Chapter Ninety-Three: Wanted Notice

Ferren paid no attention to the education of the three sisters; in this regard, the Fuyuan Society was the expert. They did not merely train women to sell their bodies—instead, the Fuyuan Society cultivated top-tier intelligence operatives, assassins, and spies. In fact, only a select few knew that of the tens of thousands of beautiful women scattered throughout Vegas, nearly all were under the control of the Fuyuan Society.

These women gathered all kinds of information and intelligence by drinking with clients, chatting, and sleeping with them. From petty disputes between individuals to large-scale conflicts between factions, the Fuyuan Society could extract the intelligence they needed from such information to expand their influence and react accordingly. If the Fuyuan Society were a towering tree, then Vegas was its branches, and the women who accompanied men in bars, dance halls, and nightclubs—sensual and coquettish—were the roots. They absorbed intelligence as nourishment, continuously feeding this great tree.

At this moment, Ferren himself had become a beneficiary of this system.

“So, the Federation is paying to have my head?”

Sipping the green tea in his cup, Ferren toyed with it curiously, narrowing his eyes and gazing at the young woman before him with a faint, knowing smile. Hearing his words, the young woman kneeling before him in a kimono respectfully placed her hands in front of her and bowed deeply in a formal gesture.

“Yes, sir. The Federation has issued a bounty. Anyone who provides verified information about you can receive a reward of five hundred thousand. If they provide your exact location, the reward is one million. And if they kill you, it’s five million…”

“The Federation really is broke…” Ferren muttered with a slight sigh upon hearing her reply. In truth, the “dollars” the woman mentioned were not real dollars. After the Great Cataclysm, paper currency had essentially become worthless. The current hard currency in the wasteland was energy chips and bartering, but energy chips were scarce and consumable. Possessing even a few thousand was considered exceptional for any faction.

However, negotiating trade deals using just a few energy chips at a time seemed stingy and petty. For a leader of a powerful faction to bargain in mere dozens or hundreds of chips felt small-minded. After years of friction, factions agreed to conduct trade through currency exchange: first converting goods into a universal currency based on their intrinsic value, then exchanging that for energy chips. This method sounded grand and made valuation straightforward. Currently, one ordinary-grade energy chip could be exchanged for goods worth five hundred thousand, while a superior-grade chip was worth one million. The exquisite-grade energy chip Ferren had obtained from an elite energy-absorbing creature was worth five million.

This was the trade landscape of the wasteland. With the decline of paper currency and the collapse of financial systems, every faction sought to seize control over currency issuance. Yet no faction possessed the power to do so, forcing them to rely on bartering at the most basic level. Of course, behind the scenes, factions and organizations paid their members with gold or silver coins as wages or rewards, but these had limited circulation, usable only within specific organizational strongholds, and were far too bulky for large transactions.

Even in Vegas, customers did not spend their own currency directly. They exchanged personal money or goods for credit points valid within Vegas before entering to enjoy themselves. Only a few exceptions existed.

Therefore, energy chips, due to their rarity, high value, and unforgeable nature, had become the only widely accepted high-end hard currency recognized by all factions. Everyone needed them—whether to upgrade their abilities or improve their strongholds—making energy chips indispensable.

The Federation’s previous announcement, when converted into chips, meant the reward amounted to one ordinary-grade chip, one superior-grade chip, or ten superior-grade chips—though it was possible they might have one exquisite-grade chip.

In currency terms, it sounded impressive; converted into chips, it was laughably low.

“So, your warning means the Federation bought intelligence about me from the Fuyuan Society?”

Ferren was not surprised. He had a good relationship with the Fuyuan Society, but business was business. As the largest commercial organization here, the Fuyuan Society naturally traded in intelligence. If the Federation wanted to find him, the best way was to pay the Fuyuan Society for information—just as Ferren himself was currently doing.

“Yes… and there’s more…”

“Enough with the small talk. That’s your business; handle it as you see fit.”

Before the woman could respond, Ferren smiled and interrupted her.

“I’m not interested in who wants my head, but I am very interested in the Federation… hmm, have you prepared what I asked for?”

“Of course, sir.”

Hearing Ferren’s words, the woman wisely kept silent. She reached out, withdrew a green cube from her sleeve, placed it on a tray, then lifted the tray with both hands and presented it to Ferren.

“This is the intelligence you purchased about the Federation.”

“Hm…”

Ferren reached out and tapped the green data cube lightly. It began to spin, then shattered into streams of data flowing into his hands. Raising his head, he quickly scanned the information before him, then nodded with satisfaction.

“Very good, just deduct it directly from the auction proceeds as usual… Well, I’m leaving first. Excuse me.”

As he spoke, Ferren gently stroked the black cat perched on his shoulder, then picked up his wide-brimmed hat and placed it back on his head. Smiling, he nodded at the woman before turning and leaving the room.

“Please take care, sir.”

The woman bowed deeply until Ferren had left and the door closed behind him. Only then did she straighten up, extend a finger, and trace a pattern in the air. Gazing at the virtual screen before her, she spoke.

“Contact Mr. Erland of the Federation Legion.”

“Yes.”

Upon her command, a voice responded from the screen. Moments later, the image flickered, revealing a figure. Seeing him, the woman bowed again respectfully.

“Apologies for disturbing your busy schedule, Mr. Erland.”

“Is there something you need?”

On the screen, a corpulent man was naked, embracing a young, beautiful blonde woman. He incessantly licked her smooth, delicate skin while looking at the screen, speaking unclearly.

The kimono-clad woman stood upright, her gaze calm as she responded.

“We have previously sold you intelligence regarding the whereabouts of the ‘Doctor.’ Do you wish to continue this transaction?”

“What? You have news?”

At this, the corpulent man’s expression abruptly changed. He pushed the woman away, eyes wide, staring intently at the screen.

The kimono woman bowed her head respectfully again.

“Yes. We have obtained current intelligence on the ‘Doctor’s’ location. Would you like to purchase it? The price remains as we agreed.”

“Of course! I want it now!”

He grabbed a leather bag beside him, rummaged inside, and took out a green energy chip. His face contorted in pain at the expense, but he gritted his teeth and placed the chip on the nearby tray.

“This should be enough! Now tell me! Where is that bastard?”

The woman smiled faintly as she replied.

“In fact, he is currently in Vegas.”

“What?!” (To be continued.)