Editor and Proofreader: Leo of Zion Mountain & Dhael Ligerkeys
Upon hearing that, Yang Kai asked curiously, âDoes everyone know about it now?â
The Feudal Lord chuckled, âItâs only natural to pay attention to Sir Territory Lordâs affairs.â
Upon hearing the reason behind it, Yang Kai nodded, âI see.â
The Feudal Lordâs expression turned milder after he found out that Yang Kai was Hei Yuanâs Black Ink Disciple and he replied, âIf youâre looking for Zha Gu, just head in that direction. According to Human measurements, he lives in a place that is 3,000 kilometres away from here.â
After looking in the same direction, Yang Kai cupped his fist, âMany thanks.â
He then bid the Feudal Lord farewell and shot in that direction. It took him a short moment to move across 3,000 kilometres.
From afar, Yang Kai could see a castle that was similar to Hei Yuanâs that was built on an island. There were no traces of other Black Ink Clan estates within a 100 kilometres radius. If he wasnât mistaken, this should be Zha Guâs residence.
Yang Kai landed in front of the castle and activated his Divine Sense. There were a lot of Black Ink Clansmen inside, but they were all insignificant Low-Rank Black Ink Clansmen with High-Rank Black Ink Clansmen being quite rare.
There was an aura that Yang Kai was familiar with in the deepest part of the castle; Zha Gu.
Upon confirming that the other party really resided here, Yang Kai called out, âBrother Zha Gu!â
In an instant, all the Black Ink Clansmen in the castle were shocked as they looked in the same direction. Zha Gu, who was recuperating, was alerted as he opened his eyes and stared out.
A moment later, the gates were opened as Zha Gu stepped out of the castle and looked at Yang Kai with surprise, âWhy are you here?â
Yang Kai cupped his fist and smiled, âIâve come all the way here to visit you, Brother Zha Gu. I hope I havenât bothered you.â
Zha Gu nodded, âCome in first.â
After entering the castle, they arrived at a room and took seats.
âHas Sir Territory Lord issued any orders?â Zha Gu asked. He reckoned that a Black Ink Disciple usually wouldnât dare to come all the way here on his own. Yang Kai probably had received a secret order from the Territory Lord.
However, Yang Kai shook his head, âSir Territory Lord has not shown up since he entered the Black Ink Nest. I heard that it would take him several years to recuperate.â
Zha Gu was evidently relieved upon learning that it wasnât Hei Yuan who told Yang Kai to look for him.
âThe reason Iâve come here to visit you is that I need your help,â Yang Kai expressed his purpose for the visit.
Zha Gu frowned, âWhat can I help you with?â
Although Yang Kai was a Black Ink Disciple treasured by Hei Yuan, he was still a Black Ink Disciple. Zha Gu was willing to be on good terms with him, but he wouldnât fawn over him, so he would of course find out what help Yang Kai needed before he would make a decision.
Yang Kai let out a sigh and went on to say, âIâd like to ask you if there is a way I can earn money in Black Ink Clanâs territory.â
âEarn money?â Zha Gu was surprised.
âIndeed,â Yang Kai coughed, âYou know, when Human soldiers go to war, we donât bring a lot of resources with us. I was enlightened by Sir Territory Lord not long ago, so I only have a few resources with me. Now that my Small Universe is damaged, I need a Profound Yin Spirit Fruit to repair it, and I need resources to cultivate as well; however, since Sir Territory Lord is recuperating in the Black Ink Nest, I have no means to purchase anything. I can neither repair my Small Universe nor cultivate in this state.â
A puzzled Zha Gu asked, âProfound Yin Spirit Fruit? Before Sir Territory Lord started recuperating, he told Sir Gui Liao to get one for you. Given Sir Gui Liaoâs status, it shouldnât be hard for him to get a Profound Yin Spirit Fruit.â
âPerhaps,â Yang Kai nodded, âHowever, Iâve offended Sir Gui Liao, so he doesnât seem willing to give it to me now.â
Zha Gu was shocked upon hearing that, âYou offended Sir Gui Liao? What happened?â
A helpless Yang Kai told Zha Gu about what had happened between Liu Zi An and him.
Zha Gu gazed at him with a weird expression, âYou offended Sir Gui Liao just because of that?â He seemed to think that it was fine to agree to Gui Liaoâs demand, so he didnât understand why Yang Kai turned him down.
Yang Kai spread his palms, âYouâre also aware that I sacrificed a part of my Small Universe twice in the recent battle. My strength has plunged because of the damage to my foundation, so if I still let Sir Gui Liao feed on my Small Universe, my Order might drop. When that happens, I will become useless to Sir Territory Lord. By then, I will most likely be discarded.â
âYou have a point.â Zha Gu nodded.
âSo, I had no choice but to disappoint Sir Gui Liao; however, since that is the case, I canât hope to get a Profound Yin Spirit Fruit from him.â
Zha Gu frowned, âI donât think so. He wouldnât dare to disobey Sir Territory Lordâs order, but you might need to wait a little longer.â
Yang Kai internally cried that he couldnât possibly wait. The World Tree clone was continuously repairing his Small Universe, so if he couldnât obtain a Profound Yin Spirit Fruit to cover up this process, he would be exposed.
Zha Gu placated him by saying, âDonât worry. Before Sir Territory Lord leaves the Black Ink Nest, Sir Gui Liao will get you a Profound Yin Spirit Fruit.â
Yang Kai shook his head, âIâd rather come up with a way to get a Profound Yin Spirit Fruit myself. I suppose the fruits are for sale in the city.â
Zha Gu replied, âYes, but theyâve always been expensive. They cost a lot of Black Ink Coins.â
âThatâs why Iâve come here to ask for a way to make money. Can you enlighten me, Brother Zha Gu?â Yang Kai looked humbly at him.
Zha Gu fell into a dilemma.
Since such an incident had happened, he would offend Gui Liao by lending Yang Kai a hand, and this was obviously not worth it just to help a mere Black Ink Disciple. Moreover, he didnât know any way that could make money. Even if he did, he wouldnât want to share it with Yang Kai.
As Yang Kai observed his expression, he said, âDonât worry, Brother Zha Gu. If thereâs a proper way that allows me to earn Black Ink Coins, Iâll not forget your assistance and properly compensate you.â
Zha Gu appeared tempted at the prospect of making a profit, so after giving it a thought, he said, âGiven your situation, thereâs indeed a way.â
Yang Kaiâs eyes brightened, âOh? What is it?â
Zha Gu said, âDo you know World Spheres? I can give you some money to buy some empty World Spheres, then you can infuse your World Force into them and sell them. Each World Sphere will earn you a lot of Black Ink Coins. Just by selling 10 World Spheres, youâll have enough money to buy a Profound Yin Spirit Fruit.â
Yang Kaiâs brow twitched as he hadnât expected Zha Gu to mention this method, so he shook his head, âPlease stop pulling my leg, Brother Zha Gu. I canât even cultivate now, so how am I supposed to infuse my World Force into the World Spheres? If I do that, Iâll definitely see my Order regress.â
âYou have a point. I suppose this is what your Humans call âkilling the goose that lays the golden eggsâ.â
Yang Kai thought that this guy had misused the idiom, but he didnât bother to correct him and simply said, âI heard that thereâs a Blood Arena in the city.â
âYou want to engage in a life-or-death fight with others?â Zha Gu instantly realised his intention.
Yang Kai nodded, âHowever, Iâll need a Black Ink Clansman to bring me there. Taking everything into consideration, I think that youâre the most suitable person to help me with it. If you can go there and bet against the others, Iâll not disappoint you. When the time comes, Iâll share half the profit with you.â
Zha Gu shook his head, âThatâs indeed a good way, but it wonât work for you.â
âWhy not?â Yang Kai was perplexed.
Zha Gu explained, âSince itâs a life-or-death fight, both parties have to be equally matched. You are a Seventh-Order Master, so there are no suitable opponents for you in the Blood Arena. The Black Ink Disciples there are all below the Seventh-Order.â
After giving it a thought, Yang Kai realised that he really hadnât seen any Seventh-Order Open Heaven Realm Masters fighting in the Blood Arenas when he followed Nu Yan around. He soon realised the reasons behind this. First of all, the battle between two Seventh-Order Masters would be too destructive. Secondly, there were only a small number of Seventh-Order Black Ink Disciples. Since they were rare, the Black Ink Clansmen wouldnât let them go to the Blood Arena and put their lives at risk.
Even though Yang Kaiâs idea was not feasible, he was well prepared. He then let out a sigh, âIt seems that I have no choice but to make use of my hobby.â
Zha Gu asked curiously, âHobby? What do you mean?â
Yang Kai explained, âI realised this some time ago on the battlefield. It seems that Black Ink Clansmen rarely use artifacts to fight. Even Feudal Lords donât use artifacts, let alone the High-Rank and Low-Rank Clansmen. It seems that you all are used to fighting with Humans using only Black Ink Strength and Secret Techniques.â
Zha Gu nodded, âTo us, Black Ink Strength is the source of our powers, just like World Force is to Humans. Although weâre physically stronger than Humans, we know nothing about the Dao of Artifact Refining. The artifacts we have were all snatched from Humans or refined by Black Ink Disciples, so theyâre quite rare. However, most artifacts we snatch from the Humans are not suitable for us to use.â
Yang Kai asked, âDo you have your own artifact, Brother Zha Gu?â
Zha Gu shook his head, âI once used a sword I obtained from a Human, but that thingâs Grade was too low, and it didnât suit me. I threw it away after using it a couple times.â
After pondering on it for a moment, Yang Kai reckoned that given Zha Guâs size, it would be akin to holding a knife for him when he grabbed a Human sword. The weapon wouldnât be useful for him on the battlefield.
With his brow arched, Yang Kai asked, âWhat if I refined an artifact that was tailored to you?â
Zha Gu was startled for a moment, âYou know how to make artifacts?â
âI know a thing or two.â
âYou really know how to refine artifacts?â Zha Gu was astounded, âAre you what the Humans call an Artifact Refiner?â
Yang Kai put on a faint smile, âI supposed I could be considered an Artifact Refiner.â
Zha Gu sized him up while feeling doubtful, âIs that what you mean when you said you wanted to monetise your hobby?â
âYes.â Yang Kai frowned, âDonât you believe me, Brother Zha Gu?â
Zha Gu shook his head, âItâs not that I donât believe you. Iâm just⊠surprised that youâre an Artifact Refiner. Humans are always highly protective of their Artifact Refiners. Why did you appear on the battlefield?â
Yang Kai explained, âArtifact Refining really is just a hobby for me, so I havenât spent a lot of time practicing it. In fact, not many Humans are aware that Iâm an Artifact Refiner as I havenât made anything since I ascended to the Open Heaven Realm. However, I should still be able to make some simple artifacts.â He then leaned forward and spoke in a tempting voice, âDo you want to give it a try, Brother Zha Gu? With a suitable artifact, youâll be more powerful on the battlefield.â
Certainly, Zha Gu couldnât resist such a temptation so he rose from the chair and declared, âCome with me.â