49 The deals

After the loddy, there was a hall with 5 large round tables. The one in the middle was the largest of them. It was made of steel, around 5m in diameter, and looked quite heavy. It could probably hold a 2-3 tons of monster meat. Around every tables were at least half a dozen of chairs. The room had several people at 2 of the smallest tables, in the middle of their own negotiations.

The middle table seemed to be reserved for the 7 Gods and those who had the right to trade with them. At the figurative head of the table was a man with several teenage girls standing at his sides to attend him. His eyes were sharp like knives, he wore a fur coat, had a sapphire ring on his hand, and a metal squeleton necklace. He was holding a metal chain, but at the other end of the chain wasn't a pet but a teenage girl. She was lying on the ground with a metal collar, a string bikini, and numerous whip marks on her body.

After looting the Bloody Wolves base, Liushi wasn't the slightest bit surprised by what he was seeing. People could say that the outbreak and the disappearance of law enforcement had enabled people to revel in their darker urges, but such things existed already in the so-called civilized world. They were just more hidden.

Liushi would have liked to do something to help her, but he couldn't afford to. They didn't come here to start a fight, let alone a war. Furthermore, a lot of people were relying on the place for their survival. He didn't like it, but he was able to stay calm. Zhuying on the other hand, had trouble staying calm, and even Qinping was agitated.

"That guy has strong energy fluctuations" Zhuying said lowly near his ear. "He must be the leader of these 7 Gods."

Liushi gave a small nod, having guessed as much. The Starseed had detected the paranormal bioenergy, and his demeanor revealed his status. With a small gesture, he led his group toward the main table. The people at the others tables were looking at their group with a lot of curiosity. Some of them were exchanging mocking whispers about the newcomer not knowing their place. The others stayed silent, not wanting to underestimate someone with such quality equipment.

At his seat, the leader of the 7 Gods observed the group coming to his table with a scowl. 4 paranormals: 2 weak ones, an average one, and a strong one; and a ordinary guy that seemed to be the leader. Regular teams were quite clear about their own positions of strenght, and sit at the 4 tables in the corners. Yet, these first timers dared to come directly to the middle table.

Liushi was aware that he was probably being rude, but he was certain they would be fine.

"Dear friend, you aren't a paranormal, right?" the boss said while narrowing his eyes at Liushi.

"You're right, but it's not important" he replied calmly. "What is important is what I seek and what I'm willing to give in exchange." he finished while sitting on the steel chair in front of the boss.

There were other people sitting at that table besides the boss, and alongside the rest of the people in the room, got startled by Liushi's actions. Zhuying took a seat at his side, trusting him. Qingping on the other hand, didn't dare, clearly intimidated by the boss. She stood beside Zhuying, while Zhang Hai and Sun Kun stayed behind Liushi.

"I have 8 tons of pure monster meat to spare" Liushi simply said. "What can you offer for that?"

The people that were looking down on him were stunned, then started to reconsider their opinion of the guy. People rarely parted with more than 4 tons of monster meat. The paranormals needed it, not only to have energy to use their powers, but also because it strenghtened them. Each time they slew a beast, they always kept part of the meat for themselves.

One of the ladies that were attending the boss swallowed before answering his question.

"... 4 automatics weapons, or 5 semi-automatic weapons with a grenade."

"Look at us, lady" he said with a bit of condescension. "We don't lack weapons" he said, lightly waving his shotgun. "What I want is mutant beast cores."

A surprised silence descended on the whole room. Mutant beast cores were the highest hard currency after doomsday. There was only one per beast, they were easier to carry around than tons of meat, and they were even more beneficial for paranormals than monster meat. The only drawback was that they couldn't be divided. It often took 2 teams cooperating to deal with one mutant beast, so earning the core was hard.

"Oi, little bloke, that's quite the demand you're making" the boss said with a mocking smile. "You may not need weapons, but we are not exactly starving for meat either."

"Of course. I said that I had meat to spare, but I didn't say it was the only thing I had to spare" he said with a grin. "2 tons of meat and an assault rifle with a box of amnutions for a core. Or 2 tons of meat and 2 submachine guns with 2 boxes of amnutions. Or a general purpose machine gun with 2 belts of 100 rounds."

Once again, the whole room was stunned. They could hardly believe what they just heard. The machine gun was the rage of the market. The initial speed of the bullets was faster than assault rifles, and their effective range was around 800m, double that of an average assault rifle. It didn't have a particular advantage to other firearms against zombies, but against mutant beasts they were usefull.

"There are only 2 machine guns for sale by the way. If you don't lack weapons, good for you. But they will quicky become useless without amnutions. It will be between 8 and 24 boxes of amnutions for a core, depending on the calibers. I have 9x19mm, 5.8x21mm, 5.56x42mm, 7.62x25mm and 7.62x39mm."

The room descended into a whole new level of quietness. The hostess that had given him the prices of weapons seemed to be about to collapse. Other people seemed to have trouble breathing. Some had their eyes almost pop out of their skulls. Then furious whispers were heard around. The boss, who had recovered from the schocking news, looked at him with a strong glint of interest in his eyes. As well as greed. A lot of greed.

"I am known as White Boss" said the sharp eyed man. "What is your name, young man?"

"I'm Jiang Liushi" he replied with a small nod.

"I'd like to see what you've brought" the boss said. "Your words are nice and all, but I need a clear confirmation."

"I'll gladly show you if you can open the way for my vehicle to park out there, and if those interested show me that they have what I seek."

The boss considered it for a second, annoyed that Liushi had added some conditions, but they were reasonnable. He turned to Zhang Hua, who had remained nearby the entire time, and nodded. Seeing this, Liushi sent Sun Kun after him to get the car. While he was gone, people started to negociate between themselves. What Liushi proposed was better than the usual Black Market prices. Collaborating to obtain his goods would only be beneficial.

Soon enough, Sun Kun came back, pulling the pallet mover. On top of it were 4 tons of meat and 2 bags containing the weapons. He put the bags on the table and opened, then placed the weapons and their amnutions in order.

He continued to discharge the monster meat while the people had their eyes stuck on the weapons, especially the 2 general purpose machine guns. One was a Type 81 7.62x39mm, the other was the QJY-88 5.8x42mm. Liushi had upgraded the Type 67 that were found in the military train to the more modern versions used by the soldiers of Satellite Town.

"I have 2 mutant cores here" said White Boss. "I want the 2 general purpose machine guns you offer."

White Boss was reluctant to make the exchange. Even as the Black Market's boss, it was difficult to separate from such big wealth. But he needed to keep the advantage over the other traders. He could keep one machine gun for himself with all the amnutions, and sell the other at a higher price later.

"Good! We have a deal" Liushi replied with a smile.

He pushed the weapons and their amnution boxes to the boss, who in turn gave him the 2 mutant cores he took out from a box he kept on his person. Liushi obsrved them with excitement and satisfaction, while the boss also checked his new weapons. It didn't take for him and his subordinates to confirm the goods were ginuine. Liushi stored the cores in the box he had prepared.

"2 tons of meat and the assault rifle with amnutions" said a bald man with a bit of haste.

"Deal."

The assault rifle was a Type 81 7.62x39mm based on the AK. It was still used in the chinese army, but only for the reserve forces. The box of amnution contained 180 rounds, the equivalent of 6 magazines of 30 rounds. As for the meat, the man had to use it to compensate for the loss of the core. The speed at which the deals were concluded alarmed those that were still hesitating.

"2 tons of meat and the 2 submachine guns with amnutions" said a thin man.

"Which one do you want?" Liushi asked pleasantly. "The Type 85 with 7.62x25mm cartridge? Or the CS/LS2 with 9x19mm cartridge? The first one comes with 210 rounds amnution box, and the second one with 300 rounds amnution box."

"CS/LS2? You mean the JS 9mm? I'll take that!" he replied.

And just like that, Liushi gained 2 more mutant beasts cores, making a total of 4. And he still had meat, weapons and amnutions to spare. He definitly was the wealthiest man in the room.