Dark Moon Era

Black market? A trader? And what a strange badge!

Tang Ling showed an appropriate curiosity towards all this. He knew nothing about this and there was no reason for him to feign intelligence. The curiosity he showed was perfectly timed and sincere as well, so it was easy to win one’s trust.

Tony expected Tang Ling’s curiosity. If this fresh young boy knew about the existence of the black market, he would not be so cautious like before.

Of course, Tang Ling’s honesty won Tony’s fondness.

So, Tony explained to him quickly, “The black market is the underground market! It has all kinds of reasons to exist within Safety Sector No. 17. So, why do you think it exists, my dear little sir?”

“You can just call me Tang.” Tang Ling was uncomfortable with how Tony addressed him, so he simply gave the man a nickname.

There was no reason to conceal his true name either. If the black market really existed, his identity as a New Moon Warrior and the special traits of his Dong Sheng Continent bloodline would give him away easily.

“Okay then, Tang.” Tony smirked and walked over without saying any more. Instead, he took some files out of his battle uniform, which felt like a pocket dimension of some sort, and gave it to Tang Ling.

“After you’ve gone through it, destroy it.”

It’s still confidential? Tang Ling accepted the file, and when he opened it, he saw a very detailed map with 12 red markers labeled on it.

The red markers were distributed across many spots between the inner and the outer city. Every single spot was inconspicuous; some were food stalls while some were inns.

There were even corresponding secret codes and who to find at each of the markers on the map. These were, without a doubt, the methods to enter the so-called underground black market.

“As a trader, my mission is to search for potential candidates to join the black market. Although the deals and trades there must never see the day of light and things might be a little bit more expensive, we assure you convenience and secrecy. Of course, whenever the situation or time isn’t convenient, we can also deal outside the black market, like what we are doing now. However, the deals outside the black market must have a location set beforehand, and a special trademarking is used to locate each other. Otherwise, relying on coincidence out here would be ridiculous.”

Tang Ling did not answer. He quickly memorized all the contents of the map and then lit a fire to destroy the map.

“Tang, aren’t you interested in the black market? Do know that…” Shock colored Tony’s face.  Even a Purple Moon Warrior needs the black market sometimes, let alone a New Moon Warrior. What’s up with this Tang boy?

“Oh, I burned it because I remember everything.” Tang Ling stopped Tony with his nonchalant explanation. He was not uninterested. In fact, it was quite the opposite as his interest in the black market was even higher than before.

Still, he had some niggling doubts in his mind.

“Y-You’ve remembered all of it?” Tony was even more surprised than before. No wonder he can become a New Moon Warrior! His memories must surpass a common man’s!

“Yeah, why don’t you test me?” There was a sense of satire in Tang Ling’s words.

Tony shook his head repeatedly. “I’m just jealous of your talent. Rather than wasting time talking crap, why not we talk about the deal?”

As a trader, Tony was dutiful and always wanted to bring the conversation back on track. At the same time, he also revealed something about himself. He was extremely interested in the spoils on Tang Ling’s back.

Tang Ling was not in a hurry though as he asked, “How many items are there in the black market? Are the things you’ve got the best the black market has to offer?”

“How is that even possible? What I’ve got are, at best, above average. The only quality good I’ve got right now is that Wolf Crunch that you tried earlier. It’s also just to attract a Purple Moon Warrior’s interest. What I’m trying to say is that I might get lucky and run into a Purple Moon Warrior who wants to make some underground deals.”

Wordlessly, Tang Ling gave a cigarette to Tony. Compared to that old fox, Quark, Tony’s business ethics were rather honest. At least, he revealed something about himself that allowed Tang Ling to evaluate the value of the goods before trading for the first time.

“Hmm, it seems like there are many excellent things in the black market.” Tang Ling lit a cigarette for himself.

Tony also lit his cigarette in delight as he praised Tang Ling’s generosity. “That’s absolutely correct. That Wolf Crunch is also of low grade among the quality goods. If you are in the black market and not outside here in the wild, you’d be able to have a look at the true high-grade stuff such as the superalloy and… genetic drugs, cell-altering drugs…” Tony lowered his voice as he whispered mysteriously to Tang Ling.

Tang Ling’s heart raced faster. All the things that Tony mentioned were… outrageous!

Aside from the superalloy, the genetic drugs and the cell-altering drugs alone had magical effects.

At his current stage, his authority only granted him access to limited information, but he also knew that among those two drugs, the genetic drugs could change one’s body and go beyond the limits of the body while cell-altering drugs were super healing medicines.

However, Tang Ling did not want to reveal his emotions. Those who never seen quality goods would also suffer losses in trading.

So, he took a light puff from his cigarette and said without showing concern, “Is that so?”

Tony could not help but wonder if he missed out on the birth of some important son or descendant of some big family. It had been six months since he went back to Safety Sector No. 17, hence he was unfamiliar with Tang Ling.

Of course, Tony’s speculation was not entirely wrong. Tang Ling, who bore the title of Su Yao’s nephew might not be the descendant or son of some big family, but his status was similar.

Tony’s speculation increased his enthusiasm for Tang Ling, so he responded, “Of course, although the high-grade quality goods will only be shown during the underground auction, you can also try your luck at other times. Who knows? You might be lucky enough and find yourself a great deal.”

“Alright then. I’m interested in the deal you’ve suggested, but I am worried about something. Do you know the rules of the Hope Barrier? No matter what kind of spoils we get, we have to bring it back to the Hope Barrier and they will take a certain portion based on the value. Then, we are only given the rest. So, if I trade my spoils with you, I’ll also…” Tang Ling shook his head as he spoke, feigning a pitiful look.

His meaning was obvious. ‘If I make a deal with you, whatever I get will also be noticed by the Hope Barrier, so why would I go to such an extent to strike a deal with you? Besides, it would be difficult to explain how I got the weapons.’

Indeed, Tang Ling went out to fight with monsters, so why would he get weapons as spoils? Did he kill someone?

It was the problem that troubled Tang Ling the most. If the black market could solve it for him, he would not have to worry about his spoils anymore.

“Hahahaha, the black market has got that covered! Dear Tang, have you ever heard of a saying from the old Huaxianese: ‘clear water has no fish’? Here, take this! When you get back to the Hope Barrier, you’ll find it easier when you check the spoils.”

Tony took a black badge out and winked at Tang Ling.