"You don't look like you're even twenty yet, do you?"
"Tsk tsk, look at that baby face!"
"Tell me, how many girls have you charmed so far?"
"Do you usually spend money when you visit brothels?"
"Why the disguise? And those two scars? Are you worried your face isn't intimidating enough?"
"..."
Before Tang Wen could even open his mouth, Manager Li was already circling around him, firing off a barrage of bizarre questions.
Why did it sound like they were exchanging tips on frequenting brothels?
"I'm solely focused on martial arts!" Tang Wen replied with a smile, his eyes subtly glancing at the shattered fragments on the floor.
It was the lid of the "iron coffin" he had just broken.
He had personally experienced the extraordinary quality of this material—its incredible durability, soundproofing, and airtightness.
Because of this, he knew it couldn't be cheap.
How much would he have to pay for it?
Would he have to venture out of the city again to hunt some Mutated Beasts?
But finding suitable ones wasn't easy!
Well, although I've been lying about my strength, claiming to be an ordinary second-level Martial Master, setting that aside, don't you, Manager Li, bear some responsibility?
After some thought, it seemed Manager Li wasn't at fault at all.
All the previous arrangements and the undisclosed methods were meant to give him a more authentic experience of nearing death.
Admittedly, the method was effective.
Tang Wen now had quite a few ideas about the Visualization Force of the Dark Night Divine Fist.
"Solely focused on martial arts? Yeah, right! Huh?" Manager Li glanced at the lidless "iron coffin," as if remembering something, and her skeptical expression softened. "Are you serious?"
"Facing those youthful, beautiful, and vibrant women;
Seeing those fair-skinned, curvaceous ladies...
And you're not tempted?
You can still focus on martial arts?"
Tang Wen: ...
After some consideration, he decided to be honest:
"I just don't want to rush things! I can't let beauty distract me from my future."
Manager Li nodded understandingly:
"Become Transcendent first, then visit brothels, right? I get it!"
She looked at Tang Wen's face with a hint of pity:
"You could've experienced it three times, but now you haven't even finished one! And you've ruined the 'Divine Sealing Coffin.'"
'Divine Sealing Coffin?'
Tang Wen inwardly gasped: Just the name sounded expensive.
"Although the main body is intact, the lid is shattered beyond repair. It can't be fixed! Flat rate, fifty thousand taels."
Hearing the price, his eyelids twitched, but he said nothing.
Based on his experience using it, this was a fair price, not overpriced.
A few Superior Exotic Beasts would be worth fifty to sixty thousand taels.
In his eyes, this Divine Sealing Coffin was far more valuable than a few Superior Exotic Beasts.
But fifty thousand taels? He couldn't afford it.
He couldn't help but show a troubled expression.
Seeing his face, Manager Li raised an eyebrow and smiled, like a rogue eyeing a virtuous woman.
Tang Wen looked at her pretty face and well-proportioned figure, thinking: With a smile like that, it's hard not to misinterpret things.
Manager Li extended three fingers:
"Two options. One, you stay and work for me until you earn a hundred thousand taels, then you're free to go!"
"A hundred thousand taels?"
"The extra is interest."
"Uh, what's the second option?"
"You do me a favor!"
Tang Wen frowned, unsure what "staying and working for her" entailed.
As for the favor, he wasn't considering it.
As the manager of the Four Seas Inn, Manager Li couldn't claim to have connections that reached the heavens, but she was certainly much more influential than the average Transcendent.
With her formidable Transcendent-level strength, if even she couldn't handle something, it must be extremely dangerous, right?
Thinking this, he quickly said:
"I'm a Beast Tamer, I can tame Mutated Beasts, and I can make money really fast!"
Manager Li sensed his reluctance: "Aren't you going to ask what I need your help with?"
Tang Wen shook his head repeatedly: "I'm afraid of dying!"
"Afraid of dying?"
She was taken aback, then laughed:
"What are you thinking! Even if you were a Transcendent, as the manager of the Four Seas Inn, would I really send you out to fight and kill?"
"Eh? Then what is it?" Tang Wen blinked at her.
Manager Li suddenly seemed a bit embarrassed: "Well, you mustn't tell anyone!"
Tang Wen was curious but immediately raised three fingers and swore to the heavens: "If I leak even half a word, may Liu Huaqiang die a horrible death!"
Manager Li thought for a moment before speaking: "I, um, have a friend."
"Oh, a friend, I understand, I understand."
Tang Wen suddenly remembered her hobby: she loved beautiful women.
Manager Li gave him a suspicious look: Why does it feel like this kid knows something?
She didn't press further and continued:
"My friend knows this woman. She's incredibly beautiful, like a fairy descended from the heavens. My friend is infatuated with her. Unfortunately,"
At this point, Manager Li suddenly stopped.
She didn't know how to continue.
Tang Wen, ever the understanding one, prompted:
"Is it because of a huge gap in their status, or are their families sworn enemies?
Or does this fairy have someone else in her heart?
Or is there some other obstacle?"
Manager Li tilted her head and looked at him: "You really don't have a woman?"
"Truer than gold."
"Hmm. Anyway, they can't be together. I need your help."
Tang Wen fully understood now. It was probably that the fairy didn't want to have any improper relationship with Manager Li.
"How can I help?"
"Her husband treats her poorly, and they spend little time together. My friend is genuinely in love with her, but because of the status gap, she can't accept it."
Tang Wen lowered his head: A married woman?
Is the life of the manager of the Four Seas Inn really that messy?
Are you still hiring?
Manager Li: "I want you to approach her first, flirt with her, and when the relationship is established, you suddenly turn cold, say harsh words, and break her heart! At that moment, I, um, my friend will step in..."
Tang Wen: "Taking advantage of the situation!"
"What taking advantage? It's rescuing her from fire and water!"
"Right, right, rescuing her from fire and water."
Tang Wen continued: "It just sounds a bit off, but actually, your friend's status is both a disadvantage and an advantage! With a normal pursuit, it might still work out."
"You don't understand! With a face like yours, how could you understand the hardships of an ordinary person pursuing a woman?" Manager Li's face showed a complex expression.
Over the years, pursuing women, she had suffered a lot!
Who could understand her bitterness?
Tang Wen: You make a lot of sense!
Manager Li said: "Time is precious, you should experience the darkness here first! My matter isn't urgent."
"Alright, then. Thank you, Manager Li."
"My name is Li Miao."
After saying her name, Manager Li swept her sleeve, and a sudden gust of wind swept through the room, carrying all the debris out of the secret chamber.
Tang Wen's pupils slightly widened: A senior Transcendent!
As the door closed, the room plunged into darkness.
Tang Wen didn't dare waste any time and used his Breathing Technique to calm his mind.
Near-death experience, extreme darkness—he already understood what was happening!
Whether it was pure night or complete darkness, there was truly nothing to fear.
What was terrifying was human imagination and the things hidden in the darkness.
For example: the bone-chilling cold.
For example: the deadly danger just moments ago!
Imagine if Tang Wen were just an ordinary Martial Master—that scene would have been enough to make him truly experience despair and terror!
In this way, the night in his visualization took on real emotion and power.
This power was despair, a killing intent lurking everywhere!