Chapter 25: Ninety-ninth Reincarnation of Ancient Empress

The following morning, Zhao Shuman left the hotel and travelled to the city's west side. Like every city, Dark Mountain City also has areas where shady deals took place.

It took a few hours for Zhao Shuman to reach one of that areas. Right away, he could feel prosperity decreasing sharply.

On the side, he saw rows of people sitting motionlessly with dim eyes, like they had lost all hope in their life. Their hand and feet were fettered, and their body was covered with a few rags which were quite filthy.

They were slaves.

Probably because he was a slave owner himself, Zhou Shuman didn't feel much about these people. Ignoring them, he asked some people about the address of a place and went there.

Dark Slave Trading House.

Zhao Shuman entered inside the store.

"Hello, sir. Are you looking for something?" A fat man with thin eyes walked up to him right after he stepped inside.

Zhao Shuman looked at the fat man and said simply, "I am looking for a slave."

Hearing this, the fat man's face lit up. He asked, "Is there any particular slave you are looking for?"

"A young girl named Cui Niang. She is here, right?"

"Cui Niang? I am sorry sir, but someone has already booked her." The fat man replied apologetically.

Hearing this, Zhao Shuman wasn't remotely discouraged. He asked, "How much?"

"Sir, as I said…."

"I'll pay twice."

"Sir, we are professional traders, we cannot—"

"Thrice."

"Yin Jong, take Cui Niang out." The fat man was already smiling from ear to ear, looking at Zhao Shuman like a fat pig.

Zhao Shuman didn't bother looking at him. He waited for about five minutes before a beautiful young girl, about 12 or 13, dressed in a white one-piece, appeared from behind the curtains.

Two things immediately stood out: her perfectly crafted beautiful face and eyes that seem to see through everything.

At this moment, she was gripping the rim of her skirt with a nervous look on her face.

Zhao Shuman immediately knew it was her. The biggest cheat available in the Yore Continent, ninety-ninth reincarnation of Ancient Empress!

It wasn't an exaggeration to say that whoever gained her favour would directly reach the peak of life. And presently, it was the best time. At this moment, her memories of past lives haven't awakened; she is just a simple girl who is shy and gets nervous easily.

"How do you like her, sir? The previous customer was willing to pay 10 Gold Coins for her." The fat men gently reminded the price.

Zhao Shuman didn't bother negotiating and threw a pouch filled with gold coins toward the fat man carelessly. After that, he walked toward Cui Niang and lifted her chin. Cui Niang's eyes were immediately filled with panic.

Feeling her nervousness, he smiled softly and said, "I am Zhao Shuman, you can call me brother Shuman, are you willing to follow me?"

Although Zhao Shuman wasn't particularly handsome, after his Ancient Yang Body awakened, his charm has enhanced a lot. As a result, Cui Niang's pretty little face blushed.

And after a moment of hesitation, she nodded meekly. She felt that someone as charming as Zhao Shuman couldn't possibly be a bad person, so she was willing to follow him.

"Good. Let's go then." He held her hands and walked out of the Dark Slave Trading House.

But right after he exited, he was met with two familiar figures.

'They are here after all,' he thought as his eyes flashed with strange lights.

"Cui Niang!" Shui Ming'er ran towards Cui Niang and looked at Zhao Shuman vigilantly.

"Who are you? What are you doing with Cui Niang?"

Zhao Shuman must admit that his face twitched a few times as Shui Ming'er asked. It turns out this girl has already forgotten him. Well, in this girl's world, there was only one man.

'You better hope I am merciful the day I enslave you.' Zhao Shuman looked at her faintly and thought.

"I could ask you the same. Who are you? Why are you holding Cui Niang?"

Before Shui Ming'er could reply, Lin Dong stepped forward, looked at Cui Niang, and said with a smile, "Cui Niang, I am here. Come with me."

His peerlessly handsome face and soft smile made Shui Ming'er look like a fangirl, but strangely enough, Cui Niang looked unaffected.

Cui Niang looked at Lin Dong and then at Zhao Shuman and appeared hesitant. A month ago, Lin Dong promised her that he would free her from slavery, and she had a good impression of him, but as time passed by without his return, her hope diminished.

When she was informed that someone had come to buy her, she thought it was Lin Dong but was disappointed to find that it was someone else. Initially, she had thought of refusing him, but for unknown reasons, Cui Niang felt a sense of belonging toward Zhou Shumam; hence she agreed after careful consideration.

"Yes, Cui Niang, come with us. Brother Lin Dong will treat you much better than this man." Seeing Cui Niang hesitant, Shui Ming'er quickly spoke for Lin Dong.

Cui Niang bit her lips as she was put on the spot. She looked at Zhao Shuman and tried to speak, "I…."

Zhao Shuman still had the same soft expression from earlier. He caressed her head and cooed, "It's up to you. I am fine with whoever you are more comfortable with."

Hearing his words and tone, Cui Niang, who was hesitant till now, made a decision. She looked at Lin Dong and said apologetically, "Sir, I am really sorry, but I already belong to Brother Shuman; I can't go with you."

Lin Dong's face immediately turned gloomy. Inadvertently, he felt like he was slapped into the face by Zhao Shuman.

"Why? Brother Lin Dong is much more powerful and handsome than this man." Shui Ming'er had a look of disbelief at this moment. She couldn't believe that someone had rejected her brother Lin Dong.

Lin Dong didn't speak, but his eyes looked straight at Cui Niang as if he wanted an answer.

Faced with two pairs of questioning eyes, Cui Niang didn't know how to reply. She simply held Zhao Shuman's hand and hid behind him.

"Okay, don't bother her anymore. She has clearly made her decision." Seeing that Cui Niang chose him, Zhao Shuman's face had a bright smile, which somehow irritated Lin Dong.

He looked deeply at Zhao Shuman and the hiding Cui Niang and said, "Ming'er, let's go."

Shui Ming'er was about to persuade Cui Niang, but hearing Lin Dong, she held back after giving Cui Niang a disdainful snort. According to her, any woman who wouldn't choose Lin Dong definitely has some brain problems.

Lin Dong gave Zhao Shuman a hostile look and departed with Shui Ming'er. But when he was leaving, he don't know why; he felt like he was leaving something very precious to him.

[Ding! Congrats to the host for plundering protagonist Lin Dong's biggest lifetime opportunity. Stolen +1000 Heavenly Luck!]

For a moment, Zhao Shuman was taken aback before thinking it should be expected. Cui Niang is simply a walking cheat. As an Ancient Empress from a higher world, the value of her experience, knowledge and means are immeasurable.

In the novel, the number of times she has helped Lin Dong is simply uncountable. Half the reason why he was able to reach the peak was her. But now Zhao Shuman has snatched that support from him. It was only natural to lose 1,000 Heavenly Luck.