NOVEL NEXT Chapter 42: The Sunlit Path
Chapter 42: The Sunlit Path
On the other side, at the Mitter Auction House, Yafei was holding a freshly obtained report.
In the past two days, both the Xiao and Jia Lie families had been quite active.
Even Yafei had to admit that these two families held significant power in Wutan City, and naturally, she paid close attention to them.
Mercenaries?
Yafei pondered as she looked at the report in front of her.
Why were these two families contacting mercenaries almost simultaneously?
"Is there any more information?" Yafei asked, putting down the parchment in her hand.
A subordinate standing in front of Yafei replied, "It seems both families are inquiring about something from the mercenaries in Wutan City, related to someone named Zhang Kaitao. However, the reason for their search hasn't been disclosed by either family."
Yafei nodded.
Mercenaries were not averse to trading information.
As long as there was enough gold, even if they had been paid to keep quiet, they could still be persuaded to talk.
Yafei lay lazily on the sofa, rubbing her temples, feeling somewhat headache.
However, since the two families hadn't revealed the reason for their inquiries to the mercenaries, there was no way to proceed.
Yafei's eyes narrowed, contemplating whether to get involved.
There were few reasons that could prompt both families to act simultaneously.
In Yafei's view, it was very likely that Zhang Kaitao possessed something highly desirable, and both families had received this information.
Being the future Golden Queen, Yafei's mind was sharp, and her guess was very close to the truth.
After all, Zhang Kaitao was currently equivalent to a mobile fourth-grade pill, a true treasure.
After some thought, Yafei decided on a course of action. She took out a bag full of gold coins from her storage ring and tossed it to her subordinate.
"No family is completely united; there will always be those who are willing to betray for the right price. You know what to do. Go, I want to know the motives of the Xiao and Jia Lie families within a day."
The subordinate caught the bag, his heart leaping with joy, and quickly responded, "Yes!"
He left the room, weighing the bag in his hand, feeling even more delighted.
The gold coins were obviously meant to bribe people from the two families, and any leftovers would naturally be his.
He stepped out of the Mitter Auction House, filled with motivation.
Yafei walked to the window, opened it, and gazed at the moon.
She knew exactly what her subordinate was thinking.
That was the effect she wanted. Without some incentive, why would her subordinates work diligently?
To work themselves to death for two thousand coins? That's a joke!
The usual excuses of lack of experience, not deserving high wages, being lucky to have a job in this market, and still wanting high wages?
Might as well resign if you're that unhappy!
...
At the Xiao family.
Xiao Yan's eyes lit up, as if he had thought of a good idea.
"Father, I have an idea that might help?"
Xiao Zhan looked up, somewhat surprised. He and the three elders had discussed for so long without finding a solution, yet Yan'er had thought of something so quickly?
Xiao Zhan, with a mentality of trying anything in a desperate situation, said to Xiao Yan, "Let's hear it."
"Since this Zhang Kaitao is a mercenary, he must need to resupply his materials. And in this Wutan City, if he wants to buy supplies, he will inevitably go to the market."
Xiao Yan shared his thoughts.
Xiao Zhan's eyes lit up, "Yes, the market! Now the market is under the control of our Xiao family and the Jia Le family. Just by deploying more people in the market for these few days, we won't have trouble finding Zhang Kaitao's trace."
This was much easier than the aimless search in the Magic Beast Mountain Range they had been conducting for the past two days.
However, Xiao Zhan frowned immediately.
The plan was indeed good, and with five days left, as long as Zhang Kaitao appeared in the market, he would certainly be caught.
But there was a problem: even if they could find Zhang Kaitao in the market, they couldn't be sure which market he would appear in.
What if he went to the market of the Jia Le family? Then they would lose the fourth-grade medicinal pill.
Xiao Zhan furrowed his brows and shared his concerns with Xiao Yan.
"Medicinal pills."
Upon hearing Xiao Zhan's problem, Xiao Yan just smiled slightly and said two words.
Xiao Zhan's eyes shone. Right, medicinal pills.
Their Xiao family's market had Master Han's first-grade healing medicine.
Zhang Kaitao, as a Dou Shi expert, would certainly not skimp on the money and buy those inferior herbs prepared by pharmacists.
He would definitely come to buy the unique first-grade healing medicine from their Xiao family's market!
"Brilliant!"
Xiao Zhan clapped his hands in praise. "My son, even if your Dou Qi has dissipated, you are not a mediocre person!"
Seeing this, a smile also appeared on Xiao Yan's face.
He felt a sense of satisfaction in being able to help, which prevented him from feeling like a worthless freeloader or a parasite.
"Father, not only that. During this time, we can also concentrate the medicinal pills in one market for sale. This will also allow us to focus our manpower more and make it easier to capture him."
Xiao Zhan stroked his beard and nodded.
Xiao Yan was right.
They only needed to announce to the outside that there was a recent shortage of medicinal pills.
By recalling the medicinal pills from other markets and concentrating them in one market, Zhang Kaitao would be trapped.
After taking over the Obad family's market, their Xiao family now owned more than ten markets.
These ten-plus markets were far apart, and if they deployed personnel at each location, it would inevitably lead to a shortage of manpower. Even if they found traces, it might allow him to escape.
But it would be different with only one market. Not to mention others, just himself and the three elders of the Xiao family would make it impossible for Zhang Kaitao to escape!
"Yan'er, you've really helped a lot this time!"
Xiao Zhan laughed heartily, expressing his joy to Xiao Yan.
"It's good to be able to help father."
After receiving a solution from Xiao Yan, Xiao Zhan didn't stay any longer. He quickly called out the three elders and discussed further in the hall.
Meanwhile, in the Jia Lie family, Jia Lie Bi and a bald middle-aged man were sitting opposite each other in the hall.
This person was named Chen Tuqiang, the weapon tycoon of Wutan City, holding the largest share of weapon sales in Wutan City.
"Hehe, Mr. Chen, long time no see."
Jia Le Bi was noticeably polite, speaking with a smile.
Chen Tuqiang frowned. There's no such thing as a free lunch; Jia Lie Bi had some motive for calling him today.
Chen Tuqiang was somewhat wary, not understanding Jia Le Bi's intentions.
Although he was a figure in Wutan City, his power was still far inferior to that of the Jia Le family.
The most significant difference was in strength; his group's strongest member was only an eight-star Dou Shi.
Although he didn't know what Jia Le Bi was planning, Chen Tuqiang still managed a smile.
Pretending to get along is a necessary skill for adults, especially in front of someone more powerful than yourself...
"Yes, I didn't expect to have the honor of visiting the Jia Le family today. I'm fortunate because of you."
(End of chapter)
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