"How so?" Han Wei asked.
Wang Ziqing explained, "Transactions in the Ghost Market, including placing bets, are all done with cash purchases."
"No online payments?" Han Wei frowned.
"There are exchange points within the Ghost Market, but the commission is high, and it might not be very safe," Wang Ziqing said. "Generally, old timers like us who frequent the Ghost Market use cash for transactions."
"Is cash safe?" Chen Fan asked.
"It's safe most of the time. The main concern is preventing gamblers who have lost too much from resorting to desperate measures."
Wang Ziqing continued, "Since it's the Ghost Market, some semblance of order still needs to be maintained. Of course, in places where no one is around, extra caution is needed, as there are indeed dangerous individuals mixed in."
"I'll bring a few people. With more of us, there shouldn't be any issues!"
Chen Fan's interest in the Ghost Market grew. He had a feeling that such a place would yield some rewards.
"If you're not prepared, I have some here. I can arrange for people to bring it. How much do you need?" Wang Ziqing offered again.
"How much is appropriate?" Han Wei asked.
"Within three million. Anything over that is not only inconvenient to carry but also makes it easy to attract desperate individuals."
"Then three million it is," Han Wei said, handing a bank card to Wang Ziqing. "I'll transfer three million to you."
Wang Ziqing smiled and waved her hand. "Ms. Han's word is enough. You can give it to me when we come out of the Ghost Market."
"You're quite adept at making connections," Han Wei chuckled. "Alright, we'll be relying on you heavily this time."
Wang Ziqing was pleasantly surprised. "It's almost time. If we go now, even though the Ghost Market hasn't officially opened, people are already starting to head there."
The group then got into their cars and headed south.
After about half an hour of driving, they arrived at the foot of an ancient city wall on the outskirts of the city. The wall, centuries old, was covered in mottled marks but still stood firm.
"This is the city wall at the pass. Three hundred years ago, the war here decided the fate of the realm."
Driving along the city wall, the surroundings weren't exactly desolate, but the buildings appeared low-rise. Eventually, the cars drove into a small town not too far from the ancient wall.
The town had a peculiar layout. Buildings were packed tightly together, row upon row, yet they looked dilapidated. Many areas utilized space to the extreme, resembling a fortified village. The roads were narrow, too narrow for cars to pass through, so they had to park on the dirt lot outside the town.
"This is the Ghost Market?" Han Wei asked.
"Yes, Ms. Han," Wang Ziqing replied. "Don't underestimate this place. Most influential figures in the pass and even Ning Nan have set up operations here to facilitate various businesses."
"However, the real Ghost Market activities take place within those warehouses in the town," Wang Ziqing added.
As they spoke, four burly men approached, carrying boxes. They respectfully greeted Wang Ziqing, "Sister Wang."
"Do you have enough cash?" Wang Ziqing asked.
A man with a buzz cut nodded. "Rest assured, Sister Wang, we have three million exactly."
"Ms. Han, shall we go then!" Wang Ziqing said.
Han Wei nodded. The group, including Chen Fan, numbered nine people as they entered the town. The roads here were narrow, with small shop fronts on both sides, most of which were closed. Many of them were eateries.
Walking further in, the street opened up, and more people appeared. Some were squatting in corners, their eyes vacant, their clothes ragged, like living dead. Others were huddled, oblivious to their surroundings. Some women, dressed provocatively, passed by occasionally. In some corners, people looked around furtively, their eyes fierce and greedy as they scanned passersby.
After a few minutes, they arrived at a small doorway. Wang Ziqing's subordinate knocked. The door opened, and a man greeted Wang Ziqing as "Sister Wang." Wang Ziqing nodded, signaling for Chen Fan and the others to enter. Inside was a small storefront, guarded by another man and two women, none of whom looked like respectable types. Wang Ziqing led Chen Fan and the other two into the inner room and opened a door, revealing a lounge. She asked the others to wait outside, then made tea for Chen Fan and Han Wei. "The Ghost Market will open in about half an hour. Ms. Han, if you just want to look around, I'll accompany you out later."
Han Wei glanced at Chen Fan and then asked, "Is there a casino in the Ghost Market called the God of Wealth Casino?"
"That's owned by Zhu Yeqing. What does Ms. Han intend?" Wang Ziqing inquired.
Han Wei seemed hesitant. "Never mind. Keep an eye on it and take us there before the boxing matches begin."
"Alright." Wang Ziqing nodded and ordered her subordinates to gather information.
Half an hour later, after receiving a report from her subordinate, she said, "Ms. Han, it's about time."
"Who is organizing the underground boxing matches? Who is in charge?" Chen Fan asked.
Wang Ziqing replied, "There are several people in charge of the matches, commonly Six Master, Brother Jiu, and Eight Master."
"They are the managers of the boxing matches."
"Who is the mastermind behind it?" Chen Fan asked casually.
"Mr. Chen, you're putting me in a difficult position. I only make a living here in the Ghost Market; I don't reach that level," Wang Ziqing chuckled. "Even those three managers, I've only seen them from afar. I recognize them, but I'm not qualified to speak with them."
Chen Fan wasn't surprised. The group then left Wang Ziqing's establishment and headed to the black boxing arena. They navigated through complicated streets, turning left and right, until they reached a shop. The shop displayed some furs, and the owner, seeing Wang Ziqing and her group, simply nodded without saying much. Passing through the shop, the back door led to a narrow alley. After a few steps down the alley, a door was open, guarded by several sharp-eyed young men with cigarettes in their mouths. These men exuded a sharp and fierce aura. Wang Ziqing took an A4 sheet of paper from her pocket and handed it over. The paper contained nothing but a seal. The leader of the men took the paper, tore it up on the spot, and gestured for the group to enter.
"This is the entry qualification," Wang Ziqing explained in a low voice as they walked a few steps. "Before each betting event, the organizers issue these seal papers to us, granting us the right to bring people in."
"What about the fighters?" Chen Fan asked.
"The organizers will find some fighters." Wang Ziqing continued, "Guests who come here to bet on fights can also bring fighters to compete. Just declare it when you enter!"
Upon entering, they found a staircase leading to a basement. After walking down the stairs for a distance, they arrived at the entrance of a large underground hall. Outside the door, a table was set up, with about a dozen guards standing nearby, their eyes stern, exuding a sharp aura. Behind the table sat an old man, who smiled at Wang Ziqing and asked, "How many?"
"Just one," Wang Ziqing replied.
The old man took out a jade-colored number plate and handed it to Wang Ziqing. Wang Ziqing turned to Chen Fan and Han Wei and said, "This is a betting token. Use this token to place your bets. After winning, you can redeem your winnings with this token."
"What if someone wants to fight?" Chen Fan asked.
Wang Ziqing was taken aback and looked at Chen Fan. "You want to go up and fight?"
"Just asking," Chen Fan replied.
"Fighters also receive a token, but it's not a number, it's an animal token." Wang Ziqing explained, "However, once you accept the token, you must fight at least one match. Mr. Chen, we can go in first. It's quite common for gamblers to step into the ring themselves. You can register and get a token inside!"
The arrangements for this underground black boxing match seemed very thorough. Chen Fan nodded, and under Wang Ziqing's guidance, entered the underground hall with Han Wei.