Another Business

the next day.

The morning sunlight streamed over the uneven rooftops of Cloud Fang City and fell on the windowsill of the Raccoon Dog Dream Theater.

Looking out the window, the sky was clear after the rain, and the temperature was pleasant.

During breakfast, Su Ming noticed that Yise's complexion was rather poor, with obvious dark circles under his eyes, clearly indicating that he had stayed up late.

What happened to you last night?

"... I just didn't sleep well," Yise replied softly, head bowed.

Su Ming was even more puzzled; she had never seen Yise look like this before.

Lang Yefu explained from the side:

"Based on scattered rumors, I helped her deduce the function of the ' Toad Key '."

She paused for a moment.

"Miss Yise experienced a slightly embarrassing loss of control while attempting to take it in."

"Is it serious?" Su Ming asked with concern. He vaguely remembered that there had been some slight noises from next door last night.

"Fortunately, a Miss Jielusi taught her how to dispel the magic," Lang Yefu said.

"So what exactly happened?" Su Ming asked, pressing for details.

Yise shook his head frantically, refusing to explain exactly how he lost control.

She wouldn't let Lang Yefu say it either.

"Anyway, it's all over now!" Yise said, embarrassed and annoyed.

Su Ming wanted to ask more questions, but the latter, her face already flushed, turned her head away and ignored him.

He had no choice but to give up.

However, judging from Lang Yefu's expression of suppressing laughter, it shouldn't be any dangerous incident.

****

After breakfast, Su Ming led Ximina and Lang Yefu into his room.

Thanks to the missile electronic equipment wreckage acquired last time, several sets of electronic equipment have now been "added" here. The orderly feel of the mechanical construction contrasts sharply with the original rough structure of the stone house. Metal cabinets stand in the corner, with bundles of wires fixed and extending to various terminals. Indicator lights flash on and off, and cooling fans hum continuously.

Four screens are hanging on the wall.

The upper left corner displays a radar image with four scanning lines rotating around the center; the right side is divided into several windows, showing real-time video surveillance footage of the area surrounding the Raccoon Dog Dream Theater.

The other two screens are used to maintain online communication with the support team and to display the operational status of all equipment within the Raccoon Dog Dream Theater.

Various data and information scroll and jump across the screen.

Ximina and Lang Yefu both took a step back and peeked out the door again.

The corridor was still made of stone, and the sounds of orc employees carrying wooden barrels could be heard downstairs.

The two confirmed that they were still in the world of orcs.

Su Ming smiled slightly, gestured for them to sit down, and began teaching them from the very basics.

"You need to familiarize yourselves with the operation of the technology-related equipment."

He told the two of them.

"Not only will we need it for the operation in Cloud Fang City, but it will be even more crucial for the upcoming diving mission." Ximina learned very quickly.

Su Ming only needed to demonstrate it once, and she could quickly memorize it, and even start to apply it to other situations.

To be honest, since Su Ming arrived in this other world, he has had very little contact with anyone who is not very intelligent; they are basically all elites of various kinds.

Ximina has Mystery-Peeping Scholar rating.

The title of travel writer holds far greater prestige in the Taya World than it does on Earth.

Traveling here doesn't mean taking transportation to a neighboring city and staying in a hotel.

If you don't reach the "donkey leg level" of wilderness survival skills, you probably won't even last until the third day.

Moreover, to explore archaeological sites in this underdeveloped world, one needs to have knowledge of geography, history, language, religion, and even architectural structure.

Otherwise, let alone conducting research, we wouldn't even be able to find the exact location.

****

Compared to Ximina, Lang Yefu is a bit slower, but still quite clever.

After all, someone living in the shadows, if even slightly foolish, might not even have the chance to live long enough for their identity to be exposed by an internal traitor. Su Ming's thoughts drifted slightly.

If I had to pick someone from among the people I know who's relatively late to the list, it would probably be the unicorn Qiluo, who has already returned to the Silver Moon Forest and is currently soaking in the pool.

He's actually starting to miss this guy's antics lately.

"Can you hear me?" Lang Yefu put on the concealed earpiece and pressed the microphone.

"I heard you clearly, Miss Wolf," the monitoring personnel replied. "And what about your end?"

"Same."

Lang Yefu switched channels several times, and the operation was correct.

"What is the effective range of this device?" she asked.

Su Ming pointed to the top of his head.

"The equipment you're wearing is a short-range wireless device. It's relayed via the antenna on the rooftop here, effectively covering the entire Cloud Fang City area."

"If we change the satellite equipment, the coverage area will be the entire surface of Taya."

"Of course that one is much heavier."

Lang Yefu gasped.

Are these devices expensive?

"In principle, if productivity is developed sufficiently, most people can afford it," Su Ming gave a rather optimistic answer.

Lang Yefu's worldview was greatly shaken.

Real-time communication across continents is something even the most precious communication artifacts on the magical side cannot achieve. Top organizations can only make it possible by deploying communication arrays globally, at the cost of consuming enormous amounts of Magic Power crystals.

But Su Ming clearly achieved it much more easily.

"What terrifying technology," she sighed.

"Don't worry, our engineers are actually saying the same thing to you," Su Ming said seriously.

The Diamond Base of the Radiant Holy City has developed rapidly during this period.

Some things that Earth engineers originally thought would be difficult to mass-produce were achieved surprisingly smoothly, thanks to the existing rudimentary industrial equipment and various magical aids.

Jisu even stated that given more time, he could build a high-end lithography system here. After all, adding a completely new magical dimension outside of an already mature system brings terrifyingly rich possibilities.

Lang Yefu then began learning how to operate the wrist screen, including handwriting input, map zooming, understanding radar indicators, setting markers, and sending location information.

"If this were used on the battlefield," she exclaimed in amazement, "It would be absolutely invincible."

"This is the battlefield," Ximina interjected.

****

After that, Lang Yefu left the Raccoon Dog Dream Theater.

She has a lot of preparatory work to do for tonight's operation.

Ximina, on the other hand, began learning how to operate a computer terminal.

When Su Ming is not around, she will temporarily take Su Ming place on duty and, under the guidance of the support team, resolve any unexpected issues.

Of course, it wasn't that Su Ming taught everything in detail.

After explaining the basic operations, common terms and concepts, he handed over the teaching work to the experts back home.

Ximina was moving quickly. Pointing to the list of wireless networks, she asked, "Do we have that many devices?"

On the screen, more than thirty access units are densely arranged.

"Antenna, camera, radar, solar panels, batteries..." Su Ming glanced at it.

Before he knew it, his belongings had piled up again, and he sighed inwardly.

After the battle, the Raccoon Dog Dream Theater can be almost seamlessly transformed into a post-war administrative center.

"Is the power for the equipment all provided by solar energy?" Ximina continued to ask.

Su Ming shook his head.

"The solar energy isn't enough."

The roof of the Raccoon Dog Dream Theater has limited space, so it cannot be laid openly.

"This area is currently mainly used for thermal power generation."

The Raccoon Dog Dream Theater needs to cook for its staff, boil water for everyone to drink during the day, and boil bath water for the two "young masters and ladies" at night.

So everyone was used to the kitchen stove burning for long periods of time. But actually, hidden in the kitchen cubicle was a tiny organic Rankine cycle generator.

The equipment is only the size of a low cabinet. The high-temperature flue gas generated in the furnace passes through a heat exchange device, driving the circulation of a low-boiling-point working fluid, which in turn drives the generator.

It consumes an average of 80 kilograms of firewood per day and can provide up to 5 kilowatts of electricity.

It operates with very low noise and only absorbs the smoke and heat that would otherwise be emitted, so it does not affect the normal use of the kitchen.

****

The support staff began teaching Ximina how to manage the equipment and operate the system.

She opened a notebook and quickly filled several pages with notes, even drawing simple diagrams of some easily confused buttons.

Su Ming something and interrupted her.

What is your combat role?

"A bard," Ximina replied, "I'll have a taste of everything."

"Melee combat, and spellcasting?"

Ximina nodded. "Give me a rapier; it can take down a level three orc."

She answered.

But looking at his still Pale wrist, he tried to clench his fist and felt somewhat frustrated.

"Of course, you can't play in this condition."

"However, my spellcasting skills are still intact; I excel at various support abilities."

Su Ming nodded and made the arrangements:

"Have the rear prepare a suitable set of equipment for you."

"OK!"

****

Su Ming, carrying Yuye, arrived at the Black Claw stronghold.

While he was talking to Hubiang, Yuye consciously found a corner to squat down, hugging her knees with her arms, her tail quietly coiled at her side.

Someone served Su Ming tea, but he glanced at the blackened leaves and waved his hand dismissively. "How long am I going to keep that medicine?" Su Ming asked in an unfriendly tone.

Hubiang's face fell, and he quickly explained that he had encountered some difficulties recently and the funds had not yet been recovered.

"Alright then." Su Ming didn't pursue the matter further.

"Considering you've helped me a lot, I won't hold this against you."

"Ash Combustion Agent is selling very well; I'll find another buyer."

Hubiang panicked.

"No, young master!"

He repeatedly pleaded that the "Ash Combustion Agent" must be left to him.

Unnoticed by anyone, Yuye's eyes swept back and forth, easily finding the listening device that Su Ming had planted in the crevice under the table.

She looked like she was idly picking at the floor. With a flick of her fingers, the old device was already in her sleeve, and the fully charged new device was stuck under the table.

The entire process was completely silent.

Because she wasn't getting any attention, Yuye even used the excuse of going to the restroom to go to a large room and placed another one at the bottom of the miscellaneous shelf. Su Ming saw this out of the corner of his eye and secretly praised her.

This half-cat person is born for infiltration work.

****

Hubiang continued to plead, but Su Ming was clearly indifferent.

He leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping absently on the table.

The rear support team provides real-time analysis.

"That's strange. Wasn't Hubiang's moonbrew wine not going to make any money?"

"Dodder said through the earphones."

The net profit of the private brewing in Cloud Fang City is approximately 100%.

Currently, 40% of Hubiang's liquor has been confiscated. Combined with the portion "extorted" by Yise, Hubiang is breaking even, which is a psychological point that Su Ming deliberately set.

It was enough to force Hubiang into the trap he had set, but not enough to make Hubiang give up and lose motivation.

Su Ming also realized the problem. He remained calm and pretended to be annoyed by Hubiang's pestering.

"Alright, I'll give you three days at most."

"If you still can't come up with the money after the deadline, I'll be holding you accountable!"

Hubiang's face lit up with joy.

He patted his chest and vowed that he would raise the money for the medicine within three days.

****

Su Ming left the Black Claw stronghold.

"Overall, everything is still on track," said Dodder. "Our analysis suggests that Hubiang actually has another very profitable business besides moonbrews."

"It's not exactly an unexpected situation," Su Ming replied.

Hubiang has managed to keep the Black Claw Gang going until now; he certainly couldn't have relied on just one way to make money.

To survive, these gangsters at the bottom of society will do anything.

The back-end team reviewed recent wiretapping records and discovered some clues. "Black Claw buys two to three 'fish' every night, requesting lots of meat and few bones," said Dodder. "What the fish represent is still unknown."

"It probably isn't some legitimate business," Su Ming sighed softly.

Even a fool could tell that this is definitely not a real fish.

"The monitoring personnel should keep a close eye on things. As long as Hubiang affixes the talismans to the warning totems as planned, the rest will be unaffected."

"OK!"

Afterwards, Su Ming took Yuye and went on a large-scale purchase at the market.

Su Ming selected a cartload of firewood, about 500 kilograms.

The firewood was split into pieces of similar length, tied into bundles with straw rope, and piled up to about half a person's height.

After some haggling, they finally agreed on a price of one hundred and ten copper coins.

Yuye took a liking to a whole basket of radishes.

She weighed a few in her hand, broke one off to check if it was hollow inside, and even took a bite to confirm the taste before paying with satisfaction.

Yuye tossed the radish onto the cart, asking the firewood seller to take it back. Then she bought some seasonings and side dishes, finally stopping in front of a stall full of smoked meat and picking up a few sausages.

"This is a specialty snack from our Cloud Fang City, a spicy sausage," Yuye told Su Ming.

Su Ming glanced at them and noticed that the sausages were boiled in water.

The sausage casing was stretched and shiny, with bits of red spices clinging to its surface. Just by getting close, you could smell a spicy aroma mixed with the fat of the meat.

"Spicy?"

"Very spicy," Yuye confirmed.

"We can't handle too much spice here," Su Ming said, puzzled. "And you and your brother don't eat spicy food at all, right?"

The half-cat is notoriously afraid of spicy food.

The heat receptors on their tongues are too sensitive; what is a flavorful experience for others is excruciating physical pain for half-cat people.

"Miss Wolf likes spicy food," Yuye replied. "She said you promised to give her extra meat."

Su Ming remembered this.

"Okay, yes, that's true."

Jinxiu woke up as Su Ming began selecting fruit.

"[Pear, take the one on the second row, the one on the edge!]" she said to Su Ming.

[I now reasonably suspect that you've been faking sleep all this time.] Su Ming said irritably.

"I've only been awake for a little while!" Jinxiu protested. "The trauma from that Prisoner Brand is really hard for me to process."

[And the one at the bottom, it's the juiciest!] she directed.

Lang Yefu returned a little late around noon.

"The red-light district is ready," she reported to Su Ming. "I've surveyed the route twice and confirmed it's the shortest path for transport; traffic conditions are good."

Lang Yefu controlled the wristwatch, pushing over the updated route map.

Two forks are clearly marked on it.

"These two locations pose a risk of forcing the totem transport team to choose an alternative route."

It's quite obvious from the map that both of these routes are longer. However, the orcs don't have such precise floor plans, so we can't rule out the possibility that the transport team thought the other route was shorter.

"It needs to be blocked," Su Ming said.

The two discussed the possible strategies.

Yuye are ready for lunch.

She brought over a plate of pears first.

The snow-white pear flesh was cut into even small pieces and neatly arranged in a light-colored ceramic plate. The pear pieces were covered with juice, so glistening that the edges were almost transparent.

Lang Yefu reached for her chopsticks to pick up the pear, but a flash of light appeared, and the Star Fairy appeared, blocking Pear's way.

"This is my lunch!" Jinxiu said angrily.

Lang Yefu was startled.

"Sorry." She quickly withdrew her hand.

Jinxiu immediately turned around, hugged the largest piece of pear, and pressed her cheek against the moist flesh. As the starlight twinkled, the juice and aroma from the pear were drawn away and disappeared.

The pear flesh had visibly lost its luster. Lang Yefu glanced at Jinxiu, recalling some fragmented memories.

Did you save me that night?

"Hmm!" Jinxiu proudly raised her head.

"Thank you!" Lang Yefu said earnestly.

Although she was disoriented at the time, she remembered that when she was in dire straits, a warm starlight protected her.

****

Yuye were served with more food.

There were vegetables and meat, but the staple food was still Corn.

Corn has a rough texture, but at least it has a distinct sweetness from the grains, and most people have gotten used to it.

Otherwise, cassava is bland and fibrous, making it even harder to eat.

The sausage is sliced diagonally into thick pieces, steamed, and the edges are rolled up.

Su Ming pushed the plate towards Lang Yefu. "Aren't you going to eat?"

"They're all yours."

Thanks!

Lang Yefu beamed with joy.

Ximina took a small piece and tasted it, her fair cheeks quickly flushing red.

"Such a unique spiciness."

She sucked on her tongue and fanned her mouth with one hand.

"But it smells quite good."

"We orcs have good stuff too," Lang Yefu said proudly.

She ate bite after bite, but a fine layer of sweat still seeped from her nose and forehead.

Then I looked at the glistening pear flesh.

"Miss Jinxiu, if you only want the juice, can I have the rest?" "Don't even think about the pear flesh," Yise said. "After she eats it, it won't taste like anything."

"That's because I absorbed all the essence!" Jinxiu said matter-of-factly.

Unconvinced, Lang Yefu picked up a piece and put it in her mouth.

The result wasn't just a lack of sweetness; the pear's crisp texture vanished completely. What you put in your mouth was soft and dry, practically like a piece of cotton.

Lang Yefu swallowed it silently and didn't take a second piece.