Mechanical Alchemist

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"Was this guy's bloated physique not a disguise, but actually a mutation causing bodily aberration?"

As Su Lun looked at the glaring words "Half-mutated Human" that appeared above the cloak vendor's head, he also found it somewhat unbelievable.

A mutation is a mutation, but what is this "half-mutated" thing?

What exactly is the status of this vendor now, human, or monster?

This was another area beyond Su Lun's knowledge.

But thinking about it, he should be considered human if he is rational.

He didn't think any further and turned his attention to the potions on the vendor's stall.

The items were good, and the prices were genuinely cheap.

If Su Lun had money at this moment, he would definitely buy these potions. The packaging was so simple, they couldn't possibly be sold, but keeping them for himself would be excellent.

Unfortunately, he had no money.

....

Su Lun had no intention of giving up on this "bargain hunting" opportunity. When he saw the crowd around the stall had dispersed, he approached and said directly, "I'll take all these potions, but I didn't bring enough cash. Could you leave some other contact information so I can reach you after I find the money? Of course, everything will be done according to the rules of the black market."

There was nothing wrong with his request.

People in the black market are very cautious; most wouldn't leave their contact information, but they could leave a middleman, such as certain taverns or inns that provide message-delivery services for customers. The two parties agree on a code word, pick up the message personally, and complete the transaction without meeting face to face, safe and covert.

Since he temporarily had no money, he wanted to get the vendor's contact first and then figure out how to approach him later.

The potions were secondary, even at an expensive price difference, it's only four bottles.

If these potions were indeed concocted by the vendor himself, it would represent a continuous supply, which is the real "big bargain," not just a one-time deal.

The gangs still have some channels to sell knockoffs or prohibited drugs; by then, Su Lun could find a way to turn the potions into cash. As long as there's a sufficient supply, getting rich quickly isn't an impossibility.

The black cloak vendor heard someone wanted to buy his potions and was initially pleased.

But as he listened to Su Lun's subsequent proposal, he immediately shook his head and said, "No, I only want cash."

"..."

Su Lun heard his tone and felt he must need the money urgently.

But then he also realized, obviously, someone willing to sell such good potions so cheaply must be in dire need of money.

This made him even more curious about the vendor's identity. Pharmacists that could concoct such potions were usually part of the elite class in the inner city. If he's not showing his face, he's likely a wanted criminal or something of the sort.

After nearly a minute of cajoling and brainstorming several proposals, the vendor stubbornly insisted on cash on the spot.

Su Lun knew if he persisted, it would seem like he had ulterior motives, so he reluctantly said, "That's really too bad... If you change your mind, you can leave a message anytime at Green Street's 'Three Muskets Tavern,' with the code word 'pigeon.' I'll contact you the moment I get the message..."

"This..."

Upon hearing this, the vendor seemed hesitant.

Clearly, he was also aware that his potions were hard to sell, and having finally met an interested buyer, he didn't want to just let go.

Just as he was hesitating about whether to agree or not, suddenly, it seemed as though he saw something in the crowd, a flicker of panic in his eyes, "Sorry, sir, I have an urgent matter and must leave now..."

With that, before Su Lun could react, he quickly packed up the few potions from the stall and hurriedly blended into the crowd.

....

Su Lun had previously noticed that the vendor's gaze was constantly shifting, as if he were afraid of being recognized.

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Watching him suddenly leave, he was slightly astonished.

His peripheral vision swept over the crowd in the black market, unable to tell whom the stall owner had seen to become so flustered.

Huh... could it be those two men in trench coats I ran into before?

Su Lun didn't look further, he retracted his gaze and blended into the crowd.

His own identity couldn't withstand scrutiny, lingering would do no good.

But even in that brief interaction, Su Lun had guessed that the stall owner was young, quite polite, likely from a good upbringing, desperately in need of money, with a mutated body, and not without considerable skill in potion studies...

Thinking about it, Su Lun had a general speculation about the stall owner's background. Probably someone from a medical family from the inner layers?

Though the person had gone, Su Lun had done what had to be done and didn't dwell on it further.

Looking at the bustling black market in front of him, Su Lun pursed his lips in slight resignation, "I just hope he'll contact me..."

....

After visiting a few times, Su Lun had already gotten a good grasp on what each shop in the black market sold.

Not wasting time in those stalls with shrewd owners, he strolled along until he reached the makeshift shanty area at the very bottom of the black market.

Today, the black market was bustling, likely due to the emergence of relics and artifacts, attracting many wealthy and hidden big shots. This also drew in many speculative merchants.

Some of them were even large merchants from the inner city, disguised behind different signage and outfits.

Merchants chase profits without regard for whether it's a black market or not.

After all, although the outer city is poor, its population is tens of times that of the inner city, and there are considerable huge profits to be made in the low-end market.

Those low-end products, secondhand goods, and defective items unsellable in the inner city are top commodities in high demand in the outer city.

For example, secondhand high-end textiles, outdated steam equipment, mechanical prosthetics...

Su Lun walked past the stalls stacked with numerous mechanical prosthetics, took a look, and found that those military mechanical prosthetics discarded from the inner city were indeed not bad. Although antiquated, the parts that could be dismantled were definitely premium components for the gang's mechanical modification shops in the black market.

These military mechanical devices were "contraband" and were supposed to be destroyed en masse in the inner city, never to spill out. It was a mystery where these speculative merchants found their sources.

However, old mechanical equipment and prosthetics weren't cheap, often costing tens of thousands. A skilled mechanic with a sharp eye could make a 20 to 30 percent profit from stripping parts, but even just a few purchases would require a significant amount of funds.

Su Lun, however, didn't have that much money and storing mechanical components wasn't suitable for him.

After passing several more temporary vendors, he realized that although he could operate with money, the chance to get something for nothing, to find a loophole, wasn't there.

In the end, Su Lun could only leave the black market with resignation.

....

Although Su Lun was sufficiently cautious, choosing to leave when the crowd's tide was ebbing, he hadn't expected to still encounter trouble.

Noticing that he was alone, the vagrants lurking outside the black market had set their sights on him.

Each time the "Reaper of Death" harvested Soul Shards, he would almost always gain a slight increase in spiritual power.

In the beginning, Su Lun hadn't realized how important this attribute was. It was only after his perception value gradually increased that he understood this was a life-saving ability more tangible than any strength or agility.

After the increase in spiritual power, his ability to sense danger improved significantly.

That kind of hostile gaze felt like a thorn in his back.