Old James, the Modification Soul Engineer

In his dreams, Su Mu could even dream of frying chicken, with Elysia and Cyrene helping him at his side.

Watching the dark clouds draw closer while the fried chicken in the pot had yet to be taken out, he could not help cursing.

"Tang Ya, you're awful! Why did you add dishes right when we were about to close? Why?"

When he woke up, it was already the next day. The moment Su Mu got up, he felt as though his arms and legs no longer belonged to him. His entire body ached terribly.

"I'm exhausted!"

Shaking his head, he held his aching head in his hand. Yesterday's rain had soaked him to the bone and nearly given him a cold.

Su Mu changed into clean clothes. They were a little older than what he usually wore, but at least they were warm.

The morning after a rainfall was bound to be cold. Su Mu pushed open the door, breathed in the damp earthy scent lingering in the air, and could not help stretching lazily.

"Today is another happy and wonderful day!"

"Time to set up shop!"

But when he finished preparing and walked outside, he looked at the fried chicken cart that had gotten drenched in the rain with him.

Yesterday's rain had enlightened him. Money was only useful when spent; he absolutely could not make himself suffer.

Spending one Gold Soul Coin to modify it into a Soul Power motorcycle was worth it.

Besides, if he kept pedaling that bicycle every day, he would freeze himself to death sooner or later.

With that in mind, Su Mu got on the bicycle, pulled the food cart behind him, and headed toward the Modification Factory.

The moment he arrived, the modification workers who had been leisurely resting on a row of recliners immediately stood up.

The man in front was a short old man with a beret perched on his head. He held a stone hammer handle in his hand.

Master builder—Old James.

"Young man, you're here to modify your Soul Power equipment, right?"

The old man familiarly pulled open Su Mu's vehicle door and looked at the simple chain-drive structure inside.

He could not help fiddling with it.

"Yesterday, I gave you the cheapest one to save you money. I didn't expect you wouldn't even last a day."

"This time, I'll give you the best Soul Power modification. I guarantee you won't see me again for at least ten days to half a month."

As he spoke, he seemed ready to get started. Su Mu could not help being impressed by their efficiency.

Just then, a thunderous yawn came from a sheet-metal room on the second floor.

"Uh, Old James, are you going to Wasteland City with me today to pick up scrap?"

Fei'er's voice!

The proprietress Fei'er's voice came from above. Su Mu looked up and met her gaze.

That outfit—high leather boots, tiny denim shorts, and a light-gray suspender top slung over her shoulders.

Unlike yesterday, when her beautiful hair had been loose, it was now braided into two plaits and coiled into a bun.

Fei'er also wore pale orange goggles on her head. The outfit had something of a cyberpunk style.

When Fei'er saw Su Mu below, she immediately ducked back into the room.

But less than two seconds later, she flashed back out and pulled open the door.

"Sorry, little brother. My makeup and outfit are pretty different from yesterday, right?"

As she spoke, she slowly walked down from the second floor, her high-heeled leather boots stepping on the metal stairs.

They made crisp, rhythmic sounds, while the pale orange goggles reflected a faint glimmer beneath the morning light.

Her entire figure radiated a capable, avant-garde cyberpunk charm.

A tall, skinny modification worker who looked like a sugarcane stalk scratched his head. "That's not right. Why is Boss Fei'er walking down from the second floor so slowly today?"

Master James smacked him on the head with his hammer.

"Keep your voice down. Does the boss not care about her image? Be careful, or she'll dock every Gold Soul Coin you earn this month."

"Hurry up and bring me that Soul Guidance Formation I made by hand."

As he spoke, Su Mu's gaze followed the worker toward a crystal stone placed inside a box on the other side.

The tall, skinny worker searched carefully before bringing over one of the appropriate size.

Su Mu looked at the crystal stone with some curiosity. "This technology..."

Before he could finish, the modification worker said, "Quit staring. It's just the most ordinary Level One Soul Guidance Technology."

Old James looked into Su Mu's eyes.

"Ah, that's really impressive. I thought you were going to use some other method."

As Su Mu spoke, Old James's eyes lit up.

"In this world, other than mechanical gear structures, what other power could make gears turn?"

"If you ever discover one, be sure to tell me all about it."

"I'm Old James, the only Soul Engineer hired by the Modification Factory, and perhaps the greatest modification Soul Engineer you'll find in all of Heaven Dou City."

As he spoke, he gestured to himself and casually stuffed the golden box into the spot where the gears had been, replacing them.

"Done."

He clapped his hands, left a handprint on the vehicle body, and activated his Soul Power. The rear tire, which had been propped up, spun rapidly.

A faint glow appeared at his fingertips and slowly traveled along the vehicle's intricate lines.

The previously lifeless metal components seemed to be infused with life in an instant, emitting a low, steady hum.

Once the modification was complete, he removed the jack as well.

"That fast?"

Su Mu was somewhat stunned. The modification had been finished in the time it took to speak.

"No wonder you dare call yourself Heaven Dou City's number one modification master."

Su Mu turned to look at the newly streamlined body.

Yesterday, the front had still been a bicycle structure. Now, it had been replaced by a soft seat like a little sofa.

There was a handlebar in front for steering, with a brake beneath it.

It looked more and more like an electric scooter now, though it was a little longer and taller.

After examining it, Su Mu sat down on the soft seat.

He released the handbrake with his right hand and gently gripped the handlebar. With his foot still halfway on the brake, he finally dared to slowly release his Soul Power.

The vehicle moved along with his Soul Power, gradually gliding forward smoothly. It was not fast, but at least it took no effort.

"How does it feel?"

Old James's voice suddenly sounded beside Su Mu, startling him. After all, he had not invited the man to ride with him when he got on.

After completing the vehicle modification, Su Mu did not stop to continue chatting. Instead, he paid the remaining balance and drove toward the Food Street from before.

The moment he arrived, he saw that quite a few people had already gathered there, seemingly waiting for him to open his stall.

Su Mu smiled. Just like yesterday, Elysia and the others emerged from the alley and joined the line.

The entire stall gradually became bustling with business.

At that moment, on the platform of a tall building across from them, a middle-aged man held binoculars as he watched the vendors below.

"Feifei likes modifying things for these people. I didn't expect that after we cut off their materials, modification work, and supply channels, she'd now turn her attention to these vendors."

"Since that's the case, Zhou Yu, go chop them all down. I want to starve the modification repair factory to death. Then Fei'er will have no choice but to agree to me."

He smiled, while the thug beside him withdrew.