Douluo: Blade Template, Death Omen Approaching

Chapter 74: First courtesy, then force; Jing Yuan taught (together)

Soto City

After taking Zhu Zhuqing as his apprentice, another item was checked off the task list in the Blade System.

Next, he must follow the system's instructions and proceed with the next step of the plan.

The academy Tang San is about to enter, the renowned Shrek Academy that was later promoted by the cheat king, has now become Blade's next target.

He knew, of course, that this academy was not only crucial to Tang San's future, but also an opportunity he couldn't miss to make that scoundrel pay the price.

With Zhu Zhuqing and Lan Yinhuang by his side, Ren led them through the bustling streets and soon arrived at the door of a small shop that looked quite unusual.

The shop's exterior is rustic and mysterious, as if it hides countless secrets.

According to the original story, the owner of this shop was none other than Flander, the dean of Shrek Academy, a greedy and ruthless dean.

This antique shop is quite famous in Soto, but its reputation is not good at all; in fact, it can be described as infamous because it is a black market shop where transactions are full of fraud and traps, and the word "reputation" simply does not exist here.

"Zhuqing, you wait outside. Master and I are going inside to find someone."

Lan Yinhuang landed behind Ren, her gaze gently falling on Zhu Zhuqing, her tone carrying a hint of a smile.

Although Zhu Zhuqing was still young, she already understood her master and the Blue Silver Emperor's intentions and knew that they had more important things to deal with.

She nodded quickly, a sweet smile on her face, then turned and walked towards a nearby shop, waiting quietly so that no one would notice her presence.

Then, the Blue Silver Emperor gracefully walked to Blade's side, her steps as light as a spring breeze across a lake, leaving no trace. Her eyes were filled with reverence, as if she were facing a supreme monarch.

She lowered her head slightly and said in a respectful but firm tone:

"Master, let me first give you a proper introduction to this Dean of Shrek Academy."

Upon hearing this, Ren nodded slightly, his eyes seemingly deep in thought.

His purpose in coming here was, according to the system's mission, to completely take control of Shrek Academy.

If Blue Silver Emperor speaks with Flander first, and the other party is sensible enough to accept their conditions immediately, this would undoubtedly be the best outcome for Blade, as it is both simple and avoids unnecessary trouble.

If Flander doesn't accept, Blade doesn't mind taking more direct measures. He's always been decisive, and for those who annoy him, direct action is often the most effective solution.

After all, he had heard about Flander's methods regarding this unscrupulous shop and the equally unscrupulous academy behind it, and he would naturally not hold back when dealing with such people.

"I"

Ren paused habitually, his voice deep and powerful, his hands gently holding the broken sword, the patterns on the hilt gleaming coldly in the dim sunlight.

"I'll be behind you."

He quickly continued, a breeze ruffling his bangs and revealing his cold eyes.

"You can go ahead and talk to them without worry."

Blade's lips moved slightly, his magnetic voice devoid of emotion and cold.

But to Blue Silver Emperor at this moment, it filled him with an endless sense of security.

As Lan Yinhuang gazed at Ren's stunning profile, a warm feeling welled up in her heart.

In her eyes, Ren's figure was so tall and so reliable.

She felt that being able to stay by Ren's side, even if it meant facing life and death, would be something she would have no regrets about.

Blue Silver Emperor's nasal voice was filled with pleasure as she made a series of happy "mmm" sounds, as if responding to Blade's trust and expressing her boundless anticipation for the future.

Her eyes were firm, her steps were composed, and she was ready to complete the task that Ren had given her.

Soon, Blade and Blue Silver Emperor exchanged a glance, understanding each other without saying a word, and then pushed open the heavy wooden door, entering the antique shop filled with a mysterious atmosphere. The bell on the door rang crisply as they entered.

Upon entering Flander's small, dark shop with an owl logo, Blue Silver Emperor's gaze swiftly pierced through the dimly lit storefront and precisely locked onto Flander, the dean of Shrek Academy, who was lying in a rocking chair, snoring and taking a nap.

Flander's figure appeared somewhat blurry in the dim light, but the rocking chair swayed gently with his breathing, creaking and adding a touch of liveliness to the dull shop.

Blue Silver Emperor turned her head slightly and found that Blade was already leaning against the door, with her eyes closed, seemingly resting, having entrusted the task of this conversation entirely to her.

Feeling secure, she couldn't help but smile to herself; she knew her master's personality all too well.

If Flander doesn't appreciate it, then Blade will definitely take strong measures without hesitation to make him appreciate it.

Blue Silver Emperor then moved her elegant long legs and slowly looked around the legendary black shop.

The shop was almost devoid of any extra decorations, appearing exceptionally shabby. The stingy Flander didn't even bother to turn on the lights when the shop was open; only a few rays of dim sunlight shone through the dirty windows onto the dusty floor.

The antiques and collectibles displayed on the cabinet looked like they hadn't been cared for in a long time, covered in dust, and some were even unrecognizable.

The room was filled with a peculiar smell, a mixture of musty, dusty, and old items, which made Blue Silver Emperor frown and feel uncomfortable.

She secretly rejoiced that her master was only waiting at the door and had not stepped into this suffocating space.

If the host were to actually walk in and make him frown in grievance, she thought she might not be able to resist teaching this Flander a lesson, so he would know how to treat a distinguished guest.

Blue Silver Emperor coughed lightly, trying to dispel the unpleasant smell, and then straightened his back.

Soon, her gaze gently and precisely locked onto a piece of something on the table.

It was a piece of rutilated quartz that emitted a soft glow, making it particularly eye-catching in the dimly lit room.

She stretched out her slender fingers and gently stroked the rutilated quartz twice, as if feeling its unique texture and temperature.

Then, she slowly raised her head, her gaze piercing through the air and landing on Flander, who was still pretending to be asleep in the rocking chair.

"What's the price of this rutilated quartz?" she asked, her voice calm yet powerful, as if everything was under her control.

Flanders didn't seem surprised, nor did he answer immediately.

He kept his eyes closed, and the rocking chair creaked as he swayed, as if mocking something.

After letting the Blue Silver Emperor sit there for a while, he slowly stopped rocking the chair, opened his eyes, and had a leisurely and indifferent expression on his face.

"Not expensive, a thousand gold soul coins," Flander finally said, his tone indifferent.

"Oh? A thousand gold soul coins?" Blue Silver Emperor raised an eyebrow slightly, his tone rising, seemingly surprised by the price.

"Do you know what a thousand gold soul coins mean to an ordinary person?"

She put down the quartz crystal in her hand, her eyes sharp, and asked with a playful expression.

Flander then glanced lazily at Blue Silver Emperor, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes upon seeing her noble and wealthy appearance.

He said nonchalantly:

"Heh? For ordinary people? Why are you asking these questions? If you want to buy, just pay up; if not, please leave."

He paused, then added, "One thousand gold soul coins is already the cheapest price I can offer."

Flander's tone revealed an undeniable determination, as if the value of this rutilated quartz far exceeded what money could measure.

Blue Silver Emperor couldn't help but cover his mouth and chuckle. His laughter was like a spring breeze brushing across the ice, both crisp and playful.

She had heard about Flander's various deeds from her master, Blade, and already had some understanding of this owl known for his greed.

She wanted to see for herself just how wicked this cunning owl could be.

"Alright, here's a thousand gold soul coins for you." Blue Silver Emperor's tone was relaxed, as if a thousand gold soul coins were nothing to her.

As soon as she finished speaking, she gracefully stretched out her hand and conjured a heavy money bag out of thin air.

The gold thread on the purse gleamed in the dim light, showcasing its owner's wealth.

With a slight flick of her wrist, the purse arced through the air and landed precisely on the table in front of Flander with a soft "thud".

Flander's eyes twitched slightly. He thought he had encountered an easy target this time. Without even raising his head, he quickly said, "You don't have enough money." There was a hint of smugness in his voice, as if he could already see the Blue Silver Emperor's helpless compromise.

"My crystal will sell for two thousand gold soul coins." As soon as Flander finished speaking, Blue Silver Emperor shook his head slightly, a hint of disappointment in his eyes.

Sure enough, Flander was incorrigible. When it comes to making deals with ruthless people, their ruthlessness only deepens and becomes more unfathomable.

Blue Silver Emperor had no intention of making Flander submit through mere words.

In this world where strength reigns supreme, power is the most direct passport.

A hint of amusement flashed in her eyes; she had already made other plans in her mind.

After all, in this world, only the strong can make the rules, and her master is the one who is preparing to write those rules.

However, the master had said "courtesy first, then force" unintentionally. She later learned that it was said by a friend of her master, Lord Jingyuan, a wise and intelligent general.

Although she never had the chance to see it,

But as her master's most loyal servant, she naturally put her master's interests first in everything she did. Every decision and every action she took was for her master's benefit and glory.

In this deal with Flanders, she also adhered to this principle, hoping to achieve her goal without harming her master's interests.

If Flanders had been able to set aside his wickedness even once and put on a little act in front of her, perhaps she would have told him some inside information out of loyalty to her master and a certain degree of pity for Flanders.

She might make him realize how great the being he is about to face is, and let him know how unwise it is to be an enemy of his master.

However.

Flander's greed and stubbornness disappointed her; he seemed unwilling to change his ways. Blue Silver Emperor's gaze gradually cooled. She knew the negotiations might not go smoothly, but she was prepared; she would fight for her master's will no matter what.

"Flander, take a good look. There are two thousand gold soul coins in this bag."

Soon, the Blue Silver Emperor's voice was calm and composed, yet it carried an undeniable air of authority and amusement.

She gently patted the money bag on the table, and the heavy touch seemed to confirm her words.

"I gave you two thousand from the beginning, but..."

Her lips curled up slightly, revealing a faint smile, but with a hint of cunning in it.

"Just like you, I also like to raise prices on the spot."

"I've changed my mind about the two thousand."

Blue Silver Emperor's eyes suddenly sharpened, and her voice turned cold and hard.

"I'm not here to buy this broken crystal."

"But rather"

Blue Silver Emperor paused deliberately, his gaze piercing Flander's heart like a sharp blade.

"They've come to buy your college, and the lives of you and everyone in your college."

Blue Silver Emperor's eyes shone brightly, like the brightest star in the night sky. Her hands were placed quietly in front of her lower abdomen, her fingers interlaced, her posture elegant and composed.

Her soft hair swayed gently as she spoke, as if adding to her determination.

In an instant, the words, though spoken softly, struck Flander's ears like a thunderclap from a clear sky.

Soon, Flander's eyes widened, and his expression changed from astonishment to fear.

The moment Lan Yinhuang finished speaking, he simultaneously felt a sinister and terrifying aura, a chill from the abyss of death, as if an invisible hand was tightly gripping his throat.

The aura of death, like a thin layer of mist, quietly enveloped the entire room, making the air oppressive and heavy.

Flander's heart raced. He suddenly realized that the seemingly frail woman before him was actually someone who could easily decide his and his academy's fate.

His greed and cunning seemed so laughable and powerless in the face of this true powerhouse.

Immediately, Flander proved himself to be a cunning old fox among ruthless soul masters, a top-notch shrewd individual.

The sudden aura of death made him jump up from the rocking chair in a panic.

His body involuntarily bent at a ninety-degree angle, his head almost touching the ground, and cold sweat poured down his face like a waterfall, soaking his clothes.

"This beautiful lady, I was blind to your worth and accidentally offended you. I'll slap myself three times to express my apology."

Flander's voice trembled, his lips quivered uncontrollably, and every word seemed to have exhausted all his courage.

Before he finished speaking, Flander quickly raised his hand and slapped himself repeatedly across the face. The sound echoed in the quiet room, sounding particularly jarring.

His cheeks quickly became red and swollen, showing that he had indeed used a lot of force.

Suddenly, Flander felt an even stronger ominous aura envelop him than before. It was a fear born from instinct, as if his bad luck from gambling had struck again. To make matters worse, he felt another pressure that was no less than that of a Title Douluo!

The oppressive force was like a giant mountain pressing down on him, making it almost impossible for him to breathe.

He was bowing when he had no idea there was another Blade inside the shop!

Only then did he realize just how much trouble he had caused! How powerful a figure he had offended! Flander's heart was filled with endless regret and fear. He knew that this time he might have really touched a raw nerve.

Moreover, the woman seemed to know his background, his past, and his secrets, which made his situation even more precarious.

Flander's heart pounded. He knew he had to do everything he could to make up for this mistake, or else his fate and that of everyone in his academy might really come to an end, just as the woman had said.

Flander felt a chill run down his spine and straight to his head, a feeling more terrifying than facing any powerful enemy. His body trembled involuntarily, and he quickly continued:

"No, Your Majesty."

Flanders’ voice was almost pleading, and he tried to make it sound more respectful so as not to further offend the obviously distinguished lady.

"I really didn't mean to offend you. How about this, if there's anything in my shop that catches your eye, feel free to take it. Consider it my fault for being blind to its value, and this will be my deepest apology."

He paused, trying to calm his rapid breathing, and continued:

"As for your academy, since you know me, you should also know that my academy is just an empty shell, without any real value."

Flander's words carried a hint of bitterness. He knew the true state of his academy; it was nothing more than a nominal institution used to conceal his real business.

He dared not conceal anything, for fear of further angering the man before him who clearly possessed terrifying power.

"It's really not worth Your Majesty's trouble."

Flander's voice was almost whispered, his face filled with humility and fear. He knew that in the face of such pressure, his life and death, and the fate of the academy, were now in the hands of the other party.

He could only hope for the mercy of His Majesty, hoping that she would forgive him and not pursue this small mistake.

-

(End of this chapter)