"Important chapter, please do not be offended."
"Why is he drunk like this again?"
In an abandoned house in the Second District of the Lower City, Quide's assistant, Nall Rick, looked at Quide with disgust. He was holding a bottle of wine and was now a pool of mud. He waved his hand and asked two young members of the Brotherhood to help him down.
"Lock him up for a day. Let him out when he is sober."
Since he was drunk like this, it seemed that he did not do anything to the child. Rick (he preferred to be called by his surname instead of his first name) revealed a mysterious smile.
Unlike Quide, Nall Rick was an ambitious and capable member of the Brotherhood, Nall Rick's strength had regressed. He was reduced from a thug to a beggar business and was unable to recover from this setback.
He had once studied at the Academy of Accountancy in the southern part of the kingdom. If it was not for his father, who was a scribe, committing a crime, Rick would have been an accountant in a certain city or even a certain family. It was not impossible for him to go one step further and become a businessman in a certain industry. When that time came, he could spend money to buy a lordship and enter the first rank of Constellation's upper class. Three hundred years ago, the Seucader Family, which was symbolized by the Morning Sun Flower, was born like this. Were they not now a prominent and influential family in the kingdom?
However, even if he was reduced to a gangster and forever cut off from the path of nobility, Rick still believed that he was more qualified to be a person who had the right to speak and make decisions in the Brotherhood than his peers whose brains were filled with muscles and women.
When the Brotherhood's business expanded to the southern coast of the kingdom, Rick, who was a thug from the south, was recruited. He used his expertise to plan a few human trafficking chains from the south to the capital and achieved great success. Hence, the higher-ups of the Brotherhood noticed him and promoted him to Eternal Star City, the capital of the kingdom, the heart of Constellation, and the bright pearl city of the Western Continent. They also let him manage the accounts of the Brotherhood's beggars in the capital.
Rick knew that although the higher-ups let him be Quide's assistant and manager of the accounts, it was tantamount to entrusting all the beggar businesses in Eternal Star City to him. Look at his' superior 'Quide. He was a fearsome thug who used axes and knives to make a name for himself in the third district of the lower city. Now, he was a useless person who only knew how to seek dignity from the beggars. If Quide was not the son of a higher-up in the Brotherhood, he would have been trampled on and drowned in the mud of the slums of Eternal Star City.
Moreover, most of the child beggars' losses were caused by him.
Of course, it was also because of this that Quide's father gave him a lot of money every month, allowing Rick to profit from it.
With such a son, if Quide's father was not a big shot in the arms trade, he would have lost his power in the association long ago.
What would happen if a mafia boss lost his power?
Rick shook his head and watched Quide leave.
As for the business of child beggars, compared to the smuggling of drugs and firearms, compared to the trading of Eternal Oil and Crystal Drop Ores, or even compared to the collection of black accounts and the management of the streets, they were all inconspicuous and lowly.
But Rick believed that this was his chance.
The Brotherhood rose quickly, but human trafficking has always been a major source of profit. The Brotherhood's human trafficking chain was complete. From infants to the elderly, from humans to elves, they even dabbled in the intelligent creatures in the faraway Magic Empress' territory. But the most important thing was the source of the Brotherhood's own members. Among them, the 'Black-Hearted Widow' Beth was in charge of collecting and raising infants. At the same time, a portion of them would be sold. The slightly older ones would be sent to Rick to be 'beaten' into child beggars. The slightly older, teenage child beggars would be sent to 'Iron Skin' Loke, who was in charge of training thugs, 'Philanderer' Felicia, who was in charge of training prostitutes, and other special leaders. They would then be trained to become members of the Brotherhood.
So, Rick, who was in charge of the child beggars, believed that he was in the Brotherhood's human trafficking chain. At the same time, he was also the node of the Brotherhood's future blood supply. He was also in charge of the small information network on the streets. Think about it. He was the leader of the Brotherhood when all the new members of the Brotherhood had their first memories. He could see who had a bright future when they were still children, and then he could show them kindness at the right time. In the future …
See, that's why I, Nall Rick, am an ambitious man.
Moreover, Rick was very excited when he thought about this. This was Eternal Star City! Constellation was the capital of the second largest kingdom in the Western Continent. It was the birthplace of the Black Street Brotherhood. Being able to work here meant that the leaders of the Brotherhood would always be able to see you. Being able to see you meant that you would always have the chance to be promoted.
Of course, the chances of causing trouble were not small either.
Fortunately, Rick put his hands behind his back and looked at the drunken Quide who was walking away. He raised his eyebrows. Fortunately, he had this fellow to bear the brunt of the trouble.
Under the moonlight, Rick turned around and continued walking. He looked at the twenty or so Abandoned Houses in front of him. He knew that there were many child beggars in each Abandoned House. These would be the most important seedlings and bargaining chips for him to climb up in the future.
For example, Black Thales in the sixth house. Two years ago, when Beth, who was in charge of the babies, sent him here, she showed a different attitude towards the child.
Sure enough, even though the child was only eight years old (Was it eight or seven?), he was clever and cunning. But he was clever and cunning. A week ago, he even came up with the idea of acting and begging. A cute child was beaten up by other big kids and robbed of his money and food. So, when he hid in a corner and cried alone, the ladies passing by couldn't help but give him more compensation. Rick thought to himself, compared to the annoying child beggars who cried themselves hoarse, the gang lacked people who could use their brains.
This child would definitely climb higher when he grew up.
'I should give him a reward so that I can earn Thales' gratitude. Of course, a reward without a contrast will not make people feel grateful. '
This was the reason why Rick urged Quide to get even with him when the boy who shared the same room with Thales told him that Thales might have hidden some money. Once Quide had beaten Thales to the brink of death, he would step forward to stop him. He would not hesitate to oppose Quide because of this (that trash was only useful). Then, Thales would unconsciously or unconsciously treat him as a backer.
Rick didn't care if every child beggar's allowance was paid in full. This was something that only short-sighted people would care about. Compared to a few copper coins of allowance, Rick knew that favors were more important.
However, that boy … Thales was too smart. Rick knew that regardless of whether Thales gave Quide money or not, the latter would torture him to death. (If Thales really took out the money, it would be even worse.) But obviously, the boy thought of a way to escape. According to common understanding, Quide, who was in high spirits, would 'meticulously' create these disobedient children to entertain himself, regardless of whether they were really disobedient or not.
It did not matter. He still had to do what he had to do. Even if the results were not good, he could just find another reason to let Quide beat him up.
Rick walked to the sixth house and stepped over the broken door.
He saw Thales panting heavily as he lay on the ground in the courtyard, which was overgrown with weeds. Beside him, a few children were applying something on him. 'Oh my god, a few seven- or eight-year-old children are actually planting Urde Dragon Leaves in the courtyard?' Usually, only experienced gang members and poor people who had lived for many years would know that this kind of wild plant could be used as a convenient, quick, and cheap medicinal herb to treat external injuries.
"Ah! Mister Rick! " Cripple Ryan was the first to notice Rick's arrival. The experience of having one of his legs broken made him more sensitive to the surrounding environment.
Quide had been gone for less than an hour. The fear in the courtyard had yet to dissipate. Ned, the boy who snitched on them, still had tear stains on his face. Kellett covered his black face and the eldest child, Sinti, took a step back in fear.
Especially the youngest girl, she was so scared that she screamed.
Back then, Beth had instructed that she was a descendant of an aristocrat with heredity. There was a high possibility that she would be a beauty. She should not be spoiled so that Felicia could train her in the future and they could earn a lot of profits. It was a pity that his child beggar would have to be handed over to the society at the age of ten, or at most twelve. It would be great if he could keep her until she was fifteen … and then send her away. Otherwise, she could have been thirteen.
"Mister Rick!" Thales interrupted Rick's subtle thoughts. He turned his head with difficulty and grimaced in pain because of the injury on his back.
"Ah, I'm sorry, Thales." Rick sighed and showed a pitiful expression. "I couldn't stop him, Quide. After all, I'm only his assistant. I can't afford to offend his backer."
"I could only come over quietly after the incident." Under the cautious gazes of the children, Rick squatted down and checked Thales' injuries worriedly. "Fortunately, he didn't use too much force today. Otherwise …"
"Mister Rick, I'm fine." Thales struggled to speak. "I'm just sorry. My salary last week was really …"
"Forget about the salary!" Rick took the broken bowl from Sinti's hands and poured out the water inside. He plucked a few Urde Dragon Leaves and picked up a stone to grind. "You were sent to me when you were just sensible. In the past few years, I've watched you grow from trembling little fellows to rough children. To me, you're far more important than a few copper coins." Rick's face showed a trace of pain. "At your age, you shouldn't be begging on the streets. But this is the rule of the Brotherhood …"
"Mister Rick." Thales seemed a little touched. He clenched his fists. "I …"
"Come, grind the herbs with a stone. It's more effective than chewing them with your mouth." Rick wiped the herbs in the bowl and personally applied them on Thales. Kellet, who was beside him, bit his lips and whimpered.
"Thank you, Mister Rick," Coria said softly. "If only you were in charge of us and not Quide."
"Don't let Quide hear this." Rick smiled helplessly. "To be honest, I'm very afraid of him."
The children also smiled knowingly. Rick knew that showing common ground and a sense of humor was a good way to make people accept him.
"Thank you very much, Mister Rick," Thales said solemnly. He knew that in many people's eyes, he appeared to be more mature, so there was no need to act like a child.
Rick nodded. "Protect yourself. You're a smart child. I believe you can do it well."
"I have to pay taxes every month, and I don't have much money. Here are thirty coppers. Go to Grove Pharmacy — the one between downtown and Twilight District — and buy some medicine. This should be enough, if the price of the medicine hasn't gone up." Rick seemed to have suddenly remembered something. He handed the bowl to Ned and took out a purse from his waist and handed it to Sinti, who had a blank look on his face. "I have to pay taxes every month, and I don't have much money.
Of course, this money is not enough. Rick thought to himself. He went to Grove Pharmacy a week ago, and coincidentally, the price had just increased. So when the children ran out of cash, they would think it was because of the sudden price increase.
If they didn't have enough money, what could they do? Of course, they could take it from the money they got from begging. This way, they would definitely not have enough money for next week, and then …
"Be careful when you buy the medicine. Don't let others — especially Quide — know about it," Rick said with a smile and stood up.
Of course, Rick thought, Quide would definitely know.
If they did not buy the medicine, it would be even better. Quide would know that they really hid the money.
The corners of Rick's mouth curled up slightly.
At that time, he would be able to gain their final loyalty.
"Mister Rick." Coria looked at the purse in Sinti's hand and was about to cry. "You, you're really a good person."
Ned bit his lip and nodded vigorously.
Even the eldest child, Sinti, was a little touched. He touched the purse in his hand and weighed it.
Rick sighed, shook his head and waved his hand. "No, I should be the one apologizing. This is all I can do for you."
"Mister Rick." Thales lay on the ground, but he looked at Rick with a hesitant expression. "I don't know —"
"Hmm?" Rick raised his eyebrows. "What's wrong?"
"I heard that when we grow up, we will be sent to another place for training." Thales asked carefully, as if he was afraid of offending Rick. "Then, after we receive training, can we work under you?"
Hearing this, Kellet, Ned, and Coria also looked at Rick with hope.
Snap. Rick snapped his fingers in his heart.
Score.
It was faster than expected.
"Haha, about this." Rick smiled. "Don't judge me by my current appearance. In the Brotherhood, I am a man with ideals."
Rick bent down with a smile and stroked Thales' head, making him seem even more amiable. "The boys under me will be the best and strongest in the entire Brotherhood!"
'This is the truth,' Rick thought.
"So, if you want to be my subordinates, you have to work hard!"
"Hmm!" The children nodded in unison, full of hope. Thales was no exception.
"I'm leaving, Thales and the children." Rick turned around and tilted his head to reveal the side of his face. "Next time you encounter something like this, come and tell me in secret. Even though I can't stop him directly, I can still create some trouble and prevent him from getting close to you."
After saying that, Rick revealed his white teeth. Under the moonlight, he left the courtyard of the sixth house without looking back.
"Mister Rick is such a good person." The tears on Ned's face dried up. "Unlike that bad Quide."
"Hmm." Coria nodded. Her eyes were full of joy, as if she had eaten candy.
"But," the cripple Ryan, who had been in a state of shock, hesitated and said, "I always feel that Mister Rick scares me more than Quide."
"That's why you're a coward!"
"Coward Ryan, how can you get money like this?!"
Thales was the only one whose gaze gradually became calm after Rick left.
When he saw Sinti counting the thirty coppers in his coin pouch one by one, Thales exhaled slightly.
His back was still in pain. He knew that regular medicine for external injuries would be better for his injury. However, Thales had just gone to Grove Pharmacy yesterday morning and took the typhoid medicine from Yanni's hands at the back door. He heard her complain that her stingy boss had increased the price of the medicine. Even the medicine for external injuries had been increased to thirty-five coppers, which was exactly five coppers more than what Rick had given her.
However, he also found out a key point from Jala, the daughter of the owner of Sunset Pub.
Rick was in charge of Quide's exorbitant expenses in the pub.
But —
"I have to hand it in every month. I don't have much money myself …"
Rick's words echoed in the prince's ears. He could not help but look at the pouch of coppers beside his hand.
The child beggars had already forgotten their fear and were playing with each other.
Thales was the only one who furrowed his eyebrows and turned his head around with great difficulty. He cast a glance at his scarred back, sighed, and let his head fall heavily.
'This damned world.'
— — — —
Rick walked to the tenth house and thought about how there was an eight-year-old child named Karak here. He was a young and ruthless character. Just as he was about to teach him a lesson and recruit him, he suddenly felt a chill on the back of his neck.
This was his innate psionic ability.
When it was absolutely calm, he would feel a chill on the back of his neck if a living creature approached him within a five-meter radius.
That was it.
However, he was not a warrior. Even if he was, his psionic ability was not worth mentioning when compared to the kingdom's various Psionic troops, the valiant Swordsmen of Eradication, knights, and even the mysterious Mystics. Even the interns in the temples could press him to the ground and beat him up.
However, Rick felt that one day, this psionic ability would save his life.
Like now.
Rick quickly turned around and scanned his surroundings under the moonlight. At the same time, he put his left hand into his pocket and held the small but deadly miniature retractable crossbow.
The bright moonlight.
The empty street.
There was no cover.
But there was no one.
Rick took a deep breath and kept himself absolutely calm.
He felt the chill on the back of his neck.
Could it be that a rat had crawled in the sewer under his feet?
Rick turned in three different directions and sprinted for a while. However, the lingering chill on the back of his neck made him get rid of this conjecture.
Which rat would be directly under him, following him in three different directions for twenty meters?
Rick became more and more frightened.
He should not have come out alone, even if this was the Abandoned Houses and the Brotherhood's territory.
He should have brought twenty thugs with him, each with a Mystic Gun, no matter how heavy that damn thing was.
Just like the Brotherhood's boss in charge of the drug trade, Razan Fisseau, there were thirty people following him everywhere he went.
If he had enough money, he should have hired two Swordsmen of Eradication, a Psionic Warrior, or even a Mystic. Forget it, Mystics are too scary.
'Nar Rick, you have to calm down.' He told himself, 'You are the man who will be in charge of the entire Eternal Star City, and even the underworld of Constellation. Calm down, you must calm down.'
He forced himself to be calm and turned around. He walked back the way he came, as if he was just jogging.
'Did I offend someone? Does someone want my life? Is there anything worth noticing in this street? '
He walked a few hundred meters. Under the moonlight, there was no one around him.
However, the chill on the back of his neck was still there.
He forced himself to be calm and turned around. He walked back the way he came, as if he was just jogging.
'Did I offend someone? Does someone want my life? Is there anything worth noticing in this street? '
He walked a few hundred meters. Under the moonlight, there was no one around him.
However, the chill on the back of his neck was still there.
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