The Girls' Opening Gift

Emily spoke with such fervor that Li Ziran felt as though he were watching a money-grubber pitch a product to him. This rundown little two-story building would not even cost thirty silver coins in the East Wasteland.

Yet here, it cost three gold coins a year—three hundred silver coins, a full tenfold increase.

Li Ziran was speechless. Prices in Hippo Ancient City were fucking outrageous.

Thinking that all future organ transplants and Devouring Curse research would have to be done in this little building, he felt it was not worth the price. Still, Emily did not seem like a swindler. If he discovered that she had taken a kickback from this deal, he would kick her out without mercy.

Other than being able to keep Mermaid girls penned up here, Li Ziran could not see a single advantage.

The transaction procedures went quickly. Li Ziran paid the gold coins, and the landlord obtained a lease contract from an organization on Ninth Street called the Slave Trust Office. Under the witness of a Gray Dwarf, the property transaction was completed.

Li Ziran somewhat understood why the rent was so expensive. Once the deal was done, the Dwarf directly took two coins. It did not look like a commission at all; it was as if he were the true owner of the building.

Emily had once said that this place was controlled by the Dark Council. Li Ziran had not believed it before, but now it seemed that the Dark Council had already infiltrated even this level of society.

"I wonder which councilor controls it?"

Li Ziran asked quietly. Anyone capable of controlling Slave Street should hold no low position within the Dark Council.

If he wanted to do business here, it would be best to establish a connection with that councilor.