Arknightcraft Modpack
Chapter 515: Are We Talking About the Same Rat?
Steven's proposal did not particularly interest Hei Ye.
To be more precise, there were simply too many scammers in the slums who used that exact line.
Most of them took advantage of the fact that once the Infected glimpsed even the slightest hope, it became nearly impossible for them to let go. They lured them into working loyally under promises of treatment, only to give nothing in return.
In the slums, this was one of the most low-grade tricks around.
Admittedly, nothing about Steven's earlier behavior suggested he was a con artist. But when it came to lofty promises and vague "future prospects," Hei Ye had never been inclined to believe them.
"We can talk about that later," she said lightly. "Before anything else, Boss, shouldn't you settle the lodging and meal fees first?"
She extended her fair palm toward him, tilting her head with a sweet, obedient expression—like a well-behaved child waiting for a reward.
Seeing that she clearly did not believe him, Steven did not press further. It had only been a passing thought anyway. If she was willing, good. If not, he would not force her.
"So then," he said, pulling out another stack of Lungmen banknotes and fanning himself with them playfully before lowering his hand, "how exactly are we calculating the cost? You mentioned earlier that the outside inns overcharge. I'm curious how your place compares."
"Well," Hei Ye replied with a grin, "that depends on how generous you feel, Boss. Whether these kids eat meat or just vegetables tonight is entirely up to the amount you're willing to pay. The more you give, the better the standard of service, simple as that."
She rubbed her fingers together in a "the more the merrier" gesture, then looked at him pitifully again.
"I don't respond well to moral blackmail," Steven said flatly. "Business is business. If you let me name the price, I'll naturally aim low."
Her pathetic little act had zero effect on him. He had outgrown that tactic years ago. As long as one had no moral burden, one could not be morally blackmailed.
"Hmm. For a rich guy, you're exactly how I imagined rich guys would be," Hei Ye clicked her tongue, though she did not seem surprised. Like a seasoned shopkeeper, she began negotiating in earnest. "The inns outside charge two hundred Lungmen dollars a day. We'll charge you three hundred. Meals not included. Fair?"
"And why are you a hundred more expensive?" Steven asked calmly.
"Security fee. If you'd like to wake up and discover all your belongings gone—or maybe find yourself missing a few body parts—you're welcome to try those other inns. Oh, and your girlfriend is that pretty? Someone's definitely going to set their sights on her."
She casually slipped in a compliment toward Centaurea, who had already leaned against the table and dozed off.
This was the slums.
Sure, technically still within Lungmen's jurisdiction and under the Guard Department's authority, but expecting them to care about this place here was like expecting the sun to do a somer sault.
"So you're saying you can handle anyone who comes looking for trouble?" Steven asked, eyeing her up and down. "You and the kids downstairs?"
Her rope-and-hook skills were flashy, sure. But if that was all she had, where did she get the confidence to claim she could guarantee someone's safety in the slums?
At best, she had a specialized skill. In a real fight, with her skinny arms and legs, she might not even win against an average adult man. Otherwise, she wouldn't need to resort to pickpocketing.
"Heh," Hei Ye smirked, raising her brows mysteriously. "That's because we've got someone backing us. Do you know who really calls the shots in these slums?"
Her confident demeanor did not feel like mere bluffing.
And precisely because of that, Steven's curiosity was piqued.
So there was some kind of underworld boss ruling Lungmen's slums?
Even if that were true, it was hard to imagine someone like that having any connection with a small-time thief like her.
Yet judging by her expression, she seemed utterly certain.
Seeing the unmistakable look of curiosity on Steven's face—the kind that only appeared when a fish had taken the bait—the smile on Hei Ye's face grew even wider. Her fingers continued rubbing together in a money-counting gesture as she shot him a knowing look.
"You know," Steven sighed, "you look like some shady swindler."
Jokes aside, Steven could understand a small-time street hustler being a little greedy, he smiled and placed several hundred-denomination Lungmen bills into her pale palm.
"Hehe~ thank you for your generosity, Boss. May you be wealthy and live long and healthy," Hei Ye chirped.
Carefully tucking the banknotes away, she finally looked up to meet Steven's gaze—he stood a full head taller than her.
"That's because the noble Rat King has spoken," she said proudly. "Our place counts as the 'kids' table.' No gang fights, no turf wars, no outside conflicts are allowed to drag us in."
She puffed out her chest.
"That's the pride my little ones bring me."
The admiration on her face when she mentioned this so-called Rat King was unmistakable.
"And who would that be?" Steven asked directly.
The response he received was a look from Hei Ye as though she were staring at an alien.
"You're in Lungmen's slums and you've never heard of the Rat King? How can anyone not know him?"
Her disbelief was entirely genuine.
"Sorry, I really don't," Steven admitted. "The only one I can think of is a chef with that nickname."
Reviewing his own memories, Steven realized the name only reminded him of a classic animated film—about a rat who was exceptionally good at cooking and even ended up conquering a professional food critic. But that one was called the Ratatouille—a "King of Cuisine Rat" at best. Almost certainly unrelated to the one Hei Ye was talking about.
"A chef? No, no, no," Hei Ye shook her head vigorously. "The Rat King's specialty is 'dealing with' the rule-breakers of the slums. Down here, he's the real authority—the embodiment of the rules. Anyone who violates the rules he sets won't last long around here."
Her tone carried sincere reverence as she extolled the Rat King's greatness.
From what she described, Steven pieced together that this Rat King was essentially the godfather of Lungmen's underworld, the one who controlled the slums and the subterranean forces beneath the city. At the same time, he protected weaker Infected like Hei Ye and the children.
"In that case," Steven said thoughtfully, "how did you get to know him? And more importantly, can you contact him? We can negotiate the price. I won't shortchange you."
A thought had struck him—this Rat King might be the perfect entry point for his investigation. As the ruler of the underground world, there was no reason he would not know who had been targeting his group.
At the very least, he might know who had hired the first wave of people to ambush them at Lungmen's gates.
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Note: Character Illustration is in this Google Drive:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1iuyfwNVFHzIi9H4rWNT_lAm7jTSiah_M
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Tn: I updated the story daily, but if you want to see more chapter of this story ahead of time, please go to my Patreon.
Latest Chapter: Chapter 617: A Bold Guess[1]
Link: https://www.patreon.com/Thatsnakegirl/posts/arknightcraft-160680628[2]
[1] https://www.patreon.com/Thatsnakegirl/posts/arknightcraft-160680628
[2] https://www.patreon.com/Thatsnakegirl/posts/arknightcraft-160680628