Chapter 3: Bargaining

What could 5,000 gold coins accomplish? Well, 5,000 gold coins would barely be enough to pay off the loan owed to his eldest sister, Long Qin. The moment the debt was settled, Long Yin felt tears well up—just like that, it was all gone! His eldest sister’s hoarding habit was bound to cause trouble someday! Long Yin often thought so. Just look—first she attracted the attention of the governor, and that wasn’t enough; this time, she’d even entangled with the vampires! Who knows how she managed to smooth things over with the governor—a figure who made so many tremble in fear. Yet his big sister had actually kidnapped the governor’s beloved daughter and came out of it unscathed! Remembering this, Long Yin couldn’t help but feel a measure of respect for her. But this time, she’d gotten him into a real mess. He had no interest at all in becoming the vampire’s candidate companion!

And his second sister? A veritable force of violence. Well, breaking other people’s heads was still better than having your own head broken, right? Looking at the stack of compensation bills, each one a headache, they totaled no less than 5,000 gold coins themselves.

He was now 5,000 gold coins in the red!

Oh, and there was still the rent for this wretched apartment—a ramshackle place that somehow cost 1,000 gold coins a year. After four years, that was 4,000 in total.

Now 9,000 gold coins in debt!

All these were real, sparkling gold coins—over 10,000 vanishing into thin air just like that. The pain made Long Yin’s heart clench. These two prodigal sisters—who would be unlucky enough to end up with them? Whoever it was would need nerves of steel. Long Yin sometimes pictured his future brothers-in-law as three-headed, six-armed beings, and scared himself silly.

He patted the fake four-star energy card in his pocket. This card should fetch at least 60,000 gold, right? Maybe 50,000? No, not a coin less! Even 40,000 was a clearance price.

When Long Yin arrived at the energy card recycling center, carrying his bag, he found Uncle Li—gaunt and thin—leering through his telescope, ogling the new beautiful neighbor. One look told Long Yin that Uncle Li was practically drooling; the neighbor must be quite a sight.

“Uncle Li!” Long Yin tugged at his sleeve.

“Go away, don’t bother me!” Uncle Li snapped, waving him off. Any interruption to his peeping was a crime in his book.

This black-hearted merchant and shameless old lecher! Without doubt, Uncle Li was the most tasteless, unreserved man Long Yin had ever met in this or any past life.

Setting the bag on a side table, Long Yin dragged over a stool, nimbly climbed up, opened the window, took a deep breath, and called out with all his might toward the door, “Sis, someone’s peeping at you in the shower!”

Bang! Splash! Crash! A shriek sounded in the distance, and a torrent of water came crashing toward the transfixed Uncle Li. There was a yelp, and Uncle Li, thoroughly drenched, got up glaring daggers at Long Yin.

Long Yin shrugged, all innocence. “I’m in a hurry!”

“You little brat, what do you want this time?” Uncle Li sounded helpless—trouble always followed this kid. He’d already lost several beautiful neighbors because of him.

Long Yin bent his legs and hopped into the chair, swinging his fair, tender legs as he grinned. “See? At least now you know the new beauty next door is a Card Cultivator!”

“You little imp, don’t try to distract me. Out with it—what do you want? Let me tell you, you’ve already cleaned me out of all my energy cards. Not a single one left!” Uncle Li stood up, grumbling as he wiped himself dry.

“Just look at what’s on the table first!” Long Yin nodded toward the bag.

Uncle Li eyed the bag suspiciously. “What are you up to this time?”

“Just take a look!” Long Yin pointed to himself. “I promise it’s something good this time!”

Still skeptical, Uncle Li cautiously opened the bag. Immediately, he glanced back at Long Yin, eyes wide with shock. Delighted, he picked up the cards. “Kid, these energy cards… all two-star, and so many of them! Oh heavens, are these three-star energy cards? Wow, five three-star cards! This is…”

“All yours, if you want to buy them!” Long Yin confirmed.

“Sell them to me?” Uncle Li grinned, then his expression became serious. “Be honest, where did you get all these energy cards?”

“Don’t rush, Uncle Li. Take a look at this one first!” Long Yin drew out another card. Before he could finish, Uncle Li lunged forward and snatched it. Long Yin didn’t mind—he meant for him to see it. Uncle Li scrutinized the patterns on the card. “This, this must be… fo-fo…”

“A four-star energy card!” Long Yin nodded as Uncle Li was struck speechless.

“A four-star energy card! I can’t believe I’m actually seeing one!” Uncle Li repeatedly kissed the card, his face alight with joy.

“Uncle Li!” Long Yin rested his small hand on Uncle Li’s arm. “I need gold coins. How much can you give me?”

Uncle Li abruptly grew serious, then flashed a menacing grin. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll kill you and keep them for myself?”

Long Yin just grinned wider. “You wouldn’t. Uncle Li, you might be stingy and lecherous, but you’re not truly evil.”

Uncle Li pulled a long face. “Is that supposed to be a compliment?”

“Of course it is!” Long Yin nodded emphatically. “Besides, you wouldn’t dare! How could a four-year-old with no power or influence possibly get so many energy cards—even a four-star? You’d never believe I don’t have someone backing me. You must think there’s at least a Level Four Card Master behind me. So whatever the reason, you wouldn’t dare harm me!”

Uncle Li took a deep breath and pried Long Yin’s hand off. “Now I’m certain you’re a genius brat—courageous too! I’ve lived a long life, and apart from the young masters and misses from the great families, you’re the first kid to impress me. You even know about Level Four Card Masters. With that kind of knowledge, you must have an idea of the market. Name your price!”

Under Uncle Li’s sharp gaze, Long Yin slowly spread out his five fingers and pushed them forward. “This much! Plus one condition!”

“Fifty thousand?” Uncle Li’s eyes were like blades as he studied Long Yin. After a long time, he sat down, flipping the card between his fingers before catching it in his palm. He smiled. “There’s no way you’re just an ordinary child. Who are you, really? You know the market, you know even my bottom line. With this kind of acumen, you can’t be just a powerless kid. Or should I ask, who’s behind you?”

Long Yin groaned. “Do you really want to know?”

“If you want me to do something for you, I need to know what’s at stake. I don’t want a single misstep to ruin my comfortable life.”

“Fine, fine, I knew you were a wily old fox. I’ll tell you.” This reaction was well within Long Yin’s calculations, so he was unruffled.

He hopped off the chair, twisted his waist, and stretched, his big bright eyes clearly plotting something, making Uncle Li frown unconsciously.

You walked right into this. Long Yin was in a great mood, though outwardly he put on a troubled face and beckoned Uncle Li closer. Uncle Li bent down, and Long Yin whispered a few words in his ear.

Uncle Li shot up from his chair, face incredulous. “Impossible!” How could it be that person? How could it be! Dongfang Ning! That young genius Card Master who reached the Palace Rank at such an early age!

“Why not?” Long Yin lifted his chin in pride. “I’m his personally taught disciple!”

Uncle Li glared at him. “That man’s been dead four years, what nonsense are you spouting? Don’t tell me he’s come back as a ghost to teach you!”

Long Yin lowered his eyes. Why would he need to become a ghost to teach him? He had been reborn! Of course Uncle Li didn’t know that. He’d intended to cut all ties with his past life, but as long as he continued making cards, he would never escape his past. One day, all old grudges would be settled.

“How would you like me to prove it?” Long Yin’s voice was calm.

Uncle Li abruptly stuffed the bag and the four-star card back at him. “Go. I don’t need your proof. The deal’s off.”

Long Yin didn’t take the bag, but sneered coldly. “Do you really think you can back out now?”

Uncle Li’s breath caught. “What do you mean?”

Long Yin smiled. “The thing I want you to do won’t get you in any trouble, I promise. I’m moving out soon anyway. All I need is for you to get me three new identity cards! That’s it. I know you can do it, and to make sure no one traces us, I can even teach you a trick to avoid the great clans’ tracking on the Federation network. With this method, you can stay here or go anywhere and live well.”

Uncle Li was stunned. Such practiced negotiation—with pressure and inducements—was rare even among the heirs of the great families. He forced a smile, realizing he’d misjudged the boy. The seemingly harmless child was now negotiating terms like an adult, and he’d lost control of the conversation entirely.

“You win,” Uncle Li nodded. “Come pick up your new IDs tonight. Of course, the current identities must have clean records.”

“Of course! Here are the three identity cards. By noon, I’ll have cleared any negative records from them.”

Uncle Li took the cards. “Long Yin, Long Qin, Long Qi. So your name is Long Yin, and Long Qin and Long Qi are your sisters?”

“Mm!” Long Yin nodded, pulling out another card and handing it over. “This card details exactly how to avoid the great families’ tracking on the Federation network. It’s yours.”

Uncle Li took it, half-believing, half-doubting. Long Yin’s delicate features quirked into a smile. “Don’t worry, as long as you follow the instructions exactly, you’ll be perfectly safe.”

“Fine, I accept. If you make it big one day, don’t forget Uncle Li!” He turned to head back into his bedroom. After a while, he returned and tossed a card to Long Yin.

Quick as a flash, Long Yin caught the silver card. “A Bai Family Silver Card?”

Uncle Li grinned. “You know about this too?”

“A little. Out of billions across the Seven Continents, only a million Silver Cards are issued. They’re a welfare benefit for the top echelons of the great families. Deposits and withdrawals on these cards never show up in the Federation’s records—a perfect tool for concealing one’s identity. I can’t believe you have one, Uncle Li. You’re not as simple as you seem! And you’re really giving it to me? This card is worth at least a million black crystals on the black market. I don’t have that kind of money, you know.” Long Yin shook his head, though he slipped the card into his pocket. “There’s money on it, right?”

Uncle Li nearly twisted his mouth in frustration. “Get lost, brat! There’s fifty thousand gold on it. Happy now? Go, scram!”

“Goodbye, Uncle Li!” Long Yin waved cheerfully.

“Good riddance!” Uncle Li slammed the door shut.