Chapter 32: New Yearâs Eve Party
Translator: 549690339
They all sat down together and started chatting while eating.
Ning Yueâs culinary skills had progressed remarkably since before.
After tasting todayâs dishes, Luo Luo praised them repeatedly, and even Wei Zhengqing nodded, agreeing with Luo Luoâs opinion.
This made Ning Yue a bit embarrassed and he kept attributing the success to Lin Jingâs merits.
At the table, Ning Yue inquired about Wei Zhengqingâs recent circumstances.
Wei Zhengqing spoke at length.
Only then did Lin Jing learn that Wei Zhengqing often frequented the black market.
Lin Jingâs eyes suddenly lit up.
âBrother Wei, Iâve inadvertently obtained a Black Market Token, but I am unsure whether itâs authentic or fake. I was hoping you could take a look for me,â he said.
As he spoke, Lin Jing took the Black Market Token out of his Storage Bag and handed it to Wei Zhengqing.
Wei Zhengqing took the Token and then examined it carefully.
Soon, Wei Zhengqing finished his examination and returned the Token to Lin Jing without asking where Lin Jing had acquired it from.
He nodded and said,
âThis Token is real.â
After that, Wei Zhengqing posed another question, âBrother Lin, have you never been to the black market before?â
Lin Jing nodded in response, âYes, I acquired this Token by chance and donât even know what the black market looks like.â
âThe black marketâ¦â
âUnlike the Fang Market, itâs filled with all sorts, selling both the good and the sinister. However, it predominantly deals in goods that canât see the light of day.â
âAs such, itâs even more secretive, and ordinary people canât get in even if they have a Token.â
âThen how does one enter?â
âTo enter the black market, just having a Token isnât enough. You also need someone to lead you, otherwise, you wonât even be able to find the entrance,â he explained.
After speaking, Wei Zhengqing looked at Lin Jing and asked,
âDo you wish to enter the black market?â
âYes,â Lin Jing nodded.
âI want to buy some Magic Artifacts and Cultivation Techniques. Iâve searched many places, but havenât found anything satisfactory. Thatâs why I thought of trying the black market.â
In truth, this was only part of the reason; more importantly, Lin Jing wanted to sell Elixir Medicine through the black market.
As Wei Zhengqing had described, the black market was known for dealing in items that couldnât withstand the light of day and maintained strict confidentiality, which was perfectly suited for Lin Jingâs current situation.
Especially having experienced the incident with the man in black, Lin Jing became even more cautiousâselling more Elixir Medicine would make him a target for similar situations again.
He couldnât simply stop selling Elixir Medicine.
Therefore, finding a safe method to sell Elixir Medicine was of utmost importance.
Wei Zhengqing thought for a moment in silence.
âIndeed, the Fang Market has a variety of Magical Treasures and Cultivation Techniques, some of which may even be much cheaper than outside for certain reasons. However, itâs best not to practice these as itâs easy to offend certain powers,â he said.
Instantly, Lin Jing understood that these must have been techniques that circulated from various families and sects.
âAre you sure you want to go to the black market?â
âIf you want to enter, I can take you there,â Wei Zhengqing repeated, seeking confirmation from Lin Jing.
Lin Jing nodded, âThen Iâll have to trouble Brother Wei when the time comes.â
âAlright, after these few days pass, Iâll take you there to have a look,â Wei Zhengqing promised.
âThank you, Brother Wei. â
âNo need,â Wei Zhengqing replied.
Afterward, everyone continued.
Ning Yue even brought out a jar of Spiritual Wine and poured some for the two of them.
As they drank their rounds, Wei Zhengqing, unlike before, opened up and started to chat with Ning Yue.
Lin Jing listened quietly on the side.
Meanwhile, the little girl was enjoying her meal thoroughly.
After listening for a while, Lin Jing came to know.
It turned out that Ning Yue and Luo Luoâs father had come from the same place as Wei Zhengqing, and they had arrived at Nanshan Market together at the beginning.
No wonder they were so close to each other.
âDo you really not plan to go back?â Wei Zhengqing asked Ning Yue.
âI donât know, I donât even know how to face them,â Ning Yue replied.
Ning Yueâs eyebrows were tightly furrowed, her eyes reflecting a complex expression, as she shook her head.
Lin Jing remained silent, quietly listening to the conversation between the two.
He could tell that Ning Yue seemed to be in a dilemma. Wei Zhengqingâs brows also creased as he said,
âBut you canât keep going on like this.ân/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
âWhat about Luo Luo? You canât possibly take care of her for a lifetime, can you?â
As Wei Zhengqing reached this point, he stared intently at Ning Yue, then continued,
âBrother Su has already passed away and canât come back. Staying here isnât a solution either. Even if not for yourself, you have to think about Luo Luo.â
âShe lacks a Spiritual Root and is simply not suited for staying here. Back with the clan, she might have a better life.â
Luo Luo, whose full name was Su Xinluo, was the biological daughter of Brother Su, mentioned by Wei Zhengqing.
Ning Yue was silent, knowing all too well that returning to the clan was indeed the best option for Luo Luo.
Yet, when she had snuck out back then, she had caused so much trouble for her parents.
Now, she simply could not face her family with any semblance of dignity.
âRemaining here is never a long-term plan, especially now with the Demonic Beats constantly causing chaos, and even Fang Market becoming more and more unsafe.â
âI think if Brother Su were alive, he wouldnât want this for you.â Wei Zhengqing finished speaking.
Then he picked up his cup from the table and drained it in one gulp.
Lin Jing also fell silent, knowing this was not the time to interject. After a long pause, it was Luo Luo who broke the oppressive atmosphere.
âMother, Uncle Wei, Uncle Lin.â
âCome on, try this; Motherâs cooking has really improved, almost half as good as Uncle Lin now.â
âBrother Wei, Daoist Ning,â Lin Jing reminded them.
âAlright, letâs eat.â
Ning Yue temporarily composed herself.
And after a moment of silence, Wei Zhengqing spoke,
âTo stay or to leave, thatâs your decision to make.â
âDonât worry, even if you choose to stay here, as long as Iâm around, I will never fail Brother Suâs trust and will protect you and Luo Luo.â
Having said that, Wei Zhengqing seemed to be hit by the effects of the wine.
He lifted his cup towards Lin Jing and said,
âBrother Lin, no retreat until weâre drunk, how about it?â
âGood.â
Lin Jing lifted his cup, clinked it against Wei Zhengqingâs, and then drank it all down.
As Lin Jing and Wei Zhengqing were enjoying their drinks,
In the courtyard diagonally across from them, Zhang Sen and Zhang Lin, the two brothers, were in a pitch-black room.
The room lacked even the glow of an oil lamp, completely dark, in stark contrast to the brightly lit opposite side. âCough⦠cough coughâ¦â
Zhang Sen couldnât stop coughing in the room.
âBig brother, how are you feeling?
Zhang Lin hurried to Zhang Senâs side and gently patted his back, trying to make him feel a little better.
âIâm fine.â
Zhang Sen gestured for Zhang Lin to stop his patting.
âThose people from Qianjinfang are too ruthless, injuring you so badly.â Zhang Lin said resentfully.
âItâs inevitable, they are from Qianjinfang, with Foundation Establishment masters backing them, and we canât afford to provoke them.â âThese days, Iâve been thinking, we might have been tricked.â
âThe entire thing was probably a trap set by Qianjinfang, first baiting us to gamble, allowing us to win, then slowly sinking us deeper in, until weâre completely bankrupt at the end.â
As if aggravating his wounds, Zhang Sen clenched his teeth and frowned, then said,
âBut knowing this now, what can we do? We still owe Qianjinfang several hundred Spirit Stones; they definitely wonât let us off until we repay them..â