Chapter 164: The Devil’s Advocate
The moment he spoke those words, the crowd immediately went dead silent, and they were looking at Armstrong with expectant gazes.
“I believe that everyone here has tasted our ketchup’s uniqueness! Well, it’s to be expected! After all, I made it using the finest ingredients at my disposal! Previously, we sold the ketchup at a low price because it was a promotional event! However, due to the cost required to create it, we will now raise its price to 100 thousand federal coins per bottle!”
Lying was Armstrong’s specialty, and almost none of his words were true.
100 thousand federal coins!
It was a year’s worth of salary for an ordinary family!
However, since there was no lack of rich people within the Holy City. Many people squeezed through the crowd with their checkbooks in hand to purchase the bottles!
“Right this way!” Armstrong had already accounted for their reaction in advance.
His subordinates had already set up a booth to serve the rich citizens.
The words “VIP” were displayed clearly on the booth.
Despite that, the middle-cla.s.s families who were addicted to ketchup could not help but queue up.
Those from ordinary families or low-income families could only salivate at the sight of the ketchup.
The Trent family’s bloodsucking nature was ingrained in their genes.
He looked at the others who had yet to make up their minds and announced, “Although the ketchup bottles are slightly pricey, we have other ways for the less fortunate among you to obtain them as well!”
Following this, Armstrong then brought out a stack of doc.u.ments. “What I have in my hands are employment contracts! As long as you are willing to sign it, you will receive these ketchup bottles for free every month, regardless of your social status! Of course, you will also receive a salary!”
‘That’s wonderful!’
Those from low-income families immediately rushed forward to get a closer look at the contracts.
The corner of Armstrong’s lips curled into a sinister smile. His plan had succeeded.
“Those who are willing to work for the Trent family, please head to the right! My a.s.sistants will handle the formalities for everyone! You’ll get a bottle of ketchup the moment you sign the contract! Once we’ve wrapped up our sales here, all of you will follow me back to Gold City!”
This was one of the oldest tricks in the Trent family’s books. The so-called “employment contract” was in reality, a slavery contract!
The seemingly simple terms of the contract were filled with legal loopholes. The moment they signed the contracts, the signatory would immediately be reduced into a slave!
However, since the low-income citizens did not go through much education, they had no way of verifying the terms of the contract.
Upon receiving their bottle of ketchup for signing the contracts, the low-income citizens happily got on board the truck that was readied for them and chugged on the ketchup as if it was water.
The average-cla.s.s citizens were the only ones remaining in wait.
Their situation was actually the most special, and they were the largest group of citizens!
However, Armstrong’s plan was foolproof, and he had already covered this as well. He cleared his throat and in a well-rehea.r.s.ed manner, announced, “I’m aware that you guys want it to, but you’re hesitating between forking out a fortune or to leave your hometown, right? Well, fret no further, as I have a suggestion for you all. As long as you do as I ask, each family will receive 5 to 10 bottles of ketchup, as well as a lifetime membership card. With the card, any purchase you make in the future will receive a 40% discount…”
“What?”
“That’s great!”
“Sir, is this a joke? A 40% discount…”
“There must be strings attached, right?”
Armstrong’s family was well-versed in reading the hearts of men.
After all, all of their family members, without exception, had studied psychology since childhood.
He stretched out a finger. “Listen well… My request is very simple! All you need to do is to kill a person, a person named Locke! As long as you fulfill this condition, you will be a friend of the Trent family forever!”
“Hahahaha… !” Alice, who was sitting in the back seat of the sports car, could not help but burst out in laughter!
She really admired Armstrong’s viciousness!
It was a crude and ruthless move on his part.
First of all, they a.s.sumed that Locke had already become addicted to the ketchup! Due to the ketchup’s influence, he would no longer be able to use his Battle Beasts effectively.
Without their Battle Beasts, Beastmasters were no different from ordinary men!
Although it was murder, the average-cla.s.s citizens of the Holy City accounted for over 60% of the population!
Even if someone were to kill Locke, the other citizens would definitely cover it up for their compatriot!
The court would never be able to find the culprit!
‘What a genius!’
‘I want nothing more than to marry this man!’
‘The feeling of enslaving the ma.s.ses is simply too satisfying!’
‘I don’t want this feeling to end!’
Although the ordinary citizens were having second thoughts against Armstrong’s request…
Armstrong was very confident!
He believed that a significant portion of them would definitely take the risk!
“Friends! Don’t you realize that no one would be able to go after you? As long as you act quickly and cover for one another, no one would ever learn the truth of his death! Alright, to sweeten the deal, what if I offered 50 bottles per family then?! Consider it as a gift from me to you! Think it over. What meaning would there be to living if you aren’t able to eat your most favorite food?”
“But… But Locke is a Beastmaster! There’s no way we can beat him!”
“That’s right, he even defeated the White Family!”
“We’re no different from ants to him…”
Armstrong immediately shook his finger and explained, “No, no, no… My friends, it seems that you’re unaware of this, but Locke was seriously injured a while ago, and his strength has been greatly reduced. I suspect that he lacks the strength to even summon his Battle Beast right now! This is a chance that G.o.d blessed you with. Oh yeah, before I forget, this offer only lasts for a day!”
“We will leaving the Holy City tomorrow. Once we’re gone, we’ll only supply the ketchup to our members…”
Armstrong’s final words were like a bombsh.e.l.l of the ordinary citizens.
They took a glance at the low-income citizens who were chugging down on the ketchup, as well as the n.o.bles who were ordering their servants to move crates of ketchup.
The Devil in their hearts had finally appeared…
“Let’s go! Split up and locate him!”
“As long as we keep our lips sealed, no one will know of our secret!”
“I’d rather die than to live in a world without this ketchup…”
“Kill! Kill! KILL!”
Many years of family experience in human trafficking allowed Armstrong to display it vividly.
Years of human trafficking had culminated in Armstrong’s current smooth-talking display.
He turned around and gave Alice a flirtatious look.
Alice also blew him a kiss in return.
Meanwhile, Douglas was clenching his fists tightly. All he felt was disgust!
Since no one knew Locke’s house address, they divided into several teams and began to search the entire city.
Due to Armstrong’s influence, the citizens had devolved into a mob that were controlled by the Devil!