Chapter 84: Action

Fan Bei returned to the settlement, intending to find Butler Huo to discuss handing over the control room, but the latter found him first.

“Master Fan, the Silver Chamber of Commerce has sent an urgent call for help. They hope you can support a confidential operation they’re conducting, and claim the reward will be very generous.”

“An operation?” Fan Bei immediately recalled the radio broadcast they sent a few days ago, inviting anyone above the Bronze rank to participate in a secret operation, promising a safety contract and priority membership afterward.

“Yes, they say this mission concerns the rating of VIP status. Any collaborator who refuses to participate will be unable to upgrade their VIP level for two years. Those who take part may have their VIP status raised according to performance, and will also receive one instance of guaranteed safety protection.”

“That sounds dangerous. Tell them I’m in seclusion, cultivating, and can’t get away,” Fan Bei replied instinctively, then shook his head. “No, wait. Hold off for now, let me consider it. They must have another motive.”

“All right, Master Fan.” Butler Huo nodded.

“By the way, here’s the key to the control room. From now on, you’ll personally manage that area. Be sure not to let anyone else get involved. The system password is on the key… As for the weapon system password, I’ll tell you when you need it.” Fan Bei pulled out a large ring of keys and handed them over.

“Thank you for your trust, Master Fan.” Butler Huo accepted them with both hands, joy flickering across her face.

This was a clear sign that her diligent work over the past days had been fully recognized. She hadn’t toiled in vain to manage internal affairs, reassure the people, and oversee every detail.

Having settled this matter, Fan Bei dismissed her.

He then went to his study, determined to figure out what the Silver Chamber was up to before making a decision. Though he was inclined to refuse, he still wanted to understand the situation.

He opened the butler system logs to check up on Lin Zhongqing’s activity; if there was any inside information, it would likely be found there.

He first reviewed the surveillance footage from the past two days.

After enduring several scenes that made him roll his eyes, he carefully searched and finally pieced together the whole story.

Two days earlier, the footage showed a silver-haired old man reporting to Lin Zhongqing.

“President, the Silver Chamber of Commerce has gathered over two hundred Bronze rank and above experts and headed to a valley to the south. We’ve marked that area before—it’s a place where the spiritual world intersects with reality.”

“Didn’t you say before that they were working on an agricultural city? Is this related?”

“It should be, but we haven’t found out exactly how. However, it seems they’re desperately short-handed—even with over two hundred, they’re still recruiting.”

“We have the strongest force in this area. Let’s see if they end up turning to us for help.”

“If they do, should we agree?”

“Of course. As long as there’s no trap, business is business, regardless of past disputes.”

The next day’s footage showed the Silver Chamber sending the Star Chamber a massive commission contract worth 13 million silver coins, complete with a safety guarantee, personally backed by their boss.

From Lin Zhongqing’s perspective, Fan Bei saw the entire contract.

The content was simple: hire Lin Zhongqing in person, along with all Bronze rank and above experts the Star Chamber could spare, for a two-week secret mission.

Lin Zhongqing signed, but demanded payment in spirit cores of equal value, at the same rate as two months ago.

Fan Bei remembered that the price of spirit cores had doubled since then, with no sign of dropping. Where once one silver coin exchanged for one point of spiritual energy, now it took three.

Moreover, this month’s “evil tide” seemed unlikely to occur. The once biweekly event might now become monthly, perhaps larger in scale but certainly not double the previous size.

The intervals would likely keep growing—every two months or even half a year—making spirit cores ever more precious.

The queen of commerce had indeed struck hard, instantly doubling the asking price.

Fan Bei could only admire her, especially since the Silver Chamber didn’t try to bargain—they just agreed.

He understood their position well. With such a ravenous husband to provide for, how could she not drive a hard bargain?

After finishing the contract, Fan Bei grew even more curious: what kind of operation required both chambers to pool their forces and still left them wanting more—even eyeing him?

Wait, perhaps they weren’t after his apparent Bronze-level self, but rather the mysterious “mastermind” he’d fabricated—the one who could easily annihilate a Silver rank.

With this thought, Fan Bei had an idea. He called out into the air:

“Little White, come here.”

Unless he showed some strength, he’d never truly be at ease.

Before long, a metal sphere crashed through the door and rolled in.

“Mysterious mortal, do you need something?”

“Yes. The Silver Chamber wants me to join an operation. I’m far too busy—so I’d like you to go in my place.”

He then explained the details and mission location.

“You’ll have to send Big White as my bodyguard,” Little White replied, surprisingly without objection.

Fan Bei thought of a potential risk but had already devised a solution. “Fine, I’ll send Big White with you. Take good care of him, don’t let anything happen.”

“Don’t worry, he runs faster than I do. If there’s trouble, I’ll cover the retreat.” Little White was visibly excited.

“Wait, why are you so excited?” Fan Bei sensed something was off.

Little White paused, then stammered, “Didn’t I always say? I’d go through fire and water for that great lord who guided me. Now I finally get to prove myself and repay the favor—it’s only natural to be excited.”

If Big White had said this, I’d believe it, Fan Bei thought. But with you, I’d better monitor your every move for the next few days.

The two would be inseparable, so there was little chance Little White would cause any surprises.

Reassured, Fan Bei nodded. “I knew I could count on you. I’ll call Big White over now.”

Soon he summoned Big White, who was delighted by the chance for a trip and eagerly promised to bring back local specialties for his master.

Fan Bei then telegraphed the Silver Chamber, explaining that his skills were insufficient for the task, but as a reliable partner, he would send strong support.

The Silver Chamber replied quickly, saying they’d send someone to pick them up at once.

Sure enough, only three hours after he sent the telegram, an off-road vehicle appeared at the shelter’s gate, driven by a stranger.

But Fan Bei had no doubts—the cloud-mist suspension system on the wheels was still active, which couldn’t be faked.

After seeing Little and Big White into the car, he reminded them to run at the first sign of danger—no hesitation, the reward wasn’t worth their lives.

The driver, somewhat impatient, said, “Mr. Fan, don’t worry. All participants will sign a safety contract—there’s no risk to their lives.”

“In that case, I leave everything in your hands,” Fan Bei nodded.

“No problem,” the driver replied curtly. As soon as Little and Big White were aboard, he started the engine.

The cloud-mist turbines roared to life, and within half a minute, the car sped off at over a hundred kilometers per hour, vanishing down the road.