Internal martial arts work through the internal organs, conditioning and training them, nourishing the qi and blood. This process is much slower, and strength increases more slowly as well, but it doesn’t harm the body—in fact, it can even prolong life.

　　That’s the difference between internal and external schools.

　　In reality, the top experts of the external school are no worse than those of the internal school.

　　The truly most powerful are those who master both internal and external techniques…”

　　“I see…” Charles Reed understood.

　　Henry Walker also nodded.

　　“I’ve heard Uncle Baker say the same thing before.”

　　“Then why is everyone still so obsessed with internal skills? After all, it doesn’t increase strength by much.” Charles Reed asked, puzzled.

　　“For longevity… External experts are strong, but after thirty, they start to decline. But once you have internal skills, you can maintain your peak even into your fifties or sixties. There’s just no comparison.” Robert Brooks said with emotion.

　　At this moment, Henry Walker’s attention was also focused on the secret manual on stage, as the bidding was about to begin.

　　The host pointed at the black-cloth-wrapped manual on the tray.

　　“Now the bidding begins, starting price: one hundred taels!”

　　“One hundred and thirty taels.”

　　“One hundred and fifty!”

　　“Two hundred!”

　　“Three hundred!”

　　“Three hundred and thirty taels!”

　　The prices quickly climbed higher and higher.

　　Even the person who had mocked earlier was now bidding.

　　It was clear that although people didn’t fully trust the manual, they did have faith in the black market’s appraisal standards and reputation.

　　“Someone’s deliberately driving up the price.”

　　The fat man muttered quietly.

　　Henry Walker squinted at the stage.

　　“Five hundred taels!”

　　He raised his hand and called out loudly.

　　With a sudden jump of a hundred taels, the whole room quieted down a bit.

　　In this era, five hundred taels had the purchasing power of about half a million RMB.

　　And this was just for a manual whose authenticity and accuracy were still unknown.

　　“Five hundred and fifty taels.”

　　A voice rang out again.

　　Henry Walker looked over and saw a yellow-skinned man with downward-slanting eyes.

　　His face, covered by a black mask, looked thin and gaunt, as if he had little flesh. His eyes were fierce—clearly not someone to mess with.

　　Henry Walker had already anticipated this situation. How could no one compete for an internal skill manual?

　　He didn’t mind and continued to raise his hand.

　　“Six hundred taels.”

　　“Seven hundred taels!”

　　It was that man again—every time Henry Walker bid, he immediately followed.

　　“Eight hundred taels!” Henry Walker said calmly. His father, Andrew Walker, had given him a monthly allowance of two thousand taels. Even if he spent it all, he was determined to win this manual.

　　After all, with the modifier, as long as there was even a chance to get started, he could find the martial art’s name in the modifier and instantly max it out.

　　“Nine hundred taels!”

　　That man shot a fierce glare at Henry Walker.

　　“One thousand taels.” Henry Walker said calmly.

　　“…One thousand one hundred taels!” The other party’s voice sounded a bit strained. “Friend, I’m from the Baiyu The Bolton Family. Give me some face.”

　　Baiyu The Bolton Family?

　　Henry Walker’s expression changed.

　　This The Bolton Family wasn’t from Jiulian City, but was the top family in nearby Zihua City—the family of Zihua’s prefect, Stephen Bolton.

　　“Baiyu The Bolton Family, huh? They actually came to Jiulian City to look for goods…” Charles Reed said in surprise from the side.

　　His own The Reed Family was in charge of the black market, only responsible for the auction itself, not caring where the customers came from.

　　“One thousand two hundred taels!”

　　Henry Walker raised his hand again.

　　The man from The Bolton Family’s eyes immediately filled with anger. In the area around Jiulian and Zihua, he had never met anyone who dared disrespect The Bolton Family like this.

　　The Bolton Family didn’t just have Stephen Bolton the prefect—they were also proud of another, Zihua City’s top expert, Matthew Bolton.

　　They had power in both the black and white worlds, which was their greatest backing for acting so boldly outside.

　　“Don’t mind him. At the black market auction, the highest bidder wins. Even The Bolton Family wouldn’t dare break the rules lightly. Otherwise, who would still do jade business with them?”

　　Charles Reed gloated.

　　The man from The Bolton Family was called Jason Bolton, and he was specifically sent to Jiulian City to collect any internal skill manuals that might appear.

　　In fact, all internal skill manuals on the market were watched by them. Before anything was put up for auction, they would intercept it in advance.

　　This was the only manual in Jiulian City that slipped through the net. It was brought in by a sudden visitor who consigned it to the black market, bypassing the usual procedures and thus avoiding interception.

　　“One thousand three hundred taels!” Jason Bolton gritted his teeth and raised his hand again.

　　“One thousand four hundred!” Henry Walker refused to back down.

　　At this point, only the two of them were competing; no one else intended to get involved.

　　“One thousand five hundred taels!” Jason Bolton stared hard at Henry Walker. “Friend, when you’re out in the world, more friends mean more opportunities. If you let me have this manual today, my The Bolton Family will remember your favor.”

　　Henry Walker’s expression didn’t change.

　　“One thousand six hundred taels.”

　　He raised his hand and bid again.

　　Jason Bolton was completely furious. He had come specifically for this Black Sha Skill, expecting to get it for a thousand taels and pocket the rest, but hadn’t expected a wild card to appear and compete with him so relentlessly.

　　“One thousand seven hundred and fifty taels!” He suddenly stood up, putting all his money on the line.

　　“One thousand eight hundred!”

　　Henry Walker remained expressionless.

　　Jason Bolton whipped his head around, glaring fiercely at Henry Walker.