Under discussion between the two parties, Elder Shi, unwilling to bicker further, accepted the scales on behalf of Lu Mingming.
Lu Mingming’s troubled heart settled, and she thought to herself, "After all, news of Hong Yu is most important right now. Any favor, no matter how great, can be repaid later."
Persuaded, Lu Mingming bore this kindness in her heart, promising, "I will definitely repay these 500,000 Wouhe coins."
She clearly remembered the price for the information given by the young boss.
"No need."
Lu Yan's gaze softened considerably.
"The news of buying the mermaid treasure didn't cost much. If you calculate it this way, aren't you giving it to me for free? If you don't mind, you can accompany us to the treasure's location, or you can repay this favor sometime in the future.
I'm not in a hurry, and I'm not short of money."
The pronouncements of the wealthy often come with genuine ease.
If anyone else had said it, Lu Mingming wouldn't have believed them. But having personally witnessed the luxurious colossal ship, Lu Mingming had no doubts about Lu Yan.
"Okay, I'll think about it and tell you my answer in a while."
As the sky darkened, the lights along the entire street in the slum dimmed. Elder Shi had to turn on a dim, flickering light bulb in the house, making the already impoverished dwelling appear even more wretched.
"I'll come by again tomorrow. It's always better to live a bit more comfortably," Olanarn said to Elder Shi before leaving.
During this brief visit, Olanarn observed from Lu Mingming's subtle expressions that she seemed to trust and heed Elder Shi's words more.
"Okay."
Elder Shi did not refuse, pulling Lu Mingming along to see off the two distinguished guests.
"I'm tired from acting…"
Lu Mingming breathed a sigh of relief, preparing to take off her cloak.
Although the cloak wasn't too thick and even provided warmth, wearing it continuously felt like having a heavy layer on her head, making her very uncomfortable.
"Wait."
Elder Shi called out.
"It seems you've brought back not only four men but also a bunch of lackeys."
Elder Shi's words were pointed.
Lu Mingming turned around, her mental power quickly detecting the familiar and sneaking tracking team.
Their faces bore marks of light purple or dark purple, evidently from being beaten during their dealings with the scammer merchant.
"All show, no substance. They look like strong young men, but they can't fight as well as I can."
Elder Shi snorted dismissively, grabbed a nearby object, and strode out, heading straight for the group of lackeys. Her loud voice, like a ringing gong, could be heard across the entire street.
"What are you looking at? You've been tailing my daughter all the way. Do you want a beating?"
Elder Shi's physique, coupled with her imposing presence, would make even a rampant space pirate pause for three minutes of quiet contemplation, considering whether to take a detour.
Not to mention these individuals who, accustomed to comfortable lives, had forgotten their skills, possessing only superficial mental power, and were usually responsible for checking tickets and serving others.
"Boss, what do we do? I feel like we shouldn't offend this person… Is this even a slum? I felt a very terrifying aura from that old woman. Let's run!"
Although the feeling was fleeting, the security guard couldn't forget it.
His ability to survive in Sin City for so many years relied on this innate sense of danger.
While others hadn't noticed, the security guard had already begun to retreat.
"Vicious woman! She's a street fighter. Don't you see everyone else looking at her with fear? We probably can't beat her, let's retreat!"
Seeing Elder Shi charging towards them wielding a broom at high speed, the attendant hastily turned and fled first, sending a mental message.
"After we report today's news in the morning, they'll arrange for stronger people to come later!!"
"Run slower, wait for me."
For a moment, several panicked figures dashed through the street.
Before the eleven could truly showcase their abilities, they had already fled in disgrace. This escape was clearly more experienced than their first, and they disappeared from sight within seconds.
"See? This is how you deal with men in the future."
Elder Shi returned loudly, and Lu Mingming covered her mouth, chuckling softly.
The two returned to the house together, like a daughter deeply loved by her mother.
On the departing automated vehicle.
Elder Shi's actions were reflected in everyone's mental sea.
Wang Tianhai couldn't help but praise, "Elder Shi really loves Little Black Girl. Having a mother like that is a blessing; even with bad people around, she gives her daughter enough security."
Is that so?
Olanarn's expression was somber.
Lu Yan said, "It seems your subordinates are quite ordinary. You speak."
The bald man, under Olanarn's oppressive gaze, spoke freely:
"Clearly, Elder Shi is not as simple as she appears. When she attacked, I detected a powerful mental fluctuation.
What ultimately scared off those who were following wasn't Elder Shi's physique, but the invisible powerful mental energy she exuded, which suppressed those men from the inside out, causing them to lose the will to fight and choose to give up."
"How can that be?"
Wang Tianhai was incredulous.
"I remember that the slum does not have people who have awakened their mental powers. That was a rule left by the first generation."
"There are exceptions to every rule."
The bald man spoke eloquently.
"Look at Little Black Girl; perhaps she does too, but I'm not sure about her level. I couldn't sense her specific energy."
Having bested Wang Tianhai in this round, the bald man felt smug, believing he had helped his boss and put down the superficially impressive opponent.
"Alright."
Olanarn interrupted.
"Wang Tianhai, go back today and bring two people. Starting tomorrow, monitor Elder Shi's movements and be sure to find out her true identity. If there are any dangerous situations, report them promptly."
"Yes."
"What do you think about what happened during the day?"
Olanarn shifted the conversation to Lu Yan.
Before Wang Tianhai and Lu Mingming had arrived, they had been discussing something else.
Olanarn's purpose in coming to Sin City was not only to rescue Lu Mingming but also to eliminate Sin City itself.
While carrying out his plan, he coincidentally met Lu Yan's team and unexpectedly discovered that they shared the same objective.
The two had gathered because of "Lu Mingming," and they were discussing how to destroy Sin City.
"It's not your team, nor is it people from my side, but there's a third party involved in the form of a virus.
After investigation, they acted half a month ago, which was the time of our warp point accident and the time Lu Mingming went missing."
Lu Yan's words hinted at a direction.
Olanarn denied, "It definitely couldn't be Lu Mingming.
I lived with her for a long time, and she is a girl who is pure at heart. Have your people search again; I still feel that there are too many abnormalities in this matter."
The next morning, Lu Mingming went with Elder Shi to learn how to pick some fresh herbs.
She planned to visit the little boy's home today.
Although she couldn't provide a more convenient and faster treatment, she wanted to help in any way she could!
"You're going to see that little boy? No wonder I thought you seemed cheerful enough to fiddle with this."
Upon hearing Lu Mingming's detailed account of yesterday's events, Elder Shi's expression was peculiar.
This strangeness did not last long; before Lu Mingming could even detect it, Elder Shi had already returned to her usual indifferent demeanor towards everything.
"If you're going, go early. If you're late, they might be attending a trade fair."
"I know."
Lu Mingming excitedly took the herbs she had dug, and with Elder Shi's guidance, headed towards the little boy's house.
She didn't notice Elder Shi pausing her herb picking and sighing as she watched Lu Mingming's retreating back.
Upon arriving at the little boy's doorstep, the door was sealed with two large, thick wooden boards nailed shut.
What's going on…
Lu Mingming casually pulled over a nearby resident to inquire.
The resident immediately noticed the healing herbs in Lu Mingming's hand and then looked at the door sealed with wooden boards. Shaking his hand dismissively, he said,
"What bad luck so early in the morning. That whole family died last night. The enforcement team came this morning and sealed it.
Hurry along; leave after paying your respects."
The resident quickly walked away, leaving Lu Mingming standing there, bewildered.
The little boy had seemed fine and healthy when she met him yesterday.
Lu Mingming looked at the closed door and suddenly spotted something that shouldn't be there in front of the room.
Is this…
Lu Mingming frowned—it was the minuscule dust particles she had formed using her mental sea.