Chapter 48 : Nine Million! Plus a Small Additional Request! (Full Chapter)
!!!
The moment Tang Qingmo finished speaking, everyone present was utterly shocked.
That old man was actually the president of the Martial Arts Association!?
When it came to the Martial Arts Association of Demon City, it was an organization that controlled sixty percent of the city's cultivation resources and possessed the most up-to-date intelligence!
Although the ground floor was normally open to ordinary martial artists for testing or purchasing resources, joining the association itself required one to be a top-tier martial artist!
No one had expected such a big shot to appear in a street-stall district filled with miscellaneous goods!
Yet what shocked them even more was the man in front of them!
He clearly knew the other party was the president, yet still dared to say something that sounded like a threat!
Was this the courage of a newborn calf unafraid of a tiger?
Wasn't he biting off way more than he could chew?!
"You know who I am?" Lu Rongsheng frowned.
"Of course I do. Chairman Lu is such a famous figure—how could I not know you?" Tang Qingmo said with a smile.
"I just didn't expect you to want to trade with a nobody like me… and at such a low price."
"..."
So this man had known his identity from the very beginning, yet deliberately pretended to be naive and harmless!?
Standing beside Lu Rongsheng, Lu Zhaozhao immediately flared up.
"Who do you think you are? My father was kind enough to buy your Blood Moon Stone, and you dare to mock us?!"
As the chairman's daughter, Lu Zhaozhao had grown up enjoying smooth sailing and constant flattery. In her mind, someone like Tang Qingmo—who shopped at street stalls—must be a poor, uncultured nobody!
If she hadn't been worried about her elderly father being bullied by ruffians, she wouldn't even have come to a place like this!
Tang Qingmo shot Lu Zhaozhao a cold glance and let out a light snort.
"Chairman Lu, it seems your esteemed daughter still has plenty of room for improvement in her upbringing."
High emotional intelligence: plenty of room for improvement.
Low emotional intelligence: no manners.
Lu Zhaozhao exploded on the spot.
"What did you say!? You actually dare to throw shade at me like that?!"
Having already witnessed the "power" of the Tang family's five elder sisters, and now encountering yet another spoiled young miss, Tang Qingmo rubbed his ears helplessly.
[System, are all women in this world this… short-tempered?]
The system replied awkwardly:
[No, Host. Haven't you noticed that this kind of little-princess character often appears in the harem of wish-fulfillment protagonists? Lu Zhaozhao was originally one of the original owner's harem members, so…]
[Little princess? Are you sure you don't mean 'little fairy'?]
Lu Zhaozhao's voice was so loud that even Lu Rongsheng felt his ears ache. He said sternly,
"Zhaozhao, be quiet!"
"Dad…"
Seeing her usually doting father scold her so harshly, Lu Zhaozhao shrank back timidly.
"Boy, my daughter has been spoiled by me. I apologize on her behalf," Lu Rongsheng said politely, nodding.
Tang Qingmo smiled.
"Since Chairman Lu personally apologized, I'll naturally give you face."
But when Lu Rongsheng raised his head again, an invisible pressure spread outward.
"Boy, I urgently need a Blood Moon Stone right now. If I offer you eight million, based on market value, are you willing to sell the one in your hand?"
Eight million!?
The people present wore expressions even more shocked than before.
That red stone was absurdly valuable!!
"Let me make this clear first— even if you want to take it to auction, not just anyone can sell items there. As the chairman of the Martial Arts Association, I don't recognize you, which means you're not a top-tier martial artist!"
Lu Rongsheng tightened his grip on his cane.
"So I hope you'll think this through carefully!"
Tang Qingmo sneered. Of course he understood what the man meant.
It was nothing more than a threat.
Anyone can't sell at an auction?
What a joke!
By novel logic, auctions were practically the easiest money-making spot for a protagonist!
Lu Rongsheng was just trying to scare him—or secretly pull strings to make sure his item never sold.
After all, as chairman, he certainly had that much authority!
But judging from the hint of urgency in his tone, he truly needed the Blood Moon Stone.
At that moment, the system chimed in appropriately:
[Host, one of Lu Rongsheng's friends is currently at the seventh rank. However, due to a previous battle with a mutated beast, his foundation was damaged and he suffers from long-term aftereffects. Only by breaking through to the eighth rank can he recover, so…]
[I see—this is for a friend.] Tang Qingmo suddenly understood.
He hadn't yet broken through to become a martial artist, so he didn't need the Blood Moon Stone for cultivation. Even if he needed one in the future, he could always buy another.
Selling it to Lu Rongsheng today would indeed give him a chance to connect with a powerful figure…
But Tang Qingmo had no intention of selling it so easily!
He revealed a meaningful smile, his tone slightly provocative.
"Nine million—plus a small request."
"!?"
Not only were the onlookers stunned, even Lu Rongsheng was taken aback.
This was clearly a golden opportunity to befriend a powerful figure—any normal person would have accepted immediately!
Yet this man actually raised the price by another million and added extra conditions!?
"You…!"
Lu Zhaozhao couldn't help stepping forward, but Lu Tianren stopped her.
Lu Rongsheng frowned.
"What do you want?"
"I'll say it after you agree."
"Brother! I can't take this anymore! Let me beat him up!"
Lu Zhaozhao flailed her arms and legs wildly, trying to punch and kick Tang Qingmo.
"Zhaozhao, calm down!" Lu Tianren desperately held her back.
"..."
Lu Rongsheng stared at the large Blood Moon Stone in Tang Qingmo's hand and fell into deep thought.
Since his friend was injured, he had needed to consume large quantities of medicinal decoctions every day.
Doctors concluded that only by breaking through to the eighth rank as soon as possible could the internal damage be repaired. Otherwise, prolonged deterioration would cause even greater harm!
Although he had already spent huge sums purchasing Blood Moon Stones for his friend's breakthrough, all of them were far too small to be used continuously.
Only the one in front of him… was truly suitable!
But this man…
Had he noticed his desperation and decided to maximize his own benefits because of it!?
So young, yet possessing such shrewd calculation…!
"Fine. I agree."
In the end, for the sake of his friend's health, Lu Rongsheng gave in.
He waved his hand, and a bodyguard immediately handed him a blank check.
Putting on his glasses, he wrote out a check for nine million!
"This should be enough, right?"
Tang Qingmo curled his lips, handing over the Blood Moon Stone.
"Of course. As expected of Chairman Lu—this junior truly admires you."
"Hmph. Speak then. What is your request?"
"Dad!!"
Lu Zhaozhao tried to stop him, but seeing her father's resolute gaze, she could only turn and glare viciously at Tang Qingmo.
If he dared to make any outrageous request, she would definitely not let him off!