Chapter 197 Bargaining

Fang Yue stopped. In the image, the cute girl was panting, her face flushed, her clothes a little disheveled as she sat on the ground in a duck-like position, glaring at Fang Yue angrily.

No, it's not my fault.

Fang Yue raised his hands awkwardly.

[I'm ignoring you!!]

Despite saying she was ignoring him, she turned around and took out the bloodstone she had gnawed on earlier, crunching away without hesitation.

Seeming to suddenly realize the image hadn't been turned off, the parchment paused, then the screen went black as if it had been shut down.

This fellow…

Fang Yue rubbed his chin. It seemed like forcing the issue wouldn't work.

But the morning method also had some major problems. Fang Yue pondered for a while, then suddenly noticed something.

That was, when Duo Lao took the initiative to tear up the pretense of cordiality, he specifically left Tian Ruichi behind, taking him away together.

And in the predicted result of the morning plan, after Duo Lao stopped sailing, he was negotiating with Tian Ruichi, demanding something.

Fang Yue narrowed his eyes.

He wasn't afraid of Duo Lao being greedy, but of him being impervious to persuasion.

Pacing back and forth, after thinking for a while, Fang Yue called Qing Chen and Tian Ruichi to the room.

"Tian Ruichi, you have something that Duo Lao wants. Do you know what it is?"

As soon as Tian Ruichi arrived, Fang Yue asked directly.

Tian Ruichi looked bewildered.

"No, my Weirdstones are almost used up. What else would Duo Lao covet? Brother Ye, are you confused?"

"Think carefully. You definitely have something. Think about any valuable items, or anything related to your master that you might be carrying."

Tian Ruichi first shook his head blankly, but soon, as if he had thought of something, he paused and nodded vigorously.

"I do! I'll go get it and show you now!"

While Tian Ruichi was leaving, Fang Yue explained the situation to Qing Chen, using conjecture to negate Qing Chen's previous plan to open a window.

"Brother Ye doesn't feel at ease? I'll assess the risks…" Seeing the look Fang Yue gave him, Qing Chen lowered his voice, shifting his gaze awkwardly.

Tian Ruichi was still very confused. He had spent many years in the sect, and hadn't been in the capital for long after going down the mountain. His understanding of various things was even less than a vagrant like Fang Yue.

Fang Yue explained a few things simply, then led the two of them directly to the bow of the ship.

On the way, Fang Yue specifically asked about it.

Tian Ruichi's master's meaning seemed to be that Tian Ruichi could do whatever he wanted with the thing, as long as it eventually returned to his master's hands. Until then, Tian Ruichi could handle it as he pleased.

Fang Yue stroked his chin.

"It seems this is your master's contingency plan, and also a way out for you. I'm afraid that Tian Jian (Heavenly Sword) had already foreseen that something might happen to you before you set off. The appearance of the black-robed man later confirmed this, and he sent someone to give you information, telling you to travel by water."

Master, he's worried about me again…

Tian Ruichi clenched his fist silently.

The better his master treated him, the more he wanted to return to the capital—how could he let his master face danger alone!

At this moment, the three of them had arrived at the bow of the ship.

The wind was strong at the bow, causing their clothes to flutter.

Looking at the closed-eyed human skin helm, Fang Yue smiled slightly and said, "Duo Lao."

"…"

This reaction was within Fang Yue's expectations.

In the few days since boarding the ship, Duo Lao had basically ignored everyone except Tian Ruichi, to whom he showed some reaction.

"Does Duo Lao know what this is?"

Fang Yue took out the Soul-Entrusting Jade Pendant in his palm. Duo Lao seemed to sense something and suddenly opened his eyes.

His greedy eyes stared intently at the Soul-Entrusting Jade Pendant.

"Does Duo Lao have any interest in talking to me now?"

Hearing Fang Yue's words, Duo Lao finally slowly raised his gaze and looked at Fang Yue.

The Cold River Giant Ship, which had been sailing, also suddenly stopped at this moment, motionless in the Cold River.

"This thing should belong to Tian Ruichi."

"I know, it is indeed his thing. I just took it out to play with."

"Play with?"

Duo Lao's withered, old face contorted into a sneering expression.

"I'm afraid you can't afford to play with it. If there's even the slightest mishap with this item, none of you on this ship will have a good time."

"Not 'won't have a good time,' is it? With Duo Lao's temper, if something happens to the Soul-Entrusting Jade Pendant, I'm afraid he'll make all of us corpses at the bottom of the river."