June 30th, Lucien Lower City, Sludge Lane.
The young man nicknamed “Monkey” and the other members of the Balas Gang had been waiting for their Master for nearly the entire morning.
Everyone’s face was filled with obvious impatience, yet no one dared to leave without permission.
The money they had gathered this quarter through theft, robbery, and protection fees fell far short of the quota set by those above.
But it really wasn’t entirely their fault for not trying hard enough.
The economy had been getting worse these past few years, and no one had any money in their pockets. Yet the quotas set by the Thieves’ Guild kept getting higher, to the point where they could barely keep food on their own tables.
Sometimes they couldn’t help but wonder if someone would finally come and wipe out that increasingly greedy Thieves’ Guild once and for all!
Their Master wasn’t actually considered a particularly vicious person among gang headmen.
Compared to other gangs that committed arson, murder, and every kind of evil, this Master, who started as a labor contractor, at least understood the principle of “sustainable exploitation.”
This was the reason the Balas Gang had managed to stumble along and survive until now.
Gangs in the Capital were like leeks in a field; a few would disappear every month—
Sometimes they were cleared out in passing by “Justiciar” messengers who were bored and had nothing better to do (usually those Noble masters possessing Crest Power); more often, they failed in turf wars with other gangs and were annexed.
But no matter how many disappeared, new, more ruthless, and more evil gangs would always emerge to fill the vacuum left behind.
Perhaps, before long, the Balas Gang would also become history.
The Master had been gone for so long this time and hadn’t returned… could he have been butchered by those people from the Thieves’ Guild?
Eh… the possibility was quite high.
If the Master really died… who would be the next Master?
“Monkey” couldn’t help but begin to fantasize about a beautiful future where “when the tiger is away, the monkey becomes king,” his smile nearly reaching his ears.
Just then, several figures finally appeared at the entrance of the lane.
The Master was back!
The uneasy crowd immediately pulled themselves together, preparing to receive a harsh scolding.
However, as the figures drew closer, they were surprised to find that their Master, who usually possessed a bit of an overbearing aura, now appeared timid and shrinking, following a group of people with great politeness.
That group was led by a sturdy man with a sharp aura. Although his clothes were not magnificent, his movements carried a clear military temperament, and his body seemed to faintly exude a certain scent of blood and a killing intent.
Behind him followed several equally capable companions, as well as some boys and girls who didn’t look very old but had exceptionally serious gazes.
The Master spoke to the sturdy man in a tone that was nearly fawning, “These are the members of the Balas Gang. Do they… meet your satisfaction?”
Was this low-voiced, subservient person still their dignified Master?
The sturdy man’s sharp gaze swept over the crowd as if evaluating a pile of goods. “They look alright, not all of them are complete eyesores.”
His gaze lingered a bit longer on “Monkey” in particular, seemingly interested in this young man with a peculiar build and a lively gaze.
If Allen were present and saw this “Monkey,” he would probably complain in his heart, “Good grief, this is exactly the look of a young Toyotomi Hideyoshi from a taiga drama!”
Of course, “Monkey’s” Star Listener’s True Name was Thomas Petit, born into a poor peasant family.
Because his hometown suffered a disaster, he fled to the Capital.
Ultimately, by relying on his eloquent tongue and an unrestrained imagination that didn’t follow common logic, he gained the appreciation of the Balas Gang’s Master and became the gang’s strategist and right-hand man.
“Monkey” Thomas was the first to realize that the situation was not right, and even more, the first to react—the soldier in front of them was the new Master!
He switched to loyalty mode almost without hesitation, quickly whispering to the people around him, “Quick, quick, quick! Everyone, look sharp! Swear your loyalty!”
The other gang members also noticed at this time that none of the confidants the Master had taken with him had returned. Their hearts skipped a beat as they understood the situation.
Thus, these gang members, who were well-versed in the way of following the wind, bowed in an exceptionally orderly fashion and shouted, “Welcome the Balas Gang’s new Master!”
The original Master watched this scene with a pained expression.
Although he had long known how cold the world was, these bastards changed their faces too quickly! They didn’t give him any face at all!
The leading sturdy man was named Mathieu, a regular employee of the “Lily Guard” PMC company.
Now, he had a new identity—Captain of the Sludge Lane Workers’ Picket, belonging to the “Mutual Aid Association” Lucien Lower City District Team.
They had received emergency training from Worner and Finn yesterday and were sent out early this morning to take over these leaderless gangs following the destruction of the Thieves’ Guild, while also bringing in new members of “Dawn’s Children” to “mix in like sand.”
These new members were led by a “Candelabrum.” The “Candelabrum” was responsible for leading the new ones with the old, striving to cultivate these “Sparks” into formal members as soon as possible.
They would serve as future political commissars, transforming and training these gang members into qualified Militia.
Seeing that “Monkey” Thomas reacted so cleverly, Mathieu nodded with satisfaction.
“Introduce the situation,” he commanded majestically.
“Yes, yes, yes, Lord, please ask.”
The original Master hurriedly bowed and scraped, providing detailed information on the Balas Gang’s range of activities, which important “cooperative” merchants were in their jurisdiction (which were actually those paying protection fees), the composition of gang personnel, and the distribution patterns of the district guards (the guards of Leclair City also managed public security).
The young men and women who came with Mathieu took out small notebooks and recorded everything very seriously.
Leader Allen had already issued the mission. From now on, they were to go deep into the grassroots, conducting detailed screenings and investigations of the bottom world of the Capital Lucien, and summarizing this information for “Heaven’s Haven”—which was the Headquarters of “Dawn’s Children.”
In the future, newly developed “Sparks” must grow into “Candelabrum” before they are qualified to enter “Heaven’s Haven” and be received by a “Child of the Dawn” or a “Torchbearer.”
“The grassroots is a large stage, and the people are a good Teacher. Always remember, the military and the people are like fish and water. In the future, the masses are the objects of your protection and reliance!”
During the training class, Finn had quoted Allen’s speech with great admiration.
Allen himself probably didn’t know that Finn had a habit of quietly recording his usual words, deeds, and achievements, even including those somewhat outrageous statements about “Yuri,” which were recorded exactly as they were.
These records would eventually be organized and compiled into a book titled “Analects” (also known as “Acts of the God’s Messenger”).
Furthermore, the sales of this book in the future would be incredibly good, becoming a bestseller second only to the “Holy Book.”
If the future Allen could travel back and see this “Analects,” he would probably give Finn, the culprit who caused him to be publicly executed every day, a severe beating.
Dammit! I told you not to engage in a cult of personality! You actually added all the private stuff from my lectures! Look at how you’ve distorted my beloved Yuri!
Yuri is clearly the pure and beautiful bond between beautiful girls, how did you interpret it as a metaphor for political theory?!
Bastard, ahhhhh!
Back to the main topic.
After listening to the original Master’s introduction, Mathieu nodded and then turned to the members of the Balas Gang, announcing a bombshell:
“The Thieves’ Guild has been wiped out.”
These words were like a sudden clap of thunder, stunning everyone.
He continued, “From now on, there are no more gangs in the Capital, only the Workers’ Patrol under the ‘Mutual Aid Association.’ You no longer need to do any petty thievery or oppress the good, nor do you need to pay protection fees to anyone. You only need to live honestly. How you harmed your neighbors in the past is how you will make it up to them in the future!”
“In the future, you are the maintainers of urban security and the protectors of the citizens, not the destroyers of order.”
Everyone looked at each other, completely failing to understand what this sudden change was all about.
The clever “Monkey” Thomas was the first to react.
Some kind of force representing a new order—the “Mutual Aid Association” mentioned by the new Master—had eliminated the old oppressor, the Thieves’ Guild, and replaced its ecological niche.
Their goal didn’t seem to be looting and exploitation, but… establishing a new kind of order?
“Master,” Thomas asked cautiously, “Then… then what will we rely on to live in the future? Do we still collect the… uh, ‘cooperation fees’ from before?” He cleverly switched the term.
“Cooperation fees? Those are membership dues! And your previous method of collecting them was too stupid.” Mathieu shook his head. “As for the specific new policies, these journalists will tell you in detail. As for what you will live on…”
He made a gesture, and a companion behind him immediately opened a heavy wooden box.
Inside the box were not the common Sol or Denier copper coins, but shiny, neatly polished Rifel Silver Coins!
Everyone’s eyes went straight, and saliva nearly leaked out.
“These,” Mathieu said calmly, “are your wages.”
“Wa… wages?!”
The gang members were all stunned.
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