Miss Witch Doesn't Want to be a Diva

"It's still not enough, take a look at this," Yalian said as he picked up a personal terminal to play a projection.

In the projection, an uncle stood with Yalian, seemingly inside a supply station's hall. They lifted their glasses together and cheered, "Here's to our friendship."

"Uncle John has told me that Lebyon offers the fairest supply prices around. Otherwise, I wouldn't bother coming all this way."

"He looks as hearty as ever, haha, alright, I admit I had some trust issues with you before. But 300 Federation Coins is indeed the lowest price I've publicly announced. However, considering our brother-like friendship, I'll give it to you for... 180 Federation Coins. Really, I can't go lower than that. Any lower and I wouldn't be able to do business, and others would have complaints. It's market disruption."

"180 Federation Coins per liter..." Yalin's voice seemed hesitant.

"What model is it?"

"What else could it be? It's only the Model 26. It's the best-selling product in Northern Second District. Come with me, I'll show you," he said as he picked up a security card from the table and walked out of the room.

Bang, bang.

As soon as the two men stepped out of the room, they heard two heavy thuds. Under the steel dome of the gas station, two men were knocked to the ground, leaving one other man surprised and fearful, caught in a difficult position. Efnie, on the other hand, stood with one hand on her hip, shaking out her golden ponytail, while dusting off her trousers with the other hand.

"Did these three come to harass us again?" Yalian inquired.

"Yes, I had to teach them a lesson." If they weren't at the gas station, Efnie would have already used her Flame-related Ability.

"You guys wait for it…" After a bunch of meaningless threats, the three men picked themselves up and scurried away dejectedly.

"These guys..." The employees at the gas station wanted to say something but hesitated, then shook their heads without speaking.

The rest of the time was spent checking if the fuel was up to standard before trading.

After some haggling, they bought over 600 liters of fuel for 100,000 Federation Coins, including two 'Lianyin 112' model carbines gifted by the gas station staff. Enjoy exclusive chapters from empire

"Trust me, you'll need them on the road," the seller said thoughtfully, offering a bullet bonanza: a box of 200 rounds for only 1,000 Federation Coins.

"This..." Yalian was still doubtful, but Xie Lian decisively accepted the offer.

"Give us ten boxes." Having firepower was always good. Besides, hadn't Teacher N said they would soon have to stop using the guns they brought?

After finalizing the deal, they were about to call Ximu and the others to bring the vehicle over when a group of people in red and black jackets drove up and surrounded the station. Then a man in a white suit and sunglasses, with an extra dose of swagger and a cigarette laced with something extra in his mouth, stepped out and scanned the area.

"Where's that blond girl you mentioned? You know the consequences if you haven't found her," he said.

Behind him, the man who had harassed Efnie, now bruised and swollen, was following with a personal terminal in his hand. It displayed a stealthily taken photo of Efnie; she was shown in profile against the frame, her posture graceful, and the sunshine glimmering on her golden hair and cheeks.

Seeing the group, others gathered inside the gas station retreated and left, as if they recognized their identities and dared not offend them.

"Maxizha, the second son of 'Burn Iron Energy', how did he come over..."

"This doesn't look like it'll end well."

"That blond girl was indeed pretty, sigh, I even wanted to hit on her. Now there's no need to think about it. Once she's in Maxizha's hands, I bet she won't last a few days without breaking."

"She's inside the gas station. I heard it; they must have come here to buy fuel," the man said obsequiously, utterly oblivious to how repellent his bruised face looked.

"Alright, you don't need to follow me anymore," Maxizha said, waving him away, then kicked open the door of the gas station's room. One by one, the men in red and black jackets, clutching various firearms, stormed in behind him.

Entering the room inside the gas station, Maxizha finally saw the blond girl with the ponytail from the images. She and her companions were now surrounded by the armed individuals in red and black jackets. Seeing this, he quickened his pace until he neared them, then slowed down.

Removing his sunglasses, he stroked his bearded chin, then tried to strike what he thought was an Elegance pose, bowing slightly.

"Good evening, beautiful miss. I am a man who could become your husband. Would you honor me with your presence at dinner tonight to enjoy the night scenery?"

After speaking, he snapped his fingers, prompting the armed individuals in red and black to raise their guns and fire three shots at the ceiling. The sounds echoed throughout the place like salutes.