Chapter 111: Negotiating the Price

Chapter 111: Negotiating the Price

Buzz.

A iron wall slowly descended, sealing the shop door with meticulous precision.

A lamp lit up beneath the ceiling, replacing sunlight to dispel the darkness within.

Ma Wangye pulled Zhao Qingxia, who was in high spirits, to the side, and lifted his gaze to examine the mechanical mantis on Li Jun’s shoulder.

"A seventh-grade Xī Qīng Láng, what a fine piece. No wonder you dare to come directly to my doorstep now."

A pungent mix of stale engine oil and alcohol stung Li Jun’s nose, causing him to frown involuntarily.

"Old Ma, how much have you drunk this time? Did someone knock you flat again?"

"How could that be? Ma Wangye, what kind of person am I? Who on this street could match me? Uh... except you."

Ma Wangye shook his head. "Let’s get serious. You never visit without reason. What’s the matter this time?"

Click.

A bank card plated with golden surface was slapped onto the table.

Suddenly, the red eyes in the helmet flared with a sharp glare, and even Zhao Qingxia by the side slowly parted his lips, emitting a low chuckle.

Li Jun observed all this silently, thinking to himself that these two masters were truly poor. The matter of the black crow should be manageable.

"This is five million taels of silver, though it comes from the Gu family, the money is clean and untraceable. You can use it without worry."

The exoskeleton armor rubbed its hands together, laughing repeatedly: "You’re too kind, coming all this way with such generous gifts. If there’s anything you need, I, Old Ma, will not hesitate to risk fire and water."

Before and after the money, Ma Wangye’s enthusiasm was fully ignited.

It wasn’t his fault—the reason was that the Mo Family’s sequence was too costly.

From Zhao Qingxia’s own research and promotion to Ma Wangye’s maintenance and upgrades, every aspect was a voracious beast devouring gold without limit.

If they weren’t so destitute, they wouldn’t have risked so much last time to steal the six arts chips worth three million from Shu Dao Logistics.

"It’s nothing serious, no need for such drastic measures. I want to recommend someone into your Tianzhi Society, following the Mo Family sequence."

When Li Jun spoke these words, Ma Wangye’s fingers, already reaching for the bank card, recoiled as if shocked by electricity.

"There’s no problem with the Mo Family sequence, but the Tianzhi Society has its own rules. Not just anyone can join. What’s their identity?"

"Descendant of the Wu Dao Sect in Shu Land, from the Chu Wu Gate."

Ma Wangye crossed his arms, his tone slightly cold. "A martial arts sect. Are you trying to use the Tianzhi Society’s name to shelter someone?"

Li Jun admitted candidly: "Because of my connection, the Jin Yi Wei of Chengdu Mansion has set their sights on her. For both our sakes, I must take full responsibility."

Jin Yi Wei.

The red eyes in the helmet flickered uncertainly, and Ma Wangye pondered for a long time before slowly saying: "To be targeted by those jackals, this sect must have left something behind. If we shelter her, won’t we invite wolves into our home?"

"You’re not like that."

As he spoke, Li Jun looked at Zhao Qingxia.

The young man’s expression stirred, his neck stiffening as if to speak, but a mechanical palm clamped over his head.

"We indeed won’t covet others’ wealth, but this time the opponent is the Jin Yi Wei. Though they’ve declined, they’ve grown more vicious. Getting involved might bring us trouble."

Zhao Qingxia’s face flushed red, his expression struggling, his lips twitching nonstop, but he remained silent.

Ma Wangye pushed the bank card back toward Li Jun. "This time, we’re powerless. If you just want to enter the Mo Family sequence, I can help you for free."

"No room for negotiation?"

Ma Wangye’s reply was resolute. "We have the will but not the means."

Li Jun didn’t grow angry at their refusal, his face still bearing a faint smile.

There’s no hardship in the world that can’t be overcome with a price.

He slid the card back to Ma Wangye and said with a light laugh: "What if I add a little more?"

"...How much can you add?"

"Another card like this, delivered within a month."

With Qi Zhu’s abilities and the connections from Qian Hai, raising this amount in a month should be feasible.

"We’ve had many dealings, old friends. Last time in Mianzhou County, you risked your lives to aid me. This time, surely you won’t abandon me in my hour of need?"

Beneath the counter, where Li Jun couldn’t see, the exoskeleton armor’s ten exposed toes clenched tightly, and the hard tiles before him crumbled like tofu, leaving ten small pits.

"I have to say..." Ma Wangye sighed, then suddenly the red eyes blazed brightly, casting a red glow across the room. "You’ve got a sharp eye!"

"Our Mo Family’s creed, in short, is a single character: ‘Xia.’ We detest those imperial hounds the most!"

"Li Jun, bring that person here. Let’s see which blind Jin Yi Wei dares to lay a hand on her. I’ve been waiting for a chance to beat a drowning dog like this for ages."

This old bastard!

On the other side, Zhao Qingxia, ashamed, lowered his head, and the two short, finger-length jade swords were hidden back into his palms.

The azure blades burned with shame, too embarrassed to face anyone.

"I admire you most, Ma Wangye, for your old-fashioned chivalry!"

Li Jun clasped his hands in salute. "However, I’ll handle the Jin Yi Wei side. You just need to help her escape Chengdu Mansion when the situation turns dire."

"I’ll take care of it. You can rest assured."

After a while, Li Jun and Ma Wangye finalized the details of their exchange. Just before leaving, Li Jun suddenly turned back and asked: "By the way, how is that girl doing?"

"You mean Li Hua?"

The red eyes, flickering with excitement, dimmed for a moment. Then Ma Wangye’s voice rang out: "She’s been rescued and is recovering well. You needn’t worry."

Li Jun gave him a suspicious glance but didn’t dwell on it.

After a moment’s hesitation, Li Jun said: "I’ll have someone send more money. Please, Ma Wangye, craft a better body for her, preferably one that doesn’t differ too much from ordinary people. Load more survival skills to prevent her from starving to death when she returns."

Ma Wangye quickly agreed: "Leave that to me—it’s a small matter."

Li Jun nodded, and by then the iron wall at the shop entrance had risen. He no longer lingered, taking long strides away.

After a long while, assuming the person had already left.

Zhao Qingxia, who had been burying his head, finally shuffled over to the armor’s side and whispered: "Old Ma, if Li Jun finds out we’ve transformed Li Hua into that form, will he kill us?"

"What nonsense are you spouting? What do you mean by ‘ghostly form’?"

Ma Wangye snapped angrily.

The words had barely fallen when he suddenly startled, glancing toward the door before lowering his voice: "You brat, are you as clueless as me?!"

"Let me tell you, Li Hua’s compatibility with the Mo Family sequence isn’t inferior to yours. She’ll surely become a divine vessel like me in the future!"

"I’m just worried Li Jun might go berserk. He asked you to save her, not to use the ‘Ming Gui’ creation."

"Others don’t know yet, but you’re already plotting against me? Did you even help?"

Ma Wangye roared: "Besides, even if Li Jun found out, what could he do? This is Li Hua’s own will. What does it have to do with us? Besides, can’t the two of us combined defeat a martial artist?"

"Can we win?"

Ma Wangye's tone hesitated, "I think... it should be alright."