He Hadn't Meant to Stop Her, Anyway

Kong You's remark was ill-timed, but there was no denying it had made the private room feel much more charged.

Oscar could also sense that Zhu Zhuqing was a little less resistant to him, but this wasn't the time to think about that.

After leaving the Soto Grand Spirit Fighting Arena, the four of them went to a nearby tavern called Gulan Pavilion.

The tavern wasn't famous across Suotuo City, but it was practically common knowledge among the city's powerful and wealthy and among Spirit Masters who liked to indulge themselves.

As soon as he stepped inside, Oscar could tell the service here was out of the ordinary. He glanced at Kong You, then shook his head helplessly.

The main reason they'd come was to discuss what came next with Kong You. The Great Soul Arena was far too chaotic a place for a detailed conversation.

Only after the lavish dishes had been served did Kong You broach the subject.

"Brother Yuan, I was truly impressed by today's match. The strength you and Brother Jueyu showed was beyond what anyone at the Soul Elder level should possess.

"We can forget about what we discussed before. I'll do my best to secure some benefits for you from my family. As for our partnership, I hope we can take it a little further..."

Kong You had only just begun when Oscar interrupted him by tapping his fingers on the table.

"Our partnership stays as it was. You know we value keeping a low profile."

Kong You hadn't achieved his aim, but he didn't seem disappointed. He'd only been testing the waters, after all. It couldn't hurt to try.

Instead, he cheerfully urged everyone to eat and made a point of introducing some of the tavern's specialties.

Zhu Zhuqing hadn't understood a word of Oscar and Kong You's earlier conversation. But she and Oscar were only ordinary friends at the moment, so she had no right to ask. She just found herself thinking that Oscar seemed even more mysterious than before.

As for Ma Hongjun, he didn't care what his senior brother was discussing. He knew that when the time came, his senior brother would tell him. Besides... whatever his senior brother wanted to do, he would always stay by his side and never take a step back.

"What about the thing I asked for?"

Oscar meant a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone. Though the two of them spoke of it as if it were nothing, many Soul Douluo—and even some Titled Douluo—didn't possess one.

One of them had set his sights on Tang San's mother's Soul Bone, while the other came from a family whose lineage stretched back who knew how long. Otherwise, how could two Soul Elders even dream of getting their hands on a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone?

Kong You fell silent for a moment. There was no way the Soul Bone could be promised to Oscar; the promise had been made to the Sky Net behind him—a mysterious organization of which they'd only seen the tip of the iceberg.

After seeing the Self-Created Soul Skills Oscar had revealed, Kong You had already been tempted. He believed his family would gladly offer a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone in exchange for even a portion of Oscar's Self-Created Soul Skills.

But Oscar had clearly rejected the possibility of a deeper partnership, which meant the Soul Bone was still... uncertain.

Still, he went on to say, "Brother Yuan, don't worry about it. I'll discuss it with my family and make sure you get an answer you're satisfied with."

Kong You could make that promise because he'd already made certain preparations. If his family weighed the options and tried to reduce what they were willing to pay, he was prepared to give up some of his own resources in exchange for the Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone.

His relationship with Oscar wasn't purely about a deal. More than anything, the two of them simply got along. Otherwise, given Oscar's years of worldly experience, he would have sensed it and put some distance between them.

"That's great. Thanks in advance, Brother Kong."

Oscar smiled, lifted his glass, and drained it. Though it was called wine, it was more like the... soft drinks he'd had in his other world.

The meal ended with both host and guests thoroughly satisfied. Afterward, Kong You shot Oscar a suggestive look, then left without following the three of them.

Oscar guessed that the man was heading back to his family to discuss what came next.

Even more absurdly, Kong You wasn't very old. He was even a little younger than Dai Mubai.

Sure enough... not one of the reclusive families was simple. None of them had appeared during the upheaval in the Inner Scene. The most likely explanation was that... it had nothing to do with their interests.

Oscar had never been one to dwell on things that didn't concern him, so he left it at that.

By the time they left the tavern, it was midnight, but the streets were still brightly lit.

In high spirits, Oscar invited Ma Hongjun to keep walking around. He cautiously asked Zhu Zhuqing too, and to his surprise, she agreed.

The three of them wandered aimlessly through Suotuo City. For some reason—or perhaps because they all had the same unspoken thought—they soon found themselves outside the Rose Hotel.

As if by coincidence, someone stood at the entrance with an arm around a young woman, looking around as if he couldn't decide where to go for the evening.

"Brother Ao! Hongjun! Over here!"

It was Dai Mubai. When he spotted Oscar and Ma Hongjun, he hurried over with the girl in his arms.

His brows furrowed slightly. He sensed a stirring from his Martial Soul when he looked at the young woman beside Oscar.

Could she be from the Nether Civet Family? But why would someone from the Nether Civet Family be involved with Oscar?

Was she wearing Oscar's clothes? Had the two of them already slept together?

A countless number of thoughts flashed through Dai Mubai's mind in an instant, before settling on one:

"If Oscar really is connected to the Nether Civet Family, then we'll be relatives too. That should mean Oscar will have to help me..."

As he thought this, Dai Mubai reached Oscar's side.

Dai Mubai was taken aback by the girl's disgusted look, but didn't pay it much mind. He and Zhu Zhuqing had been apart for too long, and they hadn't seen much of each other when they were young.

If he recognized her now, it would be a miracle.

He just wondered, What's with that look?

What puzzled him even more was Oscar's behavior. It was normal for Ma Hongjun to resent him for slacking off on his cultivation. Oscar usually took a casual attitude toward his training.

So why was Oscar looking at him like he was disappointed in him, as if he wanted to say something but couldn't—and even seemed... awkward? Guilty? Something else he couldn't quite put his finger on?

What was all that about?!

But Dai Mubai was still socially savvy enough not to ask outright. Instead, he smiled at Zhu Zhuqing, then turned and put an arm around Oscar's shoulder as he whispered:

"You move fast. The home fires are still burning, but you've got another woman on the side? Want me to teach you a few tricks? And who's this? Aren't you going to introduce me?"

"..."

For a moment, Oscar didn't know what to say. He looked over at Zhu Zhuqing and saw that she had already summoned her Martial Soul. Her catlike claws shot toward Dai Mubai.

Oscar wanted to stop her, but it was too late... well, he hadn't meant to stop Zhu Zhuqing anyway...