The Black Market's Infamous Snacks and the Wandering Demon

The Black Market Snack Street was originally a famous wealthy district in Beijing. Or rather, it referred to the alley where they sold snacks in the Black Market. Only the owner of the Black Market would know why they specifically named a snack street after a royal residence. It was also one of the Black Market's signature attractions. Thanks to the night-only nature of the Black Market, hungry customers would gather, and they sold all sorts of bizarre foods.

Centipede, scorpion, water beetles, fried flying squirrels spread out with wings fully extended, palm-sized spiders, various long larvae, unidentifiable bugs, and more. Of course, among the items sold, there were some set staples. The most common was the silkworm pupae known as tiānchóng, a snack you could find anywhere in the Central Plains. It was the same pupae that Koreans loved to eat. The only difference was that the people of the Central Plains ate them after they had evolved into what they called "King Pupae," so they were a bit larger than the Korean variety. Roughly the size of a woman's thumb.

The food at this snack street couldn't be trusted—from the source of the ingredients to their freshness—so you shouldn't buy anything recklessly. However, the pupae were different. Nothing strange was added to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠them, and since they were raised for sericulture, their cleanliness was guaranteed. It was a verified snack.

The group each picked up a skewer in a friendly manner. Even the shaman warrior from the Namyang Pa Clan, Namyang Ijo, held one with a sour expression on her face. Still, she couldn't take her eyes off it and kept swallowing her saliva. It seemed she liked the look of it.

"Fried centipede... There are actually people who eat this?"

"There aren't. Ptooey."

"But it says it's a specialty? Ptooey."

It wasn't spitting in disgust. It was the sound of spitting out the tough shell. The basic way to eat pupae snacks was to eat the savory flesh inside and either chew the shell according to your preference or spit it out.

As for Dang Nan-a, the young lady from a noble family, she couldn't settle for just one skewer of pupae. She held two in each hand.

Sichuan's specialty wasn't spicy mala, but silk. And after weaving the silk, amazingly and mysteriously, pupae were left behind.

"If you don't know, you suffer. Among the tourists, there's always some idiot who sees 'specialty' and tries it. Ah, Sister, look over there. Look!"

Jegal Ihyeon urgently pointed to one side.

It was a man with dry, long hair tied back tightly, even covering his bangs. For some reason, he had a shabby appearance, with a roughly shaved, grimy face. He looked like the typical wandering swordsman that made you feel like you'd seen him somewhere before. Wandering swordsmen and sword-for-hire types were ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠usually the sort who tied their hair messily, lived in actual poverty, and shaved or didn't shave their beards as they pleased.

His realm seemed to be barely hanging onto the edge of the Transcendent Realm. He was definitely above Peak, but it felt a bit ambiguous to call him fully Transcendent, so it was probably because he'd only recently achieved that level of mastery. For a wandering swordsman, it was an incredibly high realm...

The Transcendent wanderer held up a spider skewer and hesitated for a long time before carefully bringing one of its legs to his mouth.

"Ugh."

"Eugh."

"Ughk."

"Krrgh."

The four members of the group simultaneously let out groans. In fact, not just Cheong's group, but everyone on the street was either staring openly or sneaking glances. A bizarre phenomenon occurred where that many people all frowned at the same time!

The wanderer's expression was subtle. It didn't seem completely tasteless. Gaining courage from that, he took a big bite of the whole body and started chewing—

"Uweeegh!"

He immediately bent at the waist. What should never have come back up from his stomach was now rebelling in a moment of reverse heaven. After barely composing himself, the wanderer pointed an accusing finger at the stall owner.

"Are you crazy?! You dare sell this crap for three silver coins?!"

"Didn't you buy it, customer? Did anyone threaten you to eat it? You ate it yourself and now you're throwing a tantrum at me?"

"W-what?! Do you know who I am?! I am the Wild Night Demon, Yeok Tae-gang!"

"I don't care if you're a wild night demon or a wild dog demon. If you're not buying anything else, get lost."

It was a shocking sight. A mere street stall owner was talking back to a Transcendent martial artist. At that moment, the Wild Night Demon's face turned bright red as he grabbed the hilt of his sword.

"What, you wanna draw it? You want to cut down a Black Market member in the Black Market itself? Fine. Go ahead and try."

The Wild Night Demon flinched, his hand ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠trembling, before he abruptly turned away. He started stomping off in a rage, about to brush past them, when Cheong asked Jegal Ihyeon in a voice loud enough for him to hear.

"You said you shouldn't mess with vicious merchants like that? But it's okay to mess with them after the Black Market closes? Like, watch until the end and then follow them and take care of them quietly?"

"Hmm. Of course they'd want to protect their Black Market members, but they can't escort and see off every single one of them, can they? Once dawn passes and the Black Market closes, the entire night market will pack up too."

"Still, won't there be some future repercussions? Like sending assassins because you touched one of their own?"

"From the Black Market's perspective, merchants who act arrogant and rude to customers are a headache. Especially if they're bold enough to act that way toward a Transcendent expert, imagine how they treat regular customers. Even if he dies on the road, they probably won't care."

It was a conversation clearly meant to be overheard. The Wild Night Demon stopped dead in his tracks. He bowed his head to Cheong and Jegal Ihyeon, then turned back and sat down at a stall on the opposite side of the street, crossing his arms with a thud.

The shady merchant selling bugs suddenly looked visibly anxious. It was almost certain that tomorrow, this rude, shady merchant—who had apparently committed countless evil deeds through some unknown side job—would meet his memorial day.

By the way, Wild Night Demon. It sounded familiar?

Of course, if Cheong was curious, she didn't hold back.

"Wild Night Demon? Is he famous?"

"Sister, how could a Peak late-stage wanderer not be famous? Someone like the Wild Night Demon is considered one of the top experts among wanderers."

"Ah, maybe I heard about him back when I was briefly a wanderer? Anyway, he'll probably become even more famous now. With a First-class eye, you might not see it, but this Transcendent Transcender Seomun Cheong sees that he's just entered the early stage of Transcendent."

"That's astonishing. Both the Wild Night Demon and your arrogance are astonishing. Perhaps in the future, he'll be called the Demon King of Wanderers."

At that, Dang Nan-a, who had been alternating between the two pupae skewers in her hands, asked with wide eyes.

"What? You... were a wanderer?"

"In the past. After trying both, I realized there's not much difference between beggars and wanderers. Both have no money, are dirty, suffer from the heat in summer and the cold in winter. If you buy them food, they'll do anything. People look at them with fear, but also with a kind of dismissive pity. Those pitiful eyes."

After saying that, Cheong thought to herself—

Huh? Then aren't they just graduate students?

Cheong didn't think much of it, but to Dang Nan-a who was listening, it was yet another chilling tale of hardship.

"Uh, um... Sorry. Want a skewer?"

"No, why would you give me something you're already eating? Do I look like a beggar?"

Cheong took the two remaining skewers and said. Only then did she notice the unique dining area of the night market, with tables spread out everywhere and all sorts of food stalls arranged in a circle.

"Jegal, what the hell is nameless meat?"

"It's the stuff that even the lowly refuse to eat. Things like weasels, wild cats, and raccoon dogs—beasts with that gamey smell."

In order: weasel, wildcat, raccoon dog.

"They really eat anything with four legs..."

"They eat things without legs too. That rolled up stuff over there is snake, and the spread out one is prepared snake. The rolled up thing next to it looks like snake but it's actually a mountain goat's... ahem. My apologies, Sister."

"Wow, that thing's longer than a snake. Is that..."

"They say it doesn't taste good. It's supposed to be good for men, but it's not even popular."

The source was unknown, the slaughtering hygiene and precision were questionable, and on top of that, it was just roughly seasoned and grilled, so it didn't even taste good. Cheong obediently gave up and passed through the Wangfujing Street area.

The deeper you went inside, the more they supposedly dealt in secret items. Since there was no categorization of goods on display, all sorts of random junk was laid out. To Cheong, it just looked like a flea market.

Then, when the poison goods section appeared, Dang Nan-a said she wanted to look around a bit and stayed behind. Jegal Ihyeon also couldn't tear himself away from the antiques section, so Cheong told them to go ahead and look around, leaving them be.

In truth, since Jegal Ihyeon had emphasized it so strongly, she had thought they would just politely inquire about things inside the Black Market. Since she didn't think there would be any sword fights or ominous incidents, it wasn't strange that they were acting like they were here to have fun.

These guys. Did they come to pick up an old man's grandson or to sightsee?

"Hey there, beautiful! Oh my, you're the incarnation of a fairy. The greatest beauty of the Murim is right here! Come take a look at some martial arts manuals before you go!"

"Oh, they sell martial arts books. Eui-mae, let's go check it out."

"Yeah! Maybe there'll be some peerless martial arts?"

"Would something like that really be here..."

Even Namyang added a word.

"Oh? Look at you finally opening your mouth?"

"Huk."

When Cheong made a sharp face, Namyang shut her mouth with an expression like she was about to stop breathing. It was because Cheong's beauty was so dazzling it was harmful. Cheong interpreted that terrified, devoured look as fear and confidently approached the martial arts book merchant.

"Oh! Yang's True Energy! Hmm? Was the name like this?"

Cheong picked up the book just in case, but the martial arts window remained silent, so it was clearly fake. Then the merchant, who had laid out a whole row of books, spoke.

"Please don't open it, beautiful customer. If you open it, you'll have to buy it."

"I'm not looking. Besides, why is this martial arts book so clean? It should be all tattered and worn to have the right feel."

"That's because we made fresh copies for the customers' convenience."

Wasn't that not allowed? Cheong tilted her head and picked up the martial arts books one by one. Taiji Sword of the Sea Fish, Oriole Flower Twenty-Seven Hands, Heaven Breaking Heaven Breaking Blade, Heavenly Treasure Divine Fist, King Zhou's Mind Scripture, Wudang Face Liver, and so on... The titles all had one screw loose somewhere, and the books were brand new and sparkling, so they didn't inspire any trust.

"Mister merchant, do these actually sell?"

"They sell surprisingly well."

"This uncle's way of talking is a bit..."

"Unique, isn't it? I am the peddler known as the Ten Thousand Things Seller, Jeon Dae-yong."

"Ten Thousand Things Seller!"

Cheong shouted. If Jegal Ihyeon had been next to her, he probably would have shouted, so she felt a strange sense of duty. Because the surrounding gazes had gathered, Cheong first confirmed the facts.

"Hmm. Are you a famous person?"

"No. I just made it up. How could a person's name be Jeon Dae-yong? That doesn't make sense, does it?"

"Hehe, you're a fun person."

Cheong giggled as she answered. It really felt like she had come to a market. Since all sorts of strange merchants had gathered, it reminded her of how she used to take her lovers to see them whenever they changed.

Ah. Those were good times. Thinking about it makes me feel a bit lonely...

Whether the "sells surprisingly well" claim was true or not, while it had been empty when she first called out to Cheong, quite a few other customers had gathered by now.

"Ahem, owner, give me one of these. How much?"

"How much research have you done?"

"......?"

"Since divine arts have their owners predetermined, only those who understand their value can obtain them, don't you think?"

"Normally the seller sets the price for goods..."

"You should at least give two gold coins? It's expensive? No, how much free supreme lightness skill from the entire Wudang Sect—no, the entire Kangho—are you trying to devour? What? You're not using it? Hey, customer, do I look like I have nothing better to do than this? Aigo, I'm getting angry? Do you want to get served, customer?"

Then he released his aura. Whoa, what the hell? Harmonious Realm? Why is a Harmonious Realm expert sitting here selling fake books? Seriously, it seems like just anyone can be in the Harmonious Realm these days.

In the end, the poor customer was strong-armed into buying the clearly fake Wudang Face Liver book for two gold coins.

"Just so you know, I'm only here to look around, okay?"

"Oh my, that's fine. Beautiful people can look for free. Hmm, if you take this and look around for one more hour, would that be alright?"

The self-proclaimed Jeon Dae-yong held out two coins. Only then did Cheong realize she'd been had. This uncle was using her as a signboard. Once she took off her face veil, all sorts of gazes would follow her, so just standing at the stall made her practically a glowing advertisement board.

In reality, it was the sight of an absolute beauty with a sword at her waist seriously examining the books. So naturally, people couldn't help but wonder if there was something real there and get tempted.

Cheong couldn't refuse the allowance money from a Harmonious Realm expert, so she obediently accepted the coins. Of course, since Jeon Dae-yong didn't have any particular hostility, Cheong, who had been on guard, didn't say anything harsh.

"You just earned two gold coins and you're only giving me two copper coins? Aigoo, how cheap. It's like seawater."

"That sounds good too? Next time I should call myself the Salt Field Magnate, Coast King."

"Salt Field Magnate!"

"...Do you really have to shout that?"

"I heard this is proper etiquette?"

"It does seem that way? Yes, it's nice to meet a polite customer. I can't give you more money, but you can look through the books for one hour."

"It's not like looking at them ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠will give me any real benefit anyway."

Still, not knowing any better, Cheong picked up every single book one by one. Then suddenly, the martial arts window flashed.

"Oh?"

Cheong didn't know it, but this was truly the moment to let out exclamations loud enough to shake heaven and earth in all directions.

In this world!!! Shadowless Divine Hand!!!! The Divine Thief's!!!!!

The Shadowless Divine Hand was the exclusive martial art of the legendary one-man transmission thief, the Shadowless Divine Thief!

But how could Cheong possibly know that?