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n“I don’t think my help is needed though. The White family is finished anyway, and you’re not interested in governmental affairs. Why don’t you just focus on your business and find a way to break the curse?”

nLocke did not expect that a noble family would seek his protection.

n“Sir, even though the White family is finished, it doesn’t mean that the Holy City will become peaceful! The other families have been eyeing the Estelle family for a long time!”

n“They’re waiting for me to die so that they can swallow up my family’s valuable business!! They are secretly plotting against me! Especially that Frank family. They are already on par with the White family. Now that the White family has fallen into the abyss, the Holy City will be left for the Frank family’s taking!”

nAt this point, Adelaide’s face was full of anxiety. “That’s why I want to use your name to help me stay afloat. Otherwise, I might be finished before I even reach 40 years old…”

n‘What a tragic fate! He needs to rely on others to live his already short lifespan fully.’

nHowever, Locke was not too bothered. After all, they were not his family.

n“Alright, then let’s talk about the price! Don’t tell me that the one billion I received earlier is all that you’re offering me?” Locke had a businessman-like look on his face.

nThis was a pretty good opportunity. After all, his sudden windfall of wealth was due to Taylor’s blessings. It was impossible for it to appear again and again.

nIt was too unreliable.

nIf he wanted to raise all three of his Battle Beasts properly, the amount of money he required would undoubtedly be astronomical!

nMoreover, there was a rich man who valued his life and not his money right before him, and Locke would not forgive himself if he did not squeeze the most out of him!

nDelighted at Locke’s response, Adelaide suggested, “Okay! Then how about this? I will provide you with 200 million federal coins a month as a thank-you fee! If I require your services, then I’ll call for your help!”

n‘What a cunning fellow. His business empire is that huge, and he’s only willing to pay me 200 million a month? That’s too little, no?’

nLocke realized that as soon as he entered the business negotiation segment, Adelaide’s expression changed.

nHis face was full of confidence.

nAs expected of someone who took charge of the family business at the age of ten!

nLocke did not bother to beat around the bush and immediately stated, “800 million!”

n‘Oho, isn’t this a huge raise!? The price difference is huge. Locke doesn’t seem like an ordinary student. Could it be that he is adept in doing business?’ Adelaide found Locke’s talent in business rather impressive.

n“How about this then, 400 million federal coins?”

nAfter eating a mouthful of cake, Locke responded with a sharp gaze, “One billion!”

nAdelaide was a little dumbfounded. He had never seen anyone raise the price higher and higher in a business deal!

nWith focused eyes, Adelaide opened his fan and said, “Mr. Locke is not following common sense! Alright! 800 million it is!”

nButler Löw was about to get the agreement.

nHowever, Locke’s words made him stop.

n“1.2 billion!”

nLöw was shocked. ‘What kind of negotiating tactic is this?’

n“Mr. Locke, it is not easy for us to do business. Isn’t it against the rules for you to raise the price like this?” Löw smiled bitterly.

nLocke looked at him and said faintly, “Rules? What rules? I’ve never followed a single rule in my life! Since you need me to save your life, then I… AM THE RULES!”

nLooking at the domineering Locke, Löw subconsciously took a step back.

nAdelaide also noticed that Locke had a regal aura that did not quite match his age.

nHowever, Adelaide was a knowledgeable person. He had already come to a decision at this point.

nHe stood up and said, “We’re going to be very good friends, Mr. Locke! I’ll pay you a 1.5 billion gratitude fee every month!”

n1.5 billion?

nEveryone’s eyes widened, and they subconsciously let out a gasp.

nThey had a rather generous income.

nHowever, even if they added it all up, they still would not make that much money throughout their entire lives!

nMoreover! There were rules regarding the fees for “protecting someone”. A gold-tier Beastmaster was only worth 500 million!

nAnd yet, an 8-star bronze-tier1 Beastmaster like Locke was paid three times that of a gold-tier Beastmaster!

nThis was truly unbelievable!

nLöw felt that his master had gone mad!

nHowever, due to the rules of the house, he could not go against his master’s wishes, and as such, he could only remain silent.

nAdelaide quickly signed a cheque and asked a servant to pass it to Locke.

nLocke accepted it without an ounce of hesitation.

n“Let’s drink two more glasses!” Adelaide’s face was full of admiration for Locke.

n“Hmm, this wine is good…” Locke raised his glass and drank it in one gulp.

n“Löw! Make sure to fill the trunk fully with bottles of this wine!”

n“Yes! Master…” Although Löw agreed, his heart was bleeding.

nAfter all, the red wine was extremely precious. It was not something that could be easily bought with money!

nAfter drinking some more, Locke used his hand to block Löw, who was about to pour wine for him.

n“That’s enough. It’s time for me to head home.”

nAdelaide was not satisfied and said, “It’s still early, why don’t you drink some more? I’ll get the kitchen to prepare the Daemon fish sashimi immediately! It’s quite precious!”

nLocke stood up. “Forget it. Let’s leave it to another day. I still have to go back and handle your investment matters…”

nAfter saying that, he picked up the jar of Heart-saving Grass and walked out of the hall.

nLöw quickly returned Locke to the academy.

nUpon his arrival at the principal’s office, Locke found Trista standing guard there.

n“Instructor, is that old man still sleeping?” Locke asked.

n“Yes, go and take a look…” Trista, who was usually meticulous, was very lonely at this moment. He did not even notice that Locke had been drinking.

nUpon reaching the second floor of the lighthouse, Locke saw that many teachers were urging their Battle Beasts to work hard to save Hobrick.

n“Sigh… I’m afraid he won’t last more than three days.”

n“I didn’t expect that the principal would actually die because of Old Man White…”

n“I’ve searched all the medicinal herbs in the city, but I still haven’t found anything big…”

n“The other places are too far away, there’s no time at all…”

nJacques, who was sitting at the side, stopped smoking and covered his face with his hands.

n“Then, is this useful?” Locke’s words made everyone look at him.

n“Hey… Kid, you should spend more time with the principal, there’s not much time left…”

n“Why are you hugging a stalk of grass for no reason…”

nThe teacher who suddenly said this stood up abruptly! He took a few steps forward and looked at the jar in Locke’s hand. He exclaimed, “You… Where did you get this?”

nA few other medical instructors also came over.

n“Is… is this the Heart-saving Grass?”

n“That’s right! I Can’t be mistaken!”

n“Yes, it’s the Heart-saving Grass! It’s extremely rare!”

n“Locke! You’ve made a great contribution again!”

nThe Federal Academy was a place filled with talented individuals. Many of them recognized the plant at first sight.

n“Quick! How do we use it?”Jacques did not bother to ask the origin of the “Heart-saving Grass”. In any case, he would use it first!

nSeeing everyone’s excited expressions, Locke knew that Hobrick was saved, and so, he did not stay any longer.

nHe yawned and headed downstairs.

n1 Just roll with it, seems to be a retcon.

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