“What exactly do you want from me, Ms. Xue?”

Even after playing with words for so long, Xue Mi had not made her intentions clear.

Xue Mi bit her lower lip with frustration.

She had tried to butter him up with compliments and some tidbits of information. Her attempt to gain his sympathy had failed.

‘Maybe, I need to say it out loud. Or else he will continue to ignore me.’

She contemplated in her head while avoiding eye contact.

“Big Brother Ikasa, you are our Xue Family’s lifeline. Not only do we value your manuals and business, but your performance in this tournament will also decide our standing with the Zhen Family.”

At last, Ikasa smirked. For the first time since the start of the meeting, he showed genuine emotion other than shock.

He thought about Xue Mi’s sudden intimacy and her attempt to gloss over the reasons. He had expected the first reason but underestimated his importance in the second case.

“If you have any trump cards, please do not hold back. If City Lord cannot win tomorrow, consequences would be severe.”

Xue Mi stated with a serious tone.

Her tone made him wonder whether she knew about the Chakra Sensing Expert that had arrived in the Monstrous Flame Sect.

“Since I am cooperating with him, I will show City Lord my full sincerity.”

Ikasa drawled while omitting the words ‘unlike you.’ However, his accusing eyes got the meaning across.

Xue Mi sighed at his accusation. Taking out a heavy pouch, she placed it on the table. The clinking sound before the thump let Ikasa know that it was filled with coins.

“I am sorry for dragging you into this mess. As a token of apology, Patriarch has sent you the entire profits for this month without taking a single coin’s share.”

‘Trying to buy me with Gold? Fools! I am tolerating you because you can earn me CP and BP. If not I would’ve kicked Xue Family to the curb long ago.’

He scoffed and looked in contempt at the bag of gold. The 4000 Gold might be a lot, but it was pocket change if compared to profits he could help Xue Family make in the long term.

“For the troubles, I am going through, I say I deserve to get my profit share increased to 50%. Don’t you think it is a sincere offer, Ms. Xue?”

Ikasa asked, leaning forward, a predatory glint in his eyes.

As soon as she heard his demand, she countered without delay.

“The moment you win the tournament for the City Lord, we will amend the contract and increase your share by 10% for both types of manuals.”

‘Sneaky girl. I already get 40% from the Battle Technique contract. The Cultivation methods are more lucrative but they only earn me 30%. Adding 10% each would put me at 50% and 40% respectively.’

He deliberated the profits in his head.

‘50% and 40% is not bad actually. And judging from her nervous attitude, that is as far as she is allowed to go. Pushing her more wouldn’t gain anything.’

After critically examining the girl, Ikasa came to a conclusion. Since it was difficult to sell his manuals in Birch City, he couldn’t lose the Sal City. So, he responded to her offer positively.

“Alright. I can accept the 10% increase.”

Xue Mi sighed in relief and let go of the hem of her dress she was clenching.

“As you are returning to Sal City, I presume you need to restock?”

Ikasa got up and removed the prepared x100-use manuals from his bookshelves.

After supplying the manuals to City Guards, his points had overflowed. So he printed some of his most popular Battle Techniques and Cultivation Methods.

He also put a list of his new collection before Xue Mi.

“Pick the ones you want for next month.”

The girl was overwhelmed by the number of manuals before her. If possible she wanted them all, but she had limited funds.

When her eyes fell on the list she gasped.

“19, 20, 21… There are 21 manuals available for sale!”

She looked up with an incredulous expression. In Sal City, there were hardly six manuals on his list and yet that number was unthinkable for people there.

Now, he had presented a list containing 21 manuals for her to choose from. Her eyes jumped from one description to another, noting the pros and cons of every technique.

She wanted to get all the manuals but she chose only Eight of the ready manuals, exercising restraint. Then she turned her attention to the List.

“You can choose the manuals from the list. However, they will be delivered the next time you come to pick up the manuals.”

Ikasa explained in case she ordered manuals he had not printed. He couldn’t instantly print them before her now could he?

Xue Mi calmed her excitement and picked the manuals they sold in Sal City. Her order did not include any of the new manuals.

‘Seems like she is not authorized to purchase any other manuals.’

Ikasa perceived this from her purchasing behavior. Once she had picked the manuals, they sat down to settle the accounts.

“The Transportation will cost 300 Gold minimum. After reducing the estimated labor cost of 50 gold, we will make a profit of 1000 Gold per manual.”

Xue Mi estimated the expenses involved this time. She had taken the initiative to come clear to show her goodwill.

“According to this estimate, your next month’s profit would be 2400 gold for the six battle techniques and 1200 Gold for the two Cultivation methods!”

Xue Mi exclaimed at the numbers. She had done this to resolve any misgivings Ikasa might have regarding his share.

Ikasa watched with amusement at her feeble attempts to clear air between them. He appreciated her efforts but he did not need them.

He could just check their account books any time according to the contract if he sensed any foul play.

Still, the calculations helped him predict his income for the next month.

‘With 200 Gold I charge for making one manual, I should get around 1600 now and 3600 next month.’

Ikasa thought, smiling at the naive face of Xue Mi who was calculating the total amount.

By the time she finished her calculations, dusk had arrived. Xue Mi departed with a smile on her face, happy to have secured Ikasa’s guarantee.

He looked at her back and shook his head. He looked at the calendar on his desk and saw the big red mark.

“The major powers should be sleepless today. After all, this is the Eve before the tournament.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep