Chapter 167: Bearded Guy, You Scammed Me!

Chapter 167: Bearded Guy, You Scammed Me!

"Ten billion? What the hell do you need that much money for?"

The old man froze for a moment, but he didn’t get angry.

The Lin Clan wasn’t a business family, but in the past ten years since the Spiritual Qi Revival, they had used their ancestral Tiger Fist techniques to quickly adapt.

Money was no longer a pressing concern for them.

Ten billion… was possible.

But it would mean shutting down several industries.

More importantly—why?

Why should they pay that price?

Was Chen Huai’an really worth it?

"I have financial insecurity syndrome," Chen Huai’an replied with an easy smile, his words making both Xiang Xiaoyuan and Zhao Ying despair.

Xiang Xiaoyuan clenched her fists, feeling that Luo Haisheng’s sacrifice had been wasted.

But…

Chen Huai’an wasn’t wrong.

No matter which side he joined, he would still end up fighting demons and evil spirits.

If he followed a clan, his ideals would inevitably clash with the Demon Slayer Bureau.

One day, they might even become enemies.

The old man narrowed his eyes, stroking his beard.

"I heard you used a talisman to kill the Corpse King, Di Jiang," he said.

"I’d like to know—can this talisman be produced stably?

And what price does it require?"

His true goal had always been Chen Huai’an’s Companion Spirit.

Right now, only Companion Spirit users could access their abilities.

But what if, in the future, there was a way to steal that power?

If the Lin Clan could mass-produce high-grade talismans, they would rise above all others.

Chen Huai’an met his gaze and responded sincerely:

"No, that talisman cost me ten years of my lifespan. I probably won’t ever be able to get another one."

This was technically true.

The Thunder Talisman of the Violet Sky was a main quest reward in , bundled with the Nine-Turn Spirit Orchid.

It wasn’t available in the store or Fortune Carp Pool.

And considering its power…

It was probably insanely expensive.

If it cost a million yuan, then using another one might literally kill him.

Not to mention—he never wanted to use it again.

The first time, he hadn’t realized the danger.

But after nearly dying, he knew better.

The old man’s face darkened.

A one-time use item…

With a lifespan cost…

Even if Chen Huai’an could get more, how many times could he actually use them?

The Corpse King, Di Jiang, had been classified as above General-Class, reaching Marshal-Class.

And Marshal-Class was nothing to the Lin Clan.

They had plenty of resources to nurture their own Marshal-Class Revived Ones—who wouldn’t demand ten billion upfront.

His voice turned cold.

"Chen Huai’an, our Lin Clan is offering sincerity.

One hundred billion is too much, but if you join us, I can personally guarantee you one billion upfront and a monthly salary of over one million.

The transfer can happen immediately."

Chen Huai’an saw the shift in tone and knew the deal was off.

Too bad.

If he had known the Lin Clan had classified the Corpse King as Marshal-Class, he would have laughed in their faces.

"A so-called prestigious clan can’t even pay ten billion?"

His eyes flashed with lightning, his aura pressing down.

"Then get the f* out** of my sight."

The old man’s anger flared before he quickly calmed down.

"Chen Huai’an, do you truly fear no retaliation from our Lin Clan?" he sneered.

"To be blunt—our clan has already formed an alliance with the Demon Slayer Bureau’s Headquarters.

A General-Class Revived One will soon be taking control of C-Province’s Bureau.

Furthermore, our Lin Clan’s top talents are currently heading to Kunlun Immortal Palace.

I suggest… you reconsider."

"Reconsider your mom."

Chen Huai’an grinned mockingly.

"Get lost."

"You…"

The old man saw the arc of lightning twisting around Chen Huai’an’s fingertips and fell silent.

He slowly put on his hat.

"Since that’s the case, I won’t disturb you further."

"Mountains do not move, rivers flow forever. Let’s see what happens next."

With that, the Lin Clan members left, defeated.

Only Xiang Xiaoyuan, Zhao Ying, and Chen Huai’an remained in the conference room.

Xiang Xiaoyuan hesitated before finally asking,

"Chen Huai’an… if they had actually given you ten billion… would you have joined them?"

"Of course."

He nodded without hesitation.

"You—! You have no conscience!"

"How do I not have conscience?"

Chen Huai’an pouted.

"The Bearded Guy’s goal was to eliminate demons and evil spirits.

Besides, didn’t your HQ already partner with the clans?"

Zhao Ying’s face darkened.

"I just checked my email," she said grimly.

"Several General-Class members believe aligning with the newly revived forces is more important than standing alone.

The clans have more elites than the Demon Slayer Bureau, so Headquarters formed an alliance."

She sighed.

"But now we have a bigger problem.

Li Changbai is dead.

After everything that happened with the Corpse King, the C-Province Demon Slayer Bureau is crippled.

Headquarters is demanding we nominate a new General-Class Director ASAP…

Otherwise, they’ll send a clan member to take over.

But where the hell are we supposed to find—"

Her eyes slowly turned toward Chen Huai’an.

Xiang Xiaoyuan did the same.

Chen Huai’an raised an eyebrow.

"Why the hell are you two looking at me?"

"Are you seriously thinking of making a college student the Director of C-Province’s Demon Slayer Bureau?"

"I haven’t even joined the Bureau yet!"

Zhao Ying adjusted her glasses and sighed dramatically.

"As Director, you’d have full control over C-Province’s resources.

That includes… money."

Chen Huai’an: "…"

Xiang Xiaoyuan nodded.

"If you manage the C-Province Bureau well, the money flow won’t be any worse than a clan’s wealth.

Money makes money."

Chen Huai’an: "…"

He hated to admit it.

But it sounded pretty tempting.

Zhao Ying suddenly slid a card across the table.

It was black with golden edges.

"This is C-Province’s currently available budget."

"The PIN is 7777. It holds ten billion yuan… but half of it must be used for Demon Slayer Bureau expenses."

Chen Huai’an took the card without hesitation.

"What kind of expenses?"

"Holy Water from the Church, for example."

Chen Huai’an frowned.

He recalled the bottle of golden liquid from before.

It had strong righteous energy, comparable to a low-tier Thunder Talisman.

But far weaker than higher-grade versions.

"How much does it cost per bottle?"

"One million."

"WHAT?!"

Chen Huai’an’s eyes bulged.

"That diluted garbage costs a million per bottle?"

That meant the Thunder Talismans he sold to the Bearded Guy for 100,000 were an absolute scam for himself!

"Bearded Guy… you scammed me, you bastard!"

His teeth ground together, his fist slamming onto the table.

"Cancel every damn order!"

Zhao Ying hesitated.

"But without Holy Water, our Demon Slayers will lack key supplies—"

"Leave the resources to me."

Chen Huai’an’s eyes gleamed.

It was time.

Time to start his two-worlds trading empire.

…