Chapter 26: Intelligence Like a Sunburned One-Eyed Ogre

The door of the Spear Inn swung open, and a whistle rose behind Zhou Yun.

Luo Ge, wearing a linen robe and a gray-white ugly face painted with a spaceship emblem, twisted his grotesque features as he approached Zhou Yun.

“Brother! Zhou Yun, brother! My good buddy!”

“What the hell are you doing here at noon, drinking? I’ve been looking all over for you!”

Luo Ge shouted loudly, his voice booming like a newly rich tycoon.

The patrons inside the bar turned their gazes toward him.

Old One-Eye remained expressionless, pulling a semi-automatic pistol from beneath the counter and expertly chambering a round.

Luo Ge noticed this and froze, awkwardly raising his hands.

“It’s me, One-Eye! Old Luo Ge! We’ve been brothers for years—change clothes and you don’t recognize me?”

Zhou Yun gave Old One-Eye a slight shake of his head.

“That face of yours could make anyone vomit for seven days and seven nights—no one could forget it!”

Old One-Eye tapped the counter with his pistol and growled:

“Don’t think switching masters gives you license to cause trouble in my bar.”

At this, Luo Ge shrank his neck, then quickly nodded, grinning: “Got it, got it—we’re brothers, after all.”

With that, he plopped down beside Zhou Yun.

“Luo Ge, I still prefer you in your old skin,” Zhou Yun said, studying him with interest.

Last night he was still a member of the local gang; by noon today he’d already swapped into Ark Gang attire.

Wasn’t this old bastard the one who guided the Ark Gang last night?

Luo Ge chuckled, waved at Old One-Eye, and signaled for a glass of the pungent crimson liquor.

Old One-Eye slid the drink toward Luo Ge, glancing at him: “You’re not the traitor who led the Ark Gang here, are you?”

“It’s me!” Luo Ge patted his new clothes with pride.

“I’m getting heavy use from the Master now,” he said, downing a gulp of liquor. “My dream’s getting closer.”

“You’ve got a dream?”

“You’ve got a dream?”

Old One-Eye and Zhou Yun stared at Luo Ge in unison, astonished.

“Of course! I’m going to become a gangland superstar! Live every day drinking Amasek wine!” Luo Ge raised his glass and drained it.

Zhou Yun frowned, signaled Old One-Eye, and said: “Another round for Luo Ge—my treat.”

“To the future gangland superstar.”

Old One-Eye nodded silently and turned toward the shelf behind him.

“Good brother,” Luo Ge said, his face splitting into a hideous grin at the prospect of Zhou Yun buying him a drink.

“So who sent you to find me?” Zhou Yun tapped his glass against the counter.

“The Master herself!” Luo Ge raised his voice. “Brother, I’ve got you another big job this time.”

“Oh?” Zhou Yun raised an eyebrow.

“Here’s your drink.”

Before Luo Ge could continue, Old One-Eye arrived at the counter with an opened bottle of crimson liquor.

“New batch. First sip’s for you, old bastard.”

Old One-Eye poured a glass and handed it to Luo Ge.

Luo Ge eagerly took the glass and gulped it down.

“Brother Zhou Yun, the Master wants to talk business with you.”

“She’s seen the Agripina III automatic infantry rifles you brought back.”

As he spoke, Luo Ge’s gray face flushed red.

“Who told her those rifles came from me?” Zhou Yun frowned.

He already knew the answer—but he held back from punching this old bastard in the face.

“Me!”

Luo Ge puffed out his chest, beaming with pride.

“Isn’t this how you get new business, brother?”

Zhou Yun couldn’t help rolling his eyes.

“Brother Zhou Yun, I’m not saying the Master isn’t decent—she’s way more generous than the old gang bosses.”

“Lately our district hasn’t been stable. While you were gone, a petty thief slipped in.”

“That little rat broke into homes at night with a heat lance—even stole from the gang’s own hideout. The old gang chased him for days and never caught him.”

Luo Ge seemed drunk, babbling fragmented thoughts:

“When things get unstable, we brothers gotta stick together—make more money.”

Zhou Yun said nothing, only watched calmly as Luo Ge rambled on.

Luo Ge trailed off, then stopped.

He clutched his head, frowning, mumbling:

“Why does my head hurt?”

“One-Eye, what did you ferment this liquor with? It’s so strong?”

Old One-Eye glanced at him: “Mutant shit.”

“Damn, that’s strong,” Luo Ge grinned dazedly.

He rubbed his temples hard, trying to stay awake.

“You’re drunk,” Zhou Yun said flatly.

Old One-Eye nodded in agreement: “You old bastard, go sleep in the back room.”

“No!”

Luo Ge staggered to his feet, his mind already blurred.

“Drunk is drunk,” Old One-Eye stepped from behind the counter, hoisted Luo Ge onto his shoulder, and shoved him toward the back room.

“I’m not drunk! I’m not! No need!” Luo Ge shook his head violently.

“Yes, you are,” Zhou Yun stood up, slapped Luo Ge’s back. “Pathetic.”

“I gotta—”

Luo Ge clutched his throbbing head, grimacing:

“I gotta sleep a bit, Brother Zhou Yun—don’t you dare leave.”

“Later, you’re coming with me to see the Master.”

“Alright, alright,” Zhou Yun agreed readily.

Together with Old One-Eye, they carried Luo Ge to the back room and dumped him onto the bed.

The sedative Old One-Eye had added to the liquor took effect.

Luo Ge quickly passed out like Russ after a punch from Lane.

“Your sedative’s brutal,” Zhou Yun remarked, staring at the unconscious Luo Ge.

“I’ve got exclusive channels for bottom-dweller goods,” Old One-Eye rubbed his hands together. “The sedative and that bottle go on your tab.”

“Of course,” Zhou Yun gave Old One-Eye a slight nod.

Old One-Eye turned his gaze to the sleeping Luo Ge: “What do we do with this old bastard? He betrayed you—kill him?”

“He’s not the worst down in the lower slums. Stupid? Yes—but uniquely, cheaply stupid.”

Zhou Yun glanced at the sleeping Luo Ge.

Luo Ge lay sprawled, his ugly face scrunched, mumbling: “Amasek wine… strong… got rich, Brother Zhou Yun…”

Zhou Yun couldn’t help smiling: “Such a rare talent—leave him to the Ark Gang.”

“He’s like a sunburned one-eyed ogre—this kind of genius should be left to the enemy.”

“What’s a sunburned one-eyed ogre? You’re talking nonsense again.”

Old One-Eye shook his head, his single eye fixed on Zhou Yun:

“What’s your plan?”

“I have a small plan. I’m going to meet the Master.”

(End of Chapter)