The Deal Is Sealed

"No, I'm just an ordinary citizen of Great Zhou City," Mu Chen said awkwardly.

He had lived in Great Zhou City for over two years now, and in another half year, it would be three. That made him a citizen of Great Zhou City—nothing wrong with that.

"???"

Zhou Qing was full of question marks. Since when had Great Zhou City gained someone like this? He had not heard a single thing about him, and besides, this guy did not look ordinary at all.

"...I didn't expect you to be from Great Zhou City. Forgive my ignorance," Zhou Qing said helplessly.

"I usually keep a low profile, so I don't have much of a reputation," Mu Chen said.

"Your Majesty, I came today to make a deal with you. The Great Zhou Imperial Family can definitely provide what I want in this trade."

"Father, I'll be leaving first. You two can talk," Zhou Yuan said as he turned to leave, but Zhou Qing called him back.

"Yuan'er, stay here. You don't mind, do you, Little Mister Mu Chen?"

"I don't have a problem with it." Mu Chen shook his head.

"I have a kind of spirit liquid here. It can treat bodily injuries, even internal ones, and restore some of the body's losses." Mu Chen took several jade bottles from his robe.

Lin Dong's father had suffered a beating, leaving him with internal injuries that had accumulated over many years, yet a single drop of Ancestral Stone Spirit Liquid had healed him almost completely. It was clear that aside from cultivation, it also possessed excellent healing effects.

However, it worked best on those with lower cultivation. For those at a higher realm, its effects were little more than a drop in the bucket.

As for Zhou Qing, the two people most important to him—his wife and son—both needed this spirit liquid.

These were a few drops he and Su Youwei had saved while cultivating. They could be used to exchange for what they needed.

"Nephew Mu Chen, is what you said true?" Zhou Qing shot to his feet, staring at the jade bottles in Mu Chen's hand in delight. Even his form of address had changed from Little Mister to nephew.

"Can it restore the lifespan lost from a person's loss of Vital Blood?"

Qin Yu had already lost thirty-three years of her lifespan. She had only around ten years left, and her physical condition was extremely frail. Without some heavenly treasure capable of restoring lifespan, she truly did not have much time left.

"Father, who are you talking about?" Zhou Yuan's eyes reddened. He had already guessed who this person who had lost their lifespan was.

Zhou Qing sighed sorrowfully. However, he did not answer Zhou Yuan first, instead looking toward Mu Chen.

Over the years, it was not as though he had never sought out such heavenly treasures. But treasures capable of restoring lifespan were priceless and exceedingly rare, things one could only hope to encounter.

"I'm sorry, but it cannot restore lifespan. However, it can strengthen the body and remove internal damage. For the issue of lifespan, Your Majesty will need to search specifically for that kind of heavenly treasure." Mu Chen shook his head.

The Ancestral Stone Spirit Liquid was indeed miraculous, but it was not omnipotent.

"For example, Zhou Yuan's current weak-looking condition can be improved somewhat as well." Though Mu Chen's words were realistic, they dealt Zhou Yuan quite a blow.

The reason it could only improve his condition was because Resentful Dragon Poison resided within Zhou Yuan's body. Even if it replenished some of his lost blood, the Resentful Dragon Poison would consume it afterward.

"Nephew, what do you want? Also, there's no need to call me Your Majesty. Just call me Uncle Zhou." Though Zhou Qing was somewhat disappointed, this effect was already very good.

"Uncle Zhou, I want two admission spots for Great Zhou Mansion." Mu Chen did not stand on ceremony. Since Zhou Qing wanted to draw closer to him, Mu Chen had nothing to lose.

"A small matter. I'll mention it to Mansion Lord Chu when the time comes."

Zhou Qing made the decision on the spot. It was merely pulling some strings; as its founder, he still had that privilege.

"And Beast Soul Crystals. If possible, give me some of those as well," Mu Chen continued.

In the Wu Dong World, powerful demonic beasts would condense demon spirits after death. In this world, when Source Beasts died, they left behind Beast Soul Crystals. Little Marten should be able to use them.

"Beast Soul Crystals... there are indeed some in the imperial treasury. I'll take some out for you later."

"Anything else? These requests are nothing," Zhou Qing asked. None of these conditions posed any difficulty for him.

"That's all for now. Oh, and give me a copy of the Qi Gathering Technique. It doesn't need to be anything too good."

Zhou Qing nodded. "None of that will be a problem. If Nephew needs anything in the future, feel free to tell me. If it is within my power, I will handle it."

"Father, can you tell me about Mother now?" Zhou Yuan asked anxiously.

"This is your family matter. Should I excuse myself?" Mu Chen asked.

The deal had not yet concluded. Leaving would be awkward, but staying would be awkward too. Zhou Qing would probably tell Zhou Yuan about Python Sparrow Swallowing Dragon next.

"Hmm... no need. Since you're already calling me Uncle Zhou, I trust my own judgment of people. Besides, it's not some secret that cannot be known." After considering it, Zhou Qing did not ask Mu Chen to leave.

There had been people who knew about what happened back then. Saint Dragon Destiny was no ordinary destiny; many had paid attention to it at the time. In the end, Great Zhou became the laughingstock of those people, unable even to hold on to its own destiny.

Hearing this, Mu Chen sat in a nearby chair and listened quietly.

As Zhou Qing recounted the events of those years, Zhou Yuan's expression changed from shock to fury, his emotions surging violently.

If only his destiny had been taken from him, he would have merely been shocked and could have endured it. But once he thought of how his mother had only around ten years left to live because of him, Zhou Yuan could no longer suppress the killing intent in his heart.

Wu Family, this hatred is irreconcilable. When I rise to power someday, I will reclaim every last bit of it.

His fists clenched so tightly that his nails nearly broke the skin of his palms. The rage filling his chest caused his pale little face to flush red, making his features look somewhat twisted.

Mu Chen sighed inwardly. The Wu Family had not gone far enough back then. If they had risked breaking their oath and killed Zhou Yuan in his cradle, they might have faced criticism, but at least they could have endured for much longer.

Among the Wu Family members, only Wu Yao was decent. She was broad-minded and dared to take responsibility, knowing that her destiny had been taken from Zhou Yuan. Wu Huang and Wu Wang, on the other hand, both regarded Saint Dragon Destiny as their own.

"Thank you, Brother Mu Chen."

Zhou Yuan spoke solemnly. That spirit liquid was useful to his mother, which meant Mu Chen had done him a favor. Zhou Yuan clearly distinguished gratitude from resentment; he treated friends with great kindness, but showed no mercy toward enemies.

"Just call me Mu Chen. We're about the same age. We each get what we need—I have things I need, and the imperial family can provide them." Mu Chen waved his hand.

By about the same age, he meant their current ages. Before his transmigration, he had been older than Zhou Yuan. The past was gone.

Zhou Qing and his son looked at each other. He really was straightforward, without any twists or schemes. Yet people like that were worth befriending; they suited their temperaments well.

Compared to those who put on one face before you and another behind your back, someone like this would not stab you in the back.