Chapter 3: Blade of Wind

The border planet had no interstellar trade routes, and thus no convenient interstellar courier services.

Trade on the planet partly relied on exchanges between residents, but mostly on interstellar trade guilds that passed through.

If no trade guild docked at Luo Ri Star, no goods would be sold there. This would make it even harder for the residents of Luo Ri Star to survive, as daily necessities and nutrient solutions became scarce.

The former planetary governor had spent a considerable amount of money trying to get trade guilds to dock at Luo Ri Star.

The unexpected visitor was Simon Lane, the deputy head of the Lion Guild, overseeing a small region of border planets and trade routes between Level 3 planets in the Canglan Star Region.

He was also one of the reasons why Cang Cheng, newly appointed, lost hope for the future after arriving at Luo Ri Star.

The reason? Simon wanted to force a purchase of the Central Mansion, which was a symbol of the planetary governor’s authority.

Luo Ri Star was poor, but it desperately needed daily supplies and medicine for its residents.

Since the planet lacked funds but had needs, the new planetary governor could pay in other ways—like mortgaging the mansion. This kind of transaction was not uncommon in the Canglan Star Region.

Initially, Cang Cheng had considered agreeing, as he was indeed in desperate need of money.

However, Simon had only offered a mortgage value of 500,000.

500,000 was barely enough to buy a regular 100-square-meter house on Luo Ri Star. The Central Mansion, covering an area of 1,300 square meters, was a symbol of the planetary governor’s power. How could it be valued at just 500,000?

Simon was clearly exploiting the situation to undervalue and force a sale!

This infuriated Cang Cheng so much that his old illness flared up, causing a high fever, and he lost hope for the future.

Now, Simon was bringing up the matter again.

"If you think 500,000 is too little, I can increase the price. How about 1,000,000?

You know that the economy of Luo Ri Star isn't doing well. This 1,000,000 could help fill the fiscal gap and address your urgent needs.

I think it's a very suitable offer, and you should really consider it. After all, apart from me, no one else is going to help boost your income."

Butler Philip raised his voice,

"Silence, President Simon, the price you're offering is unreasonable."

The last time Simon met Cang Cheng, Philip was organizing the planet’s data and wasn’t by Cang Cheng’s side.

He had no idea that Simon would dare propose such a transaction that defied market prices to Cang Cheng.

Offering 500,000 or 1,000,000 for the Central Mansion is outright robbery!

Simon didn’t pay any attention to the steward at all.

He had already investigated that the old steward was merely a C-grade Spirit Warrior, a waste of space who suffered from PTSD related to battle.

Whereas he, Simon, was a B-grade Spirit Warrior, carrying numerous high-grade Spirit Runes with him.

Simon believed he could act with impunity on Luo Ri Star. Neither the planetary governor nor the fifth prince held any significance to him.

After all, in the Canglan Star Region, might makes right.

Simon’s large hand shoved Philip aside forcefully. The ornaments on his person jingled softly as he moved.

Philip stumbled and fell heavily to the ground.

With a grim expression, Simon threatened Cang Cheng: "Governor, my patience is wearing thin. If you miss this opportunity today, don’t expect the Lion Guild to ever stop at Luo Ri Star again! Nor will any other guild!

The 1,000,000 is already the highest price offered out of respect for your status as a prince. If it were anyone else, I wouldn’t offer a single cent more."

Cang Cheng lowered his head slightly, remaining silent.

The light fell on his long eyelashes, casting a soft gray shadow under his eyes, giving him an air of mystery.

This appearance caused Simon’s resolve to waver for a moment, but only a moment.

After all, Simon was a die-hard money-lover!

But... it was said that the fifth prince was a beautiful but useless man, possessing nothing but a handsome face.

These rumors were not without merit.

Cang Cheng tilted his head slightly, his gaze resting lightly on Simon, his tone indifferent: "Ah... Is that so..."

Simon furrowed his brow.

He always sensed that the allegedly sickly and cowardly fifth prince had changed.

At the very least, at this moment, the other party should have been trembling with anger, unable to utter a word. Yet, right now, the fifth prince showed no emotional response at all.

But even if the fifth prince had changed, so what?

An ordinary person who can't awaken can hardly cause much of a stir.

Simon drove his doubts away and further threatened, "What do you say? You don't want your citizens to starve right after you've taken office, do you?

All you need to do is give up something trivial to obtain 1 million star credits. It's a great deal for you."

Cang Cheng raised his eyes and smiled, his eyes curving as he did. "I refuse."

"Don't test your luck!"

Without a second thought, Simon immediately drew his gun and pressed the black muzzle against Cang Cheng.

"Take a close look, fifth prince! My gun is ranked in the top 20 damage-dealing M121 electromagnetic guns in the entire Canglan Star Region. It's loaded with B-grade 'Hit Runes,' 'Acceleration Runes,' and 'Energy Runes.' A single shot can penetrate a 5-meter-thick steel plate.

You've probably never seen such advanced spirit runes and firearms, right?"

Being held at gunpoint, Cang Cheng remained completely calm. He nodded. "Indeed, I haven't seen much of them."

Electromagnetic guns, B-grade runes of various types—Cang Cheng had only recently regained his memories when he arrived in the Canglan Star Region. Neither the original owner nor he were familiar with these things.

Is this the weaponry of this world? They look quite compact.

He wondered how they compared to magic and alchemical weapons. Which was more powerful?

Hilmeth advised, "[One shot from him could destroy half the mansion. However, he's blindly arrogant and full of vulnerabilities. You can rush in and strike his lower body with your knee, then hit his wrist to knock the gun out of his hand.]"

Cang Cheng: [No need to make it so complicated.]

Cang Cheng extended his finger and seemingly casually drew a few strokes in the air.

While drawing the summoning magic circle, Cang Cheng had already discovered that the magic runes in this world could be utilized. Though not as convenient as spells that can shake the heavens and earth with a mere thought, he was at least familiar with them.

Hidden magical power flowed from his fingertips, tracing the form of three wind blades.

Wind Blade—a fundamental wind-element spell.

Cang Cheng currently had just enough magical power for three strikes.

Suddenly, a breeze stirred the calm air, gently lifting Cang Cheng’s longish hair.

Cang Cheng’s lips curved into a smile, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Look, the wind has started."

In the next moment, a sharp wind blade sliced across Simon’s wrist, which was gripping the gun.

His wrist was instantly severed in half.

Simon reflexively dodged, narrowly saving his wrist.

The electromagnetic gun clattered to the floor.

Another wind blade sliced a deep gash across Simon’s bulky body, blood immediately staining his expensive jewels and fine clothing.

The last wind blade sliced just above Simon’s head, shearing off the top of his hair, leaving him instantly bald.

If Simon hadn’t fallen to the ground at that exact moment, the last wind blade would have decapitated him!

What on earth…

Spiritual Runes?

Wind?

Just who was he?

Fifth Prince Cang Cheng…

What will happen to me?

I'm going to die…

Simon's mind was in chaos. His face was pale, his eyes were vacant, and he was covered in cold sweat, as if he had seen a ghost.

The fear of imminent death caused him to recall many things in an instant.

As a child, he naively declared he would become the top merchant in the galaxy;

Being sent to drink alcohol daily due to lack of connections, leading to a weight gain of 50 pounds in a year;

Resorting to any means necessary to climb the corporate ladder and meet performance targets;

And the balance in his galactic account nearing nine figures…

Reflecting on his past, Simon realized how much he had changed.

He had become arrogant, ruthless, and willing to do anything to get ahead. And now, his overconfidence had brought him to this life-threatening situation.

No… He didn’t want to die.

He hadn’t reached his modest goal yet!

After using the Blade of Wind, Cang Cheng's magic was drained, causing him to stagger slightly.

This displeased the once-mighty forbidden spellcaster.

With a grim expression, he walked over to Simon and picked up the fallen gun.

Cang Cheng stepped on Simon’s chest, then pressed the gun against his temple.

Cang Cheng looked down at Simon, smirked, and said with a rising inflection, "Robbery."