Chapter 39: The Richest Man in the East Sea

Stepping out of Yang Shubai’s shop, Lin Xiao gently stroked the Thunder Sound Wood pendant hanging around his neck. This was his first extraordinary equipment, and a Tier 3 one at that. He was overjoyed.

The ability to search memories was truly formidable; in a sense, it had already touched the threshold of rule-based powers. Even though it required the target to be incapable of resistance to take effect, it was still outrageously strong. A simple use case would be to use force to render a target unconscious and then search their memories. For example, one could find some of the target's more "intimate" memories and experience them vicariously.

Lin Xiao: (一`´一;)
Why did this description sound so prone to strange associations? Or perhaps one could unearth a target's deepest, darkest secrets and use them as leverage?

"Why does this sound more and more like a villain's ability?" Lin Xiao rubbed his temples. Power itself has no inherent morality; it depends on the wielder—Lin Xiao comforted himself with this thought. At this moment, another idea couldn't help but surface: if the effects of a Tier 3 ability were already this potent, how strong must Tier 4 powerhouses like Chen Xin and Yang Shubai be?

Lin Xiao recalled that night a few days ago when Yang Shubai had made him experience the dream of that 170-pound Ms. Zhang. With just a light tap of her finger, she had pulled him directly into the dreamscape, and he had been completely unable to resist. In truth, he should have noticed Yang Shubai’s power back then. If someone capable of pulling him into a dream at will wanted to eliminate his physical body while he slept, would that even be difficult? It was only because Lin Xiao hadn't thought much about it that he had missed this detail.

"If I assign her so much math homework, she won't be angry enough to kill me, will she?" Lin Xiao suddenly felt a wave of unease.

Lost in thought, Lin Xiao walked back to the front of his shop. Standing there was a figure nearly two meters tall, as burly as a troll. With such a distinctive physique, Lin Xiao immediately recognized him as Xu Tao.

Seeing Lin Xiao return, Xu Tao hurried over. "Where have you been? Slipping out so early, making me wait for ages!"

"I went to see Yang Shubai."

"..."
Xu Tao: (ꐦ￣皿￣)ง
Even though he knew it wasn't intentional, why did that sting so much?

"Ahem, is something the matter?" Lin Xiao quickly changed the subject. "Are you here to experience a gourmet memory?"

Mentioning business, Xu Tao took a deep breath to compose himself. "Do you remember what I mentioned to you a couple of days ago?"

Lin Xiao nodded. "Of course, you said it involved a major figure."

"I have obtained the elder's permission. I'm taking you to see him right now!" With that, Xu Tao insisted on pulling Lin Xiao toward the parking lot.

"What is this about? You're in such a rush. I'm still completely in the dark," Lin Xiao grumbled.

"We'll talk on the way." Xu Tao quickened his pace. "Do you know who the richest person in the Donghai region is?"

"Who?" Lin Xiao asked, puzzled. Having arrived in this world not long ago, he really didn't know such things. Pointing to the massive "Golden Dragon" cigarette billboard by the side of the road, Lin Xiao said, "It wouldn't be this boss, Jin Baolai, would it? I hear he's incredibly wealthy!"

"Him? He's just a nouveau riche!" Xu Tao said disdainfully. "I don't know how his wealth managed to skyrocket to nearly ten billion, but he isn't even fit to shine the shoes of the major figure I'm taking you to meet!"

At this point, Xu Tao’s expression turned solemn. "The person I'm taking you to see today is the wealthiest man in our Donghai region—Mr. Lu Mingyuan."

"Lu Mingyuan?" This was the first time Lin Xiao had heard the name. He felt it was strange; by all logic, a billionaire of that status should be all over the news, and he should have heard of him constantly. Yet, this was a name he had never encountered.

"It's normal that you haven't heard the name, because Mr. Lu is extremely low-profile," Xu Tao continued. "Despite being the richest man in Donghai, he prefers to work quietly and despises the limelight."

Lin Xiao: "..."
Associating a billionaire with being "low-profile"? That felt somewhat surreal.

Seeing Lin Xiao’s skeptical expression, Xu Tao said with dissatisfaction, "Don't doubt it. Mr. Lu is truly the most low-key, down-to-earth elder I have ever met. That is exactly why I respect him so much."

Sighing, Xu Tao added, "To be honest, I actually wish he would be a bit more high-profile. But ever since his wife and his only child died due to the Painful Vow, he has become increasingly detached from worldly affairs."

From Xu Tao’s words, Lin Xiao immediately realized that this Donghai tycoon was a man alone. Billionaires always loved to keep harems and raise a multitude of heirs to compete like insects in a jar—that was the behavior pattern of a tycoon in Lin Xiao’s mind. A solitary life like this was something he had truly never seen.

As they spoke, they reached the parking lot. Lin Xiao recognized Xu Tao’s ride at a glance: a Weilong off-road vehicle. This steel beast was matte black all over, with a raised chassis and a rugged bull bar that perfectly matched Xu Tao’s bear-like frame. After they got in, Xu Tao started the engine and drove toward Lu Mingyuan’s mansion.

Driving the car, Xu Tao continued, "Actually, I'm bringing you today to ask you to recreate a bowl of clear broth noodles that Mrs. Lu used to make while she was alive."

"Clear broth noodles?" Lin Xiao asked, confused. "Just for a bowl of noodles?"

Xu Tao nodded. "It’s the warmest taste in Mr. Lu’s memory. When Mrs. Lu was still with us, she would always cook him a bowl late at night..."

Lin Xiao nodded in understanding. Xu Tao had already explained that Mr. Lu’s wife and only child had both perished due to the Painful Vow. People say there are three great sorrows in life: losing a father in youth, losing a spouse in middle age, and losing a child in old age. This tycoon, Lu, did not seem to have found happiness through his wealth. Lin Xiao suddenly understood why he was so low-profile; no amount of fortune could buy back a hug from his wife and child.

Xu Tao continued, "He has lived with so much bitterness in his heart all these years, missing his wife and son. He has been doing charity work to dilute the pain."

"Charity?" Lin Xiao asked curiously. This was the first time he had heard of anyone doing charity in this world.

Xu Tao gripped the steering wheel tightly. "He built three orphanages on the outskirts of the city specifically to house children left behind when their parents broke their vows. The donations alone exceed a hundred million every year." He smiled bitterly. "When I went to deliver New Year's gifts last year, I saw him squatting in the cafeteria making hand-pulled noodles for the children. A man in his sixties, his hands covered in frostbite... yet his face was brimming with a smile. He told me that he understands the pain of losing loved ones, so he wants to help these children..."

Lin Xiao’s heart shuddered. He finally remembered that this was an extraordinary world shrouded by the Painful Vow. Since the Painful Vow existed, there must inevitably be a large population suffering divine retribution for breaking their oaths. If parents died because of the Painful Vow, the orphaned children left behind were truly pitiful. Lu Mingyuan’s willingness to help these orphans was a truly magnificent act of kindness. Lin Xiao suddenly felt a great deal of goodwill toward this tragic Mr. Lu.

Xu Tao continued, "Mr. Lu has suffered too much all these years. I hope you can recreate that bowl of clear broth noodles to bring a sliver of solace to his soul."

Lin Xiao nodded. "I will do my best."

As they talked, the vehicle drove into the suburbs. "We're here," Xu Tao said, pointing ahead.

The sight outside the window caught Lin Xiao by surprise: no gilded gates, no marble fountains, just a wall of blue bricks covered in ivy, with a few old plum trees leaning against the gray-tiled, white-walled courtyard, exuding a simplicity that had washed away all vanity. If there was anything special about this residence, it was that it backed onto Yunqi Mountain, the highest peak in Donghai City, with the Jade Belt River flowing quietly in front—a truly serene and elegant place.

As the car pulled into the old estate, a silver-haired butler came out to meet them. Xu Tao greeted him first, "Uncle Li, sorry to bother you."

"Young Master Xu, what are you saying? I watched you grow up; don't be such a stranger. Come with me, the master is waiting for you in the study," the butler said.

Just as the two were about to take a step, a gaudy gold-colored luxury sedan pulled into the courtyard. The door opened, and out came a gold-wire wooden cane, followed by polished leather shoes, and then a bloated figure stepped out.

"Jin Baolai?" Lin Xiao recognized the man. After all, his massive advertisements were plastered in the most prominent spots on the commercial street, and Lin Xiao couldn't help but see his face every time he stepped out.

"Butler Li, what a coincidence." He approached with a beaming, artificial smile, perfectly positioning himself between the two and the entrance. "I was just passing by and thought I'd drop off two boxes of meditation tea produced by the Heavenly Dao Shrine for Mr. Lu."

With that, he marched toward the study without a second thought.

Xu Tao frowned slightly. "Boss Jin, we have an appointment today."

"Oh my, isn't this Young Master Xu?" Jin Baolai acted as if he had just noticed them, enthusiastically patting Xu Tao on the arm. "I was having dinner with your father just the other day and heard him complaining about you, you useless kid! Hahaha, are you still dodging that girl, Chen Xin?"

Xu Tao: "..."
He couldn't help but clench his fists.

Jin Baolai turned his head to look at Lin Xiao, his expression momentarily stunned, before he laughed. "Young Master Xu, is this your friend? What should I call him? And where is he employed?"

Jin Baolai thought he was hiding it well, but Lin Xiao had already sensed that this nouveau riche seemed to be quite interested in him.