Chapter 213: If you won't sell, there are plenty of others who will

They claim it's a zombie vaccine, but it really only offers a little protection; however, they're the only ones in the world who've managed to develop even a semblance of it, and any upper-citizen going out on a mission will pay a high price for a dose, just in case.

Luo Song said this while inwardly complaining about the Floating Light Merchant Guild.

He also bought a dose, spending all the points he had saved over two years, intending to keep it for emergencies, so he treasured it, waiting to use it at a critical moment.

Who would have thought that in less than half a year, the vial grew mold, and when he tried to return it he got scolded badly.

That Floating Light Merchant Guild—he'll remember it for life!

Just as he was speaking, several voices sounded from outside the secret reception room.

"Immediately afterward, a group entered under the leadership of Special Zone Chief Chen Yu, one of whom Ye Heng knew—it was Lu Shaochen, who had even licked his tray clean at the refuge."

"Lu Shaochen also spotted Ye Heng, his eyes lighting up instantly, and he excitedly said to the people beside him:"

"Dad, Dad, it's him! He's the Ye Heng I told you about!"

"Upon hearing this, Lu Zhonglin's eyes flashed; he looked at Ye Heng with curiosity and anticipation."

Seeing that he was a young man whose age was about the same as his own son, his heart gave a slight tremor, and a thought suddenly occurred to him.

Both being established adults, how come the other family already heads a refuge with abundant resources, while his own good-for-nothing son is just a petty thug, knowing only to drink all day?

If he could at least find him some good liquor, it would be fine, but instead he hired many expedition teams, and yet the liquor he's managed to obtain isn't even half as good as the wine Ye Heng casually puts up for auction.

"In that moment, Lu Zhonglin grew angrier the more he thought, and couldn't help but give his son a muffled punch."

"Lu Shaochen winced in pain, face full of question marks: "Hey, Dad, what did I do now?""

He waved excitedly at Ye Heng, then gave his father beside him a series of meaningful glances.

"Dad, today our Lu family is sure to succeed; I know Ye Heng wants to expand the refuge and upgrade equipment, our family's gear is good enough, Ye Brother and I are acquainted, he'll definitely choose to cooperate with our Lu family."

"Lu Shaochen wore a confident look, while Lu Zhonglin secretly observed Ye Heng."

Seeing the other side also sizing up their four faction representatives without a change in expression, he couldn't help but question his son's confidence.

After the group took their seats, Chen Yu gave a brief introduction of both sides, then said:

"Brother Ye Heng is a valued guest of mine, Chen Someone; whoever dares to make things difficult for him, although as Special Zone Chief I can't directly punish you, during my term I can completely block any of your actions in Special Zone 13, so please weigh this carefully."

The Special Zone Chief's warning indeed startled everyone present.

Everyone became even more curious about Ye Heng.

A mere dust civilian could actually earn the Special Zone Chief's special regard, even to the point of opposing them for his sake.

It seems this dust civilian must possess some noteworthy resources, which made them even more eager.

Ye Heng was deeply grateful for Chen Yu's protection; given his current status, he could only temporarily rely on Chen Yu's shelter to conduct trade safely.

After Chen Yu finished speaking, he turned to Ye Heng with a very modest attitude.

"Brother Ye Heng, we can begin; the several clan heads have already understood your needs in advance, and I had them list in advance the materials each can provide."

Chen Yu waved his hand; the several clan heads exchanged glances, then each had someone deliver their list to Ye Heng.

This should have been a trade fair they led, but now it lets a dust civilian pick and choose among them.

Such a huge status disparity left many present feeling at least somewhat dissatisfied.

"Ye Heng passed the documents to Sun Hao and Zhang Chaoran for review, and after carefully examining one himself, he discovered the list was actually the Lu Shaochen family's."

The Lu family is the wealthiest in Special Zone 13, so their resources are naturally abundant.

Besides producing innovative appliances for the wasteland era, they also dabble in purification systems—water, air, even soil—and the corresponding purification equipment is not cheap.

After looking it over, Ye Heng gathered with Sun Hao and Zhang Chaoran to discuss quietly.

"The heads of the four major factions varied in expression, but aside from Lu Zhonglin, the other three each held back their breath, seeming ready to explode at any moment."

"Lu Shaochen watched this, his mouth almost splitting up to his ears."

"Dad, we've definitely got this; look at their faces—they're surely dissatisfied, holding back their breath to question Ye Heng; as soon as they show any displeasure toward him, we can just sit back and wait for the supplies."

"Although Lu Zhonglin was willing to trust his son, he still felt uneasy, thinking that a dust civilian's material reserves could never be enough to purchase much of their Lu family's high-end goods."

"He had even canceled several important internal trade meetings to come here today; if Ye Heng's offered materials fail to satisfy him, then when he returns, that brat Lu Shaochen will surely get a sound thrashing."

He had firmly told himself that Ye Heng was absolutely the Lu family's biggest guest to date.

Time ticked by, and finally someone could no longer stay seated.

"Lord Chen, as Special Zone Chief, we can understand wanting to give this young person a chance, after all I heard your daughter's life-saving serum was provided by this Ye surname dust civilian."

"But you should also know that the Special Zone Chief's abuse of private power gives us, the major families, the right to impeach you!"

The speaker was a man about forty or fifty, one of the largest construction merchants in Special Zone 13.

At that moment, another weapon merchant from Special Zone 13 chimed in in agreement.

"Lord Chen, I think this farce should end here; I have several important clients to talk with, they're willing to offer the freshest heavenly immortal brew in exchange for my latest construction materials—why should I wait here for a dust civilian?"

Having spoken, the two rose to their feet and stared at Ye Heng.

Seeing that he still had no intention of revealing his chips, they exchanged a glance, flicked their sleeves, and headed for the door.

Seeing this, Chen Yu couldn't help but raise a hand to his forehead; he had originally thought to keep benefits in-house, so he introduced these two local merchant guilds with decent resources, but who knew they'd put on such airs, not even giving him face.

Chen Yu didn't try to keep them; such customers who like to play hard to get, he himself would dislike, and there's no need to stay and annoy Ye Heng.

Ye Heng glanced at the two, then swiftly swept their lists onto the floor.

"If they won't sell, there are plenty who will."

The two hadn't gone far when they heard Ye Heng's words, their faces turning livid with anger.

For some reason, they both turned around and came back, adopting an arrogant attitude as they said:

"You little brat, your tone is huge; we're among the top apocalypse suppliers, mighty families forged from the chaotic era."

"You, a mere dust civilian, dare to be picky with us?"

"Let's see what good stuff you can produce!"

Saying this, the two actually plopped down on their bottoms and refused to get up.

"Ye Heng couldn't be bothered with them, and instead turned his gaze to Lu Zhonglin and another merchant guild vice president who had come from afar."

Hello, both chairmen, I am Ye Heng. The materials I need are nothing more than building supplies, weapons, and some advanced technology. I see that your two families happen to meet all my needs, so let's cut the chatter and get started directly.

As his words fell, Ye Heng immediately waved his hand, and a wooden crate appeared on the open ground.