Chapter 184: Black Market

As Shen Changqing was deducing martial arts techniques, Ji Qu, at the former’s request, made his way to the Black Market.

The so-called Black Market was, in essence, a clandestine trading hub.

With a simple change of attire, Ji Qu smoothly gained entry.

As a member of the Demon Suppression Division, he naturally had no fear of exposing his identity within the Black Market. After all, whether legal or illegal, few dared to provoke the Division.

Others entering the Black Market needed to conceal their identities to avoid being targeted by those with malicious intent, thus averting unnecessary troubles.

But the members of the Demon Suppression Division were an exception.

Changing his attire and concealing his identity was merely Ji Qu’s usual habit.

Inside the Black Market, stalls lined the streets and alleys.

The vast majority of those moving about were Jianghu martial artists.

Each person wore a mask, a hood, or employed disguise techniques. No one showed their true face.

Ji Qu wasn’t visiting the Black Market for the first time. He passed directly through the crowd and entered an auction house.

He presented a token.

The auction house staff immediately showed a respectful expression.

"So, you’re a distinguished guest! How may I assist you?"

"I have business with your Warden."

"Ah, esteemed guest, please take a seat in the wing-room. I will report your arrival immediately."

"Mm."

Ji Qu nodded slightly and followed the staff member to a wing-room to wait.

In less than a quarter of an hour, a rich old man adorned with gold and silver walked in. Upon seeing Ji Qu, he displayed an enthusiastic smile and cupped his fist in greeting.

"I heard a distinguished guest had arrived. I am the Second Warden of the auction house."

"So, you’re the Second Warden."

Ji Qu nodded, his face expressionless.

The Wardens of the auction house had no names, but were instead referred to by numbers.

The lower the number, the higher the status.

Second Warden meant that the individual had a relatively high position within the auction house.

Immediately afterward, Ji Qu said, "The reason I’ve come to the auction house is simple. In half a month, a friend of mine will be auctioning a Grandmaster-level external martial art, a Grandmaster-level internal energy technique, and a martial art pointing directly to the Martial Arts True Intent.

I’m aware that your auction house holds a prominent position within the Black Markets of Great Qin territory. I believe this matter should pose no problem for you."

"Auctioning three Grandmaster-level martial arts!"

The Second Warden’s pupils constricted; he was stunned by this news.

Then, he recovered and put on an enthusiastic smile once more.

"Auctioning them is no problem, and half a month is enough time for the auction house to advertise. However, esteemed guest, as you’re a regular here, you should understand our auction house’s rules.

Three Grandmaster martial arts are tentatively valued at one million two hundred thousand taels of silver, of which ten percent needs to be paid upfront as a deposit for advertising costs.

If you don’t break the appointment in half a month, that ten percent deposit will not be refunded.

If the auction is successful, the auction house will take five percent of the transaction amount as commission. The ten percent deposit will then be adjusted accordingly. What do you think?"

"Also—"

"Auctioning items requires a guarantor. Our auction house absolutely does not act as a guarantor. You’ll have to find someone reputable to serve as one.

Otherwise, if problems arise later, they’ll be difficult to resolve."

Ji Qu didn’t interrupt, waiting silently for the other party to finish speaking.

After a long silence, he slowly said, "I understand your auction house’s rules. However, I hope the deposit can be waived, and the commission should also be lowered."

Hearing this, the Second Warden maintained his composure and said with a smile, "Esteemed guest, you jest. The auction house’s rules were established long ago, and no one can change them. However, since you’re a valued customer, we can make some appropriate concessions.

The commission can be reduced by one percent, but I’m afraid the deposit cannot be waived.

After all, the auction house also bears some risk in advertising. If you break the appointment, it would be a significant blow to our auction house’s reputation—"

As the Second Warden spoke, Ji Qu took an identity token from his arms and placed it on the table.

Instantly, the Second Warden’s voice faltered.

In his sight, a few large characters were written on the token.

Demon Suppression Division!

"You’re a member of the Demon Suppression Division!"

The Second Warden’s smile lessened significantly, but the tone of his voice became solemn.

He hadn’t expected the esteemed guest before him to be from the Demon Suppression Division.

Ji Qu retrieved the token, his voice still calm.

"I am a member of the Demon Suppression Division, but I am not the auctioneer. The real auctioneer is an Earth-Rank Demon Slayer from the Demon Suppression Division. With this in mind, can the deposit be waived and the commission reduced?"

Hearing these words, the Second Warden fell into silence.

The fact that the other party was from the Demon Suppression Division was completely beyond his expectations.

At the same time, Ji Qu’s words posed a great dilemma.

Earth-Rank Demon Slayer!

Clearly, that was at least a powerhouse at the Innate Limit, and being able to take out three Grandmaster martial arts, the likelihood of being a Grandmaster-level powerhouse was even greater.

In the Jianghu, a Grandmaster was already an extraordinary existence.

Coupled with the three words "Demon Suppression Division," their identity and status became awe-inspiring.

Although the auction house’s power was great, it didn’t have the resources to contend with the Demon Suppression Division.

After a long time, the Second Warden nodded solemnly.

"If it’s someone from the Demon Suppression Division, then indeed, the deposit can be waived. As for the commission, the auction house can appropriately reduce it and only charge two percent."

"No problem."

Ji Qu nodded in agreement.

One percent, compared to the previous four percent, was already a reduction by half.

Then, the Second Warden looked directly at Ji Qu, speaking with a serious expression.

"I trust that no one would dare to impersonate the Demon Suppression Division to deceive us!"

"Within Great Qin, who would dare to impersonate the Demon Suppression Division?"

"I was just asking casually."

The Second Warden smiled.

Within Great Qin, no one dared to impersonate the Demon Suppression Division.

There were likely many Heavenly Inspection Guards within the Black Market.

Not to mention the Black Market, there was a possibility that the Heavenly Inspection Guard existed in the auction house itself. As long as the Heavenly Inspection Guard was present, no one would dare to impersonate the Demon Suppression Division.

In the past, some had tried to do so.

But the consequences were death in light cases, and confiscation of the property in serious cases.

Over time, no one dared to cross that line.

The Second Warden said, "If it’s someone from the Demon Suppression Division, advertising this auction is not a problem. However, it would be best if you could provide a name!"

Although the other party was from the Demon Suppression Division, knowing the name would make things more secure.

Relying solely on the three words "Demon Suppression Division" allowed the auction house to waive the deposit and reduce the commission, but acting as a guarantor required more than just those three words; it also needed a specific name.

Otherwise, if problems arose, with so many people in the Demon Suppression Division, who would they go to?

Ji Qu uttered a few words.

"Shen Changqing!"

"Shen Changqing!"

The Second Warden was stunned, then reacted, his expression slightly changing.

"Are you talking about Shen Changqing, who slew the Barbarian General in Dahuang Prefecture some time ago?"

"Indeed."

Receiving Ji Qu’s accurate answer, the Second Warden was even more shocked.

Being able to slay a Barbarian General, the other party was clearly a Grandmaster Late Stage powerhouse.

Such a person, in the Jianghu, was considered a top-tier existence.

Even without the reputation of the Demon Suppression Division, he would be enough to become a guarantor in the Black Market’s auction house.

If coupled with the reputation of the Demon Suppression Division, there would be no problem at all.

"Do the martial arts to be auctioned have names?"

"Not yet."

"Alright, I understand. You can return and await news. Within half a month, my auction house will spread the word as much as possible. I hope you and your group can arrive on time then."

After speaking, the Second Warden took out two gilt name cards and placed them on the table.

"These are passes for the auction house. You can keep them. When you present the passes, you will be greeted by a dedicated person."

"Thank you."

Ji Qu was concise, collecting the passes before standing up.

"I have other matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave."

"Please, take care."

The Second Warden stood up to see him off.

Ji Qu said nothing, leaving the private room directly.

After leaving the auction house, he changed his attire once again and quietly left the Black Market, returning to the Demon Suppression Division.

For Ji Qu, Shen Changqing was a big deal.

If the deal went through, it would involve hundreds of thousands of taels of silver.

Even if the commission given to him by the other party was minimal, it would still amount to a considerable sum.

He worked in the Demon Slaying Hall, and his monthly salary wasn’t much.

Being able to obtain some extra income would naturally be a good thing.

This was why he was willing to busy himself with Shen Changqing’s affairs.

Apart from giving the other party face, he could also gain some benefits from it.

As Ji Qu left, the Second Warden of the auction house immediately reported the matter.

"Shen Changqing of the Demon Suppression Division, I heard that he hadn’t been in the Demon Suppression Division for many years, but he later rose to prominence, breaking through to the Grandmaster Late Stage. He must have obtained many opportunities during that time.

The three Grandmaster martial arts he wants to sell are likely related to those opportunities."

In the secret room, the middle-aged man known as the First Warden spoke calmly after hearing the other party’s words.

Then, he paused and added, "Since it was his own opportunity, there’s no problem with auctioning them here. If he dares to sell martial arts from within the Demon Suppression Division without permission, providing a place for that would be a significant trouble."

Although who auctioned what was of little concern to the auction house, if it really involved the rules of the Demon Suppression Division, it would be difficult to escape involvement.

Therefore, after understanding that the auctioneer was Shen Changqing, the First Warden had no great concerns.

The Second Warden said, "If that’s the case, then we can begin the advertising."

"Advertise, then. I believe three Grandmaster martial arts will bring a lot of fame to the auction house. Reducing the commission a bit won’t be a loss."

End of Chapter