Chapter 69: Power and Authority
"Yeah, it's me. Let Wei Dong take the call... Wei Dong, do me a favor. Consider it payment for helping you guys kill last time... Mm, the guy's at the western outskirts, short stature, dark skin, around 30 years old, goes by the nickname Black Skin, deals in crossbows. He needs to stay alive. Good, I'll wait five minutes."
Su Xiao was on the phone when a somewhat chubby hand patted him on the shoulder.
"Su Xiao, my cousin is still here. She's easily scared."
Fatty Ma swallowed hard. To be honest, he had never witnessed a murder scene before. Although the victim was a ruthless criminal who had committed countless atrocities, he couldn't help feeling a bit uneasy.
Su Xiao glanced at the girl in the dress. She had already slumped against the corner of the wall, her face pale with terror. If the scrawny man died here, this girl would be traumatized for the near future—no, she might even suffer lifelong trauma.
Su Xiao's fingers flicked, and the fiber thread retracted into the button on his sleeve. This fiber thread was only one-twentieth the thickness of a human hair, extremely strong, and very light.
"Wei Dong, while you're at it, come deal with someone here. Should be a fugitive. I'll send you a photo later. Just toss him in—basically no chance of getting out."
Su Xiao hung up the phone. The scrawny man gasped for air, his vision darkening intermittently. He was certain that if that fat guy hadn't spoken up, he would already be a corpse.
Wei Dong didn't make Su Xiao wait five minutes. He called back in about three minutes. Wei Dong was the head of the Scavengers, and his principle was to handle things peacefully whenever possible. Not only had Su Xiao helped them kill before, but this time the ones provoking Su Xiao were a group of outlaws. Although the Scavengers didn't take these people seriously, getting rid of them was still the best outcome.
"As long as the guy's fine, yeah. I didn't go myself—I'm a law-abiding citizen now. Have your people come as soon as possible. Good."
Su Xiao hung up. He already understood the details of the situation. The people who kidnapped Black Skin weren't killers or gangsters, but a group of outlaw grave robbers. This matter was somewhat connected to the antique shop across the street. Black Skin was just collateral damage.
About ten minutes later, a car horn sounded outside the wreath and funeral supply shop. Su Xiao casually untied the ropes binding the scrawny man, grabbed him, and headed for the door.
With a clatter, Su Xiao yanked up the rolling shutter door. A black commercial vehicle was parked out front.
The van door opened, and a middle-aged man in a black suit stepped out. He pushed open the rear door of the van.
"Mr. Black Skin just took a few punches. Our medic checked him—nothing serious."
This suited man was from the Scavengers, specializing in handling matters related to contractors in the Real World.
"You take him away."
Su Xiao tossed the scrawny man to the suited man.
"Mm, rest assured, Mr. Su. He won't show up again. The things this grave rat has done are enough to kill him several times over."
The suited man threw the scrawny man into the van. With a muffled grunt, the scrawny man passed out.
"Mr. Black Skin, we've arrived."
As soon as the suited man spoke, Black Skin stepped out of the van. The scrawny Black Skin looked clearly confused, thinking he had been kidnapped by another group.
The van drove off. Fatty Ma rushed over and looked Black Skin up and down. The two brothers didn't do anything sappy like hugging and crying; they just patted each other on the shoulders.
"Have you guys eaten?"
Su Xiao spoke.
"Not yet."
"Been hungry almost all day."
"Perfect. I still have some noodles left from earlier. Help yourselves in the kitchen."
The four of them headed into the accessory shop. Fatty Ma didn't ask who those suited men were, nor did he inquire about the scrawny man's whereabouts, because he knew some things were better left unquestioned.
Power brings authority, and authority can also wield power. The two are inseparable to some extent.
The cousin was completely bewildered the whole time. She held a small bowl of noodles but had no appetite at all. In her mind, Su Xiao was the "cold-faced killer" from the movies, but the current situation clearly didn't match up. The "cold-faced killer" she had imagined was now holding a tablet, engrossed in a game. This contrast between imagination and reality left her even more confused.
"About today... thanks."
Although Fatty Ma had nearly witnessed the scrawny man being strangled, he knew Su Xiao was helping him eliminate a problem.
"Small matter."
Su Xiao tossed Fatty Ma a cigarette. The reason he wanted to get rid of that outlaw was to help Fatty Ma cut off future trouble.
Dealing with those outlaws didn't require reasoning. Either don't act, or scare them out of their wits. Su Xiao didn't care about their retaliation, but Fatty Ma and Black Skin were ordinary people. If things got messy, they might end up dead over this.
Not to mention, when Su Xiao was a killer and had to flee a few times, Fatty Ma had risked a lot to help him. That was no small favor.
If Wei Dong hadn't stepped in today, Su Xiao would have handled it himself—and he wouldn't have left anyone alive. Mercy to enemies is cruelty to oneself.
Fatty Ma and Black Skin stayed at Su Xiao's place for a few nights, eating noodles before leaving, taking the "thrilled" cousin with them. Heaven knows what that girl had imagined again.
That evening, Fatty Ma and Black Skin came back, this time to invite Su Xiao out for a big meal. After all, Su Xiao had saved Black Skin's life.
At ten that night, Su Xiao received a call from Wei Dong. Wei Dong had rounded up all the outlaws and finished the follow-up. But there was one bizarre thing: the scrawny man who had nearly died actually wanted to "report" Su Xiao to get a lighter sentence or something.
"Oh? So are you planning to bring people to arrest me?"
Sitting in front of the accessory shop, Su Xiao blew on the cold night air.
"Don't joke around. I'm swamped here. Some big shot got cheated on, and lately, things keep going wrong on my end."
Wei Dong's words made Su Xiao raise an eyebrow. He knew who Wei Dong was talking about—it was likely Stan.
If it were in a derivative world, Su Xiao would be no match for Stan. But if they fought in the Real World, although Su Xiao still couldn't beat Stan, it would be very hard for Stan to kill Su Xiao.
In the Real World, active skills couldn't be used, and equipment bonuses didn't apply. Su Xiao's development style was unique—balanced true naked attributes plus a large number of passive abilities—which made him very strong in the Real World.
Hanging up, Su Xiao went upstairs to sleep. He wouldn't stay in the Real World long; most of his Real World stay time was exchanged for Reincarnation Paradise stay time to climb the arena rankings.
The next day at noon, just after Su Xiao finished lunch, he received a notification from Reincarnation Paradise. The familiar teleportation sensation appeared.
Bang.
Su Xiao's vision went black. When his sight returned, he was already in his Exclusive Room.
[A new derivative world will open in 1 hour. Please prepare, Hunter.]
Su Xiao stood up and walked toward the Honor Shop in his Exclusive Room. He had a full 12 [Golden Honor Medals]. When he had checked the Honor Shop earlier, the items hadn't refreshed yet.
Su Xiao opened the Honor Shop and found that the items inside had already refreshed.