Bai He fell silent, thinking of his clan's current hardships, and finally sighed. With a flick of his wrist a jade box appeared—roughly forty-five centimeters long and fifteen centimeters wide, carved from the finest mutton-fat white jade. The care with which he handled it showed how precious the contents were. Only desperation would have made him consider selling it.
He opened the box. A refreshing fragrance filled the room. Lin Yang's eyes lit up. Inside lay a ginseng root more than thirty centimeters long, blood-red like translucent ruby. Surface patterns formed the lifelike image of a five-clawed dragon soaring skyward—head, body, claws all vividly detailed. It was unmistakably the Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng. Lin Yang could sense it was still alive. Planted in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, it might even survive and produce seeds.
Bai He stared at the treasure one last time, then reluctantly handed the box over. "This is the ginseng. Name your price."
If the offer was too low he would throw Lin Yang out without hesitation. He hated haggling, but he refused to be cheated. Lin Yang's earlier actions against the Spirit Hall had earned a measure of respect, which was the only reason Bai He had agreed to meet at all.
Lin Yang considered for a moment. "Does Senior White Crane prefer gold soul coins or barter?"
"Gold soul coins," Bai He answered immediately. Years of Spirit Hall suppression and isolation had left him terrified of poverty. Even now, with the village peaceful, he knew that if income stopped he would have to swallow his pride and borrow from old friends again.
Lin Yang nodded and raised two fingers. "Senior, what do you think of this number?"
Bai He's face changed. "Twenty thousand?"
Lin Yang shook his head. "Two hundred thousand."
"To be frank, this Ginseng King is of the rarest quality. It will be extremely useful to me. The Butterfly House values honesty. I am prepared to pay two hundred thousand gold soul coins for it. What does Senior think?"
Bai He's mouth fell open. For a long moment no sound emerged. Two hundred thousand gold soul coins—the weight of that number crushed his rationality. It was an astronomical sum for both him and the entire Speed Clan. He had never even dreamed of possessing such wealth.
Bai Chenxiang's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Senior? Senior White Crane?"
Lin Yang called several times before Bai He recovered. His face flushed crimson. He tried to act nonchalant. "You… you truly intend to pay two hundred thousand gold soul coins?"
"Of course." Lin Yang produced a gold soul coin card from his soul tool. "This card holds exactly two hundred thousand. Please verify it yourself."
Bai He's hand trembled as he accepted the card, as though it weighed a ton. He took a deep breath. "Mr. Lin Yang… I must confirm this!"
Lin Yang gestured for him to proceed. Bai He glanced at the jade box, then turned to his granddaughter. "Xiangxiang, entertain our honored guests well."
"Understood, Grandfather."
In the next instant Bai He became a streak of light and vanished from the room.
Once he was gone, Bai Chenxiang visibly relaxed. She refilled Lin Yang's cup and stared at him with bright, curious eyes. "Young Master Lin Ruo…"
"Call me Lin Yang," he said, waving a hand. "That title makes me sound like a lazy playboy."
Bai Chenxiang giggled, tension melting away. "Lin Yang, Grandfather is extremely fast. He will return in just a few minutes."
Lin Yang nodded. "The Speed Clan's speed is legendary. No doubt about it."
Pride flashed in Bai Chenxiang's eyes, quickly replaced by sadness. Speed without attack power meant little. Among the four single-attribute clans, the Agility Clan ranked lowest in offense. They could only serve as scouts and sentries. Lin Yang noticed the shift but said nothing. It was the clan's own choice; an outsider had no right to comment.
Bai Chenxiang quickly changed the subject. "What is Heaven Dou City like? Is it much bigger than Yunlin City?"
"Far larger and far more prosperous," Lin Yang replied with a gentle smile. "If you ever have the chance, you should visit."
Envy flickered across her face, then she shook her head. "Grandfather would never allow it."
Lin Yang let the topic drop.
Minutes later Bai He reappeared. His face was flushed, his posture straighter. Money truly did give a man courage—even on the Douluo Continent.
"Clan Leader Bai He, how did it go?"
Bai He took a deep breath. "We cannot reduce the price at all!"
"So the transaction…"
"Accepted!"
With two hundred thousand gold soul coins in hand, every last trace of hesitation vanished. He feared Lin Yang might cancel and wanted the deal finished immediately. That sum would let the entire clan live comfortably for thirty or forty years even without working. What happened after that would be the next clan leader's problem—assuming Bai He was still alive to see it.
Lin Yang rose and bowed slightly. "Then the deal is concluded. I accept without reservation."
He stored the jade box in his soul tool. The weight in his heart finally lifted. The transaction had gone smoother than expected. He prepared to leave at once.
Just as he turned, Bai He's voice rang out. "Wait!"
Lin Yang stopped, inwardly sighing. Are they really this impatient? He and his companion instantly went on guard.
"Does Senior White Crane have anything else to say?"
Bai He hesitated, then spoke with uncharacteristic gravity. "Young friend Lin Yang… I have a matter that requires your help."