Chapter Fifty-Eight: Flender Is on the Verge of Tears

Kingdom of Barak, Soto City.

Soto City stood as one of the two most significant cities within the Barak Kingdom. Nestled at the heart of the fertile Lima Plains, it served as the granary of the entire kingdom. Due to its strategic importance, Barak stationed a substantial military force here, and the Spirit Hall established a Level Three Main Hall in the city.

In the city center, Xiao Yu paused before a hotel that, though not particularly grand in scale, was decorated to resemble a giant blooming rose. This was precisely his destination—the Rose Hotel.

“So this is your so-called serious business?” Huo Wu glared at Xiao Yu with a look of exasperation.

Ye Lingling’s face was flushed scarlet, her delicate hands nervously clutching the hem of her skirt, unable to meet Xiao Yu’s gaze. Brother Xiao Yu, if you wanted something, you could have just told Lingling. Why go to such lengths and bring us all this way?

“Ouch!” Xiao Yu, unable to tolerate any more, flicked Huo Wu on the forehead, making her grimace in pain.

“What on earth is in that head of yours? I told you, this is serious business!” Xiao Yu shot Huo Wu a glare before striding into the Rose Hotel. Seeing this, Huo Wu and Ye Lingling hurried after him.

“Hello, I’d like to book two rooms,” Xiao Yu said, handing a black card to the receptionist.

The receptionist, taking the card, eyed the elegantly dressed and strikingly handsome Xiao Yu, then glanced at the two beautiful young women standing behind him. Envy flickered in her gaze. “Sir, are you sure you want two rooms?” she asked, giving Xiao Yu a look that needed no further explanation.

Understanding her implication, Xiao Yu’s eyes flashed with displeasure. He replied solemnly, “We’re not in that kind of relationship. Two rooms. Quickly, please.”

“Ah! Of course, right away!” The receptionist, noticing Xiao Yu’s displeasure, realized her mistake and hastily completed the check-in process for the three of them.

“You must be exhausted from the journey, Lingling. Go rest for a while,” Xiao Yu said, handing one of the keys to Ye Lingling. Then, turning to Huo Wu, he added, “Look after Lingling.”

At this, Huo Wu pouted unhappily. “Hey, I’ve just traveled the whole way too. Why not let both of us rest properly?”

“Because Lingling is here at my invitation, while you insisted on tagging along,” Xiao Yu replied, nearly causing Huo Wu to choke with indignation. Fortunately, Ye Lingling gently took her arm and whispered, “Sister Huo Wu, Brother Xiao Yu is just teasing you. We’ve all been on the road for so long. Let’s rest together.”

With a huff, Huo Wu turned and stomped upstairs, Ye Lingling following close behind.

Watching the two disappear upstairs, Xiao Yu made no move to rest himself. Instead, he turned and walked outside.

Tang San may have set out earlier than him, but as a twenty-ninth-level Grand Soulmaster, he lagged four full ranks behind Xiao Yu and was far slower. Moreover, he traveled with an old rabbit who delighted in mischief and trouble, so they were still two or three days away from Soto City.

Taking advantage of these few days, Xiao Yu intended to intercept another of Tang San’s opportunities—the raw material for crafting Dragon Beard Needles, the Crystal Plate.

As for the hotel, with Huo Wu’s soul power above level forty, she was more than capable of handling most emergencies. Besides, Xiao Yu would never venture out alone; along with his now-official enforcers and bodyguards, Aiolia and Milo, he had also brought along Shura. He was eager to see which was sharper—the Holy Sword or the world-renowned Clear Sky Hammer.

On the bustling streets of Soto City, Flender’s shop was easily identifiable by the distinct waves of spirit energy emanating from within and the sign above the door: a dragon, a sword, and a hammer, matching the emblems of Spirit Hall. Among the myriad shops, it stood out unmistakably.

Xiao Yu strolled inside. The place was deathly quiet—so empty that there wasn’t even a counter. Old, worn items hung on three of the walls, nothing appearing remotely valuable.

There, the famous Iron Triangle’s “Boiling Sheep Warrior,” renowned PUA master, and Shrek Academy’s headmaster, Flender, lounged on a wooden deck chair, eyes closed as he rocked back and forth. The chair creaked ominously beneath him.

Flender’s appearance was, frankly, unfortunate: a shoehorn-shaped face, wide cheekbones, flat features, and a hawk-like nose. He wore thick, black-rimmed glasses with a rigid square frame, giving him an odd, unsettling look.

Damn, that face is terrifying. I hope I don’t have nightmares tonight! That was Xiao Yu’s first thought. No wonder Liu Erlong was drawn to Yu Xiaogang, the level-twenty-nine weakling—compared to Flender, the choice was obvious. Faced with a shoehorn or a buzzcut, even he would pick the latter.

But Xiao Yu had no time to gossip about the old Iron Triangle’s entanglements. He walked straight to the wall, took up a crystal roughly the size of a human head—utterly transparent, yet streaked with dark yellow inclusions—and asked, “Boss, how much for this crystal?”

“One hundred gold soul coins,” Flender replied lazily, not getting up from his chair.

“Alright,” Xiao Yu nodded. From the soul guide pouch given to him by Dugu Bo, he drew out a money pouch and handed it to Flender. “I’ll take it. Here’s one hundred gold soul coins, count them if you like.”

Flender opened his eyes, sizing Xiao Yu up. He replied hesitantly, “One hundred gold soul coins isn’t enough. I’m selling this crystal for two hundred now.”

“Two hundred gold soul coins? That’s blatant price gouging,” Xiao Yu’s gaze turned cold. This swindler dared to try extorting him—he clearly needed a lesson.

“So what if it is?” Flender replied lazily, “In fact, I’ve decided—this crystal is now five hundred gold soul coins. Pay up and it’s yours. Otherwise, leave.”

Xiao Yu’s voice was calm. “And what if I want the crystal, but won’t pay five hundred gold soul coins?”

“Try me,” Flender said, rising from his chair. In an instant, his seventy-eighth-level soul power surged forth, pressing down on Xiao Yu.

Boom!

At that moment, an even more terrifying force erupted from the shadows, overwhelming Flender’s own. Under the pressure, Flender collapsed to his knees.

Damn, I’ve kicked an iron wall! Flender cursed inwardly.

Xiao Yu regarded Flender with amusement. “So, is this crystal still five hundred gold soul coins?”

“No, no, one hundred is fine! One hundred gold soul coins!” Flender shook his head vigorously.

A faint smile played at Xiao Yu’s lips. “Is that so? But now I feel even one hundred is too expensive.”

“Name your price, sir—whatever it is, I’ll sell!” Flender was on the verge of tears. He should have agreed to one hundred in the first place.

“One hundred gold soul coins. Remember this lesson: do honest business and stop with the trickery,” Xiao Yu said, tossing the money pouch to Flender before striding out in style.

Though Flender was cunning and miserly, measured against Tang San and Master Yu, he was a paragon of virtue. Xiao Yu’s impression of him in his previous life hadn’t been too poor. Besides, this crystal was worth a fortune—at such a price, Xiao Yu had secured an incredible bargain.