Chapter 59: Cutting Off Tang San's Crystal Deal
After dealing with Dai Mubai, Luo Ling turned his gaze toward Tang San.
"Are you planning to fight me too?" he asked, his eyes sharp and assessing.
Tang San's expression darkened. The man before him had defeated Dai Mubai effortlessly—and Tang San wasn't even Dai Mubai's match.
"I just didn't want you to hurt Xiao Wu…" Tang San finally forced out after a long pause.
"Oh? Is that so?" Luo Ling's tone was calm but carried a trace of amusement.
"Forget it. I don't want there to be a next time," he said, shaking his head. He wasn't interested in pointless conflict.
Turning away, he softened his expression again. "Since everything's settled, let's head back."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded but her mood was dim.
"Don't you have something to say to me?" Xiao Wu suddenly called out.
Luo Ling stopped and glanced back at her, then looked once at Tang San before saying meaningfully, "Don't forget what I once told you."
Without another word, he led Zhu Zhuqing up to the third floor.
At their room doors, Luo Ling didn't ask about her history with Dai Mubai.
"Would you like to hear my story?" Zhu Zhuqing asked quietly just as he was about to enter his room.
Luo Ling paused, turning back with a gentle smile. "If you wish to share, I'm all ears."
…
Half an hour later.
In her room, Luo Ling listened to Zhu Zhuqing finish her story, his expression one of polite surprise—the perfect act. In reality, he already knew everything about her and Dai Mubai.
"So, the competition for Star Luo Empire's throne is really that fierce, huh?" Luo Ling sighed.
Zhu Zhuqing didn't reply, keeping silent.
"And now what?" Luo Ling continued. "You plan to rely on that coward Dai Mubai?"
His voice dripped with disdain.
A flicker of uncertainty flashed in her eyes. She had traveled all the way to Soto City to find Dai Mubai, only to see him dragging two women into a hotel and brawling over a room.
And after that, he'd lost to Luo Ling and fled without dignity.
Could she really depend on a man like that to help her win?
"Why let others decide your destiny?" Luo Ling's voice interrupted her thoughts.
She froze, lifting her eyes to meet his.
His crimson irises glowed softly in the moonlight—beautiful, but dangerously deep.
"Dai Mubai chose to run from his fate," he said quietly. "You can choose to abandon yours as well. No one is born to live according to someone else's plan."
As Luo Ling spoke, the Soul of Desire worked silently, his words sinking deep into her heart.
Zhu Zhuqing sat in silence for a long time. When she finally looked up again, Luo Ling was already at the door.
"If you ever wish to escape that fate," he said as he turned, "come find me. The Star Luo Empire won't be able to touch you."
With that, he left.
…
The next morning, Luo Ling headed out alone.
Zhu Zhuqing was still asleep—perhaps trying to process everything that had happened the previous night.
Leaving the Rose Hotel, Luo Ling walked purposefully toward a certain location—
the shop where Tang San would soon acquire the crystalline material used for his hidden weapon, the Dragon Beard Needle.
Luo Ling had no intention of letting him get it.
Fifteen minutes later, he arrived at the small shop.
The door was open, but the light inside was dim.
Inside, a lanky man in his fifties reclined in a rocking chair, spectacles perched on his nose.
Luo Ling recognized him immediately—Flandre, one of the Golden Iron Triangle and headmaster of Shrek Academy.
Ignoring him, Luo Ling swept the shop with his spiritual power until his attention landed on a human-head-sized crystal in the corner.
"I'll take this one. How much?" he asked, picking it up.
"One hundred gold soul coins," Flandre said lazily from his chair.
Luo Ling didn't hesitate. He set down the coins, took the crystal, and turned to leave.
Flandre blinked in surprise, staring at the pile of gold coins on the table, then at Luo Ling's retreating back.
Of all people, he knew best how worthless the items in his shop were. He had quoted a ridiculous price, yet someone had paid without question.
Did I misjudge it? Could that crystal actually be valuable? he wondered.
Just then, another voice called out.
"Friend, would you sell that crystal to me?"
Flandre's eyes widened, and Luo Ling turned around in mild surprise.
It was Tang San—with Xiao Wu by his side.
He had expected to intercept the crystal, but meeting its destined buyer in person was an unexpected bonus.
Tang San's eyes gleamed with excitement as he stared at the crystal in Luo Ling's hands.
A hair crystal!
The perfect material for crafting the Dragon Beard Needle.
Even in his former life in the Tang Sect, materials like this were a rarity. Finding it here was beyond luck.
But his face tightened when he realized who held it.
Luo Ling gazed back with a faint smile.
"What a coincidence."
Tang San forced a strained smile. "Yes… quite the coincidence. We met last night, but I never got your name."
"Luo Ling," he replied simply.
"Brother Luo Ling, that crystal in your hand… would you consider selling it to me?" Tang San asked carefully. "I like the color—it's rather special. Perhaps we could negotiate a price?"
He was betting that Luo Ling didn't know its true value.
"Oh? You're Tang San, right? Then tell me—how much are you offering for my crystal?" Luo Ling asked casually.
"Fifty gold soul coins?" Tang San suggested tentatively.
"Fifty?" Luo Ling's tone cooled. "I paid a hundred for it. You think you can buy it for half?"
Tang San looked embarrassed and quickly amended, "Apologies, I didn't know you'd paid a hundred. Please—name your price."
Luo Ling studied him for a moment, smirking inwardly but maintaining a thoughtful expression.
After a pause, he said lightly, "Since you're asking, I'll sell it for Xiao Wu's sake. Twenty thousand gold soul coins."
"If you can bring that amount, it's yours."
Tang San's face froze, and even Xiao Wu's jaw dropped in disbelief.
"Brother Luo Ling, surely you're joking? You bought it for a hundred and want to sell it for twenty thousand?"
"Is there a problem?" Luo Ling asked evenly.
Tang San's smile stiffened. "Brother Luo Ling, our meeting last night wasn't exactly pleasant, but surely you don't need to cheat me like this."
Luo Ling chuckled softly and shook his head.
"Oh, Little San, you really shouldn't say that. Who's cheating who here?"
"You honestly think I don't know what this crystal is?"
"This," Luo Ling said, his red eyes gleaming faintly, "is a Banjing Hair Crystal—a rare, priceless material. If you thought you could swindle me… I'm afraid you picked the wrong target."
(END CHAPTER)
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