NOVEL WEB chapter 134
134. The Old Libertine’s Deal
Near Fengyuan Town, Lin Nuo rented a small house to serve as a temporary laboratory base.
Just like before, for safety’s sake, he laid a net of traps, though this net was smaller than before, covering roughly a hundred meters around his little house.
Learning from past experience, the range couldn’t be too large, otherwise, if a passerby accidentally wandered through and triggered a trap, it wouldn’t matter if the passerby died, but he would have to reset everything, and the labor costs would be substantial. He was working solo, doing everything himself, without any subordinates to exploit, which was exhausting.
Recalling the tumultuous years of his life after falling into demonhood and going solo, he couldn’t help but brew a cup of tea and nibble on a couple of pork floss buns as he contemplated life.
For now, Lin Nuo only contacted some minor black merchants to purchase small goods. After all, there’s a vast commercial chain behind the black market. Even though he had information on the black market, being new in town, he couldn’t possibly meet the big boss directly. He inevitably had to go through the minor black merchants to make contact, then through layers of connections to reach the big boss.
Dealing with the black market requires finesse; it’s not just about money, but also about catering to their preferences.
Lin Nuo, the protagonist, has so far encountered black market dealers who can be swayed with money. The bounty he earned as the ‘Champion of Justice’ is more than enough for his needs.
But to make further progress, he’ll need to employ some tactics.
“This dark alliance lacks skill, but they sure have treasures.”
After a conflict over a double-layered cake, Lin Nuo eliminated Heng, an assassin from the dark alliance, and acquired his equipment, including a notable pale grey ring.
During the fight, Lin Nuo’s sleeve released a paralyzing soul needle, which Heng blocked with a summoned spirit shield from his backhand.
Lin Nuo tested the ring with his own mechanisms and indeed, it could summon a spirit shield to block external attacks.
Good, he thought, I’ll keep it.
Recently, Lin Nuo learned from the black market’s intelligence that Fengyuan City was a melting pot of chaos, a hub for underground organizations to conduct their dealings. He was advised to be cautious, to only buy what he needed, and not to meddle in others’ affairs.
Lin Nuo understood this well. He had no interest in interfering with others; as long as they didn’t provoke him, he wouldn’t oppose them.
The previous dark alliance assassin, Heng, had stepped on his pork floss cake and called it trash. Who could tolerate that? Lin Nuo sent him straight to the underworld to feast on soybean cakes.
Disguised once again, Lin Nuo carried a bag to a black market dealer to gain entry to the Tianhui District, a high-end black market where leaders of various organizations met. Entry required a unique badge.
These badges were typically earned by being active in the black market and building a solid reputation, or by having a status, like being a leader of the Demon Refining Sect or a close relative of the Helong Hall.
Of course, the black market never played by the rules. When it came to qualifications, there were always deals to be made, relationships to exploit to get a badge for the district, avoiding the need for long-term credit building.
Lin Nuo was well aware of this. Being new in town, he first befriended Zhang San, who introduced him to Li Si, who then introduced him to Wang Wu, and so on, until he finally learned how to enter the Tianhui District.
He approached a seemingly ordinary shop, where the owner noticed him coming, put down his work, and walked over to Lin Nuo.
“Did you bring the goods?”
“I did.”
Lin Nuo took out several albums, high-quality paintings of beauties bathing, and an invitation letter from a famous courtesan at Yunfeng Tower, allowing for a private meeting.
The owner couldn’t wait to flip through them, exclaiming in excitement at the sight of such thrilling material, which he hadn’t seen in a long time.
“Well, they’re average, I guess,” the owner said nonchalantly after a brief look, then took the albums and the bathing beauty paintings back.
Lin Nuo watched him coldly.
Brother, could you wipe your nosebleed before making such comments?
“So, can you give me the badge now? And the invitation letter you wanted, I’ve got that for you too, from the famous courtesan of Yunfeng Tower.”
“Hmm, I see it, but I still think it’s not enough. How about you bring a little more?”
“If it’s not enough, let’s call off the deal. I’ll enjoy these myself and tell you about it later.”
Lin Nuo quickly gathered the albums and pictures, ready to leave.
“Wait, wait, hey, young man, don’t be hasty. Let’s cooperate, we can talk it over. You seem sincere, and I’m sure we can work together long-term. It’s a deal, it’s a deal.”
The owner chuckled and held him back, and Lin Nuo finally set the pictures down.
In dealing with these merchants, one must never compromise. The more you yield, the more they’ll take advantage. If I didn’t have a hold over them, I could’ve gotten the badge for a mere copper coin.
The deal sealed, both parties shook hands formally and exchanged pleasantries as a token of everlasting friendship.
Everlasting my foot. It’s just business; what friendship?
Lin Nuo had to pull many strings to get these pictures, dealing with a lecherous boss who can only be handled in his own lecherous ways.
After all, risqué pictures are the prime productivity booster.
Moreover, as long as there’s someone in the chain of connections who can be bought with money, that chain is useful. If one can be bribed, then everyone can be bought.
Such is the villain’s law of buying hearts.
Badge in hand, Lin Nuo left, his next stop being the Tianhui District. A grand villain like him should deal with the black market traders to acquire high-level contraband.
The boss was overjoyed. The last time he received a badge from a friend, he went to Tianhui District full of hope, only to find that the high-level contraband traded there wasn’t what he desired.
His needs were simple: just the good stuff.
“Heh, hehe, hehehe.”
Gazing at the beautifully detailed bathhouse picture, the boss’s blood boiled with excitement, his body surging with energy.
“Old Huang, I need to borrow something.”
At that moment, a man came running, puzzled by the boss’s lecherous laughter, “Old Huang, what’s got you so happy?”
“Something nice to look at. Come on over, since you’re here, have a look too.”
The boss beckoned the man over and showed him the exquisite bathhouse picture of a stunning beauty.
The man took one look and gasped.
“Old Huang, how come you have a painting of my wife??!”
“???”
…
Lin Nuo, always efficient, had made preparations early. Once he got the badge, he immediately headed for Tianhui District.
“What for?”
“To trade.”
“Got a badge?”
“Yes.”
Lin Nuo was stopped by some fierce-looking thugs, then he produced the exclusive badge for entry into Tianhui District.
They checked it and confirmed it was the right badge.
They continued to ask, “What’s your name?”
“I am Wu, first name Yingge, Wu Yingge,” Lin Nuo replied earnestly.