Stronger with More Jobs

Chapter 701 - 296: Surrender Now, and You Won’t Die!

The group finally understood why Liu San cherished the half-burnt cigarette in his mouth every day like a treasure.

In the City of Injustice, Transcendents living more frugally than ordinary people is no exaggeration.

A basic Breaking Mortality Qi Blood Crystal is priced at 500 Gray Crystals.

And a pack of cigarettes dares to cost 100 Gray Crystals.

This pricing made the group, who had just earned a fortune, feel like their pockets were empty again.

"Let’s go, head back first."

Fang Qingyu broke the silence and was the first to head to the roadside to hail a cab.

They reserved three relatively clean taxis to return to the Gray Rock District.

The taxi fare was not bad.

Booking three cabs to go back only cost over a hundred bucks.

The wheels crushed over the bumpy streets, and the view outside the window of self-built concrete houses was like a world apart from the neon-lit hustle just moments ago.

Gray Rock District, Cyan Dragon Gang’s base.

Under the rundown self-built house, a few dim streetlights attracted moths.

Liu San, along with a group of gang members dressed in faded workwear or old T-shirts, was squatting on the cement steps at the doorway like street punks, smoking and chatting.

The cold wind made them hunch their shoulders.

But their laughter carried a crude and peculiar sense of satisfaction.

The three taxis stopped at the street corner, and Fang Qingyu and nine others got out and walked over.

Liu San, with sharp eyes, immediately stubbed out his pitiful cigarette and greeted them with a warm smile:

"Hey! Brothers are back! I was just wondering whether to drive out to pick you up since it’s so late and you haven’t shown up."

His gaze swept over them, with inquiry, "So, how was the first day on the job, getting used to it?"

Qin Hui stepped forward with a wry smile, naturally reaching out into Liu San’s open pocket.

Inside was the half-pack of cigarettes that Chu Kuanglan previously gave him.

He expertly took one and put it in his mouth, borrowing Liu San’s lighter to light it, took a deep drag, and then let out a heavy sigh, his voice laced with undisguised fatigue and frustration:

"Don’t even mention it. It’s unbelievable that we came to this godforsaken place and still have to do all that hard labor. Ugh, haven’t worked like that in years. Outside, we at least... cough, forget it, why bring it up."

He exhaled a puff of smoke, his expression desolate.

Listening to Qin Hui’s complaints and watching his skilled smoking actions, along with the trace of fatigue in his eyes, Liu San’s mouth didn’t show displeasure.

Instead, it curled up slightly.

What a hardship!

He thought to himself.

These experts coming from the outside, no matter how glamorous they were before, when they come to the big melting pot of the City of Injustice, they have to first experience that feeling of a phoenix fallen to a chicken.

Only after tasting the hardship do they realize how enjoyable it is to follow the boss.

How many true Transcendents can really settle down and earn a pittance with a nine-to-five job like ordinary people?

Only after being beaten by reality do they understand that a strong fist and fast money is the hard truth here.

The more this group complained, the greater their inner disappointment with the situation, and the closer they got to fully integrating into their Cyan Dragon Gang, living the razor’s edge life with Brother Meng.

"Hey, Brother Su, lighten up, lighten up!"

Liu San patted Qin Hui’s shoulder vigorously, with the comforting tone of someone who’s been through it all and a subtle hint of seduction, "Those side jobs, they were meant for you to get a feel, to experience what life is like for ordinary city folk... and us brothers at the bottom."

"If you really want to establish yourself here and live comfortably, how could you rely on that measly salary?"

He chuckled, shaking his head, his voice dropping with a mysterious tone: "You’ve got to follow Brother Meng; that’s where money comes fast! Look, and the opportunity is here!"

Upon hearing this, Qin Hui’s eyes, with a cigarette hanging from his mouth, lit up, and he leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice: "There’s action!?"

As he asked, the hand holding the cigarette casually dropped down, smoothly slipping the newly acquired cigarette into his own pocket.

Liu San wasn’t aware that his small stash had already changed ownership.

With a knowing smile, he nodded emphatically: "Right! Big action! Brothers, hurry up, drop your stuff inside, and get your gear ready! Quick moves, just follow us later!"

"Got it!"

Qin Hui felt invigorated and quickly turned to Fang Qingyu and the others with a knowing look, "Let’s move, brothers!"

The group caught on, briskly heading into the dim-colored dormitory building.

The hallway was dimly lit, footsteps echoed in the emptiness.

Once they closed the dormitory door, cutting off external view, Qin Hui pulled out the half-pack of cigarettes and lighter he swiped and tossed them to the eager Old Qiao, whispering: "Smoke sparingly!"

Old Qiao received them like a treasure, happily lighting one up himself.

Fang Qingyu quickly surveyed the room, confirming their belongings were still piled in the corner, untouched.

Only then did he look away, concisely giving orders:

"Later, Old Chu and I will lead, do more, try to stand out."

"The rest of you, hold back, don’t draw too much attention, blend into the crowd."

"Understood."

The group replied in unison.

Without further words, they put down unnecessary personal items, carrying only handy melee weapons.

Fang Qingyu, on the other hand, went empty-handed, as neither Shun’s Dragon Craft nor Dragon Sparrow Calamity Slash were suitable to use.

Might as well fight with bare hands using Fist Technique.

They pushed the door open once more and headed out.

Outside, around Liu San had gathered more than twenty core members of the Cyan Dragon Gang. Including Fang Qingyu’s ten, there were over thirty people.

Upon seeing Fang Qingyu and the others come out, Liu San didn’t waste words, waving his large hand: "Everyone’s here! Let’s go!"