The 7,100-Coin Deal!!

Su Yi looked at the children gathered outside the orphanage. Most were sixteen or seventeen, with fierce looks on their faces, and the sight filled him with joy.

Under Kilman's lead, they were watching him with longing and curiosity in their eyes.

Kilman hurried over. "Sir, these are the friends I told you about!"

"They all admire you. They all want to work for you."

The other children burst into chatter. "Yes, sir! We want to join you!"

"Sir! I can fight!"

"Sir, I can fight too!"

Su Yi slowly raised a hand, and an air of commanding authority settled over him.

The children fell silent on their own and looked at him expectantly.

Su Yi smiled. "Children, I'm glad you trust me and think so highly of me."

"But I should say this up front. I'm a businessman at heart. Compassion is part of why I'm taking you in, but in the future, your job will still be to help me make money."

"It won't be easy. You'll have to face all kinds of vicious enemies."

"Of course, I'll give you the best training, the best education, and the best equipment!"

"And even while you're training, with food and lodging provided, each of you will receive an allowance of five Void Abyss Coins a month!"

Promises meant nothing, however good they sounded.

When it came down to it, money was what mattered.

!!!!

Sure enough, the moment they heard there was money involved, every child's eyes lit up.

They could eat their fill, dress warmly, make something of themselves—and get five Void Abyss Coins a month just for learning!

Even the younger children, including Molly, were full of longing, let alone Kilman.

Five Void Abyss Coins was no small sum to these children.

It could buy thirty pounds of Nutrient Beans, enough to keep a child well fed for two months!

Su Yi asked calmly, "Are you determined to do this?"

"Yes!!!!!"

Every youngster flushed red and shouted at the top of their lungs.

Su Yi nodded happily and called out,

"Good! That's the spirit!"

"Talk it over with your families tonight. You have one night to change your minds."

"If you agree, meet here tomorrow!"

After settling things with the children, Su Yi had a quick meeting with Winter, 108, and Evil God.

Winter said, "We've finished our investigation. We can make our move whenever you're ready."

Su Yi nodded. "Good. I'll pick you up tomorrow."

"How many of you are coming?"

Winter said eagerly, "Just Mountain Dog and me for the first trip."

The players had yet to visit the territory around the company.

But Evil God couldn't leave the church unattended, and 108 was far too conspicuous.

Su Yi gave a nod. "All right. I'll contact you tomorrow."

On the way back, Sefni was visibly excited, muttering constantly about her training plans.

Su Yi had no attention to spare for that. He had just received a message from Cole Paris of the Hound Gang.

"How are preparations going? Can we make the trade today?"

Su Yi had been so busy these past two days that he had nearly forgotten about the deal with the Hound Gang.

"Yes. Wait for me at the same place."

Cole replied instantly. "Good!"

Su Yi asked, "Will twenty be enough? I can bring more."

After a few seconds of silence, Cole asked, "How much each?"

Su Yi replied, "Casey 191s are ninety each. Seven-millimeter Armor-Piercing Rounds are two coins for three."

"Standard seven-millimeter Capacitor Rounds are one coin for six."

"Same condition as last time?" Cole asked.

Su Yi replied, "Yes."

This time, Cole went silent for about five minutes before replying. "Forty Casey 191s, three thousand seven-millimeter Armor-Piercing Rounds, and nine thousand standard Capacitor Rounds."

Su Yi replied, "Got it."

He put down his phone. "A client?" Sefni asked.

Su Yi nodded. "I need you to come with me this time."

He paused. "It's a 7,100-coin deal."

!!!!

Sefni stared at him, dumbfounded. "H-how... how much?"

Su Yi smiled. "Get used to it. Before long, that'll seem like a small deal."

"..."

Sefni was silent for a long time, unable to speak.

Su Yi said, "I suggest we bring Emma too."

Sefni's eyelid twitched. "No. She's... very innocent."

Su Yi said mildly, "Geniuses need to face challenges to grow."

"How well do you know her?"

Sefni froze. Su Yi then told her about the deal he had made with Emma yesterday and the promise they had exchanged.

Sefni looked shocked and bewildered. Emma had followed her without her noticing?

And with Su Yi's help, Emma had already reached level 20?!

Su Yi said evenly, "She's much stronger and more resilient than you think."

"In the future, you'll all live normal lives under my protection. Naturally, I hope every witch will do her part for me."

Sefni fell silent for a long time, unable to say a word.

They remained quiet all the way back to the company. Then Sefni asked, "When are we leaving?"

"Eight tonight," Su Yi said. "It's a three-hour trip each way. Bring supplies."

Sefni nodded and quietly left.

Su Yi picked up his phone and contacted Colt.

"I have a deal tonight. At eight, I need you on patrol near Ryan Street."

"Sure!" Colt replied casually.

With everything arranged, Su Yi went to find Aolong.

He had only 3,250 Void Abyss Coins on hand, while the goods for this deal would cost 3,900. He needed to use company funds.

When he entered the office, Aolong was on the phone, looking pleased with himself.

Seeing Su Yi, he promptly ended the call. "Need help?"

Su Yi nodded. "I have a deal today, but I'm short on money for the goods. I need to use 700 from the company."

Aolong did not hesitate. "Sure. Transfer or cash?"

The two of them were fully tied together now, and Aolong trusted Su Yi.

"Cash," Su Yi said.

Aolong rose cheerfully. "I'll get it. Give me fifteen minutes."

Su Yi watched Aolong leave, satisfaction in his eyes.

He isn't especially capable, but at least he listens.

Once the new business is stable, he might be a good choice to mind the shop.

While Su Yi waited for the money, at the Rootvine District Patrol Bureau, Colt glanced at the duty roster and casually walked over to a fat young man. "I heard your mother's sick. I've had a fight with my wife anyway, so I'll take your night patrol!"

The worried young man lit up. "Thank you! Thank you, Colt!"

Just then, Webber came out of his office. "Arthur, come in."

Colt strode into the office. "Chief."

Webber tossed him a stack of documents. "Have your people keep an eye on this man."

"I suspect he has ties to a cult!"

Webber patted Colt on the shoulder and smiled. "Find solid evidence against him, and with your record, I'll recommend you for deputy chief."

Colt picked up the documents and immediately spotted Su Yi's ID photo. He snorted inwardly.

Do you really think I'm as stupid as you are?

Miss Barrett definitely appreciated Gheros's performance that day.

You don't dare make a move yourself, so you want me to frame him. Then, when the higher-ups come looking for someone to blame, you'll cut ties with me and make me the scapegoat?

Colt sneered inwardly, but his face filled with anticipation. "Chief? Do you... really mean that?"

Webber thumped his chest. "Of course! Is anyone in this bureau more experienced than you?"

"All you need is an opportunity."

"Do a good job, and I'll make sure your career takes off!"

Colt thumped his own chest excitedly. "I won't let you down, Chief!"

"I'll personally take the night patrol today!"

Watching Colt leave, Webber gave a scornful curl of his lip.

With brains like that, he thinks he can climb the ranks? He can spend his whole life as someone else's stepping stone!

Webber was no fool. He had not realized it at the scene, but after a furious call from his brother-in-law, he understood.

Miss Barrett had been pleased with Su Yi's performance.

But his brother-in-law also wanted Su Yi eliminated.

He did not want Miss Barrett finding another partner here.

And if they needed a fall guy, Colt fit the bill perfectly.

The man had been eyeing Webber's position for years, relying on his past achievements.

He wasn't even one of Webber's loyalists. He was the perfect man to send straight into a trap!