Chapter 1 Kakutello Harbor

Kakutello Harbor was very large, with separate ports for freight and passenger transport, half an hour's drive apart.

The freight port handled massive amounts of bulk goods from various territories of Luying every day. Some could not be transferred in time, so there was a vast warehouse area near the port.

The Thunder Cat Merchant Guild rented several large warehouses in the port.

In the steam car, Solon and Reina were still chatting happily. They reminisced about old times and talked about strange and interesting things in Lingdun, and the time flew by quickly.

Just then, the engine slowed down suddenly.

Reina looked ahead and introduced, "The warehouse area of the port is ahead. It's very, very big. So big that even driving around it would take more than half an hour."

"Oh."

Solon lifted a corner of the curtain on the window and looked out, his instincts making him alert.

He saw that they were queuing in front of the gate to enter the warehouse area.

There were probably two or three cars ahead.

It was a normal routine inspection, requiring the presentation of an entry permit and merchant guild materials.

But Solon glanced at the guards at the gate, his eyes suddenly narrowed, and then he lowered the curtain.

Reina saw the change in his expression and asked, "What's wrong?"

Solon shook his head, signaling her not to speak.

The old butler Anthony, who was driving, had prepared the necessary documents, and they quickly passed through smoothly and entered the warehouse area.

As the steam car moved away from the checkpoint, Solon finally spoke, his tone serious, "We're being watched."

Reina's expression tightened as she listened, but she gave him a questioning look. "Watched?"

"Yes."

Solon pondered for a moment and said, "They're after us. Someone is after that batch of goods. It's probably someone from Duke Raphael's people."

Reina was a little puzzled as she listened, and guessed something. "Ah... are you talking about those sentries just now?"

"Yes."

Solon nodded, his eyes narrowed slightly. "The way those gate sentries looked at us was wrong. Besides, one of them is a Tier 3 professional."

That person was well-hidden, and looked like a professional intelligence officer.

But he couldn't hide from soul perception.

Hearing this, Reina immediately understood.

Tier 3 professionals were prominent figures anywhere, and they would never be gatekeepers!

"But... clearly..."

She wanted to say that the channels were fine and enough money had been given, so how could there be a problem?

But it was clear that there was no point in talking about these topics now. Reina's expression also became serious, and she was slightly anxious. "This is terrible. The goods are in the warehouse, and there's no time to transfer them now. They probably know the buyer is here. Those guys might be coming for you, Mr. Solon."

As she spoke, a trace of worry flashed across her face, but she immediately thought of a solution and added, "I'll arrange for someone to act as the buyer and deal with this first! Then we'll find a way to get the goods out."

Solon glanced at Reina. This once-naive little girl had indeed matured, and her response and strategy were quite good.

But hearing this suggestion, he still shook his head and asked calmly, "Which warehouse are the goods in?"

Reina said, "Warehouse K322."

Solon nodded and said, "Go there normally. Just drive a little slower."

"Go there normally?"

Reina was a little stunned, not knowing what Solon's plan was.

But when she looked at Solon's calm expression, it was as if they had returned to the dark underworld of Old Lingdun, where he would always solve all problems with absolute composure.

Reina nodded seriously. "Okay!"

Solon said, and then took out a necklace engraved with spatial runes and said, "I'll give you a little gift. If you wear it, I'll know where you are at any time."

This was selected from the pile of treasures in the Sea Ruins. It looked quite beautiful and could carry spatial runes, so he took it as a meeting gift.

Reina took the necklace with the beautiful sapphire pendant, and suddenly her thoughts completely jumped out of the situation, leaving only surprise. "Is this a gift from Mr. Solon?"

"Yes."

Solon smiled slightly, but didn't explain much.

He pinched a hand seal with both hands, and an imperceptible spatial fluctuation surged.

Looking again, he had already disappeared from the seat.

Reina then realized what Solon was going to do, and her bright eyes sparkled. She murmured, "He's become so powerful..."

She looked at the gemstone necklace in her hand, obviously prepared in advance.

Moreover, the merchant guild originally had a jewelry business, and she could tell at a glance that this necklace was definitely a rare treasure.

She was so happy to receive a gift!

......

Solon was very clear that the batch of goods he needed were mostly controlled metals.

Those things could almost only be used for military purposes, such as mechanical armor, warships, and high-precision mechanical parts for mechanical octopuses.

Because the Luying military's own military machinery was backward, the sales of this type of metal on the market were not large. Although it was a controlled contraband, it was not actually prohibited from circulation. It was just prohibited from circulating abroad, for fear of being bought by people from the Mafa Empire.

As long as it was not transported out of the country in large quantities all year round, the Luying military would turn a blind eye to the small amount of circulation on the black market.

Don't look at the large quantity Solon wanted, but compared with the military purchase demand of individuals and the Mafa military, it was not even a drop in the bucket.

This quantity would not have attracted anyone's attention in the first place.

This was also the most important reason why Reina and the others could acquire so many materials from the black market.

But now that Duke Raphael had become the "Sixth Councilor," it was different.

Now that it was confirmed that neuro-mechanical technology had leaked out, if they couldn't catch the person, they could just follow the clues from the raw materials.

In the batch of goods Solon wanted, there were many special metals that were needed for neuro-mechanical technology, such as [Amand Alloy], [Shenmin Mithril], etc.

And Luying's largest rare metal trading market, the gathering place for various mine owners, was in Lingdun. You couldn't find so many sources of goods elsewhere.

Solon felt that if it were him, he wouldn't let go of such an important investigation clue.

......

Solon's judgment was indeed correct. The moment they entered the warehouse area, a group of people had already secretly targeted them.

"Confirm that the target vehicle has entered!"

"Keep an eye on that car, absolutely don't let them run away!"

"Yes!"

Not only people from the anti-smuggling department came, but also some professional intelligence personnel.

......

Fortunately, the warehouses at the freight terminal were very large. It took Butler Anthony a long time to drive to Warehouse K322.

Some Thunder Cat Merchant Guild warehouse staff had been waiting for a long time.

As soon as the car stopped, everyone looked at Anthony, who was driving, and stepped forward to greet him. "Manager!"

Before Reina could get out of the car, a group of people who didn't know where they were hiding suddenly appeared.

Some were wearing black trench coats, some were wearing anti-smuggling uniforms, scattered with two or three hundred people.

Everyone was holding a gun, surrounding the warehouse tightly.

The people from the Thunder Cat Merchant Guild were quite frightened by these people's actions. They looked at each other, not knowing what was happening.

The leader, a thin man with a mustache, was the section chief of the port's anti-smuggling department. He shouted, "Everyone, don't move!"

Seeing this posture, Anthony immediately stepped forward to negotiate, asking with a puzzled look, "Section Chief Lawrence, what's going on?"

Lawrence said coldly, "We received a report from the public saying that your Thunder Cat Merchant Guild is illegally smuggling controlled contraband!"

Hearing this, Anthony frowned slightly.

He very skillfully took out some documents, which also contained a check from Lingdun Bank, and said, "We are legitimate merchants, and all our operations have procedures. Could there be some mistake?"

Normally speaking, the anti-smuggling department only came to cause trouble if enough money hadn't been given, not because there was actual contraband.

If enough money was given, no problem was a problem.

But unexpectedly, Lawrence didn't even look at it this time, and snorted coldly, "Please don't interfere with our law enforcement!"

Saying that, he had an air of impartiality, and pointed at the closed warehouse door and questioned, "What's in the warehouse?"

Anthony looked embarrassed and responded, "Just some ordinary goods."

Lawrence saw his expression and shouted, "Open it!"

As a local tyrant in the warehouse area, how could he not know what kind of goods were there?

He was absolutely certain that there were prohibited metals in this warehouse area!

Originally, he had accepted the money and turned a blind eye, but this time, that Councilor said he wanted to find a batch of materials and suspects.

Wasn't this an opportunity to make merit?

That was the "Sixth Councilor," a real powerful figure in the upper echelons of the empire. If he could really get attached, it wouldn't be comparable to a little bit of profit.

He had previously confirmed that controlled metals had been transported to this warehouse, and had been fishing for so long, just waiting for the buyer to come!

Hearing this, all the guns around were raised, ready to shoot if these people from the Thunder Cat Merchant Guild made the slightest move.

At this time, the trench coat man on the side also spoke to remind, "Also, let the people in the car come down too!"

Hearing this, although Anthony was very reluctant, he walked to the steam car, opened the door, and whispered, "Chairman, you may have to come down."

"Oh."

Responding to him, Reina, with a cold expression, got out of the car.

This was not the first time she had come to the dock warehouse, but it was the first time she had seen these guys from the anti-smuggling department.

Lawrence looked straight at the beautiful Reina and asked, "You are the chairman of the Thunder Cat Merchant Guild?"

Although the Thunder Cat Merchant Guild was a new merchant guild, it was definitely a wealthy member of high society.

Now that she had fallen into his hands, wouldn't that be...?

Lawrence had even planned in his mind the scene of the people from this merchant guild coming to beg him for mercy, and an obscene smile unconsciously appeared on the corner of his mouth.

Reina stood there gracefully and calmly, already possessing the steady aura that a merchant guild chairman should have.

She glanced coldly at this group of people, not paying any attention to them, and only said, "Everyone, our Thunder Cat Merchant Guild is a legitimate merchant guild, and the procedures were personally signed by Minister Oliver. What you are doing is disrupting our normal operations."

Anyone who could do business in Lingdun would know a few people in the government.

Hearing the name of this Minister of Commerce, Lawrence would have been somewhat wary, but now he sneered repeatedly, "Please cooperate with our work!"

This time, it was a special case instructed by the Councilor. No one could help!

And the trench coat man beside him was much more professional. He also knew that there were still people in the car, and shouted angrily, "Who else is in the car, come down!"

Hearing people urging him, Solon took his hat and walked down, standing next to Reina.

Sensing for a moment, there were many experts around. He couldn't help but sigh in his heart that Luying's capital was indeed full of experts. Even investigating smuggling was led by a Tier 5 professional.

However, killing them all wouldn't be a big problem.

But he couldn't.

The anti-smuggling department section chief in front of him was just a small fry. If it were anywhere else, Solon would have killed him with a wave of his hand.

But behind this guy's uniform was an empire.

Assassinating public officials was going against the entire Luying system.

Solon himself was wanted everywhere, so it didn't matter where he was.

But it would be a pity to destroy the merchant guild, which had finally gained a foothold in Lingdun.

Moreover, there were many innocent employees in the merchant guild, and it wouldn't be good if they were implicated.

He still felt that being a pirate was more free and unrestrained. If you didn't agree, you just fought. Why were there so many twists and turns?

......

As soon as Solon walked down, it was obvious that all the guns were pointed at him.

They were here to catch the "buyer" of that batch of materials, so naturally they couldn't let him escape.

At this time, Lawrence looked at Solon and shouted again, "Who are you?"

Solon sneered, not concealing his sarcasm, "A small anti-smuggling section chief, do you think you are qualified to ask my identity? Even if your superiors came, they would have to bow and speak to me!"

When he spoke, he intentionally or unintentionally revealed a gemstone ring on his right index finger, which was engraved with the Leiga family crest!

The ring was fake.

But the identity of "Fick Leiga" was real.

Even if this matter was brought before the Luying Empress, it wouldn't be a big problem.

It was just that Solon didn't want to use this identity too early unless it was absolutely necessary.

As soon as these words came out, everyone in the anti-smuggling department looked at each other, and the guns in their hands instantly lowered.

Impersonating a nobleman was a more serious crime than smuggling, especially with the complex patterns on the ring, which looked like a high-ranking noble crest.

If it was really fake, ten heads wouldn't be enough to lose.

And the chairman of the Thunder Cat Merchant Guild was also considered a wealthy member of high society. With Reina accompanying him, these people also assumed that Solon was a genuine high-ranking nobleman.

Things seemed to have exceeded expectations.

No matter how big a merchant was, their anti-smuggling department could handle them.

But they simply didn't have the right in front of a real nobleman.

Lawrence secretly glanced at the trench coat man beside him.

But that trench coat man was obviously much more composed, and still didn't hesitate, "Search! If there are really prohibited items, no matter who it is, they will be severely punished by law!"

Hearing this, Lawrence felt more confident.

But before he could speak, Reina opened her mouth to the merchant guild workers, "Since they want to search the warehouse, open it and let them search. If they don't find any prohibited items, I hope someone can give me an explanation!"

Hearing this, Lawrence's face twitched violently, and he unconsciously felt his forehead covered with cold sweat.

At this moment, even he himself suspected that the intelligence was wrong, and the prohibited items were not in this warehouse?

This was completely different from the script he had expected before.

Logically speaking, if they were really guilty, wouldn't they fight to the death, or wail and beg for mercy?

What was the situation with this confident permission to search?

Just when the anti-smuggling team was a little hesitant, the warehouse's huge iron gate slowly opened.

A huge warehouse of thousands of square meters, full of goods, came into view.

......

After all, they were prohibited items, and Reina wasn't stupid enough to let everyone know what was in the warehouse in such a high-profile manner.

Even when they were transported in, they were in containers or well-packaged bundles. Special materials also had confidential interlayers.

True and false, coming in and going out.

Ordinary workers could only roughly guess that they were heavy metal goods, but they weren't sure what they were.

Moreover, this batch of goods had arrived in batches, and even without Reina, the president, there was no one else who knew exactly what materials were in the warehouse.

If they really wanted to investigate, they could only investigate from the source.

But this batch of goods came from the black market.

If goods on the black market were so easy to find a seller, they wouldn't be called the black market.

Anthony urged, "Section Chief Lawrence, please."

Looking at the wide open hatch, Lawrence was really weakened. Their main purpose was to catch the "buyer". The search was just a means.

What if they didn't find any prohibited items?

Since things had reached this point, he had no choice but to launch it. Lawrence became ruthless and gave an order, "Search!"

Dozens of anti-smuggling personnel immediately poured in, searching the goods in the warehouse by overturning boxes and cabinets.

The tarpaulins were lifted, the containers were opened, and bundles of steel coils, I-beams, grain, crystals, furs... came into view. They were all some packaged spoils of war, ready to be sold, from Solon's small void realm.

Only a few cargo boxes contained a small amount of special metals.

But that small amount, if the merchant guild normally transported this little cargo, it wouldn't be illegal at all!

As one container after another was opened, Lawrence and the anti-smuggling team's faces became paler and paler.

In the end, no large quantities of controlled items were found.

Seeing this, those trench coat men also looked confused and turned their attention to Lawrence, the anti-smuggling section chief.

Lawrence's forehead was dripping with sweat, as large as soybeans.

Could it be that the intelligence was really wrong, or had it been transported away?

But without prohibited items, there was no reason to arrest people.

Moreover, the "buyer" was suspected of being a high-ranking nobleman.

Those people from the Councilor could just leave like this, but what about him?

If things really blew up, the ones who would take the blame would definitely be small fries like him.

Thinking of this, Lawrence didn't dare to be tough at all, and knelt on the ground with a plop, "Oh, I'm sorry! I received a report..."

......

In the end, the search ended in a farce.

Even those people who were suspected of being from the "Umbrella Organization" couldn't find any evidence.

There had always been people smuggling controlled metals on the market. Selling to Mafa brought huge profits, and even if the crime was punishable by hanging, there were still plenty of speculators doing this business. Moreover, some Luying big shots were behind this business.

There were many prohibited items in the Kakutello Harbor shipping warehouses. No one had cared before, so who would deliberately confirm how much stock was in which warehouse?

The anti-smuggling team had no less than a hundred of this kind of intelligence, and at least eighty.

Now it seemed that a big mistake had been made.

Without evidence, the matter could only be left unresolved.

Although there were doubts this time, the anti-smuggling team didn't dare to investigate further.

Before, it was just a merchant guild. It didn't matter if they offended them.

But now that it involved a high-ranking nobleman, it would be really troublesome if they angered him.

This was also the purpose of Solon hinting at his noble status before, which would save the Thunder Cat Merchant Guild a lot of trouble in the future.

Although there was a small accident in picking up the goods this time, it was fortunate that it was not dangerous.

With this batch of goods, Solon wouldn't be short of mechanical materials in the short term.

The Thunder Cat Merchant Guild wasn't in a hurry to risk buying those materials again.

Even if they wanted to buy them, they had learned a lesson this time, and it wouldn't be easy for others to catch them next time.

Not long after.

The steam engine drove out of the warehouse area.

Sitting in the car, Reina swept away the cold and arrogant aura of the president she had shown before, and turned back into the gentle and understanding girl. "Mr. Solon is really amazing. If you hadn't found a way to solve the problem, there would have been big trouble this time..."

Solon shook his head and smiled, "No, I caused you trouble. I didn't mention some things in advance."

This matter really couldn't be blamed on Reina.

After all, she didn't fully understand how much the Dawn Troupe had made a fuss in the North Sea before.

Nor did she know about the mechanical octopus.

The smuggling of controlled metals was the most normal thing in the Luying black market, and no one expected to be targeted.

Although he said this, Reina still looked guilty and muttered, "It's still my fault for not being careful enough."

Solon smiled and shook his head, not dwelling on this topic, and instead said, "Miss Reina, may I invite you to have dinner together? You can also take me to see the night view of Lingdun City?"

Reina gladly agreed, "Okay!"

It was said that Lingdun only really became exciting from nightfall.

Solon also wanted to see how rich the nightlife of this legendary "city that never sleeps" was. He also wanted to investigate where the source of that batch of [Hallucinogen] with parasites came from.

After all, gangs were only active at night.