Chapter 2019 - 2012: Money Makes the Mare Go
The car allocated for the Aiville Hotel swiftly traversed the street, drawing glances from many people. This car had been parked at the hotel without any movement for years; its debut on the road today was a major news event.
Everyone wanted to know who had the financial power to mobilize this vehicle.
"This car is really stable!"
Zhang Menglong lay on the sofa, enjoying the world’s unique fruits. On the outside, it looked like a sleek, stylish vehicle, but it also utilized space-folding technology, providing an exceptionally spacious interior.
"This vehicle can withstand attacks at the limits of the Dao Realm!" Lumus remarked, "As long as the attack doesn’t exceed Dao Realm power, it’s impossible to leave any mark on it. Treating it as a treasure itself is entirely feasible."
"How do you know so much?" Zhang Menglong looked at Lumus. "Did you ever drive it?"
"I don’t have the skills or the wealth for that," Lumus laughed, "Even if I haven’t reached the extreme of the Dao Realm, it’s not like I haven’t seen those who have. This car is precious, but still purchasable, and its information isn’t a secret."
"So that’s how it is. If I ever get the chance, I must get one myself. It’ll make running around outside much safer," Zhang Menglong mused to himself, "Where are we headed now?"
"Didn’t you want to buy some weapons and equipment?" Lumus replied, "We’re taking you to the largest marketplace in the Great City of Aiville."
"What? Can you really buy weapons at a marketplace?"
"Hahaha, not just weapons; if you’re willing to pay, you could even rent an army," Baidao said, "Brother Zhang, remember one thing: in this Great City of Aiville, as long as you can afford it, it’s hard not to find what you need."
"With you two saying that, I feel at ease," he thought this time he might buy some powerful items that could be beneficial for stealing the Ice Demon Flower.
The car halted in front of a massive square, surrounded by numerous buildings, all bustling with different businesses. This was also the place in the Great City of Aiville with the highest foot traffic second only to the impoverished accommodation area.
As soon as the three of them disembarked, a person approached them as if they had seen their long-lost father, eyes shining.
The man was dressed in clean formal wear, but for some reason, Zhang Menglong’s first impression of him was "a wolf in sheep’s clothing," and he felt as if he was being scrutinized.
"Menglong, this guy is one of the rule figures," Lumus whispered in his ear, "His name is Mingyang, a notorious rogue in the Great City of Aiville. He always pretends to be refined, but has a terrible reputation, constantly involved in deception and exploitation."
"Oh?"
"Many have been deceived by him here, but unfortunately he’s a rule figure, protected by the Great City of Aiville. Otherwise, he would’ve been killed a hundred times over," Lumus continued, "Nevertheless, he has some skills; he knows a lot of things others don’t and is practically a walking encyclopedia."
"Brother, I see your ride is quite extraordinary, and you look unfamiliar. Is this your first time in our City of Aiville?" Mingyang seemed to immediately identify Zhang Menglong as the most authoritative among the three.
He approached directly, ignoring Lumus and Baidao next to Zhang Menglong, treating them as mere accessories to him.
"Oh? Good eyesight." Zhang Menglong wasn’t afraid of greedy people because all they wanted was money, and money was what he had in abundance.
"I, Mingyang, have no other skills. I don’t care for what others know, but if there’s something unknown to others and I don’t know it, then no one in the Great City of Aiville will," Mingyang seemed confident, making him the most talkative rule figure Zhang Menglong had encountered.
"I have one more skill; with one sniff, I can tell how much money you have," Mingyang said looking at Zhang Menglong, "You don’t have many Supreme Coins, but I can smell a strong scent of Supreme Crystal on you!"
Zhang Menglong and Lumus exchanged glances, confirming Mingyang had skills, deducing the presence of Supreme Crystals on him with just a sniff.
"How about it? If you’re willing to give me a generous reward, I’ll find a way to get you anything you desire, guaranteed no deceit!" Mingyang’s words were quite tempting, hard to resist.
"How much do you want?"
"I don’t take money; I want Supreme Crystals!" Mingyang stated, "10 crystals!"
"Truly asking for a lot!"
"Brother, don’t be fooled; he’s scammed countless people before."
"10 Supreme Coins, why not just rob us? In the Great City of Aiville, aside from rule figures, it’s hard to find anyone with 10 Supreme Crystals."
Passersby couldn’t stand it, directly advising Zhang Menglong.
"Hmph, you common folk couldn’t possibly understand my capabilities," Mingyang did not explain but rather stood firm, "You’re just poor; if you had enough money, the benefit for paying this price could be ten or a hundredfold!"
"10 Supreme Crystals, eh? It’s not too much." Zhang Menglong directly took out 10 Supreme Crystals and threw them to Mingyang, "I hope you can show me your value."
"Damn, this guy really had 10 Supreme Crystals?"
"Is he crazy? Doing business with such a con artist? Surely he’ll lose everything."
"Can anyone really fall for such crude tactics?"
No one expected Zhang Menglong to pull out 10 Supreme Crystals, much less toss them to Mingyang.
But Zhang Menglong’s thought was simple; if Mingyang truly had skills, those 10 Supreme Crystals would be a gain.
If he was a fraud, well then, those 10 Supreme Crystals were gone; he wasn’t too bothered.
"Hahaha! Brother, you have good judgment. I believe you won’t be disappointed," Mingyang merrily pocketed the crystals, "I smell a shadowy aura wrapping around you; have you encountered a serious problem?"
Squinting his eyes at Zhang Menglong, Mingyang continued, "Let me guess, you must have taken on a difficult task, perhaps one where survival is slim."
"You even know that?" Mingyang’s ability to discern people’s hearts astonished Zhang Menglong, enough to see him in a new light, even if it was just guessing.
"Seems I’m right," Mingyang laughed, "Then let me guess, you’ve come to the Great City of Aiville this time to buy things to help you with this task."
"I’m going to steal their Ice Demon Flower from the Demon Clan!" Zhang Menglong directly revealed his mission.
"Whoa! That task isn’t just slim survival, it’s practically suicidal!" Mingyang couldn’t help but wince hearing the mission.
However, he quickly changed his tone, "But then again, money makes the world go round; with enough payment, stealing their entire house isn’t impossible either!"