Three days later.

Snowflakes drifted down, gently settling on the ground, rocks, rooftops, and soil.

The rustling sound brought a certain calmness to one's heart.

But outside the shack, the hurried footsteps broke this tranquility, letting Li Yuan know... he was already in a brand new, unfamiliar environment.

Lady Yan stood under the eaves at the doorstep, tiptoeing to fasten the strap of the newly bought cloak for her husband. She then hugged his waist, resting her cheek against his chest, expressing a bit of concern, "Today is your first day at the Black Market..."

Li Yuan smiled and said, "There will be many such days in the future."

Lady Yan nagged, "There are many strong people in the Black Market, right? You..."

Li Yuan replied, "I will be careful."

Lady Yan acknowledged with a sound, handed him the oil paper umbrella and lunchbox.

Li Yuan took them, opened the umbrella, and walked into the snow.

The door of the side house was already open; the charcoal stove was steaming, and the water in the large kettle had just boiled, sending out billows of white vapor into the late winter air, adding a touch of life.

Behind the charcoal stove stood a slightly plump middle-aged woman with a kind face. Upon hearing the noise, she naturally looked up, watching the young man walking in the snow, and cheerfully called out, "Master."

Behind her were a boy and a girl, both shivering and hiding behind her, echoing, "Master."

These three were naturally Aunt Wang and the two children, originally neighbors of Li Yuan's family.

At this moment, Aunt Wang had followed Lady Yan to Silver Creek Square with immense gratitude in her heart.

Being sensible, she adjusted her mindset since coming here and stopped calling Li Yuan "Brother Yuan" and Yan Yu "Lady Yan," instead calling them "Master" and "Madam."

Li Yuan walked to the door and said, "Aunt Wang, consider this your home. If you need anything, just talk to Sister Yan. Don't be too reserved."

Aunt Wang replied with a smile, "Alright, got it, Master. Take care."

...

The Black Market at Silver Creek had a very peculiar terrain.

It was located on an island in the heart of Lake Silver Creek.

Though called a creek, Silver Creek was actually a large lake.

The lake extended from outside, with the majority outside Shanbao County and a smaller portion within.

This led to a situation where people from outside the county could also reach it by boat from the waterway.

However, the island where the Black Market was located was directly blocking the waterway entrance to the county, like a city wall enhancing Shanbao County's water defense.

This area was under the jurisdiction of the Blood Saber Sect, acting like a nation within a nation, so even during the Red Lotus thieves' siege, they never entered from here.

Because of such a unique terrain, many "black goods" could bypass the county's land routes, directly reaching the Black Market by water, greatly enriching the variety of "goods."

Li Yuan first learned about these matters when he visited Cai Ze.

Now, he stood on the canopy boat heading to the Black Market.

Snow drifted over thousands of households, the lake surface a tapestry of overlapping ripples.

The young man stood alone, wearing the Blood Saber Sect's red-edged Profound Robe, wrapped in a dark blue cloak, holding an umbrella, carrying a bow, and a tied blade, positioned at the bow of the boat.

The canopy boat cut through the green track like an arrow, soon to be submerged again.

After the time of a single incense stick, the canopy boat docked. The boatman jumped ashore to tie the cable, waiting for passengers on their return.

Li Yuan leisurely disembarked. A person with a knife at the waist but dressed in ordinary cotton clothes noticed his attire and hastily approached.

Li Yuan presented his Blood Saber Sect Outer Disciple Identity Token, and the person respectfully said, "Ah, Young Master Li, I'm a miscellaneous task handler on the island. Master Li instructed me to meet you here; as each comes, I will take them to see him."

Young Master Li?

Li Yuan was taken aback but quickly recalled that the tributor on this island also had the surname Li.

The laborers referred to the tributor as Master Li, so naturally, they would call him Young Master Li.

Of course, Young Master Li was merely a polite address; he was just a newly arrived Outer Disciple.

"Don't call me Young Master Li, just call me Li Yuan.

Lead the way..."

Soon after, he followed the laborer through the Black Market, closely observing the surroundings.

Clearly, this Black Market was divided into front and back sections.

Coming from the county, he landed at the southern part of the Black Market, where there were some dwellings. As he passed, he glimpsed the figures of Blood Saber Sect disciples flitting about inside, along with some laborers carrying knives.

Evidently, this area was relatively safe because anyone landing on the island and goods would have to pass through Silver Creek Square and be checked by the Martial Arts Shop.

Thus, his landing spot should be considered the back entrance of the Black Market.

The place where Master Li presided faced outsiders, doubling the risk, naturally serving as the front entrance of the Black Market.

Within the Black Market, there were stalls, shops, and even high-rise buildings, somewhat different from the chaotic, dark places he had imagined.

Li Yuan promptly adjusted his perception.

This Black Market wasn't about the location being dark; it was the goods that were dark.

To attract various goods, the Blood Saber Sect must have established "basic facilities" like shops here.

After walking for a while, Li Yuan suddenly stopped because he heard many women's cries.

He turned his head towards an alley with Evergreen wood at the entrance.

The crying came from deep within the alley, which seemed to lead to another place in the Black Market, feeling like a separate area from here.

"What's in there?" Li Yuan asked.

"Young... Young Master Li..." the laborer stammered.

"Just call me Li Yuan."

"I dare not. If someone discovers that I called you directly by name, I... I wouldn't be able to survive." The laborer quickly apologized.

"Then forget it. If it's the usual way of addressing, call me whatever you wish."

"Yes, Young Master Li..." The laborer sighed in relief, then, looking at the alley entrance, said, "In the Black Market, living goods and other goods are separated. That alley leads to a more enclosed, safer area, reserved for living goods."

"Living goods?" Li Yuan asked in curiosity.

The laborer chuckled and explained, "It's people. That alley is for selling people."

Li Yuan fell silent, recalling Cai Ze and his maid talking about it, as well as the scenes of buying and selling people in this chaotic world. His heart felt inexplicably heavy.

Yet, he quickly came to terms with it.

First, take care of himself and his family. Who has so much sacrifice and sympathy?

Life being what it is, just go with the flow.

The laborer leaned close and said, "If Young Master Li wants to buy, we can all keep an eye out and, if something good comes up, notify you first, so you can take a look."

Li Yuan didn't say anything, just nodded casually.

After a long while, he reached the northernmost part of the island, also the Black Market's northern gate.

In front of the gate,

In the pavilion,

There was a bamboo chaise lounge covered with plush furs.

A man who looked immensely robust even from the side was lounging on the chaise lounge, with a long-handled blade on the ground next to him—unlike the blades often carried by those in the Social World, resembling the ancient generals' weapons in Li Yuan's impression. Yes, it looked like the cold, gorgeous saw-blade of Guan Yu.

The laborer led Li Yuan forward, respectfully saying, "Master Li, here comes another one."

The man answered with a hum through his nose.

Li Yuan glanced at him, finding a "130(180)~140(210)" value floating around him.

His pupils slightly contracted; this was the strongest person he had seen so far.

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