11. {Beautiful Business Woman 'Friend' trope}
"Young Master Su, welcome to Purple Gold Pavilion."
Luo Huan smiled coyly, giving off an air of seduction. Her voice laced with charm.
Su Mo lost his composure. He shook his head as he almost lost his senses.
This woman was genuinely exceptional. He had never seen anyone like her.
He had read novels that describe soul-stirring women but experiencing it was completely different. He truly felt the importance of plot armour at that moment.
"Please take a seat, Young Master Su."
Luo Huan arched her thin brows slightly and could not help but feel impressed by Su Mo.
She was very confident about her looks and charm. Any man who saw her was left mesmerised to date.
Meanwhile, this 14-year-old young man was only slightly stunned before regaining his composure.
"Thank you, Miss."
Su Mo sat down, unperturbed by the fact that she knew his name.
Su Mo had become "well-known" after awakening his Martial Soul.
"Don't be so formal, Young Master Su. My last name is Luo, and I'm a couple of years older than you. You can call me Sister Luo," said Luo Huan with a charismatic smile.
Um!
Su Mo was dumbfounded and nodded his head.
Luo Huan continued, "I heard that Young Master Su wants to purchase 100 Class 5 and 50 Class 6 Lv 1 Beast Souls. Would Young Master Su be paying upfront or via the clan?"
"I would pay altogether. I still need a few more things," said Su Mo.
"Of course, Young Master Su. Do tell your other requirements."
Luo Huan showcased her elegance and style of business. She was sceptical at first about someone spending such a large amount of money in this small city. Then she remembered that Su Mo had awakened a weak Martial Soul. The clan would never allot him resources. Hence, Su Mo must have encountered a windfall to be able to pay.
She had an unwavering smile that struck the chords of Su Mo's heart.
Meanwhile, Su Mo cursed inside. Her words were a test of his willpower. His heart was on a roller-coaster ride. He knew that a single slip in his demeanour now would spell his demise on the road of martial arts.
"Miss Lou, I would like to see your collection of cultivation arts and martial skills. Preferably, Medium and Higher Lv 1." Su Mo voiced his preferences with extreme discomfort.
"Sure. But, I would prefer to be called Sister Luo, Young Master Su." Luo Huan added in her spell-bounding voice.
The battle of wills between the two was raging hotter every second.
Su Mo decided to call it an end, as both would be irreversibly damaged if they continued.
"Miss Luo, let's stop before someone gets hurt. One shall always choose his words with great care. Some relations should not be forged; else one would always be left with regrets."
Luo Huan giggled as she wore a veil leaving only her tantalising eyes visible. She complimented, "Brother Su surely has a way with words."
Su Mo did not mind being called a brother now. If he had called her sister before their confrontation ended, he would have been trapped in the friend zone. He would have fallen in the {Beautiful Business Woman 'Friend' trope}.
Su Mo was not a gentleman. But, he knew his limits. His previous life upbringing had been rigorous, helping him cruise through many challenging situations in this world. Su Mo knew when to attack and when to retreat.
Luo Huan and Su Mo may have felt that they had stopped at a perfect time, but the damage had already been done.
"Miss Luo, I would also like to buy a sword and a ruler." Su Mo added as he viewed the cultivation arts and martial skills.
He picked [Blood Qi Manual], a Higher Lv 1 cultivation art and [Invisible Palms] a Medium Lv 1 skill.
"Good Choice, Master Su. These arts are worth their price. [Blood Qi Manual] has an augmented effect of body-tempering. Hence it is pricier than regular ones. [Invisible Palms] has a regular price of 10,000 taels of gold," commented Luo Huan.
She handed a storage pouch with the beast souls and manuals to Su Mo.
Luo Huan asked as she displayed the swords, "May I know the price range Master Su has for the weapons? You have already bought goods of more than half a million gold."
Su Mo was comfortable with the prices. "Don't worry, Miss Luo. I still have enough."
Su Mo chose a Lower Lv 2 Sword. It was two and a half feet long, a straight, double-edged sword with a slick tennis racket style hilt. One could even classify it as a cane sword.
Luo Huan was surprised by Su Mo's choice. This sword had been on display for a very long time. It was the best Lv 2 sword in the Pavillion, but no one preferred it due to its unconventional look.
"Miss Luo, can you customise a similar grade sheath for the sword? I would also need a few adjustments on the hilt." Su Mo marvelled at the sword. He had not thought to find the sword that he had envisioned as the best fit for him.
"Surely, Master Su. I never thought that anyone would buy this sword as none appreciated its unique design. We can produce a Higher Lv 1 sheath within two days here. If you have higher requirements, you would have to wait longer."
Su Mo ordered a customised Higher Lv 1 sheath. When Luo Huan inquired about his sword skill requirements, Su Mo suggested selecting one from the shop counter.
"I would accompany Master Su." Luo Huan ordered the maids to stand down as she left with Su Mo.
Even with the veil, Luo Huan was a mesmerising woman. She became the centre of attention as they reached the sword manual counter. Su Mo received glares from all directions. Even the person on the counter was displeased to see him with their Pavillion Leader.
Su Mo grieved. He was here to buy sword manuals for himself. He would have enjoyed this atmosphere if he had been in a relationship with Luo Huan.
Lu Huan dismissed the person at the counter as she opened the cabinet for Su Mo. She enjoyed Su Mo's uncomfortable expression.
"Master Su, All the sword Manuals of the store are here. Take your time to select." Luo Huan behaved flirtatiously with Su Mo, earning even more piercing gazes from the crowd.
"Don't attract so much hatred for me, Miss Luo. It would seem no trouble to you, but I am still not strong enough." Su Mo shook his head as he browsed through the scrolls.
Luo Huan also stopped and stood by his side with a glint in her eyes.
Su Mo picked [Instant Sword], a Medium Lv 1 skill that combined a single sword stroke with footwork and [Unpredictable Sword], a Higher Lv 1 skill emphasising striking in all 360 degrees.
Luo Huan calculated the total bill. "That would total at 750 thousand gold taels. You can keep the storage pouch, Master Su."
Su Mo paid 700 thousand, while he would pay the rest after receiving the sheath.
"Thank you for today, Miss Luo!"
"No problem. Do visit soon. I would be cheering for you at the City Martial Arts Competition, Brother Su Mo." Luo Huan added flirtatiously.
Su Mo staggered. He quickly rushed out, leaving a giggling Luo Huan behind.
"This woman is trouble."
----
"My Lady! I heard that young master Su only has a Martial Soul of Rank 1 Human Class; why did you…?" asked a frowning old woman, who appeared silently in the hall.
"Aunt Xu, Su Mo isn't simple. No one can reign him in. Be very careful while dealing with him."