"Why is there a prohibition on alcohol?"
Cao Yi glanced at the man who hurried off, puzzled.
"Alcohol breeds violence and crime," Qin Feng stated in a formal, official tone.
"But without alcohol, a new wave of violence and crime will arise."
Cao Yi: "?"
"What were you trying to tell me earlier?"
Qin Feng cleared his throat, lowered his voice, and spoke to Cao Yi in the Great Xia Language, "There was a shocking heist in Qinghe District on the west side of the city."
Cao Yi's eyes widened in awe.
Zhuohong City is bisected by the long canal known as "Jiechuan."
The Jiechuan Bridge divides the city into East and West.
The East has five administrative districts.
Closest to Jiechuan are two dock industrial zones—Lingang District and Yushikou District.
Further east are three slums.
Xiawa District is the largest, outermost, and poorest slum in Zhuohong City.
The two districts in the middle are Beizha District and Nanzha District.
Although Beizha and Nanzha are also seen as slums by those from the west side of the city, they are much better off compared to Xiawa District.
Many middle-class families in Xiawa District are saving up to move to Beizha or Nanzha District.
The west side, however, consists of two wealthy districts—Qinghe District and Guandili District, as well as a financial and commercial zone—Huashang District.
To be honest, Cao Yi had hardly ever been to the west side in his life.
In Xiawa District, he looked decently clean and tidy.
But on the west side, he seemed like a beggar.
Let alone "working," just walking down the street would earn him a scrutinizing look from the patrolling Assistant Sheriff.
He clearly didn't look like someone respectable.
"Ten days ago, Viscount Yu Peijiu's manor was robbed."
"I heard a precious ancient artifact was stolen."
Qin Feng extended his right index finger, gesturing "one."
"Ten thousand Copper Marks?"
"No, it's rumored that the ancient artifact is worth ten thousand Taihe..."
Cao Yi blinked, then was startled.
Taihe is one of the currency units in Tiannan Great State, but it's the highest value unit.
This currency unit isn't popular among the general public, limited to the truly wealthy.
Because one Taihe is equivalent to a hundred Copper Marks.
That's roughly a year's salary for most ordinary people.
Between Taihe and Copper Mark, there's another currency unit called Yichen.
This currency is common in middle and upper-class families, with one Yichen valued at ten Copper Marks.
"A hundred million Lifen?"
Honestly, that number seemed exaggerated.
Cao Yi thought it was likely a case of misinformation.
After all, this wasn't the inflation-ridden society of Azure Star.
Lifen's purchasing power was already quite strong.
"I think so too," Qin Feng nodded, fully agreeing with Cao Yi's view.
"So, has the case been solved?"
"Of course not."
Qin Feng pulled out a sketch from under the bar.
"Otherwise, why would I say there's a way to make money?"
"The Sheriff's Office hasn't released any announcements yet, but it's likely related to this man."
"Otherwise, they wouldn't be frantically searching for clues about him in Zhuohong City."
Cao Yi took the sketch.
The man looked to be around thirty, with a buzz cut, a square face, and average features, nothing memorable.
Cao Yi didn't recognize the man.
Hmm... it would be strange if Cao Yi did know him.
The Viscount is truly a figure of high society.
Although with time, nobility had declined and no longer played an active role in Tiannan Great State's politics, becoming a symbol.
In the business world, however, the old nobility still held immense wealth.
Someone capable of infiltrating the Viscount's manor to steal wouldn't be a small-time thief like Cao Yi.
"A Classholder?"
Qin Feng neither confirmed nor denied.
"Providing valuable clues can earn you between ten and a hundred Copper Marks."
Six six six...
Indeed, it was a way to make money.
Unfortunately, Zhuohong City had a population of millions.
Trying to find someone without even knowing their name based on a sketch was like finding a needle in a haystack.
"What I want to tell you isn't about this money-making opportunity."
"Are you interested in something more practical?"
"Like what?"
Qin Feng glanced around the shop, then lowered his voice to a whisper, "Hit the Viper Gang for a score."
"A big one!"
Cao Yi's eyes lit up.
If you put it that way, I'm wide awake now.
"Tell me more."
"The prohibition order in Zhuohong City is strict, no one dares to defy it."
"I have reliable information that a group from the Viper Gang is planning to transport alcohol to trade with the gangs in Baiyang County nearby."
"Bootleg liquor?"
"Exactly."
Players truly live up to their name, this sounds like a risky venture.
Even though "Land of Divine Descent" is a game where you can't revive after dying, the spirit of adventure is ingrained in players' bones.
"Before the prohibition order, black beer was fifteen Lifen per liter."
"Now, it's worth at least one Copper Mark."
"A barrel of liquor is about two hundred liters, which is two hundred Copper Marks."
"The group from the Viper Gang plans to transport at least forty barrels..."
If you calculate based on Cao Yi's annual salary of four hundred Copper Marks, the value of this bootleg liquor would require him to steal for twenty years without eating or drinking.
It truly is a big "business"!
"Fuck..."
Cao Yi rubbed his hands excitedly.
"So, do you already have a plan?"
"All players?"
Cao Yi confidently used "you" to describe them.
This kind of thing couldn't be done by Qin Feng alone.
Unless he was already a Classholder.
"That's right."
"There are four players including me."
"We weren't very confident before, but your appearance is just in time."
Cao Yi was genuinely startled this time.
He thought Qin Feng had a much stronger team, but it turned out there were only five of them including himself?
"Are you guys crazy?"
The gun prohibition in Tiannan Great State is indeed strict, but with the Viper Gang's capabilities, getting some revolvers or shotguns isn't difficult.
They might even get some old rifles.
Even if this was a small operation by a Viper Gang faction, there would be at least ten people.
Someone like Lin Long, a low-level leader, would have a group of about ten.
If it were a higher-level leader, there could be dozens.
"And have you considered how to sell the liquor once you get it?"
"Just getting some revolvers isn't enough; we need at least a rifle each, and plenty of bullets for practice to ensure accuracy..."
Madness is the underlying gene of every player.
Cao Yi's first thought wasn't to refuse but to seriously consider the feasibility of the "business."
"Of course, we have preparations."
Qin Feng, who attended the same top academy as Cao Yi, was certainly no fool.
"This isn't the place to discuss details."
"Have a drink here, and when I finish my shift tonight, I'll take you to meet the other players."