CHAPTER 537: CHAPTER 535: WINDFALL_1

By now, most people had labeled Ling Chen’s smiling face as dangerous. It once again proved that appearances could be deceiving in this Black Sand Land.

This man is likely the young master of some Super Power, definitely extraordinary.

Having blasted the Black Snake away with one palm, Liu Feiyue didn’t stop. Pushing off the ground, her body shot out like a cannonball. Her hand clenched once more as she mercilessly lunged towards the heavily injured Black Snake.

Before the Black Snake could react, he was struck squarely in the chest again, nearly shattering his internal organs.

By the third move, Liu Feiyue had already drawn her Treasure Sword, intending to kill the Black Snake with a single strike.

"Wait!"

Seeing Liu Feiyue’s move, alarm flashed in the Black Snake’s eyes.

"We agreed on three moves, not one less," Ling Chen said with a faint smile.

"No!"

The Black Snake cried out in horror. But just as his voice faded, a figure in a crimson robe darted out. As this newcomer’s fist struck, a light chuckle echoed through the hall, "Haha, where one can be merciful, one should be. Please, for the Black Market’s sake, let’s spare Boss Black Snake’s life."

As the laughter subsided, a familiar face appeared before Ling Chen and Liu Feiyue: Chi Kong Young Master of the Black Market.

"So, it’s you, Liu Feiyue."

Upon seeing Liu Feiyue, Chi Kong Young Master’s eyes showed a hint of surprise, and a keen glint flickered within them.

Liu Feiyue merely gave him a cold glance, raising an eyebrow. "What, is Young Master Chi Kong planning to meddle in other people’s business?"

"Not at all," Chi Kong Young Master chuckled. "The auction is approaching, and various powerful individuals have gathered in Blackwater City. Naturally, we must maintain order. Otherwise, if everyone started fighting in the city, wouldn’t it descend into chaos?"

He continued, "How about this: can you perhaps bury the hatchet? Let Boss Black Snake apologize or offer some other compensation, and in return, spare his life?"

"We don’t have to kill him."

Before Liu Feiyue could speak, Ling Chen interjected, "As long as Boss Black Snake can produce something equivalent in value to his life, we can resolve this peacefully."

"And you are?"

Chi Kong Young Master sized up Ling Chen, his gaze uncertain. Even though Ling Chen had interjected, Liu Feiyue didn’t seem to consider it disrespectful. In fact, she appeared to regard him as a peer. Could this young man in cyan robes also be a top disciple of the Cyan Robe Association?

"He is my direct junior brother, Dustless," Liu Feiyue said calmly.

"Direct junior brother?"

Chi Kong Young Master was surprised. Liu Feiyue was a disciple of the Cyan Robe Association’s Sect Leader. Not many knew this, but he was well aware. This young man’s status must be quite high.

"Something equivalent in value to my life?"

Black Snake’s pupils constricted slightly. How much was his life worth? He had no idea. Offer too much, and he’d suffer a huge loss. Offer too little, and the other party would surely be dissatisfied.

"How about one million taels of gold?" Black Snake asked tentatively.

"Then I’ll give you one million taels for your life. How about that?" Ling Chen replied with a smirk.

"What do you propose then?" Black Snake’s face darkened. He knew matters wouldn’t be resolved so easily. He had truly been unlucky today, picking a fight with someone he couldn’t afford to offend.

"Eight million taels." Ling Chen held up eight fingers.

"What?"

Black Snake gasped, nearly fainting. He hadn’t expected Ling Chen to make such an exorbitant demand—a full eight million taels! This kid might as well be a robber!

"I simply can’t come up with eight million taels." The corners of Black Snake’s mouth twitched a few times. His face was gloomy as he finally shook his head. He didn’t believe Ling Chen would dare kill him right there, in front of the Young Master of the Black Market.

"It seems Boss Black Snake doesn’t value his life."

Ling Chen shook his head and instantly drew his Treasure Sword, releasing an astonishing Sword Intent.

"You don’t have the money, but you still want to live?" Liu Feiyue also looked ready for a fight, cracking her knuckles.

Chi Kong Young Master frowned. This Black Snake was trying to get something for nothing. He wasn’t a fool to be easily used as a pawn. Eight million taels... with the Curled Dragon Gang’s wealth accumulated over the years, it wasn’t an impossible sum, though it would undoubtedly be a painful blow.

He then turned around and said with a cold smile, "Boss Black Snake, eight million taels isn’t an exorbitant amount for you. If you’re unwilling, then I’m afraid I can’t help. I can only hand you over to them."

"Young Master, you?!"

Black Snake’s face paled. If Chi Kong Young Master washed his hands of the matter, he feared these two terrifying figures would kill him in minutes.

"Eight million taels of gold is too much. I can’t produce that amount all at once," Black Snake shook his head. However, just as he finished speaking, Ling Chen’s eyes turned cold, compelling him to quickly add, "But I can offer some items to be appraised for their gold value. I should be able to scrape enough together."

"Then what are you waiting for?"

Ling Chen’s eyes lit up. For someone of his caliber, gold itself wasn’t particularly valuable. However, treasures that could be converted into gold were undoubtedly worth more.

Hearing this, Black Snake fumbled in his sleeve and quickly took out several items, handing them to Ling Chen.

"Over two hundred Heavenly Origin Pills," Ling Chen began, taking stock of the items. "At the market price of 10,000 taels each, we’ll count that as two million taels. Two Ice Soul Stones... I’ll value them at eight hundred thousand taels for you. One Heart-Stabilizing Pearl, five hundred thousand taels. The Soul-Crushing Poison Needle, three hundred thousand taels..."

As Ling Chen meticulously itemized everything, Black Snake watched, his heart turning to ash. These items represented his savings from many years. He never imagined he’d be fleeced so thoroughly in a single day. Moreover, Ling Chen’s method of ’calculation’ was to assign the lowest possible values. The items Black Snake had handed over, if valued fairly, would likely have been worth over eight million taels. But after Ling Chen’s ’generous’ assessment, their total ascribed value was still several hundred thousand taels short of his demand. Black Snake had no choice but to make up this remaining difference with gold tickets.

"Excellent. Boss Black Snake is indeed a straightforward man."

Ling Chen finished his accounting with a smile and stowed all the items away. Then, he looked at Black Snake, his smile growing even wider. "Our debts are settled. From now on, we’re friends! We should get closer. I particularly enjoy making friends with tycoons like you."

Hearing Ling Chen’s words, Black Snake nearly coughed up blood. Friends with him? Wasn’t this kid still planning to target his wealth?

"Hehe... Young Hero Dustless," Black Snake managed, "since we’ve settled matters and can go our separate ways, there’s no need for further contact. I have other business to attend to, so I’ll take my leave!"

With a quick cupped-fist salute to Ling Chen, Black Snake fled the inn without a backward glance, not daring to linger for even a second more.

"With this, I’ll certainly have enough funds for tomorrow’s auction."

Having gained eight million taels so easily, Ling Chen was in high spirits. His gaze swept over the onlookers as he added, "In that case, I wouldn’t mind a few more people like Boss Black Snake provoking me. It would allow me to make a few more windfalls."

As his words spread, the surrounding crowd quickly dispersed. After witnessing Ling Chen’s methods, who would dare target him? They’d have to be tired of living!