Chapter 597: Chapter 597

Using a cemetery as a Black Market was a testament to some serious ingenuity, but the wisdom of the Ancient Huaxia people was still unmatched. The bigwigs’ burial sites had great feng shui and even better locations. Now, in the fourth year of the apocalypse, they had avoided earthquakes and floods due to the elevated terrain, resulting in less mud inside.

It really was a treasure land.

It was not until the delicious aroma of barbecued meat wafted over at a turn, where bright lights shone, a warm bonfire flickered, and low murmurings of conversation could be heard, that Jing Shu knew she had arrived.

The view suddenly opened up. A few people were squatting at the entrance, fanning the grill as they roasted familiar skewers and ate reconstituted meat cubes; the smell alone was enticing. Remarkably, even in the fourth year of the apocalypse, there was the scent of chili powder. The Imperial Capital indeed had its fair share of treasures, which made Jing Shu look forward to today’s Black Market.

"Qiangzi, you’re here! Eating or not? 30 Virtual Coins a skewer. At least meet the minimum spending," the squatting middle-aged uncle immediately stood up, offering three skewers of multicolored meat.

Fan Jianqiang shook his head in disdain, "It’s not that I’m complaining, Uncle Lu, but who knows where you guys get this compressed mixed meat from. The taste isn’t bad, but I almost vomited from a piece of a finger bone last time."

"That was a mistake, an accidental mix-up! You know we don’t eat *that* kind of meat. It’s all certified, regular meat. Hey, you brought some people! Why not treat everyone to a skewer? Smell this, doesn’t it smell wonderful?"

Uncle Lu chuckled awkwardly as he brought the barbecue a bit closer. This was his usual trick. Although most people who came to the Black Market weren’t short of food, those who could regularly savor such delicious barbecue were still few.

Fan Jianqiang gulped. The smell was enticing indeed, but he had been grossed out last time. He figured he should at least give Uncle Lu some face, so he turned to Jing Shu and Song Bin, asking, "Shall I treat you two?"

Jing Shu’s tastes had long been refined, and Song Bin was scared off when he heard about the finger bones. Both shook their heads. "No, we’ve eaten already, but thanks."

"Alright then, let’s go. It’s about to start," Fan Jianqiang shrugged, saving himself some money.

Yet, Jing Shu stopped and asked Uncle Lu, "Aren’t you going to sprinkle some cumin? It would smell even better with some."

Uncle Lu smiled bitterly. "Seasonings are hard to find. The cost of the meat isn’t high, but the salt and chili powder used in marination are key, not to mention other spices."

Jing Shu nodded thoughtfully. It seems the condiments I brought today are quite precious, she mused. In the Black Market, common food and household items weren’t scarce—as evident from people’s attire and body weight. They hardly looked like the emaciated folk on the streets but rather like normal people from before the apocalypse.

Jing Shu and Song Bin followed Fan Jianqiang to the core area of the cemetery. It was a hall surrounded by bonfires, partitioned into several zones with fences. A central platform was loaded with all sorts of items, including those brought in by trolley—truly a dazzling array of goods. ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹⟡𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮⟡𝙣𝙚𝙩

Fan Jianqiang, familiar with the setting, greeted about a dozen people before instinctively heading to the silver members’ area.

The cemetery, or the Black Market, had five entrances—perhaps a reflection of class privilege. Their silver member’s entry necessitated stooping to get into a back area, while occasionally, people entered through a broad front door decked with a red carpet.

"Only gold members and above can enter through the main door. They get a round table, snacks, drinks, and a lounge. Let’s just stand here," Fan Jianqiang said, somewhat enviously eyeing the important figures moving through that area.

Jing Shu suddenly asked, "When trading goods, are there any restrictions? For example, can silver members not trade valuable items?" Jun Bao had reassured her that transactions here were protected and safe. Plus, she wasn’t from the Imperial Capital and planned to make her trades and quickly return to Wu City, so she wasn’t afraid. But it would be frustrating if I set my eyes on something and can’t trade for it, she worried.

Fan Jianqiang scoffed. "Valuable items? As long as your goods appeal to them, there’s no issue. Of course, the more precious the item, the higher the tax. And that tax... can’t be settled with just a few skewers," he said, somewhat haughtily.

It was Jun Bao’s fault for not explaining clearly, Fan Jianqiang mused. He just casually mentioned that I should bring some people to visit the Black Market. Since it’s just a visit, it’s meant to let them see the world. I heard one of them even came from the countryside of Wu City. Possibly an old flame of Jun Bao’s? Fan Jianqiang turned his head and examined Jing Shu carefully, then vigorously shook his head. Damn this face blindness! I can’t tell if this woman is beautiful or ugly. To me, all women in the world look the same, and so do all men. A long time ago, I was listed alongside Jun Bao as objects of mockery due to our respective ’disabilities.’

Well, since Jun Bao introduced her, I should give him some face,

Look at his swagger, Jing Shu thought, acting like he’s footing the bill for everyone here. So suave.

"Are all people from the Imperial Capital this suave?" Jing Shu asked quietly.

Song Bin said softly, "They’re obsessed with appearances, total show-offs."

Jing Shu managed not to laugh, nodding seriously. "Then thank you in advance."

The VIP sections for gold members and the Screen Area for Diamond members were now seated.

"Hello everyone, I am Gong Huwei, the president of the Ya Ge Trading Center. Ladies, feel free to call me Lao Gong. Gentlemen, please call me President Gong."

"I am also the host for today’s trading meet. Today, as always, we accommodate various trading methods such as bartering, or trading items for Virtual Coins. Just state your needs, whether buying or selling, and leave the rest to our trading center to handle," Lao Gong said with humor and charm. He was a comical-looking, middle-aged, bald, and plump man.

"So annoying, always taking advantage of people."

"I think you’re the one wanting to take advantage."

Lao Gong, holding a megaphone, first showed everyone the various goods on today’s display racks to give them an idea of what was available.

Just when I thought it was about to start like a typical auction or bidding process... Jing Shu mused. She hadn’t expected President Gong to first invite the Diamond VIPs from the Screen Area. He announced, "We can’t let our esteemed guests wait too long. Let’s first see the needs of our guests from the Diamond Area."

Huh? I thought they would start with the bronze-tier items first, Jing Shu wondered. Isn’t the main event always saved for last? So, this Black Market starts with a bang right from the beginning? Oh, right, they can’t keep the big shots waiting.