Chapter 98: The Dark Side of Kunxu

Hearing the sky-high number quoted by the plushie, Zhang Yu’s heart gave a subtle jolt. A flicker of longing flashed in his eyes—he really did want to make more money right now.

After all, in Kunxu, money meant potential, future, power. Without it, he couldn’t even make next month’s loan payment. Being broke left you with no sense of security at all.

The plushie continued, trying to persuade him. “Besides, this job isn’t as risky as you think.”

“The only reason it feels dangerous to you is because of company propaganda. They keep drilling ideas into your head like ‘don’t oppose the company’ and ‘you’ll regret it if you do.’”

“The fact that the black-market tutoring scene exists at all proves it has a reason to.”

After listening to the plushie’s explanation, Zhang Yu finally began to understand the situation more clearly.

The major companies had a tight grip over the first floor of Kunxu. They could even invite the Eight Divine Officials to help them gather intel.

But that didn’t mean they controlled everything. Nor did it mean there were no forces that could shield things from divine surveillance.

“The poorer the place, the more broke people there are, the fewer cultivators you’ll find. Infrastructure’s garbage, barely any surveillance—makes it easier to slip past company monitoring.”

“As for the Eight Divine Officials and the city government—every big gang pays taxes and worships sincerely. They’ve got divine blessings too, just like anyone else.”

Zhang Yu frowned. “So paying taxes and showing devotion makes it legal to break the law?”

The plushie answered matter-of-factly, “Paying taxes and showing devotion—isn’t that exactly what lets them break the law?”

“Every major gang has a big-name company backing it. Gangs are just one of the tools companies use to fight each other. Sure, the Ten Major Sects monopolize Kunxu, but the companies under those sects? They’re still in fierce competition.”

“Gangs are like chamber pots for companies—used when needed, and they have their place.”

“Listen, if you were just a regular freshman, I wouldn’t suggest this. But you’ve got multiple Immortal-Class Techniques. You’re perfect for underground tutoring with a fake identity.”

“Besides, we’re in the same boat now. If you get busted, I’m screwed too. Why would I lie to you?”

Zhang Yu had heard vague rumors about gangs before, but this was the first time he’d heard so much insider info.

Still, even if it all sounded plausible, he couldn’t fully trust the Evil God Plushie just yet. So he messaged Zhang Pianpian to ask about the black-market tutoring scene.

Zhang Pianpian: Why are you suddenly asking about this?

Zhang Yu: A friend mentioned it. I’m just strapped for cash and looking for ways to make money.

Zhang Pianpian: Hmm. Since you took first in martial arts, you’ve got some leverage now.

Zhang Pianpian: Try this address. If it works out, great. If not, just keep building your strength.

Then she called him on video.

As soon as he picked up, he saw her draw a sigil with her finger. A Concealment Sigil traveled through the data stream and landed right on his head.

Zhang Pianpian said, “There. That sigil will hide your identity for the next twelve hours—nobody will be able to tell what you really are.”

“And if you want to disguise your face and body, try using that Crimson Marrow Primordial Energy you’ve been practicing.”

Zhang Yu watched the sigil-drawing process with curiosity. “How much devotion level do you need to draw sigils over a network?”

Zhang Pianpian: “Don’t worry about that. Focus on what’s in front of you.”

After the call, Zhang Yu looked at the address she’d sent. It was nearly 70 kilometers from downtown Songyang City—about as far out in the suburbs as you could get.

Thinking over her words, Zhang Yu had a realization. “She knows about the black-market tutoring scene, but she doesn’t seem sure I’ll get any gigs.”

“Maybe she doesn’t know I’ve mastered several Immortal-Class Techniques and thinks I can’t make it in that world?”

Zhang Yu definitely trusted his sister more than the plushie.

Outside, night had fallen, neon lights hung high in the sky—it was the perfect time to head out. Plus, with a Concealment Sigil masking his identity, he was all set.

“But if I’m heading into the underground tutoring scene, I really do need to hide my identity. She said to try Crimson Marrow Primordial Energy?”

Then it clicked. “Wait—she means I should control my muscles to change my appearance?”

As Zhang Yu pondered how to reshape his image with the Crimson Marrow Primordial Energy, the plushie hanging from his neck exclaimed in surprise, “You’ve got such a powerful woman watching over you? Drawing sigils through the internet—that takes serious talisman skill.”

Zhang Yu ignored the plushie and began manipulating the muscles on his face.

Thanks to his Level 10 mastery of Crimson Marrow Primordial Energy, his muscle control had reached an unprecedented peak. He just hadn’t thought of using it for disguise before.

With a bit of effort, his reflection in the mirror transformed—from a striking young man to someone utterly plain. By adjusting his full-body musculature, he even shrank a few inches. He now looked like a total stranger.

…

More than half an hour later, as he got closer to the location, the roads grew worse. About ten kilometers out, even the bus stops vanished.

Zhang Yu had no choice but to run the rest of the way. Thankfully, with his current physical strength, it wasn’t slow or tiring.

But the buildings grew shorter, the roads more broken, the alleyways on both sides pitch-black and silent. Streetlights were few and far between.

It felt like traveling from a futuristic metropolis straight into a run-down small town.

Compared to this place, even his dingy rental apartment felt luxurious.

The sheer quiet of the night put him on edge.

“Right, everyone here’s a mortal. Of course they’d all be asleep by now.”

Sleep—once such a basic word—now felt strangely distant to Zhang Yu. It made him a little wistful.

“But it’s precisely because places like this are poor that they lack oversight and surveillance. Companies don’t want to invest here, which leaves room for gangs to operate.”

He pressed on. As sweat began to form and his body warmed up, he finally arrived at the address.

A grand entrance, cars coming and going, a staffed security booth, and a gleaming sign that read “Songyang Northmoon High-Tech Services Park.” It looked nothing like the dark, damp gang hideout he’d expected.

Zhang Yu was stunned. “This is where they run underground tutoring? Looks way too legit.”

The plushie replied, “They pay taxes and worship sincerely—they’re a

legal

gang.”

Zhang Yu frowned. He’d never imagined “gang” and “legal” could coexist.

“Aren’t gangs supposed to be all about violence and staying in the shadows?”

The plushie chuckled. “That’s just the cannon fodder at the bottom. Disposable nobodies. In this world, money and connections are what count. If all you know is brawling, you’ll die in the streets sooner or later.”

She sounded like she’d been doing this for years. “This service park? It’s the turf of the Dark Studies Gang. They handle illegal tutoring, cultivation technique cracking, bootlegging—everything shady. Their backer is Deep Sea Education Group.”

Zhang Yu’s eyes widened. “Deep Sea Education Group?”

He remembered the tutoring center the original Zhang Yu had enrolled in—it was under that company’s umbrella.

“But I thought Deep Sea Education Group

was

an education provider. Why would they support a gang like this?”

The plushie laughed again. “Come on. They’re not the only ones in the education business. The Dark Studies Gang helps them crack rival techniques, test new methods, and sabotage enemy factions. Basically, they do all the dirty work.”

By now, Zhang Yu had entered the park and followed the address to a small building.

The security staff were courteous, the landscaping was pleasant—nothing about the place screamed gang turf.

He looked at the building and stepped inside. After a moment’s thought, he used the phrase Zhang Pianpian had taught him and said to the front desk, “I’m here to sell some lessons.”

The receptionist smiled. “Certainly, sir. Please wait in Room 105. One of our sales representatives will be with you shortly.”

As Zhang Yu walked down the hall, he passed several rooms. From one, he heard muffled arguing.

“Dammit… To sell this technique, two of my guys got bankrupted and one got chopped up and sold! And now you wanna lowball me?”

“Cursing me won’t help. The rules are the rules. A Level 7 lesson fetches this price, period.”

“Rules? Back when I raided the Golden Course Gang’s turf, smashed sixteen of their underground classrooms—where were your ‘rules’ then? Now I’m old, can’t learn fast anymore, and suddenly it’s all rules…”

The door shut abruptly, cutting off the sound. Someone must’ve noticed him approaching.

He entered Room 105 and waited. Before long, a polite, scholarly-looking middle-aged man entered, closed the door, and asked, “How may I help you, sir?”

Just then, the plushie’s voice echoed in Zhang Yu’s mind. “Tell him you’ve got a batch of lessons to sell. Ask to verify the goods.”

“You don’t know the local gang rules. Do what I say, or they’ll treat you like a clueless rookie. Let me handle the haggling—you’ll make more.”

Zhang Yu blinked. He hadn’t expected the plushie to transmit messages straight into his head.

Still, what it asked him to say seemed fine. So he followed its lead.

Lowering his voice, Zhang Yu said, “I’ve got a batch of lessons to sell. Verify the goods first.”

As he spoke, he released a burst of milky-white Martial Qi. It surged out of his body and turned into a swirling mist around him—

The unmistakable aura of Level 10 Limitless Cloud Hands.