Chapter 398: Chapter 396: Unexpected Disaster
Lei Tong walked up to Jiang Chen and said, "Brother Jiang, our Young Miss has agreed to your terms—a reward of one billion Lower-Grade Spirit Crystals. Here is a deposit of one hundred million Lower-Grade Spirit Crystals. The remaining nine hundred million will be given to you upon reaching our destination."
As he spoke, Lei Tong took out a Crystal Card.
This was a VIP card from the Cloud Sea Business Alliance. With this card, one could withdraw one hundred million Spirit Crystals from any bank under the Cloud Sea Business Alliance’s control.
Jiang Chen put away the Crystal Card and nodded. "When do we depart?"
"We depart at noon tomorrow!"
Lei Tong smiled, then said, "This mission is rather special, so from now on, you and your friend must remain within the Cloud Sea Business Alliance’s premises. You are not permitted to leave. Until the mission is complete, you are to follow the Cloud Sea Business Alliance’s orders."
"Since I’ve agreed to cooperate with you, I naturally won’t go back on my word," Jiang Chen nodded.
’My goal for this trip isn’t just for these one hundred million Lower-Grade Spirit Crystals.’
’Of course I’m not going to run away!’
Lei Tong smiled in satisfaction, then led Jiang Chen, Wuu Rui, and the few other experts who had passed the assessment into the Cloud Sea Business Alliance.
The main hall of the Cloud Sea Business Alliance was resplendent and magnificent.
The massive light fixture hanging in the center of the hall alone, a full one hundred meters in diameter, was crafted entirely from the Third-Grade Refining Material, Glowing Glaze Crystal. Furthermore, it was adorned with over ten thousand priceless Luminous Pearls.
It illuminated the entire hall, making it as bright and clear as day.
Lei Tong said, "Brother Jiang, the Young Miss has prepared a banquet and requests your presence."
"The Young Miss? Why is she inviting me?" Jiang Chen asked, confused.
Lei Tong gave a slight smile. "That, I do not know."
Wuu Rui and the others at his side looked at Jiang Chen with envy. "Younger Brother Jiang, other people would kill for a chance to treat the Young Miss to a meal, yet she has prepared a banquet specifically for you. She clearly holds you in high regard! What are you waiting for? Hurry up and go!"
"Yeah, go on!"
"This is a great opportunity!"
Urged on by the others, Jiang Chen was speechless. He had no choice but to follow Lei Tong.
A short while later, he arrived at a private room on the sixth floor. Standing outside the door, he could already smell the enticing aroma of food. Before Lei Tong could speak, Zhao Hongluan’s voice came from within. "Uncle Lei, you can let Jiang Chen in."
"Yes, Young Miss!" Lei Tong looked at Jiang Chen and made a welcoming gesture. "Brother Jiang, please."
"Much appreciated."
Jiang Chen rubbed his nose and walked into the private room.
Inside the room was a large, round table laden with a dazzling array of dishes. They were a feast for the senses—appealing in color, aroma, and taste. What a sumptuous banquet!
Even the Black Emperor momentarily shifted its attention from the Vermilion Bird. It stood on Jiang Chen’s shoulder, its body straightened slightly as it swallowed a mouthful of saliva.
Zhao Hongluan was seated at the head of the table.
Her red leather armor had been exchanged for a red dress. Her flame-red hair cascaded down her back. She seemed less martial and possessed a bit more delicate beauty.
Zhao Hongluan smiled. "Please, have a seat."
"Thank you, Young Miss." Jiang Chen nodded and found a seat.
The Black Emperor flashed over and landed on the seat next to him. With a flap of its fleshy wings, it was already holding a roasted beast leg, munching on it with relish.
Jiang Chen glanced at it, then looked at Zhao Hongluan with a wry smile. "My apologies, Little Black was starving."
"It’s no bother."
Zhao Hongluan waved her hand, her eyes sweeping over the Black Emperor without a trace. She smiled. "Jiang Chen, do you know why I invited you to this private banquet?"
Jiang Chen shook his head.
Zhao Hongluan rose to her feet. With her tall figure, every frown and smile was exceptionally eye-catching. She walked gracefully toward Jiang Chen and looked at him with a grin. "Ever since my debut, every man who has seen me has fallen over himself to curry favor. There are even many so-called ’favored sons of heaven’ who would debase themselves just to win a smile from me. Yet, from beginning to end, you haven’t even given me a second glance. I find it very curious. In your eyes, am I not beautiful enough?"
As she spoke, Zhao Hongluan leaned her tall frame forward. The warm breath from her lips carried a faint, fresh fragrance, puffing against Jiang Chen’s face, ticklish and warm.
"Little Brother Jiang Chen, do you think your big sister is beautiful?" Zhao Hongluan’s eyes were sultry, her long eyelashes fluttering.
Jiang Chen frowned.
He moved his feet slightly, intending to push his chair back.
But Zhao Hongluan was a step ahead. She pressed her hands on the armrests, preventing Jiang Chen from backing away.
With a wronged expression, Zhao Hongluan said, "Little Brother Jiang Chen, am I really that ugly? Are you not even willing to look at me once?"
Her pearly white teeth bit her red lips gently. Her large, watery eyes stared at Jiang Chen with a look of deep resentment.
Jiang Chen said in frustration, "Miss Zhao, please have some self-respect!"
Seeing Jiang Chen’s frustrated and impatient expression, Zhao Hongluan was a little dumbfounded. At the same time, she felt a surge of humiliation and indignation.
’To think that I, Zhao Hongluan, am a top-tier beauty!’
’What’s more, I’m a favored daughter of heaven ranked in the top ten thousand of the Human Venerable List! In the past, countless young elites couldn’t even get a chance to curry favor with me, yet Jiang Chen looks completely annoyed.’
’Damn it!’
’I refuse to believe you can really remain unmoved with a beauty in your lap!’
Even Zhao Hongluan herself had forgotten that her original purpose for inviting Jiang Chen to the banquet was to investigate Little Black’s identity.
But it had ended up like this.
Zhao Hongluan continued to lean forward, the pitiful look on her face growing even more heart-wrenching. Her breath was as fragrant as an orchid as she said, "Little Brother Jiang Chen, do you really hate me that much?"
Beside them, the Vermilion Bird covered its eyes with its wings, unable to bear watching.
The Black Emperor, still clutching a greasy roasted leg in the small claws on its fleshy wings, was dumbstruck. Its little eyes were filled with excitement, and it strained to widen them as it stared at Jiang Chen and Zhao Hongluan.
Seeing the two of them getting closer and closer, the Black Emperor couldn’t help but scream internally, ’FUCK... Let go of Jiang Chen and come for this Emperor instead!’
However, just as veins began to throb on Jiang Chen’s forehead and his anger was about to erupt like a volcano, a hearty voice suddenly came from outside the room. The closed doors were then thrown open. "Hong Luan, I heard your Business Alliance is sending a team to the Profound Celestial Ice Field tomorrow, so I came over to help! You must be so... so... so... FUCK, what are you two doing?!"
The sudden turn of events left both Jiang Chen and Zhao Hongluan stunned.
Zhao Hongluan’s hands were braced on the chair’s armrests, her entire body nearly pressing down on Jiang Chen. Startled by the voice, she was too shocked to even stand up.
Remaining in a posture that had her practically on top of Jiang Chen, they both turned their heads at the same time to look at the entrance, where a young man stood. He was dressed in magnificent brocade robes, his face was as handsome as jade, and he had an extraordinary air.
The young man’s face shifted between pale and ashen, nearly turning the color of pig liver.
With a WHOOSH, his robes billowed out. A gaze filled with rage and a trace of jealousy fell upon Jiang Chen as he roared, "Where did you come from, you little bastard, daring to steal my woman? Hong Luan, get out of my way! This lord will flay this brat alive today!"
Before his voice had even faded, a large golden bow appeared in his hand. With a SWOOSH, a blue arrow shot explosively toward Jiang Chen.
Jiang Chen’s pupils contracted slightly. He was speechless.
’Who did I piss off this time?’
’This is a completely undeserved disaster!’
However, the young man hadn’t even given him a chance to explain before attacking with killing intent. How could Jiang Chen let him have his way?
With a cold snort, Jiang Chen pinched the air with the index and middle fingers of his right hand.
BANG!
An incredibly dazzling blue light bloomed forth. Following that, the blue light slowly receded, revealing a cold, blue metal arrow held firmly between his two fingers!
His cold gaze followed, landing on the richly-dressed young man. Jiang Chen spoke coldly, "Kneel and apologize to me. Or, I’ll beat you until you do."
