Chapter 21

"Follow me obediently from now on and stop thinking about unrealistic things," Xilan declared, raising his pristine chin as Boa Hancock's fragrance wafted across his face.

Caught off guard by his domineering and possessive gaze, Boa Hancock couldn't help but feel flustered.

Over the years, she had grown accustomed to being played by Xilan, with their relationship existing solely between applause and indulgence. Just as she was on the verge of agreeing, she recalled Xilan's cold words.

"I won't develop feelings for anyone. In this world, the law is that the weak are preyed upon by the strong, and the strong can seize everything," Xilan had once said.

"By standing at the pinnacle of the pyramid, I can naturally dominate the weak."

This was the true nature of Xilan—a cold-blooded man who felt no emotions, only seeking to plunder.

"I want to redeem myself," Boa Hancock asserted, contemplating her words. "It's just 3 billion berries—I'll pay you back."

"Idiot, that was 3 billion berries twenty years ago, and its purchasing power is incomparable to today's 3 billion berries," Xilan retorted, a cigar resting between his lips.

"You need to take inflation into account."

His words left Boa Hancock utterly perplexed, unable to comprehend the financial intricacies he spoke of.

"Well then, how much do you want? Name your price, and I won't negotiate!" Boa Hancock stood up angrily, her eyes wishing to swallow Xilan whole.

This man only talks about inflation. After playing with me for all these years, shouldn't he offer some compensation?

"I don't want any more. Considering our friendship over the years, I'll waive the breach fee for breaking the contract. But now...you'll be free if you pay me 50 billion berries," Xilan announced, extending his hand with all five fingers spread wide.

Boa Hancock stood there, stunned.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh...

She panted heavily, feeling as if she were suffocating.

From 3 billion to 50 billion berries—naked loans didn't escalate this quickly.

"Don't look so shocked. It's actually not that much. If you don't eat or drink on Amazon Lily for a few years, you might be able to pay it off," Xilan quipped, a smile playing on his lips.

"Or, if you push yourself to the limit, maybe a year will suffice. Although, it's estimated that tens of thousands of people will starve to death on Amazon Lily."

"Aren't you the most beautiful woman on Amazon Lily? Everyone obeys your every command. Let them sacrifice a bit. After all, beauty comes with its sacrifices," Xilan teased, eliciting anger from Boa Hancock, who refused to even spare him a glance.

This man was shameless to the extreme.

"Since you lack the courage, then hurry up and start working for me, damn it!" Xilan exclaimed, unable to resist kicking her in the rear.

"Hurry up and put on sunscreen," Xilan instructed, despite having obtained the Eternal Body, his face still bore the wrinkles of a 74-year-old man. His skin was dry and often creased.

The only solution Xilan could think of was applying essential oils to relieve the discomfort.

Boa Hancock let out a sigh, picked up a glass bottle, poured the oil onto her small hand, and diligently applied it all over Xilan's body, leaving no spot untouched.

Time flew by, and before they knew it, it was already noon.

As Xilan woke up, he reached for a phone bug.

"Don't even think about my money, damn it!" Whitebeard's enraged voice echoed through the device.

Xilan casually cleared his ears and joked, "Brother, your temper is as fiery as ever. Calm down. You still get angry even at your old age. If one day you suddenly drop dead, it'll be because of your violent temper. Although our positions are different, I don't want you to die."

Whitebeard's face turned dark. Of course, you don't want me to die. After all, I'm your God of Wealth.

"Just say what you want," Whitebeard grumbled, but he didn't hang up. He knew that Xilan wouldn't contact him without a reason for blackmail.

"Blackbeard, the one who killed Thatch, is now in my custody. Name your price," Xilan said, savoring a sip of tea.

"Blackbeard? You mean that bastard Teach!!!" Whitebeard's voice thundered before abruptly turning low. "I offer a reward of 300 million berries for him. He's a notorious criminal, so 300 million is quite high."

"300 million?" Xilan sneered. "Then I might as well let Blackbeard go. Let him continue to grow. Sooner or later, he'll become your greatest enemy, causing harm to the Whitebeard Pirates!"

Although Blackbeard had not yet fully risen to power, 300 million berries was too little.

Whitebeard hesitated for a moment, gritting his teeth as he said, "800 million berries. That's the highest price I can offer. If you refuse, then let's not discuss it any further!"

His tone was firm, as if he would hang up the call if his offer was rejected.

"Hehe~~" Xilan cursed the old fox in his mind and replied calmly, "If we're not discussing it, then we're not discussing it."

Haw!

Xilan took the initiative to hang up the phone, continuing to bask in the sun.

Just within five minutes, the phone bug rang once again.

"How much do you really want?" Whitebeard's face wore a somber expression. Xilan was an old scoundrel, always pushing him to the edge.

"Not much, just 2.5 billion berries..."

"Impossible!"

"Capturing Blackbeard was no easy task. Even though he may seem worthless now, his abilities are actually quite dangerous."

"Hmph, he may pose a threat to the Whitebeard Pirates, but he's not a threat to your Marines."

"You know, being a Marine Admiral is just a side job for me. I'll be retiring next year, so I'm just fishing for one last year."

The two bargained back and forth until they settled on a price of 2 billion berries for the sale of Blackbeard.

...

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