Cyber Era Witch
Chapter 233 - 207: New Heights

Chapter 233: Chapter 207: New Heights

After distributing the plan to Asa Katsuragi and Kong Tai, Xu Yang called over the heavyweight Zuo Hongchen.

Xu Yang sized up the chubby man. Zuo Hongchen had entered the office, and now Xu Yang felt even more estranged from him; his attire concealed his features and exuded mystery, which made Zuo Hongchen more afraid. Zuo Hongchen could only offer a slight smile to ease his own nervousness.

"Boss," he said, "our performance has been poor lately. The price of imported products is on the rise, and the costs of our main business items—food, beverages, and clothing—are skyrocketing. Intercontinental shipping has also stopped because of the war, except for a few routes that are secure enough; the rest are easy prey for Black Fire Innovation’s submarines."

"You seem to be in good shape personally," Xu Yang scrutinized Zuo Hongchen, who seemed to have gained some weight.

"I’ve made a bit of money on the side," Zuo Hongchen admitted, "shorting Kyoto Infinity."

"Congratulations, that’s not a small sum, but a windfall," Xu Yang said. "Then, Jumen Commerce’s business can be put on hold for a while. As you know, foreign trade is basically stuck, with Black Fire Innovation’s fleet all around."

"So..." Zuo Hongchen hesitated, worried that Xu Yang might fire him, kicking him out of Jumen Commerce directly since most of the shares had already been purchased.

"You are a competent professional manager. Although the commerce company’s operations are temporarily on hold, you don’t need just to go home. I want you to be responsible for the company’s other planning," Xu Yang handed his drafted development case to Zuo Hongchen.

"’Fourth District’." Zuo Hongchen briefly went through the plan, considering the large influx of people into Aizu City recently, redeveloping the entire underground space was a necessity.

The Fourth District would be more automated than the previous three major regions of Aizu City. Its main aim was to reduce the cost of living and enhance development efficiency.

"Nestor Corporation will soon have a financing round in the tens of billions. Now we need to use this capital to make rapid progress. What potential resources can you think of for development?" Xu Yang said. Financing was actually borrowing from Kanako.

Zuo Hongchen flipped through the draft, merging his plans with Xu Yang’s intentions.

"First is the merger and acquisition of factories," he said, "Many factories are having a hard time continuing operations, we can take them over. Then there’s the development of geothermal energy. The earliest development of Aizu City was due to its unique geographical conditions, with extensively distributed geothermal fields. The seabed in the vicinity is also reported to have potential oil, gas, and manganese resources, but due to exploration costs, they have never been developed."

"This is our general direction, but any plan will be reassessed before actual investment," Xu Yang said. "Development is not for now; you can wait for further news. We’re also going to crack down on merchants trying to hoard in the midst of economic chaos. Make sure Jumen Commerce isn’t included in the hit list."

"Certainly." Zuo Hongchen felt somewhat uneasy, as he indeed had plans to hoard supplies amid the turmoil, "I will ensure fair trade."

"What’s the current selling price for nutrient paste?"

"10 funds per tube."

"That’s a fivefold increase."

"There’s no choice," Zuo Hongchen complained, "the price of raw materials has risen, and everything has become more expensive. Nutrient paste is still a good deal, and I like it too. I’ve cut off afternoon tea and night snacks altogether."

"Then add a new nutrient paste filling factory in the plan," Xu Yang said, "to ensure the nutrient paste is supplied at a fair price."

Previously, giving Golden Branch to Rat Village, the Ratmen harvested an abundance of mushrooms, which could be used as food materials, ensuring no risk of starvation.

"Understood." Zuo Hongchen’s gaze grew more eager.

He also longed for more financial backing so he could fully demonstrate his capabilities. Zuo Hongchen always believed in his expertise in value investing. Unfortunately, living in such an era, he could only be rolled over by larger capital and never have the chance to dominate the stage alone. He would inevitably be crushed by huge corporations that monopolize various economic sectors.

Zuo Hongchen had originally thought that he would spend his life as a small business owner, but with the economic crisis, even that had become unattainable. Now, as the tides turned, Nestor Corporation presented such a grand construction blueprint. He realized this was his closest opportunity for self-fulfillment and could not be missed.

"Full of fighting spirit, good," Xu Yang said, "once I secure the financing, there will be plenty of opportunities for you to perform."

Was it a connection with Xisheng? Zuo Hongchen couldn’t help but think of the past. Only Xisheng could provide a billion-level investment at a time like this. If that were the case, it would be a stroke of unbelievable luck for everyone involved.

This made him respect Xu Yang even more; the closer he was to Xisheng, the more admirable he was.

Zuo Hongchen bowed to Xu Yang and then gathered the planning draft for the Fourth District, leaving the office satisfied. He also left behind some gifts he brought, including two packs of cigarettes, two bottles of alcohol, and two wild ginseng roots.

Without a doubt, Zuo Hongchen inherited many habits from his mercantile family background, but these gifts did not fall within Xu Yang’s range of interest. He idly stored these items somewhere and then pondered about the next steps in planning.

Make the best use of one’s abilities, fulfill one’s duty, leverage everyone’s efficiency, Xu Yang ensured that Nestor Corporation evolved by the day, surviving in the crevices, blazing new trails in troubled times, and securing development.

Chainsaw Angel Gang, Black Fire Innovation, Xisheng, Ancient Mystics, these were all on Xu Yang’s hit list, and only once they were completely annihilated could people have a comprehensive and beautiful life.

Who else to arrange...

Xu Yang glanced at the bounty list of Aizu City, "Cyber Demon Shadow" Seeking Shadow was far in the lead, now valued at 22 million, having killed too many criminals in Aizu City and thus drawing considerable attention.

After thinking, he summoned Seeking Shadow and A40 together.

The two Synthetic Humans met at the door of Suzuki Springs, and without even entering the house, just by looking at each other, their emotional data processing modules began to overload.

"A worthy opponent!" A40’s memory storage was filled with too many Huang Fengs, so it had deleted the information on Seeking Shadow, which made this technically their first meeting, and it quickly drew its new weapon "Fury," "Let’s spar!"

Seeking Shadow tagged A40 as a petty thief, and in the blink of an eye, she unsheathed the Ion Sword "Shadow Kill."

A40 attacked first, swinging its alloy knife towards Seeking Shadow’s waist.

Armed with a wealth of combat data downloaded by Xu Yang, Seeking Shadow easily countered every combat move. She swiftly dodged to the side and slanted her Ion Sword toward A40’s head, ready to finish off this unruly Synthetic Human with a single thrust.

As a battle-hardened figure, A40 was known for its speed, easily dodging Seeking Shadow’s slash, turning the tip of the knife, its blade pointing forward, lunging straight at Seeking Shadow’s throat with a lethal move. Unfortunately, since Seeking Shadow was a Synthetic Human, A40 couldn’t capture the gap in her breathing, otherwise, the attack would have been even more deadly.

Seeking Shadow hastily retreated two steps backwards, holding Shadow Kill ready to strike back, attempting to sever A40 at the waist, but no matter how she attacked, she couldn’t capture A40.

A40’s unplaced fury was still burning, constantly operating at high speeds.

It believed that if it were stronger, more invincible, Huang Feng wouldn’t have left it.

Turning all the resentment and rage into lethal moves, A40 took the initiative to step into Seeking Shadow’s attack range, luring her to change the direction of her wrist to strike at itself, when in reality—

"Stop, stop." Xu Yang conveyed a message from the doorway.

Seeking Shadow withdrew her hand and hurried upstairs, ignoring A40.

Filled with a combative spirit, A40 insisted on settling the score with Seeking Shadow and followed her into the large office of Suzuki Springs.

"Boss!" A40 saluted Xu Yang, then pointed at Seeking Shadow, "I’ve met a formidable opponent! Request a duel!"

"This will be your colleague in the future." Xu Yang handed them chips that would allow free movement in Anjiu City, and although they were Synthetic Humans, they would still be tallied by Century Pure Land, better to use the chips given by Kanako to completely block them off.

"I have no such colleague." Seeking Shadow said.

"Dark justice needs fellow travelers." Xu Yang explained, "The evil in Aizu City has been slaughtered by you to the point it can’t raise its head, and now your dark justice has a wider hunting ground—Anjiu City. The people there are also committing evil, on a bigger scale and with more terrifying methods, worthy of you going to uphold justice for the innocents. Moreover, you will definitely find more like-minded individuals there."

"Yes." Agreed Seeking Shadow.

"As for you," Xu Yang turned to A40, "Anjiu City also has higher-level opponents for you to deal with. Your training in Aizu City is over. Go up to the surface and challenge the strong. I remember there’s a Colosseum Arena in Anjiu City; isn’t that your favorite place?"

"Colosseum Arena!" A40 was startled, "I want to carve a bloody path there! All the luxurious corporations are sending their fierce fighters there to advance their interests!"

"But you must act together with Seeking Shadow, you can’t just run around on your own," Xu Yang said, "Look out for each other in Anjiu City, a real company city, with ten times the population and prosperity of Aizu City—and tenfold the danger."

"Understood." A40 nodded firmly.

Seeking Shadow also nodded lightly.

With different motives, they set off together with their swords to Anjiu City, bringing dark justice and a desire for battle to new heights.