Martial Arts: I Have a Wilderness World-Chapter 83 - 82: Inquiry; Meeting Second Uncle

Li Lu was a bit puzzled by Cheng Zongyang’s arrival. The younger man said,

"I came to see you today, Uncle Li, to ask about something. You know I’m a student of Martial Arts, so Martial Arts Techniques and skills are essential. I was just wondering where I might be able to purchase authentic ones?"

Li Lu could understand Cheng Zongyang’s thinking. ’After all, who would complain about having too many skills?’

’Even if you don’t practice them, you can still pass them down as a family heirloom.’

Even he himself, after accumulating all sorts of "gray" income, had to pull strings and spend over one hundred taels of silver just to buy a single, authentic Lower Three Grades basic Martial Arts Technique, complete and with a few annotations.

He thought for a moment before saying,

"Things like Martial Arts and Cultivation Techniques are officially prohibited by the Government Office from circulating among the common folk. They are typically only passed down within the Court, Martial Arts Halls, Gangs, and prominent families; they aren’t easily leaked to outsiders. As a result, many fake Cultivation Techniques and Martial Arts have appeared on the market. Of course, some people sell real ones, but they might have errors or omissions. The price is usually around several tens of taels."

"So, to buy authentic Cultivation Techniques and Martial Arts, you need more than just money—you need an introduction through connections. The average person wouldn’t even know where to start."

"Unless you know someone from a Martial Arts Hall, a family, or a Gang and can buy from them directly."

Cheng Zongyang frowned. "Is there really nowhere else to buy them?"

"There is!" Li Lu said. "The black market!"

Cheng Zongyang was taken aback and asked, confused, "I’ve been to the black market to sell things many times, but I’ve never seen anyone selling Martial Arts Techniques."

Li Lu smiled. "Who would sell something like that out in the open, like a common street vendor? Anything sold that way is a fake. To find the real stuff, you have to know who to ask."

"If you’re serious, I can point you to someone. Whether they have the specific Martial Arts or Cultivation Techniques you’re looking for, I can’t say."

"Please, Uncle Li, I would be grateful for your guidance," Cheng Zongyang said, cupping his hands in a fist-and-palm salute.

Li Lu chuckled. "Since you’ve been to the black market, you must know it has two sections: the East Market and the West Market. This kind of merchandise is usually only found in the East Market. Have you been there?"

Cheng Zongyang nodded. "Once. It cost ten cents to get in, so I only went that one time out of curiosity. Everything was more expensive than in the West Market, so I never went back."

Li Lu said, "Exactly. The East Market is mostly for wealthy people or Martial Artists. They sell more expensive goods there. It also keeps out the riffraff who are just looking around."

Cheng Zongyang thought for a moment, then asked, "I heard the black market is backed by Gangs. Are they the source of these Martial Arts Techniques and Martial Arts?"

Li Lu nodded. "More or less. Sometimes, when a disciple from a Noble Race or a Martial Artist from a Martial Arts Hall is short on cash, they don’t mind selling a copied Cultivation Technique for some spending money. After all, they just have to transcribe it. As for whether the copy is accurate, that depends on your luck and your judgment. It also depends on whether they feel like putting in the effort for a bigger profit."

Cheng Zongyang understood. "So who do I ask for?" he pressed.

Li Lu said, "If you want a Cultivation Technique, go to the East Market. Tell the person at the gate, ’I’m looking to spend a little money.’ They’ll know what you want and that you were sent by someone. You’ll also have to hand over five taels of silver as a deposit to show you’re serious. This money is non-refundable. If you make a purchase, it’ll be applied to the cost. If you don’t, you lose it. After that, they’ll take you to a house to make the trade. So, make sure you bring enough money. They can be trusted."

Cheng Zongyang nodded as he listened, committing Li Lu’s instructions to memory.

At the same time, he also learned from Li Lu the general prices for Cultivation Techniques and Martial Arts.

A standard transcribed Lower Three Grades Cultivation Method went for about fifty or sixty taels a copy. If it included annotations, the price was around one hundred taels. Middle Third Grades techniques ranged from one hundred to two hundred taels. Upper Three Grades were not available.

Martial Arts were divided into Basic (Beginner), Beginner Level, Middle Level, High Level, and several tiers beyond that.

The East Market only sold four of these types: Beginner, Beginner Level, Middle Level, and High Level. Prices ranged from thirty to one hundred taels.

After learning the details from Li Lu, Cheng Zongyang thanked him profusely and returned the favor by offering some guidance on his Cultivation Technique.

Amidst laughter, with both parties satisfied and pleased with the exchange, Cheng Zongyang took his leave.

For the rest of the day, Cheng Zongyang went on a shopping spree, buying up massive quantities of Medicinal Materials from every pharmacy in the county that was still open.

He bought Medicinal Materials for the first and second stages of Body Forging medicinal baths, as well as Foundation Establishment Materials.

At this point, he no longer cared if he was drawing attention!

He had already asked his second aunt last night to pack the Medicinal Materials at his uncle’s house according to the formulas. He wasn’t planning on taking anything else.

’There are plenty of medicinal herbs in the mountains. It’ll just take some time to gather them.’

「Soon, it was noon.」

After having lunch at the clinic, Cheng Zongyang borrowed a horse-drawn carriage to move some of his belongings from the clinic to his house for storage. The items were mostly a stockpile of Medicinal Materials, clothes, and other personal effects. He would come back for them later.

Once he had taken care of everything, with no other pressing matters, Cheng Zongyang took his second aunt to the County Magistrate’s Office.

On the way, Cheng Zongyang explained a few things to his second aunt.

When they arrived at the entrance to the County Magistrate’s Office, Cheng Zongyang politely cupped his hands toward the guarding government official and said,

"Sir, my name is Cheng. I’m here to see Chief Zheng. Would you please be so kind as to inform him?"

But the government official simply asked, "Are you Cheng Zongyang?"

Hearing this, Cheng Zongyang paused for a moment. ’Zheng Tianhai must have put in a word for me,’ he thought. He immediately nodded. "I am."

"Come with me."

The government official glanced at Cheng Zongyang and the woman beside him, spoke the words without expression, and turned to lead the way inside.

"Thank you," Mrs. Chen of the Cheng Family said, her voice filled with excitement as she followed beside her nephew.

They followed the government official inside and, a few moments later, arrived at the rear courtyard of the County Magistrate’s Office.

The rear courtyard was heavily guarded, with numerous government officials stationed at every exit.

Seeing this, Cheng Zongyang’s heart sank. ’I didn’t expect the County Magistrate’s Office to keep such a tight watch on these Doctors. It’s like they’re guarding high-risk prisoners, terrified they’ll escape.’

They continued on and entered the courtyard proper, where they saw Zheng Tianhai resting at the side, drinking tea.

Upon seeing Zheng Tianhai, the government official’s expression turned respectful. He stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said,

"Chief Zheng, I’ve brought the person you were expecting."

Zheng Tianhai set down his cup, glanced at the two people behind the official, and nodded slightly. "You may go."

The official bowed. "Yes, sir. I’ll take my leave."

As the official departed, Cheng Zongyang led his second aunt a few steps forward and bowed to Zheng Tianhai. "Chief Zheng. Thank you for your trouble."

"Mrs. Chen of the Cheng Family greets you, my lord," she added, bowing nervously.

Chief Zheng nodded. "You have the time it takes for one incense stick to burn. Do not disturb them while they are treating the sick. If the Lord County Magistrate becomes displeased, no one here can bear the consequences."

"Yes!"

"That’s more than enough."

Cheng Zongyang and his second aunt replied in unison.

’This was all the time Zheng Yan’s Jade Pendant could buy,’ Cheng Zongyang thought, accepting it. ’At least I can see Second Uncle and give him the message.’

Then, as arranged by Chief Zheng, a somewhat haggard-looking Cheng Guangshan was brought to a separate, smaller courtyard.

Other than the government officials guarding the entrance, the space was private and quiet.

Cheng Guangshan spoke with his wife for a short while. After learning what had transpired over the past two days, he seemed more at ease. "You did well," he said comfortingly.

"Sending our child to my elder brother’s was the right decision. It’s too dangerous to keep him in the city."

With that, he walked over to his nephew. "Yang’Er, this has been hard on you. Sigh... you were right. We should have left sooner."

Cheng Zongyang smiled. "Don’t worry, Second Uncle, I have it all under control."

He didn’t waste time on pleasantries and said with a smile,

"Second Uncle, I’ll take care of everything at home. You need to eat well here, drink plenty of water, and look after your health. My aunt told me you always have to use the latrine around the third watch of the night. This place isn’t like home, so you have to be careful and watch your step. Don’t fall. You have to stay healthy so you can serve the Lord County Magistrate."

Cheng Guangshan froze, looking at his wife in confusion.

’Do I have such a habit?’

’I’m perfectly healthy. Why would he say something so random... Huh?’

Suddenly, his gaze fixed on Cheng Zongyang, then shifted to his wife, who maintained a placid expression. Understanding dawned on him instantly. He chuckled and said in mock exasperation,

"Alright, alright, it’s not like this old habit of mine is anything new. I’ll be careful. The latrine isn’t far, anyway. Besides, there are government officials patrolling at night. Even if I were to fall, they’d just help me back to my room."

"Hehe, that’s a relief for Second Aunt and me. Second Uncle, why don’t you two talk a bit more? I need to use the latrine."

Cheng Zongyang smiled and walked over to a government official to ask for directions.

Watching Cheng Zongyang walk away, the couple exchanged a knowing glance and smiled.

At the latrine in the rear courtyard, Cheng Zongyang feigned a stomachache as he approached.

He quickly scanned his surroundings. There were many flowers and plants growing nearby, likely to mask the smell.

’This will work,’ he thought. Seizing a moment when no one was looking, he flicked a black pebble he had prepared in his palm over the courtyard wall next to the latrine, then disappeared inside.

A moment later, Cheng Zongyang returned to the small courtyard, his expression normal. Cheng Guangshan chose this moment to say,

"Alright, you two should head back. I still have to discuss the cases and treatment plans with the other Doctors. I can’t afford any delays."

"Alright," Cheng Zongyang agreed.

And with that, Cheng Zongyang and Mrs. Chen of the Cheng Family left the small courtyard.

Before leaving, they also bid farewell to Chief Zheng.

Outside the Government Office, Cheng Zongyang said to Mrs. Chen of the Cheng Family,

"Second Aunt, I’ll handle the rest. You should head back to South Pond Lane for now."

He still had many things to do, and the first step was to get everyone in place.

"Alright," Mrs. Chen of the Cheng Family agreed without hesitation.