Ripped Off! . . .
"Oh, I understand that parting with great wealth can be difficult. I was just suggesting... Simply show me some kindness. Give me whatever amount you deem appropriate. Well, it should be at least sufficient to feed my people. I don't wish to see my followers perish due to starvation," Feng Monarch stated. "Furthermore, you won't require the money in the future. It can perfectly resolve my current predicament. I need it while you don't. What a wonderful arrangement."
"Well... very well," Xiu-Er thought that she should provide him with some funds. Feng Monarch had claimed that he had no confidence without money, and without confidence, he couldn't produce high-quality dan. How could she refuse him money? So she hesitantly said, "I will dispatch someone with one billion. How does that sound?"
Feng Monarch's countenance darkened suddenly. He was dissatisfied. "What did you say? One billion? Just that? Are you belittling me? That's hurtful! I set aside my pride and asked for money. Is this what you offer? What can I accomplish with it? Absolutely not. This is so demeaning. I believe I've lost my confidence entirely now..."
Ling Wuxie sighed, gazing at the sky.
He finally grasped that Feng Monarch had summoned them today for money!
One billion was beneath him...
Anybody would accept such humiliation! Absolutely everyone!
They would gladly accept that level of humiliation!
"How much do you require then? We definitely don't have trillions!" Xiu of the Heavens ground her teeth.
"Oh, you don't possess trillions? Just give me a sum, then. I won't find it lacking. I only need money for sustenance, honestly," Feng Monarch smiled.
Xiu of the Heavens truly wanted to give him a good kick. "You said you needed money for sustenance, and you claimed that receiving one billion was humiliating... Now you're saying you won't consider it insufficient. What exactly do you want?"
But she couldn't mention one billion again. She hesitated because she couldn't determine an appropriate amount. They genuinely wouldn't require money in the future. Upon returning to the higher realm, money in this world would be meaningless. It would merely take up space in their quarters. She decided to offer more... Eventually, as she was about to speak...
Wan-Er whispered, "Feng Monarch is correct. We won't need the money any longer... We can't bring it back to the Human Realm Upon Heavens, can we? Let's simply provide him with all ten billion. We won't save a penny then... Allow the others to determine their own paths for the remainder of their lives. They are all prosperous and capable. They won't starve."
Xiu-Er breathed a sigh of relief. She responded, "You're correct! Feng Monarch is our friend. In any case, money is inconsequential when compared to our relationships..."
She thought, 'That was a close call! I was on the brink of suggesting fifty billion...'
Cha Eun Xiao was taken aback. He gazed at Wan of the Clouds.
'That girl is incredibly clever.'
'She said they're giving away the entire sum.'
'Who knows how much they genuinely have? They can simply declare any amount.'
'And she mocked me, saying, "Allow the others to determine their own paths for the remainder of their lives. They are all prosperous and capable. They won't starve anyway..."'
'Since she put it that way, I can't be brazen enough to demand the entire sum, can I?'
"I have to leave some for you, don't I?" Cha Eun Xiao laughed and clapped his hands, his spirits lifted. He spoke in a reassuring tone, "Excellent! Lady Wan-Er is remarkably decisive! Friends should help one another, indeed! It's a deal! We'll go with ten billion then! This will ensure my men at least have some food to eat. I won't worry any longer. My confidence is restored! I stand a slightly better chance of producing more dan beads at a faster pace. What this lady has done is truly generous and supportive. Your wisdom shines through."
Wan-Er was infuriated.
"Asshole! He actually took all the money and indirectly criticized me! Of course, I understand that. This isn't a compliment, but a rebuke!"
"I see it now. This guy knows we're leaving. We won't need the money anymore, and he's using the dan-making business to pressure us. He'll take as much as he can from us! He won't stop."
Realizing this, Wan-Er subtly signaled Xiu-Er, who understood the message.
Xiu-Er furrowed her brow and whispered, "Feng Monarch, isn't this a bit unethical? This is all we have left. If we give it all to you, what will happen to our men? They've been with us for so many years, and now they get nothing in return. That's not fair. How about this, we'll keep..."
"Right! You're right about me. I completely forgot how to be a decent person as fortune landed in my lap. My mistake! How could I forget that?" Cha Eun Xiao clapped and laughed, interrupting Xiu of the Heavens.
The women sensed that something was amiss and stared at him.
"That was my blunder. You're correct. You're leaving, so you won't need the money, right? Besides, you have many men to support, right? They've been part of the House of the Chaotic Storms, and they must have made many enemies outside. When you depart, they'll lose their powerful backing. They'll face a multitude of problems. You won't be pleased to see that, will you?"
Cha Eun Xiao clapped his hands and held his chest, attempting to appear magnanimous. "No problems at all. Just take it easy! I'll still be in this world! Send your men to me! They can follow me! I won't let them suffer! They'll have food and drinks, and a happy, long life!"
"Anyone who dares to bully my men will meet their demise! In fact, I offered the bounty this time, spending everything I have to enhance Ling-Bao Hall's reputation. I want to ensure that no one messes with Ling-Bao Hall! No one will dare to harm any of my men!"
"I believe you can all trust me on that. I'm loyal to my friends! As long as they pledge allegiance to me, they'll be well-fed! They'll share in my joy! So don't worry. Just relax and send them to me! Nothing to fret over! You can rest easy!"
Wan-Er and Xiu-Er were left speechless, staring at Feng Monarch in disbelief. They felt utterly dizzy, even as if they might spit out blood!