Chapter 54: Showing Their Claws

  The figure was tall, clad in a black robe, with his face obscured by shadows.

  Even in broad daylight, it was hard to see his features clearly, exuding an ominous and unfriendly aura.

  Tiger's face changed the moment he saw this person, fists clenching in a defensive stance.

  Perched on the man's shoulder was a green-eyed ghost crow.

  This ghost crow was different from the one they had encountered with Zhang Shan—larger in size, with claws as red as blood and an eerie gaze.

  It no longer had the wild, ignorant look of an animal, but eyes filled with the cold cunning of a human.

  Lu Fei placed a hand on Tiger's shoulder and calmly said, "Hello, how can I help you?"

  "I heard the Evil Pawnshop is back in business." The stranger spoke, his voice raspy like that of an old man, and the sharp gaze hidden in the robe scrutinized Lu Fei.

  A chill ran down Lu Fei's spine, as if he were prey under the watch of a predator.

  This man did not come with good intentions!

  Lu Fei remained composed and polite. "Yes, I am the current owner of the Evil Pawnshop. How may I assist you, sir? Are you here to pawn or to buy?"

  The old man in the black robe gave Lu Fei only a glance before dismissing him, as if Lu Fei was beneath his notice.

  "Is Lu Qingxuan not here?"

  Lu Fei's brows knitted together. "My grandfather is away. If you need anything, you can tell me."

  "Oh? He's away? Or maybe dead?" The old man's tone was laced with mockery.

  "Thank you for your concern. My grandfather will surely live a long life!" Lu Fei's expression turned cold. "If you're not here to do business, please leave. The Evil Pawnshop doesn't welcome unnecessary visitors."

  "Young people really are impatient!" The old man sneered. "Why are you in such a hurry? Who said I wasn't here for business?"

  "Oh? And what do you want?" Lu Fei asked, eyes fixed on him.

  The old man stared back at Lu Fei. "Yinwood."

  Tiger's heart skipped a beat.

  So he's here for the Yinwood after all. This old vulture must be in cahoots with Zhang Shan since they both have ghost birds!

  But instead of being intimidated, Lu Fei smiled. "I can sell it to you, as long as your offer matches my expectations."

  "An offer?" The old man scoffed. "That piece of Yinwood was originally mine until you took advantage and snatched it. And now you dare talk price with me?"

  "The Evil Pawnshop is a legitimate business. What's a sale without negotiation? I acquired the Yinwood legally, with a pawn ticket as proof. If you're not sincere about buying, don't waste my time," Lu Fei said with a faint smile.

  The old man considered this for a moment before responding. "Out of respect for your grandfather, I'll offer you ten thousand, so no one can say I bullied the Evil Pawnshop's successor."

  Ten thousand?

  Was he trying to pay off a beggar?

  Tiger frowned.

  The Evil Pawnshop's items weren't sold that cheaply.

  "Sir, did you misspeak?" Lu Fei raised one finger and said, "For the Yinwood, it's one million, no negotiations!"

  "!!!"

  The old man froze.

  "Boy, are you mocking me?" The suppressed rage in the old man's voice was unmistakable.

  This kid had the audacity to demand such a price.

  For a moment, he even wondered if he'd heard wrong.

  "I'm not joking. If you have a million, I'll sell it to you right away. If not, please leave." Lu Fei gestured as if to shoo him out.

  "Young man, is this how Lu Qingxuan taught you to do business? Are you trying to shut down the Evil Pawnshop?!" The old man's eyes turned icy, and an ominous aura radiated from him.

  The green-eyed ghost crow on his shoulder also glared at Lu Fei menacingly.

  The temperature in the shop seemed to drop by several degrees.

  Tiger felt a shiver run down his spine.

  "Is that how you talk, sir? The Evil Pawnshop always has fixed prices. Can't you even afford that?" Lu Fei chuckled.

  The muscles in Tiger's arms tensed as he shouted at the old man, "You heard him! Fixed prices! If you can't afford it, get lost and stop embarrassing yourself!"

  The old man's gaze locked onto them, eyes as sharp as if they could devour them.

  The oppressive atmosphere filled the small shop, suffocating.

  Lu Fei remained calm, staring back without a hint of fear, while Tiger prepared for a fight.

  "Lu family boy, I'll remember you!"

  The old man did not make a move in the end, as if restrained by some unseen force. He spat out a threat, turned, and left with a cold sweep of his robe.

  The ghost crow let out a sinister caw before disappearing into his cloak.

  With a few strange steps, the old man vanished from the street.

  Once he was gone, Lu Fei finally relaxed, sinking into his chair and wiping the sweat from his palms.

  Facing a ghost-raiser was no small matter.

  "Trying to buy from the Evil Pawnshop with ten thousand? That old man was looking for trouble!" Tiger's muscles relaxed as well.

  "Even if he had a million, I wouldn't sell it to him. He wasn't serious about buying the Yinwood, and he insulted my grandfather." Lu Fei's voice turned cold.

  Had the old man been more respectful, even if trying to haggle for a bargain, Lu Fei might have entertained him. But speaking ill of his grandfather meant he'd get no courtesy.

  "That old vulture had a green-eyed ghost bird too. He must be a ghost-raiser, and he looked much more formidable than Zhang Shan. If he'd tried to take it by force, I would've fought him to the death."

  "This is the Evil Pawnshop. If he tried anything, I'd make sure he couldn't leave!" Lu Fei's eyes flashed with a hint of murderous intent.

  No matter how powerful a ghost-raiser was, they relied on ghostly creatures. In broad daylight, if it came to a fight, the outcome was uncertain.

  The Evil Pawnshop was not a place to be trifled with. If word got out that it could be bullied, how would it continue its business?

  Tiger felt a chill. Lu Fei, who usually seemed mild-mannered and polite like a university student, showed in that moment that he could be ruthless.

  This future boss of his might not be as gentle as he appeared; beneath the surface lay a fierce nature.

  His father had once told him that the most dangerous people were those who stayed calm, only baring their fangs when necessary.

  Lu Fei's cold look faded as quickly as it came, replaced by his usual calm demeanor.

  "Yinwood is crucial for ghost-raisers. Not getting it will surely frustrate him. Regardless of his connection to Zhang Shan, the ghost bird he has is on a different level. Did you notice the red claws?"

  "I saw them. They looked like they'd been soaked in blood." Tiger nodded, shuddering at the mere thought.

  "Exactly. Those claws were dyed with human blood, and they must have claimed many lives," Lu Fei said in a low, serious voice. "That old man is trouble. Ghost-raisers are fond of using underhanded tactics, so be extra vigilant over the next few days."