Chapter 291: Tempting

Upon hearing this, Jiang Cheng probably understood what the simple task the other side referred to was.

It's like those few people who deliberately raise the price at an auction.

It should be that kind of task.

After all, which alchemist would be idle enough to act as a stooge? Even the strong ones—haven't you seen that the Black Market hires Spiritual Grandmasters to help run the place?

Thinking this, Jiang Cheng let out a sigh of relief.

He has a Panel in hand.

Not only is his cultivation of Secret Martial Arts without any bottleneck, but it also leaps forward.

The same applies to Refining Alchemy: as long as he obtains a formula and enough ingredients, becoming an Alchemy Grandmaster is just a matter of time.

But he didn't rush to rejoice; instead he asked, "If someone has a talent for Refining Alchemy, do they have to spend the whole day making pills for you?"

"That's definitely impossible."

Li Guanshi said without thinking, "Even a senior Spiritual Thought Master has limited Spiritual Power; they can't spend the entire day refining alchemy. We set daily quotas based on each person's Spiritual Power and Refining Alchemy skill level. As long as the prescribed amount is completed, the rest of the time the Alchemist can manage themselves; we won't intervene further."

"Completing your daily quota must be hard as well, right?" Jiang Cheng said, staring into the other's eyes.

Li Guanshi chuckled, realizing he couldn't bluff his way out, and said, "From what I know, a typical Alchemist needs seven or eight hours. Of course, a few exceptional ones can manage in three or four hours; those people have different contracts with us and receive very generous compensation."

Jiang Cheng thought to himself, this makes sense.

The Black Market never makes loss‑making deals.

A typical Spiritual Thought Master, after seven or eight hours of work, is already exhausted; let alone practicing Visualization Method to boost Spiritual Power, refining the Original Force is unrealistic.

The members of the Dawn Society are essentially hitman tools, and the Black Market's Spiritual Thought Masters are no less than alchemy tools, aren't they?

As for the few, whether they exist or not, even if they do, they're at master level—living money trees. The Black Market's treatment of them is, of course, different.

Fortunately, I'm not an ordinary person.

As long as my proficiency in Alchemy Technique improves, I can definitely manage three or four hours to finish a day's quota, maybe even two or three hours? Moreover, I might even be able to secretly refine some for my own use.

It's like a bottle of Basic Tranquil Pill selling for 100,000 yuan; now he wants to buy 20,000,000 worth of Calming Pills. Only the Lotus Visualization Method can push his proficiency to the next level, making him a Level 2 Spiritual Thought Master.

Twenty million!

Unless he goes out to hunt Exotic Beasts again, getting that much money isn't easy.

But if he becomes an Alchemist… the Black Market provides the equipment, the ingredients don't cost him anything; as long as he fulfills the task requirements, the rest is his, right? Thinking that, his heart was stirred; staying in the Black Market might not be a bad choice after all.

Li Guanshi also read something in Jiang Cheng's eyes and smiled, "Friend, is there anything else you'd like to ask? Feel free to say it."

"I want to know, if I have family, would you provide protection?" Jiang Cheng asked immediately.

"That's natural."

Li Guanshi nodded heavily, "To be frank, friend, our Black Market in the Outer City District has its own exclusive area. It's both a workplace and a living/rest area for Alchemists, so security is tight, with Grandmasters stationed there. Even the Inner City District's security isn't any better."

"If you have family, you can bring them over anytime; we warmly welcome them."

Jiang Cheng nodded.

"The terms are indeed tempting, but I need to think it over."

"No problem."

Li Guanshi said, pulling out a business card.

"This is my contact information; if you decide, you can reach out anytime. Our Black Market welcomes you to join." Jiang Cheng tucked the card away and, under Li Guanshi's watchful gaze, left the courtyard.

Unaware of any tail, he got into his car and drove toward home.

The Black Market isn't charitable; its conditions are still harsh. To meet daily quotas, Alchemists spend the whole day refining alchemy, sleeping at night to recover Spiritual Power; otherwise they'd have to rely on drugs during the day to finish the next day's tasks. Over time, there's no time to improve oneself. If Alchemists are like that, everyone else only gets more exhausted.

As for the top few, there's no need to overthink; it's the 80/20 rule there. Moreover, if even the elite are dying of fatigue, would the lower ranks still feel motivated to strive?

But such harsh conditions are negligible before a Panel.

For him, it's actually a chance to quickly boost his strength.

"The Black Market can refine alchemy; the Rebel Army should be able to as well. They're in the mountains, abundant with precious ingredients and Exotic Beast Materials."

Jiang Cheng thought to himself.

Bringing his family into the mountains means he won't have to worry about the Dawn Society finding them.

As for the task they mentioned.

He is currently a Level 7 Original Force Warrior and wields an A-grade Alloy Battle Knife; completing it should be no problem.

The only concern is.

Grandma, Chen Sao, and the other three are ordinary people. The mountains are extremely treacherous; even a Level 7 Original Force Warrior, let alone a Level 10, could run into trouble. Can I safely lead three ordinary folks through? Let's see what the Rebel Army says.

When there was still some distance to home, Jiang Cheng parked his car by the roadside, looked around, saw no one nearby, then removed his Human Skin Mask and headed toward the residential complex.

When Jiang Cheng returned, the three inside hurriedly brought dishes out of the kitchen; the meal was lavish, with fish and meat.

Seeing this, Jiang Cheng felt a tinge of melancholy.

He hadn't expected that after such a short period of peace, things would start shifting again.

But he had to do it; the Dawn Society isn't a place to stay long.

After a few bites, Jiang Cheng finally said, "Grandma, Chen Sao, Xiao Yue, there's something I need to tell you."

The three exchanged glances, all sensing the matter wasn't simple.

"What is it, Xiao Cheng? Speak up," Chen Sao hurried.

"In the past two days, my job has changed, and I'll be moving to a new place soon."

"Jiang Cheng, you mean we have to move?" Lin Yue asked in surprise.

"Yeah."

Jiang Cheng nodded.

He certainly couldn't disclose the specifics.

"After dinner, go back and pack; we might have to leave here at any moment."

The three of them again stared at each other.

"Xiao Cheng, did something happen?" Chen Sao's eyes showed a worried expression.

The Old Man and Lin Yue also began to worry.

(End of chapter)