Mechanical Alchemist

Su Lun rescued Big Brother Danny's three friends.

They got off the streets far from Green Street and then started to walk.

All the way, whether it was Danny or Nancy's three half-sized boys, they were all excited.

However, Su Lun maintained an expressionless face and was replaying the night's operations in his mind.

Although the illegally captured people in the basement had been released, not many were likely to escape. The gang's control over an area far exceeds what most people imagine. Those who at first glance looked to be vagrants and orphans, relying on their legs alone, wouldn't get far, and even if they hid, they would be easily discovered because they are unfamiliar with the place.

Su Lun wasn't sure whether the people of the Steam Party would rule out some who hadn't been caught, remember the three including Nancy, and then reverse-engineer the capture location at Green Street to look for clues.

Although it was unlikely, Su Lun knew that it was best not to leave such risks unaddressed.

After all... this incident involved an S-class wanted criminal.

If it was just a few gang members dead and a few kidnapped orphans escaped, the people of the Steam Party probably wouldn't go to great lengths to track down the killer.

But if the inner-city umbrella organization discovered that the woman had been there, things would get complicated.

Su Lun had also thought that what the Steam Party was doing was just ordinary "illegal human trafficking," but now he considered it problematic.

The batch of people who were illegally captured was to be "delivered," but to whom?

Who would take such a batch of slaves of which the quality wasn't high? After all, half-grown children and vagrants are far less valuable than young women.

Moreover, judging from the memories Su Lun had stripped from those bodies, this "delivery" had been going on for a very long time.

It also implies that there is a large demand for people from the delivery's recipient.

A standard slave business couldn't possibly absorb so many "low-quality" people.

Connecting this to the S-class wanted criminal, Su Lun felt that the matter might involve some other hidden issues.

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"I was scared to death, I thought I was going to be sold to the meat union factory and turned into canned food..."

"The person I was caught with before said that the people in the inner city would keep some mutant monsters as pets, and they would use us as food to feed the pets..."

"..."

Along the way, the three half-sized boys jabbered incessantly to Danny, sharing their terrifying experiences of being captured and the exaggerated tales they heard.

"Oh, we can finally go home."

"If Susan Mama found out we were captured, she must be terribly worried."

"It's all thanks to Danny that we can return this time."

Upon hearing this, Danny quickly looked at Su Lun beside him and corrected them, "You should thank this gentleman, he is the one who saved you."

But he knew that Su Lun probably didn't want to reveal too much information and didn't explain how he had obtained this rescuer either.

"Thank you, sir."

The three half-sized kids bowed to Su Lun with delight.

Su Lun shook his head, paying no attention to their thanks, and bluntly threw a wet blanket on their excitement, "You can't go back to your place of residence now, at least not for the next few months."

The three were stunned upon hearing this, "Ah? Sir... why not?"

Su Lun felt he needed to explain the seriousness of the situation to them and said, "When I saved you, I killed a few gang members. Those who captured you might remember that you are from Green Street. If they see you return there, it could endanger not only yourselves but also your other companions."

"Ah?"

With these words, the three were at a loss.

Considering the horror of those people, they seemed genuinely frightened and stood there, looking at Danny and then at Su Lun: "Then sir... if we can't go home now, where can we go?"

Su Lun thought for a moment, then took out a stack of bills, "Here's a bit of money, enough for you to live elsewhere for a few months. I suggest you can take the intercity train to Mars District in the East City; that's Crow Gang territory, and the Steam Party can't reach that far."

Looking at the stack of green bills Su Lun handed them, all three kids shrank back, with no one daring to take them.

"No, no, no... sir, we can survive without money."

"Yes, sir, we can earn our own money."

"I can steal bread, I won't starve..."

The three looked timidly at Su Lun, the large sum of money causing them to feel uneasy.

The orphans from the slums had meager lives; even scouring for food in the trash bins, they managed to survive tenaciously.

Su Lun shook his head and explained calmly, "This money is for you not to wander the streets for the time being, otherwise, people will easily spot that you're outsiders."

"But..."

"Take it!"

The three wanted to say more, but Su Lun had already stuffed the money into the hand of the girl named Nancy.

At this moment, a distant "woo woo" sound came into view; it was the noise of the intercity train approaching.

With a hint of intimidation in his voice, Su Lun said gravely, "Take this train and leave. You must not return for at least three months, otherwise, you may end up killing your companions."

He knew that frightening them would make it less likely for them to cause trouble.

Hearing Su Lun's stern tone, the three had completely lost their clue, merely turning their heads helplessly to look at Danny.

Danny, aware of the gravity of the situation, also persuaded them, "Listen to this gentleman. He's right; you can't go back to Green Street now."

By then, the steam train had already arrived at the platform.

Feeling of sorrow, yet helpless.

The three looked back reluctantly, over and over again.

Beta timidly asked, "Then Big Brother Danny... will we ever see each other again?"

Danny thought for a moment, hesitant to respond, but eventually, looking at the three's expectant eyes, he smiled and said, "Yes, we will."

The little girl Nancy timidly asked Su Lun, "Sir, may we know your name? I will repay you the money later..."

"No need."

Su Lun shook his head.

He thought about it, then took out two pistols and a dagger and handed them to the three, "Keep these for self-defense."

"Oh."

The train doors opened, leaving no time for prolonged goodbyes. The three carefully concealed their weapons and money under their robes and boarded the train, traveling farther and farther into the distance.

....

Two people stood on the platform, watching the three leave.

Su Lun actually felt relieved to see the three troublemakers off.

Tears shimmered in Big Brother Danny's eyes, for he knew he might never see these friends again in his lifetime.

He was well aware that Nancy and her two companions couldn't return home, and he himself could never go back.

Danny turned to Su Lun and asked, "Sir, where are we going now?"

Leading the way towards Green Street, Su Lun said, "I'll rent another apartment for you near Green Street. Don't go outside for the time being these next few days."

"Oh, alright."

Danny nodded, "Then, is there anything you need me to do?"

After all, the rescue had been a transaction, and he hadn't forgotten he needed to pay his dues.

Su Lun didn't beat around the bush and said directly, "You'll be making some emergency potions for the time being. Make a list of the materials you need, and I'll bring them back for you from the black market next time. In a little while, I might have some things I need your help with."

Danny nodded, already prepared for long-term servitude, "Mhm."

The two walked back towards Green Street.

Su Lun also made inquiries about the "X Serum Project" and some details of the inner city.

Then, he suddenly remembered something and asked, "By the way, Danny. Did you notice the most wanted S-class fugitive from the inner city on the black market's bounty board last time? Do you know her?"

Thinking that since both were from the inner city, Danny might know her as well.

To his question, Danny actually knew something.

"Sir, are you talking about the silver-haired woman?"

"Yes."

"I don't know her, but I saw her once in the lab."

"Was she also part of the research institute?"

"I'm not sure, but she doesn't seem to be a scientist. She seems like combat personnel. Once, at home, I overheard my parents mention another top-secret project that our medical research department and mechanical department were collaborating on, which seemed related to her..."

"Do your parents know her?"

"Probably..."

"..."

Listening, Su Lun couldn't help a thought popping into his head instinctively.

Danny's parents blew up the lab, and this woman happened to steal some research results and defected—an incident separated by over three years. Could there be some special connection between them?

....

Chatting casually along the way, they soon returned to Green Street.

Su Lun was always efficient in handling matters. Not long after returning to Green Street, through a housing agent, he rented a basement apartment for Danny not far from his own.

The distance would avoid some trouble and they could look out for each other.

Because Danny's mutated appearance was too conspicuous and it was inconvenient for him to go out even in a cloak, Su Lun prepared plenty of food and water for him.

Fortunately, Pharmacists were true homebodies; as long as they had work to do, they could stay in the lab forever.

After a few days without trouble knocking at his door, Su Lun knew that the problems with the Black Baron Clubhouse had probably passed as well.

Su Lun's life returned to its peaceful routine.

Ever since he got a complete set of textbooks from Mr. Hei, he dove into studying theoretical knowledge and became busy.

It wasn't just textbooks but also the vice chancellor's teaching plans and annotations, filling a storage ring to the brim.

The material was straightforward and systematic, approachable if followed from the introductory through the advanced levels, making it not difficult to comprehend.

Moreover, since Su Lun's mind had already extracted many fragments of knowledge, he often read through the textbooks quickly. Many pieces of knowledge felt strangely familiar upon seeing the texts. By slightly understanding some transition content, he could link up chunks of information.

The textbooks were like a thread stringing together beads of knowledge.

Stringing the beads into chains, they slowly formed systematic disciplines.

Potions, Enchantments, Planting, Runes, Spell Alchemy, Mechanics, Forging, Mysticism, Medicine...

Su Lun was irresistibly immersed in the ocean of knowledge of this fantastical world, absorbing it voraciously.

His progress was swift, particularly in the field of mechanics, improving so rapidly it was like day and night.

The previously problematic "Spider Bomb" was resolved, the issue having been in a minor blind spot in his knowledge. With theoretical backing, he could even improve the original design, creating a more perfect Spider Bomb. "Iron Man Mk II" saw many technological innovations as well...

And, through systematic study, his rune drawing skills and forging proficiency surged. With improved technique, the Rune Puppets he made now were significantly more powerful than before. He could even begin to attempt the more difficult intermediate Puppets...

The same was true for Spell Alchemy, Mysticism...

Once one principle was understood, the rest followed.

....

Su Lun spent every day in the basement, having also planned a detailed and regular schedule for himself.

Exercising, studying, tinkering with mechanics and puppets, occasionally going to the firing range...

Strictly following the schedule every day, the data on his panel visibly soared.

The calm and fulfilling days flew by, and before he knew it, a month had passed.

Su Lun had intended to continue his seclusion, but Kai had come knocking at his door.

This former heavyweight of Green Street, now bored out of his mind, seemed aimless every day without his turf, eventually succumbing to boredom and seeking out Su Lun.

"Come on, brother, let's pull off a big one!"

That dark and windy night, Kai spoke with an excited expression about leading his brother to fortune, "I got a secret tip. The Steam Party will be transporting a batch of 'special mechanical equipment' from the inner city in the next few days..."