Chapter 406: Raising the Price
Chapter 406: Raising the Price
As the two-wheeled motor vehicles exited the tunnel entrance, they slowed down and came to a halt before the crowd. Leading the pack was a woman wearing a motorcycle helmet and a stab-proof vest.
After coming to a stop, she removed her helmet, revealing her face.
She was probably in her early twenties, with short hair cut at the ears, sharp eyes, eyebrows like blades, and distinct facial features. Her nose was straight, but when all her features came together, she was strikingly beautiful.
She exuded an air of efficiency. After dismounting the vehicle, she gave a few brief instructions, and her subordinates immediately set to work.
It was evident that she held considerable influence here. Since her arrival, the vehicle camp seemed to have found its center, and the atmosphere gradually calmed down.
Lu Hao spoke to Chen Chuan again, "That's Nan Shijie."
Yu Gang spoke up at this moment, "Her name is Lan Shenan. Her father was a good friend of mine. When she was nine years old, she followed me to learn combat techniques until her father passed away. Then she came to Central City with her mother. At that time, I had returned to Yangzhi, and it was then that I took Xiao Ke as my disciple."
Chen Chuan nodded, indicating that from a chronological perspective, this student was someone Yu Gang had taught from a young age until adulthood, which indeed made their relationship quite close.
Yu Gang continued, "In fact, she is talented and has a high aptitude. If she could focus on her martial arts, her achievements would be even greater by now."
After Lan Shenan arrived, she walked to the side and began discussing with the bearded man and several others. Chen Chuan noticed that the man who had brought him here, Lao Zhan, was also there.
However, it seemed like an argument broke out, and one person stormed off angrily. He shoved aside those who were repairing the vehicles and got into one of the bullet-riddled cars, driving it away directly.
Lan Shenan said a few words, and then one person drove a vehicle to chase after the departing vehicle. At this moment, Zhan approached her and exchanged a few words. She glanced at Yu Gang and Chen Chuan before walking towards them.
When she reached Yu Gang, she greeted him first, "Master." As she looked at Chen Chuan, she couldn't help but give him a few more appraising looks.
She had seen the recording that Lu Ke had shown her and knew that he was a Third Limit Fighter, so she spoke respectfully, "This must be Chen Xiaoge, right? Nice to meet you." She took the initiative to extend her hand and introduced herself, "I'm Lan Shenan."
Chen Chuan shook her hand and said, "Hello, Captain Lan."
Lan Shenan said, "Sorry, we rarely have guests here, and I should have welcomed you properly. But now we have some issues to deal with, so I need to go handle them first." She then turned to Lu Ke, "Xiao Ke, you'll have to take care of our guests for me."
Lu Ke replied, "Don't worry, Shijie. Besides, Chen Xiaoge isn't an outsider."
Chen Chuan said, "Captain Lan, you're too kind. Your matters are important. If there's anything I can help with, please let me know. Master Yu is my martial arts mentor, and he has helped me a lot in the past. Lu Ke is also my friend. If there are any difficulties, I believe that with my abilities, I can at least offer some assistance."
Lan Shenan looked at him with a hint of surprise. In her impression, Third Limit Fighters were usually eccentric and temperamental, but Chen Chuan seemed extremely polite and well-spoken.
She nodded and said, "Excuse me," before walking alone towards the tunnel. She seemed to be communicating with a Boundary Vessel and someone else. After a while, she called out, "Old Cao, Shen Uncle, Xiao Ding, Yun Jie, all of you come over here."
Once these people gathered, she said, "I've coordinated with Lao Bian, and we'll handle this ourselves. He guarantees that the Third Limit Fighter on the other side won't take action against us, but the money and supplies we give him need to be increased by another twenty percent."
"Another twenty percent?"
Xiao Ding, the young man with the white hair, shouted, "Lao Bian hasn't done anything!"
Lan Shenan said, "Even if he hasn't done anything, as long as he's there, the Third Limit Master on the other side won't take action against us. That's the most important thing."
Xiao Ding couldn't hold back his frustration, "We've already lost many territories, and our business isn't as good as before. Now we have to give him another twenty percent. Are we just working for nothing, brothers?"
Shen Shu was a sixty-year-old elder wearing thick-lensed glasses. He had the appearance of an old man and said, "Xiao Nan, can you ask Lao Bian to lower his demands a bit more?
Lan Shenan shook her head, "He initially asked for thirty percent."
Shen Shu sighed, "Then I'll think of another way. Everyone's tightening their belts, so we might be able to spare a little more."
"Damn it," Xiao Ding cursed and spat on the ground, "Lao Bian is too greedy."
Lao Cao, the bearded man, crossed his muscular arms and frowned, "But right now, we can only rely on Lao Bian."
Yun Jie was a woman in her thirties with a curvy figure. She looked like a capable woman and said, "Lao Bian has us by the throat. He knows that without him, our morale will falter. This is something we can afford to give, and I think we don't necessarily have to rely on Lao Bian.
Today, we have Chen Xiaoge, who is said to be Master Yu's student..."
She looked around, "You don't know this, but he's a Third Limit Fighter and a master. I think we should ask him to help us."
"Third Limit?"
"Really?"
Old Cao was taken aback. Initially, he thought Chen Chuan was just like Lan Shenan, but he never expected him to be a Third Limit Fighter.
Xiao Ding's eyes lit up, and he immediately expressed his opinion, "If we're giving two-tenths, I'd rather give it to that Little Brother Chen than to that greedy Old Bian!"
Lan Shenan spoke seriously, "I don't recommend involving Little Brother Chen. This is our own business, and there's no need to drag others into it. Moreover, Little Brother Chen is from the Upper City with a proper identity. Even if he can help us resolve this issue once, can he continue to help us in the future? Things will only get more complicated."
Everyone fell silent. It was a practical concern.
However, Xiao Ding didn't agree. If Chen Chuan could truly help them resolve the issue, the other side would know about their connection, and they might not dare to act recklessly. But it was clear that his influence within the team was insufficient.
Uncle Shen suggested, "Let's leave it at that for now."
Old Cao agreed, "Old Bian is greedy, but we've managed to get by with his help in the past. I think we should proceed with this."
Huan Jie sighed, "I was just saying."
Lan Shenan had made up her mind. She saw Lu Hao returning to the camper with Chen Chuan, and only Yu Gang was still standing there. She walked back and smiled, "This time, I've found a suitable implant source for Master. It should match him, and he'll be able to get rid of the cane."
Yu Gang said, "I've been like this for a long time. There's no rush. Little Nan, as I said, take care of yourself and focus on the present. Don't worry too much about me; I'm not much use anyway."
Lan Shenan just smiled.
At that moment, a communication sound came from the Boundary Vessel. She said, "Old Bian is looking for me." She walked a few steps away and answered the call. Her expression turned serious as she said, "What? Another two-tenths?"
A deep voice came from the other end, "Yes, another two-tenths."
Lan Shenan frowned, "We just agreed on the terms. Why the change?"
The voice replied, "It's not that I want to change, but the other side has changed their mind, and they're very firm. I can't rule out the possibility of a fight.
If I were to clash with them, the outcome is uncertain. This time, I'm risking my life, so I need more compensation.
Little Nan, you know I could just walk away, but I'm staying here for the sake of your mother and our past team relationship.
If you're unwilling, I won't force you."
Lan Shenan said, "Uncle Bian, I just discussed it with the team, and it wasn't easy to convince them. Please give me some more time."
Old Bian said, "Uncle Bian understands your situation, and it's not easy for you either. But don't take too long. Uncle Bian can wait, but the other side might not be so patient."
"Please help me stall Uncle Bian, and I'll handle things here as soon as possible."
Lan Shenan ended the call and stood there, deep in thought. She then walked back.
Yu Gang asked, "Old Bian changed his mind?"
Lan Shenan nodded, "Yes, Old Bian has an informant in our team, so he knows everything. I think Old Bian either doesn't want to fight the other side or knows about Little Brother Chen coming here, so he wants to test us and see if we're trying to replace him."
Yu Gang spoke in a low voice, "What's your take on this?"
Lan Shenan replied decisively, "I know Old Bian is greedy, and with people like him, it's better not to use them than to offend them. He might not be good at getting things done, but he's even better at causing trouble.
He's never given back what he's taken, and if I agree to his terms today, it'll be like this forever.
I brought the team here so that we could all live better lives. In the past, I endured for the team, but now he's stepping on the team, and I don't want to follow his lead anymore."
She raised her head and said calmly, "Master, I didn't plan to trouble Little Brother Chen, as this isn't his business. There's no need to involve him, but now I don't seem to have any other choice. I want to talk to him."
Chen Chuan was chatting with Lu Hao on the camper side when he noticed Yu Gang and Lan Shenan approaching. It seemed they had something to discuss. When they got closer, Yu Gang said to him, "Little Nan wants to discuss something with you."
Chen Chuan nodded.
Yu Gang said, "You two talk. I'll leave with Lu Hao." Then he signaled Lu Hao to leave.
Lan Shenan said, "Little Brother Chen, I'll be straightforward. Our team is facing some difficulties, and we need the help of a Third Limit Fighter. So, we'd like to ask you for a favor."
She spoke earnestly, "We'll offer a hiring price that will satisfy you. But if Little Brother Chen is unwilling, we find such a person?"
Chen Chuan looked at her and said, "Captain Lan, there's no need to be so polite. I said earlier, Teacher Yu and Lu Hao are here. If there's anything I can help with, I'll do my best. Just tell me the details."
...
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(End of Chapter)
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