Who gave you permission to travel through time with Earth?

Chapter 73 The New Cake

Ten days later, everything in the West Market came to an end.

Fangzhou Shop has weathered its danger period. All the spies and moles around it have voluntarily withdrawn, and Fang Jin and his team have also removed them one by one, sometimes even eliminating them in the process.

The recovery of sales channels went relatively smoothly. After the liquor company accepted the sale of shops, most of the shops in the West Market shifted their focus and took over Fang Jin's 20% profit, which temporarily opened up the market.

Of course, this is still far from the peak of the shops. All the goods and equipment circulating in the City of Never Sleeps had to be handled by the Jin family father. Fang Jin still can't figure out where that person got the qualifications.

This is no ordinary shop; this is the City That Never Sleeps, the only black market in the Bronze Region. Back then, the Ark Shop handled all the shady equipment (military) business in the entire region.

He still has a long way to go.

As for the Red Whistle Gang, it was even more prosperous. After all, Fang Jin was the only person in the entire Ark Shop, and he couldn't possibly preside over and manage all the channels. So, Guo Shi and his men took over all the business in this area.

"Ha...haha...hahahahaha hiccup."

Now, the young gang leader is leading his men on a parade through the streets, which is truly his own territory and power. He laughs wildly and sassily along the way, and with a wave of his hand, he has opened more than a dozen beauty and hair salons.

When she initially invested, she was filled with trepidation. Even after she officially faced off against Fang Jin, she only believed that one day he could help the Red Whistle Gang gain a foothold in the West Market.

This future came too quickly and too suddenly, so much so that she was now so happy that she was a little silly. The long-cherished wish of the Red Sentinel Gang for five generations had finally been realized in her generation... and in just three nights.

"Are you really that comfortable with them taking over completely?"

Inside Luoqianfang, Jiang Chan, her little finger twirling a silver whistle, drew perfect latte art on two cups of coffee. Then, she picked up a cup herself and watched the increasingly large and arrogant parade across the street.

"You're in business too, you should understand how much profit can be squeezed out of everyone in this gray industry. Is it really a good idea for outsiders to take it all?"

"At least for now, I don't need that much. Besides, how much truly valuable equipment on the market can be bought with money alone? Just maintaining all the channels is enough."

Fang Jin took the coffee, looked at the swirling blobs of latte art that looked utterly unappetizing, silently put it down, and then said,

"Besides... I'm their vice guild leader. Some of them are physically and mentally capable. I'm counting on them to become players, go into dungeons, and bring me some gold. How can I not give them some incentives?"

"...You've only been running Ark Shop for half a month. Theoretically, you're still a novice as a black market merchant. How come you're acting so shrewd?"

"Greedy enough...and it's fun."

Fang Jin said with a smile, in his opinion that this was indeed the case. Whether it was scheming against the liquor club and the scavengers, or simply unleashing the pure, violent side of his heart, he found it all genuinely interesting.

"Speaking of which, what did you call me here for? You sold outdated information and told the old man everything about me and Guo Shi. I haven't settled accounts with you for that yet."

He felt a bit itchy to talk about it. His hard work of prying his fingernails into diamonds was completely meaningless. This woman in front of him not only had her cake and eat it too, but she also really screwed him over... even though it was useless.

"I called you here because..."

After a long pause, even downing his cup of sallow coffee in one gulp to project a powerful image, Jiang Chan finally spoke with profound sorrow.

"You're all doomed."

"..."

Then she saw Fang Jin's calm expression, even somewhat amused. Jiang Chan then straightened her expression, leaned forward, and spoke, her deep emerald pupils flashing with a dangerous light:

"I'm not kidding, this is serious business, and it's very troublesome."

"This is an undeserved disaster for you. The radiation in Taipei has begun to dissipate, and rumors are circulating that the Death Star has finally lost all its power. Some people have even witnessed the final detachment of its core remains..."

"I not only witnessed it, I even ate it..." Fang Jin thought jokingly, but his eyes were already serious. He clearly thought of something, and after meeting Jiang Chan's gaze, he asked directly:

"So... Taipei is going to open?"

"..."

"right."

Jiang Chan was surprised by Fang Jin's keen insight. She had prepared some groundwork, but now it seemed unnecessary, so she began to explain directly.

"In the City That Never Sleeps, North City is not an insignificant territory. It is an important passage to several northern districts. In peacetime, it is a thoroughfare and hub, and in wartime, it is a strategic location fought over by military strategists."

"After the collapse and destruction of Taipei, the city that never sleeps was unable to recover for a long time. All goods transported to the north had to take long and roundabout routes, and the transportation costs even exceeded the value of the goods themselves."

"Now that the radiation has dissipated, all the scavengers are dead, and the last bit of hesitation about taking over Taipei has disappeared... How do you think the other two companies wouldn't make a move?"

"What if I don't plan to get involved? I haven't even had a chance to digest my new gains yet..."

"They won't give you time to process this."

Jiang Chan interrupted, her excitement even causing her to stand up and move closer to Fang Jin, the honey-colored bosom looming larger and larger before her eyes… but the words she uttered were utterly devoid of sweetness.

"On the surface, this campaign appears to be a resounding victory for the liquor company, but anyone with a discerning eye knows that you must have played a crucial role in it. Otherwise, why would the shops receive the lion's share of the profits?"

"Nothing else matters. What matters is how others perceive you. The chaos in West City has been resolved after the campaign, and the leading organization in this area has, in their view, been decided."

"It's you and the shochu club... or rather, it's all of you."

"..."

"I see. The downsides of instant fame, coupled with the sudden appearance of this huge pie in Taipei, all of these factors have collided."

Fang Jin gradually sorted out her thoughts. This was indeed somewhat out of control. The original scale of the punitive expedition was well-controlled, and no matter what was done, it was only an internal problem of the West Market.

But things are different now. Although they took over Taipei City, the profits from that area could support the entire Ark Shop, and no one would allow Fang Jin to put the cake in their mouth.

"Let's not even talk about the liquor clubs in the East City. They also border the North City, and nominally, Ark Shops are still under their jurisdiction as a liquor club, so they're practically one of their own."

"But the Nanshi... those bastards from the Hundred-Man Chamber of Commerce are a real problem. They're not adjacent to Beishi. If they want a share of the pie, they'll have to cross the territory of other big players."

"Two routes, east and west... which do you think they will choose?"