The Grey Rat's Demon Path

"Fellow Daoist Dou, we have already signed a Contract. Regardless of the circumstances, we should adhere to its terms. That is the proper way to do things. To suddenly raise the price now is a clear breach of our agreement!"

Xu Chang'an's expression darkened.

"Fellow Daoist Silver Fang, you're right. But times have changed. The circumstances when we signed the Contract were different from what they are now."

"If you cannot accept the price increase, then how about this? I will resume fulfilling our agreement once Thundering Mountain restores its former control over the Celestial Thunder Stones."

Leopard Spirit Dou Haifeng said with a grin.

"Wait until Thundering Mountain restores its former control over the Celestial Thunder Stones!"

Xu Chang'an's eyes widened in a glare.

"And when will that be?"

"I have no idea. It all depends on the Demon Kings on Thundering Mountain!"

The Leopard Spirit Dou Haifeng looked as if he had Xu Chang'an right where he wanted him.

Xu Chang'an's expression was grim, and he remained silent for a long time.

"Fellow Daoist Silver Fang, if you feel a one-fifth increase is too high… well, this was all very sudden, so I can understand. How about this? I'll take a small loss. We'll just raise it by one-tenth."

"How does that sound!?"

Leopard Spirit Dou Haifeng offered, sensing the moment was right.

"Fine!"

Xu Chang'an's face was grim, but he ultimately agreed to the Leopard Spirit Dou Haifeng's terms.

He then traded for several Celestial Thunder Stones with Leopard Spirit Dou Haifeng at the newly increased price.

"Thank you for your understanding, Fellow Daoist Silver Fang."

The Leopard Spirit Dou Haifeng collected the Demon Stones and departed in high spirits.

Xu Chang'an said nothing, his expression still incredibly grim.

After the Leopard Spirit Dou Haifeng left, the grim look on Xu Chang'an's face vanished in an instant.

'How interesting!'

...

Another month and a half passed.

The Leopard Spirit Dou Haifeng paid another visit.

The moment the two demons met, Dou Haifeng took out five Celestial Thunder Stones.

Xu Chang'an took out the Demon Stones, ready to trade.

But then he saw Dou Haifeng's troubled expression as he began to speak slowly.

"Fellow Daoist Silver Fang, to tell you the truth, it's become even more difficult to obtain these Celestial Thunder Stones! This time, I'm afraid the price will have to increase by one-fifth for us to trade!"

"Fellow Daoist Dou!"

Xu Chang'an's face was furious.

"You ignored our Contract before and raised the price by one-tenth, and I accepted it! But now, you want to raise it by another one-fifth!"

"This time, I absolutely will not agree!"

"If that's the case, Fellow Daoist Silver Fang, then there's nothing to be done!"

The Leopard Spirit Dou Haifeng sighed and slowly put away the Celestial Thunder Stones.

"Fellow Daoist Dou, you're breaking our Contract! When I return to Thunder Demon City, I'll be sure to report this to the Law Enforcement Hall!"

Hearing Xu Chang'an's threat, the Leopard Spirit Dou Haifeng's expression remained unchanged.

"Be my guest, Fellow Daoist Silver Fang!"

"If it really comes to that, the Contract will be void, and I will return all the Demon Stones I have taken."

"I trust that you, Fellow Daoist Silver Fang, will also return my Celestial Thunder Stones at that time!"

"You—!"

Xu Chang'an was choked with rage.

The Leopard Spirit Dou Haifeng looked at Xu Chang'an with an air of complete control.

'This Wolf Demon is buying Celestial Thunder Stones to stimulate his Bloodline. After all this time, there's no way he still has them intact!'

"I'm only raising the price by one-fifth because my hands are tied. There's really nothing else I can do! Please, Fellow Daoist Silver Fang, think it over!"

Leopard Spirit Dou Haifeng said calmly, looking Xu Chang'an straight in the eye.

"Fine!"

After a long pause, Xu Chang'an squeezed a single word out from between his teeth.

Hearing this, a look of delight spread across the Leopard Spirit Dou Haifeng's face.

Throughout the transaction, Xu Chang'an's expression was stone-cold, and he didn't utter a single word.

"Don't take it personally, Fellow Daoist Silver Fang. Please understand the circumstances."

After offering a few placating words, the Leopard Spirit Dou Haifeng turned and left gleefully.

'Interesting!'

Watching Dou Haifeng depart, Xu Chang'an murmured to himself.

A faint smile touched his lips, all traces of his earlier grimness gone.

...

Three months passed after that transaction, but the Leopard Spirit Dou Haifeng never came to see Xu Chang'an in the Five Thunders Marketplace.

During this time, he often exchanged words with the White Tiger Demon, the Yellow Rock Bull Spirit, the Strong Bear Demon, and the Flame Bird Monster.

After asking around, he discovered it was the same for all of them.

None of them had seen the Leopard Spirit Dou Haifeng in the last three months.

Xu Chang'an wasn't anxious; he just waited quietly in the Five Thunders Marketplace.

The Yellow Rock Bull Spirit, on the other hand, was very impatient and spent his days cursing and grumbling.

"Damn that Leopard Spirit!"

"Leaving the deal half-finished, just leaving us hanging like this!"

"And raising the price! Twice!"

"Damn it! Damn it!"

"..."

'It seems I wasn't the only demon Leopard Spirit Dou Haifeng raised prices on.'

As the Yellow Rock Bull Spirit's complaints grew more frequent, the Strong Bear Demon and the Flame Bird Monster started joining in during their occasional chats.

The White Tiger Demon, however, seemed relatively calm.

Xu Chang'an could tell that, among the demons, the White Tiger Demon was also hiding their true Cultivation.

On the surface, they appeared to be at Late-stage Foundation Establishment Minor Achievement, but their actual Cultivation was at the Peak of Late-stage Foundation Establishment!

Moreover, from what Xu Chang'an could observe, their magical combat techniques and overall prowess probably placed them among the absolute elite of top-tier Great Demons.

Second only to a Quasi-Demon King!

Another two months went by.

The Leopard Spirit Dou Haifeng finally appeared before Xu Chang'an again.

Before even speaking, he took out about ten Celestial Thunder Stones.

Combined with the previous transactions, this finally completed the total of thirty Celestial Thunder Stones that Xu Chang'an required.

Just as they were about to trade, he saw the Leopard Spirit Dou Haifeng put the Celestial Thunder Stones back into his Storage Bag.

"Fellow Daoist Dou, what is the meaning of this?"

Xu Chang'an's expression instantly soured. Recalling their past dealings, he had a sinking feeling he knew what was coming.

Sensing Xu Chang'an's concern, the Leopard Spirit Dou Haifeng said with a grin.

"Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Silver Fang. I won't be raising the price this time!"

Hearing this, Xu Chang'an's tense expression eased.

"In that case, let's get on with the trade!"

Xu Chang'an urged.