Seeing Chen Lin's firm resolve, Huyan Wushuang's expression turned icy.
She was just about to say something else.
Then a little bird sculpture on a roof beam suddenly stirred, came to life, and fluttered over to Chen Lin.
A clear, crisp voice rang out.
"Are you certain you want the Heaven-Swallowing Golden Toad?"
Chen Lin looked at the little bird, inwardly astonished.
So Huyan Wushuang was not the guardian of the Treasure Vault.
The one truly in charge of this floor was this drab little gray bird.
"I'm certain!"
"Wait!"
The two voices rang out almost simultaneously.
Then a figure hurried in from outside.
It was a young man in white.
An elderly man in gray robes followed behind him.
"Steward Huyan, I've obtained the merit token. Give me the item!"
The young man in white glanced at Chen Lin, took out a token, and handed it to Huyan Wushuang.
Chen Lin raised an eyebrow.
There was no need to ask. The item the other man meant was the Heaven-Swallowing Golden Toad.
He had also taken a fancy to it, but had been waiting for his merit token, which was why he had not redeemed it yet.
Huyan Wushuang accepted the token and looked toward the little gray bird.
The little gray bird shook its head.
"I'll give you half a cup of tea's time to negotiate. If you can't reach an agreement, it's first come, first served."
"There's nothing to discuss. This is the item I want. Please let me redeem it, my lord!"
Chen Lin spoke immediately.
His conflict with Huyan Wushuang was irreconcilable. There was no need to consider her feelings. On the contrary, with this treasure, he would at least have some ability to fight back if she struck at him in secret.
"How dare you!"