Chapter 4: Successful Robbery

Hilmeth watched as Cang Cheng’s fingers moved through the air, seeing the wind transform into sharp blades that swiftly cut two slashes into Simon's body.

He also watched as Cang Cheng, with a cold expression, indifferently uttered the threatening word ‘robbery.’

He was surprised. Confused, with no answers.

The rumors that Cang Cheng could not awaken... Was it possible that he was actually a Spirit Rune Master?

And the winds just now, were they really Spirit Runes?

Spirit Runes made of air?

The usually detached and unconcerned Hilmeth found himself entirely preoccupied with Cang Cheng.

Like a mysterious purple mist, lingering in Hilmeth's heart, hazy and surreal.

In Hilmeth's mind, Cang Cheng transformed from a handsome but incapable fifth prince to a mysterious and carefree one.

His red-golden eyes fixed on Cang Cheng, who was in the midst of the robbery.

His demeanor was commanding, exuding an innate authority, devoid of any trace of his former ‘uselessness’ and ‘cowardice.’

This was truly unexpected.

After a few more seconds, Hilmeth averted his gaze.

He reminded, "You’re holding the gun backwards."

Upon hearing this, Cang Cheng quickly adjusted the gun, showing no embarrassment.

Cang Cheng: "My skills are a bit rusty, please bear with me."

Simon didn’t notice that Cang Cheng had the gun backwards.

All he felt was a cold metal weapon pressed against his temple, and with just a slight movement of Cang Cheng's finger on the trigger, his life would be over!

Simon wailed, begging for mercy, "You can rob me. All my wealth is yours, I'll transfer it right away! Please don't kill me, I was wrong, sir..."

Cang Cheng tapped the gun against Simon's head, making a dull thudding sound.

"But you treated me so poorly just now. I'll be uncomfortable if I don't kill you, what should we do about that..."

"Don't... don't kill me. I'll bow down to you."

Without another word, Simon prostrated himself on the ground, his forehead slamming against the floor repeatedly.

"I was wrong, I really was wrong. I failed to recognize your true worth, I have no insight, I am blind to your greatness..."

As Simon continued to kowtow, Cang Cheng tilted his head and pondered.

What should he do with him?

He could kill him, but killing wasn't allowed so freely in this world.

Maybe... turn him into a mindless puppet? Or capture his soul?

But his magic had not yet returned, so he couldn't do that for now.

This was troubling.

Noticing Cang Cheng's indecision, Hilmeth suggested, "[You could have him sell himself to you, signing a lifelong labor contract. All the money he earns will belong to you, and you can pay him with his own money, ensuring he continually earns money for you. That would be more sustainable than killing him.

And besides, keeping him around might still be useful for Luo Ri.]"

Hilmeth actually thought it didn't matter much whether Simon was killed or not. Simon's use of force against the planetary governor could have warranted severe punishment.

However... seeing Cang Cheng's hesitation, Hilmeth assumed Cang Cheng was still too kind-hearted and didn't wish to kill, which was why he was troubled.

Thus, Hilmeth proposed making Simon work for Cang Cheng for life.

A lifelong labor contract... Isn't that essentially a slavery contract in the Canglan Star Region?

Cang Cheng remembered this contract from the original owner’s memories.

He thought it was very feasible.

Cang Cheng stepped on Simon's back and said, "Sell yourself to me and sign a permanent labor contract, and I'll spare your life."

"I'll sign! I'll sign it now!"

Simon, crawling on the ground and enduring the pain, used his left hand to take out his data pad and quickly signed the indenture.

After confirming the contract was in order, Cang Cheng also signed it.

Within 10 seconds, under the protection of the laws of the Canglan Star Region, the contract was officially established.

A moment later, Cang Cheng heard a pleasant electronic tone.

"Your account 0801 has received a real-time transfer of 92,030,398 star coins, bringing your balance to 92,351,499 star coins."

Upon signing the contract, all of Simon's assets were transferred to Cang Cheng's account.

This windfall would clear the debt on Sunset Star, and the remaining funds would allow Cang Cheng to buy many things and make this place more comfortable.

Cang Cheng felt relieved and lifted his foot off Simon's back.

"Ensure the market in a few days is well-organized; don't disappoint me."

Simon immediately groveled, "Yes, yes, I won't disappoint you."

"Scram!"

Simon, feeling like he had been granted amnesty, scrambled away from the Central Mansion as fast as he could.

He never imagined that coming to buy the Central Mansion at a bargain price would nearly cost him his life.

It was horrifying.

Whoever said the Fifth Prince was useless?!

He needed to reform and serve the Fifth Prince diligently. The indenture agreement didn’t include a clause preventing the employer from arbitrarily ending the employee’s life.

That means if he wasn't careful, he could end up with his head chopped off with a swift chop!

Simon, feeling like he was facing a formidable foe, silently vowed, "I must run the market flawlessly! I don't want to lose my head..."

After Simon left, Cang Cheng transferred 5 million credits to the butler for daily expenses.

"Philip, I want the mansion renovated, and prepare a study room on the second floor for me. Also, buy some food. I'm tired of nutrient solutions."

Philip, the butler, was initially taken aback by Cang Cheng's mysterious strength but quickly regained his composure.

As a butler, he was happiest and proudest when his master was formidable.

A wise butler knows not to pry into other matters.

With a polite butler's smile, Philip said, "I'll have your rooms ready by tomorrow. However, all transactions on Sunset Star go through the Chamber of Commerce. This month, it seems Sub-Branch President Simon didn't bring any food supplies.

You'll have to wait another month if you wish to eat actual food."

Wait, what?!

Was he really going to have to endure that awful, disgusting nutrient solution for another month?

He was really going to starve to death.

Cang Cheng looked utterly dejected, his eyes dimming.

"Fine... then bring me a cup of sugar water, please..."

Cang Cheng said feebly.

Within 30 seconds, Cang Cheng received a cup of warm sugar water and began sipping it slowly, gradually regaining some energy.

The sugar water, made from simple white sugar and water, tasted far inferior to the honey water, milk tea, and fruit tea he was used to.

But given the limited resources, Cang Cheng was grateful to have even this small sweet drink.

After finishing the cup of sugar water, Cang Cheng felt a bit drowsy.

His body was still somewhat weak and needed more rest.

"I'm tired, I'm going to rest now. If anything comes up, come find me tomorrow."

With that, Cang Cheng went upstairs.

Philip, being efficient, had taken the opportunity while Cang Cheng was drinking water to change the bedding to a new, skin-friendly set.

He had also filled the bathtub with hot water and added fragrant plant-based essential oils.

Without hesitation, Cang Cheng took off his clothes and immersed himself in the bathtub. A light blush gradually spread across his cheeks in the misty steam.

Hilmeth had intended to ask Cang Cheng about the Spirit Runes from earlier, but who would have thought that as soon as Cang Cheng entered the room, he began to undress? His back, smooth as jade, was suddenly and fully exposed to Hilmeth’s view.

Cang Cheng had a small frame, and without his clothes, he exuded a delicate beauty, his body slender and refined.

His waist was so narrow that Hilmeth felt he could hold it with one hand. Moreover, Cang Cheng’s skin was incredibly smooth and fair...

Hilmeth instinctively closed his eyes, unable to look at Cang Cheng.

Certainly, he had seen many naked bodies during his time in the military, but... Cang Cheng was different.

Cang Cheng activated the bathtub’s massage function, and his entire body was massaged by a gentle yet firm water flow, eliciting a sound of comfort from him.

Hmm... This is better than the ones on the Siaxi continent.

High praise!

After soaking for a while, Cang Cheng finally remembered that the spirit he had summoned earlier seemed to have vanished since just now.

"Mo, are you there?"

Hilmeth, standing outside the door, responded, "Yes."

"Why are you standing outside? I thought you might have returned due to my insufficient... energy supply."

Hilmeth was silent for a moment. "It’s not convenient."

After a brief moment of thought, Cang Cheng understood what Hilmeth meant by 'not convenient.' Hilmeth was deliberately avoiding him because of the one-sided nudity.

Cang Cheng wasn't shy about being seen naked; they were both men, after all, so what was there to be concerned about?

Cang Cheng chuckled lightly, "I didn't expect it, Mo. You're quite the gentleman."

Xilimus frowned slightly.

"This is basic courtesy."

"Uh-huh, you're right, courtesy."

Then, Cang Cheng changed the subject, "But we share the closest bond in this world. Our souls are tied together. I need you, and you need me.

We're so familiar with each other, don't you think we don't need to be so formal?"

Xilimus didn't respond, only tightening his hand at his side.

His tail, which he couldn't fully control, flicked irritably a couple of times.

Cang Cheng: "Why aren't you speaking? Don't you think I have a point?"

Hilmeth remained silent.

The next moment, a gurgling sound of water filled the air, followed by the door creaking open.

Hilmeth instinctively closed his eyes.

The pattering of water and the warmth enveloped Hilmeth.

The scent of woody essential oils permeated the air with an elusive fragrance, arousing feelings.

Cang Cheng’s eyes twinkled with amusement, slightly upturned, and his voice carried a hint of a smile.

He observed the foreigner before him, eyes squeezed shut. His lips were tightly pressed together.

He looked so ‘polite.’

Cang Cheng delighted in teasing those who were overly serious. Whenever he saw them lose their composure and flail about, he found it quite amusing.

As for the seemingly very serious summoned foreign heroic spirit, Cang Cheng also wanted to tease him a bit.

Cang Cheng said, "Open your eyes and look at me."

His beautiful red-gold eyes suddenly opened, shining like a brilliant summer meteor, with a dazzling golden light.

Then, upon noticing that Cang Cheng was wrapped in a towel and not in a state of undress, the golden-red light in his eyes calmed.

Hilmeth subconsciously sighed with relief.

"What? Are you afraid I might do something to you?"

Cang Cheng smiled widely, "I’ve already said we need each other, why would I do anything to upset you?"

Hilmeth remained silent.

Cang Cheng reached out, making a gesture to pat Hilmeth's shoulder.

Hilmeth reflexively stepped back half a step.

Cang Cheng looked puzzled, "Am I so scary?"

Hilmeth said, "No."

Not scary, but feels very bothersome.

"That’s better."

With that, Cang Cheng’s hand passed straight through Hilmeth’s body. "Since you don’t have a physical form right now, I can’t even touch you. Just now, when you took a half-step back, I thought you were afraid of me."

After saying that, Cang Cheng no longer paid attention to Hilmeth’s expression.

He lay down on the bed, covered himself with the blanket, turned to his side, and wished him goodnight.

"Goodnight, Mo. Tomorrow, tell me about that spear and those markings, okay?"

"Sure."

After responding with a single word, Hilmeth added, "Goodnight."

As a spirit, Hilmeth did not need sleep.

He sat on a stool, his fluffy tail wrapped around his thigh, his red-gold eyes never leaving Cang Cheng.

He kept his eyes on Cang Cheng all night long.