Chapter 35: Coercion
The Ten Elders, as representatives of the underworld across six continents, wielded considerable influence but also had no shortage of enemies. Countless people wished for their deaths.
If the Yorknew Auction weren't so crucial, the Ten Elders would never gather together. For them, the annual Yorknew Auction wasn't just about generating income.
Territory divisions, the stability of their respective jurisdictions, the stance of the V5 organization—there were too many matters requiring face-to-face discussion. The Yorknew Auction was merely an excuse for their gathering.
At that moment, on the second floor of the ancient castle, inside a meeting room.
The room was dimly lit, with only a single candle burning at the center of the round table. The Ten Elders sat around it, hidden in darkness.
"The auction venue is destroyed. We lost 1,265 of our men, and 131 guests are dead. As for the others, we can't tally them yet."
*Slap.* One of the Ten Elders slammed a document onto the conference table.
"Piccolo, is this the result of the security you insisted on spending five Eternal Crystals a day for?"
"Hah, security? That guy spends every day in Yorknew eating, drinking, and having fun. He only 'secured' Piccolo's daughter—secured her in bed, from every angle."
"Tch, that bastard is nothing but a bandit. I—"
*Zzzz—*
The sound of a metal wire retracting rang out. That Elder's words stopped mid-sentence, his lips trembling as blood sprayed from his neck. If he dared to move even an inch, his head would be severed instantly.
"En—"
Another Elder, catching the scent of blood, was about to shout when the meeting room's lights flicked on. The previously dim space was now brightly illuminated.
"If there are lights, why light a candle? Having a candlelit dinner, are we?"
Su Xiao walked to the conference table, smiling as he scanned the Ten Elders. Through the Apostle's Eye, a light gold piece of equipment, he had already located their positions long ago.
"You are... Bai Ye?!"
"How did you find this place?"
The Ten Elders were stunned. A feeling called fear enveloped them. Days ago, behind a monitor, they had dared to be tough. But with only a few meters between them now, these underworld bosses chose to keep their mouths shut.
"What did you... just say?"
Su Xiao looked at the Elder who had been so arrogant moments before. The Realm Severing Thread bit into the man's flesh, his aged face twisted in pain as blood stained his expensive clothes.
"Bai Ye, you've worked hard today."
Piccolo, the Elder who had previously negotiated with Su Xiao—also the father of Black Mary—spoke up.
Piccolo stood, walked to the meeting room door, and returned moments later holding two Soul Crystals (Medium).
"This is compensation for his inappropriate remarks."
The two Soul Crystals (Medium) were placed before Su Xiao. He glanced at Piccolo, then at the Elder.
Withdrawing the Realm Severing Thread, the blood dripping from it fell slowly. Su Xiao picked up the two Soul Crystals.
Sitting down at the conference table, Su Xiao lit a cigarette.
"Bai Ye, about the auction venue—"
Piccolo had just begun when the Elder whose throat had been bound by the Realm Severing Thread stood up and left, muttering "this madman" under his breath as he reached the door.
The other Elders sneered coldly. That man was the leader of the Shadow Beast Leeches. After Leech's death, his status had plummeted without his Shadow Beasts. If he didn't find a replacement for Leech after this auction, his seat among the Ten Elders would be taken.
As that Elder left, the remaining nine all turned their gazes to Su Xiao.
"It was the Spiders' people. I fought him. Don't worry, I won't take your payment for nothing."
Su Xiao picked up a square box at his feet. Opening it, he pulled out Feitan's head and placed it on the conference table. As underworld bosses, the nine Elders naturally weren't afraid of a severed head.
"This is one of the Spiders?"
"Yes."
Su Xiao tossed a piece of skin bearing the spider emblem onto the table.
"Remember that small sun from before?"
Su Xiao looked at Piccolo, who held considerable sway among the Ten Elders.
"Hard to forget."
"That guy materialized it. His name is Feitan, a materialization Nen user, member number 2 of the Brigade. As for his strength, you should have seen the state of the auction venue."
Hearing Su Xiao's words, Piccolo's brow furrowed deeply. The other Elders murmured among themselves.
The situation was spiraling beyond the Ten Elders' control. They weren't stupid. Judging by the destructive power of that battle at the auction venue, they likely couldn't defeat the Brigade.
"So it really is the Spiders. That means the earlier rumors about the Spiders appearing weren't just talk."
"We've already sent people to handle it, but..."
One of the Elders sighed.
"Bai Ye, you can deal with the Spiders, right?"
Piccolo's words made the other Elders' eyes light up. Right, the head on the table said it all. They still had a trump card.
"No."
Su Xiao refused outright.
"From what I know, the Spiders have 13 members. Feitan isn't the strongest among them. Now there are 12 left, meaning I still have to deal with 12 enemies. As for the Shadow Beasts, hah~"
As he spoke, Su Xiao tapped the table lightly with his index finger, considering his next move.
The main mission was to participate in the auction. Yet the auction venue was destroyed, making the mission somewhat bizarre.
The main mission hadn't failed, meaning the auction could still continue. Since the auction items weren't destroyed, whether the Ten Elders or the Spiders held them, the auction would go on.
So there was no need to worry about the main mission. Besides, the rewards weren't particularly generous, so the difficulty wouldn't be too high.
"Bai Ye, regarding compensation..."
Piccolo looked troubled. Paying five Soul Crystals (Medium) daily was already bleeding them dry. Any more would hurt their foundations, and they might as well hire the Zoldyck family's assassins.
"If you want me to help you deal with the Phantom Troupe, I don't need increased payment, but it must be paid in full upfront."
Hearing this, several Elders felt a chill in their hearts. Piccolo thought to himself, only an idiot would pay in full upfront.
"Haha, don't joke. We—"
"Do I look like I'm joking?"
Su Xiao exhaled a puff of smoke. The Ten Elders could die at any moment, and if that happened, he'd end up with nothing.
"How about... half the payment as a deposit first?"
Piccolo tested the waters, but the other Elders immediately objected.
"No way! Half as a deposit? That's too much."
"Impossible."
One Elder stood up, feeling a chill run through his body. Not just from the threat of the Phantom Troupe—this madman before them might be even more dangerous.
"Half as a deposit?"
Su Xiao looked thoughtful. According to the previous agreement, the Ten Elders were to pay him a total of 65 Soul Crystals. So far, they had paid him 15, not counting the 2 from earlier.
That meant the Ten Elders still owed Su Xiao 50 Soul Crystals, and he was responsible for protecting the auction until September 10th.
Although the auction venue was destroyed, that had little to do with Su Xiao—it was Feitan's doing.
Yorknew had several other auction venues capable of hosting the event. As for the dead guests, that was the Ten Elders' problem to handle.
"Pay me 30 Eternal Crystals upfront. The remaining 20 will be paid on September 10th."
The Ten Elders exchanged glances, all hesitating.
The reason Su Xiao wanted the Soul Crystals in advance was to prevent the Elders from being assassinated. Judging by the timing, someone was about to arrive.
"Fine. 30 as a deposit."
Piccolo gritted his teeth and agreed. He had already sent his daughter to warm someone's bed—what was a little "money" compared to that? Right now, survival was the priority.