Chapter 193: The Demon King and the Hero of Thunder County Have Never Been So Close

In the port of Thunder City, on the ocean-going cargo ship hanging the purple moon flag, Luo Yan, standing on the deck, inspected his ghoul sailors.

These people were all militiamen who died in the battle with the Earth Dragon Clan under the leadership of Sheriff Adlai. Luo Yan gave them a second life after collecting their souls.

From the appearance, they were no different from ordinary humans, and even the only flaw, "smell," was covered up by the strong fishy smell on the port.

A young man wearing a captain's hat walked to Luo Yan and bowed respectfully in the noble style of the Imperial court.

"Respected Mr. Kelin, do you have any instructions?"

Luo Yan glanced at him and said casually.

"No, I'm just looking around."

The young man standing in front of him was named Lumier, Jack's right-hand man, and also a core member of the Brotherhood.

A long time ago, this person was stabbed in the chest by a fish fork with a curse. Because he couldn't find a priest to take action, he was once dying. Finally, thanks to Luo Yan's help, he survived.

Since then, Lumier became a loyal believer of the Demon King, and also one of the few people in the Brotherhood who swore in front of the Demon King statue from the heart.

Luo Yan was quite satisfied with the captain that Jack had recommended to him; the only drawback was that his experience in ocean navigation was a bit lacking, but he didn't really need this ship to go out to sea anyway—just cruising around the harbor would suffice.

Just when Luo Yan was inspecting his captain and sailors, his other servant also climbed onto the deck from the ladder of the wharf.

Looking at the sailors standing solemnly like soldiers, Watching Watching Pangke was secretly shocked in his heart, secretly thinking that this Mr. Kelin's identity was really not simple!

At least he had never seen so many disciplined sailors. These guys might have retired from the Imperial Palace Guard!

Although he had never seen what the Imperial Palace Guard looked like...

Just when he was floating, the voice that was more pleasant and elegant than the gospel of the gods suddenly drifted from the front, interrupting his thoughts.

"What did Mr. Andes say."

Mr. Kelin, standing on the deck, didn't look back, but seemed to have eyes on his back, and had already seen his existence.

"He basically agreed to your request, of course, not all..." Watching Watching Pangke didn't dare to have the slightest slack, and repeated the content of his conversation with Andes word for word.

Especially the part about the fifty thousand gold coins at the end.

After listening to Watching Watching Pangke's repetition, Luo Yan's eyebrows couldn't help but raise a trace of surprise.

Standing in the position of a modern person, he naturally understood what this Yang Andes wanted to do in an instant, and in one sentence, it was nothing more than wanting to control the market and then hype the price up.

However, that guy is not a modern person after all, and he can see so far, it can only be said that he is worthy of being the "uncrowned king" who controls the economic lifeline of Thunder City.

The diamond he gave Andes is of value, it is reasonable to auction for 10,000 gold coins, and 100,000 is barely reasonable, but 500,000 is purely hype, at least 90% is premium.

However, the overflowing beer foam will not disappear, and can flow into other cups next to it.

This is Andes' real purpose!

As long as the diamonds in Thunder City and even the Lain Kingdom are controlled in his hands, he can hype this price as high as he wants, and with the nature of that group of nobles who only buy expensive and not right, the more expensive the price, the more they can't wait to open their wallets.

Of course, this story is not something anyone can tell, at least this first investment of fifty thousand gold coins must be paid by someone.

The monthly income of

Being able to produce this sum of money without batting an eye, even Luo Yan had to sigh that the Andes family was truly too wealthy.

However, everyone has their own limitations, even the richest man in Lei Ming City.

He only saw the profits from selling diamonds, but had yet to see the bigger picture on a higher level.

And that was selling the company.

In the hands of Mr. Andoer, the Dawn's Embrace Hotel was worth at most fifty thousand gold coins, but in the hands of Mr. Kelin, it was worth one hundred thousand gold coins and counting, with no ceiling.

It is true that selling diamonds might yield a profit of over a million gold coins a year, but he only needed to package it easily to create a shell worth hundreds of millions of gold coins.

Hundreds of millions of gold coins.

It is unknown if the Campbell Principality's treasury even has that much gold.

After finishing his report, Watching Pangke waited quietly for Mr. Kelin's response, very honestly keeping his mouth shut without saying another word.

Luo Yan pondered for a moment and then said.

"Reply to Andes for me. Tell him I intend to establish a Kelin Mining Company in Lei Ming City to manage the Kelin family's diamond mines in the New Continent. This diamond mine currently has an annual output of about one hundred thousand stones, mostly 0.2-gram small diamonds, with diamonds weighing over 1 gram accounting for only one percent."

"Of course, we do not intend to sell the treasures bestowed upon us by the earth cheaply based on weight and size, but rather plan to establish a grading standard. For example, the most expensive diamonds will be 5A grade, released only at fixed quarterly auctions, while the lowest F grade will be sold according to different standards... The specific details can be discussed further."

5A is naturally produced by the Stone Men, and F is naturally produced by ordinary Stone Men.

Of course, there is a cost to producing these diamonds; only when those Stone Men eat coal and drink magma is there a probability of production... although this probability is not low.

As for the color of the diamonds, there are subtle differences based on trace elements and the sulfur content of the coal. However, natural diamonds themselves all have flaws, so this doesn't really matter.

"... I believe that with Mr. Andes's vision, he will certainly understand the ins and outs of this. If Mr. Andes is interested, we can operate this company together. As for how to calculate the profits, we can discuss it in detail at tomorrow's banquet."

The subsequent content was not suitable for relaying through others.

Luo Yan believed that if Andes were interested, he would definitely take the initiative to find him and present a proposal that would satisfy both parties.

Pausing his words to ponder for a moment, Luo Yan confirmed there were no omissions, then turned to look at Watching Pangke, who was diligently memorizing every word.

"Just reply to him like that."

Watching Pangke nodded quickly and said respectfully.

"As you command, Master."

On a night in midwinter, the snow-covered Lei Ming City was shrouded in bright moonlight, like a sleeping infant in swaddling clothes.

And unlike that tranquility and peace, at this moment in the very center of the wealthy district, a sprawling manor was brilliantly lit, shining as brightly as a dazzling pearl in the night.

From evening onwards, the road in front of the manor saw an endless stream of carriages, and guests flowed incessantly beneath the magnificent marble gate.

The tables covered with white linen were filled with exquisite dishes, from pan-seared foie gras and creamed lobster to venison roasted until crispy on the outside and tender on the inside; every dish was meticulously prepared by top-tier chefs, while the desserts were works of art made from fresh fruit and chocolate, placed in gold-rimmed porcelain.

Accompanied by elegant symphonic music, waiters in tailcoats moved nimbly among them, pouring mellow champagne and red wine, or hot tea and sweet wine to ward off the cold, into the guests' glasses.

The guests here were either wealthy or noble, including rich merchants running ocean trade, industrialists managing thousands of workers, bank presidents from the harbor district and the true bosses behind the scenes, as well as various nobles from Lei Ming County and the surrounding baronies or earldoms, or guests of the latter.

Even a wealthy man like Andoer, the former owner of Dawn's Embrace, had to rack his brains for an invitation.

Compared to Mr. Kelin's hotel, this was the true vanity fair of the Campbell Principality, the only drawback being that the latter was not always open to the public.

A long red carpet stretched from the main entrance of the manor's main building all the way to the exquisitely decorated marble gate, as if connecting two completely different worlds—

One side was filled with heavy snow, making people shrink their necks in the cold, while the other side was filled with roaring hearth fires, making people sweat on their foreheads involuntarily.

And in that magnificent hall, gentlemen wore perfectly tailored formal attire, with family crests adorning their collars or shoulders. Ladies were draped in silk evening gowns, with dazzling jewelry shining on their necks, and low laughter could be heard from time to time during their conversations.

The last time it was this lively here was when Prince Edward had just arrived in Lei Ming City.

As for now, the respected Prince Edward had become the new Grand Duke, and Lei Ming City had also welcomed a new prominent figure.

The moment he stepped into the hall, Luo Yan unsurprisingly received the attention of all the guests in the room.

That deep purple hair was like the night sky lit by a silver moon, with slightly curled tips falling naturally, swaying gently with his steps above his high-bridged nose.

Those well-defined features seemed as if they had received the favor of Saint Xisi, especially those deep and bright pupils, which possessed a composure that seemed to see through everything. And that inadvertently revealed arrogance and unruliness made countless noble young ladies present blush uncontrollably, suppressing the rhythm of their breathing.

The Kelin family's genes were indeed powerful; Luo Yan felt that part of the reason he couldn't hate his father might be because of this.

On this planet that also judges by appearance, the greatest "grievance" he had suffered since his student days was probably just Miss Mi Ya's harmless harassment.

And those little actions of "wanting to attract the other party's attention while fearing that doing too much would make the other party dislike him" were things he wouldn't take to heart given his temperament.

"Respected Mr. Kelin, I have long admired your great name!"

A flamboyant and fawning voice approached the direction of the main hall entrance, accompanied by a burst of hurried footsteps.

Luo Yan looked at the three people walking toward him, only remembering that one of them seemed to be William Krich, the president of the harbor district bank, while he didn't recognize the other two.

Seeming to see the indifference in his eyes, the bank president immediately piled a fawning smile on his face and introduced them to him.

"This is Mi Er Lu Xiusi, the Mayor of Lei Ming City! This is Lennon Banburichi, the President of the Lei Ming City Adventurers' Guild!"

"Respected Mr. Kelin, I am very happy to meet you at such a grand event!" Mayor Lu Xiusi, who had made the flamboyant sound earlier, said with a glowing face.

"Nice to meet you, gentlemen." Luo Yan shook hands with the two of them lightly, with a gentle yet distant composure on his face.

In a city like Lei Ming City, the mayor generally has no real power; the true power is mainly held by the Viceroy sent from above.

As for the Adventurers' Guild, it goes without saying; it is just the official head of the employees of the Lei Ming City government agencies. Although they are also people of status, they are still a bit lacking in quality.

With his status, there was actually no need to get too close to such small figures, and the other party was clearly self-aware of this.

Even when the two saw Luo Yan take the initiative to extend his right hand, they were amazed at this gentleman's approachability and held his hand, flattered.

After greeting them politely, Luo Yan let go of his hand and then handed the cashmere robe draped over his shoulders to Watching Pangke, the servant who was following him cautiously.

Because Sarah's identity was not accepted by the mainstream surface society, and it was inconvenient to walk around in a cloak here, he ordered her to stay at the hotel.

Mayor Lu Xiusi secretly sized up the Mr. Kelin in front of him, only to see that the latter was wearing a tailored black long coat, with a purple moon emblem hanging on his black-and-gold-trimmed belt. The outer layer of the coat was made of velvet, with low-key yet luxurious gold thread patterns embroidered on the edges, and a purple crystal button adorned the cuffs.

This was indeed a common formal dress for imperial nobles, especially that detailed purple crystal button, which made him, who had once traveled in the imperial court, confirm the identity of the gentleman in front of him in his heart.

Perhaps the legend about the Prince was true!

Thinking of this, the look in his eyes when he looked at Mr. Kelin became much more heated, no less than the unmarried or married noble ladies and wives around him.

And unlike Mayor Lu Xiusi, President Krich's eyes were fixed straight on the brooch on Mr. Kelin's chest.

It was a deep purple diamond about five centimeters in size, just like a blooming violet, and at the same time, it looked exactly like those captivating eyes.

He couldn't help but think greedily—

This thing is probably not cheap!

In fact, his perspective was still too small; true priceless treasures have always been things that money cannot buy, and every item on this Mr. Kelin was one.

It won't be long before this outfit becomes all the rage in the upper society of the Campbell Principality, just like the white silk that swept the thighs of the barons of the Campbell Principality before.

At the same time that Mr. Kelin focused the attention of everyone in the room, the truly noble guest of this banquet finally noticed this place.

Dressed in a noble and elegant evening gown, Princess Ailin Campbell walked toward him gracefully, accompanied by a female guard.

Luo Yan, who was dealing with the pleasantries of the guests, soon noticed her approach, so he turned his body calmly, nodded slightly in a textbook-standard manner, and cast an appreciative look at her.

That water-blue long dress was like a quiet and peaceful ocean, complementing the thousands of golden threads falling on her shoulders.

Sure enough, as he had expected, her pupils were deep emerald green, just like the Campbell Grand Duke, but the soft facial lines were not similar to that purple-crystal-level powerhouse.

The term "naturally beautiful" seemed to be designed for her, and any superfluous rhetoric was an insignificant embellishment for her.

However, Luo Yan was not entirely attracted by her appearance, but more because that water-blue long dress suddenly reminded him of his sister.

When she saw him off as he left the Demon Capital, Vivian seemed to be wearing a similar dress.

Not only that.

The temperament of the two also made him feel indescribably similar... even though this Princess Ailin was much more polite than his sister.

"Good evening, Mr. Luoxie Kelin, it is a true honor to see you here tonight."

Princess Ailin lifted her skirt slightly, nodded in greeting, her voice clear and gentle, with a bit of a young girl's playfulness without losing royal elegance.

"Thank you for coming to my party. I believe that if it weren't for you, this banquet certainly wouldn't be so lively."

"Your Highness, you are too kind. Without a doubt, you are the star of this banquet; on the contrary, I have basked in much of your glory."

Luo Yan nodded slightly, responded with a standard imperial court etiquette, and greeted her with a steady yet witty voice.

"You are too modest."

A smile appeared on Ailin's face, with sincere appreciation in her eyes, and she said in a pleasant voice.

"Although you have only been here for a short time, I can clearly feel that the citizens of Lei Ming City welcome the mysterious Mr. Kelin more than they welcome me."

This was undoubtedly a sincere compliment, without too much calculation mixed in; however, people always find it difficult to control the expression of their truest feelings deep inside when they are most relaxed.

Simply put, the little girl was a bit jealous.

Keenly reading this, Luo Yan smiled and said politely.

"Has Your Highness ever seen a shooting star?"

"A shooting star?" Not understanding why he suddenly brought this up, Ailin blinked curiously, "I did see one when I was six years old. My brother even tricked me into making a wish on it, but unfortunately, it didn't come true at all later."

Luo Yan said with a smile.

"It's clear that it left a deep impression on you."

Ailin: "After all, it's not often seen."

"Yes, it is precisely because it is not often seen that people pay special attention to its fleeting light. However, no one can deny that its light, compared to the bright moon that always accompanies the night sky, is like a firefly in the woods."

Luo Yan looked at Princess Ailin with a smile and continued.

"And I am that fleeting shooting star; you are the immortal moon on this land."

Ailin looked at him in surprise, the corners of her mouth unable to stop rising.

Sure enough, his intuition was not wrong; she and Vivian were indeed very similar in some ways, subconsciously longing to prove themselves, or rather, longing to be recognized.

And as it happened, he, who was in the limelight, indeed had the qualifications to award this medal... as long as he made this medal a little more exquisite and a little more subtle, so it wouldn't appear too cheap.

Sure enough, from that overjoyed look, Luo Yan could clearly see that this "flattery" of his had hit the mark.

Princess Ailin looked at him with a smile and said in a light voice.

"There must be many girls who like you."

"Perhaps," feeling that she had clearly relaxed, Luo Yan nodded with a smile, "It's a pity that I am either busy with my studies or busy traveling, so I really don't know many girls."

Being too busy with work and not knowing many girls would be considered a standard "playboy" statement in the 21st century, but here it was still a passable excuse.

Ailin didn't ask more about this detail, but curiously asked about another matter.

"Studies? Where were you studying before?"

Luo Yan nodded lightly and said casually.

"The Empire's Academy, a student of Professor Lilith. I am very interested in magic, so I asked my father to send me there."

There are countless professors in the Northern Academy, and most of them live in wizard towers for their whole lives. This was told to him by Miranda herself, so it would be impossible to be exposed by just making up a name.

An envious expression appeared on Ailin's face, and she sighed softly.

"That's great... If it weren't for the fact that people of the Campbell family are not suitable for learning magic, I would also like to study abroad at the Academy. I heard that you can meet many interesting people there."

Mastering one kind of extraordinary power will suppress another kind of extraordinary power, which is related to subconscious cognition and is difficult to overcome through practice.

The descendants of the Campbell family must always be prepared to inherit the Light of Praise, and the Kingdom of Ryan has long been known as the home of knights, so there are far more people learning swordsmanship than those practicing magic.

"Actually, life there is not as interesting as you imagine. Being teased and ordered around by professors is a common occurrence..." When saying this, Luo Yan subconsciously substituted his life at the Demon King Academy, and for a moment, he opened the floodgates, making it sound as if it were really the case.

And Ailin, after all, had never been to the Academy and didn't know what it was like, so she was immersed in his story without paying attention.

Feeling a bit dry-mouthed, Luo Yan cleared his throat, stopped his words, and cast his gaze toward the front of the banquet hall.

The host in a tailcoat was walking from behind the scenes to the front of the stage, and the highlight of this banquet was finally about to begin.

"... It's a pleasure talking to you, but the most important part of tonight's banquet is about to begin. Shall we move to the vicinity of the venue and continue?"

Ailin Campbell nodded with a smile.

"Of course, my seat is in the box on the second floor. I wonder if Mr. Kelin would be willing to accompany me?"

"It would be my honor."

While leaving these words, Luo Yan looked at Watching Pangke, the attendant following closely behind, and instructed.

"The matter of holding up the sign in a while will be left to you."

Watching Pangke, who was holding the robe, nodded quickly and said respectfully.

"As you command, Master."

After giving this instruction, Luo Yan followed beside Princess Ailin Campbell and walked toward the box on the second floor amidst the envious and jealous gazes of the guests.

The two sat down at the tea table covered with a white cloth.

And at this very moment, Luo Yan, as the Demon King, was only a table's distance away from his "arch-enemy," the quasi-hero.

If he wanted to take the other party's life or capture the other party, he only needed to recite a spell to achieve his goal... The successive Demon Kings of the labyrinth beneath Lei Ming County had never been as close to victory as he was.

Especially on Ailin Campbell's face, there was no trace of defense to be seen, although there was a hint of wariness in the eyes of the female guard behind her... perhaps she had sensed the aura of a powerhouse on him.

However, this was nothing; he had long established a persona of being diligent and eager to learn, and it is well known that nobles learn magic very quickly, as long as they are willing to put in the effort.

The light projected by the magic crystal reflected the scene of the auction on the wall, as clear as if he were there in person.

The technology tree of this world is very strange.

Although there are no television stations, there are things similar to "televisions," and the clarity is far beyond what electronic products can compare to.

Looking at the host announcing the start of the auction on the screen, Princess Ailin, who took a light sip of black tea, put the teacup back on the tray and said with a smile.

"I heard from a certain gentleman that you intend to give me a mysterious gift. I have been looking forward to it for a long time... Can you give me a hint?"

It seems that in places he didn't know about, Mr. Andes had done a lot of extra groundwork to arouse this Princess Ailin's curiosity about him.

Luo Yan couldn't help but think in his heart that if that guy knew his identity as the Demon King, wouldn't he have to kneel before the statue of the god and repent.

No matter how spineless the citizens of Lei Ming City are, and no matter how much they hate endless fighting, they wouldn't voluntarily hand the nuclear bomb in their hands to the Demon King.

Looking at the curious Princess Ailin, Luo Yan smiled slightly and said in a tone with a hint of mischief.

"You will know soon."