Chapter 95: External Aid

"That's Franks, a high-ranking officer of the Teutonic Cross. Your father had a close personal relationship with him."

Kadiren Jebsen explained: "Both your parents were powerful outlaws, and few dared to provoke them before. But when they encountered minor troubles not worth their personal attention, they would leave them to the Teutonic Cross. Of course, such services usually weren't free. It did call upon your father's goodwill. As you know, before you inherited the company, I couldn't use company funds for such transactions—it would be hard to justify the purpose. As for now—"

Kadiren paused, clearly hesitant: "I don't know if he'll still be willing to help. The Blood Hand Gang may not match the Teutonic Cross, but they're a major force in the East District. Still, Boss, you could give it a try."

Li Mochen couldn't help recalling the part of his predecessor's memory where he had rejected Franks' recruitment.

He shook his head again, thinking that the original Li Mochen had been quite a hothead, handling the rejection with noticeable stiffness and hostility.

Wen Jian Taoran could swallow his pride to ask for help, but the original owner might not be willing. More importantly, Li Mochen didn't believe the Teutonic Cross would assist. This wasn't a minor conflict but a major deal involving millions of gold shields. It wasn't something Franks could resolve with a word. If it sparked a war between the two gangs, what price would they have to pay?

At this thought, Li Mochen rubbed his temples in frustration. He realized that expanding his network and cultivating personal power had to be prioritized as soon as possible.

Li Mochen was certain that within six months at most, he could easily kill Antonio. Within a year, the entire Blood Hand Gang would be no match for him.

But the problem was ensuring that he and the Rising Sun Company wouldn't be crushed by the Blood Hand Gang during those six months.

Moreover, the American Federation had a legal system that, while not strict, was fairly comprehensive, along with powerful government agencies and official armed forces—all factors he couldn't ignore.

Back in the Primordial Sky Realm, if Wen Jian Taoran took a dislike to someone, he could simply barge in and settle the matter. If that didn't bring compliance, he would eliminate them physically and spiritually.

And the Divine Thunder Sect itself was the rule-maker, representing righteousness.

But in America, even if he fully restored his cultivation, he wouldn't be strong enough to disregard the rules of this world.

Thus, connections and power were indispensable. They could help him resolve troubles that couldn't be addressed through force or that he couldn't handle personally.

He couldn't keep being as helpless as he was now, unable even to track down a low-level gangster like Hancock.

"Then there's another option: hire a security company or mercenaries. But their fees are usually very high. Oh, wait—"

At that moment, Kadiren seemed to remember something. He hurried out of the room, rummaged through his office, and finally brought back a bag of documents, placing them before Li Mochen.

"Your father gave me this a year and a half ago. He said that if something happened to him and you encountered danger while inheriting the company, I should give you this bag. I remember him saying that what's inside could at least ensure your personal safety. He also asked me to tell you that if you find it unacceptable, you can burn it. He said he was sorry—it might affect your image of him."

Li Mochen immediately opened the document bag, finding three photos and an A4 sheet filled with numbers.

The photos showed one Asian and two white men, all in camouflage, with a Southeast Asian jungle in the background.

What caught Li Mochen's attention was their gaze—sharp and cold as blades. They exuded a chilling, sinister aura that made them seem dangerous even through the photos.

Though their appearances and skin tones differed, and their builds ranged from burly and imposing to towering or agile, all three looked very young. The youngest appeared to be around twenty.

Li Mochen guessed their identities at a glance. That temperament—either trained death warriors or assassins. He had encountered such people in the Primordial Sky Realm and could recognize them accurately.

As for the numbers, he couldn't decipher them at first, but then he recalled some memories from the original owner.

It was a game Li Chunchu played with the young Li Mochen: the naive boy would hold a thick copy of the Gospel and find words corresponding to the numbers Li Chunchu provided.

He decisively put the photos and the A4 sheet into his coat pocket.

The original Li Mochen might have had moral scruples, but Wen Jian Taoran did not. The Divine Thunder Sect, as a leading sect in the Primordial Sky Realm, harbored no small amount of darkness and filth.

If possible, he would prefer to abide by this world's laws and avoid any entanglement with the underworld.

But the current environment in America was such that any business of moderate size without some underworld connections would be devoured down to the bone.

Li Mochen thought he could try contacting these three, but they probably wouldn't be useful for this current matter.

"Since we can't solve this on our own, from now on, suspend all foreign trade. Kadiren, try contacting the pirate gang that hijacked the ship. Forget the cargo for now—ensure the safety of the crew first. If we can ransom them, that's best. If not, we'll think of another way."

Li Mochen then turned to Li Mei: "Starting tomorrow, form a team to negotiate with the Schlosser Group. Our bottom line is 10 million gold shields. The precondition for the deal is that they help resolve this incident—ideally recover the cargo, or at least get the people back. Also, regarding the Blood Hand Gang, they must guarantee that after the sale, the Blood Hand Gang won't cause us trouble. Otherwise, we'd rather sell the apartment at a low price to Antonio. Schlosser is a major conglomerate; I know they have the power. If they can do this, we can accept a slightly lower price for the Archibald Apartments."

He knew Antonio couldn't do anything to a giant like Schlosser, but he wouldn't hesitate to target him and the Rising Sun Company.

If selling the company to Schlosser over a 500,000 gold shield difference invited Antonio's enmity and retaliation, wouldn't that be a greater loss?

"I understand, Boss."

Li Mei clutched her folder, pale-faced: "I'll do my best."

The sudden hijacking was like a bucket of ice water, dousing the fire in her heart. She realized how naive her thoughts had been. What was eyeing them now was no benevolent soul but a ferocious crocodile with bared claws.

"Also!"

Li Mochen's voice grew more solemn: "Though the situation may not yet be that dangerous, we must be prepared. Please remind all employees to be careful about their families' safety."

He paused: "It's best to arrange a short cruise for them or have them stay at a reputable hotel. The company can fund it as this year's welfare benefit, until the apartments are sold. Of course, anyone can choose to resign to avoid danger."

Li Mei and Kadiren exchanged glances again, their eyes showing both gravity and relief.

Li Mochen then turned his gaze to the public phone booth outside. The A4 sheet recorded the contact numbers of the three men. But for safety, he thought it best not to use the office or home phone. Even the outside phone booth wasn't safe—he needed to go somewhere farther.

He knew nothing about their current situation. What if they had blood on their hands, enemies, or were wanted by the American Federation? He also didn't want this power left by Li Chunchu to be discovered prematurely by those with ulterior motives.