The thin, gaunt old man laughed heartily and pointed at Shopkeeper Cao. "Brother Cao, you've calculated this deal down to the last detail. Since you've already got a thorough plan, why not lay it out? That'll save us from offering one strategy only for you to shoot it down."
Deputy Alliance Leader Zuo and Deputy Island Master Liu exchanged a glance. "Brother Zhu is right. Brother Cao, stop keeping us in suspense."
Shopkeeper Cao said, "Very well. I'll spare you the rest of the talk. I'll leave the lion's share of this fat sheep to you gentlemen. Yalan Residence will take only forty percent of the proceeds. How does that sound?"
"Are you insane?"
"Brother Cao, you've got quite an appetite!"
"Old Cao, you really think nothing of our three families!"
The room erupted in curses.
Before the shouting had even died down, a deafening explosion thundered out.
The formations and runes surrounding the secret chamber shook violently.
"What's going on, Brother Cao? Are you trying to wipe us all out?"
Deputy Alliance Leader Zuo roared and sprang to his feet, slamming a hand on the table.
The thin, gaunt old man and Deputy Island Master Liu hadn't yet understood what was happening. Instinctively, they both assumed defensive stances.
Before Shopkeeper Cao could recover, two more explosions rang out. The protective formations around the secret chamber collapsed in an instant.
Fireballs burst into a sea of flames, engulfing all four men.
"High-grade fire talismans? Impossible!"
Shopkeeper Cao howled, his heart breaking.
By now, how could he not know what had happened?
He'd never imagined that man would be so audacious and resolute as to detonate several fire talismans in a row at Yalan Residence.
Even a fire-element Talisman Master couldn't possibly use such rare talismans so extravagantly.
The thought flashed