Chen Fan listened to Lin Yue's story. Her pain and helplessness were evident in every word. Her younger brother, Lin Jun, due to gambling, had borrowed a colossal sum from loan sharks, amounting to 200 million VND. With interest piling on interest, it had soared to 500 million VND in just a few months. The gangsters continuously threatened them, even showing up at her parents' home in the countryside.
"They said... if we don't pay the full 500 million by the end of this week, they'll chop off Lin Jun's hands, then sell our whole family into a prostitution ring..." Lin Yue sobbed, her face pale.
Chen Fan's brows furrowed. 500 million VND was an astronomical sum for Lin Yue. But for him, it was a mere trifle. He had just easily earned 50 million, and his investment in TechForge Innovations would soon yield massive returns. However, he couldn't just hand over the money casually. That wouldn't address the root of the problem, and the loan sharks would never let go.
He needed a plan. A plan that would not only help Lin Yue clear her debt but also crush this entire loan shark syndicate, eliminating all future threats.
"Do you know their names? Or where they usually operate?" Chen Fan asked, his voice calm but resolute.
Lin Yue wiped her tears, nodding: "The leader's name is Big Eagle. He runs an underground bar and casino in the outskirts, near the old bus station. They're very brutal, and they have a gang protecting them."
Big Eagle... Underground bar... Chen Fan smirked. In his past life, he vaguely heard about a loan shark syndicate being busted by the police not long after Lin Yue's incident. He vaguely remembered some crucial details.
"Ding! Detecting new Main Quest: Eradicate Urban Evildoers!"
"Description: Dismantle Big Eagle's loan shark syndicate, save Lin Jun, and protect Lin Yue's family."
"Reward: 300 Experience Points, 10 Low-Grade Spirit Stones, one 'Initial-Grade Heavenly Eye Technique' skill."
"Time Limit: 72 hours."
Chen Fan's brows knitted. Heavenly Eye Technique! This was an incredibly useful cultivation skill, allowing him to see through objects, detect hidden targets or items. This reward was well worth his effort.
He looked at Lin Yue, the girl still in a state of panic. "Don't worry. I'll help you. But you have to listen to me."
Lin Yue looked at his resolute gaze, as if finding a lifeline in her despair. "Mr. Chen... I'll listen to whatever you say."
"Alright. First, write a detailed report about how Lin Jun incurred the debt, the amount, the methods of intimidation, as detailed as possible," Chen Fan instructed. "Then, call Lin Jun and tell him to try to avoid them, not to get caught. Absolutely do not go meet them alone."
"Yes..." Lin Yue nodded frantically.
Chen Fan stood up. He needed to gather more information. Big Eagle's bar, his core members, and especially their modus operandi. He wouldn't face them alone. In his memory, this syndicate was very cunning and had complex connections.
He opened his computer, starting to search for information about Big Eagle and his underground activities. With his "god-tier" networking skills, Chen Fan quickly infiltrated some underground forums, obtaining a layout of the bar, escape routes, and even Big Eagle's schedule.
That bar has a hidden underground vault used to store contraband and dirty money. A crucial piece of information suddenly popped into his head, coming from his past life's memory, further analyzed and "mined" by the System.
He smirked. These rats dug their holes deep.
"Ding! Prepare for battle! Does Host wish to enhance strength?" The System's voice suddenly chimed.
Chen Fan checked his spiritual energy bar. His spiritual energy was quite full after a night of cultivation. He calculated that with his Mid Qi Refining cultivation and the Heavenly Dao Decree, he could easily deal with a few ordinary thugs. But to dismantle an entire syndicate, he needed more power.
He remembered the 35 low-grade spirit stones in his Cosmos Bag. Each spirit stone contained a pure amount of spiritual qi.
"Absorb spirit stones!" Chen Fan commanded.
A spirit stone immediately flew out of the Cosmos Bag, hovering before him. Chen Fan gripped it, circulating the Heavenly Dao Decree. Spiritual qi from the spirit stone surged into his body, rapidly refined by the cultivation technique.
"Ding! Host successfully absorbed a low-grade spirit stone! Gained 50 Experience Points."
He continuously absorbed two more.
"Ding! Host successfully absorbed a low-grade spirit stone! Gained 50 Experience Points."
"Ding! Total Experience Points have reached breakthrough threshold!"
"Does Host wish to break through from Mid Qi Refining Stage to Late Qi Refining Stage?"
Chen Fan didn't hesitate. "Breakthrough!"
Once again, the feeling of spiritual energy surging, meridians opening. This time, the breakthrough was even more powerful than before. The spiritual energy in his body was now much denser and more potent.
"Ding! Congratulations, Host has successfully broken through to Late Qi Refining Stage!"
"Host receives 150 Experience Points, 5 Low-Grade Spirit Stones!"
"Total Experience Points: 0/2000 (reset for the new realm)."
"Total Spirit Stones: 30 Low-Grade."
Chen Fan stood up. He felt his entire body overflowing with strength, as if one punch could shatter a concrete wall. His vision and hearing became extremely sharp.
Big Eagle and his syndicate... They wouldn't know what they were about to face.