Chapter 42: Each with His Own Agenda

The cat's tail grew on the dark gray corset like a furry rope, which, if shaken, would make the hips beneath the corset sway seductively. The woman in the corset swung the cat's tail actively, her eyes full of sweetness, and she straightened her body, trying her best to highlight the small "tube" under the bra.

"It's almost full!" Catwoman said in a charming voice, "Maybe another 100 flow beads will be enough. Do you want to try it?"

The small tube was almost filled with beads, and Cat Girl had to try her best to push out her chest, because the small tube was tied with three golden threads, hanging on the collar of the tights and the three zippers on both sides. When the beads exceeded the limit, the zippers would be pulled down by the small tube, and Cat Girl's top would be "peeled off" by the weight of wealth.

This is a favorite invention of gamblers in the club. Each small barrel has different bearing capacity. People take turns throwing beads into the barrel, betting on who can strip the girl's clothes by themselves. The lucky winner can walk into the door with pink lights for free and spend the night with the naked girl.

Kanin looked back at the cat lady who had seduced him and realized she wasn't as young as she looked. She was over thirty, her bright makeup masking tiny wrinkles. Her waist, after having children, wasn't as slender as it had been in her youth, and she needed tights to maintain her striking lines. That little tube was indeed almost full. Soon she would be walking through the crowd, topless, holding the arm of a customer, then trying her best to please the man of the night, and then perhaps forcing herself to go home and make breakfast for her children...

He took out a bead and placed it in the girl's hand, showing a shy smile like a victim: "Sorry, I'm not here to... relax. I'm a businessman, I want to..."

"Oh! You want to see the magician?" Cat Lady suddenly realized. She thought he was a novice and whispered gratefully, "Then you should hurry to the ballroom! He always likes a dazzling appearance."

Kanin thanked him repeatedly and walked down the small staircase to the next floor. Anyone who saw him thought he was a young man who had just arrived. When he went down the stairs, he heard a vulgar cheer. The small tube finally fell down. The cat girl was hugged by the bald man with a big belly and laughed in front of many people.

"That's stupid, Kanin," he heard Bethan's voice. "That's stupid."

"I thought demons didn't care about these things." Kanin said in his heart.

"I don't want this disgusting feeling." Benson retched. "This place is filled with the smell of moonlight, rotten, vulgar mud..."

"So I suggest you stay in the puppet. Now go back, Maivia is coming."

Benson left silently, like a transparent ghost, invisible to all. Kanin descended the stairs, following the rhythm of the music. A military-like drumbeat mingled with the jazz, at first a mere embellishment, but growing increasingly rapid and louder, becoming a commanding presence. The dancing girls retreated to the beat, leaving a large area in the ballroom, and the crowd clapped along. Suddenly, the drums stopped, and from nowhere, dozens of cannons blasted off in unison. A towering, massive black figure descended from above, crashing into the center of the ballroom like a cannonball!

His arrival caused a veritable earthquake, shaking the guests around the ballroom so much that they could barely stand. The man let out a hearty laugh, took off his round hat, and tossed it high into the air. From that tiny hat, dozens, hundreds of pigeons flew out, their wings fluttering, and they dropped not feathers but fragrant rose petals.

The big man raised his hands above his head, clapped vigorously amidst a shower of petals, and cheered, "Welcome everyone! Welcome to my club!"

"Maivia! Maivia!" people welcomed him enthusiastically. "Magician 'Maivia'!"

Maivia saluted everyone, exuding warmth and hospitality. He was a literal "big man," standing three meters tall, his overweight body tightly wrapped in a tailored tuxedo, like a balloon about to soar into the sky. But his face was sharp and his demeanor was confident and calm, making people feel that he was also reliable in any situation outside of the party.

He saluted repeatedly, exchanging glances with Kanin in the crowd. "Tonight is another full moon, a time of celebration like this!" He then led a lively dance, then calmly departed with a glass of white wine. In an instant, Maivia was surrounded by well-dressed upper-class people, their eager faces concealing unconcealed anxiety.

Visafu quietly approached and handed his father a small note. Maivia glanced at it and smiled: "Is everything okay, friends? How can I help you?"

This statement ignited anxiety. A furniture merchant squeezed to the front and bravely acted as the vanguard. "Thanks to you, everything is fine, sir! Just... a small worry... We heard that the workshop upstairs has reopened."

"That's true," Maivia said.

"Oh, God, for mercy, they can't do that!" the furniture merchant blushed. "Those dull, uninspired factories will destroy the industry of every honest craftsman! They'll use their abominable cheapness to rip the money out of the pockets of the simple people, and there'll be no way to make a living by craftsmanship!"

Another fruit merchant stepped forward, his formal attire putting every other fruit vendor to shame. "The fruit industry has been having a rough time lately, sir. Since the departure of the respected Great Wizard, the Swamplanders have started to behave themselves. They're planning to bring their own goods to the courtyard! You know how greedy and filthy those muddy people are. Without our careful supervision, who knows how many people would get sick from the rotten fruit!"

Maivia listened attentively, nodding occasionally. As the conversation began, people began to express their concerns: about the new workshops, about the "unruly" swamp, and beneath the surface, their concerns about the recent increased activity within the City Lord's Mansion. They were all monopolists, unscrupulous merchants, vested interests in the existing system. In the past, they hadn't had to worry about anything because everyone knew to "follow the rules," and the thugs would deal with those who didn't.

But now the situation is changing. The City Lord's Mansion is reviving a new set of rules that have long been forgotten. They are worried that they will become "people who don't understand the rules."

"I understand, my friends, I understand." Maivia spoke slowly and forcefully. "First, I want to remind everyone that our city will not mistreat any citizen who earns money through skill and conscience. We run a legitimate business. Who would be hostile to people of status and position?"

He glanced at the worried faces and smiled confidently, "I have a deep partnership with the workshop, and I know full well it won't take over the market anytime soon—suppliers to the City Lord's Mansion alone are enough to keep them busy. As for the Bize District business, I'll go talk to them in person. We all understand the hardships of individual businesses, and now that we have a mature agency system, who would want to suffer the hardship of moving goods themselves?"

"Finally, I want to remind everyone: never, ever be hostile to our City Lord's Mansion. No matter how the environment changes, only those who cooperate have a future!"

The magician's promise meant that all problems would be perfectly resolved. The merchants toasted in celebration, their hearts at ease, and they began to savor the feast. Visafu took his father's glass and took charge. Maivia, after toasting several times, realized Kanin was absent and excused himself to the kitchen. He took a private elevator from backstage to a small private room on the top floor, where a man in a white suit was waiting at the table. Maivia embraced him warmly and kissed him on both cheeks with the utmost formality.

"Kanin! Our most distinguished guest, the most intelligent workshop owner!" Maivia tugged at her evening gown. "Our clothes, our houses, the little toys people love, and the little gadgets that protect themselves—what else can I say? It's all thanks to you, Kanin. Without your support, even the most beautiful little magic tricks would be nothing but fireworks that fade away in the blink of an eye."

"Thank you also to the club for providing the blood and flesh." Kanin picked up the knife and fork, "and the delicious veal steak."

"Guaranteed to be slaughtered that day, it's the only one of its kind in the city, my friend," Maivia said proudly. "You won't find beef this good anywhere else!"

Maivia's words were true. The steak on the plate was cooked to perfection, its outer layer crisply charred, and the cut surface a vibrant pink. A gentle pressure from the knife released the juices, along with the aroma. The chef's skills were exceptional, and the ingredients were top-notch; even on Earth, it would be considered top-notch. This meal was a major reason Kanin enjoyed attending banquets. They had all experienced hunger, and they waited until they had finished the gravy, soaking up the bread, before they began to discuss business.

"A bit hasty by your standards," Kanin said, referring to tonight's banquet. In the past, Maivia would send out invitations several days in advance, rather than holding it hastily like today.

"You're still as sharp as ever." Maivia hesitated for a few seconds and put down his knife and fork. "There's nothing to hide... I made a decision this morning."

Kanin listened attentively.

"The Maivia family isn't prosperous enough yet. We're planning to give birth to a new 'daughter'. According to the rules of the Moon, such a major event must be celebrated." Maivia said seriously, "So, you understand, old friend. I want to give you a large order."

Kanin nodded in understanding. "With great pleasure. The moon relics, as complete as possible. Any other requirements?"

Maivia pondered for a moment: "Four children are enough for a father, right?"

"I don't know how to answer that, since I'm a bachelor," Kanin said, drawing laughter from his wisecrack.

"Come on! There are plenty of women throwing themselves at you." Maivia laughed so hard that he started coughing. "I won't be having any more children in the next few years, so I want this ceremony to be pretty. I want as many relics as possible, the more the better."

Maivia took out a beautiful crystal bottle, in which black blood was wriggling like a living thing. He threw the crystal bottle to Kanin.

"In return, I will provide five bottles of 'parents' blood'. The purity will be the same as this bottle of deposit."

"Deal." Kanin agreed immediately, "I will deliver the goods myself."

"You are always reliable."

Maivia beamed, relaxing after the deal was done, leaning back in the oversized chair and lighting a cigarette. "It's always easy to do business with you. No need to waste so much time talking. Look at those poor bastards in the ballroom, freaking out over the slightest thing. That doesn't make them good bosses, and even less good fathers."

Kanin wasted no time in stating, "Their concerns are not groundless."

Maivia caught the signal, sat up straight, and exhaled a puff of smoke: "Kanin?"

"I'm a little worried," Kanin said. This sentence was quite significant. When a boss or a leader said he was "a little worried," it meant that his worry was almost reaching its peak.

"Because of the new inspector?"

"Not only that, I believe they've obtained something in the swamp. It's so important that the City Lord's Mansion immediately began adjusting its strategy." Kanin continued, "Everyone is aware of the current situation. We need to take action."

Mentioning the situation implied a matter of life and death. And taking action was the most important word, meaning they were skipping "talking" and planning to take action. Maivia understood the implication, and he remained silent for a long, long time. During this time, a man in a suit and sunglasses came over and cleared the plates for the two of them. Kanin also greeted him.

"Maybe later, Kanin," Maivia said gravely, "We've been living in peace with the City Lord's Mansion for a long time, and this is the eve of the birth of a new baby... We might as well talk more and make a decision later."

"You see, this is why I don't get married. Family is too heavy a burden." Kanin said frivolously.

"Isn't it! Hahahaha..."

They toasted each other, letting the matter go. The man in the suit then brought out some refreshing drinks and desserts. They chatted about some interesting things in the past and recent news, and finally Kanin stood up to say goodbye.

"Oh, right." Before leaving, he stopped as if he remembered something, "I have something to remind you."

"What?" Maivia wiped his mouth with a napkin.

"Last month, Visafu hired someone to assassinate Chu Hengkong." Kanin put on his hat. "Check the account books when you have time."

Maivia's face turned a terrifying, iron-blue hue. His broad chest heaved violently, his breathing rasping and suffocating. His sleeve suddenly burst, and his massive arm swelled, a dark, sewage-like color. His already enormous form expanded with each breath, and Kanin almost thought he was looking at a massive bomb, swollen with rage, then taking everything with it in a devastating explosion.

But his breathing gradually calmed down, and Maivia shrank at a speed visible to the naked eye, returning to his 3-meter-tall form. He took a deep breath.

"Thank you so much," Maivia muttered. "I didn't know..."

"Don't be too rough with the child." Kanin shrugged and walked out of the small restaurant. As expected, he heard the loud noise of the table being smashed after closing the door. He walked up the stairs to the garage alone. Bethan was waiting for him in the truck.

"How do you say that?"

"Stop at the next intersection."

The truck stopped, and Kanin looked in the rearview mirror. From his vantage point, he could see the windows of the club's upper floors. He waited for a moment, then saw a black "fog" spread from the upper floors. A man with white eyebrows emerged from the fog, holding the hand of a young girl. That must be one of the candidates for "daughter." Maivia hadn't lied to him.

"We can go now." Kanin said happily, "Let's change the plan. We'll work with the City Lord's Mansion to destroy the club."

Benson drove the truck quite a distance before turning around and saying, "...Huh?"

"The fact that Maivia knew about the assassination and didn't ask me to stay means he has his own 'big plan,'" Kanin said. "We can't count on him, so we'll have to use his body as food."

"But why?" Bethan shook his head vigorously. "Why would the City Lord's Mansion help you? You just went to the swamp. If I were someone from the City Lord's Mansion, I would definitely attack you first."

Kanin took out the bottle of "Parent's Blood" and put it in the truck's glove box.

"Send an email the day after tomorrow, to Ji Qiufeng."

“………………”

Bethan stopped at the traffic light and looked at Kanin for a long moment: "You humans are really scary. I always thought you and Maivia were friends."

"Can demons make friends?" Kanin asked.

"No. Just food and mortal enemies."

"Now you have learned it, and so have humans."

(End of this chapter)