Chapter 512 - What Friend?

No longer bothering himself with the old cuckold family, Virus and his group left the inn. The moment they were outside, Archibald was the first one to talk, “Boss, I apologize. I’ve made an unforgivable mistake.”

“Huh? You believe me? Don’t you also have faith in that woman, like that cuckold idiot friend of yours?” With an inquisitive glint shimmering through his sight, Virus questioned.

“Hmph. What friend? They dared to behave that disrespectfully toward you. Henceforth, I, oldie Archie, have no such friend in this world.” A supercilious gaze exhibiting through his half-lidded eyes, Archibald announced.

“Also, you ask if I don’t believe his wife? Hell, there’s no fucking way that’s true. Despite your situation clearly being the more logical and honest one back there, I don’t really care even if that wasn’t the case. Just like my friend biasedly believes his wife, I, too, will always trust boss in spite of how illogical and dishonest you may sound.” With his nose high in the air, he added, “It’s not only about belief… but unwavering trust in you as well!”

“Yes, boss! We all trust and have faith in you!” Luna on his wheelchair was the next one to open his mouth. It was followed by the nodding countenances of the other two as well.

“How could that bitch try to do that to our boss? She absolutely deserves to die!” Enraged, Luca disdained the existence of such a woman. 

Who was Virus? The person they would be dead without! The person they owed everything to, including their lives! So, it didn’t matter even if Virus wished for the destruction of the rest of the world, Luca would follow orders since it wasn’t the rest of the world that was there for him and his brother when they needed it the most, it was Virus alone!

“Alright, calm down you all. It doesn’t matter anymore, they’ll suffer alive more than dead. Now, let’s just forget about such disgrace ever happening.” Virus uttered that with resolve, “What we need to do right now is to find another place to stay at.”

“How much capital do we have right now, oldie Archie? Six thousand? Seven thousand?” Rubbing his chin in contemplation, Virus looked back at Archibald.

“Ah, boss, about that, prior to what happened earlier, I was just on my way to report back to you. Someone bought twenty-two thousand and five hundred worth of books from our shop earlier!” He said with elation. 

“The guy literally demanded me to bring him one copy of every single technique in the shop. That plus our other earnings, we precisely have thirty thousand Qi Ingots in our hands now.”

In reaction to that account of events, however, a deep frown crept over Virus’ profile. “…”

“What’s wrong, boss?” Discerning the furrowing brows and the accompanied silence, Archibald wondered if he had done something wrong again.

Shaking his head, Virus answered in a relaxed manner, “Nothing. Anyhow, that means we can afford a place of our own now. Tell me, how much is a normal courtyard with a four-room abode nowadays?” 

“Well, that depends on the area and requires further inquiry. But generally, the places inhabited by the cultivators are the most expensive ones.” Archibald described.

“We don’t need that kind of location. Just go buy a ‘decent’ abode from a cheaper site in the city. But preferably, select somewhere that’s closer to our shop. But let me emphasize again, purchase a decent one, this time decent for real.” Glaring at him grimly, Virus maintained it for a while.

“Yes, boss!” Feeling somewhat embarrassed, Archibald vowed to finish this task perfectly.

“Good. I’ll be staying at the store until you’re done, go now!”

…

While Virus was waiting in the shop for his new house to be purchased and prepared, time quickly elapsed. And around four hours later, Archibald returned and guided everyone to a new destination.

Sometime later, entering a rather big courtyard, Virus spotted the sight of a hut with probably four rooms.

With no delay, opening the entrance of the hut, the five went inside as they faced the image of a neat home.

“How is it, boss? Is it to your liking? Only paid ten thousand Qi ingots for it which is honestly a great deal for such a neat home.” Like he was on top of the world, Archibald held his head high and relayed the news of his noteworthy achievement.

“Hmm, it’s not bad.” Nodding in satisfaction, Virus approached a random room and decided, “This’ll be my room from now onwards, you four divide the rest between yourselves.”

“Yes, boss.” All four replied in unison.

“Archie, we have twenty thousand of our capital left, right? As always, use them and purchase more stores in the Dead Pool district.” Recalling the matter of the rest of the Qi Ingots at hand, Virus passed along the relevant orders.

“Your wish is this oldie’s command.” Butler bowing at him, Archibald approvingly adhered to the order.

“Oh right, how many do we own at the moment?”

“Hmm, I believe nine, boss.”

“Good. Alright, I’m going somewhere, we’ll talk more later on.” Muttering that, Virus took off soon.

…

Arriving at the brothel, as usual, Virus sensed the existence of Blaze inside a particular private room. Hence, he was about to reserve the space on his left side when Blaze suddenly walked out.

Subsequently, noticing Virus about to enter the room beside his own, a friendly smile crept over his countenance as he approached Virus for the first time ever. “Hello, I’ve seen you in the brothel a lot as of lately. You must be a man of culture like myself.”

Now that Blaze had come forward and initiated the conversation himself, Virus had no reason to avoid direct contact any longer.

‘This could be a good opportunity to get a better grasp of his personality.’ Pondering that, grinning from ear to ear, he extended his arm and proclaimed, “Hello, in my town, when two men of culture met, they used to shake hands.”