Chapter 519: The Black Market
Translator: Oneshotwonder Editor: Hitesh_
A server brought their dinner directly to their room. The ornate platter boasted an entire roast chicken. For someone who was powerless like the hostel manager, it was paramount to get on the good side of a high ranking field medic such as Ye Zi.
Wang Tong’s belly growled at the smell of the roast chicken. It had been a while since he had eaten any meat.
After wolfing down most of the chicken, the three left the most savory meat for Ye Zi, a pair of drumsticks.
While amusing herself with the wild and funny scene of three men fighting over meat, Ye Zi’s mind drifted off to the time that she had spent at the Sect. Although House Lie was the only great house on the Mars, the members of the Divine Mastery sect were the true nobles there. Never had Ye Zi seen the Sect members lose their table manners, which they upheld so religiously.
After the dinner, the four decided to pay a visit to the black market. When they finally arrived at their destination, Ye Zi became hesitant to enter the unsavory locale.
As a high ranking field medic, Ye Zi had the luxury to distance herself from what was happening at the very bottom of the society. But, not a lot of people, especially the powerless women, were that fortunate.
To the powerful, the black market was heaven on earth, and to the others, it was hell, if not worse.
On a “T” shaped stage, a few dancers wiggled their curvaceous bodies in a racy performance. Below the stage, a few dozen men shouted something to each other while holding the beer cups high.
The colorful lights reflected off the glittered skins of the dancers and the glass mugs, painting a lurid scene of debauchery. During the time of war, only such acts could remind people that they were still alive.
Duo Lun and Tan Bu had been to black markets many times before they joined Battle Wolf. So, they seemed indifferent to their surroundings. However, Ye Zi bit down her lips, trying to suppress the anger sprouting inside her belly.
Some men’s eyes ran up and down on Ye Zi’s body as if they wanted to jump on her and tear her robe apart. But, the high ranking medic’s badge on her robe had deterred them from putting their thoughts into actions.
“Come, hold my hand.” Wang Tong cracked a smile and spoke in a deep voice. Ye Zi didn’t think twice and grabbed Wang Tong’s arm, which came as an instant relief.
“I don’t think it is the problem with the Divine Mastery Sect. You know, the humans were like this even before the Zergs invaded. It’s just human nature.” Wang Tong remarked, hoping to offer her some consolation. However, he knew that this should not happen in a city that was surrounded by the enemy. It was as if the humans had given up.
“Sir, would you like some heaven dust? Only fifth Blues.” A creepy looking man with greasy hair stopped Wang Tong and asked.
Heaven Dust was a hallucinogenic drug favored by rich people. Seeing Wang Tong with a girl of exquisite beauty in his arm, the dealer took him as one of the super-rich.
Duo Lun pushed the man away and grunted, “F*ck off!” Scared and startled, the dealer quickly put away the pills and disappeared into the crowd.
The market was filled with strange characters; Wang Tong noticed a few leaders of the resistance groups here as well.
Blues were now the official currency on Mars after it got the backing of House Lie and the Sect. With the official depot being so stingy on their offer, many merchants dared the little-known waters of the black market to try their luck. Understandably, people were cautious towards each other in such an environment.
“Those guys standing there are mercs. They can be hired for dirty jobs. Zergs or humans, they don’t care.” Duo Lun pointed to a group of big guys standing by the bar.
“A lot is going on here.”
“Boss, if you can take over the City of Maersa, you will see all sorts of people coming to join us. Especially if we can secure some victories against Zerg’s sieges, more people will come than you can imagine.” Tan Bu put in.
“Let’s move. The auction house is just right up ahead.” Duo Lun announced. Although it was supposed to be an underground auction house, its extravagant storefront had brushed off any promise of secrecy, and it even charged an entrance fee.
“One Blue per guest, please.” Two METAL warriors stopped the four at the gate.
Wang Tong reluctantly took out four coins and handed to the guard as he lamented on how expensive the city life was.
After paying up the entrance fee, Wang Tong doubled down on his determination to find a good deal here.
When they finally arrived at the hall where the auction was going to take place, they found that the room was already packed with thousands of spectators.
Wang Tong could not afford a better seat, so they sat down in a corner with a terrible view of the stage.
“Is it always so packed?” Wang Tong asked.
“This is not even the most crowded day yet. They have to accommodate merchants from all over the region after all.”
The auction started, and Wang Tong watched it carefully. Most of the items started at a price higher than what the city would offer. However, as the auction progressed, the items became weirder and weirder. Wang Tong channeled out his soul energy and listened to the conversations between onlookers. Before long, he learned that some of the items being put on auction stand were obtained illegally.
However, it got worse after the stolen and robbed goods. A half-naked man with a lewd smile walked on to the stage with a curvy female in tow. As soon as the pair reached the center of the stage, the man lifted the girl’s skirt and exposed her private parts. The girl blushed and looked away, tears flickering in her eyes.
Ye Zi gritted her teeth, trying to control her anger. She had never thought that such vile act would be happening under the nose of the chief priest of the Sect.
Wang Tong sensed her agitation, so he squeezed her hands gently and said, “You are right to be mad, but nothing will change if we don’t act.”
Soon, the girl was sold to a greasy middle age man with the price of one hundred blues. Ye Zi was saddened to see the girl’s indifferent look for her unjust treatment.
“It is illegal and immoral to sell another human. Sanders will have a lot to answer to.” Ye Zi spoke under her breath.
“What good will it be even if the young master knew about it? Will he punish Sanders and forsake the control of the territory?” Duo Lun remarked, his voice laced with anger and resignation.
The more Wang Tong learned about the current situation on Mars, the more he felt the need to change it. However, changes took time.
“You guys hang in here for a while. I need to figure out how to put our goods onto that stage.” Wang Tong said.
