Chapter 27: A Price Too High for Pride
"How did you spend more than 10 million gold soul coins!?"
Xiao Hongchen's voice trembled with fury as he grabbed Xiao Qiang by the collar, gritting his teeth.
This wasn't some grand international auction. He had thought two or three million gold soul coins would be more than enough. At worst, he'd cover the cost and leave with a few regrets. But now?
Xiao Qiang had casually blown over 10 million in one sitting.
"I just… wanted to buy a lot of things," Xiao Qiang said, scratching his cheek innocently. "I might've gone a little overboard. How about we just forget about it?"
Even Xiao Qiang realized that cheating Xiao Hongchen out of more than ten million in one go was pushing it. Feeling a little guilty, he reached into his pocket to pull out his own card.
However, Xiao Hongchen smacked his hand away with a scowl.
"Stop! You've already insulted my body—don't insult my character too!"
He puffed up his chest.
"It's just over 10 million gold soul coins! Do you think Xiao Hongchen can't afford it!?"
Turning to a nearby staff member, he jabbed his finger in the direction of the cashier.
"Go wait at the competition venue. You! Come with me to pay the bill!"
With that, he stormed off with the auction house staff, leaving Xiao Qiang standing there in shock.
Wait… you actually have over 10 million gold soul coins? Just like that? Without even blinking?
Xiao Qiang suddenly realized—he'd completely underestimated how wealthy the descendants of Mingde Hall really were.
He shook his head and made his way toward the competition arena.
Meanwhile, Xiao Hongchen, after parting from Xiao Qiang, took out his soul guide communicator and dialed a number.
…
At that moment, Meng Hongchen had just finished handing over a certain "exclusive photo" to a magazine editor—one that showed Xiao Qiang beating up her brother.
She was already fantasizing about the dramatized version of the story.
"Wait… did he find out I leaked the photo and asked them to write a script around it?"
Her heart skipped a beat.
If he did, wouldn't he have rushed here already?
Looking around suspiciously and seeing no signs of Xiao Hongchen, she finally pressed the connect button.
"Brother? What's wrong?" she asked, trying to sound casual—but her voice still carried a guilty tremor.
"Why does your voice sound strange?" Xiao Hongchen asked, but shook it off. "Never mind. Meng, lend me some money."
Meng Hongchen blinked.
"Huh? Money? Oh, you scared me. How much?"
"Three million."
"…Three. Million!?" Her eyes widened in disbelief. "Xiao! My entire yearly allowance is just over three million! You're asking for everything I have?"
"And why do you even need three million? You're not poor—don't you usually flaunt your savings?"
"I do have over 20 million saved up!" Xiao Hongchen snapped. "Don't tell me you don't even have ten million saved?"
"I do, but it's not like I can spend all of it! You're seriously short even with all your money?"
Xiao Hongchen sighed.
"Meng, help your brother just this once."
"…Fine. But first, what exactly are you spending it on?"
There was silence on the other end for a few seconds.
"…Meng, do you remember what happened yesterday?"
"Of course. And by the way—don't forget you owe me sock-washing duty. You were injured yesterday, so I gave you a break. Now it's your turn."
"…You really are my sister," he muttered.
"I'll wash them when I get home, but this isn't about that. It's about… Xiao Qiang."
"Huh? Don't tell me… You two are dating now?"
"…Can you put your brain back into its socket?"
"Oh, fine. What happened then?"
"It's like this: I lost to him yesterday. Honestly, I underestimated him. I never expected him to close the distance between us so fast… and to be that good at close combat."
"I lost, Meng. As much as I hate to admit it, I lost fair and square."
There was a beat of silence before Meng Hongchen responded, slightly impressed.
"…Wow. Xiao, I didn't expect that level of honesty from you."
"Well, losing makes you reflect, I guess. Grandpa's always said—'There's always someone stronger. Face your opponents head-on, or you'll fall again.' I didn't get it before, but now I do."
Meng Hongchen nodded and took a long sip of her milk tea.
"So… this is all related to Xiao Qiang how?"
"Because I want a rematch," Xiao Hongchen said flatly.
"…Seriously?" Meng nearly choked on her drink. "Xiao, come on! You're a Soul Sect with four rings! He's just a Soul Lord with three! That's bullying! Why would he even agree to fight you again?"
"He didn't want to, at first," Xiao Hongchen admitted. "So I offered him compensation. He went to an auction and bought a ton of stuff, so I said I'd cover the bill in exchange for one more match."
"…Wait a sec. How much did he spend?"
"You heard me earlier. Over 10 million."
"Wait, wait, wait—so you're about to pay more than 10 million gold soul coins just to fight someone who already beat you once?"
"Yes. It's a matter of pride!"
Meng Hongchen paused, quietly sipping her milk tea again.
"Brother, I'll lend you the money. But…"
"But what?"
"…Are you sure you can win this time?"
Xiao Hongchen's eyes narrowed. "Of course I'm sure! I'm a level 47 Soul Sect! He's just level 35! The difference is more than twelve levels!"
Meng tilted her head.
"Yeah, but that was true last time too. And you still lost."
"…That was just a fluke!"
Meng nodded thoughtfully.
"So… if you lose again, you'd have spent over 10 million just to get beaten up a second time?"
"That's impossible! Absolutely impossible!"
"I mean… I hope so," she said with a grin. "But if you end up crying in the corner again, don't come begging for milk tea or socks."
"I'm the top genius of the Sun-Moon Empire! Even an ordinary four-ring Soul Sect wouldn't lose to a Soul Lord!"
Meng Hongchen leaned back, eyes sparkling with amusement.
"Well then, I guess we'll just have to see if pride is really worth 10 million gold soul coins."