Chapter 23: The Black Market Purchase: Zhang Wei's Dangerous Plan

Zhang Wei went into his small room and lay down on the bed, closing his eyes. He had a lot of thoughts in his head as he tried to make the perfect plan. He knew it was his big opportunity to do things perfectly, but he also knew he had to be careful and plan everything step-by-step.

Throughout the night, Zhang Wei racked his brain, piecing together every detail of his plan until it was finally complete. The next morning, he woke up early and began making a list of all the items he would need for the journey ahead. Madam Chi had informed him that they would be stopping in a small town, where they would spend three days resting in the manor of the Chi family before continuing on to their final destination.

The journey to the Long family would take approximately 25 days by carriage from the Chi family, so Zhang Wei knew he had to prepare everything that might be necessary on the road. He carefully crafted his list, noting down the quantity of each item that would be needed, and then headed to Madam Chi's room to confirm and add anything she might see missing.

Zhang Wei handed the list to Madam Chi and waited for her response. She looked at the list and said, "Everything seems alright. You go to Steward Chen and take him with you. Tell him that everything must be perfect."

Zhang Wei replied, "Yes, Madam. I will do that." With a bow, he left Madam Chi's room and went to find Steward Chen. Together, they spent the entire day going to different shops and ordering the items on the list. They were to receive all the items within five days.

By the time Zhang Wei arrived back at the Chi family, it was already dark outside. He waited in his room for the night to deepen before venturing out. He knew he needed to prepare for his plan, and that meant buying some necessary items for his plan.

Zhang Wei headed to a hidden alleyway, changed into black clothing, and covered his face to remain anonymous. The things he needed for his plan were to be kept secret, so he couldn't go to a regular shop where the Chi family might catch wind of it. The only option was to go to the black market and buy the necessary items.

He made his way through the dark alleys and winding streets of the city, keeping to the shadows as he approached the infamous black market. The sounds of raucous laughter and haggling voices grew louder as he drew nearer, and he felt a shiver of apprehension run down his spine.

As he entered the market, he was immediately struck by the frenzied atmosphere. The stalls were crowded with people, all jostling and shouting to get a better look at the goods on offer. The vendors themselves were equally frantic, their faces hidden behind masks and hoods as they hawked their wares.

The air was thick with the scent of spices and incense, and the dimly lit stalls were lined with strange and exotic items. Bottles filled with mysterious liquids, powders in brightly colored sachets, and even weapons glinting in the low light.

Despite the hustle and bustle of the market, there was an undercurrent of danger that Zhang Wei could sense. He knew that anyone who stepped out of line could easily find themselves the victim of a violent attack or worse. It was said that the black market was run by some of the most powerful families in the city, and they would not hesitate to take action against anyone who posed a threat to their operation.

Zhang Wei had heard rumors of its existence since he was a beggar, but had never dared to enter before because it is a very dangerous place. He kept his head down and moved quickly through the crowds, his heart pounding with excitement and fear.

As he made his way from stall to stall, he saw all manner of strange and exotic items for sale. He saw potions that promised eternal youth, rare and exotic spices that could add a touch of magic to any meal, and even magical trinkets that promised to bring good luck and fortune.

But among all the items for sale, it was the dark and forbidden things that caught Zhang Wei's attention. He saw black magic tomes filled with spells that could kill or control, poisons that could take down even the strongest of foes, and drugs that could make a person lose their mind or become a slave to their own desires.

Zhang Wei was amazed by the sheer number of things selling in the black market, but he knew that he had to stay focused on his mission. He scanned the stalls, searching for the shop he needed. Finally, he found it. The shelves were filled with medicine bottles, each with a label indicating its name and price. Zhang Wei noticed that everything was overpriced, but he knew that it was normal for the black market.

Approaching the fat, short old man behind the counter, Zhang Wei asked in a low voice, "Do you have aprodogic here? It must be very powerful."

"How powerful?" asked the shopkeeper.

"At least powerful enough to make a girl completely crazy if taken during intimate moments," replied Zhang Wei.

The shopkeeper nodded and pulled out two bottles with different labels, saying, "This one is the usual one that is very effective and is the best seller, priced at 15 copper coins per bottle. But if you want something extreme, you can take this one."

He handed Zhang Wei the second bottle and warned, "This one is banned and very dangerous. It's also difficult to obtain. If you use it on a girl, her mind will be full of desire for the next 24 hours, and there's a possibility it could break her completely. This one is 50 copper coins per bottle. Which one do you want?"

Zhang Wei knew that he needed the second bottle, even though it was expensive. He gritted his teeth and bought four bottles of each kind, containing five pills each.

After securing the medicine, Zhang Wei moved on to a blacksmith shop. He approached the blacksmith and requested custom-made items, paying an 80-copper coin fee with a 20-copper coin deposit. He promised to return in a few days to pick up the items before quietly making his way back to the Chi family.