Chapter 370 - 223: Buying a Life

Chapter 370: Chapter 223: Buying a Life

"You should be clear, Lord National Master. Otherwise, if we can’t agree on a price, don’t blame me for not saving you face."

Su Mu said, "We in Da Xuan have an old saying: ’Even blood brothers must keep their accounts clear.’ And another: ’Better to be the scoundrel first and the gentleman later.’"

"If the price is too high, you won’t be happy, Lord National Master."

"If the price is too low, I won’t be willing, and then neither of us will be satisfied."

"It’s better to agree on the terms first. Then I’ll release him."

Su Mu didn’t speak loudly, but from the moment Liang Jinglue appeared in the Martial Arts Arena, all the demons held their breath.

In a place where over ten thousand demons had gathered, you could hear a pin drop.

So, of course, his words carried clearly to the demons in the stands.

The demons all wore looks of utter disbelief.

’Is this insignificant human haggling with the Lord National Master?’

’Who does he think he is?’

The crowd of demons looked eager for a fight. If the Lord National Master gave the order, they would swarm forward and instantly tear this Su Mu to shreds.

Liang Jinglue smiled, nodded, and said, "You have a point. It seems I was being presumptuous."

"Ling Yun is a Tier Two Demon. According to the rules, the ransom for a Tier Two Demon is two thousand taels of gold,"

Liang Jinglue said slowly.

The Demon Court now had its own monetary system, with gold as its common currency.

"Are you joking, Lord National Master?"

Su Mu asked.

’Two thousand taels of gold... In Da Xuan, that’s not even enough to hire an assassin from the Golden Wind Tower to kill a Rebirth Realm expert.’

’Besides, is Bao Lingyun just some ordinary Tier Two Demon?’

"Don’t be impatient, Lord Su. I haven’t finished speaking."

Liang Jinglue smiled faintly and continued, "Ling Yun is the Thirteenth Prince of the Demon Court. His status adds another five thousand taels."

"Lord Su, my Demon Court cannot compare to the vast and abundant resources of Da Xuan. Seven thousand taels of gold is no small sum for us."

Su Mu looked at Liang Jinglue, a strange feeling in his heart.

’He had heard Liang Jinglue’s name so many times on his journey here.’

’He had always been curious about this National Preceptor of the Demon Court.’

’A human who could become a National Preceptor in the Demon Court, second only to one but above all others... Moreover, the entire structure of the Demon Court was almost single-handedly built by this man.’

’It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he created the Demon Court.’

’Before meeting him, Su Mu had often wondered what kind of person Liang Jinglue would be.’

’But seeing him in person was still a surprise.’

’The great National Preceptor of the Demon Court was actually haggling so seriously with him over seven thousand taels of gold?’

’Seven thousand taels of gold... It wasn’t a small amount, but it certainly wasn’t a lot, either.’

’Forget about all of Da Xuan; even in a small place like Wuling City, the lives of the firstborn sons of the great families were worth more than seven thousand taels of gold.’

’Bao Lingyun was a Demon Court Crown Prince, after all. Was his life only worth seven thousand taels of gold?’

’It should be worth at least ten times that.’

’Then again, Liang Jinglue wasn’t wrong. The Demon Court was not like Da Xuan. It was a young nation and had only been using gold for a few decades. Their reserves were surely far smaller than Da Xuan’s.’

’The purchasing power of seven thousand taels of gold in the Demon Court was far greater than in Da Xuan.’

"We don’t want gold!"

Just as Su Mu was lost in thought, a voice suddenly rang out.

One of the three survivors from the group of ten who had dueled Bao Lingyun took a few steps forward and shouted to Su Mu.

"Captain Su, I am Huo Zhen Court, a true disciple of the Divine Weapon Pavilion. If you trust me, please let me handle this."

He cupped his hands toward Su Mu and said with a serious expression.

Su Mu remained silent.

A few demons tried to intervene, but Liang Jinglue waved his hand slightly, signaling for them to stand down.

"Captain Su, given the current situation, there’s no way we can kill the Thirteenth Prince of the Demon Court."

"Your goal should be to use him to get the greatest possible benefit."

Seeing that Su Mu wasn’t speaking, Huo Zhen Court continued, "Let me negotiate with the Demon Court. I guarantee that what you get will be worth far more than seven thousand taels of gold."

His clothes were tattered and he was covered in wounds, yet he spoke with eloquence and confidence, showing not the slightest hint of unease.

Su Mu’s interest was piqued. He wanted to see what tricks Huo Zhen Court had up his sleeve.

"Fine."

He nodded, uttering a single word.

An excited look appeared on Huo Zhen Court’s face as he turned to face the Demon Court’s National Preceptor, Liang Jinglue.

"Lord National Master, to buy back the Thirteenth Prince’s life, we don’t want gold,"

Huo Zhen Court said.

"What do you want?"

Liang Jinglue asked, his tone playful.

"Ten thousand catties of Nether Gold Stone, ten thousand catties of Blood Crystal, five thousand catties of Dragon Vine Wood, and five thousand catties of Yin Spirit Jade,"

Huo Zhen Court said.

"Too much,"

Liang Jinglue said, shaking his head.

"You start with a wild price, and we negotiate from there,"

Huo Zhen Court said. "Take a thousand catties off each material."

"Five thousand catties of Nether Gold Stone, three thousand catties of Blood Crystal, and one thousand catties of Dragon Vine Wood,"

Liang Jinglue said.

This counteroffer cut the price by more than half and then some.

"Done!"

But not only did Huo Zhen Court not refuse, he eagerly accepted.

Su Mu blinked.

’Trust those you employ, and don’t employ those you distrust.’

’Now wasn’t the time to question Huo Zhen Court.’

"There’s one more condition,"

Su Mu said. "The humans abducted by the Demon Court must be handed over to the Da Xuan Envoy immediately."

"Agreed,"

Liang Jinglue said after a moment of thought.

With the deal settled, Su Mu lifted his foot and, with a flick of his toe, kicked Bao Lingyun over to Liang Jinglue’s feet.

Freed from Su Mu’s suppression, Bao Lingyun leaped to his feet, spat out a mouthful of blood, and glared at Su Mu like a belligerent cur.

"I’ll remember you!"

Bao Lingyun grinned, baring his teeth.

"That’s enough. Haven’t you embarrassed yourself enough already?"

Liang Jinglue scolded.

The moment Liang Jinglue spoke, Bao Lingyun dejectedly took a step back.

"Deliver the items and the people to the Da Xuan Embassy. Lord National Master, I’ll take my leave."