Chapter 65

Just as the bigwigs in Wasteland City were still haggling over prices, an old man suddenly elbowed his way into the crowd. "One hundred plants, I'll take them!" Benjamin shouted first.

Everyone turned to Benjamin, looking puzzled. Wasn't he the one who was so adamant about not buying? Why the sudden change of heart?

I grinned at the crowd. "There are over a hundred more plants, folks. Better hurry if you want in."

"What? I want thirty plants!"

"I'll take thirty too!"

"I'll buy the rest!"

"Hey, that's not fair! Share some with us!"

"Yeah, split half with me!"

The high-level execs in Wasteland City were bickering fiercely. I watched them with a faint smile.

"Relax, everyone. Besides cabbage seedlings, I've got tomato seedlings and other veggies too," I announced.

"Tomatoes?" The crowd perked up, especially those who had been to the Tortoise City banquet. They knew how tasty and magical tomatoes were.

"I want thirteen tomato seedlings!"

"I'll take ten!"

Soon enough, even the tomato seedlings were all gone.

Margaret was flipping through her notebook, jotting down data here and there. Then she turned to a few of the execs. "Sorry, all the seedlings are traded."

"What? They're all gone?" someone exclaimed, clearly not happy.

"Yep, really gone," Margaret said with an elegant smile.

Seeing Margaret's smile, I knew what she was thinking. Of course, there were still seedlings left, but they wouldn't trade for much. Only with 'scarcity marketing' would they trade quickly. Looked like my 'thief plan' was ready to roll.

Those who missed out would be even more desperate when they saw cheaper seedlings later. By then, the cosmic energy I earned could evolve not just one, but two or three Tier 7 evolution beasts.

After the trading was done, the folks from Wasteland City left.

Margaret came over with her notebook, looking puzzled, especially when she saw Benjamin and the others moving away. Her eyes were full of curiosity. "Are we still going with tonight's plan?" she asked.

"Of course, we're on for tonight," I said calmly, with a hint of determination.

Margaret asked again, "So, do I need to play the thief, carrying tea and seedlings to those who didn't get anything?"

"Yep," I replied lightly, with a knowing look. "They'll be our prey tonight. Once my plan works, the rest will definitely come to us."

Margaret blinked her blue eyes, as if she was starting to get it. "What are you scheming?"

"I made a deal with Catherine. We need to put on a good show tonight," I said.

Margaret furrowed her brow, still not fully understanding. "What kind of show?"

"The thief accusing others of stealing," I replied with a cold, amused glint in my eyes.

The whole point of this charade was to create chaos, giving Catherine and her group a chance to escape. Meanwhile, the greedy higher-ups of Wasteland City would become our pawns, helping me execute my upcoming plans.

Margaret seemed to catch on and suddenly asked, "Are you planning to have someone catch me?"

"Why would you think that?" I asked back.

"I always feel like you're using me, but I don't mind. Just promise me one thing," Margaret said, looking me straight in the eyes, her tone serious.

"Alright, what do you want?" I asked.

"After all this is over, let's go on a real date," Margaret said, sticking out her tongue and licking her lips.

I slapped my forehead, and replied helplessly, "Okay!"

Hearing my agreement, Margaret lit up with happiness.

"Selena," I turned to her. "Tonight, you're going to play the cop and catch the thief."

"What?" Selena looked stunned, not getting what I meant.

I smiled and leaned in to whisper my plan in her ear.

Selena's eyes lit up, and she smiled, her lips curling up. "Just leave it to me!"

Margaret glanced at Selena, showing a hint of helplessness. She turned to me and said, "You really know how to make things complicated for me."

I shrugged, "It's more believable if the police catch the thief. Just think of it as a game."

"If things go south, don't blame me," Margaret joked.

"Just do it," I responded with a light laugh.

After setting up the night's plan, I approached Grace and asked quietly, "Have all your goods been sold?"

"The water and pottery are sold out, only tomatoes and cabbage are left," Grace said, glancing at the veggies in the wooden box.

"It's fine. If we can't sell them, we'll just eat them ourselves," I said, my eyes falling on the box of beast crystals. Those primary crystals could only convert ten units of cosmic energy each.

Margaret wasn't too interested in the crystals; she was more focused on the fabrics. "Are these fabrics enough for us?" she asked, gently touching the pile of cloth with a hint of satisfaction in her eyes.

"One piece of fabric can make several pieces of clothing, and a piece of clothing can last a long time," I said softly. "With these fabrics, we can at least support ourselves for a while."

"Right, when we get back to Tortoise City, we can put these fabrics in the trading post and exchange them for points," Margaret noted in her notebook.

At that moment, a group of people approached from a distance.

"Someone's coming," Ellie's voice softly rang out.

I looked up and saw the group with worried expressions, some old, some young, and even a pregnant woman. They looked at the thieves hanging under Tortoise City with complex emotions.

"Sir, can I take my son's body back?" A grieving old woman suddenly knelt down and begged me, her voice low and sorrowful.

I squinted at the old woman, "Are you the mother of one of these thieves?"

The old woman lowered her head, tears shimmering in her eyes. "Sir, please have mercy on us. We are willing to serve you to atone for our family, just please let us have their bodies."

My tone was flat, without any emotion. "Actually, they're not dead yet."

Hearing my words, the old woman suddenly looked up, a glimmer of hope in her eyes. "Not dead? They're really not dead?" she asked eagerly.

I coldly replied, "Yes, but they're close to dying."

Confusion appeared on the old woman's face, and the surrounding relatives of those thieves stared at me, their eyes full of hope.

I continued, "They had broken into Tortoise City last night, if we hadn't been able to defeat these thieves, it wouldn't be them who died today, but the residents of my city."

"Sir, please spare their lives!" Another young woman pleaded softly, her eyes full of hope.

I remained indifferent, my tone still cold, "They dared to break into Tortoise City and steal things. That's a capital offense."

At this moment, the people around couldn't help but cry, some even knelt down, pleading incessantly.

I felt it was almost enough and spoke lightly, "However, considering that this is their first offense, if you can use beast crystals to atone for their sins, perhaps their death sentences can be pardoned."

The old woman, after hearing my words, excitedly raised her head, her voice almost trembling, "We have them, we have beast crystals at home!"

"Then go get them, or those people will really be in danger," I said coldly, waving my hand dismissively.

The pregnant woman asked cautiously, "If we hand over the crystals, can my husband be spared?"

I shook my head and coldly said, "No, they can be pardoned from the death penalty, but they have made mistakes. They will have to work as free laborers in Tortoise City for a few years. If you're willing, you can go with them."

Margaret, Selena, and Ellie were all stunned, their eyes showing shock. I watched their reactions and secretly sneered. These thieves had been dealt with, and what remained was how to extract the last value from them and their families.

"Really?" the pregnant woman's voice choked up.

"Yes, but you haven't made any mistakes. I can pay you for your work," I said slowly, as I couldn't bring myself to enslave innocent people.

"Thank you, sir," the pregnant woman wiped her tears. "I'm willing to go to Tortoise City to work! I'll go back home to get the crystals..." She didn't hesitate anymore, turned around, and waddled away.

Others also left, preparing to take the crystals to Tortoise City.

I didn't say anything more, just watched them leave quietly. These people were the second batch of residents of Tortoise City.

'Those thieves are still useful. When they become residents, I will squeeze out their value properly.' I looked up at the people hanging there. These were all skilled individuals with amazing combat power. With so many Mutants, many of my plans could be deployed ahead of schedule.

After I sent off the families of those thieves, Benjamin and his group returned. They brought beast crystals and took away the seedlings they had reserved.

I quietly reminded Catherine, "Remember to pack up tonight for the operation."

"Got it!" Catherine suppressed her joy and handed a pile of crystals to Margaret, then took a few empty wooden boxes back.

I saw Catherine's attendants seemingly effortlessly carrying the boxes and reminded Catherine in a low voice, "Those boxes are heavy."

Catherine suddenly realized what I meant, nodded at me, and then stopped a few attendants to give instructions. Then those attendants were trembling, their legs shaking, as if carrying huge iron blocks.

I nodded in satisfaction. It seemed that Catherine was a smart woman.

At this moment, Margaret came to my side and asked curiously, "Why not invite her to join Tortoise City as well?"

"Why should I invite her?" I asked back.

Margaret frowned, "How would I know your thoughts? Don't you always like women with big breasts?"

I was speechless. Actually, Margaret's words weren't wrong. I did have a thing for women like Catherine, and any man would want to conquer a successful woman like her. But... "I just don't understand her," I said, somewhat inexplicably.

Margaret sneered disdainfully and asked, "Did you really understand me at the beginning?"

I shrugged and said, "You're different."

"Am I prettier than Catherine?" Margaret asked again.

"Yes," I replied firmly. At times like this, I wouldn't offend a beautiful lady by saying "NO".

Sure enough, Margaret looked very happy, and when everyone else was busy, she ran to my side and kissed my cheek.

"Mr. Steele, I'll complete the task seriously. Don't forget our date!" Margaret ran off, leaving me touching my face. That kiss was quite sweet.

After a while, the families of the thieves came one after another with large and small packages.

Selena softly reminded, "Everyone is here."

I nodded and turned to Margaret, "You take care of these people."

Margaret's lips curled slightly, elegantly nodding, "Don't worry, leave it to me. I guarantee to get all their beast crystals."

I didn't say much more, just silently communicated with Jack, 'Jack, create a stone staircase.'

Suddenly, the earth trembled, rocks and soil quickly rose, and a staircase appeared on the flat ground, leading directly to the wall behind Tortoise City.

"You girls, bring your things, let's go back first," I said to a few girls. I couldn't stay here controlling the rock platform all the time. With so many beast crystals, I could convert a lot of cosmic energy. I was eager to evolve two new animals!

"Okay." Grace carried the wooden box and loaded the beast crystals onto the platform.

Selena said to Ellie, "Bring the antelope too."

"Okay." Ellie tightly held the antelope's neck with one hand and lifted its two hind legs with the other, easily bringing it onto the platform.

"I'll leave the rest to you," I said gently to Margaret, winking at her.

Margaret pursed her lips, elegantly nodding, "Go ahead, just leave it to me. Don't forget our agreement."

"Don't worry." I waved my hand.

At this moment, Grace leaned in front of me, staring at the two of us, and asked, "Did you make a dirty deal in private?"

"Grace, you misunderstood," Margaret said.

"Really? Why did Mr. Steele wink at you?" Grace asked incredulously.

I shook my head helplessly. Grace was jealous again. I knew I needed to make time to be with Grace. Actually, among these girls, Grace was the one I liked the most. Not only because Grace had saved me before, but also for some deeper reasons.

"Grace, I'll come find you tonight. You wanted to learn new dishes, right? I'll teach you," I suddenly said.

Grace was stunned, not understanding my meaning.

I gave Grace a mischievous smile and said, "Just like when we were wandering in the wilderness, I really liked seeing you in that robe."

Suddenly, Grace blushed, nodded, covered her face, and ran away.

At this moment, Margaret looked at me with a sly grin, "Isn't this a dirty deal between you two?"