Chapter 408 - 202: The Myriad Fires Burn On, a Custom S-Rank Contract!
Chapter 408: Chapter 202: The Myriad Fires Burn On, a Custom S-Rank Contract!
Even though their Kunlun faction currently had a slight edge in terms of top-tier combat strength, the unfathomable depth of the Firewood Martial Hall was not something they could afford to underestimate.
A contract like this held far too much significance!
Just then, a genuine smile finally appeared on Lin Ye’s face.
"Good."
He wasn’t a man of many words, but that single word seemed to carry the weight of a mountain.
The moment Long Bohan and Wang Jingcheng heard that word, the massive boulder that had been weighing on their hearts finally crashed to the ground!
They exchanged a look, each seeing the irrepressible ecstasy on the other’s face. Their hands, hanging at their sides, had already clenched into tight fists.
’We did it!’
Min Yutang’s face instantly turned ashen.
He stared daggers at Lin Ye, his slightly narrowed eyes shooting out an undisguised, cold glint—half threat, half sneer.
"Do you have any idea what kind of opportunity you just rejected?"
"I hope you won’t live to regret today’s choice."
With that, he prepared to storm off.
"We’re leaving!"
However, the moment he turned around,
A voice piped up from the side.
Dongfang Zhen, at some point, had sidled up to Imperial Envoy Lv with a broad grin.
"Imperial Envoy Lv, is it? I’ve heard so much about you! I was wondering, would Xinhuo welcome me if I came to freeload a meal?"
"Oh, right, and my brother Zhang Daoxuan. He said he’s hungry too and wants to come along."
Standing behind him, Zhang Daoxuan’s face instantly darkened. He immediately turned his head to the side and retorted.
"I did not! Don’t just make things up!"
Imperial Envoy Lv’s eyes lit up instantly!
He never expected such a pleasant surprise after inviting Lin Ye.
He could tell from their formal attire that one was this year’s training camp runner-up, and the other was third place!
’The top three geniuses in the entire province... are we about to make a clean sweep today?’
"Dongfang Zhen!"
A low growl, thick with suppressed rage, escaped Min Yutang’s throat.
He whipped around, glaring daggers at Dongfang Zhen, his expression utterly hostile.
"What is the meaning of this?!"
"You signed an A-rank contract with us at Kunlun. Are you planning to breach it right now?!"
At these words, Lin Ye’s heart stirred slightly.
He understood in an instant.
As a scion of the renowned Dongfang Family in Ninghai Province, Dongfang Zhen had a powerful background. It was highly likely he had already signed with a Martial Hall long ago.
Sure enough, he had joined the Kunlun Martial Hall, the choice of most children from prominent families.
What was unexpected was that with Dongfang Zhen’s talent and family background, he had only secured an A-rank contract from Kunlun.
Faced with Min Yutang’s murderous expression, Dongfang Zhen maintained his cheeky grin, though a well-hidden trace of disgust flickered deep in his eyes.
"Mr. Min, what’s gotten into you today?"
He spread his hands, a look of innocence on his face.
"I’m just going to freeload a meal. Does that violate any clause in our contract?"
"On the contrary, acting like this... are you planning to restrict my personal freedom?"
"You..."
Min Yutang choked on his words, his chest heaving violently. A breath caught in his throat, unable to go up or down, and his face turned the color of beetroots.
Of course, he couldn’t restrict Dongfang Zhen’s personal freedom, much less dare to actually do anything to him.
The Dongfang Family’s power in Ninghai wasn’t something a mere branch Hall Master like him could afford to provoke.
In the end, all his fury was condensed into a few words hissed through clenched teeth.
"We’re leaving!"
He flicked his sleeves violently and stormed away.
...
The top floor of the Spring River Restaurant had only three private dining rooms.
Dubhe, Merak, and Phecda.
Lin Ye and the others were in the Dubhe Pavilion, which had the best view.
The entire room overlooked the river. One wall was a massive, floor-to-ceiling glass window, and beyond it was the ever-flowing Ningjiang. The water glittered on the river’s surface, a breathtaking sight.
The room wasn’t decorated with tacky gold and silver; the main theme was serene rosewood.
The floor was covered with a thick, soft, handmade long-pile carpet that muffled all footsteps.
In the corner, an ancient-looking bronze beast censer released curling wisps of blue-green smoke, emitting a light fragrance that was both elegant and calming.
The dishes were brought out one after another, like a flowing stream.
There were no exaggerated presentations, but it was clear that every dish had been meticulously prepared.
There were also individual servings of soup, slow-cooked in small Zisha clay pots. Just lifting the lids released a rich, mellow aroma that was enough to make one’s mouth water.
Dongfang Zhen was already so hungry his stomach was practically caving in.
He had woken up late today and hadn’t even had a sip of water, let alone breakfast, before rushing to the award ceremony.
Seeing the table laden with delicacies, how could he possibly care about maintaining the refined demeanor of a young master from a prominent family?
He snatched a roasted squab leg and devoured it in a few bites, then picked up his soup bowl and GULP, GULP, drank it all down, mumbling praise with his mouth full.
Zhang Daoxuan, sitting next to him, silently scooted his chair away, his face a mask of disgust, as if being associated with this person was a disgrace.
Lin Ye paid the two of them no mind.
He picked up the celadon wine cup that Long Bohan had personally filled for him and lightly tapped it against the other man’s cup, producing a crisp clink.
"Cheers."
Long Bohan drained his cup, a solemn expression on his face. He took out an exquisitely bound folder and presented it to Lin Ye with both hands.
"Lin Ye, this is the final contract proposal we drew up overnight, tailored to your situation."
"Take a look first. If there’s anything you’re not satisfied with, just say the word. We can still negotiate."