Five Harms Technique

"Ghost Market? What kind of place is that?"

Chen Jing's movements came to an abrupt halt at these words, and he stopped his training.

He had encountered the term "Ghost Market" in various novels in his past life and understood what it represented, but this was the first time he had heard of one in Red Rock County.

Zhuang Tao looked around, then leaned in to hook his arm around Chen Jing's neck, lowering his voice to a whisper: "The Ghost Market... it's a place where things that can't see the light of day are sold. Poisons, cultivation techniques, medicinal pills, weapons, meat from exotic beasts... they have everything."

Chen Jing's heart skipped a beat when he heard the mention of cultivation techniques.

For the past month, Chen Jing had clearly felt himself stuck at a bottleneck.

He practiced his stances, threw punches, and tempered his blood and qi every single day, yet his blood and qi refused to grow significantly. Forget reaching the Blood Creek stage; even making minor progress felt like a distant, unreachable dream.

With only two months left until the three-month deadline, the frustration of being unable to break through had him gasping for air.

Not to mention, Chen Jing had recently discovered that Yan Peng of the Black Crow Sect, who had killed him once before, was a Second Blood martial artist—equivalent to the Blood River level.

He hadn't understood it before he started training, but now that he was a practitioner, he knew exactly what a Second Blood martial artist signified.

Yan Peng's strength, combined with the slow growth of his own power, made the hope of revenge seem incredibly slim.

Besides... his Exemption Bead was of almost no help when it came to the River-Breaking Fist.

No matter how hard or painfully he trained, he was only progressing through ordinary means.

Therefore, when Chen Jing heard the words "Ghost Market," he immediately associated it with all sorts of techniques for rapidly increasing blood and qi.

As long as it could improve his cultivation, Chen Jing wanted it more than anyone!

"Senior Brother."

Thinking of this, Chen Jing lowered his voice and asked quietly: "Is there any kind of... technique that can rapidly increase blood and qi?"

Zhuang Tao froze for a moment, then frowned: "Techniques to rapidly increase blood and qi? Of course there are. But those are basically evil arts! You have to pay a price to practice them—at best you end up crippled, at worst you lose your life! Don't you dare touch those."

"I see..."

Chen Jing replied in a low voice, but his eyes were shining with an astonishing light.

As long as they existed, that was enough.

As for the price?

Since he possessed the Exemption Bead, he was actually hoping for the price to be as steep as possible!

Chen Jing made his decision on the spot and spoke up: "Senior Brother, tonight... please take me to the Ghost Market to have a look."

"Easy enough, easy enough. Meet at the West City Gate at the Hour of the Rat tonight."

After saying this, Zhuang Tao turned and left.

Watching Zhuang Tao's retreating figure, Chen Jing resumed his training.

At the Hour of the Boar that night.

Chen Jing opened his eyes, glanced at the sleeping Chen Sanwu by the bed, and rolled out of bed without a sound.

Having spent these days with Zhuang Tao, Chen Jing had largely figured out his senior brother's temperament: he was boisterous, possessed a burning curiosity, and, thanks to his wealthy background, treated him with genuine sincerity.

But the Ghost Market was no ordinary place.

Just in case, Chen Jing had made preparations. He first filled a small pouch at his waist with lime, which he could scatter if he encountered danger.

He also stuffed two thin wooden boards against his chest and back to protect against hidden arrows or projectiles.

Fully prepared, Chen Jing quietly slipped out of the house and headed toward the West City Gate.

After waiting for about half a stick of incense, he saw two lanterns swaying in the distance; Zhuang Tao had arrived fashionably late with two guards in tow.

"Junior Brother, you're here quite early!"

Under the lamplight, Zhuang Tao greeted him with a grin.

"Since Senior Brother invited me, I naturally had to arrive early."

Chen Jing returned the smile.

"These are my family's guards. The Ghost Market is a place where all sorts of people mingle, so it's best to bring some muscle to keep things in check."

After introducing them, Zhuang Tao pulled two masks from his robes, handing one to Chen Jing and putting the other on himself.

"You must wear a mask to enter the Ghost Market. That's the rule."

Once they were masked, Zhuang Tao led Chen Jing toward the Ghost Market.

As they walked, Zhuang Tao explained in a low voice: "The Ghost Market started as a secret place for martial artists to trade with each other. Later, as more people flooded in, many scammers and sellers of fake goods mixed in as well. If you see something you like, tell me first, and I'll help you vet it."

"But don't worry, generally no one dares to start trouble in the Ghost Market, because if a real fight broke out, no one would come here anymore."

At this, Zhuang Tao paused, his voice dropping even lower: "Besides, the current Ghost Market is managed by three Third Blood martial artists. I've yet to see anyone dare to cause trouble here."

The two talked as they walked, and before long, they reached the Ghost Market.

Though it was called a "Ghost Market," it had nothing to do with darkness.

Under the night sky, it was brightly lit and bustling with noise. Several guards stood at the entrance; if a commoner didn't have money, they couldn't even get in.

"The entry fee is two hundred wen per person. Since I'm the one who brought you, I'll cover your fee."

As Zhuang Tao spoke, the guard beside him pulled out money to pay the gatekeeper.

The gatekeeper counted the money, confirmed it was correct, and then waved them through.

Stepping into the Ghost Market, rows of alleys lit by lanterns crisscrossed and extended outward. Stalls were packed densely together, selling strange and bizarre items—most of which Chen Jing had never seen, or even heard of.

Whenever he encountered such things, Chen Jing would stand among the crowd, listening to their conversations or asking Zhuang Tao beside him to gain information.

Walking to a corner, Zhuang Tao pointed to a small, detached hut ahead: "I have some business to attend to here, and outsiders aren't allowed inside. Junior brother, why don't you wander around nearby? Once I'm out, I'll take you to see other parts of the market."

"Understood, senior brother. Go ahead."

Chen Jing nodded, then watched as Zhuang Tao walked into the small house, while the two guards he brought remained stationed at the door.

Seeing this, Chen Jing began to browse the surrounding stalls.

As he walked, one stall caught his eye.

Unlike other stalls cluttered with miscellaneous items, this one had various books stacked neatly, yet there were very few onlookers.

Chen Jing stepped forward and realized they were all martial arts manuals.

The stall owner glanced up at Chen Jing and said, "Feel free to browse, but only partial content is available. If you find something you like, you can make an offer to buy it, and I will provide the full volume."

Chen Jing nodded and began to flip through them, scanning book after book—various fist techniques, leg techniques, and movement arts; there was a wide variety.

But these were not what he wanted.

"Do you have anything that... increases Qi and blood quickly?"

After looking around, Chen Jing asked tentatively.

The stall owner was slightly stunned, gave Chen Jing a deep look, and then reached under the table to pull out three thin booklets.

Five Harms Technique, Blood Coagulation Technique, Blood Control Scripture.

"Young man, let me be clear: these types of techniques are all evil arts. They are fast, yes, but the price is steep. Qi deviation, backlash to the tendons and bones, blood corruption... all of these can happen. If you ruin yourself practicing them, I won't be held responsible."

"That goes without saying."

Chen Jing replied casually, though a surge of excitement rose in his heart.

After quickly flipping through the three books, Chen Jing determined that the Five Harms Technique offered the fastest improvement with the highest cost, making it the most suitable technique for him.

Setting the other two manuals aside, Chen Jing pointed to the Five Harms Technique and asked, "How much for this one?"

The stall owner replied indifferently, "Three taels of silver."

"Five hundred wen."

Chen Jing haggled without hesitation.

"Deal!"

The stall owner agreed almost immediately and broke into a grin, his yellow teeth visible beneath his half-mask looking quite startling. Fearing Chen Jing might go back on his word, he immediately pulled out the complete Five Harms Technique and shoved it into his hands.

Looking at the complete Five Harms Technique in his hand, Chen Jing was momentarily stunned.

That easy?

Just a moment ago, Chen Jing thought he had been too ruthless with his bargaining, but he hadn't expected he had actually offered too much!

"Young hero, if you want other techniques in the future, feel free to come find this old man. I set up shop here all year round."

Seeing the manual sold successfully, the stall owner's attitude did a complete one-hundred-and-eighty-degree turn. His address for Chen Jing upgraded from "young man" to "young hero," his tone full of cheer.

Since the technique was in hand, Chen Jing didn't say much more and turned to leave the stall.

Arriving back by the small hut, he happened to see Zhuang Tao coming out.

"Junior brother, did you buy anything good?"

Zhuang Tao looked at Chen Jing and asked with a chuckle.

Chen Jing shook his head and replied, "Nothing much, I mostly just wanted to broaden my horizons."

"I see. Next time we come to the Ghost Market, I'll help you keep an eye out."

Zhuang Tao looked up at the night sky and said, "Right, it's getting late. Let's head back."

"Mm."

Chen Jing agreed, and they walked out of the Ghost Market.

The journey was silent until they reached the West City Gate, where they bid each other goodnight and went their separate ways home.

Returning home, Chen Jing saw Chen Sanwu still fast asleep and carefully lit a candle.

They were always reluctant to use candles at home, but today was different; now that the Five Harms Technique was in his possession, he had to study it immediately.

Under the flickering candlelight, Chen Jing unfolded the thin booklet.

The content on the first page made his heart jolt: This technique uses secret methods to forcibly widen the channels of Qi and blood, causing them to surge at high speed. The rate of condensing Qi and blood is five times that of ordinary methods.

Cultivated to minor success, one can accumulate Qi and blood to detonate in an instant, erupting with several times the combat power.

However, the technique is accompanied by corrosive Sha Qi that flows with the blood, eroding the internal organs. Minor cases result in a shortened lifespan, while severe cases lead to death.

Chen Jing read the entire booklet from start to finish, then flipped back to the line about the five-fold increase in the speed of condensing Qi and blood. He tapped his fingertip against it lightly, while a dangerous light gradually ignited in his eyes.

Five times the blood-qi condensation speed.

It could even be detonated to trigger a brief, explosive surge in blood-qi.

And the price was merely the corrosion of one's internal organs?

To others, this was an evil art with a devastating cost... but to him, it was a heaven-sent opportunity.

Because he possessed the Exemption Bead, the so-called price was nothing more than a passing cloud!

He was determined to master this cultivation technique.