Who gave you permission to travel through time with Earth?

Chapter 70 Good Business

It's laughable, because without even needing to use his trump cards or exert any effort, the scavengers' main force had already been wiped out, and the chase within the chessboard could now come to an end.

He should cry... An even bigger variable is standing in front of him: a monster who can single-handedly kill all the scavengers in the headquarters and the chessboard, is he really on the same boat as him?

"I just wanted to... fulfill your final request and kill that unstable element brought by that girl named Guo Shi, as compensation for my betrayal..."

He struggled to speak, but these words caused Xu Hao's expression to change drastically. His brain was already not clear due to blood loss and lack of oxygen, and he unconsciously revealed the important matter arranged by the commander.

The people behind him were all stunned. Was Tie Zhao's behavior of belittling Fang Jin at the banquet... arranged by Xu Hao? Was it also Xu Hao who instructed them to sabotage Fang's brothers during the punitive expedition?

But...why?

"You fucking bastard!"

Xu Hao smashed the iron-clad man's head open with a single palm strike! Any lingering pity was instantly burned away by his burning rage! The iron-clad man's legs jerked up due to inertia, then limply fell back down.

He's completely and utterly dead this time.

"..."

"It's getting too late, old chairman."

Fang Jin smiled and spread her hands, shaking off all the blood and grime from between her fingers. Then, she casually clasped her hands together, squatted down on the ground, and leaned closer to whisper,

"You think I won't interrogate this bastard to find out why he hates me? Do you really think I believe that equipment explanation? Who would be stupid enough to make enemies just because they're unhappy... Of course, he might not be."

"But actually, he came to eliminate me on your orders. You seem to know a lot about those of us who infiltrated the banquet. Guo Shi hid for so long, but the iron shield was broken in an instant."

"...How much of a benefit did you give to Luoqianfang?"

The old man's face darkened instantly. When he looked up and saw Fang Jin's grinning face, he almost couldn't resist slapping him across the face, smashing his head until it was covered in blood and flesh!

Did he really think the Shochu Club would only find out about the treasure hidden by the scavenger at the very end? Did he really think the Shochu Club recruited players from all sides out of a desire for shared wealth?

You've got it wrong... This intelligence was actually spread by him through Luoqianfang, inciting greed on a large scale and gathering the manpower he needed to eliminate the scavengers...

He also bought the list of all the players who had previously obtained this information from Jiang Chan.

"Without saying a word, I obtained the names of most of the skilled players in the West Market. Those who were useful could be used immediately and collected later, while those who were not useful were eliminated during the campaign. If they were lucky enough to survive, they could be dealt with slowly later."

"Old man, consolidating your power to attack both distant and close allies... are you trying to devour the entire West Market's pie?"

In an instant, the murderous intent in Xu Hao's eyes reached its peak, but something hard was pressed against his back, the tip of the blade already piercing through his Hawaiian shirt.

Xiao Guo Shi stood silently. At this point, she could no longer choose any other side. The Red Sentinel Gang and Guo Shi had been found out. If Xu Hao were to reveal this, her gang would be gone the next day.

"Do you really think that a mere mind mage with a piece of spiritual equipment... can kill me?"

"It's unlikely she'll hurt you, so the little one's job is just to be an ear. If you go crazy right now, she'll immediately spread your plans... and not just to these people behind you."

Fang Jin smiled, even patting the old man's face to wipe the blood off his hand on the wrinkled dough, before saying with a hint of sarcasm,

"And if you insist on going crazy... I'm not unwilling to practice with you."

"..."

"What do you want? Just say it."

Xu Hao let out a heavy breath, suppressing all his resentment and murderous intent, and gritted his teeth as he uttered these words. Xiao Guo and the other ten people who were eavesdropping behind him were stunned.

But on second thought... it's not hard to understand. If the liquor club's previous plans were revealed, all the major and minor forces in the West Market would immediately unite and target the liquor club.

This was a matter of life and death for them. Moreover, the liquor club had already laid the bait and cast the line, and was only one step away from swallowing up the entire West Market... It was just that someone else intercepted it.

If the liquor company wants to expand in the West Market, or even just maintain its current territory, its previous plans must not be revealed...

At least not for now. Before the storm of the scavengers' extermination fades from people's memories, such an eye-catching scandal must be covered up tightly, even if it's festering.

"I don't want any of the hidden items here..."

"Absolutely impossible... Didn't you say that?"

"I can do without all of this stuff, you heard me right."

Fang Jin then became serious. Although his posture remained nonchalant, at least his eyes and expression showed that he was somewhat earnest... perhaps.

"Forget about the 20% cut from the Scavengers' Headquarters. It wasn't your territory to begin with. What I'm talking to you about is all the goods, items, equipment, and some valuables in this chessboard space."

"I can give up everything, but I want 70% of the profits from selling these things, and you must purchase and sell them under the name of Ark Shop to expand my reputation."

"...Do you intend to leverage the status of the Sake Gathering to announce the revival of Ark Shops while simultaneously reopening those previously neglected distribution channels?"

Xu Hao was also a businessman, and a branch owner of a liquor club, a very successful old tycoon. He immediately saw through Fang Jin's purpose in making this move.

"We should try to consolidate what we can, since it's only just begun, and it's important to establish a solid foundation for this first step."

Fang Jin smiled and said, then pulled a silk handkerchief from Guo Shi's pocket and carefully wiped the bloodstains from the old man's face... She wondered who could be so cruel to such a gentle and easygoing old man.

"Moreover, from an outsider's perspective, it is actually the Shochu Association that has protected or even taken over the Ark Shop. Your publicity campaign will help me dodge a lot of annoying interference, and things will be much easier from now on."

"Even if something really happens, I can ask the liquor club in the East City for help... of course, under your name, since... you can't really call me an unruly stubborn rock, can you?"

"..."

"That's ruthless."

The old man laughed, a laugh that revealed his clenched, fanged teeth. His gaze towards Fang Jin no longer held only hatred, but also a hint of admiration for a fellow villain.

"Are you trying to devour our liquor club from within? It's not that you don't covet the scavengers' treasures; you just look down on them. Do you think the combined wealth of our two families can satisfy your appetite?"

"Just tell me if you're going to do it or not. I'll reduce the price by another 20%, and you'll get 50% profit without suffering any losses... Is that enough?"

"That's enough, do it."

"Damn, that's too much," Fang Jin and Guo Shi cursed inwardly almost simultaneously.