The door to this posh guest room on the second floor was suddenly opened, and two Lionhearts, one tall and one short, came striding in. Neither was being courteous, acting as if they were in their own homes.
The taller Lionheart wore a metal mask on his face; he was a warrior who towered with his height of nearly five meters! His weight was not lower than 700 pounds!
Solomon’s owner was a Lionheart, so the rooms were built exceptionally large, but despite this, this newcomer still needed to lower his head slightly when he barged in, looking somewhat awkward.
The young Lionheart beside him was not a stranger. It was in fact the very same one he had saved in the desert, Heinrich, the one whom Xia Fei had given two tight slaps in his anger. Could he have brought his father to come find him?
“Isn’t it just one million grade 4 Origin Crystals? I, Heathfield, will take it!” the huge Lionheart warrior declared loudly. His voice was vigorous, and every word he uttered seemed to make the glass windows shake.
The owner Ricki hastily stood up, walking over to say, “Welcome, planet master! Please accept my sincerest apologies for not receiving you earlier.”
Heathfield gave a slight nod before pointing to Xia Fei. “Is that him?”
Heinrich nodded lightly, his eyes somewhat uncertain.
Xia Fei was a little taken aback by the sudden entrance. His finger edged close to his spatial ring. This Lionheart warrior in front of him was majestic, and his cultivation must be decent. The ensuing battle if they did clash would definitely be grueling. Given how his injuries had yet to heal fully, and his ribs were still aching, Xia Fei should not be fighting with anyone at this time.
Ricky had no idea what was going on, so he took two steps back hesitantly, unsure what he should do.
All of a sudden, Heathfield took off his mask and revealed his true face!
It was the face of a wild lion! A single cross-shaped scar was scored across his left cheek, and that menacing face only made him look all the more ferocious!
For some reason, Xia Fei felt that this face was very familiar.
“There’s no need to be so tense. The Lionhearts would never reveal their true faces to outsiders, so not only does he have no ill intent, he’s actually showing you the utmost respect.” Lionheart Emperor Oro quietly informed Xia Fei of this. The great Demon Oro’s voice was apparently targeted, impossible for others to hear him as he directed it only to Xia Fei.
Sure enough, Heathfield bowed to Xia Fei after he took off his mask, his attitude solemn.
“Heinrich is my only son. I’m grateful for you rescuing him!”
Xia Fei heaved a sigh as he hurriedly offered words of courtesy, stating that it was not much of a problem. Ricky was elated, inviting the father and son to take a seat inside, as well as ordering his people to send over some refreshments.
Now that he knew of the reason, Ricky was even more full of praise toward Xia Fei. He was but an average Lionheart, while Heathfield was of the Lionheart Royalty, so he was considered his master.
Just like anywhere else in the Law Realm, Ricky was no longer part of the clan after he chose the route of mercantilism, which was why he did not even bother to wear a mask. There was actually hardly any Lionheart staying in Black Lion City or the entire planet for the matter. That was why Heathfield took care of Ricky and did not despise his position.
Xia Fei had saved Heathfield’s son, and Ricky was very grateful for that.
“That’s not all! Heinrich even promised me to head to the Royal Wild Lion Star Academy to study hard, thereby fulfilling my long-cherished wish!” Heathfield said excitedly.
“That’s great news! Well worth celebrating!” Ricky hurriedly called, stating that he would send a grand gift for Heinrich, causing the shy youth to feel very embarrassed.
“Star Academy? That’s a royal college exclusive to direct descendants. Can you ask Heathfield what family he belongs to among the royals?” Lionheart Emperor Oro spoke directly to Xia Fei’s ears.
Thus, Xia Fei placed his palm over his fist respectfully and said, “Planet master, it’s truly a great affair that the young master is keen to learn. I heard that the Wild Lion Star Academy is exclusive to the royals, so it turns out the planet master is of such noble birth.
Before Heathfield could answer, Ricky spoke first. “The young man is being impolite. The planet master is still an orthodox descendant of the Lionheart royalty, of the Golden Lion Emperor’s bloodline. This isn’t something that we people can just casually inquire after.”
Xia Fei nodded, still unsure if the Golden Lion Emperor bloodline was the same as Oro’s.
“Huh, so Heathfield is actually my descendant…” Lionheart Emperor Oro softly remarked.
Xia Fei wanted to laugh but did not dare to do so. This pair of father and son was actually the great-great-great-great-grandson of the old Demonlord Oro. Several hours ago, it had been Oro who wanted to leave his own grandson for dead. What more could have been said?
If not for Xia Fei ignoring his words of anger and saving the youth, Oro would most likely be filled with regret after learning the fact.
Heathfield’s eyes stared straight at Xia Fei. Just like his ancestor Oro, his two eyes were completely demonic, and Xia Fei’s heart shuddered when their gazes met.
“Heinrich is my only son, and my wife passed away after giving birth to him. Having been spoiled by me ever since young, he became such a pampered child. I have no idea what you did to bring some sense into Heinrich’s head, but I truly have to express my heartfelt gratitude toward what you did for me this time,” Heathfield said solemnly.
Xia Fei responded, “I merely reminded the young master about the responsibility that he shoulders. Since he is of royal birth, he of course has to bear the honor of his clan. Actually, I am just an external factor. What matters is that the young master himself has the determination to strive.”
By cleverly insinuating that his impact had been as light as a dragonfly skipping across pond water, Xia Fei had credited Heinrich’s own sense as the main factor, playing down the shame of him having been the subject of a robbery, and in doing so, he secretly uplifted Heathfield and his son without a trace.
Xia Fei’s eyes inadvertently swiveled over to that spatial compass placed on the table. The sooner he could get hold of it, the sooner he could return to the Alliance and meet Avril. He had no intention of staying around Demon territory for long.
Heathfield smiled. “Ricky, are you trying to pull a fast one again? Young man, you may not be aware, but though Ricky appears to be very honest and diligent in his business dealings, and what he sells are items of great value, there will actually be several conditions attached if you really buy it, for the final price will make you vomit blood. Careful that you don’t get fooled by him!”
Xia Fei furrowed his brows. He initially thought that the price tag of ninety thousand grade 4 Origin Crystals for a 100 series Precision Edition spatial compass made by the Fig Corporation was too cheap. It turned out that there really were some loopholes!
Though Ricky was a shrewd businessman, he knew how to separate family and business. Since Xia Fei had done a good deed for Black City’s planet master, of course he did not dare to try and trick Xia Fei again.
“Actually, the tricks are just what merchants will usually do. Take that spatial compass for example. The hardest aspect of an unregistered spatial compass isn’t in its acquisition but rather on how to set up an anonymous account. After all, using the compass will require currency, and one without an account is as good as useless. It will be no more than a chunk of metal; if you try to establish a legitimate account, you’ll have to get it registered, and that means getting tracked, rendering it useless.
“It’s not just me; even other merchants will sell the accounts and the compasses apart, so if the planet master didn’t grace us with his presence today, this young man will surely end up spending somewhere around 300,000 to 400,000.”
Xia Fei sweated. This was truly shrewd. He would at most expect a price north of 200,000, so Ricky was a lot more unscrupulous than he pegged him as, daring to go up to 400,000!
After a pause, Ricky said, “Since the planet master is here today and considering that you, young man, have saved the life of the young master, you’re a benefactor to our clan, including me. Let’s not waste any more words. This 100 series Precision Edition spatial compass, as well as an anonymous bank account linked to a standard bank, along with ten thousand grade 4 Origin Crystals in the said account, I’ll be gifting everything to you, young man, today!”
Though he had said this so readily, the reality was hardly the situation. The shrewd merchant Ricky was a smart individual, so he of course had done his own calculations.
Logically speaking, Xia Fei was bound to reject this offer. After all, this compass was top grade and was an expensive item. Most people would not just accept such huge gifts outright for no reason.
The moment Xia Fei made his first rejection, Ricky would swiftly use the favorable conditions to act. Claiming to be willing to accept only the principal amount, which would see a profit of ten or twenty thousand grade 4 Origin Crystals. This would at least be enough to give the planet master some face; Heathfield would then be grateful to Ricky, seeing it as the latter’s loyalty to the former and the clan, with Ricky not earning much from this transaction at hand. It was practically killing two birds with one stone.
Unfortunately, Ricky did not know Xia Fei well. Who was Xia Fei? He was someone who would heartlessly devour anyone with his gluttony nature when given the chance!
Xia Fei’s eyes darted and he got up, performing a bow toward Ricky. “It is difficult for you to show such kindness, so since Ricky has done such a loving gesture, I will gladly accept your goodwill.”
*Crash*
The atmosphere in that room instantly went awry. Heathfield did his utmost to suppress his laughter, while the golden furry face of Ricky turned completely red. Never could he have imagined that Xia Fei would actually accept his words of courtesy!
This was the precious 100 series Precision Edition spatial compass made by Fig Corporation, a top-grade item among top-notch products, the treasure of Solomon’s trading firm! To think Xia Fei had actually accepted it as a gift! He did not even hesitate to accept it to boot! This made it seem like Ricky was the one in a rush to present it to Xia Fei for free!
How could this be acceptable? This was truly a case of shooting oneself in the foot, and it was a miracle that his heart did not collapse right there and then!
Getting up, Xia Fei arrogantly walked over to the table and stored the compass into his spatial ring. Phantom was rolling on the floor, laughing, breathless. Even the Great Demonlord Oro chuckled over what Xia Fei had just done. In this calculation between shrewd merchants, it was apparent that the even shrewder Xia Fei had come out on top.
Actually, Xia Fei was not even feeling a bit guilty about what he had just done, and the only one to blame was Ricky for attempting to pull a fast one on him, selling the spatial compass and the linked account separately. This was no more than a little lesson for him to assume everyone could be schemed on. There just happened to be people like Xia fei who would be just as obstinate.
If anyone planned to trick Xia Fei, he would show them what it truly meant to play! It would then be about who could treat the other lighter.
He turned around, only to see the greening expression of Ricky as the latter was unable to go back on his word in front of the planet master. As such, all the latter could do was take this punch to the gut and curse Xia Fei in his mind.
Returning to his seat, Xia Fei flashed the merchant an earnest expression. “I really do feel awkward getting boss Ricky to splurge on me so much. I feel truly ashamed.”
Ricky ground his teeth, thinking to himself, ‘Why is it that I feel you’re not in the least bit embarrassed?’
Changing the topic, Xia Fei casually stated, “I’ll have to trouble Ricky to message me the account information for that standard bank before I leave. After all, this compass can’t be of use without it.”
Ricky felt his heart seize, knowing that he had completely been outplayed here. He had chalked up astronomical losses this time, and all he could feel was anguish. Such pain that pierced his very bones!
“Ah… t-that,” Ricky clenched his teeth as he forcefully said, “I’ll go get someone to retrieve the bank card.”
“Cough!”
Heathfield could no longer hold it in and burst into an uproarious laughter, which only made Ricky’s heart sour again.
“Great! I’ll host a big feast tonight to entertain both Ricky and this young man here,” Heathfield breezily said. “Plus, I’d like to have that darkness metal weapon for one million grade 4 Origin Crystals. I hope that the young man won’t find the amount too little.”
Xia Fei only wanted to take the money and leave. After all, he was pining for Avril quite badly.
Just as he was about to reject his kindness, Lionheart Emperor Oro’s voice rang in his ears again. “Agree to his offer. Don’t forget the most important purpose for us being here. Aside from the spatial compass, we also need to merge the Immemorial Mystical Armament, and without my descendant here to help you, there’s no way that you can gather all the items you need by yourself.”
