Peace Order
Chapter 263 - 124: Li Guanyi, Draw Your Sword!_2

Chapter 263: Chapter 124: Li Guanyi, Draw Your Sword!_2

"Murong Longtu is still the same Sword Madman who once traveled all over the world, subduing all the major sword sects,"

The elder sighed and then said, "But because of this, Murong Longtu is essentially trapped there. He must protect the Murong Family and the residents who choose to stay. If he leaves, chaos will erupt in the eighteenth state of Jiangnan."

"As for your aunt, the reason she hasn’t sent any messages is likely because she fears interception and exposing herself. I am aware of her injuries. The Dharma Form is trapped, eh? There are masters on the other side..."

Li Guanyi stared intently at Siming and asked, "Elder, are you able to solve it?"

Siming laughed heartily and replied, "I am Siming, after all. The Dharma Form is nothing. With these old eyes of mine, how could I not break the seal?"

He paused, then added, "But as I said, I will need external aid."

"There are many materials that I can gather for you, and the Xue Family can obtain them as well, but there is one thing that is as precious as Mountain Marrow and counts as Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, which is hard to find."

"Your aunt’s Dharma Form is supposedly a Phoenix that governs the arts and music, not prone to fighting. To break the seal, we need the tree where the Phoenix perches."

"This item is just as rare as Mountain Marrow, Qilin blood drops, and plants watered with Dragon Blood; it’s among the hardest to find."

Li Guanyi breathed a sigh of relief and said, "As long as it can be solved, that’s good."

"Elder, where can we find this ’Phoenix Perch’?"

Siming stroked his beard but did not answer directly. Instead, he asked with a smile, "How did you acquire the Mountain Marrow?"

Li Guanyi replied, "The Empress..."

A hint of enlightenment flashed in his eyes and the elder said:

"No matter how cherished a treasure is, it should be available in the royal treasuries of Chen Country and Ying Country. Moreover, beings like dragons and phoenixes are mostly seen as auspicious symbols related to royal authority, so it makes sense for them to be collected in the treasuries of both countries’ royal families."

The royal treasuries of Chen Country and Ying Country.

Li Guanyi suddenly thought of the upcoming Grand Sacrifice.

Princess Chen Qingyan said that if he won the martial competition at the Grand Sacrifice, he could ascend to the inner chamber of the Book Collection Pavilion.

I wonder if it’s possible to use this opportunity to exchange for a treasure?

The martial competition at the Grand Sacrifice...

After thinking for a moment, Siming said, "However, it will be rather difficult to take this item out. Aside from these two places, in all under heaven, the only place that dares to deal with items related to the Emperor’s power is probably only there."

Li Guanyi urged, "Elder, please don’t speak in riddles."

The old man laughed and said, "You know that the Xue Family is one of the top three rich merchants under heaven, but do you know the other two?" Li Guanyi, confused, listened as the old man continued, "The Xue Family is a publicly recognized top merchant under heaven, omnipresent and omnipotent, but ultimately they operate in the sunlight, reliant on the power of the Emperor and the aristocratic families."

"There are some things they cannot do."

"And some things they can do but cannot admit to."

"Items like the Phoenix Perch or Dragon Blood Beads are things Old Xue wouldn’t touch."

"These items are too hot for the Xue Family to handle."

"Yet there is a place that acts wantonly, without hesitation, where as long as you have the money, they will get you anything. I’m taking you there today, but remember..."

Siming looked at the eager face of the young man in front of him and finally sighed, "Well then."

"Come with me."

"Today, you shall meet the one under the Night Emperor of Netherworld Ghost Market and the Marquis Bu Ye of Chen Country."

...

Like the Xue Family, Netherworld Ghost Market is one of the top trading organizations in the world, yet they stop at nothing.

Jiangzhou City is the capital of Chen Country.

Yet even in such a place, there exists a Ghost Market.

Its master, known as the Night Emperor across the countries, has such influence that it speaks to his wealth and cunning.

The master of the Ghost Market in the capitals of various states is known as Marquis Bu Ye.

The old man said, "The Netherworld Ghost Market is called so for two reasons: first, ’this market has ghosts,’ meaning fake goods and dubious origins, where one accidentally crosses paths with ’ghosts’; second, ’this ghost market’ only opens at deep night, dispersing as soon as dawn breaks."

"However, the place I’m taking you to is not the common Ghost Market talked about by ordinary folks. The Ghost Market they refer to in Jiangzhou City now is an expansion around the true Netherworld Ghost Market, newcomers."

"No matter what you see, do not speak."

Li Guanyi and the elder entered the Ghost Market area, where the elder took out a token and flashed it before proceeding. Li Guanyi saw many living creatures tied to the trees nearby and even noticed military branding on the horses.

Military horses?!

The elder hurriedly pulled Li Guanyi along, speaking in a low voice, "Don’t ask where the goods come from in this Ghost Market..." Li Guanyi nodded, donned his hood, and hurried along, but his steps faltered and his gaze drifted.

Tied with ropes, they were not horses, but people.

Young men, young women, old people, children.

They squatted there, alongside wild animals, their eyes numb; only a child was crying loudly with an iron chain around his neck.

As if nailed to the ground, the young man looked ahead to see the sorrowful face of Siming, his beard trembling. In the old man’s eyes was a profound emotion that Li Guanyi could not comprehend.

Someone was inquiring about the price.

A man with a goat beard guaranteed:

"Ha, she’s a good girl! Pure, I assure you she is pure."

"Safe? Definitely safe! Her parents and elders are all gone, hey, rest assured, don’t ask."

"Look at this, an intact body, so tender, barely over thirteen years old..."

"She’s perfect material for a Beauty Bowl."

The visiting rich merchant, seemingly a foreigner, asked, "What is a Beauty Bowl?"

The goat-bearded man clasped his hands and bowed, saying with a smile, "What is a Beauty Bowl? The noble gentleman certainly has times of discomfort, with phlegm in the throat."