The hover-SUV slowly drove out of the city.
Sitting in the vehicle, Yu Lian once again felt the truth that plans never keep up with changes.
Autumn Mountain Yawata, from Central Defense University's 830th class, a “Moon People” who could become a General just by not seeking death, was actually the young master of Kuki-gumi, one of the Commonwealth’s largest gangs.
Seriously, what’s wrong with military academies nowadays? Don't they need political vetting for student recruitment?
“I have a paternal uncle who’s a Congressman, a cousin who’s a mayor, and another cousin who’s a famous journalist.
Our family is a gentry family with deep roots and a clean background; we are good citizens of the Commonwealth!”
Hmm, realistic enough!
Any gangster with a bit of brains would operate this way.
“So, just now, did you use Psychokinesis on that person too? The move that made him instantly lose his casting ability and get stuck in the wall?”
Evidently, Yawata, being a spiritual energy user enthusiast, was more interested in this; he wore glasses and maintained a poker face, but his eyes were constantly glowing.
“That was Mind Lash.
Ordinary Psychokinesis can’t deal with spiritual energy users,” Yu Lian said.
“What you used on my subordinate just now was Psychokinesis, right? If you can achieve psychological suggestion so easily every time, wouldn’t that be an unsolvable move?”
“The reason your subordinate was susceptible to my suggestion was because he was emotionally agitated and completely unprepared, plus he was startled and had his mind seized by my initial heavy punch to the face.
Most of the time, my little trick wouldn't work on him.
Don't worry, he might not be suitable for deeper secrets, but he’s still very trustworthy.
So far, he’s actually the most strong-willed person among those who have fallen victim to my mental suggestion.”
“…So, Bane, whom you attacked last time, was the weakest one then?”
Yu Lian recalled for a few seconds before realizing that “Bane” was probably the rich playboy extra he had dealt with at school in front of Wien and the others last time, then he shook his head and said, “No, the previous president of your Brotherhood, the famous Mr. Welier, was the weakest one.”
When did Welier get dealt with by you?
Yawata was a bit confused, but then suddenly remembered the widely publicized “Welier Peeping Incident” on February 1st, and immediately understood.
He felt like laughing, but to maintain his persona, he could only stiffly push his glasses up again and slowly said, “Indeed interesting, but I’m not too surprised.”
“Also, my basic Psychokinesis only stays at the level of psychological suggestion and verbal Induction.
If I were to use it on you or Wien, it would likely backfire, making me easily injured, and the damage would be at the soul level.
You know, no matter how severe a physical injury, it can be healed by soaking in a culture dish, but mental damage isn’t that easy to fix.”
“So, that’s why you chose Mind Lash… Hmm, this skill is new to me; I must record it well.”
He picked up his terminal and started typing away furiously.
Yu Lian said helplessly, “So, can you tell me what’s going on now?”
Autumn Mountain Yawata probably felt he had lost his composure a bit, so he cleared his throat and then seriously explained, “Actually, it’s quite simple to explain.
Our Kuki-gumi is preparing for a major expansion into Big Apple City.
However, the Norman Gang from Old Europe has the same intention, which naturally led to conflict with us.”
“Oh, turf war! Understandable…”
“If it were just a turf war, that would be fine.
The situation in Big Apple City right now is such that everyone is eyeing this lucrative piece of meat, which is understandable.”
Yes, Big Apple City and its vicinity, extending all the way to the Great Lakes region on the eastern coast of the New World, has always been one of the most concentrated industrial areas on Earth.
For example, in Big Apple City alone, there are two colossal enterprises: the New World Metallurgical Consortium and the Big Apple Heavy Machinery Group.
These two companies alone employ nearly a million workers.
However, after the Commonwealth Government decided to cease subsidies for heavy industrial enterprises and open up the market, most industrial companies found themselves in difficult straits.
It was at this time that the New World Metallurgical Consortium took the lead in reaching a cooperation agreement with Xiandanu Heavy Industries from the Alliance, introducing their capital and technology, and deciding to directly build the most advanced orbital refining production lines in outer space.
This type of metallurgical equipment has lower costs and higher efficiency, and apart from some military security concerns, it is superior to traditional ground factories in every aspect.
However, in this “peaceful era” where the All-Galaxy is busy developing the New World, military security concerns are not even considered an issue.
…Of course, this also means fewer workers are needed.
Subsequently, the Aphro Commerce Chamber, from the Toss Merchant Group Nation, reached a series of cooperation agreements with the Big Apple City government.
This massive inter-stellar enterprise is said to specialize in creating beautiful, fashionable, and harmonious garden cities.
The future Big Apple City is sure to become the pearl of the Solar System.
Regardless of whether this decision is right or wrong, the city will face a significant degree of turbulence for a long time, with a large number of unemployed people gathering in the city's shadows, barely surviving.
Such an environment, of course, also becomes a breeding ground for the expansion of criminal organizations.
“We are not a criminal organization, but a vibrant social group!
Although that sounds a bit hypocritical, in our Kuki-gumi territory, we manage what the police don’t, and what the government doesn’t!
We fix light bulbs, clear drains, and mediate neighborhood disputes—we handle it all!
The areas we manage are definitely the safest places in the entire city!” Autumn Mountain Yawata pushed up his glasses.
…Written as a gang, read as a neighborhood committee!
Yu Lian scoffed at this typical self-aggrandizement and really wanted to discuss with the other party what a truly vibrant social organization should be like, but he knew it wasn't the right time.
“Furthermore, we’re not just seizing territory; after all, we’re not a gang, but a vibrant social group, and we’ve developed some industries here.
However, a few days ago, people from the Norman Gang came to our door, demanding to buy shares…”
The businesses run by gangs, needless to say, must be the kind of highly profitable ventures that, as Mentor Ma said, are enough to trample all human ethics and morals, and they certainly don't lack capital.
To say they wanted to buy shares was essentially a demand for money.
It went without saying that Autumn Mountain Yawata and his people would certainly not agree.
“They originally said they were going to come back to talk, but I never expected them to completely break ties.
They actually sent people to ambush us directly…”
“A spiritual energy user of the Second Ring actually works for a gang?
Is your gang doing too well lately, or have spiritual energy users really fallen to this extent?”
“The Norman Gang doesn’t have that much clout.
However, there are rumors that the Norman Gang has some connection with the All-Unification Church.
This spiritual energy user might be a member of that cult.” Autumn Mountain said, “However, judging from the situation just now, this possibility is quite high.”
Yu Lian pursed his lips, feeling no fear, but rather a bit annoyed.
This largest cult within the Commonwealth, during the tumultuous years of the future, grew like a swarm of rats feeding in a filthy sewer.
However, these guys were, after all, just a group of shady cultists; once noticed by true big figures, they quickly disintegrated under higher-dimensional attacks.
Of course, even at their peak, they didn't cause any truly shocking major incidents, but the disgusting things they did were truly endless.
Compared to Lieutenant General Minqi Vincent, who absolutely must be killed, they were nothing.
Compared to my Shirley, they were even further behind.
“Cults and gangs… they certainly mix together most easily,” Yu Lian said.
Autumn Mountain Yawata, also from a gang background, felt offended and really wanted to tell the other party that gangs are not all the same, but then he heard Yu Lian say again, “But what does this have to do with Black Moon Earl?”
“…”
“You specifically made a trip to the Shared Foundation, wasn’t it to investigate his identity? What, you guys even offended him?”
Yu Lian scrutinized the other party, “If that’s really the case, Brother Yawata, it’s truly hard to say who the bad guys are.”
Autumn Mountain Yawata gave a wry smile and sighed, “…As far as I know, our organization truly hasn't offended that big shot.
However, we were already preparing for battle against the Norman Gang and the All-Unification Church, when we suddenly received a black letter from Black Moon Earl, saying he would be visiting soon.
This really makes one imagine things!”
“…This, perhaps it’s just a coincidence,” Yu Lian said.
The dignified First Thief of Earth, Black Moon Earl, famous for hundreds of years, even if he was short on money recently, he wouldn't stoop to this level, would he?
Moreover, Yu Lian had dealt with him in his previous life, and he didn't seem to be so short on money that he needed to fight others for territory.
“Of course, I also don’t want to believe that the esteemed Black Moon Earl would collude with the Norman Gang and the All-Unification Church, but that’s just my hope.
The industries here, this newly established branch, are all very important for the future of the organization; I cannot sit idly by!”
He sighed silently and said, “I don’t expect to find out Black Moon Earl’s identity, but I still hope to inquire about his objective.
Even finding some reliable communication channels would be a good start.
That’s why I went to the Shared Foundation… and you know what happened next.”
“Your holiday has certainly been busy!”
Perhaps feeling a bit of empathy, Yu Lian couldn’t help but show a touch of sympathy.
Then, he quickly wiped the smile off his face, “So, what kind of business are you actually in now? Can you tell me?”