Leave a comment

In San Francisco, America, the meeting room of the Small Sword Group’s headquarters was occupied by six people. Four were dressed in suits, while two wore oriental costumes. Lucky Hong, the leader, sat in the main seat, donned in a purple oriental costume, his expression solemn. Observers could note the occasional twitch of his eyelids, a sign familiar to those who knew him as an indication of his extreme anger.

The room was engulfed in silence, with everyone cautious not to draw Lucky Hong’s ire and become a scapegoat. In addition to those physically present, six other members overseas joined the meeting online.

“I’m sure all of you already know, right?” Lucky Hong spoke grimly, his fingers crossed on the table in front of him. Despite varying degrees of understanding, everyone nodded in agreement. Two members, in particular, were completely lost but understood the gravity of the situation due to the frequency of the meetings.

“Our bounty on the [Assassin’s Alliance] has been removed. The ten-million-dollar deposit is gone,” Lucky Hong announced, his tone grave.

This revelation about the lost money nearly caused an outburst from the two uninformed members, but they managed to contain themselves, avoiding potential harsh criticism.

“The person responsible for this loss, I will make him pay,” Lucky “I will go to Cathay and kill him!” a member from Japan blurted out, but the room fell silent, prompting him to sense something amiss. “Who… Who is that person?” he asked timidly.

“Ronald Tian,” Lucky Hong replied with a frown and clear spite.

The mention of Ronald Tian sent a chill down the spine of the Japanese member, akin to a blizzard in summer. He was instantly petrified by the name.

“Since you’re willing to deal with him, then go,” Lucky Hong said nonchalantly.

“Ahahaha! Actually, there’s a lot happening in Japan; I can’t leave at all. I got emotional and spoke without thinking. Please disregard my comment!” the Japanese member quickly backpedaled, driven by his survival instincts. The idea of a Pinnacle Master like him facing a Grandmaster was ludicrous; he would likely be annihilated.

“That disgusting woman is under Ronald Tian’s protection. The [Assassin’s Alliance] won’t accept any bounties on her anymore. We must handle this internally,” Lucky Hong stated calmly.

Silence enveloped the room once more. The prospect of confronting a Grandmaster was beyond their capabilities, a sobering realization for all present.

“Shall we ask the grand leader to come out?” a middle-aged man in an oriental costume suggested after a few moments of silence. The mere mention of the ‘grand leader’ caused everyone’s pupils to shrink. This grand leader, the former head of the Small Sword Group who was now retired in Canada, was only called upon in times of extreme crisis.

“Nonsense!” Lucky Hong sharply rebuked the idea. He knew that involving the grand leader for such a matter would reflect poorly on his leadership and likely result in his own punishment.

The room fell silent again, tension palpable in the air. The humiliation they had suffered was known throughout the criminal world, and they felt compelled to retaliate by bringing the perpetrator, [Princess], to justice.

“Another underground auction will be held in Dorado in two days. I heard a spiritual herb helpful to Grandmasters will be on auction,” Lucky Hong remarked, his finger tapping the table thoughtfully.

“Leader, are you planning to buy that herb?” the Japanese member asked.

“Leader, could you be…” The middle-aged man in the oriental costume voiced his surprise subtly.

The members in the room understood the implications of Lucky Hong’s words. It seemed he was considering taking direct action.

“I intend to go to Cathay in a few days and execute [Princess] with my own hands,” Lucky Hong declared, his eyes reflecting a fierce determination. “However, I’m sure you’re aware that Ronald Tian is my mortal enemy. Despite his current weakened state, he remains a force among Grandmasters. With his protection of [Princess], it will be challenging to act against her. Moreover, I have a personal score to settle with him.”

Lucky Hong paused, allowing his words to sink in. “If I can obtain that herb, I’ll likely advance to the next tier and become much stronger. Then, I will be able to defeat Ronald Tian,” he continued, his voice tinged with resolve.

Under normal circumstances, advancing to the next tier would take several months of dedicated training for Lucky Hong. But with time being a crucial factor, he recognized that the usual methods wouldn’t suffice. The only viable option was to expedite his progress through financial means, despite the considerable expense involved.

The room resonated with a chorus of support for Lucky Hong’s bold plan. Echoes of “Good, as expected of the leader. I support you!” were followed by vigorous affirmations of “Support!” and “We’ll all pitch in!” from the gathered members, signaling their collective endorsement.

Lucky Hong, with a steady gaze, revealed the financial stakes of their venture. “The starting bid for this vital spiritual herb is one hundred million dollars, and it’s likely to escalate to around three hundred million,” he stated.

His words cast a sudden hush over the room, as faces blanched at the astronomical sum. Whispers of disbelief circulated, with some members questioning the logic of such an extravagant expenditure. “Three hundred million dollars? Really?” they murmured, while others skeptically pondered, “Would eating that herb grant godlike powers?” The consensus was clear – despite their initial fervor, the idea of parting with such a vast sum was daunting.

Undeterred, Lucky Hong pressed on, “You all need to gather this money as swiftly as possible. I plan to advance my abilities rapidly and then head to Cathay to reclaim my honor!” His words, firm and resolute, underscored the urgency and gravity of their mission.

The focus of Lucky Hong’s plan was not solely on eliminating [Princess]; his true aim was directed at Ronald Tian. He was driven by a desire for retribution after being humiliated by that old man.

Amidst this, financial concerns began to surface in the room. “Leader, I wish I could contribute more, but the situation in Japan makes it impossible for me to spare tens of millions,” lamented a Japanese member. Similar sentiments echoed from others. “I’m in the same boat,” another member added, and several voices chimed in, “Me too.”

The atmosphere tensed as rejections mounted. However, Lucky Hong’s response was uncompromising: “Anyone who doesn’t contribute will personally go to Cathay and bring back her head,” he declared, striking the table with force.

Dead silence enveloped the room as Lucky Hong’s grim declaration resonated among the members. The quiet was profound, each person grappling with the dire ultimatum: contribute financially or undertake a dangerous mission in Cathay.

It was an unspoken understanding that refusal was not an option – this was more than a demand; it was extortion. The leader’s greed was palpable and repugnant, yet the fear of defiance overshadowed any thoughts of resistance.

In their minds, it was a choice between paying an exorbitant sum or facing certain death. Despite their internal protests, they knew refusal meant potential fatal consequences.

The Japanese member, feeling the pressure, capitulated. “It’s a tough call, but I can manage thirty million if I tighten my belt,” he announced, committing to the cause. His declaration caused a ripple of astonishment, and eventually, everyone begrudgingly agreed to contribute, though it was a painful decision for many.

As the members grudgingly pledged their financial support, Lucky Hong’s disappointment was palpable. His thoughts were tinged with irony: ‘When I ask for a small amount, there’s endless whining. But threaten a little, and suddenly, they find millions. How infuriating!’

In the [City of Chaos], after a period of rest, Yaeger stepped outside. Instantly, she was greeted by Little Blue, who swiftly turned around upon detecting her presence.

“Master!” Little Blue exclaimed.

Yaeger scanned the area, noticing an absence. “Where’s Seventeen?” she inquired, unable to spot Vera 17.

“That little slacker went to sleep,” Little Blue replied with a casual shrug.

Deciding not to disturb her, Yaeger shifted the topic. “Little Blue, will there be any issues for the [City of Chaos] floating at this altitude?” She was concerned about the security and functionality of their location.

The [City of Chaos] hovered not too far above the ground. During the day, its massive shadow was cast upon the earth below. Little Blue, understanding Yaeger’s concerns, reassured her, “Master, there’s no problem at all. Firstly, the [City of Chaos] is protected by a powerful barrier, preventing easy outsider access. It’s incredibly safe. Secondly, it’s well-hidden in the void, making it difficult to detect. And thirdly, when in camouflage mode, it automatically adjusts to the surrounding environment to avoid any flaws.”

“I see,” Yaeger nodded, absorbing the information. “And about its energy consumption when levitating like this, how much does it use daily?”

“Just by levitating, the [City of Chaos] consumes minimal energy,” Little Blue explained. “The energy we absorb daily should easily cover it. But I’ll need to measure it precisely to give you exact figures.” She shook her head as she spoke, gesturing with her arms in emphasis. “This planet’s power level is significantly low, much lower than a typical low-grade planet,” she commented, somewhat dismissively.

As Little Blue finished her explanation, she initiated a display of data. Soon, a set of figures materialized, providing a detailed analysis. Little Blue glanced at the information and sighed, “As expected, it’s truly subpar for a low-grade planet.”

Though she knew Little Blue’s remarks weren’t meant to offend, Yaeger felt a pang of irritation at the disparaging comment about her home world. Before she could voice her thoughts, Little Blue suddenly exclaimed in surprise, “How is this possible?”