Chapter 185 Small Banter

Surrounded by dozens of beauties from the Luzon Clan, Dan sat before a table filled with dishes that the chefs of the Luzon Clan made within the last half an hour. Staring at the line up of dishes made from fresh ingredients that contained Spiritual Qi, Dan thought in his mind.
"The Luzon Clan definitely deserves its spot as one of the strongest and most influential clans in the Empire, to think that they could easily serve such fresh Spiritual Ingredients..."
Spiritual Ingredients contained traces of Spiritual Qi that cultivators and mortals could absorb and improve their physique. For mortals, it increased their lifespan while for cultivators, it merely added texture and a pleasant aftertaste.
Contrary to Dan's thought, the Luzon Clan normally don't use such ingredients in greeting a guest. However, since he presented with an authorization token in his hands, the Patriarch knew that he had to go all out in pleasing this esteemed guest.
"Let's get with the introductions, shall we?" Dan proposed and he pushed the maidens away before crossing his leg over the other and saying with a conceited voice, "My name is Dan Gabriel Longinus, the third Honorary Disciple of the Paradyne Academy."
Dan's words confirmed the suspicions within the Patriarch's heart. When he first arrived at the scene and saw the Honorary Disciple mark floating in the air, doubts filled his heart as to why and how did a third Honorary Disciple popped out without his knowledge.
However, since the authorization token was real and Dan's actions and movements lined up with what he expected from Honorary Disciples that stood at the peak of everything in the Academy. His doubts dissipated and he assumed an even more respectful expression before him.
"Dan Gabriel Longinus? I have heard of that name, the Longinus Clan if my memory serves me right, originated from the faraway Empire of Dawn, specifically at the City of Cloud, right?"
"As expected, the spectrum of the Patriarch's knowledge has really spread far and wide, to think that you would know about this one's noble name from a faraway place..." Dan nodded his head in approval, but he was sneering inside.
'So these bastards actually have a clue that the Natalie that they wronged and abandoned is with me and has tried investigating me in the past? This makes things easier...'
The Patriarch realized that he still hasn't introduced himself as he hurriedly clasped his hands together and said, "What a blunder, to think that I would forget to introduce myself..."
Dan merely smiled and waved his hands, "It's fine, It's fine, introductions are mere words that we use to call ourselves it's not really necessary for us cultivators. But for the sake of proper decorum, let us continue our introductions."
"Disciples from the Paradyne Academy really are sensible young men..." The Patriarch laughed out loud and introduced himself, "This one's name is Warren Keith Luzon, I am the twentieth Patriarch of the Luzon Clan, it's a pleasure to meet such a talented young man like you..."
Warren stretched his hand out and the two exchanged a handshake before dismissing all the young maidens per Dan's request. With only the two of them left in the room, Dan's expression turned solemn and immediately went into business.
"I came here to find myself some slaves, is it possible for the Patriarch to lead me by himself so that I could take a closer look of the merchandises?" Dan casually said while sipping his tea.
Upon hearing his words, Warren's expression reddened in anger and he angrily stood up while saying, "What do you mean by slaves?! Are you accusing us of slave trafficking? How could we do such atrocious things under the territory of the Emperor Duterte himself?!"
With Warren's cultivation, he could easily see through deceit by observing the person's heartbeat, eye movement, and body gestures. However, when Dan spoke those words to him earlier, he exuded complete confidence and he didn't even bat an eyelid.
This astonished Warren, 'We should've erased all traces that would link us to the slave trade, but why is it that even though he knew about this, he didn't report us to the Headmaster and even came here looking for slaves, is he thinking of increasing his sphere of influence by cooperating with us? If that is true then everything will definitely end well for me.'
"Calm down, Calm down, Patriarch Warren, I merely came here to propose a cooperation that would benefit that two of us. Using my influence as an Honorary Disciple, I could easily create loopholes that you and your members could exploit and on the other hand, you must provide me with the finest cultivation furnaces, how's that as our deal?"
Warren stood stiffly for a moment, focusing his gaze on Dan. His eyes seemed to pierce through all lies and deceit before he heaved a deep sigh and said, "If you're that willing, you should show me how sincere you are..."
Dan lifted a small smile on his face. Warren's words hinted on something and he quickly bit the tip of his tongue and sent a strand of blood essence flying towards Warren's way.
Warren stared at the drop of blood essence with an astonished look on his face. He didn't expect that Dan would decisively sacrifice a drop of his blood essence just so he could prove his sincerity. Taking the drop of blood into his hands, Warren formed a blood contract that the two of them signed.
Under the effects of the contract, Dan would help Warren in his endeavor in the Academy while Warren would supply him with the finest cultivation furnace available and as soon as the Dan signed the contract, a venomous smile lifted on his lips, though engaging in slave trafficking was enough to warrant heavy punishment from the Empire, it wasn't enough to warrant clan annihilation.
Dan knew that for the Luzon Clan to soar this high in mere decades, they should've engaged in far more sinister endeavors than slave trafficking. Right now, it was his job to find more solid evidence and completely erase the Luzon Clan from existence.
Of course, Dan wouldn't normally be unable to do this since he was bound by the Blood Contract. Unfortunately, for Warren, Dan had the assistance of the system which instantly dissolved the effects of the contract on his part.
Returning at the Fragrant Peak Pavilion, Dan devised his next course of actions.