Life is tough, so Honglong resorts to performing?

Chapter 73 Business and the Boxing Ring

After some searching, Loren found the filler neck that Old Aaron had mentioned, opened it, and poured in the dark engine oil.

Black engine oil flowed into the body through the filler neck at the navel and began to circulate through the simulated pipes.

Soon, a strange coolness ran through Loren's body like an electric shock.

Loren felt his mind was working faster, his rationality was increasing, and the fluctuations in his emotions and feelings were decreasing.

A spell similar to a mechanized mind... only much weaker in effect, Loren thought to himself.

As an item produced in a special, almost mechanized environment, it can be said to have strong regional characteristics.

"Newcomers have to drink this before entering the trading area for the first time. After all, this is the black market and an environment where combat is restricted. It's a good aid for trading, so that everyone can focus on interests and reduce the mechanical thinking caused by emotions."

Old Aaron's voice came through their communication, and Loren nodded in response.

Compared to Greenleaf City, the black market in Linyue City, where he had lived in the past, was much rougher.

They don't have a designated location and always change locations at the last minute. It's not uncommon for them to be greedy and double-cross each other for money.

It can only be said that having connections at higher levels makes a significant difference in city planning compared to not having them.

No wonder the half-elves, despite the disdain and discrimination from the elves, still wanted to transfer the other party's downstream industrial chain to them.

With an elderly person like Deng at home, the planning is indeed excellent.

After drinking the engine oil and activating a weakened version of the mechanical mind enhancement, Loren found that his thoughts seemed to become more divergent.

"Let's go. This kind of enhancement is only temporary. In the end, only a small amount of true spiritual enhancement will remain."

Old Aaron's voice came, and seeing him begin to move, Loren quickly followed.

Finally, the two stopped in front of a huge, dilapidated clock tower.

"This is the trading area. For your privacy, I won't go in. I'll wait for you outside."

"Row."

Loren nodded, cut off their communication, and then went inside.

The interior of the clock tower was extremely spacious. After walking for a while, Loren finally encountered the other robots. They were gathered by the roadside and quickly got up when they saw Loren coming.

Because Loren came alone and was a white robot, looking like a newcomer, they surrounded him.

“Dear sir, do you need a guide? I’m the trading district’s know-it-all.”

"I'm the gossipmonger in the trading area."

"They are just juniors; I am the one in this trading area who knows the most about discounts and prices."

……

One by one, middlemen surrounded Loren, and private messages appeared in Loren's chat box.

Loren knew he would most likely have to hire one, otherwise they might force him into a fight and drive him out.

Even if you're of the same white quality, no matter how powerful or influential you are outside, it's obviously difficult to secure a victory here when facing an attack from several similar robots.

How much per person?

Loren sent the message to the group.

"Your next 10% of the transaction volume."

The responses from all of them were remarkably consistent, clearly indicating that they had formed an alliance.

The economy is really in a downturn; even robbers have to act as guides.

Loren couldn't help but start to miss the city of Linyue.

After all, back then, he could easily deal with these lowlifes by double-crossing them.

But here, things seem to be a bit tricky.

Without the slightest hesitation, Loren focused all his attention on the white robotic mimic and began to operate it with complete concentration.

I was only forced out once. If I were to give in to you trash, wouldn't all my years of training and learning have been for nothing?
Master alien weapons, wield any weapon at will, activate!
As someone who regards the dragon's body as a weapon master, Loren's forte is this kind of manipulative combat!

A group of middlemen saw the white robot suddenly take a step forward, and then, in full view of everyone, deliver a whip kick to the guy closest to him, sending him flying!
"How brave!"

"asshole!"

"madman!"

In the communication between the two information brokers, shouts and curses quickly rose and fell.

They never expected that someone, after drinking engine oil and entering a rational mode, would still choose to fight without hesitation when faced with an enemy that far outnumbered them!
Shouldn't people who come to the black market to do shady business choose to be tolerant and back down?

What kind of rationality do you have anyway?!

They're going crazy.

Although Loren's actions were limited by the robot's physical strength, they had not suffered any casualties for the time being.

But these people aren't really practical fighters either!
If they had any real combat skills, they wouldn't be holed up in the trading area, relying on banding together to threaten newbies into leading the way and making a living!
They didn't even dare touch the robots above the white ones!

So all they could see was them awkwardly swinging their fists forward to attack, but Loren swiftly grabbed their fists and pulled them to the ground.

Someone drew a long-range weapon and fired, but the white figure dodged it, and the weapon struck a comrade behind them...

Even under the influence of engine oil, his mind became more rational, and Loren in his mimicry still laughed, a laugh that proved his core idea was correct.

If having more people is all that matters, what's the point of me practicing and training?

Even if a tiger is confined to the body of a cow or sheep, it is still a being that surpasses all cows and sheep.

"Coo, click, bang, splash."

The sounds of robots being dismantled filled the air, and finally, with a flash of light, the white robot on Loren's body was upgraded.

His machine was upgraded to light green, and its appearance is much smoother and more refined than before.

In addition, three more accessory slots have been added, improving both basic mobility and defensive capabilities.

"Let's choose brass knuckles as the weapon. For the remaining two slots, one can be added to the jet booster on the back to improve mobility, and the other to the legs to increase daily movement speed."

After a quick glance at the upgrades available on the panel, Loren made a decision.

"I feel like this place could be used as a training ground for weapon masters."

Loren thought that, after all, all the parts given by the upgrade could essentially be regarded as weapons of the Weapon Master.

Anyway, losing a battle won't kill you; you'll just lose your mimicry and be kicked out of the area.

Improving through battles with others is far better than practicing alone in isolation.

In a normal, orderly city, if you want to fight, you have to pay someone to be your sparring partner, and that costs a lot of money.

One of the part-time jobs Loren once did was to practice mage combat by exchanging spells with clients at the level of a second-tier mage.

However, Loren still thinks this kind of battle is ridiculous.

It's practically impossible for mages to encounter each other without any preparation and then engage in a spell-casting duel.

But since they're willing to pay, Loren is naturally happy to be a sparring partner who won't spoil the fun.

Now that there is such an area where he can practice real combat, Loren can't help but feel excited.

"It's good that newcomers have courage and ability, but it's not good if they keep messing around, don't you think?"

A mechanical-sounding female voice suddenly appeared in Loren's communications. From the shadows, a purple robot with numerous components began to emerge. "Can a higher-level machine forcibly communicate with a lower-level machine? What a disgusting hierarchy."

Loren remained calm in the face of this; of course, with the support of his almost mechanical mind, panicking wouldn't have helped.

"What, are you their boss?"

Loren asked over the communicator, knowing that since the other party had hacked in, they could definitely hear him.

"Don't lump me in with these lowlifes."

Even though it was a mechanical female voice devoid of emotion, Loren could still detect the other person's displeasure and arrogance.

"I'm just interested in energetic youngsters like you. Any plans to come to my boxing ring and become a boxer?"

The purple robot extended an invitation to Loren.

You can make money while fighting? Is there really such a good thing these days?
Loren was about to agree, but then he realized something was wrong.

"Is it here, or in reality?"

The environment of this black market is unlike that of Linyue City, where anyone can come in.

Since the major prerequisite is that one must possess a mask, there can't be too many people here.

Not having enough people, and the fact that no one will die in the fight, is undoubtedly a disadvantage for those watching the underground boxing matches.

What's the appeal of underground boxing?
A bloody clash between flesh and death, a pure aesthetic of violence, and a gamble that can determine one's fate.

Well, even a little bit can lead to complete financial ruin and utter destruction.

"What if it's real?"

"Then I'm sorry, but I refuse."

The other party's answer did not surprise Loren, but judging from their tone, it seemed there was more to it.
"If it's here, and your mask is upgraded to black or even red, and if this place is no longer useful to you, I will have the right of first refusal to purchase it, how about that?"

The purple robot posed a question.

"That depends on your subsequent bid."

Loren didn't care about this; no matter how powerful the power in this illusory space was, it was useless to him.

What he wants is to become powerful himself.

Since the demigod among the druids said that this place has no value, it's fine to sell it after it's no longer useful.

"A single boxing match costs 1,000 yuan. Regardless of winning or losing, you will receive 10% of the betting profits from the boxing match."

"They even faked the fights."

Loren immediately realized something from the other person's words.

If he keeps winning, the odds won't look good.

But this also shows that the other party values ​​my potential.

She bet on her winning streak, which is why she threw matches to control the odds.

For a newly upgraded green robot, this price is clearly very good, and the future returns are amazing.

Frankly speaking, Loren has no qualms about throwing fights.

Making money is nothing to be ashamed of.

Even in my past life, WWE, or American wrestling, still had a huge audience despite how bad the performances were.

Or rather, it is precisely because it is a performance that it is so exciting, full of twists and turns, and full of ups and downs.

What's the point of a real, brutal, life-or-death battle?

It's just...

Since I can gamble big, why would I want to take a cut from that deal?

“I will refuse your offer, but I will go to your boxing ring and your casino and bet on my winning streak, the kind where I keep winning.”

Loren's voice was incredibly calm, yet it revealed an indescribable firmness and confidence.

"Send your men to snipe me as much as possible; you are the challengers."

"Huh? Hahaha!"

Loren's outrageous words clearly startled the woman.

She had initially thought that it was already quite impressive that a newcomer like this could initiate a fight under the influence of a mechanized mind.

I never expected this guy to be so arrogant and brainless, right?

It's not like she didn't witness Loren's battle.

He was green and inexperienced, clearly not yet used to this body, and only managed to take down a few third-rate scumbags by relying on his superb fighting instincts.

This guy actually dared to challenge her, who has run this boxing ring her whole life?

Did he know that he had prepared several super champions for each color grade by arranging wins and losses?

No matter how powerful you are in the outside world, in this black market illusion, within that boxing ring, she is the queen!

The rulers there!
Offending her and still wanting to win, even wanting to win in a row, isn't that just wishful thinking and asking for a beating?
"I'm waiting for you to come. The biggest boxing ring is mine. I'll be waiting for you."

The woman left after saying those words.

In her view, this inexperienced newcomer would surely be beaten several times and become so disillusioned that he would eventually come to her begging for mercy.

At that time, she was already considering him as a trusted confidant.

Humans are no different from dogs.

As long as the whip is wielded well, there is no training that cannot be successful.

However, what she didn't know was that Loren was just asking for a beating.

How can he hone his combat skills and prepare for potential life-or-death battles with others in the future, given that he fights against weaker opponents every day?

How could it be like this now, where as long as he steps into that woman's boxing ring, the opponent has to go all out, full of sincerity and passion, to send him to his death?
"I absolutely love unspoken rules and powerful figures, whether they're from my own circle or from across the street."

Loren couldn't help but feel pleased.

If I don't cause a big fuss in a place where I won't really die, it makes me seem like I'm a really well-behaved, law-abiding child.

I am the Red Dragon, the Chaotic Evil!
Although Loren often behaves very well, this is because his understanding of chaos and order is different from that of most people in this world, influenced by his knowledge from his previous life.

In his view, order is merely a state of chaos, and is essentially contained within chaos.

Whether he should follow order depends entirely on the benefits of that state and what led to that state.

The federal order stems from the overwhelming military power of the federal leadership; if you truly offend them, you will be utterly destroyed.

But in the current environment, force is not so effective in maintaining order.

Because you won't really die here, you'll just be kicked out of the black market.

Not dying means he can recklessly court death.

"The transactions must continue to be conducted according to the rules. If someone tries to rob or extort, they can simply return to normal."

With that in mind, Loren began looking for nearby trading stalls, intending to sell whatever he had on him and see if he could buy anything else.

(End of this chapter)