Divine Emperor of Heavenly Destiny

Witch Ying was furious. He felt that doing business with Lu Chao and Sun Shijin offered no guarantees.

Lu Chao glanced back at Witch Ying and shrugged. ”You’re the one who brought up after-sales support, Elder Wu. We never discussed that at the start.”

This was indeed true...

When Yin Ye had approached Witch Ying, his eyes had lit up the moment he saw the Shadow Form Hundred Marvels Fist, and he’d agreed on the spot.

Witch Ying hadn’t discussed any potential trouble with Yin Ye at all.

”Besides, for a martial technique ranked among the top ten in the Great Wu Empire, a few complications are well worth it for you, Elder Wu.”

The profits from the Shadow Form Hundred Marvels Fist were enormous.

Whether for Witch Ying’s status within the Hundred Flames Trading Company or for the company itself, the benefits far outweighed the risk of him infiltrating the Saint Bone Zheng Family’s estate. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have agreed so readily.

”By the way, Elder Wu, you and I are opposites.”

”I’m a man who values relationships, not money.”

”The reason I’m willing to deal with this mess with Zheng Zhuhe for the Hundred Flames Trading Company is because I feel I owe you a favor. Even though you accepted the Shadow Form Hundred Marvels Fist, you still indirectly saved my father-in-law...”

”But since you insist on making it about money, Elder Wu, then I have no choice but to talk business with you.”

Why was Lu Chao so insistent on forcing Witch Ying to provide an Innate Student for free?

It was all because Witch Ying had stopped his daughter when she tried to thank Lu Chao...

Lu Chao didn’t care whether Wu Fenyu thanked him or not.

But Witch Ying had tried to turn it into a negotiation, to use it to demand an exorbitant price for the Innate Student and make it a purely transactional deal. So Lu Chao had no choice but to push back.

’You want to rip me off? Then I’ll force you to provide it for free. That’s business for you.’

’You want to earn, I want to save. Simple as that.’

The corner of Witch Ying’s mouth twitched uncontrollably as he listened to Lu Chao’s logic. He was secretly filled with regret.

’I shouldn’t have stopped my daughter from thanking him.’ Out loud, he said, ”Fine, fine. I don’t care about favors. I only care about money. Next time you two come to me for a deal, I absolutely won’t budge on the price.”

Lu Chao just smiled, unconcerned...

Just then, Witch Ying called over a young man. ”Iron Shield, from now on, you’re a student of Dragon Flame Academy. Go pack your things, leave with them, and follow their orders.”

The young man named Iron Shield seemed a bit stoic. He nodded and replied, ”Yes, Master.”

And so, Iron Shield turned to pack his things. He soon returned with a cloth pack on his back and two large axes in his hands.

Witch Ying then said to Lu Chao and Sun Shijin, ”His name is Iron Shield. He recently reached the Innate First Layer and is my sixth disciple. After the battle for the Beast Flame quotas is over, he must return, whether you succeed or fail.”

”Now, you can get lost!”

Since he was providing the help for free, Witch Ying’s tone was exceptionally sour.

Lu Chao and Sun Shijin got up and promptly took their leave.

Just as they were about to leave the room, Lu Chao suddenly spoke up...

”Elder Sun, I heard that Marshal Fan received more than just the Shadow Form Hundred Marvels Fist from Great Wu Lu Chao.”

”Next time we’re in trouble, we should find someone cheaper and more powerful to help us.”

Sun Shijin’s eyes lit up upon hearing this, and he quickly glanced at Witch Ying.

”Right. Next time, we’ll find someone who appreciates a good relationship, not someone who’s just dead set on money.”

With that, the two of them stepped out of the room...

Fuming, Witch Ying’s eyes went wide. His face gradually turned crimson as he reached a hand out toward the two of them.

But in the end, he lowered his hand and said hatefully, ”Like hell I believe that. The real Lu Chao won a major victory three years ago. How could he have given Fan Changcun so many things? Don’t even think about tricking me.”

Witch Ying refused to believe Lu Chao’s nonsense...

What he didn’t know, however, was that Lu Chao was the real Lu Chao and still had plenty of aces up his sleeve.

...

Lu Chao and Sun Shijin returned to the Hundred Flames Hall with Iron Shield in tow and bid farewell to Wu Fenyu.

This time, Wu Fenyu genuinely thanked Lu Chao. Then she turned to give instructions, ”Iron Shield, follow Young Master Lu and Elder Sun closely. This battle for the Beast Flame Academy quotas is an excellent opportunity to hone your skills.”

Iron Shield remained expressionless, merely nodding firmly. ”Yes, Eldest Martial Sister.”

With that, the three of them strode away...

As they were leaving, they heard a customer cry out, ”This is too difficult! It’s simply impossible to learn.”

Sure enough, someone had already failed in their attempt to learn the First Three Hundred Marvels Punches, unable to even scratch the surface.

Many people watched Lu Chao’s departing figure...

”Is that Fake Lu Chao really so incredible? Oh yeah, why do they call him Fake Lu Chao anyway?”

”The dead Emperor Star from the Great Wu Empire is the real Lu Chao, so this one is of course the fake. The main thing is, I heard that he pretended to be Lu Chao in the Tiger Flame Kingdom and single-handedly scared away the Great Wu Empire’s million-strong army.”

”If he’s a fake, why is he so powerful?”

”Exactly! Zheng Zhuhe is the top genius of the Saint Bone Zheng Family, and even he couldn’t learn it. But Fake Lu Chao picked it up in an instant?”

A glint of understanding flashed in some people’s eyes at this question...

”I heard that at Dragon Flame Academy, he single-handedly defeated ten Innate Students from Celestial King Academy in an instant.”

”And in Saint Su City, he killed Zheng Zhuhai of the Zheng Family with a single spear thrust. Even if he’s not as good as the real Lu Chao, he can’t be that much weaker.”

Everyone who heard this drew in a sharp breath...

They were too far from the Great Wu Empire to have a clear concept of the real Lu Chao’s power, but instantly defeating ten Innate Students from Celestial King Academy was undeniably impressive.

While the crowd was abuzz with discussion, Lu Chao and his two companions were already walking down the street.

At that moment, Sun Shijin couldn’t help but burst out laughing. ”The look on Witch Ying’s face back there was absolutely priceless.”

He’d approached Witch Ying a few times in the past, hoping he’d charge a little less, but every time he got viciously ripped off.

The man had no regard for their old friendship. Now, it felt as if Sun Shijin had finally gotten his revenge.

But then, Sun Shijin frowned. ”However, Lu Chao, you learned the Hundred Marvels Fist way too quickly back there. I suspect Zheng Zhuhe will figure things out soon enough, and Witch Ying will probably have more trouble on his hands.”

After savoring his moment of satisfaction, Sun Shijin started to worry about the trouble Witch Ying might face.

Lu Chao simply replied, ”Fast? When Great Wu Lu Chao learned the First Three Hundred Marvels Punches, it only took him three breaths.”

As the words left his mouth, Sun Shijin’s eyes widened. He desperately wanted to ask, ’How do you know that?’

Lu Chao was briefly lost in memory before quickly changing the subject...

”Don’t worry, Elder Sun.”

”If Witch Ying dared to slap Zheng Zhuhe, he definitely has a way to handle the fallout.”

”He already has justification on his side. He might even take the initiative and launch a counterattack. The Hundred Flames Trading Company is more powerful than you might think.”

Lu Chao narrowed his eyes. ’Based on what I know about the Hundred Flames Trading Company, they aren’t an organization that can be so easily bullied.’

Shaking his head, Lu Chao continued, ”We have our ten Innate Students now. All that’s left is to set off for the ruins of the Azure Flame Sect tomorrow.”

A tremor ran through Sun Shijin’s body, and his eyes filled with anticipation.

...

On another street, Zheng Zhuhe touched his cheek where Witch Ying had slapped him, his expression twisted with rage.

And just at this moment...

A horse-drawn carriage slowly pulled up beside him. A sweet, feminine voice drifted out from within. ”Young Master Zheng, you’ve been played.”