Chapter 2 | Black Market Rumors

The mountain path was exceptionally quiet in the evening, with only the sound of the wind blowing through the pine needles in the forest. Chen Ye, carrying the game, walked cautiously with his three brothers, afraid of startling the wild beasts in the mountains and also of being discovered by outsiders.

Wang Hu spoke in a low voice: "Chen Ye, you hunted quite a bit today. Should we go directly to the black market to sell it? They're buying wild goods recently, and the price is twice as high as usual."

Chen Ye shook his head: "We can't be greedy, let's go home and sort things out first. What the family needs is enough to eat and use."

Zhao Yan frowned: "But...the money from the black market can be used to buy some equipment or replenish ammunition."

Chen Ye was silent for a moment, his eyes revealing a hint of deep thought. He knew that the black market was not like the small businesses in the village; it was a potentially dangerous line – some people were greedy for profits, and some were secretly eyeing the resources of the mountains.

Back in the village, Chen Ye first distributed the game to his family. His mother was busy cleaning the wild boar, his father helped check the guns and ammunition, and his sister Chen Xue was curiously watching the carp in the river.

In the process of sorting the game, the system prompt sounded again:

【Contract Space Upgrade Condition Triggered】

【Total stored resources have reached 5 items】

【Space capacity increased to 15 cubic meters】

【New features unlocked: Rapid resource processing, Lightweight storage】

Chen Ye smiled slightly and reached out to touch the inside of the space. The game was instantly rearranged, stored more compactly, and easier to access. The system's growth was like silently empowering him, making him more at ease in the mountains and in survival.

"It seems that every hunt and fishing trip is not just food and income, but also an accumulation of power," he said softly.

The next morning, Chen Ye and his three brothers decided to test the black market. They followed the path to the village entrance and saw an old-fashioned truck parked by the river bend, with several men in leather jackets inspecting the game.

Wang Hu lowered his voice nervously: "That's them."

Chen Ye nodded slightly, put the hunting rifle on his shoulder, put the pistol on his waist, and inserted the hunting knife into his waistband. He sent a weak command to the system:

【Reconnaissance mode activated】

【Number of enemies: 4】

【Equipment: Rifle × 2, Pistol × 2】

The system provided feedback that was precise and quick. Chen Ye's heart stirred, and the three brothers followed closely behind, quietly circling to the rear of the truck.

Negotiations began, and the black market merchant offered a shockingly high price, but with a probing look in his eyes. Chen Ye spoke slightly: "We hunted these game ourselves; the price should be reasonable."

The other party snorted: "Hunted it yourselves? Doesn't matter, we buy expensive. Either sell, or... don't go back."

Chen Ye knew that if he argued rashly, danger was inevitable. He quickly made a judgment:

【Use space function】

【Game temporarily stored in space, reducing exposure】

The game instantly disappeared into Chen Ye's space, and the black market merchant was stunned. Chen Ye seized the opportunity and calmly said: "We'll talk again tomorrow; we're not selling today."

The other party frowned, but did not pursue it and finally retreated. The three brothers breathed a sigh of relief, but Chen Ye was secretly calculating: the space could not only store the game, but also protect their safety at critical moments.

On the way home, Zhao Yan couldn't help but ask: "Chen Ye, aren't you afraid of retaliation from the black market by doing this?"

Chen Ye shook his head: "Retaliation doesn't matter; the key is that we must have a foundation. The space can store resources, and it can also help me make more accurate judgments. In the future, whether it's survival or trade, we must have chips."

Wang Hu nodded: "It seems that your system is getting stronger and stronger."

Chen Ye smiled slightly and looked at the distant mountains: the morning mist had not yet dissipated, the forest was lush and dense, and the river was flowing slowly.

"The real challenge has just begun." He knew in his heart that this was not only a challenge of the mountains, but also a test of the human heart. The growth of the contract system, the safety of his family, the trust of his three brothers, and the threat of the black market, everything was brewing in secret.

In the evening, Chen Xue was waiting at the door. She looked at her brother's return, and there was a hint of doubt and curiosity in her eyes. She did not know that her brother had mastered a power that ordinary people could not understand, and all of this would gradually change their lives and even change the order of the mountains.