Douluo Continent: Becoming a disciple of Jing Liu, illuminating all the gods

Chapter 70 The Road to Water is Gone and Never Returns

Brothers, there's really no need for this anymore.

"Sit down," Jing Hongchen said, gesturing to the chair in front of the table. Then she turned to Lin Jiayi and said, "Pour him a glass of water, then you can leave."

"Yes." Lin Jiayi dared not say anything more and poured a glass of water in front of Huo Yuhao.

This time, Huo Yuhao didn't refuse and sat down directly in front of Jing Hongchen. He picked up his water glass, glanced at Lin Jiayi who had just left, and asked Jing Hongchen, "Sect Master, is there any poison in this water?"

Jing Hongchen's barely suppressed anger erupted once more. "You..." He nearly slapped him; he really wanted to kill this kid!

"No." Considering the importance of the triggering device, Jing Hongchen ultimately held back and answered calmly on the surface.

"That's good." Huo Yuhao said, but didn't drink any water. He simply placed the glass on the table, clearly still distrustful. Jing Hongchen's face was already slightly flushed!

"If you're asking for an exorbitant price, we'll negotiate. Name a price I can accept." Jing Hongchen cut to the chase; he really didn't want to get entangled with this kid any longer.

"It's open. Three level-nine soul tools. That's the most I can give you." Huo Yuhao held up three fingers again. But for some reason, Jing Hongchen found his middle finger particularly irritating.

"You know this condition is impossible to fulfill," Jing Hongchen said coldly. "If that's the case, you can leave."

"Oh. Then why did you call me back? You've made me go back and forth so many times." As he spoke, Huo Yuhao stood up and walked out, completely unfazed.

"You..." Jing Hongchen felt like she was about to explode with anger. "Come back!" she roared, stopping Huo Yuhao.

Huo Yuhao's inner thoughts were far from as despicable as he appeared. He was actually secretly admiring his teacher, Dragon God Douluo Mu Lao's judgment of Jing Hongchen. Mu Lao held Jing Hongchen in high regard, calling him a ruthless and ambitious man, but noting his flaw: a strong sense of self-righteousness and a tendency towards stubbornness and anger. When angered, it's difficult to maintain composure and make sound judgments, giving others an opportunity to exploit him. Otherwise, why would Huo Yuhao be acting so obnoxiously here for no apparent reason?

"Three level-nine soul tools are impossible. I admit, your idea is excellent, but you should also understand that the problems I just pointed out also exist. I'll give you my price: one level-eight soul tool, plus five million gold soul coins. How about it?"

Huo Yuhao shook his head vigorously. "No, no, this is the culmination of my hard work, I absolutely cannot sell it cheaply. I want level nine, level eight is meaningless."

"No, a level nine soul tool is a strategic asset for our Sun Moon Empire; how can we give it away so easily?"

Huo Yuhao patted his chest and said, "That's not right, Hall Master. Back when you were in our Sea God Pavilion, my teacher asked you for something, and you gave it to me without any compensation! You gave it to me right away, this 'Eternal Love in the Mortal World.' I'm still benefiting from it."

Jing Hongchen's forehead veins throbbed incessantly. This kid really knows how to bring up the most sensitive topics. What was the situation back then? If he hadn't been given the money, he might not have come back alive! But he was speechless at Huo Yuhao's words, and his originally slightly flushed face turned a bit blue.

"No means no. Two level-eight soul tools!" Jing Hongchen roared in a low voice. He suddenly stood up, his hands on the table, as if he wanted to devour someone.

Huo Yuhao remained silent this time, as if he were afraid of Jing Hongchen. But he still shook his head, very resolutely.

"So what do you want? Besides a level nine soul tool, what else do you want?" Jing Hongchen sat back down in his seat, his tone slightly calmer.

Huo Yuhao thought for a moment and said, "Master, creativity is priceless. Although the soul tool I made is still very rudimentary, I believe that my creativity is extremely valuable, which is why I offered you a high price. Please calm down, how about this? I don't want the level nine soul tool anymore, I know you're reluctant to part with it."

What do you mean I can't bear to part with it? I couldn't give it to you in the first place. Jing Hongchen's anger, which had just subsided somewhat, was about to surge again.

"You could give me some materials equivalent to a level nine soul tool. As you know, rare materials are quite scarce at Shrek Academy," Huo Yuhao tried to say tactfully.

Jing Hongchen thought to himself, "I'm not afraid you won't slip up. This is your real purpose, isn't it?"

"What do you want?" Jing Hongchen said in a deep voice, "There are many kinds of rare materials, and their value is difficult to judge."

Huo Yuhao said, "I only need a few things, is that alright? Five thousand kilograms of purple-gold copper, five thousand kilograms of celestial spirit silver, and a thousand pieces of Nether Crystal, each over ten centimeters in diameter. Also, one hundred kilograms of extraterrestrial meteorite iron, and five hundred kilograms of the star-moon alloy that our Mingde Hall specializes in. Add fifty kilograms of the decent quality solar essence gold I saw last time, and finally, a hundred or so silver dragon scales will do. Don't say you don't have any! I've read our academy's history; they once hunted silver dragons. A single silver dragon has tens of thousands of scales, and I only need a hundred or so, less than one percent. Don't be stingy."

With each condition Huo Yuhao stated, Jing Hongchen's face darkened, until it was a deep, almost bluish-black, shade of purple. He was on the verge of exploding.

All the items Huo Yuhao wanted were top-grade rare metals. Especially the ones mentioned later—Sun Essence Gold and Star Moon Alloy—were extremely precious materials. They were used to create the core arrays of level-nine soul tools. Let alone hundreds of kilograms, even a single kilogram would be incredibly expensive.

"Are you planning to empty Mingde Hall's warehouse?" Jing Hongchen unconsciously stood up again, shaking the black box Huo Yuhao had given him earlier. "You want to trade this piece of junk made of refined iron for so much stuff? You're dreaming. Even the biggest fish wouldn't ask for this much. Take this and get out of here, and never let me see you again." As he spoke, he tossed the black box to Huo Yuhao.

This time, Huo Yuhao didn't leave. He took the black box and chuckled, "Master, don't be angry! We can discuss the price. Besides, you see, what I want is the equivalent of three level-nine soul tools. I didn't even raise the price for you despite your insult to my design. The equivalent of three level-nine soul tools, of course, requires this much stuff, right? I'm not making this up!"

"Who promised to give you rare metals worth the equivalent of three level-nine soul tools?" Jing Hongchen glared at him angrily.

Huo Yuhao said, sounding aggrieved, "Then let's discuss it again. You see, I've asked for too much of any of those; can we reduce the amount?"

Jing Hongchen roared, "You want too much of each kind! A hundred or so silver dragon scales! That silver dragon was hunted more than three thousand years ago, and all the materials left behind are rare treasures. How many could possibly have survived to this day? At most, there probably aren't even a hundred. Even I don't have the authority to use them directly; these things require the approval of the royal family."

Huo Yuhao said, "Hall Master, you control our Mingde Hall, second only to the Emperor. Surely you can make decisions? I don't believe it. I've heard of the Silver Dragon Scales for a long time; I'm determined to get them. I'll reduce the price by ten percent at most, but you have to give me the rest. Other items can be reduced a bit, even by half."

Seeing Huo Yuhao's magnanimous demeanor, Jing Hongchen's eyes flashed with cold light. He really wanted to kill this bastard right then and there. However, even if he killed him, he still wouldn't get the design. Besides, his grandson and granddaughter were still in Shrek Academy's hands.

Taking a deep breath and barely suppressing his emotions, Jing Hongchen said in a deep voice, "All the things you want will be priced at ten percent of the original price, except for the silver dragon scales. Let's make a deal."

Huo Yuhao immediately shook his head and said, "You're haggling too much. How can you cut the price by ninety percent at once? No, no. I can only cut it by ten percent at most. I absolutely need the silver dragon scales. Give me eighty."

"Damn it! If so many supplies are just leaked out like this, do you think I'll have a good explanation?"

"You are second only to the emperor!"

"..."

"Twenty percent, five silver dragon scales at most. That's the price. If you don't want it, get out." Jing Hongchen couldn't take it anymore. He felt that if he continued to argue with this kid, he would go crazy.

Huo Yuhao said, "Eighty percent, I guess. Is that okay?"

"Just twenty percent!" Jing Hongchen roared.

Huo Yuhao said, "Isn't this a bit unfair? Shouldn't we each make concessions and ultimately each get fifty percent of the deal?"

"Get out! Get out of here!" Jing Hongchen slammed his hand on his desk, and the solid wood desk collapsed with a crash.

Huo Yuhao was startled. He frowned as he looked at Jing Hongchen, who was erupting like a volcano in front of him. Without saying anything more, he turned and left.

Jing Hongchen felt his blood rush to his head, almost spitting out a mouthful of blood, and even his soul power became somewhat disordered.

A cold glint flashed across Huo Yuhao's face as he walked out of Jing Hongchen's office. Looking at the black box in his hand, he wasn't in a hurry at all. He hadn't expected his negotiations with Jing Hongchen to succeed on the first try. He'd take his time; he still had time. He wouldn't give up until he achieved his goal.

He went straight back to his dormitory, and this time no one came out to call him.

The day passed quickly. The exchange program for Shrek Academy students finally came to an end.

Out of consideration for appearances, the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy held a farewell ceremony, with Mingde Hall Master Jing Hongchen personally in attendance.

On Shrek Academy's side, Fan Yu led the way, with Huo Yuhao, He Caitou, Ye Xiaosheng, and other students standing in a row. They had changed back into Shrek Academy uniforms early this morning, signifying their departure and return to their alma mater.

At the farewell ceremony, Jing Hongchen delivered a passionate speech. His expression showed no change, and he seemed very calm, as if he had forgotten the unpleasantness between him and Huo Yuhao the day before. He even smiled at Huo Yuhao, seemingly quite satisfied with him.

To Huo Yuhao's surprise, his two close friends did not come to see him off today, which made him feel somewhat disappointed.

"His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived." With a shout, the clanging of armor clashing rang out, and a large contingent of soldiers rushed in from outside.

These soldiers were all clad in silver armor, appearing extremely imposing and powerful. They were clearly the Imperial Guard of the Sun Moon Empire.

Following the silver-armored soldiers was a squad of soldiers clad in light armor. Most were over thirty years old, exuding a composed and dignified air. Their total number was only around fifty, but their mere appearance caused the pupils of the Shrek Academy students to contract instantly.

Soul Masters, fully armed Soul Masters. Their armor was clearly Soul Guidance Device armor. Their equipment appeared to be standard, yet it was exceptionally sophisticated, making the combat power of such a team beyond doubt.

Crown Prince Xu Tianran of the Sun Moon Empire slowly entered the Sun Moon Empire's grand training ground, escorted by a group of attendants.

Jing Hongchen hurriedly led the teachers from the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy to greet them.

"Your Highness," Jing Hongchen bowed, while the other teachers all knelt on one knee.

Xu Tianran smiled slightly and nodded gently to Jing Hongchen. Jing Hongchen narrowed his eyes and nodded as well. Then he personally walked behind Xu Tianran's wheelchair, pushed him onto the playground, and brought him to the Shrek Academy students.

Fan Yu's eyes revealed a hint of surprise. What did it mean that the Crown Prince of the Sun Moon Empire would bring such a large entourage at this time?

"Teacher Fanyu, let me introduce you. This is His Highness the Crown Prince, the first heir of our Sun Moon Empire's royal family."

"Your Highness, greetings." Fan Yu bowed slightly. He was not a subject of the Sun Moon Empire, so he naturally did not perform a grand ceremony.

Xu Tianran smiled warmly and said, "Teacher Fanyu, there's no need for such formality. I've long admired your esteemed academy. It's just a pity I haven't been able to visit. I'll definitely visit you in person when I have the chance. Yesterday, I heard from Master Hongchen that your exchange students' studies have concluded. I've come on behalf of the Sun Moon Empire to see them off. I hope that our Sun Moon Empire and your esteemed academy can have more exchanges in the future, thereby deepening our friendship."

"Your Highness, you're too kind." They've come to see him off? Fan Yu was even more surprised. But the farewell ceremony was already mostly over, and he didn't want to linger any longer, so he said, "Thank you for seeing me off, Your Highness and Master Hongchen. It's getting late, so I'll be setting off with my students. Master Hongchen, would you like to come along?"

The exchange of students will still take place in the same Maple Leaf City. To ensure safety, Jing Hongchen, the head of Mingde Hall, will naturally go there in person.

Jing Hongchen nodded and said, "I'll see you all off a little further, but please wait a moment, Teacher Fanyu, while I speak with His Highness the Crown Prince."

"Okay." Although Fan Yu didn't know what they were going to do, he didn't think much of it. The long exchange and learning session was over, and Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen hadn't returned yet, so he wasn't afraid that Jing Hongchen would play any tricks.

At that moment, he led a group of students to the side.

Huo Yuhao's gaze remained fixed on Jing Hongchen and Crown Prince Xu Tianran. Only he could vaguely guess why the Crown Prince had come to see them off in person.

(End of this chapter)