The Side Character Who Wins by Doing Nothing

Zhang Luo felt bitter, but he still had to dutifully finish explaining the compensation.

”In addition to your spot for Entering the Sword Tomb, we will also compensate you for your injuries.”

”However, since you were unwilling to be examined by a Medical Cultivator, we don’t know the exact extent of your injuries. We can only provide an estimate, so I hope you understand, Lu Fairy.”

Lu Sangjiu, of course, understood. ’I figured as much when I was avoiding the examination. This was bound to work against me when it came time for compensation.’

But you win some, you lose some. She could accept that and had no intention of dwelling on the issue.

Seeing Lu Sangjiu nod, Zhang Luo relaxed slightly and continued.

”After discussion, the elders of our sect have decided on a compensation amount of ten top-grade spirit stones. Do you find that acceptable, Ms. Lu?”

Lu Sangjiu smiled but didn’t say whether it was acceptable or not. ”Brother Zhang,” she said, ”why don’t I run the numbers for you instead.”

”What you need to compensate me for is far more than just my injuries.”

”Everyone saw my physical injuries. I coughed up so much blood, and even after I heal, there are bound to be some lingering effects.”

”Giving me a spot for Entering the Sword Tomb is all well and good, but do you think people are fighting in the Sword Seizing Conference just for a spot? Of course not. More than that, it’s a chance to make a name for oneself!”

”You’ve all seen my strength. I had a very real chance of placing in the top three. But now, not only was I forced by that Evil Cultivator to reveal all my trump cards, but I’m also injured. This will certainly affect my subsequent matches.”

”I should have been able to shine, but because of this, I’ll likely be defeated and lose my chance to become famous.”

”For these two points combined, your offer of ten top-grade spirit stones could be considered reasonable.”

Zhang Luo was left speechless. He wanted to object, but deep down, he felt Lu Sangjiu actually had a point...

He didn’t dare to speak rashly now. He just wiped the sweat from his forehead, gave an awkward smile, and gestured for her to continue.

Lu Sangjiu took a sip of tea before continuing. ”But beyond that, I came to Muxian Town because I trusted the Gold and Silver Gate. The Gold and Silver Gate, however, betrayed that trust and allowed me to suffer this calamity. This has caused me immense emotional trauma.”

”I have nightmares every time I sleep now. My constitution is already delicate and weak; I’m afraid this will have an even more severe impact on my health.”

”For this, I won’t ask for much. Another ten top-grade spirit stones in compensation isn’t too much to ask, is it?”

Zhang Luo didn’t dare to speak. He just took a sip of tea to calm himself.

’Good heavens, it just jumped from ten to twenty, and it looks like she’s not done yet...’

Sure enough, Lu Sangjiu continued, ”And besides all that, if word of this incident were to spread, it would surely be a problem for the Gold and Silver Gate’s reputation, wouldn’t it?”

”It may have happened in public, but none of the others were the victim. Their words don’t carry the same weight as mine.”

”If you want me to speak well of you, you’ll have to show me your good side first. Only then can I praise you. That makes sense, doesn’t it?”

Zhang Luo: ”...”

It had to be said, Lu Sangjiu’s last point truly hit the Gold and Silver Gate where it hurt.

They had to continue holding the Sword Seizing Conference in the future, and they had to keep raking in money.

If this incident blew up and everyone lost their trust in the Gold and Silver Gate, how would they make money in the future?

They had initially thought that Lu Sangjiu was just a young girl in the Foundation Establishment Stage. Even if she was from a Major Sect, she was only a Red Peak Disciple—the least important kind. They figured she hadn’t seen much of the world.

So they had subconsciously assumed she wouldn’t think things through so thoroughly and that ten top-grade spirit stones would be enough to get rid of her.

But... it now seemed she had even thought to demand compensation for emotional trauma. She was far more thorough than they had anticipated!

Zhang Luo took another sip of tea to calm his nerves. Once he’d collected himself, he asked, ”Lu Fairy, since we’ve come this far, we might as well be more direct.”

”Regarding this compensation, what price did you have in mind?”

Lu Sangjiu smiled faintly. ”Guarantee my advancement to the semifinals, give me another spot for Entering the Sword Tomb that I can gift to anyone, and compensate me with one hundred top-grade spirit stones.”

Zhang Luo nearly choked on his own spit when he heard her. ”How... how many?”

He could overlook the first two demands, but the final demand of one hundred top-grade spirit stones was too much of a shock.

Lu Sangjiu said with perfect composure, ”One hundred top-grade spirit stones shouldn’t be considered a large sum for the Gold and Silver Gate, right?”

”After all, when your Elder Wei offered to forge a Magic Treasure for me, he quoted a price of three hundred top-grade spirit stones right off the bat. My one hundred is less than half of that.”

’To be honest, if not for my own reasons—not wanting them to know about the Spell—it wouldn’t be as simple as just one hundred top-grade spirit stones.’

’I’m a True Disciple of the Seven Emotions Sect, after all, and Master Qian He has always been on good terms with Duan Xingyun.’

’For something that concerns my very life, wouldn’t Master Qian He personally come knocking on their door to demand an explanation?’

’At that point, their losses couldn’t be measured in Spirit Stones.’

But Zhang Luo couldn’t comprehend it at all. He just thought Lu Sangjiu had to be insane.

”Just a moment ago it was only twenty, and now in the blink of an eye, you’ve raised it to one hundred?”

Lu Sangjiu raised an eyebrow. ”What? Does Brother Zhang think the Gold and Silver Gate’s reputation isn’t worth eighty top-grade spirit stones? I’ve already made significant concessions.”

Zhang Luo: ”...”

At this point, a sip of tea was no longer enough to calm him down.

Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Zhang Luo stood up and forced a smile at Lu Sangjiu.

”This is beyond my authority to decide. Please wait, Lu Fairy. I will report back to the sect and get you an answer.”

With a pure and innocent smile on her face, Lu Sangjiu looked quite agreeable as she nodded. ”Of course. But when the time comes, I’ll have to trouble Brother Zhang to relay a message for me.”

”One hundred top-grade spirit stones is my bottom line. Non-negotiable.”

”If you find that unacceptable, then my only choice is to send a message to my master and have him negotiate with you.”

Zhang Luo: ”...”

’Her smile was so pure and sweet, but her words were a blatant threat!’

He clutched his chest. This time, he couldn’t even force a smile. He hastily excused himself and turned to leave.

Lu Sangjiu suddenly remembered something and called out after him, ”Oh, right, Brother Zhang! I’m just a simple girl who can’t keep things to herself. Please make your decision quickly. Otherwise, I’m afraid I won’t be able to resist telling my master about this first!”

Zhang Luo: ”...”

’You have the guts to demand one hundred top-grade spirit stones, yet you dare claim to be simple? Unbelievable!’

That day, Lu Sangjiu left an indelible shadow on Zhang Luo’s fragile psyche.

It also taught him a profound lesson: the more beautiful the girl, the better she is at swindling people!

After Zhang Luo left, Lu Sangjiu ordered a table full of food and began to eat leisurely on the first floor.

Before long, Luo Linlang returned.

Seeing Lu Sangjiu eating, she ran over, pleasantly surprised. ”Little Junior Sister, are you feeling alright?”

Lu Sangjiu beamed. ”Of course. Didn’t I tell you I’d be fine?”

”What about you, Senior Sister? How did your match go today? Did you win?”