CHAPTER 519: CHAPTER 520: THE HEAVENLY STONE’S PRICE SUPPRESSED

Seeing that none of the Ten Countries had objections, Yue Shan immediately had someone send over the slips for drawing lots.

A round of draws, and three candidates were quickly selected.

Among those who drew the winning lots were Mr. Nan Chen, Princess Changle, and Dugu Wu.

Upon seeing the lot slip, Dugu Wu’s eyebrows knitted together. He remembered Feng Bailing’s earlier admonitions that in the coming days he must be cautious and not lose his temper, especially not exert Wen Energy. If he were to use Wen Energy, the Wen Energy and Gang Qi that Feng Bailing had previously unblocked in his body with her needles might clash again.

"Now that the candidates have been selected, I will have to trouble the three of you tomorrow to investigate the truth behind the jungle’s Black Fog."

Yue Shan’s face was filled with gratitude.

Although the three selected were reluctant in their hearts, given the current situation, they all knew that they could not avoid this task.

Changsun Rou secretly observed Dugu Wu’s expression, pondering thoughtfully.

As evening approached, the banquet concluded, and the team leaders left the restaurant.

Changsun Rou quickly caught up with Dugu Wu.

"Dugu, you don’t look well. Has your old injury flared up again?"

Changsun Rou asked with a face full of concern.

The news from the Underworld Market was always well-informed. She had heard about Dugu Wu’s incident during the first round of eliminations.

Dugu Wu had gotten into a conflict for the sake of Great Chu Team B and the sisters Wu Zhenzhen and Wu Wanwan.

"Thank you for your concern, Miss Zhangsun."

Dugu Wu nodded stiffly and politely.

"Dugu, if you do not wish to participate in tomorrow’s exploration, I can talk to Manager Yue about your injury. My father and he are close friends. The matter of the Black Fog is not simple, and with an injury, you are not suited to take risks."

Changsun Rou spoke with a face of caring, intending to reach out and support Dugu Wu.

"Thank you for your concern, Miss Zhangsun, but my family is not accustomed to other women touching him."

Before Changsun Rou could touch Dugu Wu’s hand, a figure darted very agilely between Changsun Rou and Dugu Wu, and a pair of tender, fair hands landed on Dugu Wu’s arm.

Feng Bailing supported Dugu Wu, her beautiful eyes sparkling.

"Again, it’s you."

Changsun Rou twitched the corner of her mouth upon seeing Feng Bailing.

Feng Bailing tilted her head up, displaying affection like that of husband and wife.

"My Prince, you must be tired. Your consort has come to take you home. To save you the trouble of encountering annoying cats and dogs on the way."

Feng Bailing had been waiting outside the Underworld Market, expecting to enjoy a good show, when she suddenly received a covert message from Ouyang Chenchen. Ouyang Chenchen had said that the woman Changsun Rou had followed them to Qinghe City, her intentions towards Dugu Wu were not righteous, urging Feng Bailing to come quickly.

Seeing Feng Bailing’s combat-ready attitude, the corners of Dugu Wu’s mouth lifted, and the displeasure arising from the draw vanished instantly. This woman always seemed to have a way of making him feel a mix of frustration and amusement.

He cooperated well, rubbing Feng Bailing’s head.

"You just love to worry unnecessarily."

That indulgent tone made Feng Bailing’s heart skip a beat.

Such a Dugu Wu, even Changsun Rou was dumbfounded.

The cold Dugu Wu, it turns out, also had a tender side.

Seeing Feng Bailing approaching quickly, Ouyang Chenchen winked at her. Upon witnessing Changsun Rou’s frustrated demeanor, Ouyang Chenchen felt refreshed, the Underworld Market had always been targeting the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce.

Miss Changsun Rou seems to be just as bitchy as one can get, and Ouyang Chenchen had taken a dislike to her early on.

With a cold huff, Miss Changsun Rou was about to have an outburst when she saw a shop assistant approach and whisper a few words in her ear.

Miss Changsun Rou frowned and had no choice but to leave Feng Bailing behind and quickly return to the Underworld Market.

"Prince Wu, the matter of the Black Fog seems quite unusual. If you are not feeling well, you do not have to agree to tomorrow’s matter."

Mr. Nan Chen also came out and nodded to Dugu Wu.

Feng Bailing glanced at Dugu Wu, and Ouyang Chenchen hurriedly relayed the matter of the Black Fog to her.

Upon hearing this, Feng Bailing’s brows furrowed upside down, and she glared at Dugu Wu indignantly.

"Let’s talk when we get back."

Dugu Wu certainly didn’t want to watch Feng Bailing scold him publicly in front of everyone.

Half a quarter of an hour later, Miss Changsun Rou returned to the Underworld Market.

Outside the Underworld Market, the three generals had already grown impatient waiting.

The sight of Miss Changsun Rou brought a look of displeasure to each of their faces.

The three generals, who held power and influence in their own countries, had never been subjected to such a cold reception.

Miss Changsun Rou kept everyone waiting for a long time without a hint of regret and walked forward with an arrogant nod.

"Thank you for your patience."

Her voice was neither cold nor warm, with an overtone of disdain.

"Miss Zhangsun, the Heavenly Stones have been delivered. Each of our countries has brought five thousand catties this time, priced the same as last time, one hundred taels per catty, totaling 500,000 taels."

"The quantity is not a problem, but as for the price, we need to renegotiate. The Underworld Market is only willing to pay fifty taels per catty."

As soon as Miss Changsun Rou’s voice fell, the generals from the Three Kingdoms changed their expressions.

"Miss Zhangsun, what’s going on? Wasn’t the price agreed upon long ago?"

The generals from the Three Kingdoms had been told by their team leaders that the Underworld Market had made a windfall through gambling on stones.

Without such major clients as the Underworld Market, they could only watch with envy as the Underworld Market made a fortune, already feeling discontent.

But they didn’t expect the Underworld Market to press down the price, and by as much as fifty percent at that.

"The amount of Heavenly Iron that can be refined from the Heavenly Stones is extremely small. Not only that, but the craftsmanship required is also very complicated. You must have heard that we have been refining the Heavenly Stones on Wei Mountain. But recently, due to the Black Fog spreading in the jungle area, the fog has been expanding towards Moshan. Some of our artisans have even been devoured by the Black Fog, increasing the difficulty of refining Heavenly Iron significantly, naturally, we need to reduce the price. Not to mention that the quality of your Heavenly Stones is not as good as you claim. Last time, I didn’t refine any Heavenly Iron from two or three thousand catties of your stones. I’m only reducing the price by forty percent, and that’s still out of respect for the Emperors of the various countries. If you’re not happy, you are more than welcome to sell the stones to other chambers of commerce."

Miss Changsun Rou spoke firmly, and the generals from the Three Kingdoms held back their anger, unwilling to take this treatment anymore, and turned to leave.

Little did they know that Miss Changsun Rou would say behind them.

"If you do not sell the Heavenly Stones to the Underworld Market, then the Heavenly Weapons forged by us in the future will not be sold to any of your countries."

Miss Changsun Rou’s threat made the generals pause in their tracks.

The price of the Heavenly Stones was a minor issue, but the Heavenly Weapons were a major one.

So far, only the Underworld Market could forge Heavenly Weapons on the continent. If the Underworld Market refused to sell the weapons to them, it meant that they would be at a significant disadvantage in terms of arms in the future.

With no other choice, the Three Kingdoms had to swallow their pride and come back, eventually agreeing.

"Someone, go fetch Master Lu."

Miss Changsun Rou wanted to see the quality of this batch of Heavenly Stones. What she failed to notice was that there was a spider lying on the ground.