“A hundred billion? What would you do with so much money?”
The old man was stunned for a moment but did not fly into a rage because of it.
Although the Lin family was not a merchant clan, over the past ten years since the resurgence of spiritual energy, they had managed to align themselves with the revival by utilizing an ancestral tiger-shaped boxing technique. To them, money was no longer a pressing resource.
They could indeed produce a hundred billion, but it would mean halting many of their ventures.
Most importantly, why and on what basis should they pay such a price?
Was Chen Huaian really worth it?
“I have a fear of financial inadequacy. As long as I get the money, everything else can be discussed.” Chen Huaian smiled lightly, saying something that left both Xiang Xiaoyuan and Zhao Ying in despair. Xiang Xiaoyuan felt even more that Luo Haisheng’s efforts were wasted.
But there was nothing wrong with Chen Huaian’s approach.
Regardless of whether he joined a clan or the Demon-Slaying Division, Chen Huaian would ultimately wield his sword against demons and evil spirits. The only difference was that ideologically, there might be conflicts between him and the Demon-Slaying Division in the future, perhaps leading to them becoming enemies.
“Word has it that Mr. Chen used a talisman to slay the Corpse King Emperor Jiang. I wish to know if this talisman can still be stably produced and what the cost would be?” The old man stroked his beard, narrowing his eyes slightly.
His purpose in coming to the Demon-Slaying Division was to obtain Chen Huaian’s Companion Spirit Item.
Though currently, only the Spiritual Master can use the Companion Spirit Item, who knows what might happen in the future if they manage to seize control of its usage?
If they could continuously produce high-quality talismans through the Companion Spirit Item, the Lin family would surely soar amidst this great trend.
“It cannot be. That talisman cost me ten years of my lifespan, and it may never be available again.” Chen Huaian spoke sincerely. Although the Purple Heaven Divine Thunder Talisman was a reward from the main quest of the <Electronic Girlfriend> game and came with the Nine Transformations Spiritual Orchid, neither the store nor the Koi Pond had such items. However, he estimated that due to its immense power, the price would certainly be exorbitant.
Assuming the talisman was worth one million.
Wouldn’t spending one million put his life at risk?
Even if he were to consider it, he truly wouldn’t dare to use it a second time.
He hadn’t known at the time, but almost losing his life was enough to make him wary.
Upon hearing this, the old man’s face darkened.
In essence, the talisman was a one-time-use item, paid for with a portion of his lifespan. Even if this young man could afford to buy more, how many times could he possibly afford?
The Corpse King Emperor Jiang was initially assessed to be above the General Level.
A mere General Level, surely their family’s resources could easily cultivate a General Level Resurrector?
They wouldn’t be greedy enough to demand one hundred billion outright.
“Mr. Chen, our Lin family is very sincere. We genuinely cannot produce one hundred billion, but if you are willing to join us, I can offer you one billion in funds, along with a monthly payment of over a million. If you agree, the money will be transferred immediately.”
Chen Huaian saw the old man’s tone turn cold and realized negotiations had failed.
Unfortunately, he didn’t know that the Lin family had assessed the Corpse King Emperor Jiang to be above the General Level. Otherwise, he would have been laughing heartily.
“A distinguished clan like yours cannot even come up with one hundred billion? Then leave! Don’t obstruct me here!” Chen Huaian’s eyes flashed with lightning, and the oppressive aura around him pushed down the old man’s rising anger.
“Mr. Chen, to insult my Lin family like this, are you truly unafraid of retaliation?”
The old man tried to calm himself and sneered, “To be honest, our Lin family has already reached a cooperation agreement with the Demon-Slaying Division headquarters. A General Level Resurrector will be sent to take charge of the Demon-Slaying Division in Province C. Additionally, our talented disciple is currently heading to Kunlun Celestial Palace to seek enlightenment. I believe Mr. Chen should reconsider carefully.”
“Reconsider your ass, get lost!”
“You…” The old man looked at the arc of electricity rotating in Chen Huaian’s hand and finally closed his mouth, putting on his hat. “Since that’s the case, I won’t continue to disturb you today. May we meet again under better circumstances.”
The Lin family returned disappointed after their hopeful visit.
Only Xiang Xiaoyuan, Zhao Ying, and Chen Huaian remained in the conference room.
Xiang Xiaoyuan hesitated before asking, “Chen Huaian, if the Lin family really offered you one hundred billion, would you join them?”
“Yeah.” Chen Huaian nodded naturally.
“You… You’re heartless!”
“How am I heartless?” Chen Huaian pouted. “My goal is to eliminate demons and evil spirits. Besides, your Demon-Slaying Division headquarters is already cooperating with these clans, right?”
Zhao Ying checked her email on her phone, her expression grim. “A few Generals at headquarters believe that joining forces with the mysterious force behind the resurgence is crucial now. Clans’ elites are indeed more numerous than those of the Demon-Slaying Division, hence the collaboration.
Currently, there’s a tricky issue. Li Changbai is dead. After dealing with the Corpse King Emperor Jiang, very few Demon-Slaying Masters remain alive in the C Province Demon-Slaying Division. Headquarters wants me to quickly recommend a General to take charge of the C Province Demon-Slaying Division. Otherwise, they’ll send a clan’s Resurrector here. Where can I find…”
Her gaze fell unconsciously on Chen Huaian.
Xiang Xiaoyuan also stared at Chen Huaian thoughtfully.
Chen Huaian raised an eyebrow and pointed at himself. “Why are you all looking at me? Are you planning to make me, a college student yet to graduate, the C Province Demon-Slaying Division Governor? I haven’t even agreed to join the Demon-Slaying Division…”
“The Governor can freely allocate resources within the C Province Demon-Slaying Division, including funds.” Zhao Ying pushed her glasses up and sighed. “That’s quite a sum.”
Chen Huaian replied, “So what? Are they testing old cadres with this?”
Xiang Xiaoyuan chimed in, “If one can manage such a large institution like the C Province Demon-Slaying Division well, the acquisition of funds wouldn’t be much different from a clan’s enterprise. It’s essentially money-making.”
Chen Huaian: “…”
Despite his reluctance to admit it, hearing Zhao Ying and Xiang Xiaoyuan made him somewhat interested.
“The Governor can freely allocate resources within the C Province Demon-Slaying Division,” Zhao Ying suddenly pulled out a black card with gold edges and handed it to Chen Huaian, her expression serious. “The password is four sevens. There are one billion inside, but half of it needs to be used to procure materials needed by the Demon-Slaying Division.”
“What kind of materials?” Chen Huaian took the card nonchalantly.
“Things like the Church’s holy water…”
Chen Huaian remembered the bottle containing the light golden liquid, which also emitted a strong positive energy, similar to common-grade thunderfire talismans, but far inferior to fine-grade and supreme-grade ones, let alone celestial-grade.
“How much does the Church sell their diluted holy water for?”
“Uniformly priced, one million per bottle for diluted holy water.”
“What?!” Chen Huaian’s eyes widened.
Diluted, holy water, one million, per bottle?
Then wasn’t he ripped off when he sold a talisman to the Wuzzy Beard for ten thousand?
You good-for-nothing Wuzzy Beard, you really are a dog.
Chen Huaian clenched his teeth and slammed the table. “Buy my ass! Cancel all those orders!”
Zhao Ying stuttered, “But Governor, if we do that, our Demon-Slaying Masters will lack some security during missions outside. And without sufficient resources, the appeal of the Breath-Taking Method alone isn’t enough.”
“Leave the resource issue to me.”
Chen Huaian narrowed his eyes.
It seemed he couldn’t avoid becoming a two-worlds smuggler.
…
