Chapter 231: I'll double the offer, then turn the tables on that idiot

Lin Meng followed them all the way to a mahjong parlor.

Upon entering, she was dumbfounded.

This world actually has mahjong—how amazing is that?

Before Lin Meng could recover from her surprise, she saw Cui Cheng's group disappear behind a heavy iron door.

That must be the black market entrance, hidden in the bustling city, open to anyone.

Seeing this, Lin Mengye followed a small crowd into the iron door, and soon a long downward staircase appeared.

After walking a few minutes they finally reached the bottom; the black market turned out to be an underground city, lavish everywhere, with red lights and green wine.

Lin Meng kept an eye on Cui Cheng's movements while casually strolling about, taking in everything.

The black market was novel to her; here she could even see strange beings locked in cages.

These captured strange beings had become caged monkeys for people's amusement, and some even offered to buy them.

One could only say the black market lived up to its name: any bizarre trade could be had here for the right price.

Cui Cheng turned into a shop decorated in dark tones; it had no name, only a skull painted on its sign.

Lin Meng asked a passing woman.

"Miss, what does that shop do?"

The woman followed Lin Meng's finger with her gaze, her eyes flickering.

"You're not from around here, are you? That shop is the most famous assassin organization in the southern district of Jianan City, a place that specializes in hiring killers."

Saying that, the miss gave Lin Meng a once‑over, then added:

"Older sister, seeing you're young, I advise you: don't go in just out of curiosity—anyone who enters their shop must pay to buy a kill, and must purchase one before leaving."

Lin Meng was speechless. "Can they really force a sale like that?"

The miss spread her hands; obviously this was nothing unusual to them.

"Anyone who can do business in the black market has some big shot backing them; rumor has it the boss behind this shop is immensely powerful—even Jianan City's Night Watch Organization can't touch them."

After the miss waved her hand and left, Lin Meng stared at the shop, her eyes growing brighter.

She had now mustered some courage, and with a few tricks up her sleeve, she was itching to act.

Not long after, Cui Cheng swaggered out.

Look at his smug expression—it seems the deal went through.

"Young Master Cui, for a lowly person you sold your beloved sports car—was it worth it? That Ye‑surnamed kid just provokes you like this!"

Cui Cheng spat at the words.

"As the young master, I'm in a good mood—saying more is no problem."

"Ye Xiu that bastard must die! Ever since we've been in the same class, the young master has always been suppressed by him—can't beat him in theory, can't beat him in physical training, and now even his talent surpasses mine; I just can't stand the sight of him."

The others exchanged bewildered glances.

"But he's just a summoner, doomed to be trash—what good is an S‑rank talent? You actually hired that deadly assassin group to kill him; isn't that a bit over the top?"

"Exactly. If I'd known it was this kind of business, Young Master Cui, give me your car—I'll find someone to take care of him for you."

"……"

The group's silhouettes gradually faded at the end of the street; Lin Meng emerged slowly, letting out a cold chuckle.

Cui Cheng is truly petty to the extreme—just because he can't stand Ye Xiu being better than him, he wants to exterminate him completely.

During that time in the opera house when they were hung up and tortured, it was only thanks to Ye Xiu's fate not being sealed that she met him; otherwise, that scoundrel Cui Cheng would have succeeded.

Seeing she still had time, Lin Meng immediately walked into the assassin shop.

"Yo, a new face—and such a pretty little girl."

A greasy‑haired, powder‑faced man saw Lin Meng and his eyes lit up with lust as he lecherously approached her.

Lin Meng said nothing, pulled out a laser gun, and aimed it at his forehead.

"Stay back; if you scare me and my hand shakes, who's to blame if it goes off?"

The lecherous man didn't expect Lin Meng to be such a hot‑shot; at the sight of the laser gun he instinctively halted, yet he wasn't frightened.

But just then the atmosphere suddenly turned odd.

The lecherous man stared at Lin Meng's gun, terrified to the point of trembling and losing control of his bladder on the spot.

"Damn, peeing in public like that—no class at all?"

As he spoke, several figures emerged from the shop.

They took in the scene, glanced at Lin Meng, and each grew nervous.

"Quick, go tell the boss—we've got a tough customer!"

Out of the corner of her eye Lin Meng saw someone bolt toward the back of the shop, while another came over with an apologetic smile.

"Oh dear, my lady, take it easy—don't go firing off accidentally; we can talk this out."

Lin Meng realized that the laser gun in her hand seemed quite extraordinary here, possibly akin to a supernatural artifact.

That lecherous fellow probably pissed himself just from seeing her gun.

Thinking of that, Lin Meng couldn't help but curl her lips, feeling more confident.

"This jerk disrespected me—you're an assassin outfit, right? I want to buy his head!"

One could only say the black market lived up to its name: any bizarre trade could be had here for the right price.

Thinking that, Lin Meng relaxed even more.

Anyway, she's not from this world—what's wrong with being a bit unrestrained?

The apologetic man's eyes darkened at the words, and he glared fiercely at the lecherous man.

"My lady, calm down—don't stoop to his level; he's just a country bumpkin, usually a bit dull, but he's this shop's top tracker, and you can't kill him."

Hearing that, Lin Meng arched an eyebrow inwardly and lowered her raised gun.

She isn't trying to let him off easy; her hand is just sore.

Him? A tracking expert? He doesn't have the guts for that.

Lin Meng pointed her gun at the puddle of yellow liquid on the ground and covered her nose in disgust.

Tsk! He's a bit inept, but his nose is sharper than a dog's; once he catches a scent, he can track someone from miles away. Miss, if we don't give him a break, let him go easy?

Lin Meng secretly raised an eyebrow, then carefully sensed again, discovering that this lecherous man indeed had a faint aura fluctuation.

This must be the strange qi emitted by cultivators in this world.

Put simply, supernatural power also stems from strange qi; awakeners absorb strange qi to grow stronger, just as cultivators rely on spiritual qi to train.

However, supernatural items restrain the uncanny, they restrain strange qi, and they are equally deadly to awakeners.

So when they saw Lin Meng's gun, they were quite frightened.

Soon, a person in charge finally walked out of the inner hall.

He was fair and handsome, not like a blood‑licking executioner, but rather had a refined, scholarly bearing.

"Miss, I'm really sorry; my subordinates are indeed low‑quality, I'll personally punish him later."

Lin Meng had already put away her gun, so the visitor didn't see the supernatural items reported by her subordinates.

Lin Meng stopped wasting time with the lecherous man and got straight to the point:

"I'm here to talk business."

Soon, Lin Meng was taken to a dark room; the refined handsome man brought her a tea cup, personally brewed tea, and said:

"Miss, how should I address you? I'm Fu Bai Zhou, temporarily in charge here."

Lin Meng took a sip of tea, didn't beat around the bush, and spoke directly:

"The name doesn't matter; that jerk who came in before me—did you get him to kill a student named Ye Xiu? I'll pay double."

"Fu Bai Zhou was surprised, 'You also want to kill Ye Xiu?'"

"Lin Meng: '...'"

I'll offer double, then counter‑kill that idiot.