Chapter 205
Chapter 205: Extortion
If this automatic mechanism is combined with outstanding soul tools and Sealed Milk Bottles, then we will be able to assemble an army that isn’t composed of soul masters, but they will still be able to use soul tools – isn’t that the dream? Even if this future is costly, it will be worth it. If the prince can have an army like that, then there will be no contest at all for the throne. The throne will be practically be in his pocket, and his own status in the empire will rise to another level. He will leave a heavy mark in history that will be remembered for eternity.
Jing Hongchen was excited as these thoughts ran through his head, and he forced his temper down. He frowned and said, “Huo Yuhao, your invention is indeed impressive, and it will be beneficial for the development of stationary soul tools. However, you have to understand that this is a relatively simple structure, and it still needs continual refinement and improvement, while we are the ones who have to do these things ourselves. Therefore, even though I am willing to offer quite a bit for this, it can’t be too outrageous. Name a price or a condition that everyone can accept – if not, there is nothing left to negotiate.”
Huo Yuhao grew silent. After an entire minute, he seemed a little pained as he said, “Alright. Since you are so sincere, Hallmaster, then I will tell you my bottom line.”
He raised his left hand again as he spoke, and he pressed down the index finger on his right hand. He left a long and straight middle finger… Jing Hongchen stared at the glaring middle finger and went quiet for a few seconds before he recovered. He was indignant as he shouted, “Scram!”
Lin Jiayi’s expression was a little black. If Jing Hongchen hadn’t been here, he would have probably stepped forward to teach Huo Yuhao a lesson himself.
Huo Yuhao seemed as if he didn’t feel the fury at all. He chortled and said, “Business shouldn’t ruin personal relationships. Don’t be angry – I even left this for you as a souvenir. Can you see how generous I am? Farewell, then. You just destroyed my heartfelt gift, and you just scolded me. I have decided to raise my price again to three Class 9 soul tools, and that’s the final and non-negotiable offer. You can sleep on that.”
With that, he turned around and walked out with a casual gait.
Jing Hongchen wanted to stop him, but he was too proud to open his mouth. He stared at the black box in his hands, and the thoughts that came to him before this surfaced once more.
Milk Bottles connected to energy-gathering soul tools, and activated with a unique automatic mechanism. A Class 4 Milk Bottle’s stored soul power would probably be enough to fire dozens of soul rays. On the battlefield… “Call him back.” Jing Hongchen ultimately asked Lin Jiayi, agonized.
Up to now, Lin Jiayi still wasn’t sure what was going on. However, he could see the grief and indignation on Jing Hongchen’s face, and he couldn’t help but say, “Hallmaster, you’re too nice and forgiving to this fellow. Why don’t I go teach him a lesson?”
“I told you to call him back. Can you understand simple words?” Jing Hongchen shouted, and scared Lin Jiayi so much that he scampered away immediately.
After another minute, Huo Yuhao was standing before Jing Hongchen yet again.
“Sit down.” Jing Hongchen pointed at the chair in front of his desk before he turned to Lin Jiayi and said, “Pour a cup of water for him, and then you can leave the room.”
“Yes.” Lin Jiayi didn’t dare to say anything more, and he poured a clear glass of water for Huo Yuhao.
Huo Yuhao didn’t decline this time, and he sat down in front of Jing Hongchen. He picked up the glass of water and glanced at Lin Jiayi as he was exiting the room while asking Jing Hongchen, “This glass of water isn’t poisoned, is it, Hallmaster?”
Jing Hongchen had a hard time suppressing his anger, and he erupted once more. “You…” He almost slapped Huo Yuhao across the face – he really wanted to murder this young man!
“No.” He considered the importance of that automatic mechanism, and ultimately restrained himself and answered with a calm look on his face.
“That’s good, then.” Huo Yuhao didn’t drink the water, and placed the glass back on the table as he spoke. Huo Yuhao looked like he still didn’t trust him, and Jing Hongchen’s face was starting to flush.
“The seller always starts with a high price, but the buyer will always go on the lower side. Name a price that I can accept.” Jing Hongchen tried to be direct as he could. He didn’t want to continue being entangled with this dude.
“I named my price, didn’t I? I want three Class 9 soul tools. I can’t go any lower.” Huo Yuhao stuck out three fingers once more. For some reason, Jing Hongchen felt as if Huo Yuhao’s middle finger was especially glaring.
“You know that’s not possible,” Jing Hongchen muttered coldly, “If that’s the case, then you can go.”
“Oh. Then why did you call me back? We’ve been through this several times already.” Huo Yuhao stood up and started walking out as he spoke, as if he wasn’t afraid of anything at all.
“You…” Jing Hongchen could feel his organs exploding with rage. “Come back!” He shouted once more, stopping Huo Yuhao in his tracks.
Huo Yuhao’s heart wasn’t as evil as it appeared to be. The truth was that he admired Jing Hongchen, and he admired his teacher, the Dragon God Douluo Elder Mu’s judgment of Jing Hongchen. Elder Mu held Jing Hongchen in high regard – Elder Mu said Jing Hongchen was a ruthless, ambitious, and formidable character, and the only problem was the kinks in his personality. Honor was a little too important to him, and he was headstrong and irritable at the same time. How could one judge something calmly and fairly if one got angry, and that meant others would have a chance to take advantage of him. Otherwise, why would Huo Yuhao play dirty like this for no reason?
“Three Class 9 soul tools is impossible. I admit that your innovation is exceptional, but you have to understand that the problems I’ve just pointed out are also true. How about I name a price for you instead? One Class 8 soul tool, and five million gold soul coins. How about that?”
Huo Yuhao shook his head vigorously. “No, no. That’s the product of my blood and sweat, and I can’t just sell it for such a low price. I want Class 9 soul tools – Class 8 soul tools are meaningless.”
“No – Class 9 soul tools are strategically important to the Sun Moon Empire. How can we just casually give them out?”
Huo Yuhao patted himself on the chest and said, “I don’t think that’s right, Hallmaster. When you were inside the Sea God’s Pavilion all those years ago, my teacher asked you for one, and he didn’t even give anything in return, and you just took one out without much hesitation. You just gave him the Hongchen’s Blessing, and I’m still benefiting from it.”
Veins popped out all over Jing Hongchen’s forehead. This boy just wanted to touch a sore spot – the situation back then was different, and he probably wouldn’t have returned with his life if he hadn’t given that gift. However, he was rendered speechless by Huo Yuhao’s assertion, and the redness of his face began to turn green from all that restraint.
“No means no! Two Class 8 soul tools!” Jing Hongchen growled, and he suddenly stood up and planted his hands on the desk, as if he were going to devour him.
Huo Yuhao decided to stop talking, as if he was afraid of Jing Hongchen, but he still shook his head adamantly and determinedly.
“What do you want? Besides Class 9 soul tools, what else do you want?” Jing Hongchen returned to his seat, and his temper cooled a little.
Huo Yuhao pondered for a moment, then said, “Hallmaster, creativity and innovation have no price. The soul tool I have crafted may be simple and rickety, but I believe that my invention is extremely valuable, and that’s the reason why I have named such an outrageous price. Calm down – alright, I don’t want Class 9 soul tools anymore, and I know you hate to part with them. Do you think this will work?”
What do you mean I hate to part with them? I can’t just give them away. Jing Hongchen had just calmed himself down, but his anger was already starting to erupt once again.
“You can also give me materials for Class 9 soul tools that are equal in value. You should know that Shrek Academy still lacks precious and exotic materials.” Huo Yuhao attempted another tactful inquisition.
Jing Hongchen thought to himself that this fella had finally revealed his fox tail. This must be your real motive, eh?
“What do you want?” Jing Hongchen lowered his voice and said, “There are many different kinds of exotic materials, and their values are hard to gauge.”
Huo Yuhao said, “I only want a few things – let me know if it’s alright! Five thousand kilograms of Purplegold Bronze, five thousand kilograms of Skyspirit Silver, one thousand pieces of Underworld Crystals that are each at least ten centimeters long, and one hundred kilograms of Extraterrestrial Meteoric Steel. I want five hundred kilograms of Starmoon Alloy that’s authentically crafted by the Illustrious Virtue Hall. I also want the excellent Sun Essence Gold that I saw the other time, and then I want one hundred and eighty pieces of Silver Dragonscale. Don’t tell me you don’t have these things! I’ve seen the academy’s history, and the academy has hunted and killed a Silver Dragon before. A single Silver Dragon probably has millions of scales, and I only want a hundred and eighty – that’s not even one percent, so don’t be stingy, please?”
Jing Hongchen’s face turned a shade darker after every item Huo Yuhao listed. His face was now black with traces of green, and even the green contained shades of purple. He was absolutely at the brink of erupting with rage and fury.
The things that Huo Yuhao requested were all the best rare and exotic metals. The last few requests were especially so – the Sun Essence Gold and Starmoon Alloy were all considered extremely precious and invaluable materials, and they were all used to construct Class 9 soul tool formation arrays. Even one kilogram was incredibly expensive, let alone several hundred kilograms.
“Are you trying to clean out the Illustrious Virtue Hall’s warehouse?” Jing Hongchen stood up yet again without thinking. He shook the black box Huo Yuhao had given him earlier vigorously and said, “You want to exchange this broken thing that’s made of steel for so many things? You must be daydreaming. Even greedy and avaricious people aren’t as outrageous as you. Take your toy and get out of here – don’t let me see you again.” He tossed the black box at Huo Yuhao as he spoke.
Huo Yuhao didn’t leave this time. He grabbed the black box and chuckled, “Don’t be angry, Hallmaster! We can still discuss the price. Furthermore, I am only asking for things that are equivalent in value to three Class 9 soul tools, and I haven’t even raised the price even though you’ve mocked my design time and time again. These things are probably equivalent in total value to three Class 9 soul tools – I’m not bullshitting you!”
“Who promised to give you precious metals that are equivalent in value to three Class 9 soul tools?” Jing Hongchen glared at him.
Huo Yuhao replied with a grieving and wronged look on his face. “Then we can negotiate further. Which one do you think is too much? Can we lower the requested amounts?”
Jing Hongchen roared, “Everything is too much – and that one hundred and eighty Silver Dragonscales? We hunted the Silver Dragon more than three thousand years ago, the materials that are left are exceptionally precious and invaluable. How many scales were kept until today? I don’t even think there are a hundred dragonscales left! Not even I have the authority to use them directly! Even I have to obtain the royal family’s permission!”
Huo Yuhao replied evenly, “But Hallmaster, you control the Illustrious Virtue Hall, and your authority is below one man and above everyone else. Not even you can make this decision? I don’t believe that. I know the Silver Dragonscale’s reputation, and it’s something I need. We can take away ten percent of that, but you have to give me ninety percent. We can deduct a little from the rest; I think even fifty percent is fine.”
Jing Hongchen’s eyes sparkled with cold light as he stared at Huo Yuhao’s seemingly magnanimous and generous attitude. He really wanted to grind this bastard into dust, but he wouldn’t be able to get his hands on this design if he did so. Furthermore, his grandchildren were still in Shrek Academy!
He took a deep breath and forcefully suppressed his emotions as he lowered his voice and said, “We will reduce everything that you want to ten percent of the original offer, while the Silver Dragonscales are out of the question. Then we have a deal.”
Huo Yuhao immediately shook his head and said, “Your bargaining is too ruthless. Who shaves off ninety percent from the start? No, no. We can take away ten percent at most, and I definitely want the Silver Dragonscale. You can just give me eighty pieces.”
“Bastard! Do you think it’s easy for me to account for the outflow of so many resources?”
“But your authority is beneath only one person and above everyone else!”
“……”
“Twenty percent. I will give you five pieces of Silver Dragonscale, and that’s the most I can do. This is my price – if you don’t want it, then scram.” Jing Hongchen couldn’t take it anymore. He felt as if he would go insane if he continued to tangle himself with this guy.
Huo Yuhao asked, “Make that eighty percent. Is that alright?”
“Twenty percent!” Jing Hongchen roared.
Huo Yuhao said, “You’re not being very nice. Aren’t we both supposed to compromise, until we complete the deal at fifty percent?”
“Get lost, get lost. Scram. Get out of here!” Jing Hongchen slammed his palm onto the table, and the wooden desk collapsed to the ground with a boom.
Huo Yuhao was astonished. He frowned as he stared at Jing Hongchen, who was currently like an erupting volcano, and he said nothing as he turned and left.
Jing Hongchen could feel his blood rushing up, and he nearly vomited blood. He could feel his soul power was a little disorganized and disoriented as well.
An inscrutable expression flashed across Huo Yuhao’s face. He glanced at the black box in his hands as he stepped out of Jing Hongchen’s office, and he wasn’t hasty or hurried at all. From the start, he knew that his negotiations with Jing Hongchen wouldn’t be successful on the first try. He wouldn’t give up until he got what he wanted.
He took his time, but there wasn’t much time left.
He returned to the dormitory by himself, and nobody came to call him this time.
A day quickly passed, and Shrek Academy’s exchange program finally came to an end.
For formality’s sake, the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy conducted a farewell ceremony, and Jing Hongchen himself was present.
Fan Yu led the group from Shrek Academy, while Huo Yuhao, He Caitou, Ye Xiaosheng, and the other students stood in single file. Everybody had switched back to Shrek Academy’s uniforms, which meant they were about to leave this place and return to their own school.
Jing Hongchen made a speech that brimmed with warmth during this farewell ceremony. His expression didn’t change much and he seemed extremely calm, as if he had forgotten how upset he was when he met with Huo Yuhao the previous day. He would glance at Huo Yuhao and flash a smile from time to time, as if he were exceptionally pleased with him.
Huo Yuhao was a little surprised that his two brazen-faced and shameless friends didn’t show up to send him off, and that made him a little sad.
“The prince is here!” somebody called out, and the clinking sounds of armor could be heard as soldiers poured in from outside.
These soldiers wore silver armor, and they looked well-built and formidable – everyone recognized them at a glance as the Sun Moon Empire’s Imperial Guard.
A group of soldiers in light armor followed behind the silver-armored soldiers. They were all more than thirty years old, and their mannerisms were grave and solemn. There were about fifty of them, give or take, but the Shrek Academy students’ eyes widened a little once they appeared on the scene.
They were soul engineers, military soul engineers! The armor on their bodies was clearly soul armor, and their equipment was uniform and systemic, yet unnaturally exquisite – one would never doubt the formidability of this platoon’s fighting strength.
The crown prince of the Sun Moon Empire, Xu Tianran, somehow swaggered as he rolled into the Sun Moon Empire’s great field with a bunch of guards escorting him.
Jing Hongchen hurriedly led a group of teachers from the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy to greet him.
“Your Highness,” Jing Hongchen bowed respectfully, while the other teachers fell to one knee.
Xu Tianran smiled faintly and nodded lightly towards Jing Hongchen. Jing Hongchen’s eyes squinted a little, and he nodded in return before walking behind Xu Tianran’s wheelchair and pushing him onto the field and before the group from Shrek Academy.
There was a look of shock in Fan Yu’s eyes. What’s the crown prince of the Sun Moon Empire trying to do, bringing such a large group of soldiers?
“Let me introduce you, teacher Fan Yu – this is the Sun Moon Empire’s heir to the throne, the crown prince.”
“Greetings, crown prince.” Fan Yu bowed lightly. He wasn’t a citizen from the Sun Moon Empire, so he naturally wouldn’t be too formal when he paid his respects.
Xu Tianran gave a warm and amicable smile and said, “Let us do away with the formalities, teacher Fan Yu. I have yearned to visit your academy for a long time, but it’s a pity that I haven’t been able to. I will make a personal visit when I get the chance. I heard from Hallmaster Hongchen that your academy’s exchange program has ended, so I am here on behalf of the Sun Moon Empire to send everyone off. I hope that the Sun Moon Empire and your academy can have more exchange programs, and we can use these programs to improve our relations and camaraderie.”
“You’re too kind, your Highness.” He’s here to send us off? Fan Yu was even more astounded at this point. The farewell ceremony was already ending, and he didn’t want to dally any longer, so he said, “Thank you, your Highness, and thank you, Hallmaster, for sending us off. It’s getting late, and I am about to get on the road with my students. Are you travelling with us, Hallmaster Hongchen?”
The exchange students from both sides would be at Mapleleaf City again, just like they were at the start, and Jing Hongchen would definitely follow along himself in the interest of ensuring their safety.
Jing Hongchen nodded and said, “I will send everyone a little further, then. Do give me a moment, teacher Fan Yu, I have some things to convey to the crown prince.”
“Alright.” Fan Yu didn’t know what Jing Hongchen was going to do, and he didn’t think too much about it. The exchange program had been long, and was now already over, while Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen had yet to return. He wasn’t afraid of Jing Hongchen doing something to them.
He immediately brought the students over to one side.
Huo Yuhao’s eyes had been fixed on Jing Hongchen and the crown prince this whole time. Only he could faintly guess what the crown prince’s purpose was in personally sending them off.
Jing Hongchen and Xu Tianran whispered a few sentences to each other, and Jing Hongchen seemed to take something from Xu Tianran’s hands. Xu Tianran departed while his guards escorted him, and he expressed his warmth and regards to Fan Yu and the Shrek Academy students once more before he left. At least in terms of appearance, people would easily have a good impression of this crown prince.
“Come here, Huo Yuhao.” Jing Hongchen stepped forward and waved towards Huo Yuhao.
Here we go! Huo Yuhao felt his heart skip a beat, and he shot a glance at Fan Yu to show that everything was fine as he walked briskly up before Jing Hongchen.
“Hallmaster.” He never lacked politeness or courtesy.
There was a complicated expression in Jing Hongchen’s eyes as he stared at the youth before him. “Fifty percent, just like you said. Thirty Silver Dragonscales – this is the most I could get, and there is nothing more I can do. If you think the price is right, hand the design over to me.”
He reached out to Huo Yuhao with his right hand as he spoke. There was a Starlight Sapphire ring in the center of his palm, which was was much larger than his own, while the patterns were also clearer. The ring itself was probably worth several million gold soul coins due to its rarity.
Huo Yuhao didn’t push his limits, and put the ring on his finger as he said, “Deal.” He touched his Twenty-Four Moonlit Bridges as he spoke and retrieved a small box before that he then handed to Jing Hongchen.
Jing Hongchen didn’t dare to be careless, and quickly opened the box to check. There was a scroll of paper inside, and the drawings on it were extremely complex and intricate. Jing Hongchen’s eyes were powerful, and he could already confirm that this was the real deal from one look at the papers. Their content immediately gave him a sense of clarity and enlightenment.
I finally have it! Both Huo Yuhao and Jing Hongchen had the exact same feeling in their hearts.
“Don’t you want to verify its contents?” Jing Hongchen stared at Huo Yuhao, amused.
Huo Yuhao chuckled and said, “I trust you. If you still try to deceive me or play games with me at this point, then you’re not the Hallmaster of the Illustrious Virtue Hall. Am I right?”
Jing Hongchen grunted coldly and said, “Weren’t you like that yesterday? Do you know how difficult it was for me to convince the crown prince for this many resources?”
Huo Yuhao laughed and said, “But you convinced him in the end, no? Below one man, and above everyone else!”
Jing Hongchen laughed along with him, and patted Huo Yuhao on the shoulder. He heaved a sigh and said, “If only you were my disciple! Let’s go, I’ll send you guys off.”
Fan Yu and He Caitou had no idea what Jing Hongchen had said to Huo Yuhao. Jing Hongchen led several teachers from the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy and released their flying-type soul tools. They escorted Huo Yuhao and the others while everyone soared into the sky and flew towards the east.
The students from Shrek Academy were all eager and excited as they traveled – they were finally returning home to Shrek Academy! The caution and wariness they had had in the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy hadn’t been easy, but these two years of study had exposed them to the most advanced concepts and principles regarding the forging of soul tools. Every student took away much from this experience, but how much they absorbed and how much they actually learned depended on the effort they had put in.
Jing Hongchen didn’t speak much on the road, and he just silently channeled his flying-type soul tool. Huo Yuhao quietly checked the contents inside his Starlight Sapphire ring.
He could only describe what he saw as dazzling and dizzying. The truth was that he hadn’t expected Jing Hongchen to take out so much in the end – the Zhuge Divine Crossbow’s automatic mechanism was good, but it wasn’t worth even twenty percent of these precious materials, and Huo Yuhao was satisfied enough with his hoard. If Jing Hongchen hadn’t sought him out today, he would have looked for Jing Hongchen anyway to agree to his offer. He hadn’t expected to receive such a pleasant surprise. However, Huo Yuhao felt a little wary of Jing Hongchen’s generosity.
After several hours, Jing Hongchen guided them to the spot that both parties had agreed on a long time ago.
Jing Hongchen brought the group to the ground. The people from Shrek Academy were already there on the other side.
The people that came forward to complete the exchange were Yan Shaozhe from Shrek Academy’s Martial Soul Department, accompanied by Xian Lin’er of Shrek Academy’s Soul Tool Department. Both Deans were notable individuals, and their presence indicated how much emphasis they placed on this exchange. However, they were the only two who were here; the others behind them were the exchange students from the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy.
Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen didn’t look that different from before. In the end, they had already grown up before the exchange program had begun. Huo Yuhao, however, had still been in his adolescence.
The siblings seemed more calm and stable, and they stared at the Huo Yuhao the moment he appeared.
Huo Yuhao wore a faint smile on his face, and he appeared as casual and indifferent as ever.
“We meet again, Hallmaster Hongchen.” Yan Shaozhe came forward with a bright smile on his face. Even though he was talking to Jing Hongchen, he was looking at Huo Yuhao.
Huo Yuhao’s frame had changed quite a bit, and even his aura was very different from before, but Yan Shaozhe would definitely not recognize the wrong person.
His demeanor is more withdrawn, and his eyes are more plain and undramatic – this fella has improved so much!
Xian Lin’er’s expression was a lot warmer than Yan Shaozhe’s. She understood the contributions Huo Yuhao hade made to Shrek Academy over these two years better than Yan Shaozhe. She could even say that he had relied entirely upon himself to advance Shrek Academy’s Soul Tool Department by more than a thousand years.
Jing Hongchen would never know that Huo Yuhao had refined and perfected much of the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy’s soul tool blueprints using his spiritual power, and had passed them on to the Soul Tool Department for research and manufacture. The Soul Tool Department had improved by leaps and bounds over the past two years, and Huo Yuhao could be considered Shrek Academy’s hero.
“Greetings, Dean Yan. Your glamor is the same as usual.” Jing Hongchen smiled as he stepped forward to shake hands with Yan Shaozhe and Xian Lin’er. The two sneaky Deans were all smiles, and people who didn’t know what was going on would definitely think they were the best of friends.
Yan Shaozhe smiled and said, “I have brought your grandchildren back in one piece, Hallmaster. They have improved a lot over the past two years. They are hardworking, and their desire to learn is impressive – I am very satisfied, and I hope we can have more exchange programs like this in the future.”
Jing Hongchen chuckled and said, “We can discuss things when we return, and see whether this exchange program can become a regular thing. If it turns out to be the case, I’m sure it will be very beneficial to both our academies’ development.”
“Then we shall wait for your good news.” Yan Shaozhe released Jing Hongchen’s hand, and the two of them greeted each other with smiles on their faces before they gestured to their respective students.
Fan Yu quickly brought Huo Yuhao and the others behind the two Deans. Xiao Hongchen, Meng Hongchen, and the others acted similarly, and everyone switched positions.
Only the students knew what they had learned and how much they had taken away from more than two years of exchange learning. At this moment, the exchange program had finally come to an end.
“Farewell!” Jing Hongchen didn’t want to remain any longer, and he greeted the two Deans one more time before he unleashed his flying-type soul tool along with his students, and they all soared into the sky over the city and far into the distance. They weren’t afraid of attracting the attention of others.
Yan Shaozhe watched them disappear over the horizon before he withdrew his gaze. He surveyed the students that had just completed the exchange program and said, “Welcome home, children…”
It was just a simple sentence, but the students from the Soul Tool Department could feel a surge of warmth in their hearts, and everyone’s eyes began to swell with tears. Yes! It’s time to go home.
Huo Yuhao stepped briskly beside Yan Shaozhe and whispered, “I have some things to tell you, Dean Yan.”
“Eh?” In terms of seniority, they were both Elder Mu’s disciples, and Huo Yuao could even be considered his little junior brother. Furthermore, Huo Yuhao had gone through so much toil, and had given so much blood and sweat to the academy over the past two years. Yan Shaozhe was acutely aware of the amount of precious resources and whatnot that Huo Yuhao had sent back to Shrek Academy.
“Take everyone to have a meal in the hotel over there, Fan Yu. We’re not in a hurry like Jing Hongchen, and we can hit the road after everyone has eaten.”
“Alright.” Fan Yu was now the Soul Tool Department’s vice-Dean, and he was also a member of the Sea God’s Pavilion. His status was very different from before.
After everyone left, and only Yan Shaozhe and Xian Lin’er remained, Yan Shaozhe said amiably, “You can speak now, Yuhao.”
Gentle spiritual undulations appeared, and Yan Shaozhe wasn’t seen doing anything at all as a layer of spiritual power that the naked eye couldn’t detect enveloped the three of them. Even if someone was right beside them, that person wouldn’t be able to hear their discussion.
He was a Transcendent Douluo, after all. Huo Yuhao was a spiritual-type soul master, and he knew that even he couldn’t manipulate his spiritual power as precisely as Dean Yan could.
“Dean Yan, Dean Xian, it’s like this: I think the Illustrious Virtue Hall might be harboring some evil intentions against us, and they might attack us on the way back.”
“Oh? Does Jing Hongchen have no shame at all?” Xian Lin’er asked skeptically.
Huo Yuhao said, “He has too much pride. I sold him a design on the way back and asked for an exorbitant price. I quoted many precious metals to him, and he seemed very unwilling back then. However, he still agreed before we left, and we didn’t negotiate any further. I think he might want to ambush me on the way back to take those things back.”
Yan Shaozhe asked curiously, “How much precious metal did you extort from him, exactly? He’s the Hallmaster of the Illustrious Virtue Hall, and he doesn’t even have that bit of magnanimity? Plus, the design you sold him, will it…?”
Huo Yuhao chortled and whispered something, and Yan Shaozhe and Xian Lin’er’s expression immediately grew strange.
Yan Shaozhe forced down the urge to laugh and said, “You’re becoming more and more evil, young man. What if you make him so angry that he decides to act on it? Come, let me see your harvest.”
Huo Yuhao took out the Starlight Sapphire ring on his finger. He didn’t give it to Yan Shaozhe, but passed it to Xian Lin’er instead. Xian Lin’er was ultimately more familiar with the precious metals used to forge soul tools.
Xian Lin’er took the ring and briefly scanned its contents with her spiritual power. A look of astonishment came over her face, and she stared at Huo Yuhao with incredulous eyes. “You didn’t empty the Illustrious Virtue Hall’s secret warehouse, did you, Yuhao? This… this is too much! Oh my god! The value of these items almost can’t be calculated with money. No wonder that you think they want to attack you. If I were on the other end of the deal, even I might not be able to resist making a move against you.”
“Let me see.” Yan Shaozhe took the ring from Xian Lin’er’s hands. Even though he didn’t know much about precious metals, he still had the ability to recognize certain things. He infused his spiritual power into the ring, and could immediately feel dense undulations of energy, and a tremendous volume of light.
“Well done!” Yan Shaozhe handed the ring back to Huo Yuhao, and he could no longer hide the smile on his face.
“I can’t wait to find out how the Hallmaster’s face will look once he uses your design to craft things. Hahahaha!”
Xian Lin’er snapped, “Stop laughing. Right now, the most important thing is to ensure the children’s safe return home. It’s alright if Jing Hongchen does nothing, but once he does, then it will be a heavy attack, and an operation that he will only execute if he’s confident of success. At that time, his target may not only be Yuhao; it might include the both of us, and he might make sure that we never return to Shrek Academy. This will be good news for the Sun Moon Empire.”
Yan Shaozhe smiled plainly and said, “Whether he has the ability to do so remains to be seen. What suggestions do you have, Yuhao?”
A person with Yan Shaozhe’s status from another academy would never seek a student’s opinion this way. The way his question was phrased practically meant Huo Yuhao had been lifted to almost the same status as himself. He was trying to solicit Huo Yuhao’s opinion, and this wasn’t just simply asking a question.
Huo Yuhao contemplated momentarily, then said, “I think we should split up. I am their target, and you two might be their targets as well. This means that everything they do will be targeted towards us, and they need to eliminate us with a single strike, so I doubt they will split up themselves. In the end, the others don’t really mean much to them. If we split up, our party will have three people and we will be a lot more mobile than before. If we travel with the other students, we have to watch out for them and protect them, which might put us in more danger.”
Yan Shaozhe nodded and said, “Alright, we’ll follow your idea. We are aware of everything you’ve done for the academy, Yuhao. Xian Lin’er raised this to the Sea God’s Pavilion, and the Elders have all approved to give you a seat in the Sea God’s Pavilion. Even though you’ll only have the last seat, you are the youngest member of the Sea God’s Pavilion in history.”
Huo Yuhao was taken aback. He had never expected the academy to accord and bestow such glory upon him. “Dean Yan, I…”
Yan Shaozhe patted him on the shoulder and said, “You can call me senior brother from now on. We can’t mix up the hierarchy – otherwise, our teacher’s spirit in the afterlife will not forgive me. It must have been tiring and exhausting for you over these past two years.”