The Steward Demonic Emperor

Proofreader: Papatonks

“Now don’t get too excited. This right here is what I’m trading!”

Seeing the hunger in their eyes, as if he stole the juiciest morsel right from their mouth, Zhuo Fan gave a dry cough and reveal the main star of this deal, some pitch-black rock.

Wu Ranze weighed the odd rock in his hand, speaking in doubt, “And what is this supposed to be? Never seen it before. It doesn’t seem to have much use either. Our company never has things we can’t use. Sir, I recommend you put the North Sea Gel back on the table. I know our capital is limited and lacking, but it will soon be amended. We’ll sign an IOU as well if we have too. Our credibility has been carefully groomed for thousands of years…”

Zhuo Fan’s face twitched and grinned inside.

[He must really want that North Sea Gel with a passion to turn from an eminent gentleman into a street peddler, forgoing his status and his leverage.]

Zhuo Fan however had no intention of handing over, he had some research in mind for it. Maybe it was exactly what young Sanzi needed to wake up.

“Eldest young master, I’m sure you know what saving the best for last means. First I took out an 11th grade pill, then the North Sea Gel. But neither of them are part of the deal. Are you perhaps thinking the third item is lesser than the two?”

Shaking his head, Zhuo Fan gave a mocking smile, “The item I intend to trade is no less valuable than the North Sea Gel, scout’s honor.”

[You talk a mean game, saying you actually have something better than the priceless North Sea Gel.]

Wu Ranze gasped, then gave the plain, black rock a second look.

[True, everything he took out was better than the last. First was an 11th grade pill, the second was the North Sea Gel and lastly this thing. Maybe this black rock is better than the North Sea Gel, but we can’t see it?]

Wu Ranze got the rock to eye level and focused on it, using all his concentration to find anything that might betray its supposedly amazing value, only to come up empty.

[What the hell is this thing?]

Wu Ranze wore a constant frown, finally turning a perplexed look to Zhuo Fan.

“Try using Yuan Qi, the same you use when cultivating.”

Zhuo Fan grinned and lightly instructed.

Wu Ranze tried doing what he said and absorbed spiritual energy around.

The shock came in seconds. He was just giving it a casual try yet the rock’s seemingly infinite energy surge into his body.

Moreover, unlike spirit stones or even sacred stones, what he got from this was Yuan Qi that blended with his. It cleansed his meridians as the energy traveled on the way to his Dantian, filling it with power.

In a mere blink, the black rock vanished, while his body was filled to the brim with Yuan Qi, so much so his meridians were aching. He was on the verge of advancing.

Wu Ranze was dumbstruck in his seat, trying to blink away the fog…

Any cultivator worth his salt knew the sacred stones and spirit stones were first emptied of spiritual energy then had that energy turned into Yuan Qi to train. It was a time-consuming process, taking hours, days and even years.

This was where this black rock came in, cutting the time to zero by feeding the boy pure Yuan Qi. In case of a fight, this rock would make one’s Yuan Qi reserves endless, giving one supreme advantage.

While in terms of cultivation, it saved tons of time. Just that little pebble he absorbed translated into half a month of constant sacred stone usage.

What was more, the Yuan Qi he got was the same obtained through usual practice. Through the process of taking the spiritual energy from a sacred stone or a spirit stone, most of it would be cast away, keeping only what the user needed before turning it into his own Yuan Qi.

Unlike the common convention, this black rock had fully usable Yuan Qi.

It would make advancing so much easier since it added an extra oomph which made a whole difference when pushing through to the next level.

Wu Ranze’s mind was overwhelmed from shock and fear. This small thing was a game changer. It could speed up cultivation tremendously.

The old man was looking puzzled, having not felt it to believe it, “Eldest young master, what’s wrong? Is it any good?”

“Not just good, but perfect!”

Wu Ranze’s eyes shone with an even hotter gaze on Zhuo Fan, “Sir, what is this and how many do you have?”

Giving a devil smile, Zhuo Fan drawled, “It is the demon spirit stone, from Serenity Vein. In the entire world, you won’t find a second person to have it. As for the amount, ha-ha-ha, as much as you want. Well, is it worth it? Is it a huge deal?”

“Sir is without a doubt amazing. This deal is beyond huge!”

Wu Ranze’s brow shook, his eyes blazing with excitement, “The North Sea Gel is only great at healing, but the demon spirit stone can revolutionize cultivation as we know it. It can greatly increase one’s cultivation, but its greatest asset is to guarantee one’s life. I know understand what sir meant by being better than the North Sea Gel. Although, my only wish is for sir to keep it that way.”

Catching his drift, Zhuo Fan gave him a long look, “Why, planning on having a monopoly on it?”

“Exactly. As sir is the sole owner of this stone, with our company’s deep connection throughout the lands, you’ll earn the most with us acting as middlemen. Sir has only to gain from a cooperation with us.”

“Then about my deal…”

“Consider it done!”

“And the city lord…”

“A foregone conclusion!”

Wu Ranze waved off all of Zhuo Fan’s doubts, his face solemn, “All we need from sir is constant cooperation with us. You, sir, are our most noble customer. Everything can be resolved, our company willing to solve all of sir’s issues.”

Zhuo Fan nodded with a chuckle, “Great, then I shall take my leave and wait for eldest young master’s good news.”

Zhuo Fan got up to leave.

“Wait!”

Wu Ranze cried out, still smiling, “Just how many does sir have? Could sir offer some? I still need to convince my father and the city lord…”

“Afraid I’m bluffing?”

“Ha-ha-ha, no, not at all. Just…”

“A hundred thousand, but I must have first pick of all the goods you got from all the lands in exchange for it.” Zhuo Fan seemed to struggle as he talked.

Wu Ranze nodded, “Sure, that settles it. Here’s the highest commercial card, sir. Wherever you may go, our company’s assets will be at sir’s disposal. Only five such cards have been handed out, with sir’s being the sixth.”

“Five?”

“The leaders of every land has the right to own one since war is costly and we’d be helping them in times of need.” Wu Ranze beamed.

Zhuo Fan gave him a look.

[So they’re into war finance as well.] Not that he cared, since it was all the same to him, so he held out his ring, “Eldest young master, here are a hundred thousand demon spirit stones. I’ll await the good news.”

“Rest assured, sir!”

Bam!

The two rings clinked and the transfer finished. Wu Ranze got his rocks and Zhuo Fan got some shiny golden card, taking his leave with Gu Santong on his back.

Wu Ranze and the old man walked him out well beyond the reception. The other guests there was stunned, then gave Zhuo Fan astonishing looks.

[Who’s he, to have even the eldest young master show him out? Out of even the reception?! Eldest young master only ever walked even the most important customers to the reception, but today…]

“Eldest young master, second young master was beaten up outside the company!”

Someone was running towards Wu Ranze and whispered, while second young master was being carried over by some guards.

Not sparing him a glance, Wu Ranze spoke, “No matter, he asked for it. Keep an eye on him from now on, make sure he doesn’t disturb the customers.”

He then walked back to Zhuo Fan, all smiles, “Sir, I asked for a room to be ready for you. If it’s not up to sir’s standards, please mention it to the tavern and the whole of Goldbough City will be at your disposal. I need to talk about our deal with my father and won’t be able to accompany you for the following days. I ask sir to be patient.”

Zhuo Fan nodded, finding it a waste of time to talk to a man with no soul.

“Who are you? You dared to ambush me? Fight me like a man!” A roar resounded in the hall.

Zhuo Fan paused and turned to second young master.

Wu Ranze was the fastest to shout at him, “Brother, stop making a scene! You’re disturbing the customers. Father will deal with you. Did you forget already what happened three years ago…”

“It’s because I can’t that I loathe these grand customers more!” Second young master pointed at Zhuo Fan and screamed, “Duel me if you have the guts! I, Wu Randong won’t fall so fast the second time!”

Wuran Dong?

Zhuo Fan cocked an eyebrow, then grinned as he lightly stepped outside with the same old man attending to him.

Wu Ranze signaled the guards to take his screaming brother towards a lofty manor…