Desolate Devouring Art

Chapter 586 - Black Market

Liu Wuxie unleashed the Soul Spear while Du Weihe was distracted, and it stabbed into the latter's soul sea.

"ARGH!" Du Weihe let out a heart-wrenching scream as his sword fell onto the ground with a clatter.

Bai Lin quickly rushed over and decapitated Du Weihe with a swift strike, causing blood to spray around.

Everything happened in the blink of an eye, and Bei Chengsi collapsed in fear. He couldn't believe that Liu Wuxie had killed three powerful cultivators in the Astral River Realm so easily. They were all dispatched with a single move each—clean, swift, and without hesitation.

"Master, you're too incredible!" Lan Yu exclaimed in awe. He didn't expect Liu Wuxie to be so powerful.

Although Fan Zhen remained silent, his expression had already given it off. In just a few months, Liu Wuxie had grown to a height they couldn't reach. Even true disciples who held high status in the sect were no match for him.

"Wuxie, the Lesser Blade Association won't let it go easily with the death of these three," Fan Zhen warned. Although these people weren't upper echelons of the Lesser Blade Association, they were true disciples.

"Better! I'm afraid they won't come," Liu Wuxie replied with a cold glint in his eyes. His target was the Lesser Blade Association, who had crossed the bottom line when they tried to tarnish his name by using it to commit vile crimes.

Meanwhile, Bei Chengsi collapsed on the floor, drenched in cold sweat. He didn't know what to do with the room reeking with blood.

Lan Yu and Bai Lin swiftly cleaned up the corpses and used the Water Cleanse Talisman to clean the bloodstains.

The frost on the window had gradually melted, and Bei Chengsi shivered as fresh air blew back into the room.

He rushed towards Liu Wuxie and clung to the latter's leg. He wailed, "Young Master Liu, you must help me!"

The unexpected gesture left Lan Yu and the others baffled. Bei Chengsi was the boss of Old Century Trading, and the death of Xu Zhi's group had nothing to do with him since Liu Wuxie had killed them. So why was he begging for help?

"Why should I?" Liu Wuxie sneered, and the temperature in the room plummeted. The drop in temperature didn’t stop Bei Chengsi from breaking into a cold sweat, and he shook uncontrollably.

"If Young Master Liu is willing to help me, I promise to place the talismans produced by the Heavenly Dao Society in the most prominent location. As for the profits, I'll only take ten percent!" Bei Chengsi pleaded, willing to give up anything to save his life.

Bei Chengsi knew the Lesser Blade Association wouldn't let him go even if the death of Xu Zhi's group had nothing to do with him since it took place in his shop. The Lesser Blade Association might vent their anger on him, perhaps even wiping out his family.

His only hope now was Liu Wuxie. He could only tie himself with the Heavenly Dao Society to survive.

"Do you think I care about that shelf space in your store?" Liu Wuxie sneered, his voice icy.

This made Bei Chengsi even more frantic because he would be finished if the Heavenly Dao Society chose to abandon him.

"If Young Master Liu is willing to offer protection to Old Century Trading, I can provide valuable secrets of the Lesser Blade Association," Bei Chengsi said, taking a deep breath as he decided. He had witnessed Liu Wuxie's overwhelming strength, and it was clear that his future was limitless after what had happened in Serene Sea City.

The Lesser Blade Association couldn't suppress such a prodigy like him.

"Speak," Liu Wuxie said, satisfied with Bei Chengsi's attitude. That was precisely what he needed because Old Century Trading was no longer essential to him, and the Heavenly Dao Society would have its stores soon.

As a businessman, Bei Chengsi was skilled at reading people. When he noticed the shift in Liu Wuxie's tone, he immediately took out pen and paper to scribble everything he knew about the Lesser Blade Association.

He might not have been a member of the Lesser Blade Association, but Xu Zhi and Du Weihe had forcibly intervened in Old Century Trading's business. As a result, this allowed him to gain access to some insider information on the Lesser Blade Association.

After writing three long pages, Bei Chengsi respectfully handed the documents to Liu Wuxie.

When Liu Wuxie received the papers, he scanned through them without a flicker of emotion crossing his face.

Fan Zhen, Bai Lin, and Lan Yu stood behind Liu Wuxie, exchanging glances as they read along. Whenever they read a small portion, they would exchange a look with astonishment.

After reading three times, Liu Wuxie set the papers down gently. He knew this information was only the tip of the iceberg for the Lesser Blade Association, but it was enough to shock them all.

"To think that the Lesser Blade Association is involved in so many shady dealings—not only are they involved in human trafficking, but they also run brothels," Lan Yu muttered. He finally knew how corrupt the Lesser Blade Association was, making profit through many channels that they should never have touched.

They helped alchemists sell their pills illegally, imprisoned spiritualists to craft talismans for them, and even sold women to their brothels.

The Lesser Blade Association's revenue came from four main sources: pills, talismans, human trafficking, and brothels.

Each one was steeped in filth. The Lesser Blade Association didn't have its alchemists but worked with other alchemists to help sell its pills. The profits were split 50:50, which was a severe embezzlement case among the sect's alchemists.

Liu Wuxie was also deeply shocked because he hadn't expected the Lesser Blade Association to be so shady. He had requested Bi Gongyu never to touch anything that wasn't rightfully his, knowing that it could affect the latter's dao heart. If the dao heart were affected, one's journey in cultivation would come to an end.

Many people knew that the Lesser Blade Association had imprisoned spiritualists to craft talismans for them, but no one dared to intervene because it didn't concern them. This was the law of the cultivation world: the survival of the fittest. No one would interfere as long as their interests weren't affected.

"Master, the Lesser Blade Association is too disgusting," Lan Yu said, disgusted. If someone like Qin Dao became the sect master, it would be a disaster for the entire sect.

"The Lesser Blade Association has been operating for almost a decade, deeply rooted in the sect. It won't be easy to topple them," Fan Zhen said, stroking his chin.

Ordinary people would find these heinous acts beyond belief, but they were common in the cultivation world, where it was all about the survival of the strongest.

"Boss Bei, since you know so many secrets about the Lesser Blade Association, you must also know their weaknesses, right?" Liu Wuxie asked, smiling at Bei Chengsi.

Liu Wuxie had only scraps of information on the Lesser Blade Association, which meant he’d need to leverage Bei Chengsi. If Bei Chengsi wanted the protection of the Heavenly Dao Society, he’d have to bring much more to the table—nothing came without a price. Liu Wuxie wasn’t in the business of charity; if Bei Chengsi sought their protection, he would need to offer something truly valuable. The information so far was insufficient, merely surface-level details that Liu Wuxie could uncover with a bit of inquiry himself.

Bei Chengsi lowered his head. He knew that there was no way out because of his current situation. Only death would await if the Heavenly Dao Society gave up on him.

"I suggest you target their spiritual talismans. The spiritual talismans produced by the Lesser Blade Association were mediocre. When the Heavenly Dao Society's spiritual talisman becomes popular, you can clip one of their wings," Bei Chengsi suggested after a brief thought.

The Lesser Blade Association controlled the pill market too tightly, and they mainly sold pills through the black market.

Liu Wuxie smiled because that was exactly his plan. If he could cripple the Lesser Blade Association's talisman trade, he could move on to find an opportunity to dissolve their other trades.

"Tell me more about your plan," Liu Wuxie said, amused by Bei Chengsi's wits. He had a keen sense of business, which Lan Yu and the others could never match.

"There's a monthly talisman event that many spiritualists attend to promote their talismans, including Master Hai of the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion. He's the only nine-star talisman maker in this region," Bei Chengsi whispered.

The Heavenly Dao Society's spiritual talismans were under-exposed, and if they could make a name for themselves, demand would skyrocket.

Liu Wuxie had already examined the talismans in this region—none could compare to the Heavenly Dao Society's quality or price. However, because of the Lesser Blade Association, the Heavenly Dao Society hadn't been able to open the market.

"When will this event take place?" Liu Wuxie asked, his eyes gleaming. This would be a good opportunity for the Heavenly Dao Society.

"In three days," Bei Chengsi replied. The nervousness he felt earlier faded. He had to do his best because he had joined the Heavenly Dao Society's faction.

"Good. You'll handle the registration, and Lan Yu will stay to assist you," Liu Wuxie instructed and stood up.

Lan Yu's real task was to monitor Bei Chengsi and ensure he wouldn't betray them by tipping off the Lesser Blade Association.

Everyone understood Lan Yu's real intention to stay behind, but Bei Chengsi had no complaints.

Liu Wuxie departed from Old Century Trading with Bai Lin and Fan Zhen by his side, personally escorted to the door by Bei Chengsi.

After they parted ways, Liu Wuxie didn't return to the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion but stayed in Treasure City instead.

As they walked on the street, Fan Zhen broke the silence. "Wuxie, what's our next move?"

"You two go investigate the Lesser Blade Association's human trafficking channels. Be cautious not to take any unnecessary risks," Liu Wuxie instructed. They would split up, and their war with the Lesser Blade Association had officially begun. The war would last until one side completely crumbled.

"Understood!" The two sped off after receiving Liu Wuxie's instructions. After months of development, they had their informants in Treasure City.

On the other hand, Liu Wuxie turned and headed west. That part of the city was more desolate, as it bordered the Scarlet Sun Mountain Range.

He walked at a steady pace, unhurried and calm. He had long known about the underground black market there but had never visited it.

According to Bei Chengsi's information, the Lesser Blade Association sold its pills on the black market, which was the perfect opportunity for him to investigate.

He visited the black market with two objectives: to understand its scale and the Lesser Blade Association's operation.

He could do it through the black market if he had any shady items to get rid of.

The underground black market was only open at night and never operated during the day. There was a rumor that the black market was controlled by a powerful cultivator that even the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion couldn't do anything to him.

That cultivator took a thirty percent cut of the daily earnings, taking a commission regardless of buying or selling. This business guaranteed profit because many people would come to sell illicit goods.

There was also another advantage to the black market: many items that couldn't be bought outside could be found there if one was lucky.

Liu Wuxie patiently waited for nightfall before going to the black market. He had donned a black cloak as he moved like a comet, heading towards the west streets.

The streets were quiet. Most of the stops had closed, with only some cultivators wandering around.

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