Chapter 59: Imperial Nobles

"Why would nobles come to the Lower District?"

Murong Mengli smiled. "To run a company, of course."

Yang Dongqing's gaze sharpened with wariness. He harbored no goodwill toward nobles. Their reputation across the Chiyan Empire was abysmal—extravagant and arrogant, they placed themselves above the law, treated commoners like dirt, and thought the world revolved around them. They were the parasites of the empire.

Of course, this was just what the commoners whispered in private. They hated the nobles, yet they hated the fact that they weren't nobles themselves even more.

"I don't recall ever crossing paths with any nobles. What's your goal here?"

"Mr. Yang, I can see your disgust for nobles in your eyes. I won't pretend to be any different from them. I sought you out to invite you to join my company—Bronze Coffin."

"I—"

"Don't be so quick to refuse. I know you've only recently become a nightmare apostle and remain on guard against everything. But it's actually quite common for nobles to establish companies and recruit nightmare apostles. Most apostles choose to sign on with one."

"Why?" Yang Dongqing frowned deeply.

"Mutual benefit." Murong Mengli gently stirred her coffee, the spoon clinking crisply against the porcelain cup.

"Mr. Yang, I shouldn't need to explain the dangers of being a nightmare apostle. Navigating the Nightmare World time and time again, no one can be certain how long they'll survive. Because of this, most nightmare apostles try to accumulate enough wealth while they're still alive to leave behind for their families and friends.

"That is the purpose of these companies.

"Though the Nightmare World is dangerous, crisis always walks hand in hand with opportunity. Aside from nightmare monsters, it also holds Artifacts, transcendent materials, and more. These are exactly the things our companies need."

Yang Dongqing sneered. "So you want us nightmare apostles to sell you the things we risk our lives for?"

Murong Mengli didn't mind his hostility. She maintained her polite demeanor, acting exactly like a CEO negotiating a standard business deal.

"You have to sell them eventually, don't you? Aside from the nobles, who else in this world do you think can afford to pay a fair price?

"I understand your concerns, Mr. Yang. But rest assured, I never force a sale. After all, these items are bought with the lives of nightmare apostles. I only want the things you don't need. For instance, your Bronze Law is Heart of Steel, meaning you can only use strength-type Artifacts and transcendent materials. If you were to find a mental-type Artifact or material that you couldn't use, you could simply sell it to the company.

"Of course, joining the company offers more than just a buyer. There are corresponding employee benefits. Aside from a substantial monthly base salary, you'd also gain access to shared intelligence, staff assistance, Artifact rentals, and more."

Murong Mengli's terms were excellent, but Yang Dongqing only latched onto one specific detail.

"You investigated me?" Yang Dongqing clenched his fists, a faint metallic sheen surfacing across his knuckles.

"Kid, let me give you a piece of advice. Don't bare your fangs at those stronger than you." A faint male voice rang out from directly behind Yang Dongqing. Shock seized him—he hadn't even noticed someone slipping up behind him!

Just as he prepared to react...

Smack.

A large, bony hand clamped onto his shoulder. In that instant, Yang Dongqing felt as if an entire mountain had crashed down upon him.

No matter how hard he struggled, he couldn't shake it in the slightest.

He turned his head in disbelief, only to see a man in a black trench coat and sunglasses standing there with an indifferent expression.

His so-called body of steel felt like a mere toy in that massive hand, ready to shatter from a gentle squeeze.

"Han Yu!" Murong Mengli furrowed her brows, looking somewhat displeased.

The sunglasses-wearing man named Han Yu shrugged and released his grip. "Boss, I was merely giving him a warning."

"From now on, do not make a move without my orders." Murong Mengli's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an unquestionable, serene authority.

Han Yu nodded casually. "You're the boss. What you say goes."

He strolled over to the side, took a seat, and said no more.

Yang Dongqing stared at Han Yu in terror, monstrous waves already crashing through his mind. He couldn't fathom that, even after growing so much stronger, his power was still this pathetically fragile.

"I apologize, Mr. Yang. My subordinate was out of line. Please forgive him," Murong Mengli said, showing a trace of regret. She continued, "To be honest, I didn't investigate you specifically. Rather, in order to expand the company, I constantly send people to track down traces of nightmare apostles among the populace.

"The main issue was a robbery you committed, making off with fifty thousand. The victim reported the crime, claiming they shot at the assailant during a struggle, but the thief walked away completely unscathed.

"As it happens, I have some ties with the chief of the District 13 Public Security Bureau. When I learned of this incident, it prompted the subsequent investigation. By the way, I also helped sweep your robbery under the rug. Though you've obtained transcendent power, your criminal methods are far too unrefined."

"..." Yang Dongqing fell silent.

Having his 'rob the rich to feed the poor' act exposed left him feeling a bit embarrassed. Even more surprisingly, Murong Mengli had actually helped him from the shadows.

Murong Mengli continued, "Mr. Yang, there's actually one more reason I sought you out."

"What reason?" Yang Dongqing lowered his hostility slightly; after all, he was indebted to her.

"Because you're kind," Murong Mengli said with a smile.

"Many ordinary people commit brutal, inhumane crimes after becoming transcendents. But you are different. The target of your robbery was a corrupt boss who habitually withheld his workers' wages, and you didn't kill anyone. While I don't endorse such actions, comparatively speaking, your moral standards are quite high."

Yang Dongqing chuckled awkwardly, seemingly a little embarrassed.

"I don't want my company's employees to be unrepentant villains, no matter how capable they might be. With all that said, Mr. Yang, what do you think? Joining Bronze Coffin brings you nothing but benefits. Our understanding of the Nightmare World and transcendents far surpasses what you could learn on your own. And all you need to do in return is give the company priority when selling any Artifacts or transcendent materials you don't need.

"Of course, the company won't let you lose out on the price," Murong Mengli offered sincerely. As far as she was concerned, Yang Dongqing had no reason to refuse.

However, after a moment of silence, Yang Dongqing shook his head.

"I'm sorry, Miss Murong. Although your terms are very tempting, I have to refuse."

A flash of surprise crossed Murong Mengli's eyes. Facing rejection, she wasn't angry or disappointed; instead, she asked with genuine intrigue, "May I know why?"

Yang Dongqing hesitated. The image of Su Mu rejecting Ye Fanyu, as well as him waving goodbye to Tingting, continuously surfaced in his mind.

It was this seemingly selfish, cold-blooded gang leader who had stepped up to help him at the critical moment, even saving his life.

"Mr. Su, I can't get through to him. You're a smart man. As long as you follow my plan, we can definitely return to reality."

At that time, Su Mu had smiled just as he always did. "I refuse."

It was precisely this incident that had changed Yang Dongqing's opinion of Su Mu.

Dismissing the memories from his mind, Yang Dongqing took a deep breath and said, "Because I promised someone I would work for him for three years."

Murong Mengli looked surprised. "Is that person also a noble?"

Yang Dongqing shook his head. "No. He is a gentleman of great madness."

Murong Mengli smiled faintly. "I quite admire gentlemen with good manners. I wonder if Mr. Yang could introduce us?"

Yang Dongqing's expression turned strange. "I think you might have misunderstood. I didn't say manners, I said madness. As in a madman."

Murong Mengli was stunned.