Chapter 129: The Problem, The Solution.

"I didn't give money to the poor! I gave it back to the people I took it from!" Man Geru shouted, still standing outside the house.

"I don't care what you did. Just get me the dress!" Lan's voice came from inside.

"And who is this new boss of yours? Didn't you promise that after taking over from the previous gang leader, you'd control the gang's finances and buy me whatever I wanted?" Lan shouted.

"Mm... I don't know. He just barged in that day... and took everything away from me." Man Geru looked toward the sun.

"You made a promise. Just fulfill it, or I'll leave you." Lan shut the door.

"Lan..." Man Geru muttered.

Man Geru walked to the square sand platform in front of the house and sat down.

The evening sun illuminated the surroundings in pale red as a lone silhouette sat on the platform, lost in his thoughts.

When the sun set, Man Geru stood up and walked to the Fish Gang Base.

The Next Day...

"Big Brother, I will be going out for a few hours." Man Geru stood in front of Yan, who was buried in the sand of the courtyard.

Yan nodded.

"Wait! Did we start investigating the leaders of the Sand Vipers, Crimson Ledger, and Iron Sand Guild?" Yan asked.

"Yes, Big Brother. I have sent out some people from those ten gangs to join them."

Yan nodded.

Then Man Geru walked out of the place toward his home.

When he approached his home, he spotted a woman standing beside the carriage he had arranged for Lan's use whenever she wanted to go out.

He walked up to her and said, "Mimi."

Mimi looked back at Man Geru.

"Tell me about the pink dress that Lan liked and show me where it is available," Man Geru said.

"It's better if I show you." Mimi said

Mimi then boarded the carriage with Man Geru, and they reached the caravan where the pink dress was hung at the crowded stall.

While still sitting in the carriage, Mimi asked, "Brother Man Geru, why don't you just ask them to give it to you for free? Why does a gang leader have to pay money to get things he wants?"

"Mimi..." Man Geru's voice was rough.

"These caravans come from different cities. Do you know why they are safe all the way here?" Man Geru asked.

"They have experts protecting them. You overthink my influence; I am just a local gang leader," Man Geru explained.

"So, we have to pay the money?" Mimi asked.

Man Geru nodded.

For clarity, the page where the author publishes supplied this text without consent, while its official chapter supports their work.

"Let me see if I can borrow it." Man Geru stepped out of the carriage and approached the seller.

"How much is this?" A woman held up a dress and asked the seller.

"And this?" A man standing beside her pointed at a hat displayed on the stall.

Several other customers were examining the merchandise when a man near the edge of the crowd spotted Man Geru.

His expression changed. Without saying anything, he immediately turned around and hurried away.

The person standing opposite him noticed the movement and followed.

Soon, one customer after another began leaving the stall until only the seller remained.

Soon Man Geru stood in front of the stall and said, "I am Man Geru."

"Welcome, customer. What would you like to buy?" The seller crossed his arms.

"I want that dress. Give it to me. I will pay you back when I have money." Man Geru pointed his finger at the pink dress.

"Dear customer... you are putting me in a bad situation. Sorry, but I can't do that," the seller replied.

"I am Man Geru," Man Geru replied.

"So what?" The seller raised his brows.

"I can't attack you directly, but I can make sure that you don't get any new customers," Man Geru said, folding his arms.

"Are you threatening me?" the seller raised his voice.

"No, I am just talking about business. Give the dress to me, and I will pay later," Man Geru said.

"Then listen, Man Geru." The seller shouted as a Core Formation aura erupted out of him.

"I have been polite so far, but if you do that, then there won't be a Man Geru in the future." The seller said as multiple late-stage spiritual foundation auras flared from behind the caravan.

"Then how much is it?" Man Geru asked.

"Six hundred silver coins," the seller said.

"Don't you think you are quoting it wrongly? I heard it was four hundred silver coins," Man Geru said.

"No, I don't think so. I have special prices for special customers," the seller said.

"Give me a discount. I want it for one hundred silver coins," Man Geru said.

"Seven hundred silver coins," the seller replied.

"One hundred silver coins," Man Geru said.

"Eight hundred," the seller glared at Man Geru.

Man Geru clenched his fist and looked at the seller. "Eight hundred it is, then. At least don't sell it to anyone until I get the money."

"You better hurry. I will be keeping it for only a month," the seller said.

Man Geru clenched his teeth as he walked back to the carriage.

"Seems like it failed," Mimi said.

"I know," Man Geru said.

"What's your next plan?" Mimi asked.

"I have something in mind," Man Geru said as the carriage tires began to roll.

After a few minutes, Man Geru returned to the Fish Gang Base and found it almost empty, except for Mo Tefu, who seemed to be hurrying somewhere.

"Mo Tefu, stop!" Man Geru called out.

"What's happening? Where is everyone?" Man Geru asked.

"Everyone went out to find work, but sadly, no one dares to hire us. Everyone is refusing to employ us," Mo Tefu said.

"Damn peasants!" Man Geru kicked the ground.

"What now, then?" Man Geru took a step forward.

"So we counted our options. Either we have to fight in the arena or go to the Old Quarter and get hired by the ancient families," Mo Tefu said.

"So what did you choose?" Man Geru asked.

"None... all these options might end up bringing more danger to our lives. There were strong refusals from everyone," Mo Tefu said.

"What now, then?" Man Geru asked.

"Then we came up with an idea. We are not getting jobs because of our reputation. So we collectively decided to change it."

"We are offering free work and free services for a while before adding a payment," Mo Tefu explained.

"So you are going to be slaves for those peasants? Are you idiots or something?" Man Geru shouted.

"We had no choice..." Mo Tefu said.

"No choice? You all could go to the Arena, but you chose this bullshit. Who the heck came up with this?" Man Geru glared at Mo Tefu with bloodshot eyes.

"It was... me..." Mo Tefu said.

"You..." Man Geru glared at Mo Tefu.

"But Big Brother Yan approved it." Mo Tefu's words came out faster.

Man Geru went silent, took a deep breath, and then asked, "Why did you want to be slaves?"

"Leader, the Arena is dangerous. Although we could earn more there, we can always lose our limbs or lives. And working for the Old Quarter... we thought about it as well, but a few members who often visited the Old Quarter noticed that whoever previously went to work for them never came back."

"Then I thought, what if we just repair our reputation? By offering free services, we will make them accustomed to us. Then we will start charging them. They won't be able to let go of the comfort of the services easily, so they will have to pay," Mo Tefu explained.

"Hmph! Gather everyone once they come back. I need to borrow some money," Man Geru said.

"Yes, Leader," Mo Tefu said.

"Leader, shall I go?" Mo Tefu asked.

"Go..." Man Geru said.

Mo Tefu took a step.

"No, wait..."

Mo Tefu halted as soon as he heard the voice.

"Since you came up with the ridiculous idea, your first ten payments will be mine," Man Geru said.