Shang Yazi left with a heart full of concerns.
Before departing, he told Fang Yuan that this matter was of great importance and needed careful consideration.
As long as he was willing to consider it, that meant they were already close to success.
Fang Yuan had already seen through this man and knew the matter was as good as done. When the time came, he could even raise the price once more.
Of course, Shang Yazi was currently hesitating, so under no circumstances should he be provoked by a price increase.
Once Shang Yazi made up his mind, well, at that point adding another charge would be as easy as pie.
Two days later, Shang Yazi appeared before Fang Yuan once more, his face gaunt and haggard.
"I agree. The deal is made, just as you described!" He clenched his teeth, his expression wavering for a long time before the words finally left his mouth.
"Trust me — one day you'll remember this decision for the rest of your life! Here, have some wine." Fang Yuan smiled and poured Shang Yazi a cup.
Shang Yazi raised the cup and drained it in one gulp.
"What the hell kind of trash wine is this!" After finishing, he furrowed his brow tightly and cursed.
"It's the cheapest rice wine available. Young Master, I certainly don't have money for anything better," Fang Yuan said with a light chuckle.
"You'll have money soon enough. Haaah…" Shang Yazi let out a heavy, turbid breath.
During his deliberation before, his thoughts had waged fierce inner battle, causing him tremendous anguish. But now that the decision was truly made, his entire body relaxed.
"Fine, I've prepared the agreement. Take a look." Fang Yuan handed over a document.
Shang Yazi had only glanced at it when his eyes bulged in fury, staring daggers at Fang Yuan. He slammed the table and roared, "Nine hundred fifty thousand? You've raised the price again! Last time you said eight hundred thousand — it's only been a few days and you've jacked it up by one hundred fifty thousand?! Do you think I'm made of money?! Bastard! Do you think my Yuan Stones are stolen?!"
Fang Yuan remained perfectly at ease, wearing a faint smile. "Three full days have passed. The price naturally goes up. It's not like you didn't know."
The veins on Shang Yazi's forehead bulged as he shot to his feet. "Do you take me for someone you can bully? I don't have that much money! You're asking nine hundred fifty thousand for a mere legacy — have you lost your mind?!"
"Easy now, don't get so angry — it's bad for your health, Young Master. This isn't some trivial little legacy. It concerns your position as Young Master. Think about it: the annual performance review. One Young Master gets eliminated every single year. How many people down below are itching for that spot?" Fang Yuan's tone was leisurely and unhurried.
The moment he heard "Young Master position," Shang Yazi's explosive rage instantly deflated.
Reading his expression, Fang Yuan could tell that nine hundred fifty thousand was probably pushing things too far, exceeding his absolute limit. So he took a step back. "Fine, fine. Let's make it nine hundred thousand Yuan Stones. Consider it a favor to you."
Shang Yazi slowly sat back down.
He had only held the position for one year, and between managing his duties and the upcoming review, the Yuan Stones that had actually ended up in his personal coffers numbered only a little over four hundred thousand.
Without question, this transaction would mean an entire year of painstaking accumulation, gone down the drain. The modest fortune he had painstakingly scraped together would all vanish.
But it concerned his position as Young Master. He had no choice but to swallow his pride and accept.
He was silent for a moment, then finally nodded. "Nine hundred thousand Yuan Stones, then. But I don't trust a paper agreement. We need to swear an oath — using a Poison Oath Gu!"
A flicker of hesitation appeared on Fang Yuan's face.
"What, are you afraid? Without a Poison Oath Gu, how can I be sure you won't run off with the money? This is non-negotiable!" Shang Yazi's attitude was resolute.
Fang Yuan had, in fact, anticipated that this might happen.
"If that's the case, then I'll go first." Fang Yuan extended his left hand.
Shang Yazi finally allowed himself a thin smile and summoned the Poison Oath Gu.
The Poison Oath Gu was a small purple-red insect, no bigger than a fingertip, with a grotesque set of mouthparts. It belonged to the Third Transformation consumable Gu.
It flew to the index finger of Fang Yuan's left hand and bit down.
Instantly, a piercing, nerve-shredding pain shot through Fang Yuan's body.
Fang Yuan endured the pain and began reading the contents aloud from the document. When he finished, the Poison Oath Gu swelled to twice its original size, having absorbed a large quantity of Fang Yuan's vital blood.
Then the Poison Oath Gu flew over to Shang Yazi's fingertip and began to feed.
Shang Yazi gripped the document and read every word in a trembling voice. The Poison Oath Gu doubled in size once more.
His face had gone deathly pale from the pain, teeth bared, gasping through clenched jaws. "This damned agreement — why are there so many damn words! Couldn't you have written less? There's nothing else to add, right?"
Fang Yuan shook his head.
The corners of Shang Yazi's mouth curled upward, revealing a smile. But with his face twisted in agony, the expression came across as something closer to a grimace.
*Pop.*
The engorged Poison Oath Gu suddenly burst apart.
Yet no blood sprayed everywhere. Instead, it transformed into countless red motes of light.
The light particles drifted toward Fang Yuan and Shang Yazi like raindrops falling into a lake, sinking seamlessly into their bodies.
This phenomenon signified that the oath had taken effect.
If the contents read by either party did not match their true intentions, the Poison Oath Gu would have exploded into a puddle of bloody pus upon self-destruction. That outcome would mean one or both parties had sworn an oath against their heart, resulting in the Gu's failure.
Seeing this result, Shang Yazi's smile grew even wider.
He looked at Fang Yuan and said with a grin, "Heh heh. We've both sworn the oath now. If you ever go back on your word, you'll dissolve into a puddle of pus and die."
Fang Yuan's expression didn't change. He simply asked, "The Yuan Stones?"
Shang Yazi shrugged. "Relax — do you really think I'd dare violate a Poison Oath? Here!"
He produced a Gu.
It was a sphere, as though crafted from crystal — translucent, about the size of a palm. Within the ball floated wisps of cloud, as though trapping puffs of white clouds.