Return to the Black Market

"Misunderstanding, misunderstanding." Huang Sheng suppressed the killing intent in his heart, a smile returning to his face. "I never expected this to be Painter Zhong's business. The flood washed into the Dragon King Temple—one family failed to recognize another. Old Man Xu, that wasn't very decent of you! Why didn't you say so sooner? Well then, there are still matters in the gang that need handling. See you around."

With that, he rose to leave.

"No rush."

Zhong Lin placed a hand on Huang Sheng's shoulder, his face brimming with smiles.

Huang Sheng's expression changed drastically. He felt an immense force from Zhong Lin's palm press him back down. No matter how he struggled, his backside could not leave the seat by so much as an inch.

Huang Sheng was a Ranked Martial Artist! Yet before the strength in Zhong Lin's palm, he had no power to resist.

Eighth Rank.

Huang Sheng roared inwardly. Only an Eighth Rank Tendons Transformation Realm martial artist could possess such strength—or perhaps someone even stronger.

"Master Huang is my first customer. Won't you have a cup of tea before leaving?" Zhong Lin asked with a half-smile.

"N-No need. Th-Thank you for Painter Zhong's kindness, but the gang leader ordered me to collect the regular payment. I can't be late, can I?"

Huang Sheng forced down his terror, while also making it clear that he had someone backing him.

Only then did Zhong Lin slowly withdraw his right hand.

Huang Sheng hurriedly rose and left with his two lackeys. The moment they stepped out of the clinic, they broke into a frantic run.

"Master Huang, what's wrong?"

One of the lackeys asked between gasps.

Huang Sheng did not stop until he had run through two streets. His expression shifted darkly and brightly before finally turning into a lingering dread.

"Old Man Xu, fuck your ancestors! You actually dug a pit for me to jump into."

"Thanks for this time." Xu Lewu still felt lingering fear.

Had Zhong Lin arrived a little later, he would truly have been in trouble. He might not have lost his life, but a beating would have been unavoidable.

"No need to be polite. This business does belong to both of us. But be careful—I don't think that man will let this go. Do you want me to take care of him for you?"

A cold glint flashed through Zhong Lin's eyes.

"That won't be necessary. Huang Sheng bullies the weak and fears the strong. You deliberately pressed him down just now, didn't you? He's a Ranked Martial Artist. If you could press him down like that, does that mean you're at the Eighth Rank?"

Xu Lewu looked at Zhong Lin with burning eyes.

Zhong Lin did not intend to hide it and nodded.

"Then there's no need to worry. As long as you're fine, I'll be fine."

Zhong Lin did not continue advising him. Since Old Man Xu said it was fine, it probably truly was. The old fellow's medical skills were superb, and he was also skilled at reading faces and judging moods. Otherwise, he could not have gained a foothold in this County Town.

"How is the Eight Treasures Blood Nourishing Soup coming along?"

"It's been ready for ages—still thirty packets. I also prepared some Blood-Stopping Powder, Trauma Medicine, and the like. Take them and test the waters first. If the results are good, I'll make more."

As he spoke, Xu Lewu took out a black bundle from beneath the counter. It was filled with medicinal packets he had prepared long ago.

Zhong Lin accepted it, nodded, and turned to leave.

"Wait."

"What is it?"

"Kid Zhong, this time, I'll charge you only the cost price. What do you think?"

Oh? Did the sun rise in the west?

Zhong Lin looked at Old Man Xu with an amused half-smile. He stopped where he was, curious to see what medicine the old fellow was selling from his gourd.

Xu Lewu coughed, looking somewhat embarrassed. "Well... look, the city is getting more and more chaotic. Could I bring my old wife and grandson to live next door to you? Then we can look out for each other."

Zhong Lin laughed heartily. This was Old Man Xu's true nature. So he had set his sights on Zhong Lin's strength. Otherwise, how could he bear to be so generous?

"Where do you live?"

"Locust Flower Lane, No. A4."

Zhong Lin raised a brow. What a coincidence. He remembered that Qin Yong, the man who had previously collected protection money from him—the family Zhong Lin had wiped out—lived at No. A6 on Locust Flower Lane.

"Is the house at No. A6 still vacant?"

"It is. Three people died there all at once, so no one dares to live in it."

Zhong Lin pondered briefly. "If the rent isn't expensive, help me rent it. You don't need to move—I'll move there instead."

"Wonderful! I'll go rent it for you right now. I'll cover the rent."

Xu Lewu was brimming with excitement, the wrinkles on his face nearly smiling into the shape of chrysanthemums.

Zhong Lin laughed as well, then turned and left the clinic.

In truth, Zhong Lin had wanted to move for a long time. The main reason was that the courtyard in Sweet Water Alley was too small. He had rented it at first because the rent was cheap, but now it had become too cramped. When he practiced martial arts, he could barely stretch out; sometimes, before he could even fully unfold a set of punches, he was already hitting the walls.

He had inspected Qin Yong's courtyard when he had sneaked in under cover of darkness before. It was larger and more spacious.

There was another reason: for the past half month, Little Shi had stayed home every day without going out, and he did not even have a companion to play with. Zhong Lin was afraid the boy would be stifled into developing some problem.

Old Man Xu's grandson was Little Shi's classmate at elementary school, so he would make a good companion for him.

The only trouble was that he would need to dig another underground cellar and move the grain stored at home over there.

Hmm... there was no need to move it, either. He was not giving up the house in Sweet Water Alley anyway. He could just use it as a warehouse.

The hour of the boar.

Black Market.

The gatekeeper was still that bearded burly man. Zhong Lin knew the procedure too. He silently paid the fee, received a wooden token, and entered.

Compared to last month, the Black Market was much more bustling now, and the goods being traded had changed significantly.

For example, there were now quite a few stalls selling daily necessities—roosters, eggs, soybeans, rice, flour, and the like.

Naturally, this was because after the County Magistrate issued rules limiting the quantity and price of grain purchases, many grain merchants and commoners had turned their sights to the Black Market instead. At most, things cost a little more here.

Another rather ironic point was that the Black Market's order was actually better than that of the legitimate market. Forced buying and selling, or disguised robbery, was rarely seen here.

As for robberies after leaving the Black Market, those thieves would not target commoners buying a few catties of flour or rice. How much profit could they squeeze out of a pack of paupers? Comparatively speaking, it was rather safe.

Thus, many commoners would rather pay a Big Coin as an entry fee and come here to buy and sell.

Because of this, compared to its previous air of mystery, the Black Market now carried more of the warmth of everyday life.

Zhong Lin nearly thought he had come to the wrong place.

"Brother, want a manual?"

A figure suddenly appeared before Zhong Lin and sneakily pulled a booklet from his robes.

The sight made Zhong Lin laugh silently. He had not expected that even after Skinny Monkey's death, someone would take over his post.

Ignoring the fellow peddling "secret manuals," Zhong Lin continued onward. Once he found the spot corresponding to his wooden token, he sat down directly, then skillfully wrote words on the wooden board beside him and spread out the bundle behind him.

Before long, people gathered around. Though they all had their faces covered, their builds made it obvious that they were returning customers.

"What medicine is this?"

"Blood-Stopping Powder, and Trauma Medicine. I don't need to tell you how effective they are, do I?"