Chapter 7: The Battle

The Rolls-Royce drove out of the abandoned factory. Ye Qi, who had gotten into the car, was immediately pulled to sit beside Mori. Feeling the comfort of the leather seats, Ye Qi half-closed his eyes in enjoyment, taking in everything inside the car. It was clear that for a hunter who had always lived on the edge of subsistence, everything here was out of reach.

"Ye, try this!" Mori smiled, taking a bottle of wine from the car's wine cabinet. After pouring himself a glass, he diligently poured another for Ye Qi. The amber-colored wine, once exposed to the air, began to spread a rich aroma throughout the car.

The black market dealer swirled the wine glass, allowing the rich aroma to fully develop, while Ye Qi, without such refinement, drank it in one gulp. The black market dealer couldn't help but shake his head: "Oh, Ye! This is a fine vintage from one of the oldest cellars in Cognac. In your Eastern terms, this is... a waste... Yes, a waste of good wine!"

"Wine is meant to be drunk! No matter what method, it will end up being drunk! Mori, don't you know we Easterners have an old saying about putting on airs?" Playing with the empty wine glass, Ye Qi couldn't help but laugh at the black market dealer, who was smug about his knowledge of an Eastern saying. However, it was clear that Ye Qi had overestimated the black market dealer's proficiency in Chinese. After hearing Ye Qi's jest, the black market dealer was stunned for a long time before finally muttering, "That damn professor, didn't he say that mastering the words he taught meant mastering Eastern culture? Why are there still things I don't know! Damn it, I'll smash his desk when I get back and ruin his reputation!"

"Mastering some words means mastering Eastern culture? What a joke! Even I, a genuine Easterner, am still in the learning stage, let alone you!" Ye Qi chuckled inwardly, then, with an awkward smile, quickly changed the subject: "Ye, let's talk about 'Mad Dog'!"

"'Mad Dog's' territory used to be a few bars and a beef market on Fisher Street, along with some pill business. But through recent development, 'Mad Dog' has reached the point of controlling the entire Fisher Street. And this morning, he announced that no other forces would be allowed to enter, and anyone who dared to enter would be considered a provocation, leading to an immediate battle! I thought 'Mad Dog' was just trying to establish his authority, but to dare say such arrogant words! But now... hehe..."

The black market dealer chuckled softly, ending his evaluation of 'Mad Dog' and turned to ask Ye Qi: "Ye, what should we do next?"

"Next, we naturally continue according to the plan you set! I'm just a hunter of dark creatures! Ordinary people should be handled according to your methods!" Ye Qi said.

"Alright! As long as you can deal with the monsters of the dark world, 'Mad Dog' and his subordinates will be left to my people!" The black market dealer nodded to the bodyguard beside him, who immediately took out his phone and gave orders. Then, the black market dealer refilled Ye Qi's glass with fine wine: "Ye, once we take out 'Mad Dog,' his territory will be yours! If you can't manage it, I'll send people to manage it and send the money to your account every month!"

Ye Qi looked at the black market dealer in surprise. Although 'Mad Dog's' few territories weren't top-notch in the entire Tallinn area, they were quite good in the nearby streets, bringing in considerable profits each month. Even under the current circumstances, which forced the black market dealer to court him, the black market dealer's willingness to hand over these territories without hesitation was truly surprising.

After all, the black market dealer had already paid a significant amount for today's operation, not only the initial thousand gold pence but also an additional two thousand gold pence promised to Ye Qi. Moreover, the gunfight with 'Mad Dog' would inevitably result in casualties, requiring compensation, and the subsequent management of official relations. If the black market dealer didn't take over 'Mad Dog's' territories, he would suffer significant losses, affecting his future development. A conservative estimate suggested that this battle would set the black market dealer back at least three years, and he might even be swallowed up by other forces.

After considering their current relationship and his future development, Ye Qi, who clearly had no time to manage these territories and was wary of entrusting them to strangers, made a more moderate decision: "Thanks, Mori! But I'll pass. I'm not interested in this. Just convert it into gold pence for me!"

This way, he could benefit himself without completely destroying the black market dealer. After all, he might need the black market dealer's help in the future. Dealing with a familiar person was always better than dealing with an unknown stranger.

"I'll definitely do it!" The black market dealer looked at Ye Qi with surprise and joy. Due to the threat of uncontrollable dark creatures, the black market dealer had no choice but to pin all his hopes on the hunter. Therefore, even if it was painful, to ensure Ye Qi's genuine effort, he had to hand over 'Mad Dog's' territories. What he didn't expect was that Ye Qi would so easily give up this "gold mine" that could generate continuous profits, opting for a "one-time solution."

This made the black market dealer, who was prepared to "cut his losses," overjoyed—although the one-time payment to Ye Qi seemed large, compared to the continuous profits, it was nothing. According to the black market dealer's estimates, it would take him three years to recover, but with this approach, it would only take half a year! As long as he could endure the tough half-year, the black market dealer's influence would surely rise to a new level!

In his excitement, the black market dealer continuously refilled Ye Qi's glass with brandy from the Cognac cellar. Even though Ye Qi had been drinking it in large gulps, which had previously made the black market dealer wince, it now seemed full of masculine charm to him.

Just as the black market dealer was about to take out the second bottle of wine, they arrived at 'Mad Dog's' territory.

Looking out the car window at 'Mad Dog's' territory, the black market dealer's anger flared up.

"Ye, this bar is where 'Mad Dog' is today. He and his subordinates are celebrating inside. Let's go and see the 'boss of Fisher Street'!" A hint of ruthlessness flashed in the black market dealer's eyes as he pushed open the car door and got out with Ye Qi. It was clear that the black market dealer had done his research and already knew 'Mad Dog's' location.

As the two of them got out of the car, the two bodyguards, who had been silent in the car, and the dozen or so gunmen who had been waiting in the side alleys, rushed towards the bar, leaving only the driver in the car.

A bar waiter was standing at the door, clearing away the trash left from the previous night. Seeing a group of armed thugs, he immediately turned and ran inside.

"Ah..."

He hadn't run far when he let out a惨叫. One of the bodyguards rushed forward and punched him in the face, and the sound of bones breaking echoed down the entire street. The waiter immediately fell to his knees, screaming in pain, while the two bodyguards, without stopping, led the dozen gunmen inside.