Chapter 96 A Match Made in Heaven

Clara couldn't help but chuckle. This guy could spin a tall tale like no other. If she didn't know better, she might have been fooled by his bravado.

But knowing the truth behind him, watching him spout nonsense with such seriousness only made her feel he was being utterly shameless, making her want to expose him even more.

"My apologies, my apologies. So it's Lord Wang Feng," Clara said with a smile. "Tsk tsk, did you forget something, perhaps? Like being the disgrace of the Nine Gods' assassins?"

The atmosphere suddenly froze. The mention of 'Nine Gods' assassins' changed Old Wang's face as if struck by lightning.

Clara still smiled at Wang Feng, though her eyes now held too much uncertainty and danger.

Life or death was at stake, so Old Wang casually grabbed a nearby bottle of alcohol!

But with his sixteen-core brain, he had already calmed down in less than half a second after grabbing the bottle handle.

This wouldn't give him any real security; he wasn't sure he could beat this girl.

Don't panic!

The mermaid princess sitting before him—whether she was truly a princess or not—was from a fickle race, but they certainly wouldn't help the Nine Gods to punish him.

If they wanted to get rid of him, they wouldn't do it openly; clearly, they were just trying to tease him.

With the sea clan's intelligence network, finding out about a small spy like Wang Feng, who had already been exposed within the Rose, would be no trouble at all.

It was likely that he had already been compromised earlier, and his predecessor had caused quite a mess for him to clean up.

Understanding this, Old Wang felt relieved. Looking at Clara's teasing gaze, he was now fully confident. Damn, this girl wasn't good news; she almost scared him to death.

"...People can't choose their origins."

After saying this, Old Wang looked completely composed. "I once stood on the side of darkness, but the great Teacher Karida saw my talent and didn't hold my background against me. She transformed me with her heart, and now I've turned over a new leaf and reformed! This is called turning a new leaf, and with my abilities, I will follow the example of my brother Wang Meng under Teacher Karida's wise leadership and achieve great things in the League of Blades!"

Clara continued to look at him with amusement.

From shock and panic to anger and then calming down, three layers of transformation completed in less than half a second.

What a talent, and how shameless he was.

"Since you've turned over a new leaf, why are you still holding that bottle?" Clara asked with a smile. "Trying to silence me?"

"Not at all. I don't hit women; I'm just celebrating that you've seen through my true self!" Old Wang didn't blush at all, cheerfully clinking his bottle against Clara's cup. "You're such a bad person; you must drink a whole bottle to calm me down. Cheers!"

"Cheers." Clara laughed and drank it all in one go.

Indeed, cheap liquor was best drunk in large gulps, the icy burn bringing a refreshing sensation.

"Do you not fear the Nine Gods? I heard they treat traitors most cruelly on the entire continent. Tsk tsk, you might disappear one day," Clara said with an expressive face, making Old Wang feel uneasy.

Really hitting where it hurt, "Pfft, should I be afraid? Let me tell you, Blue Sky—you know, our top expert in the Rose—is now my personal guard, hiding somewhere to protect me!" Though he said this, Old Wang really didn't want to continue this topic. "Let's talk business. I have a deal that can make you a lot of money."

"Go on."

"Last time, didn't I buy some Grade A4 soul crystals from you?" Old Wang chuckled, getting straight to the point. "Same quantity, but now I need Grade A5. Can you manage it?"

"Grade A4 is already controlled goods. What do you need Grade A5 for? Planning to blow up the Holy Sanctuary of the Rose?" Clara couldn't resist teasing him, which she rarely did, but he always brought out this side of her.

"The Holy Sanctuary of the Rose is my home. I'd rather blow you up than it. Talking like this makes me furious!" Old Wang's hand didn't shake at all. "I'm just doing research, mechanical runes!"

"Alright," Clara crossed her legs. "Two million. Money talks."

"But I'm a bit short on cash recently," Old Wang grinned. "Look, I'm quite talented and deeply trusted by Teacher Karida's representative. I'm someone important in the Holy Sanctuary of the Rose and even Aurora City. How about this: consider it a loan, and I'll work for you until I pay it back. You'll get a talented person for free for a while. What do you think?"

"I have plenty of money, but you're not worth it," Clara said with a smile.

"So hurtful?" Old Wang's eyes filled with sorrow and disbelief.

"Hurt feelings are better than losing money," Clara said with a grin.

"Never thought I'd see this!" Old Wang said, heartbroken. "Such a perfect beauty, yet covered in the stench of greed. What a waste!"

"It's because I'm too perfect that I have some flaws; otherwise, how would men survive?" Clara watched Wang Feng perform. "Come on, find a reason to convince me, or do you have some hidden talents?"

"Talents..."

Old Wang finally shut up, realizing this girl was just as shameless as he was. No use wasting words on her.

"Admirable, admirable!" Old Wang bowed respectfully, deciding to offer something concrete. "Let's try another way. Remember the hawk-eye formula I sold you last time? It sold well, right? Well, I've developed a new version that costs less but has the same effect!"

"Want to sell another formula?" Clara looked at him with a half-smile.

"No, selling the finished product! I'll supply it cheaper than your cost price, reducing risks and overheads. Middlemen can earn a profit easily!"

Last time, he sold the formula because he couldn't produce it fast enough, but now Old Wang had confidence. Li Sitan had helped him secure the position of Minister of the Rune Department in the Autonomous Council. With that title, he could get free labor from the Holy Sanctuary, presenting it as practice for the Institute of Potions and earning extra income.

"No interest," Clara said, sipping her spicy drink, enjoying his frustrated expression.

"Don't say that. Money is always useful. You never know when I might help you."

"With your impressive titles?" Clara couldn't help but laugh.

To her, Wang Feng was just an amusing character. Helping her? He didn't have the capability.

Being mocked, the highest level of boasting isn't backing off but pushing forward, reaching new heights.

Given that his opponent was Clara, Old Wang decided to escalate, raising his status even higher.

"The title is just a name; true strength is what matters. I am genuine gold that fears no fire." Old Wang said calmly, "As for the help I can offer, take your sea clan's curse for example. What you sea people desire most should be finding a way to break the curse, right?"

In the past, the sea clan could be considered amphibious, with most of them able to survive on land for extended periods. Relying on their innate strength and terrifying numbers, they were always the strongest in this world. However, after the Holy War, things changed. The ultimate reason was the ultimate curse from the Supreme Saint, which confined them to the depths of the sea. Even high-ranking royals like Clara needed a bubble illusion to maintain their physical energy when on land.

Now that the Supreme Saint is dead, the curse still persists, binding and troubling the sea clan. Within the sea clan, they have been trying to find a solution. Whoever finds it would instantly become the new Sea King, unifying all seven seas.

"Those who dare to joke about our sea clan's curse usually end up dead." Clara looked at him with a smile, but everyone on the continent knew about the sea clan's curse. Trying to deceive her with a few words was simply wishful thinking.

"Who’s joking with you?" Old Wang smiled slightly. This was a hidden SSS-level mission. He didn't expect to encounter it here before he could complete it in the game. "There’s a rumor that killing all the descendants of the Supreme Saint will lift the curse. Have you been working on that? Your sea clan's trading company seems to be mainly focused on this, right?"

Clara was taken aback, and her previously relaxed face turned cold.

Many knew about the sea clan's curse, but very few knew about the rumor of breaking it. Even among the sea clan's upper echelons, not everyone had the privilege of knowing. It wasn’t just the Jinbeibei Trading Company; all sea clan trading companies were involved in this matter.

"Wow, you changed your expression. Panicking? Don't tell me you want to kill me?" Old Wang teased, "Little girl, you’re still too green to play games with me!"

"I don’t know what you’re talking about."

"Really? Oh my goodness, do you really think humans don’t know?"

Old Wang found this amusing. Earlier, she had tried to intimidate him with the 'Nine Gods Assassins,' and now it was her turn. This was karma at its finest.

"That method must be something your sea clan concocted yourselves, right? I know you’re not entirely sure, but you’re doing it anyway, just to keep hope alive. Since there’s no other way, you might as well try anything."

For a long time, Old Wang had been overshadowed by her status and beauty. It was time to show his true skills!

Clara remained silent.