Ninth class citizen

Chapter 313 The Strongest Opponent
For the next two weeks, Sang Ye did not show his face again.

Nan Rong didn't pay much attention to him because the Freedom Scythe pirate crew, which had gone out to plunder, had returned once again.

Their return brought a large amount of supplies to Hope City.

Many fresh ingredients and daily necessities, including fruits, meats and seafood, as well as various types of resistant fabrics and even alloy materials, were distributed to the city-state's exclusive shops at extremely low prices.

When Nan Rong arrived after hearing the news, the inexpensive goods had already been snapped up. High-end items, like the Seven-Star Blue Lobster, were almost completely ignored.

She simply bought two blue lobsters, one steamed and the other baked. Just as she was humming a song, preparing to enjoy her meal, Vilan arrived at the door.

He looked travel-worn, less frail than before his departure, and more weathered and mature.

Upon seeing Nan Rong, he smiled and opened his arms wide: "Arong, I'm back."

Nan Rong blinked, pretending not to understand his meaning, and stood obediently in place: "Villie? What about Selena? You two must be together now, right?"

“I have no feelings for her.” A hint of hurt flashed in Vilan’s eyes. “You know perfectly well that I only have feelings for her.”

"Alright, that's enough." Nan Rong quickly interrupted him: "You must have had a very fruitful trip, right? How much of the money you owe me can you pay back?"

Vilan sighed helplessly, "You really know how to spoil the mood!"

"That's normal. I've never heard of creditors and debtors talking about anything other than money."

"You mean, if I pay off that debt, you'll be willing to be with me?" Vilan quickly retorted.

"We'll talk about it later," Nan Rong said calmly. "It's limited to Chaos Coins and valuable physical goods. Don't try to fool me with Hope Coins."

“How could I possibly do such a thing?” Vilan sighed, looking at the door that she had blocked completely. “I smell food. Maybe we can eat and talk?”

Nan Rong rolled her eyes as she watched a certain talented actor gracefully devour a whole lobster, then take out a silk handkerchief from the solidified space and slowly wipe her hands and mouth clean.

"Now that we've eaten, it's time to talk about your repayment plan," Nan Rong said bluntly.

Vilan seemed to sense her impatience and, instead of keeping her in suspense, directly took out a document.

It is a certificate of ownership for a resource planet named Yiling.

Jelly Dumpling immediately pulled up a star map of the Chaotic Starfield for her. The planet Iling was only a few hundred light-years away from their current star system; it was a resource-rich planet abundant in various precious metals and gems, worth at least tens of billions of Chaotic Coins.

“Illing Star was left to me by my mother. This time, I went out with Selena’s permission to receive a small portion of her assets.”

Vilan stared intently at Nan Rong, his grey-blue eyes filled with deep affection: "Now I'm transferring ownership to you. After paying off the debt, the remaining amount is my gift to you."

Nan Rong smiled calmly and pushed the document back.

“In the chaotic star field, the strong are respected, and whoever has the strength occupies the territory—a property deed from decades ago is completely meaningless.”

“Master, you’re right.” Jelly Dumpling’s voice echoed in her mind: “I just discovered that Star Iling is currently occupied by more than ten forces, who are mining resources day and night!”

“You don’t need to worry about that,” Vilan said confidently. “The gift I give you will naturally be delivered to you by me personally, intact.”

"So, you mean it's not possible right now?" Nan Rong yawned and stood up. "Then take care, don't bother seeing me out." "Wait a moment." Wei Lan took out another square, carved box from the solidified space and carefully handed it to her. "These are some pieces of jewelry left by my mother. If you don't mind..."

"Not at all, not at all!" Nan Rong immediately changed her expression, becoming friendly and gentle, and smilingly accepted the box, instantly dazzled by the dazzling light emanating from inside.

Nan Rong casually took out a necklace of emerald green gemstones from inside, and at the same time, a line of text appeared in her field of vision:

The "Flower of the Forest" necklace, the favorite piece of jewelry of Queen Martina of the Kungu Empire five hundred years ago, has since disappeared without a trace. The estimated auction price is 3000 million Chaos Coins.

How can something with no added value be so valuable?

Nan Rong then casually picked up a brooch inlaid with a large hexagonal yellow diamond.

The Oath of Radiant Light. A token of love from a duke of the Mio Empire to his wife over a thousand years ago. A sixth-tier defensive extraordinary item, its conservative auction price is over 6000 million Chaos Coins.

The box contained more than ten pieces of jewelry, at least half of which were extraordinary items, with a total value of approximately seven to eight hundred million Chaos Coins.

Vilan's gaze never left Nan Rong's face.

He knew her identity very well, and he knew that she had never been exposed to such valuable jewelry in the first eighteen years of her life. He also knew that any woman would be overjoyed to see such jewelry, and might even be unable to control her excitement.

And that was exactly what he had hoped to see: her weakness.

If even the slightest crack is found, she will be utterly defeated, with no chance of ever recovering.

Perhaps by then, he might be able to show leniency and spare her life.

If she were still sensible and understanding, then perhaps he would bestow upon her even a small portion of the benefits he obtained from that mysterious place.

After all, she was the prey he had painstakingly captured, and she was more deserving to serve him than his foolish and insignificant subordinates.

However, Nan Rong's performance was not what Wei Lan had imagined.

Her face lit up with joy, and her eyes shone. But there was no trace of infatuation, greed, or desire in that light; only pure appreciation for a beautiful work of art.

She was indeed the most formidable opponent he had ever encountered in his life.

Vilan knew he should be disappointed.

But in fact, he heard a long-lost tremor deep in his chest, like a seed suddenly sprouting beneath the frozen polar tundra, planting moonlight that should not exist in his rusted soul.

Nan Rong picked out the Oath of Radiance, closed the box, and returned it to Vilan.

"This piece of jewelry is worth about 6000 million Chaos Coins. After deducting the 3500 million you owe me, there will still be 2500 million left over—I'll also give you some more potions."

As she was about to turn back to the storeroom to get the medicine, Vilan grabbed her arm.

"Ah Rong. Do you really have to be so clear about things with me?" His gray-blue eyes shimmered with a mercury-like light as he stared intently at her.

Since he insisted on playing along, Nan Rong had no choice but to continue.

“Villie. We are in a dangerous situation now, and we don’t even have our personal freedom. We really don’t have the mind to think about anything else.”