204: Conclusion

The room was dead silent, so quiet that a pin drop could be heard.

The fallen thugs didn't even dare to groan, while Machi and his subordinates held their breath, watching the sudden shift in the situation.

Kobayashi Rindō's mouth hung open as she watched Leib Beiyala—who had been insufferably arrogant and nightmare-like just moments ago—now begging for mercy with such a low profile; the shock in her heart was beyond words.

The biting killing intent surrounding Lin Luo slowly receded like an ebbing tide.

The hundreds of terrifying, brilliant blades of light floating beside Leib Beiyala also silently dimmed and dissipated, as if they had never existed, leaving behind only the lingering fear of a room soaked in cold sweat.

Lin Luo's face once again showed that habitual, somewhat easygoing smile.

He even stepped forward and reached out to gently pull up Leib Beiyala, who was still frozen in place, his movements as natural as if he were helping up a friend who had accidentally tripped.

"Wouldn't it have been better if you'd said so earlier?" Lin Luo's tone was gentle, with a hint of helplessness. "Why insist on using knives and guns? It's not good, don't you agree?"

Leib Beiyala's massive frame straightened with his movement, and he hurriedly raised a hand to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead, forcing a smile that looked worse than crying: "Yes, yes, yes, you are right... I was also muddled and acted on impulse. You are a magnanimous person, please don't lower yourself to my level."

"That's enough." Lin Luo waved his hand, seemingly too lazy to bother with these matters.

He beckoned, signaling Erina and Kobayashi Rindō to come closer. "You two, see if there's anything you want? I have... no interest in this place."

Kobayashi Rindō was the first to jump out, her golden eyes flashing and her sharp canine teeth showing as she pointed unceremoniously at Leib Beiyala: "Hey! Big guy! Cash out the money we won, quickly! Hurry up!"

The muscles on Leib Beiyala's face instantly stiffened, revealing an expression even more bitter than when he was held at swordpoint. He said cautiously, "This... Young Miss, it’s not that I don’t want to cash it out. It’s just that... the amount you won is too large. If I were to pay out that sum all at once, the Gourmet Casino's capital chain would collapse instantly, and this Casino... would no longer be able to operate."

"So, you want to renege on the debt?" Machi's icy voice rang out, his long blade already unsheathed by half an inch, its cold light intimidating.

Leib Beiyala shuddered in fear and quickly looked at Lin Luo, explaining: "I wouldn't dare! I absolutely wouldn't dare to renege! It's just... I am only the boss managing the Casino in name. The true masters behind the Casino... if the Casino collapses because of this huge payout, they... will never let me go."

Hearing this, Lin Luo nodded understandingly and raised his hand to signal Machi to stay calm.

"Then just cash out the cash you have personal authority over and can freely dispose of," he said casually. "Money is quite meaningless when there's too much of it."

"Hey!" Kobayashi Rindō immediately protested, her tiger teeth bared even more as she glared at Lin Luo. "What do you mean! And Erina won that with her own skills!"

"Money can't save the starving children in the Slums; what do you know?" Lin Luo glanced at her, his tone flat but unquestionable. "What belongs to Erina is mine; don't interfere in this. This money will be handled by Machi later; he will make better use of it than we will."

He already had a plan in mind. Handing over this huge sum won from the Gourmet Casino to Machi and the Gourmet Gang, who had a deep Foundation in the Kingdom of Gitar and acted with principles, might play a greater role.

With this economic basis, Machi might be able to better reorganize this chaotic land, and even... give this country a chance to shed its 'Non-Member Nation' label in the future and become a member of the order recognized by the IGO.

Kobayashi Rindō still wanted to argue in a huff and shook Erina's arm, hoping she would back her up. But Erina only pursed her lips, her violet eyes looking at Lin Luo and then at Machi, and finally, she nodded gently without speaking up in opposition. She trusted Lin Luo's judgment.

Seeing Lin Luo's clear attitude, Leib Beiyala gritted his teeth and reported a figure: "The cash I can currently mobilize without immediately attracting attention... is about ten billion. Moreover, I cannot hand it all over at once; it needs to be processed in batches. I hope... you can give me some time for the turnover."

Lin Luo nodded, seemingly unsurprised by this amount and condition. "As for the specifics of the handover, coordinate with Machi." He directly pushed the follow-up matters to the professional.

Leib Beiyala quickly looked at Machi. After Lin Luo nodded, Machi sheathed his long blade, stepped forward, and said in a deep voice, "I will send a specialist to coordinate with you. Remember, don't play any tricks."

"I wouldn't dare, absolutely not!" Leib Beiyala promised repeatedly.

Lin Luo turned to Erina, who had been standing quietly to the side, and reached out to gently poke her cheek, his tone softening: "What about you, Erina? What do you want? Don't be polite."

Erina raised her violet eyes, her gaze falling on Leib Beiyala. After a moment of deliberation, she spoke: "Since you possess so many 'Culinary Memories,' then you must... also store the processing methods and knowledge of various rare or special ingredients mastered by the original owners, right?"

Hearing this, Leib Beiyala's hollow eye sockets seemed to 'light up' slightly. Before Lin Luo could answer, he said in a tone mixed with surprise and a certain complex emotion: "I understand... Young Miss, what you want is the massive amount of 'culinary knowledge' and 'processing experience' accumulated by the Gourmet Casino over many years. It's been... a long time since I've seen a chef so pure and focused on the culinary arts themselves."

He paused and explained: "Indeed, Culinary Memories not only allow one to 'taste' the original owner's feelings, but also directly obtain their related ingredient knowledge, processing techniques, and even unique culinary insights. This is a 'wealth' more precious than money."

"Can I... have this?" Erina's eyes instantly lit up, as if she had discovered a peerless treasure, but she still instinctively looked at Lin Luo first, seeking his opinion.

Lin Luo looked at the undisguised longing and focus in her eyes and smiled slightly, his gaze full of indulgence and support. He turned to Leib Beiyala, his tone light but carrying an unquestionable weight:

"I think Mr. Leib Beiyala... shouldn't refuse this request, right? Compared to money, Erina's request, in my view, takes priority."

"Of course, of course," Leib Beiyala replied hurriedly, his huge head nodding like a pestle grinding garlic, his posture humble to the extreme.

He turned to call over a technical specialist and ordered hoarsely, "Go, make a copy of all the data regarding ingredient processing and culinary techniques in the 'Database' and give it to this Young Miss."

The technical specialist felt as if he had been granted a great reprieve and began to operate the machine nimbly. A moment later, a tightly sealed, shimmering storage chip was respectfully handed to Erina.

Seeing this, Lin Luo nodded slightly, accepting this method. He finally looked at Leib Beiyala, his tone flat but with a clear, unquestionable sense of boundaries: "Then, our business is concluded. Remember your promise to Machi."

"Yes, yes, definitely, definitely! I absolutely wouldn't dare play any tricks!" Leib Beiyala promised repeatedly, bowing even lower.

Lin Luo said no more, took Erina's hand, and signaled to Machi and Kobayashi Rindō: "Let's go."

The group no longer paid attention to the mess in the room behind them or the people who were as quiet as cicadas in winter with varying expressions, and walked straight toward the exit.

Machi's men remained highly alert, guarding both sides until they had completely left the core area of the Gourmet Casino, which was brilliant with light but cold and suffocating.

Not until their figures had completely disappeared at the end of the corridor did Leib Beiyala feel like his spine had been snatched away; his mountain-like frame collapsed back into the specially made giant chair, letting out a groan of being overwhelmed.

On the other side, the Slums.

Crossing that invisible yet cruel dividing line, the extravagant neon lights and clamor were quickly left behind, replaced by the familiar air mixed with dust, stains, and a faint scent of decay.

Dilapidated eaves, mottled walls, and pitted ground—everything formed a jarring contrast with the extreme luxury inside the Casino.

Lin Luo and Erina stood quietly on a relatively clean street corner.

Before long, a brisk and familiar sound of footsteps approached.

Kobayashi Rindō was back, followed by several of Machi's men helping to push small carts piled with various ingredients! The carts contained not only basic supplies like rice, flour, grain, and oil, but also many fresh vegetables, meats, and even some candies and snacks suitable for children.

"I'm back!" A pure and bright smile overflowed on Kobayashi Rindō's face, completely different from her tension or rebelliousness at the Casino.

She waved vigorously toward the depths of the alley, her crisp voice spreading: "Little ones! It's time to eat—!"

As if hearing the most moving summons, many thin and small figures suddenly poured out from those low, dilapidated shacks. They were in rags, but their faces bore the cleanest smiles, their eyes sparkling as they ran toward Kobayashi Rindō cheering, skillfully helping to push the carts and carry things, chirping like a group of fledglings finally waiting for the return of the parent bird.

Kobayashi Rindō was surrounded by the children; while distributing candies, she directed the transport of the ingredients to the simple "Public Kitchen" she was familiar with, which had been converted from an abandoned warehouse. There, several large pots already had water boiling.

She briskly rolled up her sleeves, washing vegetables, cutting meat, and starting the fire with great agility. The simple environment and crude kitchenware did not affect her focus and enthusiasm in the slightest. The flames licked the bottom of the pots, and the aroma of food gradually filled the air, dispelling the gloom often present in the Slums.

The children gathered at the kitchen door, watching eagerly, the sound of them swallowing saliva rising and falling, the air filled with warm expectation.

While stir-frying the dishes in the pot, Kobayashi Rindō looked back toward Lin Luo and Erina and gave a big, cloudless smile, her sharp canine teeth sparkling in the firelight.

In that smile, there was satisfaction, peace of mind, and a real happiness that came from providing satiety with her own two hands.