Chapter 406: The Price Increase
Chapter 406: The Price Increase
As the motorcycle squad emerged from the tunnel, they slowed down and came to a halt in front of the group. Leading them was a woman wearing a motorcycle helmet and a stab-proof vest.
After stopping, she removed her helmet, revealing her face.
She was likely in her early twenties, with short hair cut at ear-length, sharp eyes, and eyebrows like the edge of a blade. Her cheekbones were distinct, and her nose was straight, but when her features came together, they formed a stunning appearance.
She exuded a capable and efficient aura. After dismounting from her motorcycle, she gave a few concise instructions, and her subordinates immediately set to work.
It was evident that she held considerable authority here. Since her arrival, the camp seemed to have found its backbone, and the atmosphere gradually calmed down.
Lu Ke spoke to Chen Chuan again, "That's Senior Sister Nan."
At this moment, Yu Gang spoke up, "Her name is Lan Shenan. Her father was my good friend. When she was nine years old, she learned combat techniques from me. After her father passed away, she followed her mother to Central City. It was around that time that I returned to Yangzhi, and I took Little Ke as my disciple."
Chen Chuan nodded. From the timing, this student had been taught by Yu Gang from childhood to adulthood, so their relationship was indeed quite close.
Yu Gang continued, "She is talented and has high natural aptitude. If she had focused on martial arts, her achievements would be even greater by now."
After Lan Shenan arrived, she went to the side and discussed with the bearded man and a few others. Chen Chuan noticed that Lao Zhan, who had brought him here, was among them.
However, an argument seemed to break out, and one person stormed off, waving away those who were repairing the vehicles. He got into one of the bullet-riddled cars and drove away.
After Lan Shenan said a few words, someone drove a vehicle to chase after him. Lao Zhan approached her and exchanged a few words, and 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 glances.
She had seen the video footage that Lu Ke had shown her and knew that he was a Tier Three Fighter. So, she spoke with added formality, "This must be Brother Chen, right? Nice to meet you." She extended her hand and introduced herself, "I'm Lan Shenan."
Chen Chuan shook hands with her and said, "Captain Lan, you're too kind."
Lan Shenan said, "I'm sorry. We rarely have guests here, and we should have taken better care of you. But now we have some issues to deal with, and I need to handle them first." She then turned to Lu Ke, "Little Ke, you take care of our guest for me."
Lu Ke replied, "Don't worry, Senior Sister. Besides, Chen Ge isn't an outsider."
Chen Chuan added, "Captain Lan, you're too kind. Your matters are urgent. If there's anything I can help with, please let me know. Master Yu is my mentor in combat, and he has helped me a lot in the past. Lu Xiaoge is also my friend. With my abilities, I believe I can offer some assistance."
Lan Shenan looked at him with surprise. In her impression, Tier Three Fighters were usually self-willed and had peculiar temperaments, but Chen Chuan seemed very polite and approachable.
She nodded and said, "Excuse me for a moment." Then, she walked to the other side of the tunnel, seemingly using a Boundary Token to communicate with someone. After a while, she called out, "Old Cao, Uncle Shen, Xiao Ding, Sister Yun, all of you come over here."
When they approached, she said, "I've negotiated with Old Bian, and we'll handle this matter ourselves. He guarantees that the Tier Three Fighter on their side won't take action, but we need to increase the payment and supplies by twenty percent."
"Another twenty percent increase?"
Xiao Ding, the young man with white hair, protested, "Old Bian hasn't done anything!"
Lan Shenan said, "Even if he hasn't done anything, as long as he's there, the Tier Three master on the other side won't act against us. That's the most important thing."
Xiao Ding couldn't help but say, "But he's too greedy. We've lost many territories, and our business isn't as good as before. If we give him another twenty percent, what will we have left to eat? Aren't we working for nothing?"
Uncle Shen was a sixty-year-old man wearing thick glasses and had a kind-hearted appearance. He said, "Little Nan, can we ask Old Bian to lower the price a bit?"
Lan Shenan shook her head, "He initially asked for thirty percent."
Uncle Shen sighed, "Then I'll think of another way. We've all tightened our belts, so we should be able to spare a little more."
"Damn it," Xiao Ding cursed and spat on the ground, "Old Bian is too greedy."
Old Cao, the bearded man, crossed his muscular arms and frowned, "But we have no choice but to rely on Old Bian now."
Sister Yun, a woman in her thirties with a plump figure but a shrewd appearance, said, "Old Bian has us by the throat. He knows that if we don't retaliate, morale will drop. This little extra we can afford won't starve us.
I don't think we necessarily need to rely on Old Bian.
That Chen Ge who came today is said to be Mr. Yu's student..."
She looked at the others, "You don't know, but he's a Tier Three Fighter, and apparently a master. I think we should ask him to step in."
"Tier Three?"
"Really?"
Old Cao was taken aback. He had initially thought that Chen Chuan was similar to Lan Shenan, but he never expected that he was a Tier Three Fighter.
Xiao Ding's eyes lit up, and he immediately expressed his opinion, "If we have to give two-tenths, I'd rather give it to Chen Xiao Ge than to that greedy Lao Bian!"
Lan Shenan spoke seriously, "I don't recommend involving Chen Xiao Ge. This is our own business, and there's no need to drag others into it. Moreover, Chen Xiao Ge is from the Upper District and has a proper identity. Even if he can solve our problem once, can he keep helping us in the future? Things will only get more complicated."
Everyone fell silent, as this was a practical issue.
Xiao Ding, however, disagreed. If Chen Chuan could really help them, the other party would know about their connection and might not dare to cause trouble. But it was clear that Xiao Ding's influence within the team was insufficient.
Uncle Shen said, "Let's leave it at that for now."
Old Cao agreed, "Lao Bian is greedy, but we've relied on him in the past. I say we go ahead with it."
Yun Jie said, "Ai, I was just saying that earlier."
Lan Shenan had made up her mind. Seeing Lu Ke and Chen Chuan returning to the RV, she walked back, leaving only Yu Gang standing there. She smiled and said, "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 crutch."
Yu Gang said, "I've been like this for a long time. There's no rush. Xiao Nan, I've told you before, 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.
Just then, a communication came through on the boundary token. She said, "Lao Bian is looking for me." She took a few steps away and answered the call. Her eyebrows, like swords, rose slightly, "What? Another two-tenths?"
A deep voice came from the other end, "Yes, another two-tenths."
In the 619 book bar, there's a flawless version!
Lan Shenan frowned, "We just agreed, why change again?"
The voice said, "It's not me changing my mind; the other side has changed their decision, and they're very firm. We can't rule out the possibility of a fight.
If I were to clash with them, the outcome is uncertain. This time, it's a life-or-death struggle, so I need more compensation.
Xiao Nan, you know that I can choose not to fight. I can stay here and look after you all, but it's only because of your mother's sake 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 took some effort to convince them. Please give me some more time."
Lao Bian said, "Uncle Bian understands your situation; it's not easy for you either. But don't take too long, I can afford to wait, but the other side might not."
"Please trouble Uncle Bian to negotiate with them. I'll handle things here as soon as possible."
Lan Shenan ended the call and thought for a moment before walking back.
Yu Gang asked, "Has Lao Bian changed his mind?"
Lan Shenan replied, "Yes, Lao Bian has an informant here, so he's fully aware of everything. I suspect that either Lao Bian doesn't want to fight the other side, or he's found out about Chen Xiao Ge's arrival, so he wants to test us to see if we're planning to replace him with someone else."
Yu Gang spoke in a low voice, "What do you think?"
Lan Shenan said decisively, "I know Lao Bian is greedy, and with people like him, it's better not to use them at all than to offend them. He's good at causing trouble, but not at getting things done.
He's never given back what he's taken. If I agree to his terms today, it will continue like this in the future.
I brought the team together so that we could all have a better life. In the past, I endured for the team's sake, but now he's crossed the line. I don't want to go along with his demands anymore."
She raised her head and said calmly, "Master, I originally didn't want to bother Chen Xiao Ge because this isn't his business, and there's no need to involve him. But now, it seems I have no other choice. I want to talk to him."
Chen Chuan was chatting with Lu Ke in the RV when he saw Yu Gang and Lan Shenan approaching, seemingly with something on their minds. When they reached a closer distance, Yu Gang said to him, "Xiao Nan wants to discuss something with you."
Chen Chuan nodded.
Yu Gang said, "You two talk. I'll call Lu Ke over."
Lan Shenan said, "Chen Xiao Ge, I'll be straightforward. The team is facing some difficulties and might need a Tier Three Fighter's help. So, we'd like to ask for your assistance."
She spoke sincerely, "We will offer a satisfactory employment price. But I know that our matter has nothing to do with you, Chen Xiao Ge. So, if you're unwilling, we won't bother you."
Chen Chuan looked at her and said, "Captain Lan, there's no need to be so polite. As I said earlier, Teacher Yu and Lu Xiao Ge are here too. If there's anything I can help with, I will. Tell me the specific situation."
...
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(End of Chapter)
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