Star Forge Titan

"Respected Tang, we understand. We will have our men leave immediately when we return." A gang leader said cautiously and quietly, and the others echoed in agreement.

"Very good!" Tang nodded with great satisfaction.

"Next, let's talk about something else."

"Ever since the Seine River pollution incident, I think you all have control over the management of many wells, right?" Tang said calmly.

Everyone nodded, but didn't immediately understand what he meant.

"I hope to take over the management of all the wells." Tang showed a dangerous smile on his face.

The gang leaders looked at each other and found that the other had a dissatisfied look on his face.

Then they heard Tang ask again:

"Who is in favor? Who is against?"

Chapter 69 Professionals

"I object!"

As soon as these words were spoken, someone stood up immediately.

A few wells may not sound like a big deal and are far less valuable than other industries, but for the residents of the downtown area, the wells are the things that are most relevant to them.

The so-called "Seine River Pollution Incident" refers to the early days when the addresses of magic factories had not yet been unified and managed. Due to the indiscriminate discharge of sewage by several factories built upstream of the river, one morning, the entire section of the Seine River in the neighboring perfect city of Lutetia was filled with a foul odor, and a large number of people were poisoned and sickened by drinking sewage.

Even a certain emperor, who was usually very lazy, forced the factory to relocate. Despite this, after that, both the residents of the inner city and the lower city outside the Gate of Heaven switched to using well water as their main source of daily water, instead of directly using the water flowing from the Seine River, which was like a mother to them, as they had done for thousands of years.

Leaving aside the city's wells, which were managed and maintained by dedicated personnel under the jurisdiction of the Public Security Bureau and the Government Office, gang members in the downtown area immediately seized on this fact. They used violence to control the majority of wells with good water quality, and charged a certain amount of water fee to every resident who needed water.

They even call it a reward for cleaning the wells and guarding them to prevent people from polluting the water or children from accidentally falling into the wells.

But according to other gang members, the only ones who would actually do this are probably the Orphan Gang, a bunch of stinky boys with nothing better to do than to take care of the well.

Because of the orders of Canon, now known as 'Dear Tang', the young men of the Orphan Gang would actually tie ropes around their waists and regularly climb down to clean the moss and dirt on the well walls like bacon hanging under the eaves, and ensure that at least three people would take turns guarding the well every day.

There is no gap without comparison. The residents will naturally take this incident seriously, so they will be more supportive of the Orphan Gang, which is also a gang. Other gang members will also be more hostile to the Orphan Gang. Unfortunately, no matter with force or other means, they are no match for "Tang".

This is especially true now that the Black-billed Sparrow Gang has been completely destroyed.

When someone subconsciously stood up to express his opposition, he was shocked to find that, unlike what he expected, the other gang leaders all sat in their chairs with their heads down, not daring to move at all, as if their buttocks were stuck with glue. The respected Tang looked at him with some surprise.

Beads of sweat immediately appeared on the man's forehead. He was neither standing nor sitting, just standing there with his back half bent in a stiff posture.

"Okay, I understand." Tang nodded, and the smiling expression on his face immediately disappeared, replaced by a terrifying indifference.

Then, Tang, wearing a crimson suit jacket, walked up to the man, gently straightened his collar, and raised his hand...

Snapped!

A loud slap echoed in the tavern.

Everyone was sweating profusely. The strength of a warrior superhuman was inherently stronger than that of other professions, and Tang maintained high-intensity training every day, so that the man who was hit flew up and hit the wall heavily.

His cheeks swelled up quickly like fermented dough, teeth mixed with blood spurted out of his mouth, and he lay on the ground curled up like a shrimp, not daring to make a sound again.

Next, without the boss's orders, Dominic took the initiative to walk over, grabbed the man's ankles and dragged him out backwards, looking like he was dragging a dead dog.

The respected Tang straightened his sleeves, smiled again, and looked at the others with the same gaze as before.

"Now, who's for? Who's against?"

The only sounds in the tavern were those of people swallowing and heavy breathing. Everyone sat in their seats with grim expressions, and no one dared to stand up to express their objection.

Old Black-billed Sparrow Maxwell may have wanted to leave some scraps for them. In addition, although the income from the well was stable, the total income was not much. Moreover, if he did not put in enough effort to manage it, it would easily lead to rejection and disgust from ordinary residents, so he did not take over the industry directly.

But the Orphan Gang didn't care about the previous problems. They had the habit of arranging gang members to perform normal work. Now that there were a few more stable jobs, it was actually a good thing for Tang and his brothers.

Moreover, taking over the management of all the wells and establishing new rules means that the Orphan Gang will gain a huge influence on all residents of the entire downtown area, making them more authoritative than the original Black-billed Sparrow.

The gang leaders only knew that they would lose a stable source of income, but they did not realize that there was something more crucial hidden in it, something that would cause them to gradually lose all the basis for their existence.

You must know that the deterrence brought by fear is only temporary, but a set of rules that most people can adapt to will make people develop habits and even gradually integrate themselves into this system.

Recalling the plan that the young man had spoken of in a relaxed tone, Tang couldn't help but secretly sigh that some people could indeed accomplish things that others could never do with their hands alone, just by using their brains.

According to the plan, what he needs to do next is to establish a new system that can make the downtown area more stable and operate as a whole, and in this system, there will be no room for gang members.

Even the original Orphan Gang will be completely transformed. As a gang, they will be completely disbanded, and then contract many public affairs in the downtown area under the names of multiple legal organizations such as Marilyn Cleaning Company, Marilyn Security Company, and Marilyn Talent Dispatch Company, and receive legitimate remuneration for this.

In contrast, all kinds of protection fees originally collected arbitrarily by gang members will be completely banned. If anyone dares to violate them, the big brothers of Marilyn Security Company will naturally strike hard and protect the personal and property safety of every downtown resident in the way they are most accustomed to. This will be written in black and white in future contracts!

Tang couldn't help but let out a genuine smile at the thought, but this only sent a shudder down the spines of the other gang leaders.

Then he turned his gaze to a tall, thin man with a pale face in the corner.

"Sodozo, remember you have an alchemy workshop? The one you acquired from that prodigal gambler whose grandfather was an alchemist."

"Yes, respected Don, I do have a family..." As if realizing something, the gang leader named Sodozo gave Don a pleading look.

"Okay, name a price and transfer it to me." The respected Tang raised his hand to signal him to name a price.

"But, but that workshop is used by me to produce happy grass. Originally, Maxwell the Black-billed Brontosaurus only took a part of the profit. Dear Tang, even for you, this is..." Sodozo's expression was a little excited, but his words revealed a sense of guilt.

"Happy grass, huh." Tang sneered. He certainly knew what the so-called 'happy grass' was. It was a banned drug on par with 'devil mushroom powder', and it was also something he strictly forbade his subordinates to touch.

Because that thing can make the healthiest and strongest young man become skinny and completely useless in just a few months.

"That kind of thing shouldn't appear in my territory." Thinking of this, the respected Tang couldn't help but say softly:

Hearing this, Sodozo's face turned even paler. He really didn't want to give up such a highly profitable industry. Moreover, if this industry was to be completely banned, the master behind him would not let him off easily.

You have to know that the real consumers of this thing aren't the poor people in the lower city. Most of the people who can afford to play with it are nobles and wealthy merchants from the perfect city of Lutetia. Even if they become addicted, they can always find a wizard or priest to exorcise the adverse effects.

Even taking into account the negative impact on reputation, the most that would be paid is a hush money in addition to the medical expenses.

Oops! Very bad!

Sodozo's mind was working quickly. He was considered to be one of the smarter gang members, otherwise he would not have been assigned to be in charge of this black industry that was expressly prohibited by law.

He knew the serious consequences of the workshop being shut down, but he also understood that if he didn't agree now, he probably wouldn't even be able to walk out of this door.

"Dear Tang, an alchemy workshop needs professionals to run it. It will be useless even if you buy it." Sodozo rubbed his hands, trying to persuade the other party to change his mind from another angle.

"Don't ask too many questions." Unexpectedly, Tang waved his hand and rejected him directly.

"As for professionals." The young leader suddenly laughed.

“That person is definitely the most professional.”

Chapter 70 Begins the Experiment

The blood on the axe had not yet cooled, but Sodozo finally handed over the alchemy workshop he had deceived.

After paying a reasonable amount, dear Tang also gave a sum of money to the original owner of the workshop.

This made many people applaud. Although they might call him an idiot in their hearts, they definitely sang praises on the surface.

And those ordinary gang members who have never seen Tang chop off the head of a disobedient person with an axe or slap away an opponent with a slap, have a first impression that "this Tang is generous and kind."

But all this has nothing to do with Alvin for the time being. When Dominic brought him to an alchemy workshop located in the suburbs of Lutetia, the black-haired boy couldn't help but sigh. He finally had a place to stay.

Before, he and Ka Yang stayed in the hotel, and even if they had any plans, they couldn't fully carry them out.

However, it looks like this place needs some cleaning up.

This alchemy workshop, located in the suburb of Lutetia near the Seine, is a two-story, blue-gray building. Dark tiles form the sloping roof, while green vines cover the walls. It looks quite old.

There is an outdoor testing ground outside the building, but it is now completely abandoned. The flat ground is covered with various weeds, and there is almost no difference between it and the nursery behind the building used to grow experimental plants.

Fortunately, the high courtyard wall is basically well preserved. At first glance, this workshop looks like a private manor of medium size, surrounded by a complete circle of walls.

In this way, at least in terms of site size and confidentiality, this alchemy workshop still meets Alvin's needs.

After entering the small building, Alvin couldn't help but frown.

Although the interior of the workshop was not in a mess, it was definitely not like the alchemy workshop that one would imagine to be a high-tech laboratory.

Various instruments and equipment requiring alchemical knowledge were piled haphazardly in a corner, covered with yellowed white sheets. It was obvious that the previous owner of the workshop had no use for these items in their daily work. The beakers, test tubes, and distilling flasks that were often used were also mostly filthy, contaminated by chemicals from improper cleaning.

Although Alvin learned alchemy in the game mainly for practical purposes and did not have high requirements for the alchemy site, he had at least received a complete set of alchemy training tutorials and knew what a formal alchemy workshop should look like.

Moreover, not to mention the advanced workshops he had encountered in the future, even the venue he had used before was an alchemy workshop exclusively for the royal family of Elrond. In comparison, the interior of this workshop was simply a fake medicine den.

To the point that Alvin just couldn't stand it anymore.

At this time, several workshop employees under Sodozo were looking at the young alchemist nervously. Their contracts had also been transferred to Tang and were now directly under Ivan.

Although the alchemist in front of them looked very young, they did not dare to underestimate him because of his age.

After all, the Ring of Truth, which symbolizes the highest standard of passing the alchemist's examination, emits a dazzling golden luster in the sunlight.

Even ordinary apprentices like them who had only received incomplete knowledge of pharmacy and partial training in alchemy knew the specific meaning of this Ouroboros-shaped ring.

In comparison, although people like us have mastered certain knowledge and received some training, and can make simple medicines or complete ordinary material processing by rote, we are already considered to be quite rare intellectuals in the Lower Town.

But compared to real alchemists, they are just a group of semi-illiterate people who have not even completed primary school education.

Now, everything related to banned drugs in the laboratory has been moved out in advance.

Looking at the slight traces of residue on the table and other places, Alvin rubbed his fingers across the dust on the table that was not completely cleaned off, and after rubbing it lightly, he showed a sneer.

"You guys, have you done contraband here?"

"...Yes, sir." A half-bald middle-aged man said nervously:

"But those were all ordered by Sodozo, the former owner of this workshop. We wouldn't dare make that kind of stuff ourselves." He evaded with a stiff expression.

"Okay, no need to say more about this." Alvin shook his head.

"Dominic," he called without looking up.

"What's the matter, sir?" The strong young man immediately walked into the workshop.

Ever since the last poisoning incident, he has had great respect for the young alchemist. Besides, his dear Tang also told him that he must respect the young gentleman, who is much stricter than he appears.

"Take them away. I don't need these people who don't follow the rules of alchemy." Ivan said softly.

The middle-aged man and the others looked at each other. Although their expressions were embarrassed, no one dared to protest. Under Dominic's supervision, they left the workshop quietly with empty hands.

The so-called alchemy code, the most basic of which is to abide by the list regularly updated by the International Alchemists Association, and not to prepare potions or items on the list without the approval of the local Alchemists Association.

Other things may change every year, but addictive illegal substances like 'happy grass' or 'devil mushroom powder' never leave the list.

Alchemists who violate the alchemical code will be called black alchemists or underground alchemists. They will not receive any assistance from the association no matter where they are, nor can they legally purchase various alchemical materials through the association's channels. Even the association's journals that record the latest alchemical information cannot be purchased from the association.

Strictly speaking, Alvin, who has not yet reported to the local Alchemist Association, is also an underground alchemist. Considering that his identity is fake, he has no plans to purchase materials through the association's channels before completing the next step of disguise.

However, in this case, you will have to find a way to get the materials needed to be promoted to Ash Knight in the short term.

Fortunately, with such a large workshop, he can also try to carry out the next plan.

The first thing to do now is to complete the preliminary design and experiments of the new magic engine.

Alvin moved his hands and picked up two test tubes. The original magic power flowing in his flesh, blood and bones began to accelerate. The originally dirty glass test tubes were quickly wrapped in dark golden magic light and quickly transformed into new test tubes with higher quality and more scientific and reasonable shape.

At the same time, this dark golden magical light began to spread around, and all the covered instruments and equipment began to change.

When everything was over, Ivan held a brand new glass test tube in each hand and shook it slightly, then said with a smile:

"Then let's begin the experiment."

Chapter 71 Cleaning the Venue

It turns out that humans often have to make tools before they can create works of art.

In other words, before Alvin starts the formal experiment, he has to renovate the house first.

The group of guys who made fake medicines obviously had no experience in managing an alchemy workshop, so much so that the various alchemy arrays laid out inside the house were damaged.

When Khayon arrived with a pile of supplies, he saw Ivan prying up the floor tiles one by one, checking to see which part of the buried technical alchemy array was faulty. While Titan descendants with the [Reshape the World] talent didn't need these items to refine and shape materials, the steps required to build a magic engine, such as testing the magic pathways, required the assistance of these specialized alchemy arrays.

"So, you just did civil engineering for the whole morning?" Ka Yang stood at the door of the laboratory with a sarcastic expression.

"Yeah, so what did a certain idle-looking wizard do up there?" Alvin glared at him unhappily and pressed the corrosion-resistant floor tiles he had pulled out with his bare hands back into place.

The use of fired quartz stone tiles as the floor material of the alchemy workshop shows that the old alchemist who built the workshop did have formal knowledge. Without the use of extraordinary materials, quartz stone can become a very suitable building material for the alchemy workshop after firing, because it is not easily corroded and is not prone to overly dangerous reactions with other chemicals.

"Identity proof, have you forgotten it?" Ka Yang shook the certificate in his hand with an outer cover made of cowhide. It was printed with the official seal of the Genoa Confederation. It was a fake certificate that was more real than the real one.

"Has that half-elf been dealt with? It was quite fast." Alvin raised his eyebrows in surprise.