Wang Yuan looked in the direction he pointed. Besides several pieces of leather armor, there were also two sets of iron armor gleaming with a cold, shadowy metallic sheen.
Though they were only half-body armor, their defensive power was by no means comparable to leather armor.
Wang Yuan's heart gave a violent leap.
Armor—especially iron armor—had always been strictly controlled military equipment in any dynasty. Privately possessing it was a serious crime.
For this Iron-Masked Stall Owner to dare sell it openly in the Black Market, his backing and courage were clearly no small matter.
He truly was tempted. Owning a piece of iron armor would undoubtedly greatly improve his ability to stay alive.
But then he touched the thousand-tael banknotes in his chest, still warm from having just come into his hands.
Then he looked at the price marked beside the iron armor: at least two thousand five hundred taels to start. He could only helplessly suppress the thought.
He could not afford it.
Even with the Black Tiger Gang's assets added in, he still could not afford it.
His gaze shifted to some miscellaneous items beside it.
Wang Yuan's heart suddenly stirred as he recalled the lime-and-chili powder he had used when ambushing Zhao Hu and Steward Huang last night.
It was remarkably effective against First Blood Change martial artists, but against Second and Third Blood Change martial artists with keen senses and qi-blood protecting their bodies, it would probably achieve very little.
"Boss, do you have... any medicine that can affect a martial artist's qi-blood or senses?"
"Preferably something like powder or smoke, something convenient to use," Wang Yuan asked tentatively.
Upon hearing this, the corners of the Iron-Masked Stall Owner's mouth seemed to curl beneath his iron mask in a knowing smile.
He bent down and took two small porcelain bottles from a locked iron box in the corner.
"Soft Muscle Powder. Colorless and odorless. Once inhaled or touched, it slows the circulation of qi-blood and makes one's limbs go weak."
"It works well against martial artists below Force Entry, but its effectiveness drops sharply against Force Entry experts."
"Fifty taels per bottle."
"Spirit Disturbance Powder. It must be activated with qi-blood into smoke. It can disrupt the senses, making people dizzy and disoriented, unable to see clearly or hear properly for a short time."
"Its effect is fierce, but it does not last long, and it is somewhat less effective against those with resolute minds."
"Eighty taels per bottle."
Wang Yuan's eyes lit up as he listened.
These were the true hidden weapons capable of threatening martial artists.
But they were far too expensive. A mere tiny bottle was worth dozens of taels of silver.
After thinking briefly, he chose the more direct and more discreet Soft Muscle Powder.
He spent one hundred taels on two bottles and carefully put them away.
At last, his gaze fell upon a relatively "plain" suit of black inner armor.
He did not know what material this inner armor had been woven from. It felt cool and supple to the touch, and seemed to contain fine strands of metal thread.
"This is Black Silkworm Silk Inner Armor, woven with fine Cold Iron threads mixed in."
"Though its defense is inferior to iron armor, it is enough to withstand ordinary sword strikes and most thrusts from sharp weapons."
"It is also light and close-fitting. Worn beneath outer clothes, it is not easily noticed."
"Eight hundred taels."
The Iron-Masked Stall Owner introduced it.
The price of this inner armor was just within what he could bear, and it was extremely practical.
Wang Yuan gritted his teeth. No longer hesitating, he took out eight hundred-tael banknotes.
"I'll take it."
After completing all the transactions, Wang Yuan had three hundred taels in unregistered banknotes on him.
Two bottles of Soft Muscle Powder, and one set of Black Silkworm Silk Inner Armor.
The Iron-Masked Stall Owner escorted Wang Yuan out of the stone chamber and back into the passageway.
Several people nearby who had noticed them entering the stone chamber to make a deal looked at Wang Yuan with a measure of wariness in their eyes.
Anyone who could enter with Iron Face to do business—
Was either a major customer or a ruthless figure with hard goods in hand. Neither sort was easy to provoke.
The Iron-Masked Stall Owner watched Wang Yuan's retreating figure disappear into the crowd, his gaze flickering.
He had spent many years in the Black Market, and his eye for people was viciously sharp.
Though Wang Yuan had disguised his appearance, the sharpness beneath his composure, along with the courage and strength to produce the Black Tiger Gang's core blade technique and the Huang Family Steward Token—
All of it showed that this person was no ordinary man.
"He wiped out the Black Tiger Gang and killed the Huang Family's steward... Since when had such a ruthless young figure appeared in Gaoye City's Outer City?"
He murmured to himself, then shook his head and stopped thinking about it.
The Black Market's rules were simple: look at the goods, not their origins.
So long as it did not affect business, he could not be bothered to create unnecessary trouble.
Wang Yuan could feel those faint, intermittent gazes behind him.
But he did not panic.
He slowly circulated the Turtle Breath Technique, reducing his sense of presence to the lowest point as he calmly headed toward the exit.
Even after he safely emerged from the Black Market's cave entrance and once again breathed the moldy air aboveground, Wang Yuan did not relax in the slightest.
He did not return home directly.
Instead, he deliberately circled through the abandoned streets several times.
At times he sped up; at times he hid behind broken walls and observed his surroundings.
Only after confirming that no one was following him did he return silently to his home in South District beneath the cover of night, like a ghost.
After closing the door to the side room, Wang Yuan finally let out a full breath.
Dawn was approaching, and a sliver of fish-belly white showed in the sky.
Looking at the Black Silkworm Silk Inner Armor and the tiny yet dangerous bottle of Soft Muscle Powder on the table, satisfaction flickered in his eyes.
He had dealt with hidden dangers, replenished his trump cards, and even made a small profit.
Next, he only needed to cultivate in peace and devote himself fully to breaking through to the Second Blood Change.
Wang Yuan put on the inner armor beneath his clothes. Feeling that cool layer of protection against his body, his heart settled considerably.
He casually stabbed at it with a dagger and found that the blade tip only sank in a tiny amount, still some distance from his skin.
A smile appeared on Wang Yuan's face.
Those eight hundred taels had been well spent.
But inner armor alone was not enough insurance. In the end, it was still an external object.
The strength of the flesh was true strength.
At present, he still lacked a body-tempering martial art.
Once he broke through to the Second Blood Change, he would practice a body-tempering martial art as well.
He possessed the Dragon Tendon Tiger Bone talent. Presumably, body-tempering martial arts would be easy for him to enter.
Wang Yuan quietly pondered this in his heart.
Over the next few days, Wang Yuan's life returned to a surface calm.
Every day, he went to Panshi Fist Academy on time.
Like the most ordinary disciple, he honed his fists and legs and practiced spear techniques.
In everyone's eyes, he was still that exceptionally talented yet tirelessly diligent junior disciple.
But no one knew that on that seemingly ordinary night just days ago—
He had single-handedly flattened the Black Tiger Gang's main headquarters, killing the notorious gang leader Zhao Hu and the Huang Family's Inner City steward beneath his spear.
The Turtle Breath Technique's concealment effect was excellent.
Combined with Wang Yuan's steady temperament, he had not revealed the slightest flaw even when facing his master Zheng Shan and his fellow disciples.
He merely devoted himself even more intently to cultivation, turning the insights and pressure from battle into motivation to consolidate his cultivation and temper his martial skills.
On this day, Wang Yuan had just finished a round of Panshi Fist training. Heat steamed from his entire body as his qi-blood surged.
Senior Disciple Brother Shi Long walked over, patted his shoulder, and grinned.
"Junior Brother, Master wants you in his study."
Wang Yuan's heart stirred slightly. He nodded in acknowledgment, straightened his clothes, and headed toward Zheng Shan's study in the inner courtyard.
Inside the study, the fragrance of medicine mingled with the scent of ink.
Zheng Shan sat upright in a grand chair. As he watched Wang Yuan enter, an imperceptible trace of satisfaction flashed through his eyes.
He could sense that the qi-blood on this young disciple of his had become increasingly vigorous and condensed, while his aura had also grown calmer and more restrained.
Like a piece of Refined Iron constantly hammered and tempered, its sharpness gradually concealed, yet its weight becoming all the more apparent.
"Xiao Yuan, you're here."
Zheng Shan pointed to the chair beside him.
"Sit."
"Master."
Wang Yuan respectfully bowed before taking a seat.
Zheng Shan did not exchange excessive pleasantries. He went straight to the point, his expression solemn.
"Though you have been at Entry Stage for only a short time, your progress has been rapid. The solidity of your foundation far exceeds my expectations."
"Your First Blood Change has already reached Perfection, and your qi-blood accumulation is profound. It is time to prepare to challenge the Second Blood Change."
As he spoke, he took out a wooden box he had prepared long ago and pushed it in front of Wang Yuan.
The wooden box opened, revealing several items arranged neatly within.
A stalk of Jade Marrow Grass, emerald green from stem to leaf, its leaves like jade. It emitted a cool, refreshing aura that could calm the mind and protect the meridians.
Three Blood Dates the size of longans, crimson in color and containing pure qi-blood. They were excellent supplements for Blood Exchange.
There was also a porcelain bottle containing three Pulse Protecting Pills, which could protect the meridians to the greatest extent when violent qi-blood struck at the bottleneck.
Every one of these herbs and pills was a precious treasure.
Especially for martial artists undergoing the Second Blood Change, they were enough to bankrupt many small Lineages in the Outer City.
"Take these. Once you have adjusted your condition, attempt to break through to the Second Blood Change."
Zheng Shan's tone was calm, yet it carried warm concern and expectation.
"The path of martial arts is like rowing a boat against the current. Though your talent is good, you must not slacken."
"For this breakthrough, you must be careful and cautious, striving for stability."
Wang Yuan looked at the wooden box before him, warmth welling up in his heart.
Although he had initially taken Zheng Shan as his master in order to escape the Black Tiger Gang, Zheng Shan had truly treated him exceptionally well.
Wang Yuan truly acknowledged this Teacher in his heart.
He rose to his feet and bowed deeply.
"This disciple will certainly not disappoint Master's great expectations!"
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