First-Year Internship—And You Went to Site 749 to Contain Monsters?!
Chapter 320: First Encounter with a Secret Realm, Fists the Size of Sandbags

...Continuing on the boat.

Lu Ding held his phone.

The information stated that the Drowned Corpse Cave's exact age was unknown, but its first appearance occurred when several fishermen accidentally discovered it.

Those fishermen entered and never returned.

Their families then sought help from a local spirit medium, who happened to be the founder of the Zeng family - one of Blackwater Market's three major powers.

The medium located the approximate position but couldn't enter.

They subsequently enlisted a local corpse fisher, representing the He family - another of the three powers.

The two joined forces and breached the Drowned Corpse Cave once.

What transpired inside remains unknown as neither spoke of it, but shortly after emerging, their cultivation advanced rapidly.

The following year, when they attempted re-entry, another formidable figure - an elderly pig butcher surnamed Huang - secretly followed them.

Thus emerged the founders of Blackwater Market's three powers!

Unlike the other founders, Old Man Huang obtained fortuitous encounters within, and after achieving cultivation success, followed the prevailing trend by assisting Great Han's 749 Bureau in purging the land and resisting foreign threats.

Yet he returned annually when the cave opened.

After Great Han stabilized, the Huang family received preferential 749 resources - a just reward for their merits.

Thereafter, the Huang family flourished.

Information about the Drowned Corpse Cave was only recorded by 749 after disputes over unequal distribution between the three families escalated, when the He and Zeng families united against the Huangs.

749 didn't interfere with the cave.

Though ownerless resources belong to the capable, the discoverers deserved respect, especially with Old Man Huang's contributions.

They merely established an outpost to prevent bloodshed between the families.

Initially, during the families' conflicts that exposed the cave's existence, anyone could enter.

It wasn't their construction, right?

Even if owned, the true proprietor would be another party - the three families were merely discoverers, not owners.

If 749 abstained due to their established position, why shouldn't independent cultivators enter?

As the three families grew powerful, they colluded to control the cave.

They instituted annual entry quotas, predominantly allocating slots among themselves while auctioning or gifting the remainder.

This policy frequently sparked conflicts with outsiders.

The most severe incident involved a fish demon rivaling the Earth Observation realm that slaughtered many and flooded half a county downstream - it remains at large today.

When brought before 749, they wished to intervene but faced complications.

The Huang family would invoke their deceased patriarch's contributions: "Our patriarch bled for 749!"

749: Damn it!!

Genuinely helpless.

Intervening or abstaining both created dilemmas.

Consequently, the three families formed a superficial alliance against outsiders, increasingly exploiting the Huang patriarch's legacy - though restricting their misdeeds to Blackwater Market's boundaries.

Complaints proved futile since they operated internally.

Thus Blackwater Market evolved into an underground hub, indirectly benefiting independent cultivators who accepted their inferior position.

Having this illicit marketplace was better than nothing.

Reviewing this, Lu Ding could only conclude it represented pure arrogance and privilege abuse.

Even if the Huang family alone enjoyed special privileges, why extend them to allies?

The overarching lesson was clear: might makes right.

The three families' strength let them monopolize territory while weaker independent cultivators received nothing.

In that case...

"My fists seem pretty substantial too, don't you think?"

Yan Feifan understood Lu Ding's implication perfectly.

Nodding, he affirmed: "Sandbag-sized fists they've probably never encountered."

He added his perspective:

"Frankly, this place overvalues reasonableness - they've climbed the pole right over our heads."

"Moreover, their treatment of fellow Qi Refiners lacks fairness, though their inability to balance is understandable."

Leaning closer, Yan Feifan whispered via spiritual energy transmission audible only to their trio:

"But Great Han doesn't recognize hereditary privileges - only diminishing hereditary positions, which the Huangs haven't experienced. Local governance is truly problematic."

"First-come-first-served is acceptable, but not perpetual monopoly from a single discovery."

Lu Ding found this reasonable.

If strength determined outcomes...

He'd simply discard his 749 identity.

Tearing off his epaulets would simplify matters.

If three families could enforce quotas through might, he could equally force entry with superior strength.

During their discussion, the boat entered the cavern as light faded.

After thirty minutes' navigation...

A pier emerged ahead.

Amidst encircling mountains stood structures blending ancient elegance with modern sensibilities along the waterside - this was Blackwater Market.

Amidst the bustling crowd...

Disembarking passengers had their Passes rechecked.

Even after landing, Lu Ding and Yan Feifan remained awestruck by the scenery.

The architecture and vistas seemed to transport them across time.

Only the modern attire of passersby prevented Lu Ding from believing he'd reached the Peach Blossom Spring.

He might later compose his own "Record of the Peach Blossom Spring."

Tang Miao disembarked last.

An escort awaited her.

The dashing young man glanced past her: "Hmm? Little sister, where are Huang Jie, Huang Yuanqing, and Cui'er?"

Tang Miao watched Lu Ding's receding figures: "I'll explain later."

She feared immediate disclosure might prompt her brother to confront them unnecessarily.

"Ha! Very well. Let me introduce my sworn brother - Huang Xun, young master of the Huang family."

"This is my sister Tang Miao."

Tang Tian facilitated introductions.

Tang Miao's polite smile momentarily captivated Huang Xun.

Her scholarly grace carried subtle melancholy, reminiscent of watching February rains from a bamboo hut...

Yet her smile transformed gloom into sunshine.

Having heard Tang Tian's frequent praises, Huang Xun was predisposed to favor her.

Now... even more so!

So much that he temporarily forgot about Huang Jie and Huang Yuanqing.

Uncomfortable with his prolonged gaze, Tang Miao redirected:

"Brother, didn't you mention a third sworn brother last time? Named Di something? Why isn't he here?"

"Di She," Huang Xun interjected.