Chapter 686: A Party of Unlikely Deals

Flame City Seven-Star Hotel – Premium Buffet Restaurant.

Thanks to arrangements by Sister Dracula and the fireworks display prepared by Night Owl for the party, everyone was delighted.

While savoring the complimentary gourmet spread, guests raised glasses of red wine, beer, Erguotou, mineral water, Baihua Snake Grass Water, and other beverages, or carried plates as they mingled and chatted throughout the buffet.

Exchanging introductions and contact details to discuss various topics in depth, Lu Xin witnessed Night Owl and Mad Old Wang debate life after the descent of the Red Moon, the mysteries of the universe, and how even the smallest individuals could hold on to optimism in a mundane world…

After all, isn’t that what a gathering is all about?

Boasting to showcase their depth, expanding their networks, and booking dinner meetings in other cities that might never materialize – all part of the fun. The best part, though, was finally seeing what those hidden behind their communicators actually looked like…

Yet, perhaps because such gatherings were so ordinary, they felt strangely abnormal.

For instance, the rational Nine-Headed Serpent couldn’t stop casting suspicious glances.

“Why does this gathering of lunatics seem so normal to me?”

“Why did it seem more believable when they nearly tore Flame City apart?”

“Why does everyone in here seem so off…?”

…The only one with nine snake heads stared at the room full of deranged faces, lost in deep thought.

…

“Brother, what do you do for a living?”

As everyone enjoyed the party, Lu Xin wasn’t an exception. He exchanged contacts with many and warmly invited them to visit Qinggang sometime, assuring them that the people of Qinggang were very hospitable as long as everyone obeyed the law.

The only one he approached was the Clockwork Orange father and son duo, distinguishable by the Pikachu mask on the father’s head.

For some reason, Lu Xin felt a special fondness toward them and was eager to chat a bit longer.

“Ouch…”

Seeing Lu Xin approach, Clockwork Orange instantly grew excited.

He pulled down his mask to reveal half his face and eagerly extended his hand for a handshake.

It was clear that after knocking three punches into a Cangzhang Sect member, Lu Xin still commanded considerable respect among the club members.

After a firm handshake, Clockwork Orange calmly replied, “I’m the gatekeeper at the Factory.”

“A gatekeeper at the Factory can be so upscale?”

Lu Xin was a bit taken aback.

Clockwork Orange glanced around and lowered his voice, saying, “Plus, I have a few side gigs.”

Hearing ‘side gigs,’ Lu Xin nearly understood everything.

We all work our main jobs to live while side gigs are for making money, right?

Nodding in agreement, he asked, “What kind of side gigs do you do?”

“Kidnapping, robbery, assassination, investigating extramarital affairs…”

“Basically, anything from a High-Wall City’s missile launch codes to an Elementary School student’s final exam answers—I can handle it.”

Clockwork Orange continued effortlessly, even handing over a business card: “If you need me, just call.”

“Thanks, thanks…”

A lightbulb went off in Lu Xin’s mind as he accepted the card with both hands, “No wonder he can splash money around in a sports car…”

Big gigs or small jobs—he takes them all…

…

…

“Brother, you did well this time. On behalf of Flame City and residents worldwide, I thank you…”

Taking advantage of Lu Xin’s solitude, Sister Dracula sidled over. Right before his eyes, she subtly manipulated her communicator and, in an instant, two million credits were deposited into her account. Lu Xin looked at her in shock and delight.

“You know what I mean.”

With one eye squinted, Dracula winked at Lu Xin.

Lu Xin nonchalantly accepted the money.

This was just the final payment for attending the party as agreed with Dracula—separate from the hundred million deal.

If all went well, he’d pocket 100,050,000 credits from this trip…

…Wait, subtract the 100,000 promised to Night Owl—that leaves 100,049,000.

With that thought, a pleased smile broke across his face.

Unaware of Lu Xin’s plans to intercept the deal, Dracula smiled warmly as she saw him contentedly accept the final payment.

The two exchanged amicable smiles and a firm handshake, exuding a strong business vibe.

At that moment, a drunken voice from afar suddenly shouted, “Didn’t someone mention a bounty of a hundred million?”

Both Lu Xin and Dracula’s faces turned pale as they looked around.

“Really?”

“I’ve never heard of it…”

…

Fortunately, no one dug too deeply into the hundred million matter—after all, no one here knew the full story. Instead, the conversation quickly shifted, and everyone eagerly discussed the title of ‘Red Moon Club’s Most Powerful Ability User’, sparking impassioned debates and even an impromptu live vote…

Lu Xin wasn’t interested; he simply found Night Owl and transferred 100,000 credits to him.

With his mouth stuffed with meat, Night Owl was so moved he almost cried, clasping Lu Xin’s hand and saying, “Thanks a ton, bro.”

“I’ve got to treat you to a massage—I mean, right after dinner…”

…

Lu Xin declined several times, but when Night Owl insisted, he reluctantly asked, “Is it a legit massage?”

Night Owl’s eyes lit up at the mention, and he earnestly replied, “Bro, don’t worry—we’re not going for the proper kind.”

Hearing ‘not proper’, Lu Xin immediately rejected the idea.

Really.

Now, what really caught his interest was the title of ‘Red Moon Club’s Most Powerful Ability User.’

Normally, Lu Xin didn’t care much about such titles.

After all, in the club, he’d just picked a random online name that hardly anyone remembered.

But now, with a hundred million project on the line…

Even though he had allies on the client side, the more moving parts there were, the better the security.

Isn’t the title meant for whoever contributes the most in the Red Moon Club?

And wouldn’t the hundred million deal go to the one who contributes the most?

With that recognized title, his hundred million deal felt a bit more secure…

Besides, he’d put plenty of effort into Flame City—shouldn’t that count for something?

With that thought in mind, Lu Xin looked up confidently to see everyone around him simultaneously raising their hands, pointing at Mad Old Wang, who was busy gnawing on a chicken wing—and even Night Owl by his side mimicking the gesture.

“What’s going on?”

Lu Xin couldn’t help but feel a bit dumbfounded.

Night Owl tugged him quietly, whispering, “Bro, check your messages…”

After a brief moment, Lu Xin pulled out his communicator to see a private message and image from Dracula. The content read: “Having become the Red Moon Club’s Most Powerful Ability User basically means you’re about to be studied. Brothers and sisters, I suggest we all vote for the dumbest guy in the group—first, he’s already under study, and second, his cost for attending this gathering is too high…”

Below that was a wanted notice, seemingly issued by a major mental research institute in the southeastern region: “Recently, there has been an escape of a highly dangerous mental patient from our institution. Anyone with information is urged to help recapture him…”

“Please note: this patient is extremely dangerous. Do not attempt to capture him.”

“Those who provide details and verification may claim a hefty bounty at our institute…”

…

“Hefty?”

Lu Xin’s heart skipped a beat as he carefully examined the bounty photo, his pulse racing.

The photo showed a man with disheveled hair, wearing a patient gown, squatting in a corner and smoking—wasn’t that the current Old Wang?

That utterly shocked him.

It was clear from previous conversations that some attending the party from the Red Moon Club had ulterior motives—some, like Red Dancing Shoes and Nine-Headed Serpent, weren’t there for the party at all but to further their agendas; others, like Dracula, were out to scam money; while others, like Clockwork Orange, were so entrenched in Flame City that they were almost impossible to shake off…

As for him, Lu Xin was there to thwart the Cangzhang Sect’s evil plans.

The funniest, though, was Night Owl.

Ha, he came solely for the money…

But quite unexpectedly, Mad Old Wang turned out to have the purest intentions.

He claimed he was going to take on Dracula, but it ended up nothing more than talk—he not only failed but got his groin kicked.

Worse yet, he had even escaped from a mental hospital just to attend this party…

Thinking it over, it all seemed a bit crazy—yet somehow, it was also somewhat touching…

He recalled that Mad Old Wang had even shouted something about a ‘strongest title’ before.

It was clear that aside from wanting to beat Dracula, he cared quite a bit about that title.

So, after a quiet sigh, Lu Xin fell silent and raised his hand, pointing at Mad Old Wang.

After all, his only true rival was Dracula—anyone else was fair game…

…

…

Mad Old Wang was awarded the title of Red Moon Club’s Most Powerful Ability User.

He was so moved he almost cried.

“Is it me? Really, is it me?”

In disbelief, he pointed at his own nose, chewed up the chicken bone before swallowing it, and said emotionally, “I always thought it should be me too.”

Those around him burst into enthusiastic applause.

Red Dancing Shoes even placed a golden paper crown—likely meant for a child’s birthday—on his head.

Amid heartfelt congratulations, Mad Old Wang was moved enough to blow out the candles…

…

…

“Are we even?”

Half an hour later, Dracula and Mad Old Wang retreated to a secluded corner. With a proud expression, Dracula said to Old Wang,

“We’re even—consider it my debt to you…”

Overwhelmed, Mad Old Wang embraced Dracula and said, “Sister Dracula, you’re truly amazing…”

“You said you’d give me the title of the strongest, and you actually did…”

“Rest assured, whenever you need me, I’ll be there—I even escaped from the mental hospital for you…”