"Rongrong, what's this all about?" Tang San asked.
Ning Rongrong said, "Tang San, I want to make a deal with you."
"A deal?" Tang San looked at her with some surprise, secretly wondering whether Ning Rongrong had reverted to her old ways.
Ning Rongrong nodded seriously. "I know you probably don't need money, but I really want to go through with this deal. It's just that I can't make the decision on my own. I wanted to ask first whether you'd be willing."
Through observation, Tang San could tell that Ning Rongrong didn't seem to have reverted to her old behavior. Her expression was serious, even a little excited.
"Just tell me. What is it?"
Ning Rongrong said, "You already know I come from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Although our clan is one of the seven great sects of the current era and holds a very high status, all of our direct-line disciples are auxiliary-type Soul Masters. The auxiliary abilities of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul are powerful, but they're not enough to protect our own lives. Whenever we encounter enemies, we're always the first targets they go after. I think your mechanical Hidden Weapons could be a great help to us — at least they'd give my clansmen some ability to defend themselves. So if possible, I'd like to place an order for a batch of mechanical Hidden Weapons through the clan."
So that was it. Tang San understood what Ning Rongrong was getting at. "But I've heard that your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan has many affiliated sect members whose sole job is to protect the direct-line disciples who possess the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul. You even have two powerful Titled Douluos. Isn't that enough?"
Ning Rongrong said, "Those are outside forces, not something we can call our own. And no one can guarantee that no one will ever betray us. Something like that has happened within the clan before. One of my uncles was abducted by force by a clan guardian. Even though the clan established many related rules afterward, those were still only reactive measures."
Tang San said, "Rongrong, I'm sorry. I'm afraid I'm going to disappoint you. If it were just for the few of us, it wouldn't be a big problem. I should be able to make enough Hidden Weapons. But for an entire clan with at least a hundred direct-line disciples? I really can't produce that many Hidden Weapons."
Ning Rongrong said urgently, "They don't need to be of the highest quality — just enough for self-defense. If the quality were a bit lower, wouldn't that save time?"
Tang San said sternly, "Rongrong, don't bring that up again. Either I don't make them at all, or I'll give it my all and make the best I can."
Ning Rongrong stuck out her tongue. "Then is there no other way?"
Something stirred in Tang San's mind. He suddenly recalled the way the Tang Sect had once operated. If he followed the same model, could he possibly...
"There might be a way, but I need to think it over carefully before I can give you an answer."
Ning Rongrong smiled faintly. "That's fine. Tang San, how about this — the first set of Hidden Weapons you make, give them to me. I need to bring them back for my father to see. Only he can decide whether to equip the direct-line disciples with your Hidden Weapons. And if it really works out, make sure you charge a high price — don't be modest about it. Hee hee. I should head back to sleep now. I might even need to have a word with your Xiao Wu. Don't worry, I won't make her jealous."
With that, she ran off toward the dormitories, a string of playful laughter trailing behind her.
Watching Ning Rongrong's retreating figure, Tang San's face broke into a relaxed smile. Money was a fine thing, and he certainly wouldn't refuse it. From now on, if he wanted to craft more powerful Hidden Weapons, he'd need financial support. Tang San decided to go back and think things through carefully, to see whether he could replicate the Tang Sect's original business model. After all, mass-producing Hidden Weapons was far from something he could accomplish alone.
When he returned to the dormitory, Xiao Ao wasn't resting — he was just lying on his bed staring at the ceiling. The moment he saw Tang San come in, he sat up hurriedly. "Xiao San, what did Rongrong want with you?"
Seeing how nervous he looked, Tang San couldn't help but laugh inwardly and decided to tease him. "Nothing much. Just catching up."
"Catching up?" Oscar's voice took on an odd edge. "Xiao San, is Xiao Wu really your biological sister?"
Tang San shook his head. "Xiao Wu is a sister I've acknowledged."