Mechanical Alchemist

Perhaps it was because she was meeting an inner-city Big Shot today, Qian Tiao was dressed quite formally.

She wasn't baring one arm as usual, flaunting her fearsome and disdainful tattoo in a street urchin's image. Instead, she wore a thin kimono of mixed red, green, and blue colors, which also had a bit of a homely feel.

Su Lun looked at her with a touch of surprise, always feeling that something was odd.

The loose, overlapping robe with its cluster of white at the neckline, unbound by any bandages, felt even heavier, and the view was profound.

Her usual bold style of dressing.

Less of that Big Sister's societal aura, more of a sensual allure.

Perhaps he hadn't expected that Qian Tiao, the boss, had such a side to her.

Of course, if you ignored the four menacing katanas hanging at her waist, she indeed possessed a few traces of a gentlewoman's charming allure.

Qian Tiao watched as Su Lun easily dispatched the assassin arranged in the corridor, her eyes narrowing with a smile, seemingly very pleased with his performance.

Hearing her speak to the people inside the room, it was as if she were saying, "See, the person I recommended, not bad, right?"

"Come, let me introduce you, Lady Philo..."

Qian Tiao called Su Lun over, casually draping an arm over his shoulder, and whispered, "She's our Cross Society's financial backer. Make a good impression."

If it hadn't been for Kai explaining to him the purpose of this visit beforehand, Su Lun might have found this instruction to "make a good impression" rather odd.

Su Lun simply felt his arm enveloped by warmth, finding it impossible to pull away, and he nodded, "Mhm."

He was also curious about what the Cross Society's mysterious backer looked like.

....

It was no secret that behind each of the three big gangs in the outer city, there was the support of an inner-city financial consortium.

One might say that it was because of the consortium's support that the three big gangs now exist.

Often times, the struggles between the gangs were in fact competitions between the financial consortiums.

Qian Tiao, arm in arm, led Su Lun into the VIP private room and then introduced him to the financial backer seated on the sofa, "This is Su Lun, his marksmanship is quite good."

Su Lun glanced over and immediately identified the main person. Although there were other people in the room, the woman sitting on the sofa had such a distinctive presence that one could guess at first glance that she must be "Lady Philo."

A gothic style black one-piece mini dress shone with a high-grade luster under the lights, immediately evident as a top-quality fabric. The upper body was outlined with a genuine silk bustier, and the strategically placed hollow lace left her cleavage in full view, proudly prominent.

The pencil skirt had fine embroidery, with a high slit that almost reached the thigh root, revealing long beautiful legs that one couldn't look away from. Her indifferent expression matched her graceful figure, sensual yet exuding a distant coldness that suggested she was untouchable, desirable yet prideful.

Here was a woman who would stir the deepest of desires, yet dared not be violated, where the contrast of cold and lustful styles was magnificently displayed on her.

She sat casually on the sofa, but it felt as if she was seated on a throne.

Su Lun looked just once before he restrained his gaze, bowing his head and saying, "Good evening, Lady Fino."

Not daring to look directly, both out of etiquette and fear of being recognized by acquaintances of the original host.

Yet in that moment he averted his gaze, the brow of the woman in black on the sofa raised ever so slightly.

Qian Tiao, obviously familiar with the financial backer's standards for selecting people, saw the composure Su Lun displayed and a proud smile crept onto her face, "See, didn't I say he was good?"

Su Lun heard the "good" and it seemed quite thought-provoking, as if he had just passed another test?

Clearly, the woman in black was not an old acquaintance of the original host, and Su Lun felt eyes surveying him without revealing any sign of recognition.

As long as no recognition came, that was fine.

After a few moments of silence, the woman in black finally spoke, her voice indifferent, "Hmm... you'll do."

Then, she said emotionlessly, "Alright, you can go now."

Her commanding tone was so cold that it made Su Lun, the transmigrator, feel this woman was extremely haughty, yet his heart remained undisturbed.

Coolness, that was the normal attitude.

For a behind-the-scenes financial backer of a gang to even give a second look to a subordinate was already quite good.

In the entire Cross Society, apart from Su Lun, there was probably no other ordinary gang member who would be personally met by her.

The concept of hierarchy was strong among the original inhabitants of this world; people from the outer city naturally felt inferior to those from the inner city, let alone considering this woman was from the upper echelons of high society.

This was also why Kai, despite not being chosen, was so excited just from meeting her.

Su Lun didn't say a word and turned to leave.

Qian Tiao seemed to worry that Su Lun might misunderstand something, giving him an encouraging smile as if to say he had done well and to indicate that the financial backer didn't have any malice.

Su Lun nodded slightly and walked out the private room door.

....

After Su Lun left, the formality that came with superior and subordinate meet-ups in the VIP private room dissipated instantly.

Qian Tiao seemed quite familiar with the woman in black, sitting unabashedly across from her and speaking boldly, "I told you, the people I recommend are good, right? This Su Lun's marksmanship is probably up to the level of a 'firearms expert', with a strong sense of danger, far surpassing ordinary professionals. Of course, that Kai kid before wasn't bad either..."

"Indeed, he's quite good," came the reply.

With no outsiders around, the aloofness on the woman in black's face relaxed slightly.

She looked at Qian Tiao and explained with a hint of helplessness, "That Kai is quite impressive, just too young and lacking in stability."

Qian Tiao naturally knew what she was referring to and, feeling a bit defensive for her own gang members, complained, "Tsk—just because he took an extra glance at your thigh..."

Hearing this, the woman in the black dress gave Qian Tiao a sideways look and said languidly, "Of course, it's better to be more attentive. After all, those young masters and misses are not easy to serve. If the person selected ends up causing trouble, it would be a big problem for your Cross Society, too."

"..."

Qian Tiao simply shrugged noncommittally.

But at least the selection was completed, and the assignment from the chairman had been understood.

She again unabashedly glanced at the woman in the black dress's beautiful legs and said with a trace of melancholy, "I knew that kid Su Lun would satisfy you. After all, if he can control himself during gambling, how could he be perturbed by your little bit of charm?"

At these words, the woman in the black dress shook her head with a wry smile.

Her old friend was good in many aspects, but certainly a bit dense when it came to matters of men and women.

Clearly, the woman in the black dress had a better understanding of human nature; she had read a lot into Su Lun's gaze earlier. Desire, but restraint—that kind of person lasted long in life.

But she didn't elaborate.

At this moment, as she looked at Qian Tiao, a sly smile suddenly flashed across her expression, and she added provocatively, "However, are you sure that Su Lun likes women?"

"Eh... right!"

Upon hearing this, Qian Tiao abruptly paused, as if having a revelation, "I'm actually not certain about that."

If he likes men and is unmoved by women, wouldn't that be quite normal?

But then, wouldn't the delicate noble sons from the city be in trouble?

....

Su Lun stepped out of the private room, then went downstairs, and happened to encounter Kai, who was still waiting.

Kai asked expectantly, "Brother, how did it go, did the big shot select you?"

Su Lun frowned and thought for a moment, "I'm not sure."

He should have been chosen, but that woman in the black dress had given him a strange feeling, not like a typical noblewoman.

At this point, Kai leaned in with a secretive air and whispered in a tone that any man would understand, "Heh heh, Lady Philo is beautiful, isn't she?"

"Of course."

Listening, Su Lun's expression grew slightly odd, suddenly realizing why this guy hadn't been selected.

To talk about beauty, that woman was naturally an exquisite beauty in figure and appearance.

In any world, a woman in a position of power wasn't simple, and it wasn't something that could be judged solely by appearance.

Intuition told him that the woman in the black dress was very shrewd. He didn't believe that the emotions in his gaze earlier could have escaped her notice...

Upon mentioning that patron's name, Kai's face lit up with infatuation as he mused, "The elite from the inner city just have a different air..."

He cut himself off halfway, as if suddenly thinking better of it, swallowing the rest of his sentence.

Curiously, Su Lun asked, "Captain, do you know what kind of influence that big shot from the inner city has?"

Kai frowned in thought and replied, "Who knows... but I've heard that the big shot is now living alone. And... I've heard she's had business dealings with many of the city's major financiers, but I don't really know what she does."

"Oh, I see..."

Listening, Su Lun appeared curious.

Living alone, yet referred to as 'lady,' could she be a widow?

Since she's a patron, there should be some major financial group backing her.

But this one seemed to play by her own rules...

A socialite from high society?

Or perhaps the public face for some real power brokers behind the scenes?

....

But before the two could discuss further, footsteps rang out from the staircase.

Turning around, they saw Qian Tiao.

This gambling addict appeared to be in a good mood as she waved grandly and said, "Kai, Su Lun, come on, sister here is treating you to a soak in the bath."

"Ah... a bath?"

Upon hearing this word, Kai's expression instantly became strange, seemingly reminded of some not-so-fond memories.

Su Lun was also curious, why would this big shot suddenly invite them for a bath?

Qian Tiao gave Su Lun a look, her eyes hinting at something, but she didn't elaborate further.