Slash Once More

Although Qin Huali’s attitude was sincere, without presenting a concrete proposal, Xiao Yao would never agree to his request. If not for Xiao Yao possessing the Saint Soul Foundation, allowing him to craft a protective talisman within a short span, even if Pan Wu were still alive, three days would be far too rushed—successfully making such a talisman would be impossible. Unless Qin Huali was willing to pay a hefty price, Xiao Yao would not so easily reveal his ability to craft a protective talisman within three days.

“I can offer you a suggestion,” Xiao Yao said. “Although I’ve calculated that Qin Heming will face a deadly calamity with almost no chance of survival in three days, it doesn’t necessarily require a protective talisman to ensure his safety. There are other ways to protect him—keeping him at home or assigning more bodyguards, for instance.”

While Xiao Yao’s suggestions might indeed help Qin Heming avoid disaster, they were far from foolproof.

The adversaries Qin Heming had provoked this time were not ordinary people. The criminal organization he had inadvertently crossed was notorious worldwide, with countless ruthless followers. Even if Qin Heming stayed hidden at home, absolute safety could not be guaranteed.

Qin Heming was the most valued third-generation heir in Qin Huali’s eyes. He could not gamble with his eldest grandson’s life; only a plan that left nothing to chance would give him peace of mind.

Had he been unaware of the miraculous effects of the protective talisman, he might have had no choice but to follow Xiao Yao’s suggestions. But now that such a guarantee existed, obtaining a protective talisman from Xiao Yao was naturally the best option.

Of course, such a request might come at a tremendous cost, and Qin Huali was prepared to be ruthlessly extorted by Xiao Yao once again.

“If possible, I still hope to obtain a protective talisman from you,” Qin Huali pleaded in an even more humble tone.

“This price is rather steep for me, and you’re putting me in a difficult position,” Xiao Yao replied, frowning once more. “If it weren’t for the many years of friendship between you and my master, I wouldn’t even consider your request.”

Seeing Xiao Yao’s attitude, Qin Huali knew that unless he offered something truly valuable, Xiao Yao would never agree.

“Mr. Xiao, are you familiar with Lujin Capital?” Qin Huali asked.

“Lujin Capital? I know a bit about it—do you have shares in Lujin Capital?” Xiao Yao was somewhat surprised.

He himself had never paid much attention to Lujin Capital, but in the memories he inherited from Pan Wu, there was plenty of information about the company. Lujin Capital was one of the domestic enterprises Pan Wu had kept an eye on, believing it had the potential to become a unicorn. However, in recent years, Pan Wu had not focused on amassing wealth and had only paid passing attention to Lujin Capital, without making an effort to acquire any shares.

Lujin Capital was an internet investment and financing platform under the Pingan Group, a member of China Pingan Insurance (Group) Co., Ltd., founded in September 2011. Its management team was composed of top international professionals in financial management and e-commerce.

Headquartered in the international financial center of Lujiazui in the Magic City, Lujin Capital was committed to integrating the development of global finance with innovative information technology. With a robust risk management framework, it provided professional, efficient, and secure comprehensive financial asset trading and investment advisory services to institutions, enterprises, and qualified investors. It had become a leading domestic financial asset trading service platform with significant international influence.

Its business scope included consulting, development, design, and trading of innovative financial products, development of financial application software, e-commerce, and market research and data analysis. It had two major platforms: an online investment and financing platform and a financial asset trading service platform, both now widely known.

Last year, Lujin Capital successfully completed its Series A financing, with an estimated valuation reportedly reaching $9 billion.

“My Yuanhang Group is a major partner of Pingan Group, and I own 8% of Lujin Capital’s shares. If you believe in Lujin Capital’s future prospects, Mr. Xiao, I’m willing to transfer this portion of shares to you at the Series A valuation,” Qin Huali said, feeling as though his heart was bleeding as he spoke.

Lujin Capital was a high-growth financial company he had high hopes for. He had paid a steep price to acquire those shares.

Seeing that Xiao Yao was still considering, Qin Huali, worried he might not appreciate the value, explained, “Lujin Capital began its Series A financing last year, with a valuation of $9 billion. By the end of this year, or at the latest next year, it will launch Series B, and the valuation should double.”

Xiao Yao knew Qin Huali would not lie about such matters. Besides, Lujin Capital was also a company that Pan Wu had valued in his lifetime; its shares were certainly worth acquiring.

Even if he did not plan to hold the shares long term, as a short-term investment, the returns would be astonishing.

Since Qin Huali expected the company’s valuation to double within one or two years, it was likely not an exaggeration.

During Series A, the company was valued at $9 billion; 8% of the shares would be worth $720 million. If the value doubled in a year or two, he would gain $720 million without effort.

Ignoring the potential for long-term returns and looking only at the immediate profit, Qin Huali had shown more than enough sincerity.

Since Qin Huali had suffered such a loss, Xiao Yao decided not to posture any further and agreed straightforwardly, “Very well, I see your sincerity, Mr. Qin. Given your longstanding friendship with my master, and since your family is in trouble, I cannot refuse to help.”

Tapping his fingers on the tea table, Xiao Yao pondered for a moment before continuing, “Although using secret techniques to craft the protective talisman will be quite draining for me, it will greatly increase the chances of success. Time is pressing. After lunch, I’ll begin the process, and by tomorrow morning, you should have the talisman in hand.”

“As for the $720 million to exchange for Lujin Capital’s shares, I’ll gather the funds as quickly as possible and transfer it to your account within three months at the latest,” Xiao Yao promised, recognizing the depth of Qin Huali’s sincerity and unwilling to delay further.

“There’s no hurry with the money, Mr. Xiao. Whenever it’s convenient for you, just transfer it to my account then,” Qin Huali replied courteously.

With the matter settled, the conversation lightened. Xiao Yao, inheritor of three thousand years of Pan Wu’s memories, and Qin Huali, with his seventy years of life experience and connection to Pan Wu, found themselves in animated and engaging discussion.

After staying for a sumptuous family meal, Qin Huali finally took his leave.

The protective talisman Qin Huali needed had long since been crafted by Xiao Yao and could be handed over at any time; there was no need to worry about that. What demanded his attention now was how he would gather the $720 million within three months.