Chapter 24: The Wealthy Ten Elders
The cost of 10 Soul Crystals (Medium) per day was unacceptable to the Ten Elders; it felt like cutting flesh from their bones.
"Ten per day is impossible. Eternal Crystals are scarce; it's no longer a matter of price."
Bick was resolute. Paying 10 per day was a price they were unwilling to bear.
"At most, one per week."
One of the Ten Elders spoke, and the others nodded in agreement.
Su Xiao sat back down in his chair. The Ten Elders hadn't outright refused, which meant there was room for negotiation. These guys were richer than he had imagined.
Thinking about the deal about to be struck, Su Xiao couldn't help but feel his heartbeat quicken.
"Negotiations require sincerity. I don't see any sincerity from you all yet."
"Offering one Eternal Crystal per week is already quite sincere."
"Agreed."
Hearing the discussion, Bick picked up a cigarette from the table and lit it.
"Then... two per day!"
"Have you lost your mind, Bick?"
"I don't agree."
The other Ten Elders looked at Bick as if he were an idiot.
"Mr. White Night, we need to have an internal discussion."
Bick tapped the table with his index finger, signaling to cut the video feed. The image on the screen was severed.
Inside an underground meeting room in Yorknew City.
"The auction is about to begin."
Bick glanced around at the other Ten Elders.
"So what? The auction happens once a year; the security arrangements have long been in place."
"No."
Bick's expression turned serious as he said, "A few days ago, I received a piece of information. I haven't verified its truth yet, and I couldn't trace the source of the message."
"Spit it out. Don't beat around the bush."
"The message is that the Spiders have their eyes on this auction."
"Spiders?"
The other Ten Elders were first confused, then startled.
"The Phantom Troupe? That band of thieves?"
"Yes. A group of thieves composed of Nen users."
The Ten Elders looked somewhat troubled but showed no signs of fear. They weren't fully aware of the Phantom Troupe's strength.
"You all know the power of Nen users. That guy named White Night is definitely a Nen user. We might as well hire him to ensure the auction goes smoothly."
"No way. What if he also has his sights set on the auction?"
"Exactly. It would be disastrous if he turned out to be a mole."
The Ten Elders began chattering in discussion, giving Bick a headache.
"If he were after the auction, he wouldn't show up now. Use your brains. All signs indicate his goal is the Eternal Crystals. Those things are rare and expensive, but they're not easy to sell off. If he wants them, give them to him."
Bick's words silenced the other Ten Elders.
"Even so, that guy threatened us..."
"Do you think he was joking? Or do you think we're just doing business? Haven't you figured out yet that this guy is a plague god? If things go wrong, he'll tear up the deal and come to kill us. Don't forget how Leech died. And look at Sick Dog now—he's been beaten down to a mere mutt."
Bick's face was full of anger. These Ten Elders were still weighing gains and losses, completely unaware that they had provoked a calamity.
"Then we'll fight him to the death!"
A bald, burly man slammed the table and stood up. A few of the Ten Elders gave him a contemptuous look. Why risk your life when money could solve the problem?
"Cooperation is a must. Let's discuss the maximum price we can offer. If the Spiders really show up, it's a godsend. If they don't, consider it paying money to avoid disaster. It's not a long-term partnership anyway."
The Ten Elders began to deliberate.
Inside the thirtieth floor of the Yorknew Hotel.
Su Xiao glanced at Black Mary, then at Sick Dog.
Sick Dog was lying on the floor, his face pale, his body trembling occasionally. This was due to excessive blood loss. If left unattended, he would soon die.
To be fair, although Sick Dog looked like a drug addict, he had incredible vitality. After being nearly cut in half and having his throat slit, he still hadn't died.
Sick Dog's pupils were dim. If given a choice between captivity and death, he would choose a quick death.
"You. Bandage him."
Su Xiao suddenly spoke, startling Black Mary, the sexy mature woman.
"M-me? Me?"
Black Mary pointed at herself.
"..."
Su Xiao didn't say anything, just stared quietly at Black Mary, thinking to himself, Are all mafia members this timid?
"Well, um, I..."
Being stared at by Su Xiao was far from a pleasant experience. Black Mary fumbled around in a panic. Although she was a mafia member, she only handled finances and was usually respected by the gang. She also had another identity: she was the daughter of Bick, one of the Ten Elders.
Bick was ruthless enough to use his own daughter as a pawn to place her by Su Xiao's side at a critical moment.
"Yes, you."
Su Xiao suddenly found this woman interesting. Despite her cold, mature appearance and a black rose tattoo on her arm, she was actually quite timid.
"O-okay."
Black Mary quickly stepped forward, her high heels clicking sharply against the floor.
Sick Dog sighed, vowing to himself that if he survived today, he would stay far, far away from a certain someone. Absolutely.
Black Mary clumsily bandaged Sick Dog. Just as she was doing so, the image on the screen returned.
"White Night, what do you think? Two Eternal Crystals per day."
Bick spoke. After the Ten Elders' discussion, he was their representative to negotiate with Su Xiao. They had already decided on the maximum number they could offer.
Su Xiao stared calmly at Bick, as if considering something.
"Perhaps..."
Before Bick could finish, Su Xiao interrupted him.
"Five!"
Hearing this number, Bick's eye twitched. He suspected there was a traitor among them, because their maximum offer was exactly five.
"At least five."
The Ten Elders exchanged glances. Although Su Xiao's expression was calm, his heart was racing. Those were five Soul Crystals (Medium), and five per day! What did that mean?
If the Ten Elders survived until the end of the auction, including the previous three days, Su Xiao would receive a total of 65 Soul Crystals (Medium). This was an absolute windfall.
"Mr. White Night, I need to make one thing clear. Our cooperative relationship only lasts until the auction ends. After that, all grievances between us are settled."
Bick's meaning was obvious: hire Su Xiao until the auction concluded, pay money to avoid disaster, and Su Xiao would no longer cause them trouble.
"Agreed. Once the auction is over, I'll be leaving Yorknew anyway."
Bick slapped the round table and burst into laughter.
"It's a shame we can't shake hands directly, but I wish us a pleasant cooperation."
"Pleasant cooperation."
Su Xiao slowly sheathed Dragon-Slaying Flash.
"Black Mary, go to the vault and get five Eternal Crystals."
Black Mary quickly walked to the elevator. Ten minutes later, she emerged carrying a tray.
She placed the tray in front of Su Xiao, slightly turning her head away. She found that even making eye contact with Su Xiao was terrifying.
Su Xiao pulled off a black cloth covering the tray, revealing five sparkling Soul Crystals (Medium) laid out like the purest diamonds. As he picked them up, a prompt appeared.
[You have obtained Soul Crystal (Medium) ×5.]
The wealth of the Ten Elders' faction was astonishing. Su Xiao finally understood why the Phantom Troupe had come to rob these guys. They were like plump, thin-skinned meat buns.
"Now, let's talk about the Cyclops Giant's eyeball."
Su Xiao pulled out a thick test tube. He wasn't a subordinate of the Ten Elders; they were partners. So he intended to use this eyeball to extort a hefty sum.