CHAPTER 630: CHAPTER 24: THE WEALTHY 10 OLD MEN

The daily cost of 10 Soul Crystals (Medium) was unacceptable to the Ten Old Men; it was like cutting their flesh.

"Ten a day is impossible, Eternal Crystal Stones are scarce, and it’s beyond just a matter of price now."

Bick’s attitude was firm, ten a day was a price they were unwilling to pay.

"One at most per week."

One of the Ten Old Men spoke up, and the others nodded in agreement.

Su Xiao sat back in his chair, the Ten Old Men didn’t completely refuse, which showed there was room for negotiation, suggesting these guys were wealthier than he had imagined.

As he thought of the deal about to be struck, Su Xiao’s heart inevitably raced.

"Negotiations require sincerity, and I don’t see any sincerity from you all yet."

"One Eternal Crystal Stone per week already shows a lot of sincerity."

"Yes."

Hearing the discussion, Bick picked up a cigarette from the table and lit it.

"Every day... two!"

"Are you crazy, Bick."

"I disagree."

The other Ten Old Men looked at Bick as if he were a fool.

"Mister Bai Ye, we need to have an internal discussion."

Bick tapped the table with his index finger, indicating to cut the video feed, and the screen went dark.

In an underground conference room in Yukexin City.

"The auction is about to start."

Bick glanced around at the other Ten Old Men.

"So what? The auction is held once a year, and the security work was arranged long ago."

"No."

Bick’s expression turned serious, "Just a few days ago I received some information, whether true or false is unclear, and the source has not been tracked."

"Just spit it out, don’t beat around the bush."

"The information is that the Spider has targeted this auction."

"Spider?"

The other Ten Old Men were first puzzled, then startled.

"Phantom Troupe? That thief gang?"

"Yes, a thief gang composed of psychic Users."

The Ten Old Men were in a bit of a gloomy mood, but there was no fear on their faces, as they weren’t aware of the Phantom Troupe’s strength.

"You all know the power of psychic Users. That guy named Bai Ye is definitely a psychic User. We might as well hire him to protect the auction."

"No way, what if he is also after the auction,"

"Yes, if there’s a mole, it would be bad."

The Ten Old Men started to argue, leaving Bick with a headache.

"If he’s after the auction, he wouldn’t show up now, just think about it. Many signs indicate his goal is the Eternal Crystal Stones. Those things are rare and expensive, but not easy to sell. If he wants them, we give them to him."

Bick’s words silenced the Ten Old Men.

"Even so, that guy threatened us..."

"Do you think he’s joking? Or that we’re just doing business? Haven’t you realized he’s a Plague God? If things go wrong, he’ll tear our faces apart and come to kill us. Don’t forget how Leech died, and the current state of Sick Dog, nearly reduced to a beaten dog."

Bick was full of anger, while the Ten Old Men were still weighing gains and losses, not realizing they had provoked a Plague God.

"Let’s just fight him if we have to!"

A bald man slammed the table, and some of the Ten Old Men gave him disdainful looks. Why fight when money could solve the issue?

"Collaboration is necessary. Let’s discuss the maximum price we’re willing to pay. If the Spider really comes, it’s a heaven-sent opportunity. If not, it’s just a loss of money, and not a long-term collaboration."

The Ten Old Men began exploring their options.

Youke Hotel, on the thirtieth floor.

Su Xiao glanced at Black Mary, then at Sick Dog.

Sick Dog lay on the floor, his face pale, body occasionally twitching due to blood loss. Left unattended, he wouldn’t last long.

Admittedly, Sick Dog, even looking like a Junkie, had extraordinarily strong Life Energy. Cut half to death by Su Xiao and still alive after a throat slash.

Sick Dog’s pupils dimmed. Given the choice between captivity and death, he chose the quickest death.

"You, bandage him."

Su Xiao suddenly spoke, startling the sultry Black Mary.

"M-Me?"

Black Mary pointed to herself.

"..."

Su Xiao said nothing, just quietly staring at Black Mary, wondering if all Gang members were so timid.

"Um, well, I..."

Being stared at by Su Xiao was not a pleasant experience, causing Black Mary to fumble awkwardly. Despite being a Gang member, she was only responsible for finances, usually respected by the other Gang members, and she had another identity—she was Bick’s daughter.

Bick was ruthless enough to place his daughter with Su Xiao at a critical moment.

"Yes, you."

Su Xiao suddenly found her interesting; she appeared as a cool, commanding woman with a black rose tattoo on her arm, yet was somewhat timid.

"O-Okay."

Black Mary quickly ran forward, her high heels making crisp sounds on the floor.

Sick Dog sighed, vowing that if he survived today, he would stay far away from a certain someone, definitely!

Clumsily, Black Mary bandaged Sick Dog. While she did, the screen’s image returned.

"Bai Ye, have you considered it? Two Eternal Crystal Stones per day."

Bick spoke; after a discussion among the Ten Old Men, he represented them in negotiations with Su Xiao. They had decided on offering a maximum number of stones.

Su Xiao looked silently at Bick, seemingly contemplating something.

"Not sure..."

Bick was cut off by Su Xiao.

"Five!"

Upon hearing this number, Bick’s eye twitched, suspecting there was a traitor among them, as five was their maximum offer.

"At least five."

The Ten Old Men looked at each other; although Su Xiao’s face remained calm, inside he was excited—five Soul Crystals (Medium) daily! What a concept.

If the Ten Old Men lasted until the end of the auction, adding up the previous three days, Su Xiao would obtain 65 Soul Crystals (Medium), a windfall.

"Mister Bai Ye, one thing to clarify, our cooperation ends after the auction, and any grudges will be resolved."

Bick meant they would hire Su Xiao until the auction’s conclusion, paying to avoid disaster so Su Xiao wouldn’t bother them afterward.

"Fine, I was planning to leave Yukexin after the auction."

Bick slapped the round table, laughing heartily.

"It’s a shame we can’t shake on it, but here’s to wishing our cooperation will be pleasant."

"Pleasant cooperation."

Su Xiao slowly sheathed Dragon Slash.

"Black Mary, go to the vault and take five Eternal Crystal Stones."

Black Mary quickly approached the elevator, returning ten minutes later carrying a tray.

Holding the tray before Su Xiao, Black Mary slightly turned her head; she noticed that facing Su Xiao brought a sense of intimidation.

Su Xiao uncovered the tray’s black cloth, revealing five crystalline Soul Crystals (Medium), resembling the purest diamonds. Holding the five Soul Crystals (Medium), a prompt appeared.

[You obtained Soul Crystal (Medium) ×5.]

The wealth of the Ten Old Men’s Power was astonishing, now Su Xiao understood why the Phantom Troupe targeted these guys—they were like juicy dumplings with thin skin and rich filling.

"Next, let’s discuss the Cyclops eyeball matter."

Su Xiao produced a thick test tube. He was not a subordinate of the Ten Old Men; they were partners, and he planned to leverage this eyeball for a hefty gain.