315 A Deal (1/2)
Wang Baole burst out into laughter when he heard what Jin Duoming had said. What he had asked for was an impossible thing. He hadn't really believed that Jin Duoming would give him an actual ninth-grade Dharmic Armament.
”Can't you be serious about this, Wang Baole? I'm very serious!” Jin Duoming sighed. He had made a grand entrance with his stronghold and his opening speech. Everything had pointed to his immense wealth. The atmosphere he had created, though, had been partially dispelled with Wang Baole's simple question.
”Fine, I'll be more serious. Daoist Jin, how about an eighth-grade Dharmic Armament? I, Wang Baole, swear I'll give up on Li Yi. No matter how crazily in love Li Yi is with me, I'll turn her down, without mercy. I'm even willing to go to the extent of beating her up just so that she'll give up completely on me!” Wang Baole thumped his chest. When he made his proclamation, he also stared at Jin Duoming with anticipation in his eyes. He seemed prepared to offer a whole range of after-sales and value-added services if they sealed the deal.
Jin Duoming could feel a headache coming. He hadn't expected Wang Baole's reaction. He sensed that Wang Baole seemed to be very excited at the prospect of negotiating with him. Logically speaking, shouldn't he first feel pressured at his own forcefulness? This would allow Jin Duoming to soften his stance after and let them come to a compromise in the end.
”Wang Baole, are you interested in continuing this talk at all? Do you really intend to fight me for Li Yi?” Jin Duoming inhaled a deep breath and asked solemnly.
”Daoist Jin, you're being a miser. Li Yi's such a great girl. She's got a great face, great figure. Even if she's not worth a ninth-grade Dharmic Armament, shouldn't she at least be worth an eighth-grade Dharmic Armament? Alright, alright. How about a seventh-grade Dharmic Armament? That should be okay, right?” Wang Baole sighed. He looked as if he was on the losing end of a deal.
”Wang Baole, are you taking me for a fool? A seventh-grade Dharmic Armament? If I give her a seventh-grade Dharmic Armament right now, do you not believe that she'll immediately agree to be my girlfriend?” Jin Duoming raised his eyebrow. He gave Wang Baole a look of displeasure as frustration simmered inside him. It was true that he was courting Li Yi, but even he didn't believe she was worth a seventh-grade Dharmic Armament.
This was, after all, completely different from when he had been in the Mystic Luna Realm. Then, he had made a bet with someone and had been missing a single fragment. That one step away from his goal and his bet had resulted in the eventual trade. That and his current courtship were two completely different matters.
No one knew how he had established his yardstick. However, it was clear that he simply felt that he was the one on the losing end of the deal if he made an exchange with a seventh-grade Dharmic Armament.
Wang Baole thought for a bit after hearing what Jin Duoming had said. He seemed to agree with him and started feeling slightly bad for even suggesting it in the first place. He sighed.
”What you said makes sense. It's not worth it… how about this? I won't make things difficult for you, but I'd like a promotion. Can you do that for me?”
Jin Duoming released a sigh of relief. If Wang Baole had insisted on a Dharmic Armament, he would have given up on Li Yi himself. He smiled confidently.
”The dean of the Dao Mountain Mist Academy is getting old. He should retire and return to Earth.”
”The dean sacrificed the prime of his years for the Dao Mountain Mist Academy. During his appointment, he groomed numerous talents that became the pillars of Mars and of the Federation!” Wang Baole immediately added as a reminder to Jin Duoming.
Jin Duoming stared at Wang Baole, surprised. What he had meant earlier was that he would transfer the Dao Mountain Mist Academy dean through his family's connections. After which, he would get Wang Baole promoted to the position of the school dean. He hadn't considered what would happen to the original dean. After discerning Wang Baole's intentions, though, he pondered for a few moments, then nodded.
”The old dean is still physically fit and mentally nimble in his old age, and he contributed greatly to the school. After he's been transferred back to Earth, there will definitely be another important office waiting for him to take over!”
Wang Baole was pleased. Jin Duoming was pleased as well. They stared at each other and smiled, the tension between them vanishing. They even chatted leisurely for a while. Jin Duoming instructed someone to bring them wine, and both of them sat down and started conversing like old friends. Before Wang Baole left, he thumped his chest.
”Old Jin, don't worry. I, Wang Baole, am so good looking. Why would I settle for Li Yi and make you unhappy? Am I that sort of guy?
”I admit, Li Yi is interested in me, but for my friend, I'm willing to sacrifice anything. You have nothing to worry about!”
”All right, I'll send her a message right now!” Wang Baole thumped his chest and pulled out his voice transmission ring. He sent Li Yi a message right in front of Jin Duoming.
”Li Yi, things won't work out between us. I hope you will treasure the person who's been by your side all along. Let us both find our happiness elsewhere!”