Chapter 291: The Enticing Offer
Chapter 291: The Enticing Offer
Upon hearing this, Jiang Cheng had a rough idea of what the simple task the man was referring to.
It was similar to those who deliberately drove up prices at auctions.
They were probably doing tasks like that.
After all, what kind of alchemist would have the leisure to act as a shill if they weren't hired by the Black Market? Even the Mentalists he saw in the Black Market were employed to maintain order.
With this thought, Jiang Cheng breathed a sigh of relief.
He had the advantage of the System's interface.
Not only did he have no bottlenecks in his secret martial arts cultivation, but he was also making rapid progress.
The same would apply to alchemy; as long as he obtained the alchemical formula and had sufficient herbs, becoming an Alchemist Grandmaster was only a matter of time.
However, instead of rejoicing prematurely, he continued to inquire, "If someone has a talent for alchemy, do they have to spend all day refining pills for you?"
"That's definitely impossible," Manager Li replied without hesitation. "Even a high-level Mentalist has limited mental energy and can't refine pills all day. We assign tasks based on each person's mental energy and alchemy skills, setting a daily quota. As long as they complete the specified number, the rest of the time is theirs to manage as they please, and we won't interfere."
"Completing your daily tasks won't be easy, will it?" Jiang Cheng asked, fixing his gaze on the man's eyes.
Manager Li laughed awkwardly, realizing he couldn't brush off the question. "From what I know, most alchemists need seven or eight hours. Of course, there are a few exceptional ones who can finish in three or four hours. Those individuals are like money trees for us, and their treatment is naturally more generous."
Jiang Cheng felt this was reasonable.
The Black Market wouldn't engage in unprofitable deals.
Ordinary Mentalists would be exhausted after working for seven or eight hours, let alone having the energy to cultivate the Lotus Meditation Chart or enhance their mental energy. Refining Essence Energy was unrealistic.
The Dawn Society's members were like tool-like assassins, and the Black Market's Mentalists were no different—they were tool-like alchemists.
As for the few exceptional ones, even if they existed, they were master-level figures, akin to living money trees. Naturally, the Black Market's treatment of them would be different.
Fortunately, he wasn't an ordinary person.
As long as his alchemy skill proficiency increased, he could also achieve the same, completing a day's task in three or four hours, or even two or three hours.
Moreover, he might even be able to secretly refine some pills for his personal use.
For example, a bottle of Basic Tranquilizing Pills was priced at 100,000 yuan. If he wanted to buy 2 million yuan worth of Tranquilizing Pills to break through to the next proficiency level and become a 2nd-level Mentalist, he would need to cultivate the Lotus Meditation Chart.
Two million!
Unless he went out to hunt exotic beasts in the wild, obtaining such a large sum of money wasn't an easy task.
However, if he became an alchemist, the Black Market could provide the necessary equipment, and he wouldn't need to pay for the herbs. As long as he fulfilled the task requirements, the rest would be his to keep. With this thought, he was tempted. Staying in the Black Market might not be a bad choice.
Manager Li also noticed something in Jiang Cheng's eyes and smiled, "Friend, do you have any more questions? Feel free to ask."
"I want to know if, in the case that I have family members, will you provide protection?" Jiang Cheng asked directly.
"That's a given," Manager Li nodded, "I won't hide it from you, friend. The Black Market has its own area in the outer city, which serves as both the workplace and living quarters for our alchemists. Security is tight, and we have Grandmasters on guard. Even the inner city's security can't compare."
"If you have family, you can bring them along anytime. We'd be delighted to have them."
Jiang Cheng nodded.
"The offer is indeed tempting, but I need some time to think it over."
"No problem."
As Manager Li spoke, he took out a business card.
"This is my contact information. If you decide, you can reach out to me anytime. We at the Black Market welcome you to join us."
Jiang Cheng put away the business card and, under Manager Li's watchful gaze, walked out of the courtyard.
Unaware of any tailing, he got into his car and drove towards home.
The Black Market wasn't a charitable organization; their conditions were still stringent. To complete daily tasks, alchemists spent their entire day refining pills, and at night, they slept to restore their mental energy. Otherwise, they would have to rely on pills to get through the next day's tasks, and in the long run, when would they have time to improve themselves?"
If even alchemists were this exhausted, others would be even more so.
As for the top few, there was no need for further thought. The 80-20 rule applied there. Moreover, if even the top experts were exhausted to the point of death, would those below still have the motivation to strive?
However, such harsh conditions were insignificant compared to the benefits.
For him, this was an opportunity to rapidly enhance his strength.
"If the Black Market can refine pills, the Resistance Army should be able to as well. They're nestled deep in the mountains, with an abundance of precious herbs and exotic beast materials."
Jiang Cheng's heart stirred.
Bringing his family to the mountains would also ensure they wouldn't be found by the Dawn Society.
As for the tasks they mentioned.
Currently, he was a Seventh-Rank Force Samurai with an A-Rank Alloy Longsword, so completing the tasks shouldn't be an issue.
His only concern was...
Grandma, Aunt Chen, and the three of them were ordinary people. The mountains were extremely dangerous. Even a Tenth-Rank Force Samurai might encounter trouble. Could he really ensure the safety of three ordinary people on this journey?
He would have to see what the Resistance Army had to say.
Jiang Cheng stopped the car by the roadside, a short distance from home. He observed his surroundings and, seeing no one around, removed his human skin mask and headed towards the residential area.
Upon seeing Jiang Cheng return, the three of them hurriedly brought out dishes from the kitchen. The meal was sumptuous, with both fish and meat.
Witnessing this, Jiang Cheng couldn't help but sigh.
He hadn't expected that after such a short period of stability, they would have to start moving again.
But he had no choice; the Dawn Society wasn't a place to stay for long.
After a few bites of the meal, Jiang Cheng finally spoke up, "Grandma, Aunt Chen, Xiao Yue, there's something I need to tell you."
The three of them exchanged glances, sensing that it wasn't a simple matter.
"What is it, Xiao Cheng? Tell us." Aunt Chen urged.
"In the past few days, my work has undergone some changes. I'll likely be moving to a different place soon."
"Brother Jiang Cheng, you mean we're moving?" Lin Yue asked in surprise.
"Yes."
Jiang Cheng nodded.
He couldn't possibly reveal the specifics.
"After dinner, pack your things. We might have to leave at any moment."
The three of them looked at each other again, concerned.
"Xiao Cheng, has something happened?" Aunt Chen's eyes showed worry.
The old woman and Lin Yue also grew anxious.
(End of Chapter)
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