Chapter 278 – Bullied to the Extreme
“Shit!”
Qin Nan’s expression turned dull. The rune was too quick for him to react to. Even Princess Miao Miao and the Longhu Ancestor Beast could not react in time.
He immediately executed the Blazing Sun Golden Armor Body Technique, resulting in his body being engulfed in flames. Despite that, the three black lines on his forehead were completely unaffected.
Seeing this, he immediately executed the Eyes of the Divine Battle Spirit and targeted his forehead. Surprisingly, he discovered that the three black lines had no harmful effect; it only contained a mysterious force, which was unwilling to dissipate.
“This is… three black lines!” Houzi blurted out after seeing this, “Why are you marked with three black lines, I’m not doing your business anymore!”
Without hesitation, his figure flickered as he prepared to leave immediately.
“Hold it!”
Qin Nan unleashed his Divine Sense and penetrated Houzi’s mind, causing his figure to shudder violently and stand still on the spot. His face filled with a hint of terror as he said, “Three seniors, I’ve never offended you guys, please don’t hurt me. Plus, you are not allowed to use violence in Jianghuang City…”
Qin Nan replied with an expressionless face, “Tell me, what are these three black lines?”
“You don’t know them?” Houzi stared with his eyes open wide, but after seeing the confused looks on the faces of Princess Miao Miao and the Longhu Ancestor Beast, he spoke after a slight hesitation, “The Trading Alliance specifically made these black marks for the cultivators who possess bad reputations. It is impossible to be erased once it has penetrated your forehead. The black marks are classified into one line, two lines, or three lines. If someone has three black lines, it means that the person has been involved in robbing, cheating, and disguising.”
Houzi paused for a while before continuing, “Since the Trading Alliance is known as a just faction, those who are marked with three black lines are cast aside by all cultivators. No one would be willing to trade with you. If you don’t believe me, take a look at the people around you…”
Qin Nan and his crew instinctively glanced at the main road of Jianghuang City.
The merchants and traders who were previously welcoming them with warm attitudes had their faces turned dull after seeing the three black lines on Qin Nan’s forehead. The warmth in their eyes completely vanished, replaced by coldness.
In the eyes of these sellers, those with three black lines were the most hated by them!
Qin Nan’s face turned utterly cold.
The Trading Alliance is fair and just?
The mysterious white-shirted lady had gone this far just because he didn’t trade her the Secrets of the Martial Serendipity Pavilion.
Was she trying to force him to hand over the secrets?
Qin Nan took a deep breath and calmly said, “I’ll give you two Arcane Real Stones.”
After saying this, he immediately flicked two Arcane Realm Stones into Houzi’s hand.
“This…” Houzi’s expression turned blank. He had initially planned to escape, but these two Arcane Realm Stones were equivalent to a few days’ income, which would aid him to break through the limit he was currently experiencing. He clenched his teeth and said, “If that’s the case, I’ll stay. However, three seniors, I must say that since you are marked with three black lines, you won’t be permitted to take part in the Ancient Dragon Auction, and you won’t be able to participate in the selection of the two Sacred Areas!”
“What?”
Qin Nan almost doubted if his ears had heard it wrongly.
Houzi said with a stern look, “This is because only those who have committed serious crimes would be marked with three black lines by the Trading Alliance. When dealing with such people, the two Sacred Areas would not be willing to recruit them. Besides, with these three black lines, you would have a hard time staying in Jianghuang City too…If senior has now regretted this, I can return the two Arcane Realm Stones to you.”
“There’s no need for that!”
Qin Nan’s expression changed, as his eyes flickered coldly.
How nice of the mysterious white-shirted lady, how nice of the Trading Alliance, doing such a thing to him in order to obtain his secrets. Did they really think he was one to be bullied easily?
Princess Miao Miao was there at the Martial Serendipity Pavilion; her face turned icy after hearing the words; “The Trading Alliance has gone too far this time. You, bring us to the Ancient Dragon Auction now, we’ll rob everything from them!”
“Right, let’s rob them all!”
The Longhu Ancestor Beast followed.
They currently had the Imperial Exterminator and three Peak Leaders as their support. There was nothing to be afraid of even if they robbed the Trading Alliance.
Houzi’s face was thoroughly filled with terror as he waved his hand and said, “Two seniors, please don’t say that. Every year, the Ancient Dragon Auction is guarded by a Martial Highness Realm expert. Besides, no one is allowed to use violence within Jianghuang City. Not even Peak Leaders are allowed to do that…”
“Martial Highness?”
The Longhu Ancestor Beast immediately turned timid.
“Humph!”
Princess Miao Miao wore an unpleasant expression.
The influence of the Trading Alliance had surpassed their expectations. Even with the support of the Imperial Exterminator and the three Peak Leaders, they could not act recklessly.
Qin Nan withheld the anger in his chest and said, “So in other words, I have no choice but to leave Jianghuang City since I’m marked with three black lines?”
“Common-sense wise, there is nothing you can do if you continue to stay in Jianghuang City…” Houzi clenched his teeth and continued, “If three seniors are not fussy, you can stay at my place, but you will have to pay me two Arcane Realm Stones each day!”
Usually, Houzi would also offer his customers to live at his place, but the price was only one Arcane Realm Stone every ten days.
“Sure!”
Qin Nan nodded his head while his face remained expressionless. Although he was not willing to waste his Arcane Realm Stones, since he was still unfamiliar with the situation of Jianghuang City, it was unwise for him to act on his own before learning the rules and relationships between the Trading Alliance and Jianghuang City. Until then, since the mysterious white-shirted lady and the Trading Alliance had gone too far with their bullying act, Qin Nan would not easily let it go!
“Three seniors, please follow me!”
With Houzi leading the way, they swiftly left the place and arrived at an ordinary-looking residence at a remote part of Jianghuang City.
As soon as they arrived at the residence, Qin Nan immediately spoke, “Princess Miao Miao, Longhu Ancestor Beast, the Ancient Dragon Auction of the Trading Alliance will be taking place in ten days’ time. Even though I’m not allowed to participate, you two should see what useful information you guys can find.”
“Sure!”
Princess Miao Miao and the Longhu Ancestor Beast nodded their heads. The Trading Alliance was being too shameless; they would not be satisfied if they were to leave the city straight away.
Houzi stared at them with a blank expression.
Didn’t I mention that the Trading Alliance was supported by Martial Highness Realm expert?
Are these three seriously thinking of avenging themselves?
Houzi took a deep breath, as his heart suddenly felt a tiny bit regretful.
At that instant, a stream of Divine Sense came from a distance far away and entered Qin Nan’s mind, resulting in a pleasant voice, “My friend Qin Nan, I never expected you to come to Jianghuang City in just a few months’ time. I believe you should have learned the information regarding the three black lines by now. Let’s have a chat at room number one of the Qingxin Inn, sound good?”
“Hmm?”
Qin Nan raised his eyebrows.
He was absolutely familiar with the voice, which belonged to none other than the mysterious white-shirted lady whom he had met at the Martial Serendipity Pavilion.
Now that the Trading Alliance had marked him with three black lines, before he even paid them a visit to demand an explanation, they dared to contact him first?
“Fine, I shall see what tricks you are trying to hide up your sleeves!”
Qin Nan mumbled to himself. Following this, he said to Houzi, “Bring me to the Qingxin Inn!”
Translator: XephiZ
Editor: DOCuinn
