Chapter 120

Chapter 120: Negotiation

"Mu Chen, what are you trying to do? Killing in the Imperial City is a crime!" Ye Rong shouted at Mu Chen.

Despite her outward defiance, Ye Rong's trembling legs betrayed her intense anxiety.

With a dismissive smile, Mu Chen reassured, "Relax, I know my limits. Even if he does die, what of it?" Some additional Yuan Stones could easily smooth things over. Who would dare cross a disciple of a martial king for a mere martial teacher? If not for Ye Xun having the backing of Ye Shi's father's reputation, there wouldn't have been so many constraints.

Ye Rong cast a glance at Ye Shi, who stood silently, deep in thought.

Frustration bubbling within her, Ye Rong thought, "Ye Xun has been beaten to this state, and this guy, Ye Shi, just stands by silently, watching?"

"Mu Chen, are you pushing for mutual destruction?" An agitated Ye Rong snapped, understanding that without Ye Xun, she would gain nothing. And Ye Xun had been kind to her.

With hands clasped behind his back, Mu Chen responded, "This is just a reminder not to overestimate yourselves. You think holding a little leverage means you can act with impunity?" They weren't satisfied with sixty million and even aimed for a hundred million. Did Ye Xun really think they were easy marks?

"Aren't you afraid we'll destroy the book?" Ye Rong challenged, locking eyes with Mu Chen.

Mu Chen leaned closer, his voice dripping with mockery, "Go ahead. Without that book, do you really think you'd have any standing?"

Faced with Mu Chen's contemptuous expression, a chill ran down Ye Rong's spine. Those female students at the academy who thought he was kind-hearted had no idea about his true nature.

Ye Xun clenched his teeth, looking at Mu Chen with a mix of hatred and wariness.

"Let's seal the deal at sixty million," Ye Xun, gritting his teeth against the pain, proposed.

Mu Chen scoffed, dismissively retorting, "Sixty million? Are you dreaming?"

Hearing Mu Chen's words, Ye Xun's expression shifted dramatically. "That's the agreed price," he proclaimed loudly.

Mu Chen remarked nonchalantly, "What of it? If there's no 60 million, then 3 million it is. Either we have a deal, or we simply part ways."

"Impossible!" Ye Xun shouted in protest.

Three hundred thousand elemental stones wasn't a trivial sum. But given that Ye Xun initially asked for sixty million, and given the letter from Ye Rong claiming Ye Shi would certainly pay, Ye Xun's expectations had soared.

Now, upon hearing Mu Chen's lowered offer, Ye Xun momentarily forgot even the pain from the strange fire burns.

Lately, Ye Xun had taken a fancy to a beauty in Yun Huan Tower, waiting for the sixty million elemental stones to redeem her.

Wang Li spent her days frequenting the capital's clothing and cosmetics stores, oblivious to the ongoing negotiation.

"3 million, Mu Chen? Are you treating me like a beggar?" Wang Li said with a twisted expression.

Mu Chen chuckled, "Beggars? At least they earn their keep. What makes you think you're any more noble?"

"Ye Shi, won't you say something?" Wang Li, seeing their expected elemental stones slipping away, turned to Ye Shi in desperation.

Ye Shi's eyes flickered continuously. Suddenly, gritting his teeth and clenching his fists, he looked up with determination, "I... I'll follow Mu Chen's decision."

Ye Rong was so infuriated by Ye Shi's words, she felt like spitting blood.

"Three hundred thousand, impossible," Ye Rong declared coldly, her hopes of trading the book for sixty million and elevating her status were dashed. What use could three hundred thousand be?

Back in the academy, Ye Shi worked hard to raise funds, clearly aiming for the 60 million. Mu Chen handed him numerous magical instruments to sell, showing support for Ye Shi's fundraising. But now, Mu Chen slashed the price to just 3 million out of the blue.

Mu Chen smirked coldly, "I'm giving you face by offering 3 million. Do you think that's the only way I can buy it?"

Accustomed to having the upper hand, Ye Xun was both shocked and infuriated by Mu Chen's threat.

"What are you up to?" Ye Xun asked, a dark expression on his face.

Mu Chen shrugged, "Nothing much. Just doing business."

"3 million is too little. 50 million," Ye Xun said, begrudgingly taking a step back.

Mu Chen chuckled dismissively, "3 million, not a penny more."

Wang Li, flushed with frustration, exclaimed, "Mu Chen, it seems you never intended to finalize this deal!"

Mu Chen smiled faintly, his tone dripping with malice, "You're right. Ye Xun isn't a good man. Ye Shi's father, who hasn't shown himself for so many years, probably isn't any better. 3 million is already a generous offer for their belongings."

"Ye Shi, think it through. That's your father's item, not Mu Chen's. He doesn't care," Wang Li said, turning towards Ye Shi.

Ye Shi looked up, his eyes cold, stating decisively, "Mu Chen's right. A traitor's belongings are worth at most three hundred thousand. Anything more and I don't want it."

Ye Rong was visibly agitated but felt helpless. Their only leverage was Ye Shi's regard for a father he had never met.

"Three hundred thousand, and I won't sell," Ye Xun declared, a hint of defiance in his eyes.

Ye Shi's expression fluctuated, and Ye Xun silently sneered. While Mu Chen might not care about the object, Ye Shi certainly did. His words were just bravado.

"Alright, let's go." Mu Chen said, taking Ye Shi's hand.

Realizing the deal was falling apart, disappointment welled up in Ye Shi. Yet he didn't refute Mu Chen's decision.

As Ye Shi was about to leave with Mu Chen, panic struck Ye Xun, making him realize a crucial oversight.

Ye Shi might care about the book, but Mu Chen didn't. And Ye Shi always heeded Mu Chen's advice. In Ye Shi's eyes, Mu Chen's importance far surpassed that of his absent father.

With Ye Shi leaving, any chance of closing the deal would likely have to wait until the next trading day.

Watching the two prepare to depart, Ye Xun blurted out, "6 million!"

"Three hundred thousand, and not a stone more," Mu Chen said, his voice unyielding.

Ye Xun's face turned various shades as he grappled with the decision. Finally, he gritted his teeth and conceded, "Fine."

"Father!" Ye Rong exclaimed anxiously.

To Ye Rong, 3 million was an unacceptable offer. She believed Ye Shi was just posturing. If her father refused, Ye Shi would eventually capitulate. It was a game of patience, a test of nerve.

"Silence!" Ye Xun growled.

At Ye Xun's outburst, Ye Rong instantly looked abashed.

To ensure Ye Xun wouldn't bring out counterfeit items again, the two signed a contract.

Ye Rong, watching the trade conclude, was so furious she nearly gritted her teeth to bits.

...

Once the transaction ended, Mu Chen and Ye Shi wasted no time and departed immediately.

Ye Shi trailed behind Mu Chen, his eyes darting constantly, sneaking glances at Mu Chen now and then.

Mu Chen noticed Ye Shi's behavior but remained silent. Sooner or later, Ye Shi would see his other side. Mu Chen preferred to show it sooner rather than later.

Ye Shi pursed his lips, looking somewhat lost.

He thought Mu Chen wouldn't haggle, but Mu Chen had haggled ruthlessly.

He had imagined Mu Chen to be somewhat soft-hearted, but in reality, Mu Chen was utterly ruthless.

Following Mu Chen, a rush of emotions surged within Ye Shi. Suddenly, as if an epiphany struck, he hurried forward, grasping Mu Chen's hand.

A thought occurred to Ye Shi: No matter what kind of person Mu Chen turned out to be, he was still the Mu Chen he had chosen.

Mu Chen responded by holding Ye Shi's hand in return, placing a kiss on Ye Shi's forehead. Ye Shi blushed furiously at the unexpected gesture.

Seeing Ye Shi's reaction, Mu Chen smiled and continued walking, holding Ye Shi's hand.

"You need to grow up faster," Mu Chen said with a smile.

"I'm already grown up," Ye Shi muttered under his breath.

Mu Chen just laughed it off.

"Mu Chen, if Ye Xun hadn't agreed to your terms, what would you have done?" Ye Shi asked, brimming with curiosity.

A chilling glint appeared in Mu Chen's eyes, "He had no choice but to agree. He owes a significant debt to the Royal City Casino. If he doesn't pay on time, there's only one path for him."

While the Royal City might publicly denounce murder, the truth is, every day, people vanish silently from its streets. Wherever there are people, darkness exists, and the Royal City is no exception.

Ye Shi's eyes widened in shock, "When did you find out about this?"

"The day before yesterday."

A puzzled Ye Shi stared, "If you knew all along, then why did I work so hard to raise the money?"

Turning to face Ye Shi, Mu Chen replied, "Had Ye Xun brought out genuine items and given you the money straight up, I wouldn't have haggled so ruthlessly."

Ye Shi paused momentarily, then offered a slight smile, saying, "You've really thought this through."

Whatever Mu Chen does, he has his reasons. You reap what you sow, and all of Ye Xun's troubles are of his own making.

…………

Ye Xun lay in bed, wincing with pain.

Ye Xun couldn't help but think: Mu Chen sure doesn't hold back! Someone as ruthless as him could easily betray his emotions one day and just as easily finish off that ungrateful Ye Shi.

"Father, three million, it's such a low price. How could you agree to it?" Ye Rong bit her lip, her eyes filled with unshed tears.

"Quiet," Ye Xun responded coldly.

He didn't want to agree, but with Mu Chen's attitude, he had no choice! If the gambling debts from the casino aren't settled on time, they'll skin him alive.

All casinos in the Imperial City have strong backers, and the enforcers within them are no pushovers.

Initially, he thought the 60 million would be easy money and the small gambling debts wouldn't matter. But then Mu Chen managed to negotiate such a low price, and he had no choice but to accept. The casino gave him only two days to gather the funds.

"Hold your tongue! If you want to blame someone, blame yourselves for always pushing for a higher price and angering Mu Chen," Ye Xun said coldly, glancing at Wang Li and Ye Rong.

Ye Rong bit her lip, looking wronged. Although raising the price was her idea, Ye Xun had agreed to it before.

Ye Xun sighed lightly, feeling a hint of regret. Judging by Ye Shi's demeanor, had he offered the goods directly, Ye Shi might've agreed to the 60 million deal.

If he'd known things would turn out like this, why would he have bothered with those unnecessary actions? It's hard to put a price on regret.

"That Mu Chen, and to think the Ye and Mu families have been long-time allies," Wang Li said indignantly, disappointed that she wouldn't be getting the elegant dress she had set her eyes on.

Ye Xun gave Wang Li a resentful look. If it hadn't been for her suggesting the use of fake goods, things might not have turned out this way.

That fake cost 20,000 stones, and Mu Chen saw through it immediately. That man is a monster.