Chapter 139: Chapter 0139: Black Market (2400 supplement, ask for subscriptions)
Translator: 549690339
Charles City.
It was a fairly well-known tourist city in Kangni State.
Of course, within the circle of Transcendents, a mysterious black market in the suburbs was even more famous.
Because she was familiar with the way, Geli readily told Su Lu the location when he asked ‘casually’.
Once in Charles City, the two parted ways. Geli went to claim the bounty for Rus’ body, while Su Lu went ahead to the Transcendent market.
The giant moon in the sky shone brightly, illuminating everything clearly even without street lamps.
Wearing a black cloak, Su Lu arrived on the outskirts of Charles City.
“Based on Geli’s memory and accounts…this black market was originally an explored relic site with mysterious properties… merging with and yet separate from the real world. The entrance is fixed, but the exit varies… this is the foundation of the black market.” He entered an underground bar.
“A beer, please!”
He casually found a seat and motioned for the bartender to bring him a beer.
As Su Lu savored the cold, refreshing feeling of the beer foam washing over his mouth, he surveyed those around him.
There weren’t many people in the bar, the atmosphere was not particularly lively, but the air was slightly filled with an oppressive aura – it was evident that there were Transcendents present, and not just a few either.
Playing ignorant, Su Lu finished his beer and moved towards the bar’s backdoor.
“Sir, this area is off-limits.”
Two bodyguards, large as towers, crossed their arms and politely warned him.
“I know the rules.”
Su Lu chuckled and tossed a Golden Dragon coin their way.
There were many entrances to the black market, controlled by different powers, but they had one thing in common—they were all public!
As long as you could afford the payment, even ordinary people could enter the black market.
Of course, there’s no guarantee for your safety.
“Please.”
The two bodyguards checked the coin and immediately cleared the way.
Su Lu took a step forward and clutched the doorknob.
Clang!
The iron door, only wide enough for one person, opened and shut again, making a dull noise.
Su Lu soon found himself in darkness, with only a faint light appearing in front of him.
He followed the light and the surroundings gradually became brighter. Unconsciously, he found himself in a square shrouded by black mist on all sides.
Various stone pillars were scattered around, forming a semi-circle. Some huge stones had been stacked into houses, which were now transformed into shops.
The place was not large, just a few square kilometers, but there were numerous Transcendent customers, a few hundred of them. Some were wandering aimlessly, while others were squatting in front of stalls, haggling fiercely with the vendors.
“This architectural style… it should be from the time of the first holy war. I wonder if it was a mage’s secret realm or a wizard’s witchcraft garden? Was it later abandoned and used by scavengers?”
Gazing at some of the incomplete patterns and symbols, Su Lu was slowly coming up with conclusions.
He proceeded to the heart of the black market, which was a restaurant with a natural ambiance—various vines covered the rocks, naturally forming tables and chairs.
Su Lu found a vine-made chair and sat down, just as a parrot with colorful feathers flew over: “What would the guest like?”
Although its tone was a bit strange, it could indeed carry on a conversation.
“Bread, and some orange juice! ”
Su Lu was waiting for someone, so he casually ordered a snack meal.
The parrot squawked loudly and almost instantly, Su Lu noticed a vine on his table growing rapidly, forming into a large fruit and flower.
In just a few seconds, the flower bloomed to reveal a piece of bread inside.
“A bread tree?”
Su Lu broke off a piece, used his [Mystical Scholar] ability to inspect it, and found it to be similar to a bread fruit tree. He took a bite: “Not bad… it tastes like butter!”
Following the other customers’ actions, he vigorously squeezed the trumpet-like fruit and an orange juice flowed into the cup, carrying a refreshing aroma.
“How fascinating… a Transcendent who can control plants? One on the [Druid] path?”
Su Lu thought to himself, didn’t say much, and tossed a few coins to the parrot.
“Thanks for the tip! Thanks for the tip!”
The parrot, holding the coins, cheerfully flew away.
Su Lu was enjoying his dinner, while gleaning information from the surrounding chatter.
Indeed, the tragedy of Nia City and the terror attack on Green Tree Castle remained the hot topics.
After all, the casualties in Nia City were too high, and the National Laboratory of Green Tree Castle—as a top federal institution and a vital organization of the Mysterious Realm—was also attacked, suffering heavy casualties, inevitably capturing people’s attention.
“Not only Nia City, but even Green Tree Castle was attacked!”
At a table nearby, two Transcendents drinking were exclaiming: “It’s said that a legendary individual over rank four was involved in the fight, and even Green Tree Castle City was affected…Alas, are the rippling waves of Transcendents already engulfing us?
For them, anything above rank four was really only existent in myths and legends.
“Such a blow to the Federation is not beneficial to us!” a white youth sighed:
“It’s said… the Federation is planning to disclose the existence of Transcendents, and a congressman is proposing a Professional Registration
Bill!”
“Isn’t this opening the door to chaos for the secular world?”
Another drunken fellow immediately retorted.
“No… it’s capitalizing on the advantage of our country’s lack of burden to develop Transcendent power as quickly as possible!”
“Would the Congress agree?”
“Just thinking about it tells you it’s impossible. It’s said that the congressmen on Congress Hill have made a fuss several times already…”
The Transcendent who spoke the last sentence showed a clear mockery on his face.
Obviously, they also knew that these politicians were just a facade.
The real manipulators of the Federation were the conglomerates, the church, and the enormous supernatural power alliance inherited from hundreds of years ago.
“Now that the dawn of the Transcendent is upon us… indeed, many habits must change…”
Su Lu, sipping his orange juice, listening to the discussions of the drunk men, contemplated.
Revealing Transcendent information, of course, is beneficial to ordinary people, and may even give rise to a large number of civilian professionals.
But there might be some taboos involved.
And, would those large powers and conglomerates really be willing to share the power of Transcendents with ordinary people?
‘To let rulers voluntarily give up privileges? Is this a dream?’
su Lu estimated tnat even It ne were a manipulator ot a large conglomerate, the real choice would not be easy to make.
But one certainty is that even if it meant pushing the Federation to hell, they would surely protect their own interests!
“Besides… would the widespread access to Transcendent power be a good thing?”
Su Lu thought of the Demon.
If more people were to know its existence and name, this world might slip into hell.
The dangers in the Transcendent side were too many.
Therefore, a certain amount of information blockade was still necessary..