Enter the black market, strange and bizarre items (6000)

"Is there a problem?" Cao Xing asked.

The female manager of the money shop shook her head. "No… no problem…"

"The money shop where I work has a very sufficient reserve of crowns…"

Cao Xing chuckled. "Very good, then go get it for me now."

"Um…"

Natalie replied softly.

Then she crouched down and picked up the notes on the ground one by one.

She held the notes in her arms and said softly.

"Please wait a moment… I will go right away."

Just then, Cao Xing's voice rang out from behind her.

"What should you call me?"

The female manager's body trembled. She turned around and said respectfully, "Master… I will go right away."

Cao Xing nodded with satisfaction after hearing this.

"Go."

At the same time, the woman felt relieved and walked gracefully toward the door.

Just as she was about to leave, a small black device popped out of Cao Xing's hand and stuck to her collar.

He also placed a small communication device under the bed in the room and next to the vanity table.

This would allow him to monitor her in real-time.

As long as this woman had any disloyal thoughts, Cao Xing would extinguish her soul without hesitation.

Thus silencing her.

Sarah, who was beside him, saw this series of actions by Cao Xing and knew that this woman could no longer stir up any trouble.

Meanwhile, Cao Xing pressed the device on his ear and listened patiently.

However, Natalie didn't seem to have any such intentions.

After getting the notes, she hurried to start the exchange procedures.

During this time, she also contacted many people. It seemed the amount to be withdrawn was too large and required verification from many others.

But this woman had some ability and managed to handle all those people.

After waiting for a full half hour, all the procedures were finally completed.

Soon, several attendants from the money shop carried several large boxes into the room on the second floor.

These attendants seemed to know what was inside, and their eyes were filled with shock.

They had worked here for so many years and it was the first time they had encountered a client who withdrew so much money at once.

If it weren't for Earl Winston depositing a batch of funds into the money shop recently, they really wouldn't have been able to produce so much cash at once.

The attendants looked at Cao Xing in the room curiously.

But they also knew that someone who could withdraw so much money at once was not someone they could afford to offend.

After putting down the money boxes, they left quickly.

A moment later, only Cao Xing, Sarah, and the female manager remained in the room.

She knelt respectfully on the ground and said, "Master… everything you wanted is here."

"A total of 53 million, not a single coin less."

She was becoming more and more fluent in calling him Master now.

Cao Xing didn't take it away immediately, but asked, "Natalie, you've worked here for a year, what is your total income?"

Hearing this, the woman in front of him pondered for a moment.

She said softly, "About 100,000 to 300,000 crowns…"

"More than half of that is profit I earned by secretly operating for those nobles."

She was now willing to tell him everything, answering whatever Cao Xing asked truthfully.

Cao Xing nodded.

For this woman, being able to earn this kind of income in Merlind City was already considered a high-paying job.

You must know, a normal family's annual expenses were only about 20,000 to 30,000 crowns.

Cao Xing continued to ask, "Then what about the money you've earned over the years?"

Hearing this, Natalie, who was kneeling below, trembled.

She thought Cao Xing wasn't satisfied after taking so much money and was now eyeing her savings.

Natalie said with a conflicted expression, "Master, my savings over the years have all been used to treat my son's illness…"

"He suffers from a congenital disease and requires a large amount of crowns every year to buy those precious medicines."

"My husband passed away early, and I'm the only one who can take care of him…"

Cao Xing carefully observed the woman's expression, confirming she wasn't lying.

Therefore, Cao Xing said, "I'll leave one million of the money here for you."

Hearing this, the woman in front of him was shocked.

One million crowns, it would take her three years to earn that much money.

"This… Master…"

Cao Xing waved his hand and said, "It's nothing, consider it your hard-earned fee."

"I will come to you again later."

"As long as you work for me well, there will be no shortage of benefits for you."

After wielding the stick, he naturally had to offer a carrot.

Although Cao Xing said he wouldn't help the Church of Light, this woman had already signed a slave contract and naturally became his own person.

So giving her some benefits now would make it easier for her to work for him later.

Natalie didn't speak, a look of conflict appearing in her eyes.

Cao Xing didn't say anything more and put the large box of crowns directly into his backpack.

[Obtained: Coins * 52 million…]

At this moment, he couldn't help but curl his lips into a smile!

Obviously, this was the most crowns he had ever obtained at once.

Looking at his backpack, the number of coins was about to break through 60 million, and he felt so comfortable inside…

Meanwhile, there was still about one million crowns left in the box.

Then, Cao Xing said, "I will contact you later."

"If anything unexpected happens, go to the Woodpecker Chamber of Commerce and find Vice President Jess."

"Just say I asked you to find him."

After speaking, he took Sarah, along with Elisa and Renice at the door, and left.

At this moment, the woman knelt on the ground, looking at the 1 million crowns Cao Xing had left for her.

A complex look appeared in her eyes.

It was a look of being touched, yet somewhat humiliated, and also helpless.

Finally, she sighed and put all the money away.

…

…

It was already past three in the afternoon after leaving the Kadina Money Shop.

[Due to your generous gift, Natalie Scott's favorability has increased. Current favorability: Friendly]

Seeing the system prompt, a smile appeared on Cao Xing's lips again.

"Very good, the things I needed to do in Merlind City are basically done, and everything went very smoothly."

"Now I just need to wait until nightfall to go to the black market with Jess, and then I can return to the territory."

However, there was still an hour or two until the time he and Jess had agreed upon.

During this time, Cao Xing planned to take Sarah, Renice, and Elisa for a stroll in Merlind City.

The group of Wild Boar Warriors were arranged by Cao Xing to return to the tavern.

He also gave them some money so these soldiers could drink to their heart's content.

When Renice and the others heard that Cao Xing was going to take them to tour Merlind City, happy smiles appeared on their faces.

Elisa was even so excited that she was hopping around Cao Xing.

Along the way.

The three women lingered in front of various stalls.

Buying snacks from time to time, and looking at small accessories by the roadside.

Sometimes they would go to the shops in the city to look at clothes, jewelry, and so on.

And Master Cao, now carrying nearly 60 million in wealth, could be said to be rich and imposing.

As long as they saw something they liked.

He would wave his hand directly, Buy!

Of course, these women were only buying small trinkets, which didn't cost much.

Cao Xing also satisfied their shopping desires all at once.

It wasn't until past five in the afternoon, when the sky gradually darkened.

They showed satisfied smiles and left the bustling commercial district.

Cao Xing took them to a place in the South Gate area of Merlind City.

From afar, he saw a figure waiting ahead.

That figure was wearing a black coat, with a woodpecker pattern embroidered on the chest.

It was the merchant Jess.

Seeing Cao Xing, a look of joy immediately appeared on Jess's face.

"Brother Cao Xing, you are indeed very punctual."

Cao Xing smiled and said, "Lord Jess, sorry for the wait."

And this middle-aged man waved his hand, "It's nothing, I just arrived not long ago either."

"Then without further ado, shall we head to the black market in Merlind City now?"

It was clear that Jess was even more enthusiastic than Cao Xing about going to the black market.

And Cao Xing also chuckled, "No problem, Lord Jess."

"Let's go."

Under his guidance, the group continued to advance along the streets of the outer ring area of Merlind City.

Since it was almost six o'clock in the afternoon, the sky had completely darkened.

So the flow of people on the streets of Merlind City also decreased significantly at a speed visible to the naked eye.

And the further they went, the fewer people there were.

Soon, they arrived at a desolate area.

Meanwhile, Jess said, "Brother Cao Xing, we are almost there."

Cao Xing listened and slowly cast his gaze into the distance.

In front of him was a pitch-black scene.

In fact, the so-called black market was not the kind of place completely hidden underground as imagined.

It was located in a desolate place in the outer ring area of Merlind City.

The surroundings seemed to be shrouded in darkness, with no lights visible at all.

However, Cao Xing and his group now had astonishing eyesight, so they could easily see the surrounding scenery.

Ahead, stood a gloomy ancient castle.

The castle seemed to have many years of history; the walls were mottled, covered with various moss and vines, full of the atmosphere of time.

And inside the castle, the ground was overgrown with weeds.

Surrounded by a circle of spiked fences, there was only one iron gate to enter.

And just at this moment, two sharp and piercing bird calls suddenly came from above the iron gate!

"Caw — Caw —"

The sound was like a sharp blade cutting through the silence of the night.

Everyone looked up at the same time and saw a pitch-black crow standing on both the left and right sides of the iron gate!

Their feathers blended into the night, making it difficult to distinguish their existence with the naked eye.

Elisa opened her small mouth slightly, "Wow! What an ugly crow!"

Hearing this, the crow on the left immediately said in a hoarse voice, "Oh! Whose little girl is this, so rude, the God of Crows will punish her."

"Caw! Bird Two, you are right. Why don't we just snatch her away and offer her to the God of Crows!"

However, Elisa was not afraid at all.

"You can't snatch me away, because you can't beat me, bleh, bleh, bleh…"

After saying that, she even made a face.

The two crows looked at each other, "Bird One, this little girl is indeed stronger than us, what should we do?"

"Oh! You stupid Bird Two, how would I know what to do? Since we can't beat them, we should just pretend we didn't hear anything."

"Alright, Bird One, we certainly didn't hear anything…"

Hearing the conversation between these two birds, everyone couldn't help but smile, finding it quite amusing.

Jess turned around and said with a smile on his face, "Brother Cao Xing, this is the caretaker of the black market."

"You need an invitation to enter."

"Although I have an invitation with me, it can only admit one person at most… What do you think…"

Cao Xing nodded, "I understand."

He turned his head and said to the women.

"Sarah, Renice, Elisa, you all stay outside."

Hearing this, a trace of worry appeared in the eyes of the three women.

But they also knew that with Cao Xing's strength, nothing would go wrong.

So, they all nodded in unison.

Seeing this, Jess took a blood-colored envelope out of his pocket and held it directly above his head.

The raven on the right, called Bird Two, flapped its wings and flew over, snatched the envelope away, and then said.

"Invitation verified, entry permitted…"

"Creak—"

As the iron gate opened.

Jess chuckled, "Brother Cao Xing, let's go in."

Cao Xing nodded and then followed Jess inside.

After stepping inside the ancient castle.

It was still pitch black inside.

As if it were an atmosphere created on purpose.

Combined with the sub-zero temperature, it gave people an eerie and fearful feeling.

Seeming to know his confusion, Jess explained, "There is a rule here: there cannot be any light."

"Even we invitees cannot voluntarily carry anything that emits light."

"This is the long-standing rule of the black market, and everyone must abide by it."

Cao Xing nodded slightly, not paying it much mind.

Soon, they passed through the courtyard and arrived in front of a large building inside the castle.

Jess said, "Brother Cao Xing, this is the black market area."

"When you enter this building, you might encounter some strange things, so be mentally prepared."

"But you can rest assured that in the black market, fighting or attacking others is also prohibited."

"Once someone violates this, a mysterious power will appear to sanction those who break the rules."

Cao Xing replied, "I understand, Lord Jess, thank you for the explanation."

The merchant smiled and turned to push open the heavy door.

As the door slowly opened, a dark hall immediately appeared inside.

Just like outside, it was pitch black, unable to see one's own hand in front of one's face.

But thanks to Cao Xing's eyesight, he could vaguely see the crowd moving inside.

Those figures were wandering in the middle or along the edges of the hall, entering small rooms from time to time, and then coming back out.

It seemed they were, like Cao Xing, people here to hunt for treasures in the black market.

However, among them, some figures had a strange aura.

It seemed they were not human.

Cao Xing narrowed his eyes slightly.

It seemed this was what Jess referred to as the strange things in the black market.

Jess continued to explain, "Brother Cao Xing, the entire black market is divided into three levels."

"Look at those small rooms people are entering and leaving; each one is a shop."

"The higher the level of the room, the more precious the items inside are."

"What you can buy depends entirely on your own luck."

"On each level, everyone only has 5 chances to enter."

"And those who come out cannot tell others what is being sold inside."

Cao Xing frowned, "There's such a strange rule?"

Jess smiled, "Yes, but this rule is limited to our Merlind City."

"Black markets in other regions have different rules influenced by local policies."

Cao Xing nodded.

Jess said, "However, this is just a small black market in our Merlind City; the scale is not large, and in fact, it rarely has any good items."

"If you have the chance, go check out the Eternal Frost Main City; that black market is a true black market."

"It's much bigger than this."

"However, if you want the largest black market with the most treasures, it has to be the capital of the Orchid Kingdom, the City of Moon God!"

"Orchid Kingdom?" A look of confusion appeared in Cao Xing's eyes again.

Jess nodded.

Seeming to have hit upon a topic of interest, he appeared very talkative.

"Because the place where the Orchid Kingdom is located is near a ruin, and some precious treasures often appear in that ruin."

"A large number of gold diggers and treasure hunters from nearby kingdoms have gathered in the ruins of the Orchid Kingdom."

"And the things they dig out naturally need a channel to be sold."

"So the underground black market in the City of Moon God has become the place where these beings gather."

Cao Xing nodded in realization, keeping this place in mind.

After Jess explained some precautions, he said, "Brother Cao Xing, go ahead and browse on your own."

"I'm also going to try my luck to see if I can find some good things today."

"Alright."

Cao Xing replied casually, then parted ways with Jess.

Then, he strolled leisurely through the castle alone, continuing to observe the surrounding scene.

The castle was divided into three levels: upper, middle, and lower, with many small rooms on each level.

Some people walked out of the rooms with excitement in their eyes, as if they had bought something good.

Some people looked very frustrated after coming out.

Just as Jess said, what was being sold inside the rooms was unknown.

This uncertainty added the fun of opening a blind box.

Cao Xing casually pushed open a door and walked in.

The next moment, a dark room filled with the scent of blood came into view.

Cao Xing noticed that there were some wooden cabinets on both sides of the room,

and on the cabinets were rows of bottles and jars.

The jars contained some flowing liquid that looked like blood…

At the same time, Cao Xing also noticed a figure in the center of the room.

It was a young man with skin that was unnervingly pale.

He was sitting on a wooden chair, wearing a black cloak.

However, this man gave Cao Xing an uncomfortable feeling.

He glanced at him.

[Low-level Vampire: Edwin Miller]

[Race: Vampire]

[Level: 37 (Tier 4 Boss-level Creature)]

[HP: 67840/67840]

[Attack: 3021~3217]

[Skills: Blood Claw (Uses sharp claws to attack enemies and converts 50% of the damage dealt into their own HP.) Bloodthirst (Excites the body's craving for blood, increases attack power and movement speed by 40%, reduces armor by 40%, duration: 60 seconds, cooldown: 120 seconds) Blood Shadow Teleport (Consumes a certain amount of blood energy to turn into a blood shadow and instantly move forward a certain distance, cooldown: 30 seconds) Bat Transformation (When HP drops by every 10%, transforms into a swarm of bats; during this period, immune to all physical damage, duration: 20 seconds)]

[Talent: Low-level Vampire Bloodline (After death, revives with full HP once; this effect can be triggered once every 24 hours)]

(Description: A vampire hiding in human society…)

…

…

Cao Xing narrowed his eyes instantly.

This underground black market was indeed interesting.

He didn't expect that the first room he entered would be a low-level vampire.

This was the first time Cao Xing had encountered a creature like a vampire in this world.

Judging from the panel, this creature was really quite strong.

With built-in lifesteal, teleportation, and full-HP revival, it basically had no opponents at the same level.

At this moment, the vampire seemed to know that Cao Xing had seen through his identity.

But he didn't care.

Instead, he turned around slowly, and a smile gradually appeared beneath his pale face.

Sharp fangs were exposed, and this male vampire chuckled, "Guest, what would you like?"

Cao Xing asked, "What are you selling here?"

The man chuckled, "As you can see, there is plenty of fresh blood here."

"From infants' to children's, from virgins' to women's, I have it all…"

"These are my private collection of fine vintages."

"Of course, you can also buy them back to do some strange experiments."

After hearing this, Cao Xing shook his head directly, "Not interested."

The low-level vampire didn't say anything, but spoke very politely.

"Please feel free, guest."

Cao Xing turned around, walked straight to the door, and left the room.

Clang!

After the door closed, another figure entered the room.

Cao Xing sighed inwardly, "The things sold in this black market are truly bizarre; I didn't expect to run into a vampire in the very first room."

Then, he pushed open the second door.

The shopkeeper inside was actually a female undead.

Her body was floating, emitting a green ghostly light, and her facial features were hollow.

Her disheveled hair covered her face, looking somewhat creepy.

Then, she slowly opened her mouth, emitting that harsh and low voice unique to the undead.

"Guest, what would you like?"

"I have some small items with curses, potions that can turn people into ghosts, and the remains of some powerful beings…"

Cao Xing became interested upon hearing the names of these goods.

"I would like to see your goods."

The disheveled female undead gradually raised her head, and a strange smile appeared on her face.

"Certainly, respected guest."

[Undead: Peggy Jamison is opening her product list to you. Do you agree?]

"Yes."

The next moment, a list of goods appeared before Cao Xing.

[Tier 4 Soul Shock Scroll]: Price 50,000 crowns (Stock 3)

[Tier 4 Ghost Summoning Scroll]: Price 88,000 crowns (Stock 2)

[Evil Spirit Eyeball]: Price 100,000 crowns (Stock 2)

[Ghost Potion]: Price 150,000 crowns (Stock 2)

[Cursed Spearhead (Legendary)]: Price 500,000 crowns (Stock 1)

[Will-o'-the-wisp Lantern]…

…

Thanks to book friend: Zhui Geng Luo for the 100 coin reward!!!