The Merchant Guild

The scavengers arrived in modified, large pickup trucks.

Their entire bodies were covered in armor of varying sizes and colors, riddled with bullet holes.

The original cargo beds in the rear were replaced with small compartments supported by rebar and tarps.

This was very much in the scavenger style.

These were the vehicles scavengers used to flee through the wilderness.

Li Yelan could even smell a faint scent of blood.

But he didn't care. He carried his black umbrella and got into the cargo compartment with the boss.

Sitting beside him and opposite him were three scavengers, staring intently at him.

Seeing Li Yelan carrying the Large Black Umbrella, the fierce-looking strongman opposite him frowned.

He keenly sensed it might be a weapon.

However, it was a bit too large, and the handle was slender, unlike a firearm.

Could it be? A concealed melee weapon? A knife hidden inside?

This was also very much in the scavenger style.

Some scavengers who couldn't afford guns could only rely on knives for courage.

Thus, the fierce-looking strongman glanced at Li Yelan and let out a mocking laugh. Hiding a weapon in front of scavengers was like showing off to an expert.

Moreover, did he think he'd be safe just by carrying a weapon?

Even within the gun-restricted Giant City, they had ways to bring firearms in.

Thinking this, the fierce-looking strongman tapped the armored compartment, signaling to drive.

For the boss sitting next to Li Yelan, the only good news was that the pickup truck wasn't heading out of the city.

This made the boss breathe a sigh of relief. If they were going out of the city, his safety would truly be in jeopardy.

Within Giant City, scavengers generally didn't dare to kill people. The Security Bureau kept a very close eye on them.

Even so, one shouldn't provoke scavengers casually.

Their overall strength varied greatly; while there were certainly a considerable number of thugs, there were also battle-hardened thugs, truly desperate individuals!

If you provoked them, you'd be in danger even if you stayed within Giant City.

Thinking of this, the boss felt a little scared.

The courage he had mustered earlier was now slowly dissipating.

Li Yelan asked in a low voice, "Boss, you really didn't take anything from them, did you?"

"We've known each other for so long, don't you trust me?" the boss retorted indignantly.

Li Yelan was speechless for a moment. They had indeed known each other for quite a while, over four years.

He had found this job when he was nineteen. A guaranteed thousand Mega City Coins a month was decent in the old district.

But the boss was also notoriously stingy, comparable to Li Yelan. It wasn't like him to miss an opportunity like that.

The boss said in a low voice, "There was no chance to take anything! I don't know who brought out machine guns at the time. I didn't dare to get close and hid far away. I could only see them frantically fighting over something, and after a long time, the scavenger convoy arrived. Naturally, I had to leave."

"I hope you're telling the truth!" the fierce-looking strongman grinned, his already ferocious face looking even more terrifying. "Otherwise, you'll be the one to suffer!"

Li Yelan nodded slightly in his heart. It would be best if the boss hadn't taken anything.

If he accidentally got involved with a Forbidden Item, it would be terrible.

Li Yelan thought to himself, while his hand secretly pressed the communicator hidden under his sleeve.

He didn't need to speak. The East City Branch on the other end would understand his situation through the conversation and provide relevant support.

If necessary, the liaison officer would even request support from the City Defense Force or the Iron Guard.

Meanwhile, on the other side, within the processing team of the West City Branch.

Someone frowned, "Night General from the East City Branch? How did a processor from the East City end up in our West City? Is he crossing Giant City to intrude?"

From this perspective, it was indeed absurd. Giant City had a large population and covered a vast area.

The Processing Department was divided into four branches, managing the urban areas in four directions.

For example, the East City Branch managed the eastern old city, the eastern Ring District, and the eastern new city. The main city was managed by headquarters.

Generally, members from other branches did not participate in missions.

The last time the branches cooperated was during the Fantasy Band incident.

So, when they learned that a processor from the East City had suddenly gotten involved, this West City processing team was flustered.

Did he have to intrude like this?

Crossing Giant City, passing through headquarters, and coming to the West City, was that it?

"No, this is indeed an accident. He seems to be working in an antique shop owned by a buyer and happened to encounter this incident. Now he's been taken away by a group of scavengers." One processor's expression was strange. "Is this bad luck? Or good luck?"

"Let's not worry about luck for now. What is the strength of this 'Night General'? Will he disrupt our plans, or even drag us down?" the first processor who spoke frowned. "According to our investigation, this chamber of commerce has ties with wild Spirit Ability Users outside of Giant City. If there's a conflict, we'll have to support him."

For the team that had been investigating for a while, Li Yèlái's involvement was very likely to disrupt their plans.

"Let me check, Night General. He's a newcomer, Myriad Paths, only joined East City Branch's team two months ago. During his first awakening, he killed the wanted criminal Suffering OneThe Skinner. I can't find anything after that; our clearance isn't high enough, and we'll need to communicate with East City Branch. All we know for now is that he has successfully awakened a second time," a handler replied. "Awakening twice in two months, his talent is very high! And he actually killed Suffering One during his first awakening. His combat power isn't weak!"

"East City Branch's team, the former Champion team?"

The leading handler's brow relaxed slightly. "In the last incident, they suppressed East City Branch's Black Prison, not letting a single Forbidden Item escape. But the losses were extremely heavy, nearly half their personnel gone. Surviving that battlefield, this Night General must have some strength. What does East City Branch say?"

"East City Branch said Night General is currently unreachable and hopes we'll pay attention to his safety. They also said something strange: 'This overwhelming fortune is now yours.'"

"What does that mean?"

The vehicle traveled for a long time, finally arriving at its destination in the afternoon.

When Li Yèlái and the boss got out of the car, they saw a factory complex located in the old northwestern district.

These factories occupied a considerable area, with many modified vehicles, even fully armed trucks, parked around them.

And in front of one of these factory buildings stood a sign.

Red Dart Merchant Association.

Yes, a merchant association.

Those scavengers were members of this association, or rather, the guards of a caravan under this association.

As mentioned before, in the wilderness, the identities of settlements, caravans, scavengers, and bandits can shift freely.

The Red Dart Merchant Association operated much like that. They controlled a scavenger settlement in the wilderness and also took on tasks like escorting caravans or entering the ruined city to scavenge.

When necessary, they would also transform into bandits, attacking other scavengers or caravans.

This Red Dart Merchant Association was considered a relatively large merchant association in Border City No. 3.

If it weren't for the extreme danger and the need to leave Giant City, Li Yèlái might have joined such a merchant association years ago, becoming a scavenger living on the edge.

Of course, even with such a powerful organization, within Giant City, Red Dart Merchant Association had to sheath its fangs and act as friendly as possible.

The boss had some cooperation with them, often going to their outside-the-city trading post to purchase goods.

At this moment, as they alighted, Li Yèlái saw members of the association: thugs with exposed tattoos holding knives, young women in revealing clothing smoking, and some burly men faintly exuding a bloody aura.

Someone saw Li Yèlái carrying the Large Black Umbrella out of the car and couldn't help but mock him. Some women, and even men, winked at Li Yèlái.

"Boss, do you usually trade with them?" Li Yèlái asked.

"They have a lot of goods, and with funding from some wealthy merchants, their supply is stable," the boss reminded him. "Don't talk too much. You might be the one acquiring goods from them in the future, so don't offend them."

Li Yèlái readily agreed, carrying the black umbrella behind the fierce-faced strongman and entering the factory with the boss.

Inside the factory, quite a few people were gathered.

They held various weapons, but did not directly draw firearms.

They eyed Li Yèlái and the boss with cold gazes, making the boss's expression even more grim. He kept warning Li Yèlái: "Don't be impulsive, don't speak."

At this moment, the fierce-faced strongman spoke, "I've brought the people from East City. Have you found everyone else?"

"No, one from North City fled directly, but they won't get far," a woman with a ferocious scar on her face sneered in response. "They dare to take our goods, and we'll make them and their families understand the consequences!"

"And the others?"

"They're all here, just waiting for the ones you brought." The scarred woman sized up the boss and Li Yèlái.

She seemed surprised to see Li Yèlái's Large Black Umbrella, but then smiled, "Take them inside first. If this kid acts up later, don't kill him directly; leave him for me. And be careful not to hurt his face."

Laughter erupted from the side.

"Kid, Sister Scar fancies you. Aren't you going to thank Sister Scar?"

"You're soaring to the heavens, kid! Why not stay with the association? Hahaha!"

They mocked him freely, their words filled with malice.

The boss's face grew even more grim, and he whispered to Li Yèlái, "We're innocent, it'll be fine, it'll be fine."

Li Yèlái didn't really care about this, so he just nodded silently.

And on the other end of the communicator on his wrist.

When these conversations were transmitted, the cautious operators were amused.

Meanwhile, Puppet, who was passing by the office area, paused.

An emoticon [ (╬◣д◢) ] involuntarily appeared.

Then, Li Yèlái and the boss, along with the fierce-faced man and the scarred woman, entered deeper into the factory.

They arrived in a large room.

Many people were already there: the boss of an Antique Shop, the butler of a wealthy merchant, and some traders of unknown origin.

They were all related to the previous incident; their subordinates or companions had participated in that shootout.

At this moment, these dozen or so people had been forcibly brought here, and most of them looked quite unhappy.

However, one old butler's pupils dilated upon seeing Li Yèlái.

Years of professionalism, however, allowed him to remain calm.

This was indeed an acquaintance; it was the old butler of the Wang Family Family that Li Yèlái had met while doing freelance work before.

After Wang De's death, many of the Wang family's properties were confiscated, and the Wang Group plummeted.

He hadn't expected that even the old butler would have to show up in person.

Li Yèlái didn't greet the old butler. Pretending not to know him was the best course of action at this moment.

"It seems that besides the one from North City, all the groups involved in the transaction back then have arrived," the boss said in a low voice.

Just then, a voice rang out.

"No, the one from North City has also arrived."

Following that, a person covered in blood was thrown into the room, hitting the ground heavily and even dragging a bloody trail.

The person's limbs were twisted and broken, and they were currently gasping in pain.

This bloody scene caused the atmosphere to suddenly turn cold. Some people trembled, while others showed struggle on their faces.

At this moment, the person who had spoken walked out from the door.

It was a man with a cigar in his mouth, followed closely by a male and female bodyguard.

The leader should be the spokesperson for the Red Dart Merchant Association, Xu Shi.

And the two behind him... Li Yèlái narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Don't be afraid, I, Xu Shi, just intend to retrieve the goods," the man calling himself Xu Shi said casually to everyone, then stepped on the head of the severely injured person.

His leather shoe ground back and forth on the person's face. As the person let out a scream of pain, he bent down and shoved the cigar from his mouth into the injured person's mouth.

Then, watching the person writhe in agony, Xu Shi laughed, "Now, there's still one chance. Hand over the item, and I won't pursue it further. If we find it ourselves, your fate will be even worse than his."

Seeing that no one spoke, clearly all of them were intimidated by Xu Shi's methods.

Xu Shi nodded slightly, "Very good. I hope you all remain this silent until the end. Then I will search in my own way."

He then raised his hand slightly, and scavengers carried out a chest.

It was a treasure chest of no small size, with classical patterns on it, indicating that the item inside was not cheap.

However, the other party seemed to have no intention of opening the treasure chest, merely placing it in front of Xu Shi.

Li Yèlái was feeling strange when he saw two people not far away tremble.

Their eyes were filled with greed as they looked at the treasure chest.

Under the watchful eyes of more than a dozen scavengers, they moved towards the treasure chest, seemingly having forgotten the weapons in the scavengers' hands.

"See, we've found two already?" Xu Shi spread his hands.

The next second, the female bodyguard behind him suddenly moved, appearing before the two people at a speed that was difficult for ordinary eyes to track.

With a sudden clap of her hands, a loud 'snap' echoed as she slammed their heads together forcefully.

The two fell to the ground with a thud, clutching their heads in pain. One of them endured the pain and reached for his waist, clearly carrying a firearm.

But the female bodyguard simply stomped, breaking the man's arm.

A crisp 'crack' sent a chill through everyone's hearts.

Xu Shi acted as if he hadn't heard anything and continued to look at the crowd, "There are two more among you. Let's continue."

Li Yèlái, meanwhile, gripped his Large Black Umbrella, truly impressed by his own luck.

He had actually run into a wild Spirit Ability User.