“Five thousand dollars for two glasses of liquor? Are you robbing people? This is daylight robbery!”
The old man, Scott Chilton, jumped up in anger.
The middle-aged shopkeeper sneered. “Did I beg you to drink it? You walked in, asked for liquor, and downed two glasses before our staff could even finish telling you the price. Whose fault is that?”
Scott Chilton’s thin lips quivered as he retorted, “Still, isn’t this too expensive? Two glasses of liquor, not even three ounces, and you’re charging five thousand dollars?”
“Sir, do you even realize? This is a thirty-year-old premium liquor! Is that price really too high?”
“Of course, it’s too high!” Scott Chilton argued angrily. “Shawford’s forty-year Osmanthus Wine costs the same. Yours is clearly overpriced!”
The shopkeeper chuckled disdainfully. “Sir, let me remind you-this is Slatin. Everything here is worth its weight in gold. Do you think your backwater town can compare to the cost of living here?”
“And let me warn you, don’t make a scene here. Do you even know whose establishment this is? This shop belongs to the Langford family, the underground rulers of Slatin! I suggest you call someone to pay up quickly. If the Langford family guards come and you’re still acting like this, things won’t end well for you.”
Olive gently tugged at the old man’s sleeve and whispered, “Scott, let it go. I’ve already called Flynn. He’s on his way.”
“Let it go? Why should I let it go?” Scott Chilton huffed, glaring at her. “Don’t I have twenty thousand dollars with you? Where did it go?”
The elderly woman’s face turned sorrowful. “All these years, you’ve been overseas looking for Adrianna. Do you think that didn’t cost money?”
“I transferred that twenty thousand to you over a year ago! There’s nothing left now!”
Hearing this, Scott Chilton sighed deeply, visibly deflated.
Flynn, observing the two elderly figures, couldn’t help but smile wryly. It was hard to imagine that two Earthly Sovereign-level Blademasters, both at their peak, could be in such a pitiful state.
They were dressed like characters from ancient times, only slightly better off than beggars, and they couldn’t even afford five thousand dollars. Yet, when Flynn heard that all the money had been spent searching for his mother, a warmth rose in his heart.
“Grandmother, I’ll pay. Mr. Chilton can drink as much as he wants today.” Flynn walked over, smiling.
“Adrianna’s son?” Olive turned and studied Flynn carefully.
Scott Chilton also looked at him, muttering, “The last time I saw Adrianna, she was only eighteen. Now her son is almost thirty? Damn brat!”
His voice carried a mix of bitterness and resignation, but also a hint of joy. His emotions were complicated, like a grandfather seeing his grandson for the first time.
Perhaps seeing Flynn reminded him of Adrianna.
The old man stopped arguing, pulling Olive to a table and sitting down.
“How much for these five jars of liquor?” Flynn asked the shopkeeper, pointing at the nearby barrels.
“One hundred seventy thousand dollars. Why? Are you planning to…”
Before the man could finish, Flynn transferred the amount without hesitation.
“Bring the liquor.”
Amid the stunned gazes of the shopkeeper and the onlookers outside, Flynn turned to Scott Chilton and said, “Enjoy yourself, Mr. Chilton.”
“Child, you bought it all? That’s far too much…” Olive looked at him, surprised.
Flynn smiled warmly. “Grandmother, Mr. Chilton was my mother’s mentor. Even if I had to supply him with liquor for the rest of his life, it would be the least I could do. From now on, he can drink whatever he wants. Money is no issue.”
The shopkeeper brought over the liquor with a forced smile. “Sir, I can only sell you one jar. The remaining four are reserved for the Langford family. I’ll refund you for those.”
“The Langford family? Carter Langford?” Flynn asked calmly.
“That’s correct. The Langford family specifically instructed us to keep four jars for them. I’ll process the refund right away.”
Flynn waved dismissively. “No need. You mentioned Carter Langford is coming here shortly, correct? I’ll discuss it with him. I’m sure he’ll sell them to me.”
“You’re going to negotiate with Greater Sovereign Carter?” The shopkeeper chuckled, sizing Flynn up. “Do you even know who you’re dealing with? Last year, Slatin’s richest man offered to buy a single jar of Crystal Liquor, and Carter Langford refused. You think he’ll sell it to you?”
“Young man, in Slatin, money alone won’t get you far.”
At that moment, a commotion erupted outside the shop. Carter Langford entered with more than a dozen guards in tow.
Today was the day the new liquor batch was being unveiled, and as a renowned connoisseur, he wouldn’t miss it.
“Ah, the aroma! Fantastic! All five jars are ready? Pour me a glass immediately!” Carter Langford laughed heartily, savoring the rich scent of the liquor.
The shopkeeper hurried over and whispered something into Carter Langford’s ear.
“What? Someone wants to buy all of it? Who?” Carter Langford followed the shopkeeper’s gaze and froze, his body trembling slightly. Without hesitation, he ordered, “Sell it! Sell all of it to him!”
“No! Don’t just sell it-give it all to him for free!”
The shopkeeper stood there, dumbfounded.
Before he could process what was happening, Carter Langford strode over to Flynn, bowed deeply at a ninety-degree angle, and said respectfully, “Lord Valerian Nox!”
The room erupted in shock.
After slaying Dario Bragg, Lord Valerian Nox’s name had become legendary. Everyone in the room was now buzzing with astonishment, unable to believe they were in his presence.
Flynn frowned slightly. “It’s too noisy.”
Carter Langford immediately turned and roared, “The shop is closed for the day! Everyone, get out!”
The crowd scattered like frightened birds. Even the curious onlookers peeking through the door quickly disappeared.
“Lord Valerian Nox, is that better?” Carter Langford asked with a careful smile. His eyes drifted to Scott Chilton and Olive. “Are these two your friends?”
Flynn nodded. “Yes, they are old friends of my mother. They’ve taken a liking to your liquor.”
“Your mother’s friends?” Carter Langford’s eyes lit up. Sensing an opportunity to curry favor, he immediately said, “This liquor is nothing special. I have some bottles aged over fifty years at my estate!”
“Fifty years?” Scott Chilton’s head snapped up, his excitement palpable. “Are you serious?”
“Absolutely!” Carter Langford replied enthusiastically. “I have three jars at home.”
“If Lord Valerian Nox doesn’t mind, I’d be honored to invite you to my estate to try them.”
“Mind? What does it matter if he minds? Let’s go! Now!” Scott Chilton stood up eagerly.
Carter Langford glanced at Flynn, slightly embarrassed.
Olive sighed and gave Scott a pointed look. “You hear about good liquor and immediately lose all composure. Honestly, it’s embarrassing.”
Flynn chuckled. “Whatever Mr. Chilton wants to do today, I’m happy to accompany him.”
Carter Langford beamed with joy and quickly ushered the three of them into a car, speeding toward the Langford family estate.
This scene didn’t go unnoticed. Word spread quickly through the streets.
Various powerful factions, including the Eahta clan and the Sleeves family, began scrambling to track Lord Valerian Nox’s whereabouts, eager to establish connections.
The Clark family was the first to receive the news.
Paxton Clark was overjoyed, convinced this was a golden opportunity to form a bond with Lord Valerian Nox. He immediately ordered the preparation of extravagant gifts and led his family in a grand procession toward the Langford estate.
He was determined to befriend Lord Valerian Nox, even if it meant humbling himself as a younger brother.
After all, Lord Valerian Nox had achieved the rank of Adept Earthly Sovereign at such a young age. His potential was limitless!
To the Clark family, any sacrifice to gain his favor would undoubtedly be worth it.