167: Even the sea god has to pay me protection money.
That cherry blossom token reflected a metallic sheen under the light.
That was a unique symbol reserved for the high-ranking members of the Sea Wave Society.
This item could only be stripped from a dead body.
"Sea God Cult..."
Xiao Zhenhai exhaled a smoke ring.
The smoke blurred his face.
He did not immediately respond to Lin Yuan's proposal.
As a powerful figure who had stood firm for twenty years in a place like Nine Rings Archipelago, where people were devoured without leaving bones, he knew the truth that "nothing falls from the sky."
Although the young man before him possessed terrifying strength.
His actions were erratic, making it hard to distinguish friend from foe.
"Young Master Lin has impressive methods."
Xiao Zhenhai pushed the token aside.
"Since the conversation has reached this point, if I, Xiao, continue to hide things, it would seem ungrateful."
He pressed a button on the table.
Buzz.
The partition in the center of the conference table slid open.
A 3D holographic map was projected into the air.
On the map, nine islands were arranged in a ring, resembling nine stars scattered across the sea.
Xiao Zhenhai stood up.
"The Nine Rings Archipelago is a lawless land."
"The outside world only knows that it's chaotic here."
"But even chaos has its rules."
He pointed at the four largest islands among them.
"This area was originally controlled by four major factions, maintaining a fragile balance."
"My Black Shark Gang occupies the East District, mainly operating in smuggling and security."
"The North District belongs to the 'Blood Anchor Group,' a bunch of retired mercenaries and wanted criminals who specialize in the arms trade."
"The West District is the 'Thousand Hands Society,' a group who mess with supernatural abilities, though they are mostly unorthodox practitioners, and they control the island's drug and human trafficking."
Speaking up to this point, Xiao Zhenhai paused.
He pointed to a solitary island at the southernmost tip of the map.
"Finally, there is the 'Sea Wave Society' that suddenly emerged in recent years."
"Which is the Sea God Cult that Young Master Lin mentioned."
Xiao Zhenhai let out a cold laugh.
"When these zealots first arrived, they used the guise of charity and faith."
"They distributed porridge and medicine everywhere, winning over the hearts of the people."
"By the time everyone realized what was happening, they had spread like cancer cells."
He took a breath, calming his emotions.
"Just three days ago."
"An underwater earthquake cracked the rock formation beneath Nine Rings Archipelago."
"A never-before-seen mineral vein was exposed."
"Mineral vein?"
Lin Yuan stopped cracking melon seeds.
Xiao Zhenhai pulled up a blurry photograph.
The photo was taken in the deep sea.
A faint blue light emanated from a crack in the seabed.
"We sent divers down to investigate."
His voice dropped slightly.
"That is not an ordinary Spirit Stone."
"It is a high-energy crystal that we have never encountered before."
"A piece the size of a fingernail contains enough energy to power a small town for an entire day."
Crack.
The melon seed in Lin Yuan's hand was crushed into powder.
He abruptly straightened up.
"You said..."
He stared at the photo, his Adam's apple bobbing.
"Supply electricity?"
"That kind of energy, is it electric?"
Xiao Zhenhai was startled by Lin Yuan's reaction.
"Uh... you could say that."
"Our test report shows that the energy inside the crystal is extremely unstable, exhibiting thunder-magnetic properties."
"If accidentally detonated, the power is comparable to a missile."
"What a treasure!"
Lin Yuan slapped his thigh, his eyes shining brightly.
"Where is this thing? What is the reserve amount? Can it be packaged?"
Lin Yuan leaned toward the map, wishing he could swallow the holographic projection whole.
Su Wanqing pressed a hand to her forehead.
That guy's old habits were acting up again.
"Ahem."
Xiao Zhenhai couldn't quite follow Lin Yuan's thought process.
Shouldn't a normal person be afraid upon hearing "comparable to a tactical missile"?
What was with this excitement?
"Young Master Lin, this is precisely the crux of the matter."
Xiao Zhenhai zoomed in on the map.
"The location of this mineral vein is right at the junction of the four major factions."
"The Sea Wave Society had already caught wind of this."
"That minor leader you killed was originally sent to blockade the sea area."
Xiao Zhenhai's expression turned solemn.
"According to my insider intelligence within the Sea Wave Society."
"They are planning to make their move tonight."
"The Blood Anchor Group and the Thousand Hands Society have also been alerted."
Xiao Zhenhai looked at Lin Yuan and stated his intention.
"Although the Black Shark Gang has many members, we lack high-level fighting power."
"Against those lunatics from the Sea Wave Society, our chances of winning are slim."
"Therefore, I would like to request Young Master Lin's assistance."
"As long as we can secure the mineral vein."
"The profits will be split fifty-fifty."
Xiao Zhenhai offered a number he believed showed great sincerity.
In his view.
This was already a major sacrifice.
After all, mining, transportation, and sales all required the Black Shark Gang's connections and channels.
Lin Yuan only needed to handle the fighting.
However.
Lin Yuan laughed instead.
He held up a finger and wiggled it in front of him.
"Gang Leader Xiao, you seem to have misunderstood one thing."
"Although I love money."
"I don't like splitting profits with others."
Xiao Zhenhai frowned deeply.
"What does Young Master Lin mean?"
"That mineral vein belongs to me."
Lin Yuan pointed to the blue light on the map.
His tone was completely matter-of-fact.
"As for the territory, it belongs to you."
"I will help you deal with the Sea Wave Society in the East District."
"Whether you sell arms or whatever other messy things, it's up to you."
"I only want those stones."
Upon hearing this.
The two hall masters behind Xiao Zhenhai were trembling with anger.
Too greedy!
That mineral vein was priceless, enough to buy ten Nine Rings Archipelagos!
This kid actually wants to take it all for himself?
Xiao Zhenhai's face also darkened slightly.
"Young Master Lin, this appetite is a bit too large."
"Without the Black Shark Gang's ships and equipment, you won't be able to retrieve those stones from the seabed."
"Who said I was going to take them away?"
Lin Yuan stood up.
He stretched his neck, producing cracking sounds.
"That is my sustenance."
"I am only responsible for eating."
"Whatever I can't finish, the remaining scraps, I can reward you with as payment for errands."
Xiao Zhenhai stared at Lin Yuan.
If he refused.
Tonight, the Black Shark Gang might be annihilated under a three-way attack.
Or they might be destroyed right now by the lunatic in front of him.
If he agreed.
Although he would lose wealth.
He could use a borrowed knife to kill, seizing the opportunity to dominate the Nine Rings Archipelago.
For an ambitious person.
Power and survival always outweighed money.
"Fine."
Xiao Zhenhai was a decisive man.
He slapped the table.
"Deal!"
"As long as Young Master Lin can help me eliminate the Sea Wave Society's Emissary, the Black Shark Gang will not take a single cent from that mineral vein!"
"Now that's more like it."
Lin Yuan stood up, satisfied.
"I like dealing with smart people."
"It saves trouble because I don't have to use my brain."