Translator: AnubisTL
"Destroy a planet?"
The young man in the white suit froze, a flicker of shock in his eyes. For a moment, he was speechless.
These guys actually have the power to destroy a planet?
Are they even kidnappers anymore?!
They're straight-up terrorists, aren't they?!
Jiang Cheng Company.
He was certain this company wasn't legally registered. It sounded so refined, yet they were pulling off such despicable acts?!
Huff!
He took a deep breath, forcing down his inner turmoil. Fortunately, his mask concealed any excessive facial expressions. "Very well. I hope we'll have opportunities to collaborate in the future."
"You truly live up to your reputation as a big shot," Scar Dog couldn't help but admire, giving a thumbs-up. "That's the right attitude. Even though we kidnapped you, we're also demonstrating our capabilities in a unique way, aren't we?"
"If you ever need someone for shady jobs, hiring strangers would be far riskier than hiring us—we've already proven our worth."
"I love doing business with big shots like you. Your vision is on a whole different level."
"Come on, join our group chat. We might have another chance to meet in the future. Leave your real name so we can give you a 20% discount if you accidentally get kidnapped by us again."
"We're all here to do business. We always offer special deals to our loyal clients."
Scar Dog quickly collected the ransom money from nearly 140 people present.
After two fools jumped out to their deaths and the North Star Corporation was publicly annihilated before their eyes, everyone moved swiftly.
When the hostages contacted their families, their elders paid the ransom without hesitation.
After seeing the video of the North Star Corporation's destruction, these elders understood that the ransom wasn't just for their children's lives—it was also for the safety of their entire families. When you spread the cost across the whole family, it was a bargain!
Excellent value for money!
In fact, when Chen Jiang allowed the video of the North Star Corporation's destruction to circulate among the hostages' families, everyone on Orange Red Star knew who was behind the terrorist attack!
Yet Orange Red Star took no action.
The reason was simple: so many children and descendants of powerful figures—even the powerful figures themselves—were at that venue. How could they possibly rush to arrest the mastermind behind the terrorist attack at such a time?!
If the Mastermind directly ordered the execution of all the hostages, the surrounding planets would be thrown into chaos.
More importantly, the moment the Federation's ground forces mobilized, news reporters would swarm in like dung beetles drawn to excrement. Even if they successfully neutralized the terrorists and rescued all the hostages, what then?
The media would undoubtedly capture every moment, broadcasting the entire spectacle to the world.
How many reputations would be utterly ruined by such exposure? What would the public think of the Federation's elite?
To even suggest suppressing the news was absurd. The potential profits from such a sensational story were astronomical—not even the star lord could stop them.
But could it be suppressed?
Yes!
By throwing money at the problem. If the bribes far exceeded the profits the media would gain from publishing the story, the news would naturally be buried.
The problem was, satisfying the media's insatiable appetite would require far more money than the ransom itself.
Considering all this, the ransom seemed like the more cost-effective option.
And it came with a bonus: access to a VIP membership group.
When the hostages at the venue relayed news of the membership group to their elders, these cunning old foxes immediately recognized its significance.
Some even voluntarily increased their ransom by several times, just to appease Jiang Cheng Company and prevent them from carrying out their threat of killing the hostages.
Were these shrewd elders valuing the membership group for the 20% discount on future ransoms? Or for the ability to contact Jiang Cheng Company and issue tasks?
Neither.
Everyone knew what the Rose Club was—a clandestine playground where many secretly indulged, all while concealing their identities.
Now, suddenly, everyone was appearing in a group under their real names.
It was essentially a mass self-destruct, a public airing of dirty laundry.
This effectively tied everyone together. You have my scandals, I have yours. We've established a degree of mutual trust through shared adversity. Gradually, we can form a united front, a coalition of shared interests.
As for the younger generation's games, let them play.
We elders can use this opportunity to unite. We trust each other more now, having weathered this crisis together, right?
Some were politicians, others businessmen, and still others worked in various professions.
The ransom was well worth it for the circle of people they had united.
Thus—
While many harbored their own ulterior motives—
The ransom was collected smoothly and completely.
"Excellent."
Scar Dog surveyed the crowd with a satisfied expression. "I didn't expect such cooperation. It seems you all may play a bit rough, but your judgment of appropriate limits is still quite impressive."
He then strode over to Chen Jiang. "Brother Jiang, it's all here."
"Hmm."
Chen Jiang took the tablet from Scar Dog and glanced at the "Jiang Cheng Company Member Group 001," which now had 139 members.
One was his own account, and the remaining 138 were all the people present.
As for the guards and attendants, he hadn't bothered collecting ransom from them. First, they were all broke and couldn't possibly scrape together much. Second, they were just trying to earn a living, and there was no need to push these small-timers to the brink.
His account balance now displayed a long string of digits:
"830000000."
Eight hundred and thirty million.
Even after deducting the cost of acquiring the qualification to open a Ten Thousand Races Arena, this sum would be enough to establish two such arenas.
Of course, if the qualification fee were included, the money wouldn't even cover the cost of opening a single arena.
"Excellent," Chen Jiang said, a smile playing on his lips as he surveyed the crowd. "Until next time, then. I hope we'll have the opportunity to meet again."
With that, he gripped his cane in one hand, removed his stiff-brimmed felt hat with the other, held it by the crown, and cradled it against his chest. He bowed gracefully to the crowd.
"Thank you once again for your cooperation with a Gentleman."
"May fortune favor you all."
In the next instant—
A flash of white light.
Chen Jiang and his companions, including the Steel Sword Autonomous Rotating Turret, vanished without a trace, as if nothing had ever happened.
If it weren't for the fact that everyone had already removed their masks, it would have seemed like nothing had happened.
After Chen Jiang and the others disappeared,
the crowd collectively exhaled in relief, finally feeling safe. But the next moment, their gazes fell upon the disheveled figures around them, and they froze, unsure of what to say.
Originally, everyone had been wearing masks, concealing their identities and enjoying the festivities.
But now, with all masks removed and the hall's white lights turned up to full intensity,
every person could clearly see the faces of those beside them.
Awkward reunions between fathers and sons, husbands recognizing their wives, and revelations of individuals far higher in status willingly serving as pets—a bizarre array of scenes unfolded.
Many were momentarily stunned, unsure how to process the situation.
Just then—
Thump, thump.
The sound of someone tapping the microphone on stage drew all eyes toward it.
"Ladies and gentlemen,"
The young man in the white suit stood on the stage, wearing a mask as he gazed down at the crowd. "First, I apologize for the unfortunate incidents that have marred tonight's Rose Club Friday Eden Party."
"I know many of you have paid a heavy price, and some may even face lingering consequences."
"But... isn't this, in a way, a good thing?"
"We've all removed our masks, revealing our true identities. But isn't this the most thrilling moment of all?"
"You've seen a side of your wife she's never shown you before!"
"You can now fully indulge in the pleasure of being a noblewoman, utterly humiliated!"
"Come, let's bring tonight's Eden to its climax!"
"The masks are gone, but that doesn't mean the tide will recede!"
"On the contrary, with our masks removed, our souls are finally unleashed, igniting the atmosphere of tonight's Eden Party!"
"Let me usher in a night of utter frenzy!"
"Forget all the unpleasantness and indulge yourselves to the fullest!!!"
His words hung in the air.
The audience exchanged uneasy glances as the bright lights of the venue suddenly dimmed, replaced by a sultry, dimly lit atmosphere and the resurgence of passionate music.
"Ooh! Ooh! Ooh!"
As a couple collapsed into each other's arms, an electrifying tension erupted across the venue like popping candy on the tongue.
"Cheer! Let's celebrate tonight!"
"Let's indulge in the night!"
"Rose Club: Unleash your soul!"
The band's drummer, hidden in the shadows, pounded out feverish rhythms.
The venue seemed to revert to its earlier frenzy, as if nothing had happened, only now with even greater fervor.
Everyone reveled in the frenzy, venting the fear they had just experienced.
But then—
Click.
The music abruptly stopped.
The young man in a white suit, microphone in hand, who had been orchestrating the night's rhythm from the stage, couldn't suppress a twitch at the corner of his mouth as he forced a smile at the sudden appearance of Chen Jiang and his companions.
"Though you mentioned seeing us again when you left earlier," the young man said, his smile strained, "I didn't expect it to be so soon."
"Are you here for another round? Is this how your company does business?"
"What else would we do?" Scar Dog grinned, turning to the crowd below. He raised his arms and shouted, "Don't stop the party! Let's keep the energy high! Congratulations on being kidnapped again!"
"Because you're all registered members of the Jiang Cheng Company!"
"That means you get a 20% discount on all ransom payments this time!"
"Keep the music blasting, the lights flashing! Let's keep drowning in this wild nightlife!"
He pulled a shotgun from his coat, took a cigar from the young man's suit pocket, aimed the shotgun at the cigar, and fired. He then lit the remaining half and stuck it in his mouth.
Leaping off the stage, he grinned at the stunned crowd below.
"What are you all standing around for? Keep the party going!"
"Alright, line up and contact your families. You all know the drill by now—pay up, one by one."
"Brothers."
The young man in the white suit took a deep breath before turning to Chen Jiang, who stood beside him, leaning on his cane. "Are you serious about doing business this way? It's hard to get repeat customers when you operate like this."
"Of course not," Chen Jiang replied with a smile, glancing at Scar Dog as he jumped off the stage. "Jiang Cheng Company is a reputable firm. All our members get at least a 24-hour cooling-off period after being kidnapped."
"Your Rose Club is quite interesting. My two brothers didn't get their fill last time, so they're here tonight purely as members."
"I understand," the young man nodded in realization, exhaling in relief. "We're all friends here. This little misunderstanding won't be a problem."
"You're in for a very enjoyable night," Chen Jiang said. "Many here have a fondness for strong men."
The young man raised the microphone to his lips, facing the crowd below. He clenched his fist and thrust it overhead, shouting excitedly, "Let's keep the party going! These powerful guests are the main attraction of tonight's Friday Eden Party!"
"Unleash your primal instincts and conquer these mighty lions!"
"Show them the wild tenderness that is yours!"
"Music, fucking explode!"
As the words faded, the venue's lights began to flash violently again, and the music, now several times faster, roared deafeningly in their ears.
"Ooooooh!!"
Once they were certain Chen Jiang and his group weren't here for another ransom, a girl who had removed her mask, her cheeks flushed slightly, rushed up to Scar Dog and tentatively leaned her head forward.
When Scar Dog raised his hand and gently stroked her head, the atmosphere reached a fever pitch.
More girls swarmed around Scar Dog, completely surrounding him.
Just as the young man had said, the people here adored strong men. And a man who could kidnap them all, openly destroy an office building in Orange Red Star's largest commercial city, and then brazenly remain here without any intention of fleeing—
He was perfect, embodying their ideal of a strong man!
Morbid? Yes, morbid.
Absurd? Utterly absurd.
And yet, everything seemed perfectly normal.
(End of the Chapter)
Translator's Corner:
Hey guys, my latest translation [Cultivator in a Wizard World!?] is out now. If you have read [My Apocalypse Train], then you are going to enjoy it even more. Absolutely recommended.
🔓 𝐰𝐰𝐰.𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐥.𝐜𝐨𝐦 — 13 Series (7 Ongoing) | 14+ New Chapters Daily | 6,100+ FREE