Lei Lin laughed. "Right. And please make sure your business activities don't have too much impact on Nifeng City. Keep things as close to their original state as possible, so it'll be easier for me to continue my experiments."
Hasen thumped his chest and promised there wouldn't be any problems. He would make the project serve the Zi'ao Family exclusively, and in the future, if the person in charge of the Nifeng City outpost wanted to do anything, he would consult the Zi'ao Family first.
The atmosphere at the table quickly grew lively. The maids, each with delicate features and beautiful enough to be called goddesses in the eyes of ordinary people, gathered around them as well.
Seeing the maids' delicate faces stirred Lei Lin's desire, but he had no intention of making a move on them.
After all, although he could only manage to be sworn enemies with gambling and drugs, he wasn't the sort of man who lost his head at the sight of a beautiful woman.
He had his principles. At the very least, there had to be some emotional connection!
Otherwise, if he took every woman he met, the number would keep growing until his household descended into chaos. That would be a disaster.
He was currently in a period of rapid development and didn't want trouble brewing at home.
"Ah, marriage alliances are such a hassle. And it's annoying not to be strong enough. I'll choose another princess at the mixer later to secure the family's growth in the kingdom, then head to the Chaotic Territory and cultivate in seclusion until I break through to the Saint Realm."
"Otherwise, I'm afraid I'll have to deal with all sorts of tiresome social engagements later!"
The next evening
Lei Lin was chatting with a princess at the mixer when he saw the old butler hurrying toward him. He asked, puzzled, "What happened?"
After all, this was a mixer hosted by the royal family. Given the old butler's composure, if he had come to find Lei Lin here so gravely, something must have happened. Otherwise, he would surely have waited until the event was over.
"Master, we've received word from the black market. The seller of the Saint-level Tyrannosaurus blood wants to make the exchange right now, in a small town outside the city!"
Lei Lin frowned at that. "Right now...?"
"Tsk. What timing. Could the other party know I'm attending the mixer?"
The old butler frowned too. "Probably. Anyone who can sell Saint-level Tyrannosaurus blood must have some influence. They should be able to find out that you're attending the mixer."
"They're demanding a deal at a time like this so we won't have time to make many preparations, and to keep us from robbing them. It's a million-gold-coin deal, after all. We can't afford to be careless."
Lei Lin nodded. "That's true."
Given his current reputation, Saint-level Tyrannosaurus blood was precious, but it wasn't a Saint Realm Magic Core, just some blood. The seller had put it on the black market to make money.
If he really wanted to use his influence to take it by force, the royal family would surely be willing to help.
By insisting on a deal right now, the seller had made it awkward for Lei Lin to skip the royal mixer and then ask the royal family for help.
"Hah. They're judging others by their own low standards. A million gold coins is a lot, but it's nothing special. Why would I stoop to robbing them?"
He was about to go say goodbye to Clyde and leave, but as he turned, he felt someone tug at his arm. It was the princess he'd taken a liking to—Lantan.
"Mr. Lei Lin, forgive me for being presumptuous. I overheard part of your conversation with your butler by accident. Are you planning to leave the mixer now and go make that deal?"
Lei Lin's brows twitched. "Yes. Does Princess Lantan have an objection?"
Although he was only a seventh-level warrior, the title of greatest genius on the continent wasn't just for show. He was certain the Radiant Church was already keeping an eye on him.
In this situation, even King Clyde would speak to him as an equal. A mere princess had no right to meddle in his decisions—even if he did like Lantan. She wasn't his wife, after all. (He'd always admired Dong Tianbao!)
A smile glimmered in Lantan's lovely eyes. "Not at all. I'd just like to see Saint-level Tyrannosaurus blood for myself. Would you mind taking me with you?"
Lei Lin was taken aback. Then he studied Lantan more carefully. "If King Clyde agrees, I don't mind taking you along, Princess Lantan."
After leaving the mixer, Lei Lin frowned slightly. Given Clyde's temperament, he'd expected the king not to stop him from leaving, even if he wanted to take the princess with him.
In fact, Clyde might even be glad to see him leave with a princess.
But...
"Why did Clyde's expression seem a little off? Never mind. He's just a stepping-stone for the protagonist. As long as he doesn't cause me trouble, that's all that matters!"
Then he turned to Princess Lantan beside him. "What level of warrior are you?"
Lantan smiled. "I'm a sixth-level warrior."
Lei Lin was surprised. "Sixth level?!"
He couldn't help it. As a princess, she'd grown up surrounded by luxury. Even if she trained as a warrior, it was probably mostly to stay in shape.
Even with all kinds of resources to help her, most people her age would only be at the third or fourth level. Someone who'd reached the sixth level should have been raised as a pillar of the royal family. Why would she be used for a marriage allia—
Well, when he remembered his own title as the greatest genius in history, he understood. He was worth Clyde's offering such a princess. Only a princess like her was good enough for him.
Chatting and laughing, the two soon arrived at the seller's chosen meeting place. Yet for some reason, when Lei Lin saw the three men dressed in black before him, his instincts stirred with unease.
Frowning, he decided to finish the deal as quickly as possible. "Where's the dragon blood? I want to inspect it."
The black-clad man in the lead sized Lei Lin up. "Mr. Lei Lin, this is Saint-level Tyrannosaurus blood. It's so precious—how could I carry it around with me?"
As he spoke, he tossed him a strip of black cloth. "Put this over your eyes. I'll take you to where the dragon blood is hidden."
Lei Lin took the cloth, his frown deepening at once. Something's wrong. The other party... isn't here to trade dragon blood at all.
Holding the cloth, Lei Lin said, "Let's make a deal. Let my companion and my butler leave, and I'll go with you."
Hearing this, the old butler—an old hand who could read people and had also sensed that something was wrong—realized what was happening. He roared, "Who are you people?!"
As he spoke, crimson douqi appeared around his body. He was ready to strike at any moment.
But Lei Lin put a hand on his shoulder. "Butler Carl, calm down. Anger won't solve anything!"
The leader of the black-clad men watched Lei Lin, who had sensed something was wrong yet remained perfectly calm, and chuckled. "Impressive. No wonder you're the greatest genius the continent has ever seen!"
"You've guessed who we are!"
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