Chapter 636 - HAGGLING (OR SHOULD WE CALL IT CONNING?)

SHEN JI YUN glanced at Luo Yan who was happily whistling a tune as they walked away from the valley of dragons.  He looked like someone who just won the lottery.  Well, with the things he asked of the archdemon, that was almost the case.

Why, you asked?  Let's go back a few minutes ago when they were still at the top of the tower.

=====

The face of the archdemon visibly darkened after Luo Yan said those words.  Looking at his face, Shen Ji Yun could tell that the other probably didn't like what Luo Yan was trying to insinuate – that he didn't love Alina that much.  For an NPC programmed to only care about one person, saying something like that was certainly a taboo.     

This kind of situation suddenly reminded him of his mother.  Giving all your heart to one person to the point that it could no longer accommodate anyone else.  Not yourself nor others.  That's why when his father died, it broke his mother apart..  Even now, she still remained as a broken version of her former self.

Shen Ji Yun was there to witness her mother's destruction.  It was a pretty traumatic experience for a child his age.  If not for his uncle, maybe he would be unable to heal those emotional and psychological wounds. 

He vowed to himself back then that he wouldn't be like his mother.  He wouldn't give everything to just one person.  He wouldn't let be himself be destroyed by the emotion called 'love'.  But after experiencing that emotion himself, he couldn't say the same now.

He secretly glanced at Luo Yan.  The other was smiling sweetly at the archdemon while his eyes were filled with smugness.  He liked this kind of look.  Like a proud rabbit with his chin held up high and his hands on his waist. 

Just like that, Shen Ji Yun couldn't help but feel that if it was Luo Yan, then he wouldn't mind giving him his everything.  A helpless smile appeared on his handsome face.  It turned out that there's more of his mother in him than he thought.

"What do you want?"

The archdemon's voice interrupted Shen Ji Yun's thoughts.  He turned to Luo Yan, waiting for the other's answer.  Because he was also curious as to what his rabbit would ask of the archdemon.

"First, when giving back my friend's memories, I don't want you to show yourself in front of him.  Who knows what you would accidentally say?  Being someone who doesn't care about anyone but your treasured person, you will definitely say something that will hurt him.  I'm sure a great archdemon such as yourself could do something so simple as not showing your presence while giving him back his memories, right?"

The archdemon didn't answer.  But his silence was already telling that he was acquiescing. 

So, Luo Yan continued.

"Second, I want you to give both of us a treasure that you think is equivalent to the value of your Alina.  Of course, that doesn't include the reward you will give us for getting your body back."

Shen Ji Yun glanced at Luo Yan who was obviously ripping off the archdemon for all his worth and he could only shake his head in amusement.  Really, seeing this side of his rabbit always brought a smile on his lips.

He turned to the archdemon whose face looked like it would drip ink at any second because of how dark his expression was. 

"There's no treasure that could be of equal value to Alina."

Luo Yan seemed to have expected that answer because he quickly responded;

"How about a level below that?  Since, as your said, there's no treasure that could be of equal value to Alina.  Then, we're willing to accept something with a lower value.  Surely there are some treasures out there that are of lower value to her."

Even if Luo Yan said 'lower value', it would definitely be something of high quality.  Because if the archdemon gave something that's not up to standard, it's almost like he's saying that Alina's value was only that.  So, he would definitely give something that would prove that her value was immeasurable. 

Shen Ji Yun could tell that Luo Yan was really hellbent on ripping-off this archdemon.  This guy definitely pissed off Luo Yan.  If not, then his rabbit wouldn't be showing his black-bellied side right now.

The archdemon was silent again. But this silence also meant that he was agreeing.  In which Luo Yan only smiled again.

"And finally, give us something that could help us destroy Achaeus.  A spell or an item is fine.  As long as it could help us easily destroy the island."  When there was no objection from the archdemon, Luo Yan continued, "If you have no objection to the conditions I offered, then, let's put it all in a contract.  Don't worry.  We will get your body back before tomorrow ends.  So, what do you say?  Should we make that contract now?"

The archdemon stared at Luo Yan with narrowed eyes.  Before letting out an annoyed sigh.  Then, he swished his hand and a piece of parchment appeared in his hand.  "Fine.  Let's sign a contract.  Just make sure that you will indeed deliver my body here by tomorrow.  If you fail.  I think you already have an idea of what I will do to you and your friends."

Luo Yan only showed an insincere smile.  "Sure."

=====

Luo Yan must have noticed his gaze, because he suddenly looked back at him and asked, "What's wrong, Brother Ji Yun?"

"Nothing.  It just seemed like you thoroughly enjoyed haggling with the archdemon," Shen Ji Yun only commented.  Although what Luo Yan did was more of conning the archdemon instead of haggling with him.

Luo Yan grinned.  "Of course, we go a lot of benefits with just a little effort.  Who wouldn't be happy with that?"

"I feel like that's not only the reason," Shen Ji Yun said with a teasing tone.

Luo Yan chuckled.  "Seeing that bastard's annoyed face was a definitely a bonus."     

"Well, it's certainly funny seeing him trying to rein in his anger."

"Right?" Luo Yan said.  "Anyway, shall we go to our next destination?"

The corner of Shen Ji Yun's lips curved into a small smile.  "Yes, let's go to Achaeus."