389 Fresh from the Oven (1/2)

The new issue of the Black-Line Star Listing came out as promised. Each month's issue contained a detailed listing of any fluctuations for the past one or two months. No one knew who published the list, but it was certainly authoritative.

People were skeptical about the listing at first, especially about some of the listed credentials, which made it hard for people to tell how they really got their information. Quickly, though, people were surprised to discover that the listing was pretty darned accurate.

Many of the larger firms were terrified of the compilers' powerful information channels. Starting from when the Black-Line Star Listing had first grabbed their attention, they had never stopped investigating it. But even a behemoth like Moon Frost Island had still come up with nothing.

There was always one issue per month, and it was never delayed and never seemed to be influenced. Its initial circulation had only been among the local powers, but it had gradually spread.

Having gone through several decades of development, the Black-Line Star Listing had already become one of the most authoritative lists in the Heavenly Drum Village District. It was more authoritative in people's minds than the Heavenly Drum Rolls, which were officially published by the Heavenly Drum Village District. It was unfortunate that the Black-Line Star Listing was only concerned with underworld card artisans and wasn't interested in card artisans with a formal background.

Ever since the situation in the federation had started to get worse, people had become more and more interested in the Black-Line Star Listing. The large firms, especially, couldn't wait to have those on the listing under their command. With the situation as it was, the federation government's prestige had already reached an historic low, and no one was even scrupulous about their existence anymore. All of the laws were valid in name only, and it seemed that people had suddenly reverted to the state of warlords, all vying for power that had prevailed before the Heavenly Federation was established.

By then, each city was controlled by the strongest local power. For example, Zargan was under the control of the Southern Star Firm. That was also why Miao Xuan was so unbridled.

With the old order destroyed, the new order had yet to be established.

That issue of the Black-Line Star Listing would inevitably get a lot of attention. With social conflicts increasingly apparent, quite a few aces who had previously faded had reappeared. That had also led to a lot of fluctuation on the Black-Line Star Listing. It was totally unlike the slowly reacting Heavenly Drum Rolls, and it naturally got a lot of eyeballs. The most interesting thing was that each issue of the Black-Line Star Listing would feature a ”card artisan on the move,” which really satisfied people's curiosity.

There were a lot of changes in that issue of the Black-Line Star Listing. For example, Lan Long, who had been listed as 26th, had suddenly jumped ahead six names to be listed among the top 20. Then, there was Mao Hao, who had been listed 97th but had since been assassinated.

The thing that got everyone's attention in the new issue wasn't those two, however. It was someone with the strange name of Qiao Yuan, who was the ”card artisan on the move” for that issue.

That part of the listing said the following:

”Qiao Yuan; origin unknown; card unknown. Encountered his first battle with Mo Ta and his small team. Mo Ta's small team was destroyed, and the captain, Mo Ta, also died. Mo Ta's famous Golden Word Shackle fell into his hands.

Later fought with Jin Yin and successfully escaped after heavily wounding Jin Yin. Subsequently fought through the forest, killing 20 members of Constellation.

In the last issue, Mo Ta was listed at No. 89. Jin Yin was listed at No. 93.

Qiao Yuan is initially designated as No. 72 for reference purposes, pending more observation.

The reason for designating him as this issue's 'card artisan on the move:' During continual fighting this month with two card artisans listed among the top 100, killing one and wounding the other, that brilliant record is sufficient to show his tremendous power!”

Interestingly, after Jin Yin was wounded, his name had actually gone up instead of down. He had gone from 93rd right up to 85th. Constellation's fame, on the other hand, had taken a hit.

When that issue of the Black-Line Star Listing came out, the unusual name Qiao Yuan entered everyone's field of view. Everyone was speculating about what sort of god Qiao Yuan really was. If one were to say the issue of the Black-Line Star Listing was only a topic of conversation in other places, the sensation it caused in Zargan was unprecedented.

Any doubts among those who had been skeptical of Chen Mu totally vanished and were replaced with fanatical adoration! What made them still more pleasantly surprised was that the mysterious, ugly man had not only killed Mo Ta, but he had also seriously wounded Jin Yin. How could they fail to worship him with such a battle record?

Overnight, the Chichi Trading Firm became surrounded by people. Quite a few firms harbored the hope for a fluke that they could strike up a relationship with the newly promoted ace. Still more of the crowd consisted of young card artisans. With such an ace as the 72nd on the listing to be moving around freely in Zargan, if they could become a pupil to such a powerful master, their future would be self-evident.

Unfortunately, even though there were so many people around the Chichi Trading Firm, nothing was happening there. Under Ah Sang's orders, the Chichi Trading Firm had suspended operations for those few days. No one, including those who wanted to ask around for news, make friends with Chen Mu, or be his pupil, could do anything.

Sending someone in to spy out some news? You'd have to be kidding. It wasn't just anyone living there—it was the great Qiao Yuan, who was listed 72nd on the Black-Line Star Listing his first time on it!

Meanwhile, Chen Mu was devoting himself to staying in the training room and groping through the Golden Word Shackle. He took care of himself to be able to concentrate on training. Unless he encountered a dangerous situation, no one could come in to bother him. If something was happening outside, he didn't know about it.

Suddenly, the apparatus on his wrist sounded. He opened the communications card, where Bogner's image appeared on the screen.

As soon as he saw Chen Mu, he laughed. ”You sure are powerful, Boss. You're now on the Black-Line Star Listing, and not so low down, either.”

”Black-Line Star Listing?” Chen Mu's expression was wooden. He had been concentrating on his training those last few days and hadn't yet come back to his spirits after the sudden interruption, so he looked rather expressionless.

”Do you mean you don't know yet?” Bogner was surprised by Chen Mu's reaction.