Chapter 268: Reunion
Chapter 268: Reunion
After completing the transaction, Zuo Meng returned to the hotel, and the night passed uneventfully.
Early the next morning, Zuo Meng received a call from the Angry Face Masked Person. Remembering their deal, he went to the agreed location using the memorized address.
“You actually run an art studio?”
Zuo Meng glanced at the jeans-clad woman before him.
He’d imagined this meeting would resemble shady dealings with villains in dark corners. Instead, he found himself at a public art studio in People’s Square, owned by the Angry Face Masked Person herself. It surprised him that a wild Transcendent operating in shadows would choose such a crowded area – completely different from his expectations of underground extraordinary beings.
“Wild Transcendents need livelihoods too. Unlike those with backing, most of us work regular jobs. My studio’s normal compared to others. The Crying Face Masked Person who sat beside me last time? She’s actually a Spring Festival Gala crosstalk comedian in the real world.”
A TV comedian and wild Transcendent?
“Thirsty?”
“Whatever’s fine.”
The Angry Face Masked Person tossed Zuo Meng a cola from the fridge before settling on the opposite sofa.
“Let’s get acquainted. I’m Hong Ying.”
“Zuo Meng.”
He popped open the can, the fizzy drink reviving forgotten memories.
“Should we really meet openly like this?”
Yesterday they’d hidden behind masks at the underground market. This sudden shift to casual meetups felt contradictory – why use masks at all if they could just meet normally?
“What’s wrong with it?”
Hong Ying sipped her cola calmly, clearly experienced in such encounters.
“Stop being so old-fashioned. Offline meetings are normal nowadays. We only use Old Man’s black market for selling hot goods or buying contraband. Only stuffy traditionalists enjoy that atmosphere – young man like us prefer the internet. Speaking of which, I’ll take you to some extraordinary beings’ clubs sometime.”
Clubs?
The mystical aura kept fading.
“This the place?”
A voice interrupted before Zuo Meng could reply.
A group entered the studio.
Wednesday afternoons usually found the studio empty. The sudden crowd even surprised Hong Ying.
Hm?
Zuo Meng’s eyebrows rose.
The newcomers were Li Qingyi, her sister Li Lingyue, their driver Uncle Ma, and several bodyguards.
“Uncle?”
Li Lingyue’s eyes lit up when she spotted Zuo Meng on the sofa.
“Little Lingyue.”
Zuo Meng smiled slightly; he genuinely liked this young girl.
Li Qingyi frowned, not expecting to meet an acquaintance here. When Zuo Meng glanced her way, she gave a brief nod as a greeting.
“Didn’t think I’d bump into Mr. Zuo here.”
Uncle Ma also showed surprise but smiled and greeted Zuo Meng.
“Quite a coincidence indeed.”
Zuo Meng replied politely. These people had helped him before, so basic courtesy was necessary.
“Miss, we’re short on time. Teacher Luo might get upset if we’re late,” a black-clad man behind Li Qingyi warned. Teacher Luo, a colleague of Li Qingyi’s father and a professor at Bell Tower University, had arranged these bodyguards. The Li sisters had spent great effort to enroll in Bell Tower University and build this connection.
As for Zuo Meng, a mere wild Transcendent?
The black-clad man didn’t even glance his way.
Could those outside Bell Tower even be called true Transcendents?
“Shopkeeper, is the ‘Tortoise-Crane Longevity’ painting still available?” Li Qingyi asked.
“Tortoise-Crane Longevity?”
Hong Ying set down her cola, eyeing Li Qingyi’s group.
“Learned about my painting’s true worth through back channels?”
The artwork contained Transcendent knowledge—including the ‘Gnome’ and ‘Elemental Dwarf’ class secrets she’d offered Zuo Meng. Displaying such knowledge openly showed confidence. The painter’s Seal ensured no one could access the secrets without special ability.
Yet no buyer had met the price till now.
Li Qingyi had discovered this place through the Li Family’s network, spending fortunes to find this path toward becoming Bell Tower’s official members.
To her, this was a worthy investment—both for her sister’s future and the Li Family’s survival.
“This is the Heart of Blue Sea, a ten-billion-dollar gemstone!”
At Li Qingyi’s signal, an aide opened a case to reveal the glittering treasure.
A Li Family heirloom, this market-defying jewel should surely trade for Transcendent knowledge. With such power, the sisters could outshine peers and secure their Bell Tower membership.
“Impressive value.”
Hong Ying’s eyes gleamed.
Everyone knew wild Transcendents were broke.
Had Li Qingyi come yesterday, she might’ve accepted. But now? Zuo Meng’s weapon held far greater worth. Mundane gems paled beside true Transcendent artifacts.
“Won’t save me when enemies come in three days.”
Li Qingyi froze.
Her prized offering… rejected?
“Can you make a copy?”
Desperation tinged her voice.
“Think this is some comic book?” Hong Ying sneered. “Transcendent works can’t be copied—common sense.”
Without the original’s transcendent aura, duplicates were worthless doodles.
“Your item.”
Hong Ying tossed the scroll to Zuo Meng.
“Payment on delivery.”
Zuo Meng handed over his prepared axe and Iron Sword.
Transcendent weapons!
The moment they appeared, every gaze locked onto them. Now they understood—the shopkeeper chose survival over riches. Who wouldn’t pick world-shaking arms over shiny rocks?