Chapter 286: Divination

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Li Mochen thought to himself that this was precisely why he had chosen the electrical retail market. As an emerging industry, the vast majority of electrical retailers were currently individual proprietors. Among them, those with more than ten stores were rare, so they couldn't form sufficient resistance.

And traditional commercial giants in Atlanta like the Wiltonstein Consortium, the Vanderlic Consortium, and the Lindon Consortium, though powerful, had not delved deeply into this field, so they wouldn't invest funds and manpower to wage a war with him for such meager profits.

But Li Mochen didn't say that out loud: "Don't look down on people, Eliza. When I started out before, I only had about forty to fifty million in hand."

"But they didn't have a bank to rob, nor a 19S-level shooter to conquer cities for them. And now, you're not Antonio either. With the seven Calamity Apostles, plus the Eye of the Sky and the Punisher of Nature, there are few forces in all of Atlanta that can contend with you."

Eliza gave a scornful laugh, full of disdain: "This is just a small matter to you, right? It shouldn't even require your personal involvement."

Previously, this matter had indeed been handled by Thompson Adams. The problem was that Mr. Eric didn't trust Major Adams; he preferred to get a promise from Li Mochen himself.

Li Mochen's expression turned serious: "Eliza, I'm being serious. We must not underestimate any opponent! Though this sum is small, if they just hire people to cause trouble, it would still be very troublesome. It's like our war with the Blood Hand Gang—what could they do about those troublemakers?"

Eliza thought he had a point, then her expression also turned slightly serious: "So how do you plan to handle this incident?"

"This electrical store owner says they deposited their money in a public account of the Red Sparrow Club, and their guild leader, Xielek, currently lives on Eucalyptus Street in the north of the city."

Li Mochen fell into deep thought: "The simplest way is to take the money directly. It would be even better if we could get the videotape Eric mentioned. If that's not possible, we could consider making him disappear."

"In other words, kill the chicken to scare the monkeys?"

A look of helplessness appeared in Eliza's eyes. Although this didn't violate the principle Li Mochen had promised her—'I won't offend unless offended'—it was still against the law.

But as long as they did it cleanly, there should be no risk.

Ever since the demon wolf Fenrir infiltrated Atlanta City over half a month ago, the city had been in flames everywhere, with more than twenty shootings a day. The police and FBI probably had little energy left to make a big fuss over the death of a millionaire.

At that moment, Hazel Wiltonstein, clad in armor, suddenly ran past them at lightning speed. Li Mochen frowned at the sight: "You can rest now, Hazel. Training ends here for today."

But Hazel acted as if she hadn't heard him and continued running at full speed on the indoor track.

Eliza noticed something unusual: "She seems to be angry with you? Did you offend her?"

"Emm~ Hazel has been making rapid progress. Now that she can initially control the power within her, I plan to let her go to school. I've already arranged with Louise for her to join the fifth grade at Lindon Academy. But Hazel doesn't want to—"

"We had a fight a day ago, and she hasn't spoken to me for twenty-five hours now."

Li Mochen rubbed his forehead in frustration: "Hazel says if she has to go to school, she wants to be in the same grade as me. But the girl is only eleven."

"School? You want her to enjoy her childhood, don't you?"

Eliza Targaryen's expression showed understanding: "But A-Mo, I won't side with you on this. After everything she's been through, how could she still be interested in school? To get along with boys and girls she sees as childish and immature? I can see that what Hazel wants most now is power. She lost her innocence long ago and doesn't need it. If you insist on doing this, it's like putting a tiger among a flock of ducks. If those noisy ducks annoy her, she could swat one dead with a slap. She's a demigod—do you have to cram a giant in with ants?"

"Angela said the same thing."

After pondering for a moment, Li Mochen sighed: "I'll think it over."

"You'd better apologize to her. I guess the reason she's angry is that you're treating her like a child."

Eliza smoothed her hair: "So about the electrical retail guild, shall we leave this to Major Adams? I'll notify him."

"Wait a moment. I suddenly feel something's off."

Li Mochen fell into contemplation, then decisively walked to his private changing room and took a small compass from the locker.

As Li Mochen moved his hands to form a spiritual incantation, the compass needle and dial suddenly spun rapidly without any external force. After three breaths, the needle slowly stopped.

"What's the result?"

Eliza stared but was baffled: "This is Eastern astrology. What does it mean?"

"This is the Kan hexagram, nine in the second place: Pits and pitfalls, the path is fraught with danger. If we dare to face the difficulties head-on, we might gain a little. But the problem is, I've already realized it's a trap and know their strength isn't enough to harm us, so the future fate will change."

Li Mochen again moved the incantation, making the needle and dial continue to spin: "See, now it's the Wu Wang hexagram, initial nine: No falsehood, advance will achieve one's aim."

Eliza's eyes flickered: "I roughly understand. Someone set a trap for us but misjudged our strength, right? As long as we make reasonable arrangements in this direction, we'll reap great rewards?"

"You've understood correctly."

Li Mochen gave a light praise while his eyes showed contemplation. Who could it be? Who had painstakingly used a roundabout strategy to set such a trap for him?

Was it Hannah Wiltonstein's children? Or forces competing with him in the electrical retail industry?

Li Mochen leaned toward the latter, as Jeremy Burt had warned him more than once that dozens of large store leases of over five hundred square meters had been transferred recently throughout Atlanta. Clearly, a giant had entered the market, ready to compete with the Rising Sun Company for the pie.

As for the three members of the Wiltonstein family, Li Mochen doubted they had the guts. With Conshuri's restraint, they probably wouldn't jump out early. Even if they made a move, it would only be behind the scenes and under the table.

"Eliza, have Sampson and Adams draw up an operational plan first. I'll participate in this battle personally."

Li Mochen wasn't uneasy, but he wanted to know who the enemy behind the scenes was. His subordinates, though formidable in combat, were far inferior to him—the 'Divine Firmament Ultimate Void Immortal King' from the Primordial Vault Realm—in the ability to interrogate souls.

Some techniques circulating there allowed him to briefly bypass the Styx Contract.