Chapter Ninety-Five: The Purpose of the Ghost Market (Please Subscribe)

Fang Mu asked curiously, "A transaction? What kind of transaction?"

What kind of deal could be discussed to the point that an arm was completely lost? The owner of the Ghost Market truly was a master of negotiation.

Director Wu sneered coldly, "Actually, the Ghost Market owner kills those who commit great evils. Our Tian Supervisory Division has always turned a blind eye because their actions aren’t too conspicuous. But this time, when I went to see him, he told me he’s no longer satisfied with just that."

At this, a murderous gleam flashed in Director Wu’s eyes. "Do you know what he wants?"

Fang Mu shook his head, wrapping his arms around A Bai and gently stroking him, excitement flickering in his eyes.

Hearing secrets from others was thrilling, like exercise that starts shallow and gradually deepens until reaching a peak.

Unfortunately, without sunflower seeds or soda, Fang Mu could only substitute with A Bai.

A Bai blinked in confusion, thinking it was better if his master were a bit less enthusiastic, but something felt off.

The murderous intent in Director Wu’s eyes grew stronger. With a decisive slap on the table, he said, "I asked him why the Ghost Market has been appearing more frequently lately. He said the Ghost Market is short-handed and needs to recruit from the mortal realm."

Fang Mu silently nodded and stroked A Bai again.

Director Wu continued, "At first, it didn’t sound like much, but then he said he needed the Tian Supervisory Division to cooperate with him, to ease up on monitoring the Ghost Market. What a joke! Our division guards the mortal realm. How could we let a mere Ghost Market dictate terms?"

Fang Mu stroked his chin thoughtfully. "The Ghost Market owner must be incredibly cunning. Why has he suddenly become so defiant?"

Earlier, Director Wu had mentioned that the Ghost Market owner even used a strange beast to form a friendly bond with Fang Mu. Why was he acting so arrogant now?

"Just like humans, these strange beings become overconfident once they have a trump card," Director Wu said, pointing to a circle drawn on the table. "The Ghost Market grew from a small operation to a large market because our division was negligent. If we try to uproot it completely, the strange beings inside will go haywire."

Chaos would then bring catastrophe—that was the Ghost Market owner’s ace in the hole. Unfortunately for him, he forgot one thing: the stance of the Tian Supervisory Division.

Director Wu swept his hand to erase the circle on the table and continued, "Since our division was established, we’ve said we will never compromise with these strange beings. The mortal realm has its own laws. If the Ghost Market dares to interfere, it will pay any price."

Fang Mu stroked A Bai once more and nodded, "That’s true. If you make concessions, they’ll only become more arrogant. Right now, they’re killing only the truly wicked, but who would believe a strange being’s word?"

This was exactly how Fang Mu felt. There’s an old saying: ‘Those who are not of my kind have different hearts.’ It might be unfair to judge all by the same standard, but one must always remain vigilant.

There is no absolute truth in the world. Not every alien race is evil, but if your own kind loses caution, that’s when real danger arises.

Director Wu pointed to the arm on the table. "I cut off one of his arms to show my stance; I destroyed one of his streets to show the division’s resolve; I killed 1,800 strange beings in his market to demonstrate the attitude of the Ancient Yue Kingdom… and in the end, he backed down."

"He said he wouldn’t bring it up again, and I didn’t press further. After all, it’s not yet a matter of life and death."

At this, Director Wu picked up the severed arm, his face full of disdain.

Fang Mu stared at the arm, an idea forming. "Could I take a look at the Ghost Market owner’s arm?"

Director Wu casually handed it over. "Most of the malevolence was burned away by fire. You can examine it, it won’t affect you, but I’ll need to take it back later for study."

Fang Mu took it and gently touched it.

[You have touched an unnamed strange being, gaining a wisp of true energy.]

[You have touched an unnamed strange being, acquiring the skill—Tiger Strength Fist. The fist’s wind is fierce, sweeping across the world.]

A wisp—just a wisp! Not just a mere thread of true energy.

The wisp of true energy merged into Fang Mu’s body, slowly integrating with the true energy fish residing within him.

After the infusion, about ten of the fish’s scales began to glow golden.

Fang Mu set down the arm, pondering silently.

Was the next stage after the fish’s leap to turn all its scales golden?

Information about the Tiger Strength Fist also entered Fang Mu’s mind.

It was a single, straightforward punch. Once unleashed, the true energy would transform into a ferocious tiger to attack.

Since they were inside the shop, Fang Mu refrained from trying it out.

He sighed internally, regretting that the arm had been burned so badly by Director Wu. Otherwise, he could have gleaned even more.

After Director Wu took back the arm, Fang Mu stroked his chin and asked, "The Ghost Market is supposed to be a rule-based entity. Why then is its owner a corpse-type strange being?"

Fang Mu had been to the Ghost Market and knew its strange beings were rule-based. But the clues from the arm suggested otherwise.

The corpse-touching skill could only touch corpse-type strange beings directly. Rule-based and soul-type strange beings required killing first before being touched. Since he had touched it alive, it proved the Ghost Market owner was indeed a corpse-type being.

"I’m not sure," Director Wu shook his head. "That guy is very cautious. He only revealed his ambitions because he thought he was sure to win."

Fang Mu nodded, realizing there were still many secrets in the Ghost Market.

"By the way, I met an interesting Xuan scholar inside," Director Wu recalled with a smile. "I was just about to burn down that street when this guy came out holding a compass. He even said he had calculated that you and I have some connection."

A compass?

Fang Mu was unfazed, but Yan Xian’s eyes widened.

Yan Xian had heard Fang Mu mention this person more than once, but hearing it now from the director himself startled him.

"The Iron Calculation Immortal," Fang Mu took a sip of tea and said, "Yes, I know him."

"This guy is an old hand," Director Wu chuckled. "I didn’t kill him on the spot; he must understand my message."

Fang Mu set down his teacup and smiled.

After chatting a while longer, Director Wu summoned a flame that wrapped around the arm on the table.

Fang Mu didn’t understand, only watching silently.

Director Wu walked to the door and threw the flaming arm toward a certain direction.

The arm wrapped in flames vanished instantly beyond the horizon.

"Done," Director Wu clapped his hands.

Fang Mu was speechless.

This must be a special way of sending items, though it felt a bit reckless.

Director Wu glanced at the sky and turned back. "Fang Mu, it’s already late. I still have some time. How about we find a place to drink and talk?"

Fang Mu picked up A Bai. "Good idea. I have some things I want to discuss with you."

Yan Xian stepped forward. "Director, I’ll go find a place."

Director Wu shook his head. "No need. I’m familiar with Dongfeng County. I’ll take you to a good spot."

With that, Director Wu led the way out of the shop.