[Wish Value -1000]

It cost 1,000 points... Zhou Chen wasn’t too surprised. This involved a Tier Four Uncrowned, so it was normal for the cost to be high.

Immediately after, a map of Rusted Iron City appeared in his Spiritual World. It was covered with a dense cluster of small red dots, nearly giving Zhou Chen a flare-up of his *Assassin’s Creed* PTSD.

"Thirty-nine, forty, forty-one... fifty-two, fifty-three... sixty-six, sixty-seven... A total of sixty-seven Traders?"

Zhou Chen couldn’t help but raise his eyebrows. A classified document he had read before contained an analysis of the Merchant. He usually didn’t create Traders on a large scale. In a city with normal levels of order, even three Traders was considered a lot, and more chaotic ones wouldn’t exceed ten. A situation like Rusted Iron City, with sixty-seven Traders appearing all at once, was a first.

’Sixty-seven in Rusted Iron City... The other cities are sure to have plenty as well. The total number of Traders in all of North Carolina is probably terrifying. The Merchant is going for quantity over quality.’

’Casting such a wide net, his behavior is so abnormal... You’d have to be a fool to believe he isn’t preparing for Advancement. I can’t ruin his plan; I can only obstruct it slightly... No, this probably doesn’t even count as a minor obstruction...’

Zhou Chen mulled it over. The Traders developed at a divine speed, so some must have already grown strong. His next targets would be those who were ripe for the picking. He’d leave the ones that hadn’t developed yet and come back to harvest them later.

Having made his decision, Zhou Chen moved quickly. Over the next few hours, he followed the locations in his Spiritual World and dashed all over Rusted Iron City, brainwashing one Trader after another and turning them into loyal subordinates. He also took the Gold Coins from some of their heads along the way.

「The slums. An abandoned factory.」

A newly formed gang was using it as their base of operations.

"Boss, the Poisonous Sore Gang was wiped out by the Government Army! This is our chance. When are we going out to claim territory? The Fierce Tiger Gang’s old stronghold is pretty nice. If we’re too late, another gang will probably take that prime spot."

"What’s there to be afraid of? Are you doubting the boss’s strength? Even if all five of the old major gangs came together, the boss could still obliterate them all! Anyone who dares to fight us for territory, we’ll kill their whole family!"

"Of course not! I’m the boss’s most loyal follower! The boss defeated Poisonous Woman Belina! The boss humiliated Poisonous Woman Belina! The boss is invincible!"

"Enough."

The man sitting on the white plastic chair, cradling his head in thought, let out a cold snort. The handful of gang members immediately fell silent. They felt an immense pressure wash over them, their legs began to tremble uncontrollably, and cold sweat beaded on their foreheads.

The next moment, the man with the terrifying aura lifted his gaze and swept it coldly across the gang members. No one dared to meet his eyes. When the suffocating tension in the air reached its peak, he finally spoke slowly:

"Tonight, we will destroy the Purple Wisteria Gang.

Tomorrow night, we will destroy the Blade Gang.

The night after that, we will destroy the Yamano Gang.

It’s time for the gangs of Rusted Iron City to know the name Reynolds York. And it’s time for a ’King’ to appear in Rusted Iron City’s underworld and establish a new set of rules!"

After a few seconds of silence, the gang members’ cheers echoed throughout the factory.

Reynolds York listened to the cheers and praise with a blank expression. Just a few days ago, he had been just an ordinary gang member. He had the domineering ambition to become the King of the underworld, but not enough Power to achieve it. He could only be a common goon, or even cannon fodder, because he wasn’t an Ascender.

But not long ago, his fate had changed.

He had met a mysterious person and made a deal. The moment the transaction was complete, he awakened as an Ascender, gaining extraordinary, otherworldly Extraordinary Abilities. In the subsequent battles against other Ascenders, he survived multiple near-death experiences, using the brink of death to unlock his potential and cause his strength to skyrocket.

He had also seized the resources of those Ascenders, including precious Alchemy Potions that could enhance Spiritual Power. The defeated Ascenders had spent all their savings to prepare these for themselves, but in the end, he alone enjoyed them all.

By consuming a large number of Alchemy Potions, he leaped from a Tier One Ascender to Tier Two in just three days. With his formidable strength, he gained the support of countless gang members and became the leader of the Iron Fist Gang.

Next, his goal was to become the King of Rusted Iron City’s underworld. After that, he would become the King of Rusted Iron City itself!

An almost imperceptible smile touched the corners of Reynolds York’s mouth, as if he could already see his future, standing above all others.

He even possessed the domineering ambition to become the King of North Carolina!

But in the very next second, all forty-odd gang members, including Reynolds York, shuddered. Immediately after, their eyes became resolute—the kind of look only seen in those with unwavering beliefs, ideals, goals, and dedication.

Zhou Chen strolled leisurely into the factory and looked at the top of the man’s head as he sat on the white plastic chair.

There were thirty Gold Coins there.

’Ascenders really fetch a high price. I wonder if his Extraordinary Abilities will disappear if I take the Gold Coins...’ Zhou Chen thought as he walked up to the man. "What’s your name?"

"Reynolds York," he answered truthfully, his expression solemn. "My former ideal was to become the King of Rusted Iron City’s underworld, but that was too shallow. I now have a much nobler ideal. I will achieve equality for all in North Carolina!"

"Mm, from now on, you’ll work with the Poisonous Sore Gang," Zhou Chen replied casually, reaching for the top of his head.

They were ethereal Gold Coins that ordinary people couldn’t see, yet Zhou Chen felt a solid, cold, and hard sensation as he touched them.

He grabbed one Gold Coin and pulled his hand back. Nothing unusual happened. The coin rested quietly between his fingertips, gleaming with an alluring golden luster.

The symbol on both sides of the coin was the same: a money pouch.

"Do you feel anything?" Zhou Chen asked.

Reynolds took a moment to check, then shook his head. "No."

Zhou Chen took another fifteen Gold Coins. "How about now?"

"I don’t feel anything."

Zhou Chen then proceeded to take all the remaining Gold Coins from Reynolds’s head.

"Still nothing."

’Hmm... so taking the Gold Coins doesn’t affect the Trader himself. The Extraordinary Abilities they gained still exist. By the same logic, any property they acquired should also remain. But the heaven-defying luck and cognitive interference must be gone. Once all the Gold Coins are taken, the "Unequal Trade" is terminated...’ Zhou Chen tightened the pouch of Gold Coins and stuffed it into his backpack.

"Someone will be here in a bit to absorb you into their ranks. What was your gang’s name again?"

"The Iron Fist Gang."

"You’re all part of the Poisonous Sore Gang now."

Zhou Chen waved his hand dismissively and left without a backward glance.

Time to go farm some Gold Coins.

·

「Four hours later.」

Having cleared all the red dots on the map, Master Zhou wiped the sweat from his brow. He looked at the glittering Gold Coins in the heavy money pouch and smiled with satisfaction.

Back in the safe house at the municipal building, Zhou Chen dropped the heavy money pouch onto the conference table with a THUD. "A total of three hundred and forty-seven Gold Coins. We’ll save them up for now. There are still quite a few people whose coins I didn’t take. I plan to let them ’grow’ a bit more before harvesting."

"You’ve worked hard."

The Plague Doctor nodded and motioned for Catherine to put the Gold Coins away before turning to Zhou Chen.

"You’re back just in time. We were discussing our next steps and wanted to hear your suggestions."

"Such as?"

"We’re preparing to advance to the next city."

"Advancing on a new city so soon?" Zhou Chen was a little surprised. ’It’s only been a few days since we took Rusted Iron City. There’s no need to be in such a rush, is there?’

"Because you’re too efficient," the Plague Doctor said. "The number of gang members you’ve brainwashed these past few days is greater than the new blood the Poisonous Sore Gang has recruited in the city. Our expected troop numbers for Rusted Iron City have already been met, and even greatly exceeded. We are more than capable of advancing to the next city. Rusted Iron City doesn’t have an armory. If we can capture a city that does, we won’t have to worry about weapons and equipment, and we can even support the Salvation Army."