Two Thousand Silver Coins

"Fellow Cultivator, since you’re his junior brother, why don’t you... pay for him?"

The old man smiled kindly as he spoke, stroking his beard with an expression so sincere that anyone unfamiliar with him might truly believe he had come only to collect an old debt.

The wind swept across the ruined valley.

Flames crackled in the distance while thunder rumbled endlessly above the skies of The Forsaken Domain. The overwhelming pressure from the battle between the giant beasts still shook the earth from time to time, yet the atmosphere here had somehow become even more delicate.

Harry blinked blankly.

Fiona quietly lowered her head, trying hard not to smile.

Leon, meanwhile, simply stared at Hektor for a moment.

Then—

His brows slowly furrowed.

After a while, he understood what he meant.

Interesting. Is this old man testing me?

Leon thought to himself.

Two thousand silver coins?

Did a peak expert like Hektor truly care about such a small amount?

Impossible.

This was clearly another probe.

The earlier exchange had tested strength.

This one tested the heart.

Leon understood it almost instantly.

If he casually took out the money to repay the debt for Mike, it would subtly imply that he could independently represent Mike’s position.

But if he refused too directly, it would seem petty and shallow.

The old fox had casually tossed him into a hidden pit with just a few words.

Leon inwardly sighed.

These old monsters really are troublesome to deal with.

However, outwardly, his expression remained relaxed.

He even smiled faintly.

"Respected One, don’t make fun of me. I came from a poor background and Amethyst Summit Division is famous for being poor. I’ve never had a single coin on me ever since I started cultivating. I’m not even worth two thousand silver coins if you sold me..."

As he spoke, Leon spread his hands helplessly, looking completely sincere.

The corners of Hektor’s mouth twitched slightly.

Poor?

This brat had the nerve to say he was poor?

Just the sword at his waist alone probably wasn’t something ordinary cultivators could afford even after ten lifetimes.

But Leon’s expression remained perfectly natural.

Not even the slightest embarrassment could be seen.

Fiona almost failed to maintain her composure.

You’re worth it! And if you want, I’ll buy you and treat you like a treasure...

The thought suddenly flashed through her mind so abruptly that even she became startled.

Her beautiful face instantly turned red.

Warmth spread all the way to her ears.

Fortunately, nobody noticed her strange expression because everyone’s attention was currently on Leon and Hektor.

Fiona quietly bit her lip.

What am I even thinking...

She quickly turned her gaze away, pretending to observe the battlefield in the distance.

Meanwhile, Leon calmly continued acting poor.

In truth, Leon was rich.

The hundred thousand coins of gold that the Taylor family had given him last time was still lying quietly inside his Storage Space.

But how could he return the money for Mike?

Dream on.

He could mention anything, but not money.

Especially not his money.

Amethyst Summit Division was poor.

No—

To be precise, Leon had already developed the instinctive habits of Amethyst Summit Division.

Every coin had value.

Every resource had purpose.

Even if it was only two thousand silver coins, why should he casually hand it over?

Leon silently calculated in his mind.

Two thousand silver coins can buy spirit herbs... medicinal ingredients... wine... meat... cultivation materials...

The more he thought about it, the more impossible it became.

No matter how small a mosquito was, it was still meat.

Leon even had plans for the money already.

He was still thinking about how to maximize the use of his wealth.

If he directly handed resources to Selena or Rias, they would probably refuse out of habit.

His students were all too obedient.

Too sensible.

So Leon had been quietly thinking about a proper excuse to force them to accept his support naturally.

And more importantly...

What if the Grand Return System triggered another critical return?

Wouldn’t that become another huge profit?

Of course, this was one of the reasons.

Leon’s eyes flickered slightly at the thought.

Beside him, Harry suddenly straightened.

The moment he heard the word "money," his eyes lit up immediately.

Finally.

A chance to perform had arrived.

Harry quickly stepped forward and patted his chest proudly.

"Senior Leon, actually I—"

Before he could finish—

Leon slowly turned his head and glanced at him.

Just one glance.

Harry instantly froze.

His entire body stiffened.

The words in his throat disappeared immediately.

"...Actually I... think two thousand silver coins really is a lot."

He awkwardly swallowed the rest of his sentence and silently retreated.

Fiona almost laughed out loud this time.

Even Hektor’s beard trembled slightly.

Harry truly couldn’t understand.

What was wrong with these experts?

They were terrifying existences capable of shaking mountains and splitting rivers with a single strike.

Yet they were stingier than ordinary merchants over two thousand silver coins.

Can’t you just pay it already?

Harry was completely confused.

How could he think through this question with his simple mind?

To him, money was money.

But to old foxes like Hektor and Leon, every sentence carried hidden meanings.

This seemed like a matter of two thousand silver coins, but it was actually a test of heart from Hektor.

The old man was observing Leon carefully from beginning to end.

Every expression.

Every pause.

Every choice of wording.

And Leon answered flawlessly.

He neither admitted weakness nor accepted the hidden trap.

Instead, he turned himself into a victim.

Poor.

Pitiful.

Broke.

Hektor almost admired him at this point.

Leon smiled lightly and continued,

"If Respected One really wants to get back these two thousand silver coins, I might help you ask my senior brother when I get back."

His tone sounded casual.

But the meaning hidden underneath was crystal clear.

Your debt is with Mike, not me.

I can pass along the message, but I won’t interfere.

Hektor looked deeply at Leon.

The old man’s smiling eyes gradually became more meaningful.

He already had a judgment in his heart.

This young man was extremely shrewd.

And beneath that calm appearance hid terrifying confidence.

Not arrogance.

Confidence.

The kind formed only through absolute strength.

Hektor sighed inwardly.

Celestis Academy truly produced another monster...

At first, he had even briefly entertained the thought of recruiting Leon into the Soft Water Divine Sect.

If such a sword cultivator joined them, their foundation would inevitably rise another level.

But now—

After this brief exchange—

Hektor already understood it was impossible.

Leon’s feelings toward Celestis Academy ran deep.

Every sentence earlier had already proven it.

When Mike was mentioned, Leon instinctively stood on his side without hesitation.

That kind of unity could not be faked.

The atmosphere between the Seven Divisions was probably much closer than outsiders imagined.

Hektor silently sighed again.

What a pity.

Hektor was probably the only one who could use two thousand silver coins to probe one’s heart. He could tell that Leon already understood what he meant. His answer had already directly responded to Hektor.

Two thousand silver coins wasn’t much. Leon could definitely take it out. But this was not just a matter of two thousand silver coins, but also a matter of Mike’s principles.

Leon refused to return it, indirectly indicating that he and Mike were on the same side. It did not matter if he really owed the money.

Leon then said that he would help him ask. This also showed that their relationship was very good and that they could tell each other anything.

"Haha..."

Stroking his beard, Hektor smiled and continued,

"There’s no need. It’s just two thousand silver coins. There’s no need to trouble you to ask personally."