Shadows of the Deep Space
Chapter 249: Looting a Burning House (Added for Alliance Leader 20220427161247290

Chapter 249: Chapter 249: Looting a Burning House (Added for Alliance Leader 20220427161247290

"Ugh, let’s figure out the sleeping arrangements first."

Su Ming said to Rhein and the others.

Zhang Yi immediately raised his hand and said,

"I won’t fight over beds with you guys; I’ll just sleep in the bathtub. Here, the toilet and bathroom are separate."

"Then I’ll sleep on the floor."

Ankaga, who was a bit chubby and shy, followed suit.

Rhein sat up from the bed and said to Su Ming,

"Su Ming, I’ll sleep with you on the bed."

"Sure!"

Su Ming replied with a smile.

Soon they had all the sleeping arrangements sorted out.

"Where are we heading next for fun?"

Zhang Yi asked enthusiastically.

"As far as I’m concerned, we should definitely hit a bar and have a good drink—that’s where you really feel the spicy local flavor."

"Pfft, what’s so fun about that? If you ask me, it’s all about soaking in a hot spring."

Mandy chimed in.

"Hot springs, in this forsaken place? If there are any, they’re artificial. You think they’re natural? As for me, since we’re here at Black Flame Star, we really should be going to a high-end restaurant and trying out the local cuisine."

Rhein rolled her eyes in response.

"I want to scour the trade market for some goodies."

Ankaga weighed in.

At which point, Su Ming spoke to everyone,

"Alright, those who want to go to the bar can group up for that, those who want to soak in the hot springs can go do that. Let’s split up. If anything comes up, call me immediately."

"That works. So Su Ming, where do you want to go?"

Rhein asked, curious.

"I’m off to the trade market, Ankaga I’ll go with you."

Su Ming replied decisively.

"Great!"

Ankaga nodded in agreement.

"Let’s disperse then, we should get going."

Su Ming then took Ankaga and left ahead of the others.

...

Half an hour later, Su Ming and Ankaga took a public rail car to the largest trade market area in Black Flame City.

The entire market was situated in a crowded street district.

A single glance revealed streets teeming with people, incredibly packed.

"Such a bustling place."

Ankaga said with some surprise.

"Come on, let’s go take a look."

Su Ming said thoughtfully.

Ankaga then followed Su Ming into the market.

Upon entering, they saw crude stalls lined up on both sides of the street, with people of the Neutral Country — different in appearance and skin color from Su Ming and his group, wearing distinctive attire — selling all sorts of things.

Su Ming looked at these stallholders with a slight frown, then suddenly a thought struck him, and he realized why Mia had winked at him earlier; immediately, he started to carefully observe the trading happening at the stalls around them.

Not far on the right-hand side, a middle-aged man with a luxurious outfit and a beer belly was aggressively advertising,

"These are Red Jade Crystal Beads, each worth 30,000 Federation credits. This strand has twenty beads; it’s worth at least 500,000 Federation credits."

"500,000? Have you lost your mind? 30,000 Federation credits!"

A slick-haired man retorted, pushing for a lower price.

"30,000? How can it be that low?"

"Let me tell you, it’s 30,000 Federation credits. The fact that I’m even considering your lousy beads is a privilege for you. What, you think you’re too good for me?"

The man threatened by grabbing the collar of the middle-aged vendor.

"No disrespect meant."

"Are you selling or not?"

"Selling!"

The vendor was clearly intimidated.

Observing this, Su Ming silently led Ankaga further into the market.

Then they saw an old man, red-faced and arguing heatedly with a group of people.

"This is a brand new Second Generation Mecha Flame Knight, manufactured by your Federation. The normal sale price is 20 million Federation credits."

"Is this secondhand one 300W? Will you sell?"

"Not selling!"

"Hey, old timer, think it through. If we don’t buy it, no one will. If you don’t sell it, you’ll be stuck with it, and I’m sure you know how costly the storage fee is. You’ll be left with nothing but your underwear."

"At least 1500W!"

"500W, and that’s our final offer."

...

Ankaga watched the trading scenes unfolding before his eyes and swallowed hard before saying to Su Ming,

"Su Ming, things here are so cheap."

"Mm."

Su Ming exhaled softly; the refugees who managed to escape to this place almost always carried their valuable possessions.

Black Flame City let them in with one purpose in mind, to squeeze every last valuable thing out of them.

"Let’s pick up some bargains too." ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

Ankaga said eagerly.

"Alright!"

Su Ming and Ankaga began to browse the stalls.

Not far ahead, Su Ming saw an elder with white hair displaying a pile of items at his stall, among which a piece of greenish ore caught Su Ming’s attention.

At that moment, a shrewd-looking middle-aged man dressed in luxurious clothes, somewhat greasy, was haggling with the old man.

"Old man, how much will you finally sell it for?"

"Sir, this is Green Crystal Ore; it’s an associated ore to Titanium Stone, which is a primary material in the construction of Fourth and Fifth-Generation Mechas. There’s a high chance of Titanium Stone content within. If you win the gamble, it starts with tens of millions at least. My lowest price would be 200W Federation currency for you."

"200W, are you out of your mind? I’d say it’s worth 30W!"

The shrewd middle-aged man countered irritably.

"Boss, I’m really offering you a very low price; I’m in urgent need of money!"

"50W, take it or leave it. Otherwise, I’m walking away!"

"I really can’t sell it that low, 100W is rock-bottom!"

The elder said with great heartache.

"Then forget about it. I’m not buying anymore. I bet this useless rock will eventually be left unsold in your hands, just make sure it doesn’t get stolen by thieves."

The shrewd middle-aged man mocked and then turned to leave.

The elder looked at the back of the middle-aged man, his face showing a very conflicted expression.

At this time, Su Ming approached the elder and said,

"I’ll buy it for 100W."

"Really? Thank you, boss!"

The seller was so excited that he nearly bowed in gratitude to Su Ming.

Su Ming couldn’t help but feel somewhat speechless at the seller’s reaction. Such a large associated ore, he didn’t even need to gamble; he could take it directly to the Third Planet for sale, which could start from 800W at the very least. Now he was offering only 100W, and the seller was still full of gratitude.

However, at this moment, the shrewd middle-aged man came back, seeing Su Ming willing to buy the associated ore, he accused them with great annoyance.

"Who the hell are you? Do you not know the rules? I was the one interested in this rock?"

"This is a free trade market, so, only you’re allowed to buy, and I’m not?"

Su Ming replied calmly.

"Exactly, so domineering!"

Ankaga chimed in as well.

"You, fine! Go ahead and buy."

Although the shrewd middle-aged man initially wanted to talk tough, he suddenly realized Su Ming and Ankaga didn’t look like locals from Black Flame Star and seemed like people from the inner stars, so he suppressed his anger and said.

Seeing the man back off, Su Ming didn’t bother with him anymore and turned to Ankaga,

"Ankaga, keep an eye on this for me, I’m going to withdraw some cash."

"Okay."

Ankaga readily agreed.

During this trip, Su Ming exchanged a total of fifty 10,000 denomination Federation bills and kept them in his wallet.

Normally, that would’ve been enough, but it would not suffice if he wanted to buy truly good items.

However, it wasn’t a problem as Black Flame Star’s inconvenient payment system resulted in banks and ATMs being available almost on every street; withdrawing money was quite convenient.

Su Ming then turned and left to withdraw money.

Shortly after, Su Ming returned with the cash and bought the associated ore, then continued to move forward with Ankaga, holding the stone.

"There are so many good things here that my eyes are spinning. Su Ming, what do you think I should buy?"

Ankaga said, full of wonder.

"You don’t have much money on hand, so try to buy things that have a large price difference and are easy to sell. If you really see something you like and don’t have enough money, I can lend you some."

Su Ming spoke confidently to Ankaga, given the amount of money he had in his account.

"Mm-hmm."

Ankaga replied happily.