I Am Deadly Poor! . . .
"It takes money to issue those warrants! Everything costs money! Good service requires a significant amount of money! We're selling everything we can to raise enough funds for that bounty! We're enduring incredibly frugal days for this... I truly have no money left. I don't mind if you tease me or not. I've actually borrowed a considerable sum... We're all down to just one meal a day to save money. Just one! And it's plain porridge every day! Not even with side dishes..." Feng Monarch continued to speak, even though he hardly believed what he was saying himself.
Nevertheless, it sounded plausible!
"Really?" House of the Chaotic Storms had abandoned all their previous plans and weren't particularly interested in events outside the bamboo forest. They had been secluded in there for a long time, unaware of the developments.
They were clueless about the bounty placed on Ling-Bao Hall.
"I see," Xiu of the Heavens nodded and inquired, "May I ask you something, though? You've endured genuine financial hardship to save money and even borrowed some. How much money did you manage to secure, precisely?"
"Well... In total..." Feng Monarch blinked, "Well, it's roughly... five hundred billion..."
- Puff! -
Wan-Er, who was sipping tea, spat it out as soon as she heard the number. It sprayed across Feng Monarch's face. She choked, "Ahem... Cough, cough, cough..."
Xiu-Er and Ling Wuxie were rendered speechless. They simply stared at this audacious Monarch without uttering a word!
[Good Lord... What on earth... He actually amassed five hundred billion...]
The three of them felt as though ten thousand alpacas were stampeding through their hearts.
[How does someone so brazenly live in this world...]
[None of us can compete with him in a brazenness contest!]
"Damn it!" Ling Wuxie couldn't hold back any longer. He finally voiced what he'd been keeping inside!
Loud and clear!
He couldn't tolerate it any longer...
"You're incredibly skilled at saving money, aren't you!" Ling Wuxie exclaimed, his breath becoming short.
Xiu-Er glared at Feng Zhiling and sneered, "Impressive. Ling-Bao Hall is experiencing such dire straits, and Feng Monarch, the most renowned individual in the universe, is allegedly going through tough times. You say you've borrowed money. Do you also need assistance from House of the Chaotic Storms?"
It was dripping with sarcasm. Everyone knew that.
Five hundred billion! How could he be short on money?
However, to their amazement, after Xiu-Er posed the question, Feng Monarch responded with gratitude.
He seized Xiu-Er's hand and shook it warmly. "Thank you! Thank you so very much... Lady Xiu-Er, you're a generous and compassionate lady. Please support me! I'm so destitute. I genuinely lack funds! They say one can't accomplish anything without money. That's so true..."
As he spoke, he sighed. "I never envisioned ending up in such a predicament... Goodness. Lady Xiu-Er, you're so kind. I've always believed there are more good-hearted people than malevolent ones... Oh, right! How could I forget! You and Master Bai are departing. I assume you won't return to this rural area, correct? House of the Chaotic Storms will likely be disbanded. Money will become meaningless to you as well... Right... That's correct. Why not just give it all to me? I wouldn't mind. You know, when I'm out of money, my confidence wanes. Without confidence, I can't produce quality dan! You're intelligent people. You understand, don't you?"
"Ahaha... Finally, someone has appeared to resolve my predicament. You're my savior, Lady Xiu-Er. When will the money come my way? House of the Chaotic Storms is a formidable organization. Surely you can provide me with trillions, right? Unlike Ling-Bao Hall, we can't even muster five hundred billion. We've had to sell everything and endure hunger for it."
"Oh, right. You mentioned that I ruined the dan beads because I lacked bottles to protect them. The next time you visit, please remember to bring more of these bottles. You see, my confidence has already returned..."
Xiu-Er's hand was tightly gripped by Feng Monarch. She was taken aback!
And she wasn't alone.
Ling Wuxie and Wan-Er were equally stunned...
In their minds, Ling Wuxie, and even Wan-Er, couldn't help but exclaim, "What the heck!"
It was a resounding shout within the confines of their minds!
There were no other words that could accurately convey their feelings at this moment.
"How shameless can one be to utter such words?"
"As the wealthiest individual in the world, he's staging such a scene with such audacity. It's... embarrassing!"
Xiu of the Heavens never anticipated that her casual remark would lead to this predicament. Now her hand was held hostage, and she was at a loss.
"Who told you our money would be meaningless?"
"We are an organization capable of shaking the world and toppling a kingdom with ease. Do you have any idea how much we would require for severance pay upon our departure? Yes, we are leaving. We should at least provide some financial support to those who have been working for us, don't you think? Besides... even if we genuinely no longer require the money..."
"Why should we give it to you?"
"Trillions? Do you think we're as foolish as you, squandering money like that? A bounty?"
Xiu-Er was stunned. She inquired, "Feng Monarch, are you... are you joking?"
Feng Monarch was taken aback. "What? Why would I jest about something so serious concerning myself? That's money! Money that could sustain generations! I am completely serious. Examine my eyes. Can you detect any lack of seriousness in them?"
It was no laughing matter. Wan Zhenghao had been drained. How could Feng Monarch let go of such a generous benefactor?
Xiu-Er furrowed her brows and glanced at Wan-Er, conveying through her eyes, 'What should I do?'
Wan-Er rolled her eyes, pretending she hadn't seen her.
'In such a bind, I'd rather remain silent and let you handle it on your own,' Wan-Er thought.
'What if I say something wrong, and Feng Monarch seizes the opportunity to make more demands...'
'Even if he doesn't ask for more, what if he tries to grab my hand as well? I think it's unwise to provoke this man right now. I have to be more cautious than you, sister.'
"Feng Monarch, you see... we don't actually have a significant amount of money. Trillions are far beyond our means..." Xiu-Er tried to extricate her hand as she spoke.