Chapter 84: Hundred Days Bath Book, Big Profits on the Black Market (Seeking First Order)
At the eastern entrance of Blackwater Harbor, a diverse mix of people from all walks of life gather.
This is the "black market".
"Every mountain and river has its owner. If we're talking about it, my beast is 'black market goods,' not something I can openly sell. So I have no choice but to come to the black market!"
A corner of the black market.
There was an inconspicuous little stall where Li Xian spread a cloth bag on the ground and sat down. Tiger skins, tiger teeth, tiger bones, deer antlers, and other game items were neatly arranged in front of him.
The black market is unchecked and unregulated, with rampant overcharging and rip-offs frequently occurring.
But the authenticity of Li Xian's tiger skin and tiger bones is immediately obvious; they cannot be faked at all and are truly top-quality goods!
Therefore, it did not take long before buyers came up to inquire about the price.
"Young man, your tiger skin looks pretty authentic."
The buyer was a servant of a wealthy family. He touched the tiger skin, feeling the tiger fur, and his face lit up with delight; his master was sure to like it.
"Nine hundred coins," Li Xian said bluntly.
A genuine tiger skin can be sold for as little as two or three ounces. However, if a small-time buyer or a bargain hunter asks for a high price, the buyer will immediately accuse you of stealing a tiger. Not only will you not be able to sell it, but you will also bring trouble upon yourself.
Therefore, on the black market, tiger skins are priced at only around "nine hundred coins".
“Nine hundred coins…” the buyer said, “That’s a bit expensive, I’ll take it for eight hundred coins.”
"After all, I don't know where you got this thing. If someone sees it and wants to hold you accountable, hehe, you'll be in big trouble."
Li Xian remained unfazed by the intimidation and calmly replied, "Eight hundred and fifty coins."
"Okay."
This was the course of negotiations.
The first sum of money arrived. Li Xian weighed the copper coins in his hand, feeling quite pleased.
"With these 850 coins, I will have two taels of silver."
Li Xian remained calm and composed, waiting for the guests to arrive.
Animal pelts were the most sought-after items, and people kept asking about prices. During this time, several people, seeing that Li Xian was very young, made threatening remarks, intending to force Li Xian to sell at a low price.
Li Xian remained unmoved, despite several attempts to pull and tug at him.
Tiger skin, leopard skin, and deer skin were all sold, earning a total of two taels of silver.
In addition, animal bones and claws are also highly sought after.
An hour later, the beasts in the stall were all gone, and he had five taels of money on him.
My pockets are full, and I'm in a great mood.
"Money can make the devil turn the millstone."
"Money is of utmost importance!"
Although Li Xian rarely left the village, he was perceptive and knew that without money, everything was difficult, while with money, everything was easy. He was overjoyed whenever money came in.
Seeing that it was still early, he strolled around the black market, looking for anything he might need.
The black market has a lot of miscellaneous items.
There were vendors selling game, weapons, and martial arts techniques. However, these items were priced extremely high, deterring most people from buying them.
They are also very easy to be scammed.
Instead, take a look at smaller items, such as jade, emeralds, porcelain, and so on. Although there are many fakes and varying quality, you might actually find some good stuff.
"Um?"
Li Xian suddenly stopped and looked at a black mud figure.
The clay figure was endearing and uniquely shaped, but what truly caught Li Xian's attention was its material and color.
It bears an 80% resemblance to the black lion in front of the "Blackwater Gang".
"How much is this?" Li Xian asked.
"Two ounces each."
The stall owner was a skinny man with a large black mole near his mouth and large hands and feet.
It must have been salvaged by fishermen from the vicinity of the Blackwater River, who are excellent swimmers.
"You're obsessed with money! Even if this little clay figure were worth a hundred coins, I'd still think it's too much!" Li Xian cursed, and started to leave.
The fisherman's eyes lit up. "Young master, young master, please wait."
"I think you're a good match, so I'll sell it to you for a hundred coins, just a hundred coins?"
Li Xian sneered: "Looks like it's not even worth a hundred coins. Twenty coins, are you selling or not?"
"Sell! Sell!" the fisherman exclaimed with delight. "I'll sell it for twenty coins."
He was originally a fisherman on the river, fishing along its banks. A few days ago, he caught this creature and, finding its craftsmanship unusual, decided to try his luck at the black market.
Unexpectedly, it actually sold.
Li Xian didn't know what it was for, but he bought it as a novelty.
...
After that, Li Xian continued to wander around, but did not make a move easily.
As the afternoon drew to a close and Li Xian was about to head home, something else caught his eye.
It was a tattered book. The cover was torn, the paper was a dull yellow, and there were rat teeth marks on it.
This item was inconspicuous on the black market. Li Xian, being observant and casually browsing, noticed it.
He remained calm, picked it up, and began to peruse it. He was overjoyed.
The cover of this item is tattered, and it's impossible to tell what it contains.
But upon closer inspection of the book's contents, it turns out to be a book on "medicinal bath recipes."
It is called "Hundred Days Bath".
Though not high-grade, it is very effective. Gather mountain herbs and brew them into a medicinal soup. Soak it for a hundred days, and you will gain a bit more strength, toughen your muscles and bones, and strengthen your flesh and blood each day.
After 100 consecutive days…
The medicinal bath method then loses its effectiveness.
Li Xian glanced at the vendor and saw his smug expression. He was clearly quite confident in the product. If Li Xian asked the price, he would definitely be driven up. These black market merchants were the best at taking advantage of others.
On a sudden inspiration, he decided to do the opposite.
He spat and said, "Pah, what a load of crap." He then turned to look at the other objects.
"Sir, you don't know its value, do you?" The vendor looked around and whispered, "This is a medicinal bath recipe. Look, the book says 'Hundred-Day Bath,' it's a treasure for martial artists!"
"Ptooey! Ptooey! Ptooey!"
Upon hearing this, Li Xian was secretly delighted. This merchant was clearly illiterate; although he knew the words "hundred-day bath," he couldn't understand the true meaning of the book.
“This is a hundred-day foot bath, it’s about washing feet,” Li Xian said. “Who would buy this stuff to wash people’s feet? Hahaha, that’s hilarious.”
The vendor looked grim, his face filled with surprise and doubt. He examined the tattered book repeatedly, but since he couldn't read all the characters, it was all in vain.
“Your jade is not bad.” Li Xian picked up the yellow jade next to him casually. “This kind of thing is just passable. As for this book, I would be happy to give it to you as firewood.”
"How much is this jade? I quite like it." Li Xian deliberately showed his fondness.
The vendor's eyes darted around, and he said, "Sir, this jade and the book come together. If you want to buy them, you have to buy them together. Otherwise... I won't sell you the jade."
"Are you kidding me!" Li Xian said angrily.
"That's the way it is, take it or leave it," the vendor shrugged.
"I give up," Li Xian said. "Give me one tael of silver, along with the jade and the book. Take it or leave it."
"Okay, okay, okay."
The vendor chuckled.
After paying, Li Xian spat and pretended to be annoyed as he left. Once outside the black market, he hid the "Hundred-Day Bath" under his clothes, treating it as a precious treasure.
"Martial arts are scarce."
"Medicinal bath methods are even rarer!"
"Commander Pang once told me that there is a method of medicinal bathing that can give one the body of a dragon and tiger, making one fierce and awe-inspiring, and enviable. This hundred-day bath has a mild medicinal effect that increases every day, and it will be of great use to me in my current situation!"
As for the yellow jade, it would make a nice ornament.
One tael of silver, what a huge profit!
It was nearly dusk when Li Xian left the port. Passing by the "human-shaped flag," he couldn't help but look up again, marveling at the Blackwater Gang's power while secretly reminding himself to be extremely careful in his actions.
"Today's harvest was good; it's time to head back."
Li Xian bought two baskets of steamed buns.
He ate while it was still hot, hurrying back. His steps were light, and he was already far away in no time.
...
...
On the other hand...
Uncle Fu led seven or eight men on the road back to the village.
Old Niu was sold to a restaurant, and in front of Uncle Fu, he was slaughtered by the butcher. Before he died, he mooed twice at Uncle Fu and left behind a tear.
Then...
The butcher cut the old ox into eight pieces.
The hide and hair were removed, and the cow's blood was drained. The meat was weighed out, converted into money, and handed over to Uncle Fu.
When the money arrived, Uncle Fu was stunned.
An old companion that had been with me for so long has now become a cold, lifeless copper coin.
Until they bought bags of coarse yellow millet.
A slight smile appeared on his face.
"It's good that we have rice, it's good that we have rice."
"At least we can survive."
Uncle Fu wiped away his tears and told everyone to carry the coarse rice, as this was a task for the whole village.
Just then, a whistle rang out.
"Guys, grab your weapons!"
(End of this chapter)
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