chsdbacks Chapter 25 The Old Method
Chapter 25 The Old Method
As Li Ang walked through the colorful aisle, he noticed several dancers swaying their bodies on the stage. Although their clothes covered their bodies, they were not very elaborate.
Martin raised his voice to barely drown out the surrounding noise: "How's it going, Li Ang? Not bad here, right?"
"It's okay, it's just too noisy."
"Haha, let's go to the champagne room later. It's much quieter there, and it's also a good place to talk business."
Martin led Leon deeper into the building until they came to a tall bodyguard. Martin pulled a one-dollar bill from his pocket and handed it to the bodyguard, saying, "I need a quiet private room. This is your tip. I remember the private rooms come with a complimentary fruit platter, right?"
"Yes, sir." The bodyguard's eyelids twitched, but he still gestured for him to proceed and asked, "How are the dancers arranged?"
Martin glanced at Li Ang and whispered, "Want to join us? The dancers here are really hot and great."
Li Ang decisively declined Martin's offer, saying, "Discussing business is more important, isn't it?"
"That's right." Martin waved his hand. "Just get a private room, keep it quiet, and don't worry about anything else."
"Alright... sir." The bodyguard seemed slightly reluctant.
Before long, Martin and Li Ang arrived at a private room.
Looking around, the interior of the private room was almost identical to the KTV Li Ang had visited in his previous life, showing no signs of being outdated from half a century ago.
The sofa, coffee table, small TV, and colorful light bulbs also contribute to a good sense of privacy.
Li Ang sat down on the sofa, opened his backpack, and slowly took out a short sword.
Upon seeing this, Martin was suddenly jolted awake and exclaimed, "My God, Li Ang, what exactly did your ancestors do? Why do you have so many treasures?"
Li Ang smiled and got straight to the point, "How about 1,200 US dollars? For our friendship."
Martin took the short sword and examined it in his hand. "Leon, I admit that the sword you have is heavy and exquisitely crafted, and it's from almost the same era as the two coins you gave me before. But $1,200 is still too expensive. How about $1,000? We're friends." As he spoke, a hint of reluctance flashed in Martin's eyes.
A thousand dollars was actually within Li Ang's budget. If this sword were sold in Ioria, its value would indeed be more than a silver coin.
But carrying or selling this standard weapon used by witch hunters is too risky.
Being able to exchange for a thousand US dollars now is already pretty good.
After a moment's hesitation, Li Ang nodded. "A thousand dollars it is. After all, you just saved me with a gun and are now helping me with my identity!"
"It was nothing, don't mention it," Martin waved his hand.
"By the way, Martin, you just said the coins and weapons are from the same era. What era?"
Hearing this, Martin became interested. "I had someone use radiocarbon dating, and it came out that they're about three hundred years old. But there's something strange about them; there are no related images or patterns in existing historical records. They don't match anything related to France. I need to investigate their exact origin further. By the way, Leon, isn't this something your family passed down? Didn't you know?"
Li Ang shook his head. "Perhaps my ancestors found it elsewhere, but I don't know exactly where it came from..."
Martin gave him an understanding look. "You have your own way, I won't ask any more questions, after all, we're friends. But Leon, I think I have something here that you might be interested in."
Soon, Li Ang learned some surprising news from Martin.
At this very moment, the Phoenix, a cruise ship converted from a World War II decommissioned vessel, is anchored in the high seas of the Atlantic Ocean, more than 3,000 kilometers from Chicago.
The ship has been converted into a clean room, chemical reactor, freeze dryer, and finished product cold storage, and is now operating at full capacity to produce two drugs called "Shuyue" and "Kadio".
The Phoenix itself is a large pharmaceutical factory.
In terms of medications, "Shuyue" is an anti-anxiety drug that can replace addictive and extremely expensive barbiturates. "Kadio" can treat hypertension and angina and can replace reserpine; both have considerable markets in Europe and the Americas.
Most importantly, they are much cheaper than "genuine" medicines.
Families who cannot afford barbiturates and reserpine are embracing new drugs.
However, before formal approval by the U.S. FDA (Food and Drug Administration), the sale of the two drugs in the United States remained in a gray area.
Ships hoping to sell new drugs would retrieve the drugs from international waters and then secretly take them inland to sell.
Martin, on the other hand, fully owned a cargo ship.
"So, you mean I can get 'Shuyue' and 'Cadio' from you for $300/month and $700/month respectively?"
"That's right." Martin nodded. "You can check the market; the retail profit margin for these two drugs is at least 50%. Otherwise, why do you think I would travel thousands of kilometers to get them?"
"Martin, I think you earn more."
"Of course," Martin grinned, revealing two large gold teeth. "But how should I put it, I'm doing a good deed. You know, barbiturates and reserpine are countless times more expensive than this. So, how about it, interested in trying it, my friend? Although your family's heirloom collection is quite tasteful, I think making money is what a man should do most, especially a smart man like you."
Li Ang remained silent.
In any case, it's too strange that such a good thing just fell into his lap.
Given Martin's influence in Chicago, it would be more appropriate for him to establish an underground distribution network with the mob; being penniless himself, he doesn't seem like a suitable partner.
The key point is that I haven't shown him any outstanding talent.
It seems necessary to get Martin to tell the truth.
The old method: [suggestion].
But Li Ang thought that he would have to figure out how to develop non-contact spellcasting in the future.
Everyone touched him like that. It was alright with the woman, but it was really beneath the dignity of a wizard for the man to do that.
With that thought in mind, Li Ang said, "Yes, let me think about it. Martin, you try this first."
Li Ang gently pushed the fruit plate toward Martin.
"Okay, think about it. These are all paid-for cut fruits, and we can't waste a single one." Martin reached out to take the fruit plate.
Then, inevitably, Leon and Martin's hands touched.
The moment the two made contact, Li Ang silently recited a spell, releasing the [Suggestion Spell].
"Wow, the fruit-cut fruit tastes pretty good."
"Why did I entrust this matter to you?"
"Isn't it all thanks to this old man's skill? I used ancient coins to divine your immeasurable future fortune."
"Or, your first copper coin is worth about fifty-five dollars. I'll just keep it as a keepsake because I like it."
"The second silver coin and this sword today are definitely not worth this price!"
"Eighteen hundred dollars, that hurts my heart."
"Li Ang, let me tell you, if you ever become a star, you must never forget the time when Old Martin helped you when you were broke."
Martin muttered to himself.