Chapter 10: The Merchant Midalin

As Li Mingxing pondered his new assignment, Midalin encountered a fresh dilemma of her own. After Li Mingxing’s last visit to Yin Haitao, somehow the Russians’ matter reached Midalin’s ears. Midalin, who was not a person of the real world and cared little for its rules, was intent on acquiring the goods for herself. To achieve this, she even considered simply seizing them by force.

Had Yin Haitao not intervened, Midalin might have already led her people to negotiate with the city’s underworld merchants. Even with Yin Haitao keeping matters in check, he could not restrain Midalin’s ambitions; she had been preparing for days. Thus, the veiled woman became the number one enemy of the criminal underworld during this period.

Were it not for Yin Haitao, half a local kingpin, Midalin might have already been found by the criminals. As it was, Yin Haitao eventually had to notify Li Mingxing, who was still in his city, contemplating how to find a more effective measuring tool.

Upon receiving this news, Li Mingxing was startled. He had invested much effort to bring Midalin into the real world, and could not let a trivial matter place her in danger.

Coincidentally, Zhao Wenbin had just completed the construction of the marketplace. After some thought, Li Mingxing strode into the newly built market.

Though called a market, it was not large—about three acres. It was divided into two parts: one resembling a warehouse, with four doors, though only one was open at the moment. Through the open door, Li Mingxing could see a desert-style shop.

This was his connection to his city’s projection. From here, he could collect resources from his city’s projection or transfer the needed resources to it.

The other section resembled street stalls, each topped with a light screen. Merchants under Li Mingxing could place their wares inside the screen and display them anywhere to outsiders. Unless enough spirit coins were paid, not even a god could snatch the items from the screen.

Besides these two sections, there was a small room at the edge of the market, reserved for Li Mingxing’s merchant. From here, the merchant could freely travel between all of Li Mingxing’s markets, bringing their caravan along. Given his current situation, Li Mingxing could only have one merchant at most.

Li Mingxing came here specifically for the small room. He quickly picked up the merchant’s exclusive certificate and immediately opened the passage out of the city, returning to the real world.

Back in reality, Li Mingxing tried to contact Midalin, but only reached Yin Haitao. According to Yin Haitao’s information, Midalin was negotiating with a gang leader.

Hearing this, Li Mingxing felt uneasy for reasons he could not name. He hurriedly asked for the location of the negotiation and rushed there.

Only then did Yin Haitao realize the gravity of the situation and was so startled that he quickly grabbed his weapon and followed.

However, he was a step too slow. By the time he found Li Mingxing and Midalin, Li Mingxing had already resolved everything, using the potent toxin he had concocted but not yet exhausted.

Li Mingxing was cradling Midalin, his cold gaze sweeping over the gangsters frozen like statues. He said to the arriving Yin Haitao, “You handle them. I don’t want to see them again.”

No sooner had Li Mingxing spoken than the burly, forty-something man’s eyes filled with terror, darting repeatedly to Yin Haitao as if begging him to plead on his behalf.

Yin Haitao had no interest in the man. He hurried to Li Mingxing’s side and cautiously asked, “Sir, just now—what happened here?”

“Nothing much. Nearly a fight. You handle the aftermath. I’ll make sure Midalin does what she’s supposed to and won’t trouble you further,” Li Mingxing replied.

Yin Haitao paused, then nodded. Watching Li Mingxing about to carry Midalin away, he finally said, “Sir, Midalin has worked hard these days. Her efforts shouldn’t go unrewarded.”

“I know. I’ll take care of it. She’s the most critical person at our side now; she can’t waste herself on useless affairs,” Li Mingxing said, then carried Midalin out. He had acted hastily, and Midalin had been poisoned by his own toxin. Now, he needed to find a place to cure her.

After neutralizing the poison, Li Mingxing dropped Midalin to the ground and said coldly, “You’re quite capable, aren’t you? I wanted you to learn about economic operations, and you go negotiate with a gang leader. Is this place so unbearable you can’t survive?”

Midalin blushed at his words, but she knew that without Li Mingxing’s timely arrival, she might already be dead in some unimaginable way. So she only looked at him pitifully.

Seeing her like this, Li Mingxing’s anger softened. He tossed her the merchant’s exclusive certificate.

“From now on, you’re my merchant. For now, we only conduct internal trade between the city and its projection, and trade for treasures in the real world. You must handle these well. In the future, when our city’s projection connects with other heroes’ cities, you may have to organize caravans for commerce. You must be fully prepared.”

Midalin nodded. Remembering her recent efforts, she started to speak, but Li Mingxing cut her off: “I know what you want to say. Leave it to me. For now, come with me to set up a stall at the Mystic Bar, then I’ll handle these goods.”

With that, Li Mingxing took her hand and returned to the Mystic Hotel.

Upon entering, Li Mingxing saw that the burly man who used to collect fees at the bar’s entrance was dead, his head hung high above the bar’s door.

Li Mingxing glanced up at the head and asked casually, “Who killed him?”

A few gossipers inside pointed to the depths of the bar. “See those people? It was them. After they killed the guy, they basked in their glory for quite a while.”

Li Mingxing looked over and recognized the group as those suspected of being connected to the dead man. Apparently, they had tested the bar’s rules, then eliminated the useless pawn to earn themselves a reputation.

But they seemed not to realize that, as members of the Dark Alliance rather than trainee heroes of the Light Alliance, such fame was pointless. Here, only brute strength mattered.

Thinking this, Li Mingxing smirked dismissively and led Midalin to the passage leading to the inner world.

“Set up your stall here. Bring out some elemental belts and gems we acquired in the inner world. Price them as you see fit. If possible, get me a set of magical measuring tools; if not, spirit coins, wood, or stone will do,” Li Mingxing instructed.

“And the gems we brought back? Should we sell some?” Midalin glanced at him.

“That’s up to you, but keep a portion for ourselves. We still have no source of gems,” Li Mingxing replied after a moment’s thought.

Midalin nodded, took out the merchant’s certificate, and conjured a platform a meter long and half a meter wide, placing the items Li Mingxing mentioned upon it.

Each item was shielded by a light screen, allowing others to examine their properties but not steal them outright.

As Midalin set up the stall, the bar was abuzz. Though goods had been traded in the bar before, never had there been such a professional commercial stand.

Its appearance naturally attracted the attention of trainee heroes coming and going to the inner world.

Soon, a few trainee heroes were browsing, and Midalin proved adept at business. In short order, she closed a deal, trading an elemental belt for 3,000 spirit coins and three sheets of evil-class covenant paper.

As Midalin smiled at Li Mingxing, ready to pack up the goods, a discordant voice rang out.

“Not bad, making a business here. But have you paid your protection fee?”

Li Mingxing turned to see the four trainee heroes he had previously dismissed approaching, clearly interested in Midalin’s wares.

Smiling, Li Mingxing said, “Midalin, in the future, ignore such people. With the merchant’s certificate protecting you, you won’t be harmed, nor will your goods be stolen. Just treat their words as the barking of dogs.”