Third Master Jing fixed his stare on Jiang Chen. After a long moment, he let out a derisive snort. "If I remember correctly, you've been spending enormous amounts of Ling Shi at various Spiritual Medicine shops trying to buy Heaven Grade Spiritual Medicine. Am I right?"
Jiang Chen replied coolly, "If this were something money alone could buy, why would I be here going through all this trouble?"
Third Master Jing burst into hearty laughter. "I, Jing, take pity on you. Tell you what — I'll make a concession. Two Heaven Grade Spiritual Medicines, two Earth Grade Spiritual Medicines, plus two hundred million Sacred Ling Shi. That's already a very fair price. This is my final offer. Push any harder, and I guarantee you will never obtain a Laughing Bodhi in Frost Moon City."
As he uttered those last words, a fierce, bandit-like gleam flashed across Third Master Jing's face — overbearing and savage, brooking no argument.
The onlookers all turned their eyes toward Jiang Chen.
Clearly, in everyone's estimation, this young man had drawn Third Master Jing's attention, and he was bound for nothing but trouble. He'd be making this deal whether he wanted to or not.
Very few who caught Third Master Jing's eye ever managed to slip away.
Jiang Chen knew full well the man was extorting him, but with someone's life hanging in the balance, if he didn't complete this transaction, there was likely no one else in Frost Moon City who would dare sell him a Laughing Bodhi.
In other words, Third Master Jing's Laughing Bodhi was the only hope of saving the Peerless Emperor.
No matter how unwilling Jiang Chen was, he knew the bigger picture came first. Swallowing his rage, he nodded. "Third Master Jing certainly knows how to do business. Fine! The deal is done."
Jiang Chen produced the two Heaven Grade Spiritual Medicines he had prepared earlier, along with two Earth Grade Spiritual Medicines and two hundred million Sacred Ling Shi, dumping it all out at once.
Truth be told, flaunting such a vast fortune on a public street was enough to make anyone's blood surge.
There was a saying: "Never reveal your wealth." But for the sake of this deal, Jiang Chen no longer cared.
Watching Third Master Jing look as though he had him completely cornered, Jiang Chen's heart was far less calm than his outward composure suggested. In all his years of making deals, he had always come out on top — he had never been swindled this badly before.
It wasn't that Jiang Chen couldn't afford to take a loss. It was that this loss was too bitter a pill to swallow, and not one he had chosen to accept.
Third Master Jing's deal was framed as voluntary, but it was unmistakably a threat.
Refuse to deal with him, and no one else in Frost Moon City would dare trade a Laughing Bodhi to Jiang Chen either. So in the end, it was still Third Master Jing's monopoly.
It looked like there was no coercion involved, but it amounted to the same thing.
Third Master Jing's face was truly ugly to behold. Having scored an enormous profit, he still put on an air of benevolence, smiling as he said, "Younger Brother Shao, I, Jing, have always been happy to help others. If you ever run into any trouble in Frost Moon City down the road, don't you forget about me."
Jiang Chen took the Laughing Bodhi, examined it carefully to confirm there was nothing wrong, and only then stored it away with an indifferent expression.
"With Third Master Jing wielding such influence in Frost Moon City, who else could I, Shao, possibly turn to?" Jiang Chen said with a faint smile, then turned and drifted away without another word.
Sighs and murmurs rippled through the crowd.
They had to admire this young man's boldness and bearing. Two Heaven Grade Spiritual Medicines, two Earth Grade Spiritual Medicines, and two hundred million Sacred Ling Shi — he had handed them over without a moment's hesitation.
No one knew why he was so desperate for this particular Laughing Bodhi, but they had to admit the young man had impressive means.
Still, some silently lamented for Jiang Chen, thinking the young man simply didn't have the depth for it. Since he was going to take this loss no matter what, why not play the part — build a rapport with Third Master Jing? To leave with those vaguely pointed remarks — wasn't that just inviting the Third Master's enmity?
Those who understood Third Master Jing's character knew he was not a man of generous spirit.
If the young man had flattered the Third Master, kissed up to him, and expressed heartfelt gratitude, perhaps the Third Master's good mood would have let the matter end right there.
But this young man's parting words had carried a subtle note of mockery toward Third Master Jing. Wasn't that just asking for trouble?
So those who knew Third Master Jing's ways understood that this matter was far from over. The young man likely had more suffering ahead.
Of course, none of the onlookers would dare meddle in Third Master Jing's affairs. If anything, they had to make sure they appeared firmly on his side.
"The youth of today really don't know how the world works."
"Exactly. Without the Third Master, even if he offered ten Heaven Grade Spiritual Medicines, he still couldn't get a single Laughing Bodhi."
"Right. He's treating the Third Master's generosity as license to act all high and mighty. What a piece of work."
"Hmph. In our Frost Moon City, I don't care where he's from — if he wants to pull that haughty act in front of the Third Master, he's digging his own grave."
Third Master Jing clearly relished this fawning tone, wearing a broad, satisfied smile. With a casual wave of his hand, he led his wolfish, tiger-like followers and swept away in triumph.
Watching Third Master Jing disappear down the street, the crowd let out another round of sighs.
"No wonder the Third Master is the richest man in the city. That money-making speed is truly something to behold."
"The Third Master's business acumen is all about leverage. You can't refuse to deal, and in the end you still have to come begging to him. That young man looked wealthy enough, but he was still too green."
These remarks appeared to praise the Third Master, but there was more than a little disapproval underneath.
Some muttered under their breath, "Even a fool could make money like that. It's nothing but throwing your power around to bully people. He's made his money hand over fist, all right — but he's dragged our Frost Moon City's reputation through the mud."