King of the Black Market

The newcomer clearly regarded Cheng Shi and Zhen Xin as his underlings.

It's not that no one has ever done this before, but the last person to treat both of them as underlings was called [Deception].

When a player has the strength, confidence, and a clear goal, they naturally won't play games with NPCs anymore. So, the next second Shadow Cheng Shi pinned the "wealthy businessman" to the ground and said earnestly:

"You have one minute to explain this deal and, while you're at it, tell me who you are."

This sudden turn of events completely stunned the wealthy businessman. His face pressed against the cold ground, his mind instantly cleared, and he realized that the two men in front of him were not his underlings at all, but "big brothers" from who-knows-where!

My house was burgled!

But it's okay, as long as I don't die!

The wealthy businessman, who was quite experienced, was not afraid and simply answered Cheng Shi's questions obediently.

He tried to look away from the three people's faces, his cheeks contorted from being squeezed as he muttered:

"My name is Blackers, I am the king of the Kanliwal black market and the owner of the Golden House."

This morning, the boss of Dusk Play approached me and asked me to secretly do something for him.

"The king of the black market?" Zhen Xin walked up to Blackers with interest and asked with a smile, "Is it the black market I'm thinking of?"

Blackers saw the toes of the leather shoes, closed his eyes, and said:

"If you're referring to the black market that deals in people, weapons, intelligence, medicine, and Faith, then you understand correctly."

I control the country's largest underground resource. I can fulfill any need you may have; there's no need for fighting.

"Faith can be sold?" Cheng Shi raised an eyebrow curiously. "How do you sell it?"

Blackers explained:

"It depends on what kind of Faith you need."

To give a simple example, just two days ago, Golden House switched a guest's Faith without any cost, transforming him from a [Prosperity] Believer to a [Death] Believer.

"No cost?" Cheng Shi was taken aback. "You can erase the Oathbreak Curse? The Oathbreak Curse of all Faith? How did you do that?"

Blackers finally opened his eyes, a hint of pride even flashing in them.

"Not all, but there's always a way."

Take this guest who Faith "[Prosperity]" for example. We took all his assets, making him no longer "prosperous," and then personally killed him, leaving him to be forever accompanied by "[Death]."

In this way, his Faith was purified again, and we fulfilled our client's request as promised.

A win-win situation, and at no cost!

"?"

Upon hearing this, the two swindlers exchanged a knowing glance, their expressions quite intriguing.

Dude, you call this "no cost"?

You mean "no cost" when you say "no cost," right?

I don't think it's without consequences. You guys are eating so much, aren't you afraid of choking?

Cheng Shi was numb, and Zhen Xin couldn't stop laughing:

Is this why you are so wealthy?

"Golden House"... Not a bad code name, but as a black market merchant, isn't it a bit too ostentatious to build a residence out of gold?

Doesn't the law of Kanliwal prohibit underground transactions?

Perhaps not sensing too much malice, Blackers gradually relaxed during the conversation, saying nonchalantly:

"Of course it's prohibited, otherwise it wouldn't be called a black market."

But running a black market business requires being conspicuous. It's a business with very low initial investment and extremely high profit margins. If you don't let others know that you're making money in your transactions, why would anyone think they can make money doing business with you?

This business logic has been proven, you know... Do you have any other suggestions?

Blackers was clearly the type to take advantage of kindness; he was used to being arrogant and once he reverted to his true nature, he became somewhat unrestrained. Fortunately, he realized in time that his situation was not so good and immediately changed his tune.

The two swindlers ignored the other's failed offense, Cheng Shi continued to ask:

What about the business you're talking about?

"Dusk Play... sounds like a merchant in your black market?"

Zhen Xin smiled, clearly knowing the name, but without her explanation, Blackers quickly shook his head:

"No, no, no, Ringmaster Fait is not one of us."

The Dusk Play is the name of a Circus, and their owner is Ringmaster Fait.

This is a long-established Circus. Since the founding of the kingdom of Kanliwal, in order to boost the morale of the army during the cold winter, the king at that time recruited various talented people from the people and established the Dusk Drama Circus.

They have always represented the highest level of circus arts in Kanliwal, touring continuously to this day, and have become a national art form in Kanliwal.

However, in recent years, their industry position has been challenged.

Previous generations of Dusk Play leaders adhered to outdated practices and were unwilling to engage with new circus trends, leading to a significant loss of audience and causing discontent among the Circus performers.

Several young performers left in anger and joined hands to create another Circus called Morning Cheer, meaning that even if they fall asleep to the sound of a wonderful circus performance and are awakened by the first rays of dawn, they will smile when they recall the joy of the previous night.

As energetic young people brought fresh circus performances from outside Kanliwal to the country's residents, the show quickly gained popularity, overtaking the Dusk Drama Circus and showing signs of replacing it.

As the audience for the Dusk Play dwindled, Ringmaster Fait was appointed to lead the Dusk Play out of its slump. On the verge of bankruptcy, he broke free from the constraints of old rules and began introducing foreign cultural elements, leading the Dusk Play out of its slump and back to its peak.

And in just five days, they will be here, in Kurd, the capital of Kanliwal, competing in a circus event on the same day.

Each audience member can only choose to watch one circus performance; whoever attracts the most people at the end wins!

They wanted to prove themselves to be the best Circus in this way.

Tickets for pre-sale are selling like hotcakes, and circus enthusiasts from all over the country are flocking to Kurd. Everyone is debating which Circus to go to for the latest show on the day of the performance.

This black market kingpin Blackers, was clearly also a circus enthusiast, and he talked incessantly about Circus.

But Cheng Shi didn't want to hear about the history of the country's circus, so he interrupted the other person, patted their head, and said:

Stop! Stop! Stop!

I don't care about their feud; I just want to know what exactly happened with that deal you mentioned.

Blackers was taken aback, and muttered:

"We're about to get to that..."

"..." Cheng Shi's lips twitched. "Then continue."

Where was I?

Oh right, competition!

A good circus performance requires not only a variety of novel and exciting acts, but also a perfect emcee.

And this host is the mainstay of every Circus, second only to the ringmaster as the Clown!

"???"

Upon hearing this word, the Clown's eyelids twitched involuntarily, and his gaze toward Blackers became more suspicious.

He wondered if this "King of the Black Market" might be one of his missing teammates impersonating someone to make fun of him.

But after observing for a long time, I felt it didn't seem like it.

It's probably just a coincidence; after all, it's quite reasonable for Circus to have Clown.

Zhen Xin, however, laughed even harder after hearing the Clown.

"The Clown at the Dusk Drama Circus is named Lake, a gifted actor who can make the audience roar with laughter just by standing on the stage."

To prepare for this battle that concerns honor, Lake has been working very hard lately, and has been in seclusion for a long time.

But when Ringmaster Fait went to discuss the performance order with him this morning, he discovered that Lake was missing!

Just as the show was about to begin, the Clown from the Dusk Play disappeared!

This is definitely big news. If it appears on the black market, I think Mrs. Flord of Morning Cheer would be willing to pay a high price to buy it and make it known throughout the country.

In this way, she could win without a fight.

Unfortunately, we at Golden House are principled black market merchants. To thank Ringmaster Fait for his trust, I promised he would bring Lake back before the last day.

But just as I returned home to gather help, I discovered... my home was gone.

As he spoke, Blackers glanced at Cheng Shi discreetly.

"..."

After learning the whole story, Cheng Shi was speechless.

This is... Trials?

Looking for a lost Clown?

Are you sure this isn't a metaphor?

This would be one thing if it were Trials for other gods, but it happens to be the Trials for the God of Merriment.

No, my Lord of Grace, are you afraid I won't find any clues or what, why do you have to make it so obvious?

Even the Stage has its on-stage and backstage areas; does the Clown have to be roasted under the spotlight?

For a moment, Cheng Shi's face turned as black as the bottom of a pot.

Zhen Xin, standing to the side, rolled her eyes and couldn't help but laugh:

"I never imagined that the God of Merriment's Trials would be so simple. It's just missing a Clown, isn't it?"

Look, why don't we just push one up?

Cheng Shi, are you sure you can do it?

"???"

Before Cheng Shi could even complain, Blackers's eyes lit up, and he looked at Cheng Shi expectantly:

"You... no, you're Clown too?"

"..."

You dare call Clown?

Cheng Shi laughed in anger, slapped Blackers on the head, and snorted heavily:

"I gave you one minute to finish speaking. Who told you to talk for so long?"

"???"

Blackers shrank back, looking extremely aggrieved.

Weren't you two listening quite intently just now...?

Besides, it was that lady who was mocking you, why did you hit me?