Author: 唇亡齿寒 / Lips Gone, Teeth Cold

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

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Chapter 102

Joshua stood in the center of the study, with Jolene and Kepler standing beside him. The holographic projection arranged the surroundings to resemble a conference room. He hadn’t used the “meeting” mode in a long time. The last time was when a prominent client had required him to cooperate with several peers to execute a mission, necessitating him to stay in the study around the clock for instructions or to give orders. “Meeting” mode meant he had encountered a tricky case that he couldn’t handle alone and had to summon the best in the field to assist him.

“Fairmont,” Joshua called out a name. A man’s three-dimensional projection appeared to his right front.

“Here,” the man said.

“Maverick.”

“Present!”

“Rod.”

“At your service.”

“Gabriel.”

“So, you need my help too, huh!”

“Harlan.”

“My pleasure.”

With each name Joshua called, a figure appeared near him. He summoned a total of five people—four men and one woman—all influential figures in Olympus’s underworld. Each name alone was enough to shake the planet. Now, they were in the same room, brainstorming and contributing to the same cause.

“Long time no see, Mourner,” Harlan said. She was a beautiful woman with long curly hair. “I thought you’d never appear in Olympus again.”

“Didn’t you switch to piracy?” information broker Gabri said. “Why are you back? Pirate life not good enough?”

“Let me guess, a tough mission?” Maverick said. He was the planet’s most renowned assassin broker. “Can’t handle it alone? I’m intrigued.”

Joshua smirked, accepting his friends’ jests. Yes, friends—he used that term. These people could have refused his request, but they came, attending a virtual meeting just to help him. This almost amounted to “friendship”. Joshua always thought of himself as a loner, but in times of trouble, he realized he did have friends.

“Who are the two beside you?” Fairmont asked. He was the godfather of Olympus’s largest mafia. “Am I seeing things, or do they look like Erwin Kepler and Jolene Cavendish from Neo Venice?”

“You’re not mistaken.” Jolene smiled. “Didn’t expect to see you here, Mr. Fairmont.”

“I’m surprised too. Forgive me for not being able to kiss your hand, madam. If possible, after this matter is resolved, may I invite you for tea?”

Kepler coughed, and Jolene rolled her eyes at him. “I’d be honored, sir. But right now, there’s something more urgent.”

Fairmont nodded gracefully and turned to Joshua. “Speak, Mourner. What brings us together?”

Joshua clasped his hands behind his back, instinctively trying to appear more righteous in front of the godfather. “Strictly speaking, it’s not a big deal,” he said. “But if you delve into it, it could be a huge matter.”

“Don’t beat around the bush. Get to the point.”

Joshua knew he had piqued the godfather’s curiosity. So, he briefly explained Alois’s kidnapping, omitting details about the Yasha and only mentioning that the Duke needed a chip crucial to the galactic balance.

“I can’t let the Duke get the chip, nor can I lose Alois.”

“I doubt the chip is as important as you say.” Harlan flicked her curls. “Is it worth our effort?”

Joshua said, “Joanna Begrel personally escorted it to the Duke. If it wasn’t important, she wouldn’t be dead now.”

“God bless her.” Fairmont made a cross gesture on his chest, and the others followed suit.

“Olympus is our territory. Neither the Duke nor anyone else is allowed to touch it,” the godfather said. “Mourner, what do you need from us?”

Joshua glanced at the influential mafia boss. “First, I’d like to borrow some manpower. The enemy are likely numerous and well-armed subordinates of the Duke—I require your support.”

“Consider it a personal favor.” The godfather, known for trading favors, would eventually reclaim them. “Dominic and his squad will assist you.”

“Much appreciated.” Joshua turned to Harlan. “Miss Harlan, this operation is significant. I don’t want the police, or any officials involved.”

Harlan, well-connected in both legal and illegal circles, was admired by many. “I’ll try to persuade Andrew,” she said.

“Best to frame this as a simple gang conflict.”

Harlan tapped her lips with her fingers. “Hope your lover is handsome. If he’s ugly, I won’t help.”

“Just don’t target him.”

Joshua then addressed information broker Gabri. “You must know the whole truth.”

“Oh, I’m not omniscient. You overestimate me,” Gabri said. “You know our trade has rules.”

“I won’t put you in a tough spot. I just need to know one thing. Is the assassin ‘Salesman’ in Olympus?”

Gabri smiled wryly. “You already know. Why ask me?”

“To silently abduct someone from my house, only ‘Salesman’ could manage that. Tell me his whereabouts. He’s the key.”

Gabri pondered for a moment.

“Alright, but I charge a lot. I’ll send the bill to your email.”

“I think I can afford it.” Joshua turned to the assassin broker. “Mr. Maverick…”

“Stop right there.” Maverick raised a hand. “My rules are stricter than Gabri’s. I won’t disclose my assassins’ locations, even if we had a good collaboration.”

“I won’t ask such an impolite request.” Joshua stared at him. Despite the distance across half the planet, Maverick felt a chill. He had many assassins, but Mourner wasn’t under his control. It was rumored that this silver-haired assassin had killed a peer and traveled from the distant frontier planet to Olympus. Maverick believed that if he ever angered Mourner, he too would die under his ruthless gun.

“What do you want?” Maverick swallowed hard.

“If you receive similar requests, please refuse. Inform your friends not to take such jobs either.”

“Do you think I’m stupid? Turning down money?”

“I’ll pay double to cover your losses or buy off your assassins’ ‘mistakes’.”

Harlan interjected. “So generous. Being your lover must be bliss.”

“I’m the fortunate one.”

Lastly, Joshua looked at the silent Rod, a disheveled young man and one of Olympus’s top hackers. He could virtually extend his reach to every networked place on the planet.

“Rod, I need your help.”

The hacker twisted his neck. “You have a great AI,” he said softly. “Why do you need me?”

“No AI is perfect.”

“I don’t often work with people.” The hacker wiped his nose. “But I’ll try this time.”

“…Thank you.”

Joshua clapped his hands, and four of the five disappeared instantly, leaving only the information broker’s image in the room. Joshua needed to discuss details with him.

“Is there anything we can do?” Jolene finally spoke.

“I recall you mentioned knowing someone at the spaceport.”

Jolene glanced at Kepler. “Yes, a friend of Kepler’s.”

Joshua said, “I want to catch the enemy all at once and not let them leave Olympus. Please ask your friend for help, ensuring none of them escape.”

Kepler leaned slightly. “Consider it done.”

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