang, who had scouted the site the night before, handed both Jeok I-geon and me bamboo hats with veils attached.
“It has veils attached?”
Seeing the unfamiliar type of hat, I couldn’t hide my puzzled expression, so Cheon Gang explained:
“In a place like this, hiding one’s identity is an unspoken rule. After all, coming here for illegal dealings and exposing your face would be a bit odd.”
If that’s the case, wouldn’t a human-skin mask be better?
It’s not like we lacked the money, so why resort to such uncomfortable veiled hats?
However, as a lowly maid, I had no choice but to obey orders.
Although the veil occasionally obstructed my vision and made things inconvenient, it wasn’t to the point of tripping, so I could follow behind without much issue.
The Black Market’s location was at an estate quite far from Sichuan’s central district.
Two guards stood at the torch-lit main gate, and when Cheon Gang showed them a pass, the gates opened immediately.
Where did Cheon Gang get that pass from?
To my knowledge, becoming a patron of the Black Market required undergoing extremely stringent procedures.
The Black Market, held only once a year at a location revealed just a month prior, was essentially an illegal auction house.
Though the original novel never clearly identified the organizers, the items sold at the Black Market were authentic.
From extravagant treasures to rare elixirs and legendary weapons, the variety of goods was endless.
Jeok I-geon and Cheon Gang hadn’t told me anything, but I naturally knew what they were here to acquire.
As a reader, I found this part of the story somewhat clichéd, but these classic tropes were what made the story entertaining.
It was also a critical moment in the original plot.
To witness it firsthand was an exciting prospect for me.
“This way, please.”
After passing through a well-maintained garden, we arrived at a pavilion.
Though we hadn’t encountered a single person on our way, I could sense over fifty concealed presences.
Which meant there were even more.
“I hear there’s been a surge of night visitors at the Black Market lately.”
“Night visitors?”
“Thieves with sticky fingers.”
“Ah, so that’s why…”
It seemed the hidden presences were all there to catch thieves.
Tsk, tsk, how unfortunate.
Despite all their precautions, they’d still end up being robbed.
Oh, but that didn’t apply to Jeok I-geon.
In fact, the revelation about the stolen items wouldn’t come until five years later.
The emergence of a young prodigy would shake the martial world, and this incident would become widely known.
In a way, the tale of tonight would mark the beginning of that legend.
How exciting.
As I entered the pavilion, I found myself smiling unconsciously.
This place could be considered dangerous, but perhaps because of Jeok I-geon’s presence, I didn’t feel scared at all.
After all, no matter what happened, Jeok I-geon would handle it.
He wouldn’t be the protagonist of the original story for nothing.
“That spot over there looks good.”
True to its name, the Black Market’s interior was dimly lit.
Candlelights scattered throughout barely illuminated the space, and the stage where the auction would be held was lit by four luminous pearls shining like light bulbs.
In front of the stage, rows of chairs were neatly arranged, and we took seats towards the right at the front.
The place was already more than half full, with everyone wearing veils or masks like us.
Yet, I could still feel gazes on us.
Could they instinctively recognize Jeok I-geon’s extraordinary presence?
Still, there’s no way anyone here would guess that the Heavenly Demon’s son was among them.
That little secret, known only to me, made me feel oddly proud, and I found myself grinning again.
Thankfully, the veil hid my inappropriate expression.
Flash!
Suddenly, a bright light flickered as a man appeared on stage.
He was the only one in the room with an uncovered face.
“So that’s a human-skin mask…”
“You recognize it?”
Jeok I-geon, seemingly surprised, glanced at me as I muttered absentmindedly.
“Of course, I didn’t really recognize it.”
I had only read in the book that the Black Market auctioneers always wore human-skin masks, concealing their real faces.
“It just feels a bit unnatural to me,” I stammered, making up an excuse on the spot.
“I see,” Jeok I-geon replied.
“I can’t tell, though,” Cheon Gang added, both of them staring intently at the auctioneer before tilting their heads as if impressed by me.
“Warriors of Jianghu, thank you for coming from afar. I know you are busy people, so let’s skip the small talk and begin the first auction!”
Fortunately, the auction started, sparing me further embarrassment. I could feel my face flushing red beneath the veil due to my little lie.
“Our first item is the Wind Soul Pill, which rivals the famous Great Rejuvenation Pill of Shaolin. Many of you know this pill as a miraculous elixir created by the now-defunct Wind Soul Sect.”
“Although it was a small sect, their expertise in crafting elixirs was unparalleled. It is said they could train most of their disciples into peak-level martial artists. Had it not been for the vile forces of the Demonic Cult, they would still exist today.”
“This Wind Soul Pill is a special product retrieved from the Wind Soul Sect’s secret vault. Even the Demonic Cult failed to secure it, but we of the Black Market have succeeded! Proof of authenticity is unnecessary. The fact that you are here means you trust us implicitly. The starting bid is 300,000 nyang!”
As soon as the auctioneer finished, hands shot up from all around.
For martial artists, this was an elixir worth going crazy over, but Jeok I-geon remained calm and unmoved, sitting upright.
Could it be that Jeok I-geon had already consumed a Wind Soul Pill when the Demonic Cult wiped out the sect?
While I was lost in these musings, the auction proceeded quickly.
The items followed a pattern—various types of elixirs came one after another.
And then, it appeared.
The bracelet I had been most eager to see before coming to the Black Market: the Rainbow Loop.
My neck stretched out like a crane’s as my excitement peaked.
I desperately wanted to get closer for a better look.
It’s still red, just as I remembered.
As in the original story, the auctioneer was presenting the Rainbow Loop as a mere bracelet.
Of course, given that it was featured at the Black Market, its creator was a renowned artisan whose name alone commanded awe.
However, the auctioneer was delivering a ridiculous spiel, claiming it would guarantee love if gifted to a woman.
“Do they even know what they’re holding?”
Seeing such a rare item treated so lightly made me question the Black Market’s credibility.
In the future, some of the Black Market’s greatest mistakes would be exposed to the world, and the mishandling of the Rainbow Loop would be the most infamous of them all.
“Let’s begin the bidding. The starting price is 100,000 nyang!”
What was the final bid again?
I racked my brain but couldn’t recall the exact number.
Was it around 300,000 nyang?
It had been a complete steal.
Though eventually, it was stolen by a thief anyway.
Who will take it this time?
The person wasn’t important enough to be named in the story.
All I knew was that they later discovered the Rainbow Loop’s true ability and died of frustration.
People started raising their bids, perhaps with the intent of gifting it to someone they loved.
“250,000 nyang!”
Oh, it’s almost over.
The bid came from a man wearing a white mask, causing many others to lower their hands.
Then, the bidding suddenly skyrocketed.
“One million nyang!”
The room buzzed with murmurs as the price shot up in an instant.
But why is everyone looking this way?
At first, I didn’t understand.
Following the crowd’s gazes, I finally noticed Jeok I-geon holding up his hand.
My initial thought was, He’s lost his mind.
A million nyang? For a bracelet?
No matter how wealthy you are, that’s absurd! Are you an idiot? A pushover?
Sure, it’s an incredible item, but you don’t need it!
You’re already a monster—how much more monstrous do you plan to become?
Jeok I-geon’s impulsive purchase left not only me but even Cheon Gang completely dumbfounded.
—
Read More at – GENZNOVEL.COM!!
PLEASE JOIN OUR DISCORD AND SUBSCRIBE THE ROLE TO RECEIVE LATEST NOTIFICATIONS!!
Click here -> https://discord.gg/S8c2kGVr2g
Comment