Douluo: Twin Origins, Suppressing the World

Chapter 104: Scheme against each other
"This has nothing to do with you, so why should you apologize?"

Ling Shuang's words made perfect sense, but they made Mu En frown slightly.

He wasn't Xuanzi; he wasn't that stupid. He could understand the meaning behind Ling Shuang's words.

By not expressing his own opinion, he was subtly telling himself that he wasn't so easily fooled!

As expected of a descendant of a divine family, he is indeed different from ordinary people of the same age.

If it were any other boy of Ling Shuang's age, he would probably have felt flattered and forgiven her for lowering his status like this.

After all, even without giving anything in return, the fact that those in positions of power voluntarily lower themselves is seen by some as a great show of sincerity.

However, Ling Shuang was not one of those inexperienced youngsters. He wouldn't fall for such a seemingly sincere approach that actually involved nothing of substance.

Moon sighed inwardly; it seemed he would have to resort to the second option.

He continued, "Student Ling Shuang, Xuan Zi is an elder of my Sea God Pavilion. As the Pavilion Master, I should deal with his mistakes."

"Therefore, I am also willing to compensate for Xuanzi's problem. Is there anything that Ling Shuang needs?"

After Mu En finished speaking, he waited quietly for Ling Shuang's answer.

In order to avoid antagonizing a divine successor and having to clean up the mess left by Xuanzi's reckless behavior, he was prepared to bleed a little.

After all, in Moon's view, a successor from a divine family would certainly have high standards and would look down on ordinary things.

Mu En did not notice the fleeting glint in Ling Shuang's heterochromatic eyes after he finished speaking.

This is what he was waiting for!

Seeing that Mu En had summoned her not to exert pressure but to reconcile with Xuanzi, Ling Shuang was already secretly plotting how to gain benefits for herself.

To my surprise, Moon brought up the matter on his own initiative, even before he was required to come.

Pretending to ponder, Ling Shuang paused for a moment, her expression undergoing several subtle changes in a short period of time.

Finally, he hesitated before saying, "In that case, senior, please let me cultivate here under this big tree for a month."

That behavior was just like that of a student who hadn't yet become a seasoned veteran in society, wanting to make amends but too embarrassed to say more.

This was certainly not Ling Shuang's true performance, but rather a performance he deliberately put on for Mu En's benefit.

There was no other way; the Golden Tree held too special a significance for Shrek Academy. If he were to make this request directly and decisively, Moon would definitely feel something was amiss and choose to refuse as a precaution.

However, in Moon's eyes, his behavior was interpreted as him wanting to make demands but being too shy to ask for too much, so he offered a compromise.

As expected, seeing Ling Shuang's behavior, Mu En had no doubts and had the same thought as Ling Shuang.

He was still a young boy, and even though he was the heir of a divine family, he couldn't shake off his pride.

However, since it concerned the Golden Ancient Tree, Mu En did not agree immediately. Instead, he asked Ling Shuang why she wanted to cultivate in the Golden Ancient Tree: "I wonder why you have this idea, Ling Shuang? Do you perhaps know something about the Golden Ancient Tree?"

"Golden Ancient Tree, so that's what this big tree is called?" Ling Shuang feigned surprise, as if she was hearing about the Golden Ancient Tree for the first time.

His acting was so superb and impeccable that even a seasoned veteran like Moon couldn't spot any flaws. He absolutely deserves an Oscar for Best Actor.

He also gave his reasons: "Because my martial spirit seems very excited about this... uh, the Golden Ancient Tree, I think it might be very beneficial to cultivate here."

Hearing Ling Shuang's reasoning, Mu En felt it made even more sense.

He had secretly observed Ling Shuang's battles many times and had a certain understanding of her martial spirit.

That staff-type martial spirit, unlike anything ever seen in the history of Douluo Continent, contained two opposing yet harmonious forces: the power of life and the power of destruction!
The ancient golden tree is teeming with life, so it's normal for Ling Shuang's martial soul to be excited about it; he genuinely couldn't see anything wrong with it.

It would be a miracle if Moon could even see the problem.

After all, that's the truth. Ling Shuang wanted to use the Golden Ancient Tree to cultivate and comprehend the laws of life. That's why he came to Shrek Academy.

He was just hiding some things he knew, but everything he said was the truth.

It would be truly strange if the truth could reveal the problem.

Therefore, in many cases, a truth that appropriately conceals some information is more effective than a lie.

At this point, Moon was actually quite relieved.

However, he still pretended to be hesitant: "Student Ling Shuang, you may not know, but this golden ancient tree is of extraordinary significance to our Shrek Academy."

"This past month..."

Upon hearing this, Ling Shuang frowned slightly, appropriately showing a hint of anger.

After all, normally, being rejected for such a "second-best" request would definitely make someone unhappy.

This reaction completely reassured Moon.

"How about this, twenty days? As compensation, Ling Shuang can cultivate in the Golden Ancient Tree for twenty days. How about that?"

"After all, although Xuanzi was at fault first, Ling Shuang, you didn't suffer any real loss."

Although Mu En knew that Ling Shuang was extraordinary, Ling Shuang was only a Soul King after all. What problems could possibly arise if he let him cultivate in the Golden Ancient Tree for twenty days?
If things turn out to be really wrong, then he can stop it then, right?
In fact, Mu En felt that it would be fine for Ling Shuang to cultivate in the Golden Ancient Tree for a month.

But if he agrees immediately, wouldn't that make the request seem too simple?

By negotiating a bit, he can create the impression that making this decision was quite difficult, making Ling Shuang feel that he is actually very sincere.

Just like the same compensation of 10,000, the effect is definitely different if you take it out with a heavy heart versus if you give it out casually without caring.

Ling Shuang suppressed the urge to agree immediately, and after a moment of silence with an "unpleasant" expression, she slowly nodded: "Thank you, senior."

"In that case, let's leave it at that. When does Ling Shuang plan to come?" Mu En revealed a satisfied smile.

"Tomorrow, I'll get ready." If you're going to pretend, then pretend to the end.

Ling Shuang couldn't appear too eager.

It's only one day; he can wait.

"Senior, I'll be taking my leave now." Ling Shuang bid farewell to Mu En and departed.

He was in a very good mood at this moment, never expecting that his goal would be achieved in this way.

He suddenly felt grateful to Xuanzi. If it weren't for Xuanzi, he really wouldn't know when he would be able to cultivate with the help of the Golden Ancient Tree.

Mu En believed that he had outmaneuvered Ling Shuang and gained the upper hand.

Little did he know, he was the one being schemed against.

This is the allure of information asymmetry!

(End of this chapter)