To be honest, Zhou Chen didn’t want to aid the enemy. Unfortunately, the Poisonous Sore Gang and the Salvation Army were simply too weak. They had too few high-level fighters and would shatter at the first clash if they went to war with the Government Army. When that happened, this Clone of his would probably have to "die a heroic death."

Losing the Clone was one thing, but Zhou Chen was reluctant to give up "Siegfried’s" status here. Even if he did nothing, the Poisonous Sore Gang would constantly send people for him to brainwash. If the Salvation Army really did go to war with the Government Army in the future, every government soldier on the battlefield would be a target for his brainwashing. That was tens of thousands of potential "new employees." An opportunity this good could only be found in a war-torn country. Otherwise, the Star Association would have already cracked down hard on him, leaving no room to stir up trouble.

Sometimes, a person’s moral compass needed to be flexible. If he could get stronger just by buying something from the "Merchant," why wouldn’t he? Besides, looking at it from another angle, wasn’t the "Merchant" also aiding the enemy—unless he refused to sell, that is.

Furthermore, the "Prophet" had never specifically told him not to do this. Maybe it was all part of the plan.

’Might as well just go with the flow.’

·

「Morning.」

A disguised Zhou Chen arrived at the factory and asked for Mike by name.

A few minutes later, Mike rushed into the office. Zhou Chen was taken aback when he saw him.

The single Gold Coin spinning above Mike’s head had become two.

’More Gold Coins...’ Zhou Chen stared at the two coins, deep in thought.

To prevent others from noticing anything unusual about Wick’s family, he had instructed them to act as they normally would. As a result, it was only natural that Mike had married Wick’s third daughter and become a manager at the factory. The sudden appearance of an extra Gold Coin above his head was most likely due to this change in his status.

’The higher a Trader’s personal value, the more Gold Coins they have above their head?’

An idea began to form in Zhou Chen’s mind, and he grew eager to test it.

"Wick, go draw up a contract. Transfer all the assets in your name to Mike and make him the owner of the three factories."

"Yes."

Wick, who loved money more than his own life, immediately went to prepare it. He now followed Zhou Chen’s commands with unquestioning faith, absolute loyalty, and perfect obedience.

Soon, Wick printed out an asset transfer contract. After signing it himself, he had Mike sign it as well, then stamped it with the official company seal.

Zhou Chen kept a close watch on the top of Mike’s head, but the scene he had imagined didn’t materialize—after the company seal was stamped, the number of Gold Coins above Mike’s head did not increase.

’A private property transfer doesn’t count?’ Zhou Chen mused, rubbing his chin. It seemed they would have to go to a proper asset management department.

If he remembered correctly, he had also brainwashed the staff at the Rusted Iron City Government’s asset management department. That would certainly make things much more convenient.

「Twenty minutes later.」

Zhou Chen led the two men to the city government’s asset management department and went through the official procedure to transfer the assets.

The moment Mike became the actual owner of the three factories, the number of Gold Coins above his head suddenly exploded to twenty.

Just then, a surprised voice called out from nearby:

"Boss Wick?"

A bloated, heavyset man walked up with a smile and shook Wick’s hand warmly. "Boss Wick, it’s been too long! I don’t know if you remember me, but we met once at a party last month."

Wick thought for a moment before it dawned on him. "Mr. Maxim?"

"The very same," the heavyset man said, nodding with a chuckle. "Boss Wick, I was actually planning on paying you a visit. I never thought I’d run into you here... As it happens, I have a business proposal I’d like to discuss with you. Why don’t we cut to the chase?"

"Go on."

"You know that iron mine they dug up on the outskirts of Rusted Iron City a while back? Well, I bought it, and now I’m looking for a steel processing plant. I was wondering if you might be interested in a partnership?"

"The quality of the steel from our Wick Steel Processing Plant is second to none in the surrounding cities. You’ve come to the right place. However, I’ve already handed the factory over to my son-in-law to manage. You can discuss the details with him." Wick pointed to Mike, who was standing beside him.

"This is your son-in-law?" Maxim sized up the thuggish-looking Mike from head to toe, then immediately put on a smiling face. "What a fine, upstanding young man! You’re a lucky man, Boss Wick, to find such an excellent son-in-law. Your daughter must be very happy... And what should I call this boss?"

"Mike."

"Boss Mike, are you interested in the partnership I mentioned?"

"Of course I am. Should we find a place to discuss the details?"

"Excellent."

...

Zhou Chen watched them leave without interfering.

This was clearly the effect of "Unequal Trade" at work, making Mike ridiculously lucky—he was running into all sorts of influential people and getting precious opportunities. With the cognitive interference generated by "Unequal Trade," no business deal would be a problem for Mike. He could smoothly close any agreement.

If that boss named Maxim had a daughter, he might even marry her off to Mike just because he found the young man so agreeable.

From this perspective, "Unequal Trade" was terrifyingly powerful. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say it could defy fate itself, allowing anyone to reach the pinnacle of their life. Unfortunately, the side effects were too deadly. Every Trader would eventually be forced to pay a steep price, equivalent to making a deal with a Demon.

Watching Mike’s retreating figure, Zhou Chen thought to himself, ’I’ll let Mike grow on his own for a while. I’ll harvest him once he has more Gold Coins on his head. But I have to get the timing right, or the "Merchant" might beat me to it and collect his payment... Hmm... He probably looks down on Mike’s meager fortune...

Rusted Iron City must have other Traders. I need to find them...’

As the thought crossed his mind, Zhou Chen made a corresponding wish.