Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

Chapter 306: Chapter 174 The Black Market in the City

Gu Sheng learned from Lin Miaomiao that the Three-Grain Iron Thunder Wood stolen by Mu Qinghe and the others was a mid-grade Yellow Level artifact refining material. Although the Thunder Fruit was not graded, it was still extremely valuable! Together, these items were worth nearly a million silver taels! These were materials Elder Huang Chengyun had secretly prepared for his son’s breakthrough into the Marrow Refining Realm.

When Huang Chengyun found out, he flew into a rage. Originally, he planned to vent his anger on Lin Miaomiao and her group. However, because of Gu Sheng’s involvement, he dared not act too openly. After all, he had acquired these items behind the sect’s back, and if things escalated, it would be hard for him to justify himself.

While he displayed no overt actions, he had been investigating the matter in private this entire time.

The primary reason Mu Qinghe and his company came to Holy Pill City this time was to seek Elder Huang’s help in refining the Three-Grain Iron Thunder Wood into a Treasure!

Although Mu Qingyuan, Mu Qingwen, and Mu Qinghe were from the Mu Clan’s main family, they were all marginal figures with a weak presence. If they were to beseech the clan’s Forging Masters for assistance, word might leak out, so they had no choice but to seek Elder Huang instead.

Although Elder Huang was a top-tier enshrinement of the Mu Family Commerce Association, he enjoyed significant freedom, and even the upper echelons of the Mu Clan dared not interfere too much with him.

Gu Sheng had been pondering when he might encounter the three brothers so he could properly extort them. After all, his silver taels were running low, and his financial needs were only growing. With expenses piling up, he had to come up with some method to make money!

Gu Sheng immediately chased after them, shouting, ”Brother Mu, long time no see! How have you been lately?”

Mu Qinghe stopped in his tracks when he heard the voice from behind. Turning his head, he saw it was Gu Sheng, and Mu Qingyuan’s expression suddenly became grave.

”Why is he here? Could it be that he has connections in the Holy Pill Sect?”

Mu Qinghe couldn’t help but feel a pang of anxiety. He never expected Gu Sheng to arrive in Holy Pill City so quickly! Typically, geniuses from small places like Gu Sheng would head straight to the Governor Mansion in the Red Cloud Prefecture. That was the norm!

After all, the Governor Mansion was the official authority in the Red Cloud Prefecture, and its city was the most prosperous in the region. Opportunities there were more abundant, and joining the Governor’s circle was often considered more reliable and accessible than joining a sect.

Though flustered, Mu Qinghe quickly suppressed the panic in his eyes. His face carried a slightly puzzled look as he frowned, asking, ”Who might you be? How do you know my name?”

Gu Sheng didn’t waste time with pleasantries. Walking up to him, he smirked and said in a low voice, ”Already forgotten about Thunder Wood Mountain? Elder Huang from my sect is currently searching for you all over the place. Honestly, you’ve got some nerve! Daring to come to Holy Pill City—aren’t you afraid Elder Huang will cut you down the moment he finds you?”

Mu Qinghe’s heart sank. His brows furrowed tightly as his voice grew colder. ”Have you joined the Holy Pill Sect already?” As he spoke, his hand instinctively moved toward the saber at his waist.

This location was roughly a mile away from both Holy Pill City and the Holy Pill Sect. There weren’t many travelers on the road at this time, so Mu Qinghe couldn’t help but let a hint of killing intent toward Gu Sheng creep into his heart.

However, this small movement didn’t escape Gu Sheng’s highly attuned senses. With a smile, he reached out and gently patted Mu Qinghe’s hand, which was resting on his saber. ”Careful now, everyone on this road is either a brother or sister from the Holy Pill Sect. Think twice before you act!”

At that moment, Mu Qinghe heard distant footsteps approaching. Not far away, two disciples of the Holy Pill Sect were returning from shopping in Holy Pill City. Seeing this, Mu Qinghe had no choice but to release the hilt of his saber.

”What do you want? Even though you’re now a disciple of the Holy Pill Sect, don’t think you can intimidate us. The Mu Clan is not to be trifled with! We are from the main family of the Mu Clan; our status and position are far beyond what a mere disciple like you can compare to! Let me give you a piece of advice: bury this affair deep in your heart, or the consequences will be dire!”

Amused by his remark, Gu Sheng laughed. ”The main family? Your Mu Clan is enormous, with countless members. Do you really think every one of them dares challenge the authority of the Holy Pill Sect’s elders? If you ask me, you three brothers are nothing more than marginal figures in the main family. Let me tell you this plainly: your threats don’t work on me. I grew up as an orphan, with no attachments at all. Even the village I lived in for years cast me out. Do you think I’d care if your clan eliminated my entire social circle? I wouldn’t bat an eye.”

Mu Qinghe hadn’t expected Gu Sheng to be so blunt. He stared coldly at him. ”Then what do you want?”

Gu Sheng’s lips curled into a sly smile. Patting Mu Qinghe’s arm, he chuckled. ”It’s simple, really. We’re all out here trying to make a living. I don’t want much—just give me fifty thousand taels, and I’ll pretend none of this ever happened. How about it?”

Mu Qinghe was utterly shocked at Gu Sheng’s audacity. His face immediately turned dark as he refused, ”Impossible! All those items combined aren’t worth that much. We don’t have that kind of money to give you!”

Gu Sheng raised an eyebrow and sneered, ”Oh? Do you really think I’m the same naive fool I used to be? Here’s the deal: I’ve already looked into the value of the Three-Grain Iron Thunder Wood and Thunder Fruit. Just those items are worth a million taels combined, minimum. And that’s not even factoring in how their value would skyrocket once they’re refined into Treasures or pills. Even if you pay me fifty thousand taels, you’d still profit at least fifty thousand more. Besides, let’s not forget that this fifty thousand isn’t just money—it’s your ticket to staying alive. You know Elder Huang’s temper better than anyone. If he really gets his hands on you, what good will your money do you then?”