Chris stared at Qin Siyang, his eyes full of confusion, as if he were looking at something completely incomprehensible.
"Protector Chris, if anyone ever comes asking about our deal in the future, I'll make sure to inform you as well."
Qin Siyang scratched his cheek again, "Oh right, I'll tweak my trading rule a bit. It used to be 'absolutely no disclosure of trade information.' Now it's changed to 'no voluntary disclosure of trade information.' If I do disclose it, I'll notify the original trading partner."
After saying that, he nodded with satisfaction, "Perfect."
"...", Chris was dumbfounded. He had no idea how to even comment on this man.
Truly one of a kind, heaven above, earth below, and only one Qin Siyang in between.
Meanwhile, Qin Siyang was lovingly examining the Illuminating Bracelet he had just obtained. Under the light, he carefully studied its intricate structure, a look of joy spreading across his face.
As for the rule he had just modified–
What were rules, anyway? Weren't they just tools to make more profit?
Now, by selling off a hastily made-up rule, he'd gotten himself a Tier 4 God-Hunting artifact. What was there to be dissatisfied about?
Besides, even if he hadn't accepted the bracelet, Chris could have guessed the truth on his own.
After all, he was a freelancer, rules were flexible and subject to change. Nothing wrong with that.
At this point, he noticed Chris still staring blankly at him, so he asked, "Protector Chris, do you want me to send you out of the school?"
"Uh… no need. The garbage truck today is being driven by my guy. Just drag me and the trash can out to the guesthouse gate."
"Alright then."
Following Chris's request, Qin Siyang dragged the trash can, with Chris inside, back to the guesthouse gate.
Then he made a phone call to Hu Chan.
["Hello, President Qin, didn't I tell you last week I don't have time until the college entrance exam results come out?"]
"Holy Son, I'm not calling to ask you out. I just have something to tell you."
The moment Qin Siyang called him "Holy Son," Hu Chan's sixth sense kicked in and his heart immediately tensed up.
["What is it?"]
"It's about the trade between you and me, those inner leaf fragments of the Titan Foxtail Grass. When we made that deal, you never told me to keep it secret, right?"
["What are you trying to say? Who did you tell?"]
"Chris knows about it now."
["What? Qin Siyang, how could you tell someone about our trade?"]
"Why so nervous? You never said I had to keep it secret."
["Do you have any common sense at all? Private trades are not something you tell others about!"]
"He gave me a Tier 4 God-Hunting artifact."
["He gave you…"]
When Hu Chan heard that Qin Siyang had exchanged that information for a Tier 4 God-Hunting artifact, he fell silent.
Even he, the party directly involved, felt tempted by that price.
"Hu Chan, the fact that I told you about this so you're not left in the dark, that's already me being loyal."
["If you were loyal, you wouldn't have sold me out."]
"'Sold out' is too strong a phrase," Qin Siyang said indifferently, "Between us, it was just a simple trade. No favors owed."
"Besides, ask yourself, have I ever shortchanged you in our trades? The requests I made, the materials I gave, the research I shared, calling me a philanthropist wouldn't be an exaggeration."
Hu Chan really wanted to curse him out.
But after thinking it through, he couldn't find the words.
Qin Siyang might be a scoundrel, but when it came to actual dealings, he was untouchable.
After a brief silence, Hu Chan finally said, ["Alright, I get it."]
["Because you told Chris about this, I'll probably have a lot of trouble to handle. I bet after the exam results come out, Chris and Jin Shengyu will team up to make a move. So I probably won't have time to leave the safe zone with you."]
"How much trouble?"
["The kind where people die."]
Qin Siyang thought for a moment, "How about this, you take some time to go outside the safe zone with me for a few more days."
Hu Chan's tone was icy, ["Hmm? Did what I just said in english fail to get through to you?"]
"You go out with me, help me collect all the sacrificial disc fragments, and I'll give you all the Titan Foxtail Grass inner leaf fragments at once. You won't have to wait for three separate trips like before."
["You…"]
"I don't know who you're trying to save with those Foxtail Grass fragments. But since Chris and Jin Shengyu are joining forces, I'm guessing that person must be important."
"So if that person recovers completely, your problems should resolve themselves, right?"
Hu Chan answered with silence.
Qin Siyang continued, "When I was gravely injured before, I didn't even use that many Titan Foxtail Grass fragments. The large batch we traded should be more than enough for a full recovery."
Qin Siyang sweetened the deal further.
Because he truly needed Hu Chan's help to collect the sacrifices for the Path of the Believer.
Hu Chan sighed, ["I'll think about it."]
"Mm. Let me know when you decide."
After hanging up, Qin Siyang took a shower to ease the stress of juggling between a Protector and a Holy Son within the Zephyr Church.
No way was he letting other people's drama mess up his mood.
He changed into a brand-new hoodie, had a hearty lunch, tossed all his worries aside, and instantly felt refreshed.
Then, patting his backside, he grabbed the Blood Moon Tarantula's eyes, held his head high, and strutted toward Miracle Tower.
Time for Grandpa Qin's regular poverty-alleviation visit.
———
Once unfamiliar, twice routine.
Qin Siyang arrived at Miracle Building and stood with his hands behind his back at the entrance. Before he even spoke, the professors "swished! swished! swished!" into view in front of him.
As per tradition, whenever Qin Siyang stood proudly before the building looking smug, it meant he had brought materials again.
So the moment he strode in with that confident air, the professors, like hungry wolves catching a scent, rushed over instantly.
Lu Daoxing still didn't show up this time. Seemed he was still diligently working to pay off his debt.
Hao Liang was first to speak, eagerly asking, "Little Qin, you're here? Did you kill the multi-headed weasel?"
Qin Siyang didn't bother playing coy. He tossed the storage box to Professor Wu Yu.
"Professor Wu, I got you the five Blood Moon Tarantula eyes."
Though Wu Yu had expected Qin Siyang to pull it off, he couldn't help getting excited when he opened the box and saw the proof.
He pushed his gold-rimmed glasses up hard against his nose, "Good, good, good! Thank you, Little Qin! I've asked so many people, but no one had any leads on these Tarantula eyes. Never thought you'd actually get them."
Hao Liang's face fell in disappointment, like a child who didn't get his candy.
Qin Siyang could only shrug, multi-headed weasels were divine creatures, rare and dangerous.
Not easy to get, indeed.
The other professors immediately launched into another round of flattery.
Praises came from all directions, words flowing like honey.
One had to admit, these scholarly types were truly talented when it came to buttering someone up.
"Oh God Lelouch!" "My own Tony Stark!" "The Batman of the apocalypse!"
One title after another, raining down on Qin Siyang's face.
Anyone would get dizzy from that kind of praise.