The night breeze gently stroked, and the tall reeds rustled.
Moonlight like silver poured onto the quiet lake, causing the tips of the reed leaves to emit a faint blue glow.
The tranquility was quietly broken.
Underwater, specks of faint light glowed, growing clearer within a dozen breaths as palm-sized fish swam upwards from the lakebed, their ghostly blue tails breaking the water surface, forming ripples of dark blue that wove into a flowing star map.
"Interesting... Follow the fish."
Su Mu’s eyes flashed with a hint of surprise, his ears moved slightly. With heightened senses, he could hear an extremely subtle rhythm, difficult for an ordinary person to catch, which was precisely the rhythm guiding the fish to surface from the depths of the lake and swimming in a certain direction.
The school of fish led the way, parting the layers of reeds.
As they reached the depths, even the reeds one-zhang tall couldn’t hide the massive form.
A nine-zhang ship resembling a giant whale lay silently among the reeds, entirely black as ink. The bow was forged into the shape of a whale swallowing waves. In the moonlight, the whale’s eyes embedded with two luminous pearls glowed faintly, seeming almost alive.
"Do you have a pass?"
Soon, a boatman wearing a ghost mask came rowing a small boat. Su Mu, prepared, also wore a mask, it was a White Ape Mask, he shook his head.
"Without a pass, one must pay thirty taels to board."
The boatman’s voice was hoarse. Su Mu, having visited many black markets, knew the rules and understood that the power capable of maintaining such a ship was by no means simple. Without further ado, he handed over thirty taels and boarded the small boat.
On the small boat, Su Mu sniffed a peculiar fishy scent wafting from the large ship.
"The Black Whale is made entirely of ironwood over three hundred years old and various rare metals, extremely solid, esteemed guests need not worry."
Seeing Su Mu examining the Black Whale, the boatman spoke timely.
Upon hearing this, Su Mu’s heart stirred, noting the boatman’s final words about not worrying.
"Is there some danger in these waters?"
Su Mu surveyed the surroundings without revealing emotion, finally focusing on the calm lake water, recalling hearing about the Cyan Fish Gang’s Young Master eliminating river bandits a few days prior.
"Indeed, many supplies in Donglai County rely extensively on water transport. With numerous river routes nearby, it’s likely they’re on guard against river bandits."
Boarding the large ship, Su Mu noticed that the Black Whale was inscribed with many patterns similar to inscriptions, with a faint, barely noticeable glow flowing through its entirety.
"Inscriptions, array patterns... The hull is also coated with something, should be material from a demon beast, truly a grand gesture."
Su Mu mentally noted, feeling a bit dazed. The Black Whale dwarfed any black market hidden in the desolate mountains and wilds seen in the Land of Cyan Clouds and was comparable to a modern cruise ship he knew from a previous life.
Upon boarding, the ship was two-tiered. The second tier required an invitation and a Black Whale Order to enter, granted by two mysterious black market principals.
The ship was adorned with silk curtains swaying gently. Numerous maidservants holding food and wine weaved through, making Su Mu inwardly marvel that even in ancient times, those in power indulged in lavish excess.
A maidservant carrying food and wine approached, but Su Mu shook his head, refusing to partake. Though unlikely tampered with, better cautious than sorry.
Su Mu wandered the first tier of the black market, which though was the first tier still held plenty of treasures, Grade-Entering Elixirs, Treasure Artifacts, Demon Beast materials, various Dharma Gate secret manuals, and even a few demon beast cubs unavailable elsewhere.
"Roar, roar!"
A wolf-shaped demon beast cub in chains emitted a low growl, repeatedly crashing into its iron cage. Su Mu only glanced with interest at the cubs within but did not intend to buy.
The captured and sold demon beast cubs were mainly Lower Three Grades; Su Mu merely observed without a desire to purchase.
Based on information from the boatman, each black market event held on the Black Whale lasted three nights. Tonight’s attendance was sparse. After a general perusal, Su Mu gauged the prices of elixirs, treasure artifacts, and demon beast blood.
The first tier lacked the demon beast blood Su Mu needed, though there were several sixth-grade martial arts secret manuals, nearly all incomplete.
"The good stuff is likely on the second tier; I need to acquire a Black Whale Order next time."
Su Mu viewed the first tier, then settled a spot, took out a piece of wood, and began inscribing: Selling Bone Strengthening Pills, various treasure artifacts, wine.
Bone Strengthening Pills were used in Bone Forging, with martial artists being numerous in the world, and Donglai County was no exception. These pills, though common, were practical.
After a short wait, a man wearing a black ox mask and of lean build arrived.
"How much for the Bone Strengthening Pills?"
"One hundred taels per pill, one thousand taels for ten in a bottle, not sold individually."
In the black market, attendees were diverse, many with blood on their hands and likely a few ruthless individuals who found it inconvenient to visit Donglai County or openly purchase elixirs at the Pill Cauldron Pavilion, often opting for the black market instead.
In addition, many mysterious elixirs chose to sell at the black market. Su Mu knew the Bone Strengthening Pills he crafted were of average quality and didn’t want to spend much time on them, selling them slightly below market price.
"I need to inspect the goods."
"You may."
Without a word, Su Mu handed over a bottle of Bone Strengthening Pills. The man with the black ox mask opened the lid, poured out a pill, scrutinized, sniffed, then nodded.
"I’ll take three bottles."
The man with the black ox mask contemplated before producing a stack of silver notes, completing the transaction quickly and departing, with more inquiries following.
"How much for the blade?"
"Nine-grade for one thousand taels, eighth-grade for three thousand five hundred taels a piece."
Eighth-grade Treasure Artifacts were rare in Qingyun City but not uncommon in Donglai County. Likewise, the estimated value of these weapons was likely lower in Ancient Qingzhou County, hence Su Mu planned to sell them in Donglai County.
The value of standard eighth-grade blades and swords typically fluctuated between the equivalent of thirty to fifty same-grade elixirs. A higher-grade weapon was valued at three times that of a lower grade.
For instance, if an eighth-grade Bone Strengthening Pill was valued at one hundred taels, then a standard eighth-grade blade’s worth would be between three thousand to five thousand taels. Conversely, defensive types or heavy weapons like spears, axes, and hammers, which used more material, or special tools like Pill Furnaces, would be priced higher.
Whereas if the weapon was a seventh-grade blade, its value ranged between nine thousand to fifteen thousand taels.
"If the Red Flame Spear were sold, its estimated value would be over thirty thousand taels, even higher with Fire Sparrow Blood."
After several days of probing and browsing Donglai County’s black market, Su Mu concluded, aware that his estimation for lower-grade blades might not directly apply to middle-grade weapons, but he could still speculate.
"I’ll take this blade."
A man wearing a white sheep mask hesitated a while before finally purchasing a piece. Many lingered at the stall, with some purchasing elixirs, others inquiring about weapons, and most hesitating briefly before leaving. As for the ten jars of wine, they attracted no interest.
"If unsold, I’ll buy them myself."
Su Mu noted inwardly, already planning to keep the wine for himself, not informing Li Lu.
Time ticked by, the fifteen bottles of Bone Strengthening Pills sold first, earning fifteen thousand taels, followed by two ninth-grade, three eighth-grade blades sold, totaling twenty-seven thousand five hundred taels.
Outside the ship, the night gradually faded. People began packing up and leaving. Su Mu earned just over twenty thousand taels, although still short of the thirty thousand taels costs, it was close enough.
"Hold on..."
A hurried female voice suddenly came.
About to pack up contentedly and leave, Su Mu paused slightly and looked up.
Footsteps approached swiftly; a lady wearing a spirit bird mask and dressed in an elegant cyan gown walked briskly, a faint fragrance suffusing the air as her gown swayed.
The woman squatted by the stall, her fingers brushing the clay-sealed wine jars.
"May I taste this wine?"