Translator: AnubisTL
At the Righteous Gang's granary, Tian Long ordered his subordinates to bring out an Armored Pig that had recently arrived in Blackrock City.
It resembled a young pig in size, but its skin was covered in gray-black scales, and its tail was thick and long, unlike the curled tails of ordinary domestic pigs.
"This is the Armored Pig we trade with Giant Rock City. They slaughter them before sending them over," Tian Long said dismissively.
The reason for this practice was obvious: to prevent other factions from stealing their business.
Crack!
Li Qing knelt down and peeled off a scale, examining it closely.
It wasn't as hard as he'd expected, but rather somewhat flexible, offering little actual protection.
He held the scale up high, facing the crimson moonlight that filtered through the clouds. Through the moonlight, he could faintly discern some patterns within the scale.
"Before the sun disappeared, you'd never seen pigs like this?" Li Qing asked again.
"That's right. These strange creatures only appeared in recent years. What did you notice, Brother Li?" Tian Long replied.
Li Qing remained silent, his gaze fixed on the scale armor. His mind raced with thoughts.
A newly evolved species?
The sun had only disappeared for a few decades. Could evolution really happen so quickly?
Clearly, this was the result of artificial intervention.
It must be the faction monopolizing the Armored Pig trade, having bred a livestock species that feeds exclusively on Dark Wheat Mushrooms and thrives in any environment.
These Armored Pigs seemed to be a hybrid of some scaled species and the common domestic pig.
Li Qing was curious about the methods used to create such an animal, especially since it appeared to be easily raised. After all, the live Armored Pigs were slaughtered before each sale, suggesting that their care couldn't be too difficult.
"I didn't find any problems, just curiosity. I'd like to see how extraordinary these Armored Pigs truly are."
Tian Long shook his head, then suddenly remembered something. "The Red Fish Merchant Guild in Giant Rock City is selling them. If you're interested, you should go check them out.
"By the way, they've also posted a notice offering to buy all kinds of wild beasts from the pre-solar era!"
"If you go to Giant Rock City, they'll definitely target that tiger of yours!"
"Hehe, the young punks in the gang wouldn't recognize the fierce tiger you brought, but I spotted it immediately. Where did you get it? They're incredibly rare these days. I thought they'd gone extinct!"
Hearing Tian Long's warning, Li Qing immediately filed it away in his mind.
Acquiring animals from the previous era?
That was intriguing. It seemed the Red Fish Merchant Guild truly possessed the ability to cultivate creatures adapted to the Dark Age.
Impressive!
"I stumbled upon this tiger while traveling the world these past few years and decided to keep it by my side," Li Qing replied, reciting the prepared explanation.
In truth, life was far more resilient than one might imagine. Even in this dark and desolate era, some species had gradually adapted and survived.
Just as the Red Fish Merchant Guild was aggressively acquiring various beasts from the Solar Age, their actions weren't without purpose. They must have discovered wild creatures still thriving in the wilderness.
This is why Tian Long wasn't as shocked as one might expect when he saw Li Qing enter the city carrying a tiger.
"By the way, Gang Leader Tian Long, do you know who the top experts in Giant Rock City are?"
Having dealt with Giant Rock City frequently over the years, Tian Long naturally had some familiarity with the situation.
"You've come to the right person. As far as I know, Giant Rock City has two prominent factions. One is the City Lord's Manor, and the other is the Red Fish Merchant Guild."
"Officially, both factions have an Inner Strength expert at their head. But what's hidden beneath the surface, I can't say for sure."
"The rest are minor factions, at best led by an External Strength Martial Artist, much like the Righteous Gang used to be."
With this explanation, Li Qing gained a rough understanding of Giant Rock City.
It's worth noting that the City Lord's Manor has absolutely no connection to the imperial court of the bygone Sun Age.
During the chaotic period after the sun vanished and order collapsed, someone from the current City Lord's Manor stepped forward, raised a banner, and single-handedly maintained order in this dark and frigid era.
From that day on, the Martial Path expert declared himself the lord of Giant Rock City and established a city lord's manor, taking control of the majestic city.
Originally, the Black Wind Domain had several cities, but not all of them had survived as intact as Giant Rock City or Blackrock City.
The influx of refugees had led to the concentration of people, leaving only three cities in the Black Wind Domain that mutually defended each other.
Giant Rock City was now the largest city in the Black Wind Domain, far more vast and prosperous than Blackrock City and Black Earth City combined.
Seemingly sensing that Li Qing's next destination was Giant Rock City, Tian Long said with a hint of reluctance:
"Brother Li, do you really have to leave?"
"It would be so much better if you stayed. In a few years, I'll hand over the Righteous Gang's legacy to you, and Blackrock City will be entirely yours."
"Besides, Miss An has recognized me as her adoptive father over the years. I can tell she's been thinking about you all this time."
"If you stay, I'll throw you a grand wedding! We can each call the other by our proper titles!"
With that, Tian Long laughed heartily and clapped Li Qing on the shoulder.
Each call the other by our proper titles? Li Qing thought. I think you just want to take advantage of the age difference!
Li Qing rolled his eyes inwardly, then forced a bitter smile and declined. "Gang Leader Tian Long, you're joking. I have no other ambition in this life than to go further on the Martial Path and travel the world, seeing all the human world has to offer."
At least for now, Li Qing truly meant this. Stay in Blackrock City, marry, and have children?
He'd have to be insane. The World of Eternal Night was already so harsh; what if things got even worse in the future?
He carried the secret of interdimensional travel. Once he had family ties, would he bring them to the better world?
Li Qing knew he couldn't abandon his wife and children in this world. So, he resolved to avoid such ties as much as possible.
Besides, he was an Immortal being, with over a century of life remaining, and his lifespan would only grow longer.
Even if he were to marry and have children, what could he do? He lacked the ability to grant his wife and children immortality as well.
He would have to watch his wife and children slowly fade away, the agony of a parent burying their child—how unbearable!
Li Qing knew he wasn't someone who could easily become cold and heartless. The grief would be inevitable.
To avoid such a scenario, Li Qing decided to remain alone, unburdened by attachments, and thus enjoy a life of freedom and ease.
"Ah, I understand your reasoning now. I won't force you."
"But now that the gang has grown so large, the troubles have multiplied as well."
Tian Long sighed deeply, his gaze fixed on the sky, looking utterly dejected.
(End of the Chapter)
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