He lowered his head, feeling neither willing nor resigned.
Mu Rong's naturally stern expression seemed to freeze on his face.
The little brat—how could he be genuinely afraid of him? He was just pretending. He'd have to take it slow and coax him.
"All right, get up. Let's head back to school."
The four of them walked back to the academy together, the atmosphere unusually harmonious.
Lin and that other young man walked behind Mu Rong, looking like three little wives who'd been bullied.
After they'd walked for a while, Lin could no longer hold back. He hurried forward and asked cautiously, "That... Young Master, what's going on between you and the young master of the Martial Soul Hall? I saw you two today... It seemed like you didn't get along."
Huh?
That question made Mu Rong's thoughts come to life in an instant.
Had Lin misunderstood the relationship between him and the young master of the Martial Soul Hall?
If he could use the young master's connections to act like a tyrant in Ju Yuan City, wouldn't that make it much easier to get what he wanted in the future?
And if he worked with Lin or that city lord's son on the Demon Blade business, wouldn't he be able to make a fortune?
All the resources he'd need to cultivate would be taken care of, wouldn't they?
Thinking of this, Mu Rong chuckled and put on an air of nonchalance. In a casual tone, he said, "Oh, that? He's my cousin's husband's younger brother. We're practically family."
"Besides, the Martial Soul Hall has already issued me an official invitation. As long as I break through to the Great Soul Master realm before I turn fourteen, I can go straight to the Martial Soul City Central Academy for advanced training."
"Tch!"
Lin and the young man behind him both gasped.
His cousin's husband's younger brother? That was a truly distant connection—and Mu Rong had the nerve to say they were practically family?
How shameless could he be?
How could he make up such a ridiculous story about Mu Rong?
Most importantly, breaking through to Great Soul Master before fourteen? And getting into the Martial Soul City academy?
Lin finally understood.
This meant Mu Rong's future achievements would be extraordinary. At the very least, he'd become a Soul King. He might even become a Soul Emperor.
He'd thought he'd stumbled upon a future big shot—an absolute big brother. And now it seemed like... he hadn't even started eating the tiger meat!
As soon as Lin figured it out, his attitude changed completely.
"So that's how it is! I knew you had to be extraordinary, Young Master. With your talent and bearing, how could you possibly be an ordinary craftsperson?"
"That's right, that's right! From now on, you'll be my real boss!"
"Young Master, if you ever need me, just say the word!"
Flattery poured from them like a rising tide.
Hearing those words made Lu Zhen feel extremely pleased.
On the way back to the academy, all the students who saw the group of four lowered their heads and stepped aside.
The academy's domineering young master, Lin, was walking alongside a couple of lackeys and that craft student. What was going on?
Suo Ling was anxiously waiting by the dormitory entrance. When she saw Mu Rong return, she was about to hurry over—then she noticed the group following him, and froze.
Mu Rong casually walked over and patted Suo Ling on the shoulder with a smile. "Come on, let's go. You and my younger brother can head to the second floor and grab something to eat. He's my little brother, so of course I have to look after him."
"Huh? Young Master... what are you talking about?"
Suo Ling was completely confused.
"Hey, this is Lin, my new little brother. You'll be looking after him from now on."
"Huh? This..."
Suo Ling hadn't even finished reacting before Mu Rong pulled her toward the second-floor cafeteria.
Lin happily ran off to get food, stuffing his face with those greasy, soul-beast-meat dishes.
Sitting at the table on the second floor, surrounded by a feast of meat, Mu Rong felt deeply content.
After so many years, and so long in this world, this was the first time he'd eaten real meat.
What a heartwarming moment.
What a bittersweet experience.
He couldn't spend his whole life bullying ghosts by himself. Sooner or later, he'd have to build his own clan or sect.
He needed loyal and dependable people at his side.
Although Lu Zhen's cultivation was weak, he was loyal and dependable.
In the Douluo Continent, nothing was more important than that.
Besides, Lu Zhen had been with him since he was little.
As for natural talent? He had Mu Rong, and he had resources. With both of those, what couldn't he achieve?
Taking advantage of the moment, Lin looked at Mu Rong's inscrutable expression and his clothes that clearly didn't suit his age. It seemed to him that Mu Rong was a big shot from another world.
After they finished eating, Mu Rong took the three of them to an empty lot near the academy's training grounds.
He pointed at Lin and said, "Since you've acknowledged me as your big brother, I'll naturally look after you."
"I've got a business idea. I can take you home for a month, and we can start a business that'll earn us at least a thousand gold soul coins."
"Besides, you won't have to do anything that puts you in danger."
"What kind of business? Is it something I'd be interested in?"
"Huh?"
Lin froze.
"Boss, are you... are you joking? What do you mean, I won't have to do anything dangerous, and we'll earn a thousand gold soul coins in just a month?"
"Look at you, underestimating your boss again."
Mu Rong pursed his lips.
"Here's the general idea. Go back and discuss it with your city lord father."
"If it involves working with him, I'm not interested."
Mu Rong held up a finger.
"I want ten thousand gold soul coins. And you'll have to think of a way to get me my first Spirit Seed. How does that sound?"
"Ten... ten... ten thousand gold soul coins?!"
Suo Ling and Lin's eyes widened at the same time, and they gulped.
Lin's jaw dropped.
"Boss... it's pitch-black outside!"
It was obvious what he meant. Ten thousand gold soul coins—he thought Mu Rong was dreaming.
Mu Rong flicked Lin on the forehead. His expression was like that of someone looking at a country bumpkin who'd never seen the world.
"You little brat, what are you talking about?"
He spoke calmly, then turned to the other two. "You think I'm the kind of person who makes empty promises?"
Lin coughed awkwardly and didn't dare say anything else. He could only sit there, looking sheepish.
Suo Ling, standing nearby, had her doubts too. But she had an almost blind faith in Mu Rong, so she hurried over to smooth things over.
"Boss is right. Young Master definitely has some incredible way of making money! What is it, boss?"
Looking at the pair of them with their curious expressions, Mu Rong felt amused.
One had already been brought to heel, while the other was a loyal little brother who'd been devoted to him since childhood. Both of them were useful enough.
"All right, let's not keep your other friends waiting."
Mu Rong cleared his throat and began laying out his plan—the business model that would change the world of this otherworld.
"Lin, listen carefully. First, in the name of your city lord's household, buy up a large quantity of goods."
"What goods?"
Lin asked, unable to help himself.
"The most ordinary ones, the kind every household uses."
"Oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, tea. Then add some common herbs that aren't too difficult to find. In short, buy a large quantity, and make sure they're cheap."
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