Chapter 111

"Are you a bounty hunter?"

After listening, Vina looked at the two people in front of her with some surprise.

A refined and gentle middle-aged man, and a young girl sitting beside him, her hands flushing red as if being squeezed by a little girl.

He doesn't look like a bounty hunter at all.

But...

Vina thought of the somewhat simple-minded woman she had met before.

Her name is... Skadi.

The opponent's punch could even shatter that concrete wall...

It's true that we shouldn't make judgments based on appearance so easily.

"Hmph, a bounty hunter? I didn't expect there to be someone like you among them willing to lend a helping hand."

Vina bowed slightly to express her gratitude.

I believe that a small act of charity will bring great rewards in the future.

Seemingly to fit his "bounty hunter" persona, Zuo Jian even embellished his answer.

He continued speaking.

"For example, Miss Vina, you owe me a favor."

"Perhaps I'll need it someday."

Seeing Zuo Jian speak those words with such a gentle expression, Vina's expression relaxed considerably.

"You really are... outspoken."

"Why not? Only politicians and businessmen like to beat around the bush and cover up the truth. We people in this line of work have always preferred to speak frankly and openly."

Zuo Jian said, crossing his arms in front of him. If he had some reflective glasses, he could cosplay some famous characters.

"Well then, Mr. Zuo Jian, I'll remember your help. I'll find a way to repay this favor in the future."

After Vina finished speaking, she tried to get up.

"Although the toxicity isn't strong, its effects are long-lasting. You estimate that your limbs won't be very agile for a while, so my advice is to stay in bed until tomorrow."

As Zuo Jian spoke, he also stood up, preparing to see the guest off.

"No, thank you for your kindness."

However, no sooner had Vina finished speaking than the communicator in her pocket suddenly rang.

Seeing this, he smiled again and then gestured for Vina to sit down.

"Looks like we can at least sit a little longer, right?"

"... Excuse me, I need to take this call."

Vina frowned and glanced at the caller ID on the communicator.

'Vina, is that you?--'

"Hannah (Indra)... Phew, I remember saying I didn't want you to have too much to do with me; it wouldn't do you any good..."

After hearing the voice on the other end of the communication, Vina frowned slightly and said...

"What's wrong over there? Why is it so noisy?"

'Phew, it's not about before! I'm so glad you're alright. I knew those losers couldn't hurt you. Tsk, they seem to consider you one of us now... Anyway, I'm just glad you're okay!'

"Wait, you've been targeted by other gangs? How big is this one?"

'Not much, just... three or four more gangs than before. It seems like all the gangs in the city are targeting us.'

'But I'm glad you're okay! Alright, go if you want! Take care, tsk, I'll beat you next time we meet!'

"Hey! Hannah! How many people are surrounding you?! Answer me!"

Vina listened as the voice on the other end of the communication was drowned out by a cacophony of shouts and the clanging of metal, until only the dial tone of the disconnection remained.

Damn it!

Her expression turned somewhat unpleasant for a moment.

How come these gangsters seem so united at a time like this?

No, she has to go help them!

Vina stood up, but the next moment, the feeling of weakness in her legs surged through her body once again.

The poison is still in, and she has to remain in this state until at least tomorrow.

But... so what?

She got up and looked at the Warhammer that Skadi had picked up and placed beside her bed.

However, after thinking for a moment, she glanced at the Zuo Jian again.

"Excuse me, Mr. Zuo Jian, you are a bounty hunter, aren't you?"

"He's already retired."

"I..."

"I'm sorry, Ms. Vina, I refuse."

Vina was taken aback, not expecting that the other party would refuse before she could even speak.

It seemed that Zuo Jian's expression carried a hint of disappointment, and even a touch of disgust.

At this moment, perhaps only Laurentina knows Zuo Jian's feelings.

He dislikes gangsters.

This existence even made him somewhat... disgusted.

"Sorry, I've retired from gangster life and don't want to get involved in these things anymore... gang fights. If needed, I can help you contact the police."

"But Hannah and her gang are different from ordinary gangsters!"

"Oh? It's different? How is it different?"

Vina seemed a little annoyed that Zuo Jian had categorized Hannah and her gang into the same type as other gangs, she replied.

"At least they never robbed, never trafficked people, and never smuggled illegal drugs. At least their..."

Their actions truly maintained the peace and tranquility of their neighborhood!

Seemingly realizing she had gotten into a bit of trouble, Vina stopped talking, then took a deep breath and regained her usual slightly languid calm.

It was as if they didn't want to explain anymore.

She stepped forward and picked up her Warhammer.

"I apologize for my outburst, but the Glasgow Gang is indeed different from other gangs, which is why they are being attacked by other gangs. I understand your reluctance to get involved, but they are my friends, and I cannot stand idly by."

After saying that, Vina walked straight out the door, but as she passed Zuo Jian, she was suddenly stopped by his voice.

"Wait, Vina."

"What's wrong."

"You said the Glasgow Gang is different from 'other gangs,' they don't rob, they don't kidnap, they don't traffic drugs, so can I understand that... the 'other gangs' you mentioned did all of those things? Right here in Londinium?"

Zuo Jian turned his Zuo Jian, and his pale blue pupils seemed somewhat dim and lifeless, making it impossible to see what was hidden within the lake-like vortex of consciousness.

"... Basically, they all have some... power backing them up. I'm sorry to disappoint you, but Victoria's capital isn't what you expected..."

"I only have one question for you, Ms. Vina."

"Did the other gangs you mentioned do all the things you described above?"

Zuo Jian repeated himself, this time in an almost icy tone.

Vina lowered her head and remained silent for a moment before speaking.

"This is just what I know; in reality, there should be more."

"Zuo Jian?"

Laurentina turned her head, seemingly understanding what he wanted to do.

Without a word, she simply got up and gently took his hand.

"Sorry, I've gotten myself into another dispute."

"But you can't tolerate it, can you?"

"... Feel sorry."

"What are you apologizing for?! This is my Zuo Jian! Let's go, go do what you want to do."

Laurentina smiled happily; the Zuo Jian button was still the same, unchanged.

Just as Vina was wondering what was going on, Zuo Jian stood up and then stood in front of her.

"... Let's go."

Vina didn't speak, but in that instant, the other person's eyes seemed as cold as a frost wind.

"Grateful."

Chapter Sixty-Seven, Zuo Jian Brand Insecticide

In reality, what gangs represent has never been anything noble or righteous.

Its very existence is to describe organizations that engage in illegal and prohibited transactions in society, and are established primarily through violence; they are organizations that walk the dark side of society.

Without a doubt, Zuo Jian despises this kind of existence.

In particular, most "organized" and "large-scale" gangs often have some highly profitable income.

So, what other "jobs" are profitable for these gangs?

Whether it's smuggling drugs that are explicitly prohibited and highly addictive, or letting a young man or woman "disappear" from the city to satisfy the peculiar tastes of certain powerful figures...

Sometimes, the more glamorous the exterior, the more filthy and unbearable the decay lies beneath.

For example.

Normal people would never know that a girl from a middle-class family studying in Londinium, along with her student ID, could be sold for a much higher price.

They are also unaware that behind the trendy bars that young men and women frequent, there are always people observing their words and actions from the shadows.

Once they've determined that the "prey" is valuable enough, they quietly drop the "bait" into their cups.

Let the drugs powerful enough to corrupt the soul be poured into those ignorant bodies along with the contents of the cup.

The gangs that did all this may have many high-ranking officials backing them up.

In addition to what Zuo Jian learned about the vacancy on Doli's throne, although the current situation at the top seems calm, there may have already been many clashes behind the scenes.

As a result, they no longer had the time to keep an eye on the activities of these gangs.

Perhaps, when they finish their disputes at the dinner table and the negotiating table, or when a new king sits on the throne.

A new ruler might, for the sake of his own reputation or to show his people how benevolent and virtuous he is, remember those "lower-class Rat" who might have had some connection with him in the past, drag them out, and use them as outstanding achievements to embellish his own accomplishments.

But what about before that?

Before this, in what appeared to be a calm but actually turbulent place like Londinium, or somewhere else?

They won't care.

Of course they wouldn't care.

But there are always people who care.

Or perhaps...

There will always be people who can't stand it.

Some young people, filled with various expectations and fueled by passion and drive, believe that "gangsters" are a special symbol and a unique culture.

They often do things that are different from mainstream gangs, and may even cause conflicts.