Chapter 26: A Righteous Owner
Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Ling PingAn stood on the side of the room looking with great interest at the rebellious girl from an Old Empire family.
Looking at her seemingly excited expression, Ling PingAn knew that this business today was most probably a done deal.
However, he wasn't in a hurry. He waited very patiently.
He knew that children brought up in Old Empire families required great courage and resolve in order to make up their minds to resist their parents' authority and express themselves fearlessly.
The power of tradition was extremely strong.
However, Ling PingAn firmly believed that youngsters who had been awakened were extremely reluctant to have their lives be controlled, regulated, and manipulated.
Their desire for freedom and their need to be able to choose their own lives would enable them to break through all obstacles.
Just like the women's liberation movement 200 years ago.
The awakened women bravely stood up and said no toward old traditions.
After saying no, the women's liberation movement kicked off dramatically.
After decades of struggle and attempts to denounce the women, the emperor of the Federal Empire finally issued an edict and ordered the Federal Government to enact the Women and Children's Rights Protection Act.
Since then, women had been legally assured of the freedom of marriage and the independence of personality.
Today was the era of the Internet.
How long could the conservative Old Empire remain stubborn?
Sure enough, after a series of struggles and hesitations, Ling PingAn saw the customer in front of him finally making up her mind.
She raised her head courageously, solemnly looked at Ling PingAn, and said, "I really like this book…
"But…
She lowered her head, took out two boxes wrapped in some kind of material, and held them up in front of Ling PingAn. "I'm really sorry!
"I don't have the kind of money you want…
"Could I use these two items to make up for it?
"Are you willing, Your Excellency?"
Upon finishing her stuttering statement, she seemed very embarrassed and ashamed, and she lowered her head.
As Ling PingAn looked at her, he couldn't help but sigh to himself once again.
"True enough, it's arrived at a point where her resources have been cut off, huh?" He thought of the story plots he'd seen on television.
And, of course, Ling PingAn took the two bundles from her without much hesitation.
It wasn't because he was greedy.
It was because Ling PingAn knew the importance of self-esteem in such a young girl.
Hence, to preserve her dignity and protect her need for self-worth, he'd accepted them.
However, he still inquired, "What is in these?"
If it was something that was too expensive, he would turn them down.
After all, caring for and respecting a woman was normal behavior for a gentleman.
However, taking advantage of one's own position, or using cheap and despicable means to seize another person's wealth when they were embarrassed, was a petty act, and, what's more, it ran the risk of getting one into trouble with the law.
...
"What is in these?" The weirdo's voice was still soft and gentle.
It was just that when Han Li listened to him she got goosebumps all over her body.
She had no choice but to answer in a trembling voice, "Home-grown peaches and a few packs of home-grown tea leaves…"
After speaking, she became nervous.
She was afraid that this appalling and powerful weirdo would feel that the things she had brought were too unrefined.
And hence would no longer be willing to sell the book to her.
After all, Han Li had no clue at all about what she had just proffered to Ling PingAn.
The flat peaches above Mount Tai that she had brought were considered the most precious on Earth.
But, in the eyes of this terrifying bookstore owner, she was afraid that they might be inferior to even a single grain of dust in his shop.
And the Cerulean Spirit Tea was a product that could be produced in Donglin City itself.
...
"Home-grown peaches and tea leaves?" Hearing her answer, Ling PingAn felt a huge weight being lifted from his mind.
Since it was a home-grown product...
Then…
In other words, it wouldn't be considered a big problem that he had drunk the tea that his customer had left at his place without authorization that he could drink it.
Therefore, he accepted her boxes with his mind at ease.
"I'll do with these then…," Ling PingAn thought for a moment and said, "you can have this book."
As for the price, he just skipped it altogether.
"Oh, yeah." He walked back to the counter and took out the knife the young girl had left there last time from the drawer.
"This item must mean a lot to you…
"And since I have no use for it…I guess I'll return it to you."
As he spoke, he held out the knife to her.
It did indeed!
Regarding this knife, just from its craftsmanship alone, one would know that it must have been custom-made at a very hefty price.
Last time she'd been here, she'd left it to pay for the book, but was going to come back and redeem it.
Today, she hadn't brought any money to redeem it.
But the tea she'd brought was really delicious.
Especially in terms of refreshing one's mind, it was literally the best of all the drinks Ling PingAn had ever had.
In addition, Ling PingAn felt that he would have no use for this knife even if he were to keep it.
Even as an ornament, he had no place to put it on display.
Hence, returning it to its owner was the most reasonable option.
...
Han Li looked at the Spirit Blade that the weirdo was holding in front of her.
She took a deep breath.
Because this Spirit Blade that she'd pledged to this mysterious bookstore owner a few days ago had, at present, altered in appearance.
The Spirit Blade had originally been made by casting various exotic metals found in the nest of monsters after the Great Apocalypse.
It was a combat weapon for demon hunters and the most suitable conductor for conducting Spirit Power Bursts.
But in essence it was still metal.
It could wear away, corrode, and break.
The United Nations Security Council had stipulated that each demon hunter could apply for a Spirit Blade replacement every year.
Before she'd left it at the bookstore, Han Li's Spirit Blade had been with her for more than six months and had gone through a dozen fierce demon-hunting battles.
Signs of wearing out had already become visible.
Now, however, this Spirit Blade was as good as new.
What's more, Han Li could feel that it had become stronger and sharper.
It seemed very possible that just by holding it, one could cut through the hard shell and skin of monsters without using any Spirit Power.
"I…" Han Li's breathing accelerated as she looked up at the weird man in front of her with gratitude. The fire in his eyes seemed to be gradually dimming.
Han Li swallowed the words that had been at the tip of her tongue that she was going to decline his offer.
She knew that if she dared to refuse the other party's good intentions...
Perhaps…
What would await her next might not be the gentle and friendly bookstore owner.
It was highly possible that it might be…
A brutal, ruthless, and sinister Diablo!
Hence, she made a deep bow, "Thank you so much.
"I really don't know how I can repay your kindness."
"I don't need your gratitude," the weirdo said. "You becoming stronger as soon as possible will be the greatest payback you can give me!"
Han Li immediately understood.
She understood that this terrifying and strange bookstore owner had his eyes on her future, not her present.
Perhaps, one day, he would ask her to repay the kindness he had shown her throughout their interactions.
"I understand." Han Li bowed once again. "I will become stronger as soon as I can."
She guessed that this bookstore owner might be harboring some hatred toward that terrible world called the Abyss.
He was using her to get his revenge.
For Han Li, she was happy to become such a pawn.
Because at least pawns' existences were still of value.
The most terrible thing about this somber world was that one couldn't even become a pawn.
This kind of world was destined to go down the path of miserable destruction.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone