Chapter 1029: Two Million Pearls

Translator: Exodus Tales Editor: Exodus Tales

Some people might not have heard of the name Tang Wannian, but if someone was to mention Master Tang’s nickname, which was Two-City Tang, everyone would know that it was him.

Red Dwarf Star had a population of one billion, with thirty-one cities having populations that exceeded twenty million, and Tang Wannian owned two of them! This was why he was known as Two-City Tang.

To have control of two large cities all by himself meant that Tang Wannian was a super-businessman, one who enjoyed the fruits of both the proper world and the underworld, of Red Dwarf Star.

Xiang Beiyang was immediately dumbfounded. Tang Wannian was a very low-key person and rarely showed his face to others, so he had not recognized him. He could not help but be frustrated for having missed out on a chance to build a connection with this incredible business tycoon.

Human relations consisted of different social circles. Xiang Beiyang was considered one of the higher-class businessmen of Red Dwarf Star, and he was currently stepping from the second class into the first class. The circle that Tang Wannian resided in naturally would not care about him, so it was very normal for Xiang Beiyang not to recognize Tang Wannian.

“That man next to Master Tang is also incredible. His name is Song Jinhu; I heard that he’s a Soul Hunter hired at a high price from the outside. Those ten Diamond Dragonflies you got me were also for a job from Master Tang,” said Tai Ning smugly. He was very comforted by the fact that he could recognize those two, whereas Xiang Beiyang could not. After all, Xiang Beiyang was a newly ascending businessman, so his resources were inferior to his.

Xiang Beiyang could naturally hear the pride in Tai Ning’s words, but he was more furious that the ten Diamon Dragonflies he had worked so hard to get were easily handed over to Tai Ning. Tang Wannian would only remember Tai Ning and would know nothing of all the effort Xiang Beiyang had gone through.

This was the mystery of social circles. If Boss Tang wanted Diamond Dragonflies, he would not go find someone that actually did business in exotic beasts like Xiang Beiyang, only going and finding someone like Tai, who was only a bit lower in social status to him. Tai Ning would get all the benefits and favor while Xiang Beiyang could only look on.

Resentful, Xiang Beiyang smiled coldly. “Although I don’t recognize Boss Tang, I do know that the person who went with him into the VIP room is a friend of mine. His name is Xia Fei.”

*Zing~*

Tai Ning immediately grew interested, looking at Xiang Beiyang in a new light. After all, Xia Fei had been respectfully led into the VIP room by Tang Wannian and Song Jinhu, being treated with much more respect than him. Where had this man come from? Since Xiang Beiyang knew Xia Fei, that naturally meant he could not be underestimated.

“Brother Xiang, I suddenly remember that today is the seventeenth birthday of my daughter. Why don’t you come to visit my home today?” invited Tai Ning.

While Tai Ning had shown respect for Xiang Beiyang in many ways, it did not mean that Boss Tai actually thought highly of him. After all, Xiang Beiyang was only a rising businessman of Red Dwarf Star, much more lacking compared to real top-class businessmen. Tai Ning had made some exotic beast transactions with Xiang Beiyang to be polite, but he would not invite him to something like his daughter’s birthday. He would only invite those of closer social status, perhaps even those of higher status compared to him.

“So it’s my niece’s birthday. I must prepare a generous gift for her.” Xiang Beiyang grinned while silently cursing Tai Ning’s lack of sincerity. Nonetheless, while he inwardly grumbled, he was not about to miss out on this chance to participate in a gathering of the upper crust of society.

“As for that Brother Xia...” Tai Ning probed.

Xiang Beiyang was startled at first, but he quickly smiled and told Tai Ning, “Now that you’ve mentioned it, Brother Xia, who has come from faraway, is looking to make some new friends. I’ll come together with him tonight. . .”

Xiang Beiyang immediately made the decision for Xia Fei. However, the thought that Tai Ning had only invited him to a meeting of his social circle because of the latter left Boss Xiang feeling rather discontented.

...

The VIP room was naturally luxurious to the extreme. An employee served tea and snacks before very tactfully withdrawing, leaving Tang Wannian, Song Jinhu, and Xia Fei alone in the room.

Sipping his tea, Tang Wannian examined Xia Fei from the corner of his eyes. Xia Fei looked straight ahead, appearing relaxed and composed, having clearly been to high-class venues like this before. Tang Wannian raised his opinion of Xia Fei.

If it were only a mere scoundrel who had taken out a soul weapon, Tang Wannian would have suspected that the October Flying Snow was obtained through illegal means, but Xia Fei’s attitude had dispelled this notion. Just like Xiang Beiyang, Tang Wannian suspected that Xia Fei was a descendant of a major clan. Otherwise, how else could he immediately take out a precious soul weapon to sell?

After exchanging a round of pleasantries, all Tang Wannian learned was Xia Fei’s name. Xia Fei’s efforts to conceal who he was further cemented Tang Wannian’s conjecture. If this man was not from a big clan, why would he hide his identity? Getting a connection with Tang Wannian was something that many people could only wish for, but Xia Fei did not seem to care who he was. In fact, if Tang Wannian had not stated who he was, Xia Fei would not have even bothered to ask.

“This old man rather likes this October Flying Snow. Brother Xia, would you like to quote a price? Everything is negotiable,” Tang Wannian said cautiously.

Xia Fei smiled and spoke nonchalantly. “This is my first time on Red Dwarf Star, and I don’t know how much this little thing is worth here. Elder, why don’t you give a price? After all, you are my senior here.”

Xia Fei pushed the question back.

In truth, it was not that Xia Fei did not want to give a price. It was just that he really did not know how much a soul weapon was worth. Radix had told him that a basic soul weapon was worth five hundred thousand pearls, but Xia Fei felt that this was too little. After all, this was the first soul weapon he had made, and it had a lot of sentimental value. Selling off October Flying Snow not to even be enough for him to buy the medicines he required did not sit well with him.

“One million pearls. Brother Xia Fei, what do you think?” said Tang Wannian sternly, throwing up a finger.

One million was no small sum. A normal family only made ten thousand pearls a year, and they would have to work one hundred years to reach that number!

“This Tang fellow is quite generous,” Radix told Xia Fei.

Xia Fei was unmoved.

Tang Wannian frowned. “Well, it’s a good thing that I really need this. 1.5 million pearls.”

Xia Fei was still unmoved.

He could not be blamed for this. He was originally going to give in once he had enough money to buy his medicines, but Tang Wannian just had to say that he needed this soul weapon. Since the old man urgently needed it, Xia Fei was being too nice if he sold it for just 1.5 million pearls. He was a big fan of extortion by taking advantage of someone’s weakness.

Seeing that Xia Fei still was not satisfied, Tang Wannian turned to Song Jinhu. “Old Song, for my granddaughter, will this thing...”

Song Jinhu whispered, “Master Tang, there’s something odd about this dagger, and it may not be a simple soul weapon. While you have already purchased ten Diamond Dragonflies, those exotic beasts can only serve as support. They won’t compare to this October Flying Snow.”

Tang Wannian firmly stands. Turning his head back, he raised two fingers. “This is my last offer. Two million.”

“Deal,” replied Xia Fei crisply, knowing when to take a deal. In any case, he could make a soul weapon of this level every half a month, so there was no need to haggle down to the last penny. It was best if he quickly gathered his medicines to restore his strength.

...

The money and item were exchanged. Though Tang Wannian had spent a lot of money, he had finally managed to get his hands on a soul weapon and was quite happy. Meanwhile, Xia Fei had gotten his first load of money in the Alpha Universe and resolved his urgent need for medicine, so he was also quite satisfied.

The three of them came out of the room together, and countless confused and curious eyes turned to them.

Boss Xiang and Boss Tai, who had been waiting all this time, quickly came up to welcome them. Boss Tai naturally went up to Tang Wannian, while Xiang Beiyang went up to Xia Fei and said to Tang Wannian and Song Jinhu, “This one is Xiang Beiyang. Brother Xia is my good friend.”

Xia Fei frowned as he grumbled mentally, ‘When did we become good friends? I don’t think our relationship is that good, is it?’

Tang Wannian exchanged a few words with Xiang Beiyang out of respect for Tang Wannian. On Red Dwarf Star, it was an honor to exchange a few words with Two-City Tang, and Xiang Beiyang’s face glowed with a ruddy light.

Only now did Xia Fei understand that Xiang Beiyang wanted to build a connection with this Tang fellow. It was not as if Xia Fei had not encountered this kind of thing before, so he did not take it to heart.

historical

“Everyone, carry on as you please. Xia Fei still has business and must bid farewell.” Xia Fei bowed and prepared to leave.

Xiang Beiyang pulled on him and said, “Brother Xia, this is the owner of Tai Ning Company, Boss Tai. His daughter is having her birthday tonight; he has invited us to have a cup of tea with him.”

Tai Ning said, “Yes. Brother Xia, this is your first time at Red Dwarf Star, so if you have the time, why don’t you come and visit my home? Treat it as a welcome dinner for me. Master Tang will be going as well.”

Perhaps afraid that Xia Fei would not respect him, Tai Ning had even brought up Tang Wannian’s name. Seeing that Xia Fei and Tang Wannian had gotten along, Tai Ning took Xia Fei for someone on the same level of status as Tang Wannian.

“What does Master Tang going to the banquet have to do with me? I have business tonight, so let’s make it another day,” said Xia Fei casually before turning to leave.

This was truly a painful slap. This was the exhibit’s main hall, and everyone was looking, and so many had come to make connections with these big bosses. However, in front of everyone, Xia Fei had slapped Xiang Beiyang, Tai Ning, Tang Wannian, and Song Jinhu in the face!

*Zing~*

Even the most composed Tang Wannian felt embarrassed, his face turning pale. As for Tai Ning, who had brought Tang Wannian up, he wanted to find a crack in the ground to jump in. Truly, this was a disaster brought by rashness. He had brought up Tang Wannian to try and encourage Xia Fei into joining the banquet, but Xia Fei had thrown it back at him and humiliated him, and he humiliated Tang Wannian, too! One word from this old man could drive him from Red Dwarf Star!

“Hmph!”

With a cold grunt and a glare at Tai Ning, Tang Wannian and Song Jinhu left in a huff. Tai Ning did not have the courage to stop him.

Xiang Beiyang saw that the situation was not good and hurried after Xia Fei. His original plan was to use this moment to borrow Xia Fei and ascend to the top-class circle of Red Dwarf Star, but it appeared that this was no longer possible. It would be good enough if he was not kicked down to a lower circle.

Xiang Beiyang was no fool. He had hurried after Xia Fei to see if there were any means of salvaging the situation.

“Brother Xia, how much did you sell the dagger to Master Tang for? How many pearls?” Xiang Beiyang asked bluntly.

“Two million pearls,” replied Xia Fei casually.

“Two million! You sold that dagger for two million!”

Perhaps because he was too shocked, Xiang Beiyang shouted this out. Not even in his dreams had he imagined that the October Flying Snow would be worth this much, and Xia Fei had sold it to the illustrious Tang Wannian to boot!

*Clang!*

In the distance, Third Master Leng, who had tried to buy the October Flying Snow for twenty thousand pearls, shuddered, and the weapon he had been inspecting dropped from his hands, the clatter as it hit the ground resounding through the now eerily silent exhibition hall.