Earthquake

Chapter 44: Earthquake

Iron Fist Abe had been around Black City for many years, naturally accumulating quite a few good things. Now, everyone's spoils were piled into a small mountain, the vast majority of which were food and Black Stone.

There were also several large chests.

Exotic Beast Meat was inside one of the chests.

Eighteen portions of frozen, preserved Exotic Beast Meat, neatly stacked, made Karl's heart race.

Eighteen portions!

Even with a Magic Seal sharing some of his life essence, his physique stat could be pushed to 0.9.

"Uncle."

Xiao Nan pulled over a chest and said:

"Iron Fist Abe also collected a lot of handicrafts."

"Oh!"

Karl raised an eyebrow.

He stepped forward and opened the chest. As expected, it was filled with gold and silver ware, jade bracelets, and exquisite handicrafts.

He couldn't help but ask in surprise:

"What does he want these for?"

"I know this." Aya replied:

"Iron Fist Abe has a son outside. These items, including the Exotic Beast Meat, should all be prepared for him."

"There are merchant caravans entering and leaving Black City every month. As long as you're willing to pay, you can send things out."

When she mentioned Abe's son, her eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of killing intent flashing within them.

Karl nodded.

Gold, silver, jade, and handicrafts weren't worth much in Black City, but they were hard currency outside. If he could make such a trade, others could too.

"There are also a few Magic Seal Seeds."

Xiao Nan opened another smaller wooden box and sighed as he looked at the Magic Seal Seeds inside:

"It's a shame there are no Magic Seals."

"What are you thinking about?" Aya said speechlessly:

"Magic Seals are extremely rare, mostly held by the leaders of major factions. Although the City Guard occasionally sells Magic Seals, the price and requirements are very high. They'll never fall into our hands."

"Hmm?" Karl's eyes flickered, and he asked:

"How much can a Magic Seal sell for in Black City?"

"This..." Aya frowned and hesitated:

"I've only heard rumors of Magic Seals being bought and sold, and I've never actually seen one. But I imagine it would definitely be over two thousand Black Stone."

Two thousand Black Stone was the price to leave Black City.

"If you were to trade with Exotic Beast Meat, it would probably take thirty to forty portions. I'm not entirely sure of the specifics."

Thirty to forty portions?

Karl's eyes lit up.

"Uncle." Aya turned her head to look at him, her expression surprised:

"Are you planning to sell a Magic Seal?"

"Yes." Karl nodded:

"I have that intention."

The Fire Seal was good, but it would interfere with his cultivation on the Knight's path.

Furthermore, Magic Seals were different from Sorcery; their power didn't increase with a person's cultivation, and their destructive power had limitations.

Therefore, he planned to replicate the Fire Seal's Spell Model into his Mental Sea, turning it into a form of Sorcery.

Firstly, He could continue on the Knight's path.

Secondly, An increase in Mental Power would also increase the power of Sorcery.

Thirdly, The removed Magic Seal could be exchanged for a large amount of Exotic Beast Meat, which was a win-win situation. Why wouldn't he do it?

"If you're exchanging for Exotic Beast Meat, Uncle, I suggest exchanging for high-quality Exotic Beast Meat." Aya suggested:

"Exotic Beast Meat is also graded. The Exotic Beast Meat from certain powerful beasts is more effective for cultivating Breathing Techniques. Also, according to Grandpa Lev, after consuming a certain amount of Exotic Beast Meat, its effect on aiding cultivation will gradually diminish. Only by consuming better Exotic Beast Meat can one continue to improve."

"Of course..."

"High-quality Exotic Beast Meat is even rarer and more expensive."

She was self-aware; Magic Seals were too expensive, far beyond her reach at the moment.

Perhaps in the future.

So she didn't mention the part she had kept for herself.

"I'll take the Exotic Beast Meat and the handicrafts. Leave Iron Fist Abe's gauntlets," Karl steadied himself and said.

"The rest is yours."

The two had no objections.

Without Karl, it was uncertain who would have won this battle, but it was certain Aya would not have escaped.

As for Eve and the other, their payment had already been made. Didn't you see them slip away silently when the battlefield was being cleared?

Karl cautioned:

"Iron Fist Abe has the Brotherhood behind him. Be careful lately."

"Understood."

Aya nodded.

"There are City Guards in the market, so the Brotherhood won't dare to act openly. The underground tunnels are extensive; once we're in, we won't fear being found."

*

*

*

Beneath Black City.

Brotherhood Stronghold.

The woman writing under the kerosene lamp felt her ears twitch. She stopped and looked towards a corner.

"Squeak, squeak..."

Several rats scurried out of a rat hole and crawled onto the woman's arm.

The rats were covered in dirt and reeked, rubbing against the woman's arm in a display of affection.

The woman had delicate features and a beautiful appearance, yet she didn't mind the rats' filth at all, even stroking them with a smile.

Her slender, tender fingers contrasted sharply with the glossy, smooth fur of the rats.

As the squeaking continued, the woman's expression gradually changed.

"Whoosh!"

She suddenly stood up and walked towards the interior of the cave.

"Big Brother."

A group of people were discussing matters inside the cave. The woman directly interrupted their voices and said to the burly man, "Iron Fist Abe is dead."

"Abe?" The man looked up, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. "Who did it?"

Iron Fist Abe was not weak. He had even been preparing to make him one of the core members of the Brotherhood.

Who would have thought.

He died so suddenly.

The man was Muan, the leader of the Brotherhood, known as the Savage Bull, and the second strongest member.

Although Muan was not a Knight, his strength was said to be comparable to that of a Knight.

"It should be related to the person who killed Red Hair."

The woman, also known as the renowned Rat Woman of the Brotherhood, spoke. "My rats saw familiar flames. Red Hair's Magic Seal has clearly fallen into someone else's hands."

"Hmm..." Muan narrowed his eyes. "Interesting."

"I remember you commissioned Abe to investigate this matter. It seems that person sensed something and killed him to silence him."

"Yes," the Rat Woman nodded. "I think so too."

"Iron Fist Abe wasn't alone; killing him wouldn't be that simple," Muan waved his hand. "That person must have had help. Investigate who it was."

"Understood."

The Rat Woman nodded. Just as she was about to withdraw, the ground suddenly trembled, and everyone in the area's expression changed drastically.

"Boom!"

"Rumble..."

The ground shook violently, and dirt and rocks rained down from above the pit. Chaos erupted among the crowd.

"What's going on?"

"What happened?"

"Get out of here!"

"..."

Everyone rushed out of the outpost and into a plaza, where many people had already gathered, all looking panicked.

An earthquake of this intensity could easily cause the mine to collapse, and no one would be able to escape.

Fortunately, the tremors only lasted for a moment before ending, and the people's hearts, which had been pounding, slowly calmed down.

"Go."

Muan's expression was grim.

"Find out what's going on."

"A tremor of this magnitude should affect the entire Black City. The City Guard must know about it."

"Yes." Someone replied and hurried away.

The news soon returned.

"The No. 2 pit has had an outbreak of Yin energy, and everyone nearby has mutated, including a group of City Guards."

"A group of powerful mutated beasts and Undead Creatures suddenly emerged from underground and are currently heading towards the No. 3 pit. The underground creatures are all fleeing to the surface."

"We might be affected too!"

"How could this happen?"

"..."

"Silence!" Muan roared, interrupting the discussion.

"First, contact the City Guard. While Yin energy outbreaks are rare, they aren't unheard of."

"Don't panic, stabilize the situation first."

"Rat Woman."

"Here." The Rat Woman stepped forward.

"Go contact the Shadow Alliance and the Betty Family to discuss what to do," Muan said.

"Yes."

The Rat Woman acknowledged.

They didn't mention the other faction, the Whisperers of the Wind, because that faction was located near the No. 2 pit.

Now...

They were likely beyond saving.