noveltune Chapter 21 Sword Shadow Stone
Chapter 21 Sword Shadow Stone
With Ling's promise that "I can help once" as his backing, Su Changming immediately felt much more confident.
One second, he felt like he was still a paper tiger that could be easily punctured, relying entirely on his acting skills to hold on.
In that instant, he felt as if he had become a real tiger, daring to bare his teeth even when facing the Demon Suppression Division.
However, confidence is just confidence.
Previously, he had the air of a superior person who "regarded money as dirt." If he suddenly changes his attitude and asks for things now, his behavior would be too ugly and would easily ruin his image.
Therefore, Su Changming felt that he had to keep up the act, and he had to do it in a sophisticated way.
"Oh? Is that so?"
He extended a finger and gently poked at the dusty stone in the box, a noncommittal smile playing on his lips:
"Although the appearance is a bit lacking, the material is somewhat special... Unfortunately, for me, it's just icing on the cake."
This statement both affirms the value of the item and elevates the speaker's own status.
It's good stuff, but I don't need it.
Yao Xian wasn't annoyed by his stubbornness.
He never expected that a wild expert at least at the seventh rank would risk his life for a piece of broken stone whose purpose he himself didn't even understand.
This stone had been gathering dust at the bottom of the warehouse for decades. It was only known for its mystique from the old man guarding the warehouse; in reality, no one had ever truly understood it.
Since one item wasn't enough to sway them, they decided to keep increasing the stakes. After all, they had practically turned the entire warehouse upside down before they arrived.
After all, hiring a top expert will naturally cost more.
Moreover, they went through the meeting procedures and received the approval of all three seats.
"Jiang Huai." Yao Xian turned his head and winked, "Take that out."
Jiang Huai understood immediately and stepped forward.
Su Changming saw it clearly this time.
Instead of reaching into his robes, Jiang Huai took out a small brocade pouch from his waist that looked no bigger than the palm of his hand.
He reached into the small brocade pouch and flicked his wrist.
"Buzz—"
The air trembled slightly.
An ancient longsword, three feet long, suddenly appeared in his hand!
Is this a storage bag?
Su Changming felt that this thing was more tempting than all the other things that had been taken out combined.
This Demon Suppression Division has quite a few treasures; it truly deserves to be called a national treasure.
Jiang Huai did not notice Su Changming's gaze fixed on the pouch at his waist. He held the sword in one hand and pushed it with his thumb.
"Clang—!!!"
A clear, resonant sword cry, like a dragon's roar, echoed in the living room.
A flash of cold light appeared, and the indoor temperature seemed to drop several degrees instantly.
The sword was entirely silver-white, covered with patterns resembling ice cracks, exuding a chilling aura and possessing an intimidating sharpness.
"This sword is named Remnant Snow."
Yao Xian introduced the situation at the opportune moment, his tone tinged with pride:
"It is said to be the sword of a prince of the previous dynasty, forged from ten-thousand-year-old cold iron from the far north. It can cut iron like mud and cut hair with a breath. As the saying goes, a precious sword is given to a hero. There is no one in our branch who is good at swordsmanship. This sword is just gathering dust in the storeroom."
"Nephew Changming, if you don't mind, you can take it as a spare."
Although Yao Xian had never seen Su Changming draw his sword, since he was a sword cultivator, he would definitely not mind having an extra divine weapon.
really.
The moment "Remnant Snow" was unsheathed, Yao Xian keenly caught the fleeting glint in Su Changming's eyes.
In fact, Su Changming felt that the time was almost right.
If we keep pretending, what if the other party thinks the cost is too high and stops negotiating? Wouldn't that be a huge loss?
However, Yao Xian thought that his sincerity had finally moved him.
So they decided to strike while the iron was hot and release the last straw that broke the camel's back.
He waved again.
Jiang Huai deftly sheathed his longsword and placed it on the coffee table. Then he took out a thick stack of envelopes and a pile of yellow paper covered with cinnabar runes from his pocket.
"Here is a draft for one thousand dollars, payable at Citibank, payable on demand."
"There are also these two 'Five Thunder Exorcism Talismans' and three 'Swift Travel Talismans,' all of which are genuine talismans that the Chief Commander obtained from the Zhengyi Sect of Longhu Mountain. They are priceless and have no market value. They are effective for both self-defense and travel."
Looking at the thick stack of banknotes, the talisman emitting a faint spiritual light, and the gleaming sword...
Su Changming's Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily.
That's... way too kind!
This isn't asking for help, it's practically throwing away money like a gift!
Having taken so much, can I really generate that much value myself?
Are you suggesting I assassinate consuls from various countries?
Just as Su Changming was beginning to doubt himself, a disdainful sneer echoed from the hazy space of his consciousness:
A slightly sharp piece of scrap metal, a few scribbles, and a pile of waste paper—that's all it takes to bribe you?
"..."
Su Changming silently retorted in his heart: That's because you have high standards, I'm just a poor wretch!
Although he was overjoyed inside, he maintained a calm and composed demeanor on the surface.
He sighed softly, seemingly both helpless and reluctant:
"That's enough."
"With Captain Yao being so hospitable, it would seem rather ungrateful of me to refuse."
"But let me make this clear from the start."
"After all, I am still a professor at Nanyang Public School. Teaching and nurturing students is my duty. If your tasks require me to leave the school for an extended period or disrupt my classes..."
"Of course not!"
Seeing that he had given in, Yao Xian was overjoyed and quickly waved his hand to interrupt:
"Our requirements are very simple."
He pointed out the window; that was in the direction of the school.
"We need Changming to oversee the school."
"Just keep an eye on things so that no major problems arise at school. If anything unusual happens, handle it promptly or notify us."
Su Changming was taken aback.
That's it?
Isn't this something I was supposed to do anyway?
So I'm getting paid twice for doing the same job?
"If that's the case..." Su Changming nodded, and said seriously, "Then it's my duty. Protecting students is also my responsibility as a professor."
"Great! That felt good!"
Yao Xian slapped his thigh, stood up, and solemnly cupped his hands in a respectful bow to Su Changming:
"Then I'll leave things to the school."
The objective has been achieved.
He chatted with Su Changming for a few more minutes to build rapport, then took his leave with Jiang Huai.
Watching the two figures disappear into the night, Su Changming immediately closed the door, locked it, and drew the curtains, all in one swift motion.
After finishing all this, he finally let out a long sigh of relief, slumped onto the sofa, and couldn't help but grin as he looked at the dazzling array of spoils on the coffee table.
"You have a really good eye for people!"
"Buzz—"
A golden light flashed across his chest.
Bell's figure appeared out of thin air.
She didn't even glance at the so-called "sword" or the thousand silver dollars, but instead reached out and picked up the gray stone from the sandalwood box.
"Ring, what is this?" Su Changming asked curiously, leaning closer. "A whetstone?"
"A whetstone?"
Ling played with the stone in her hand, and a rare hint of nostalgia and solemnity appeared in her usually cool eyes.
"This item is called the Sword Shadow Stone."
She turned to look at Su Changming, her tone serious:
"Haven't you been complaining that your soul power is too weak to control spirits for long periods of time?"
"As long as you open it using a specific method and then probe your soul power into it, you can enter a special sword intent space where the sword shadows of countless sword masters from the previous dynasty remain."
"Sparring with those sword shadows will not only hone your swordsmanship, but more importantly..."
A dangerous smile curved the corners of the girl's lips.
"Under that kind of extreme pressure, your soul power will be repeatedly torn apart and reassembled."
"This is much more stable than absorbing the remnants of the dead, though of course, it's also much more painful."