Five minutes into the duel;
*Cling*
Allen swung the sword as powerfully as before. It collided with Lin Xue's sword but she was pushed back a few steps before another attack came onto her. Clearly, she's getting weaker.
*Cling* *Cling* *Cling*
The fourth strike caused the sword to fall off her hands and Allen thrust it towards her neck and stopped it an inch away. She grabbed her right arm that was shaking nonstop while releasing sparks of electricity on its own. There's a look of surprise on her face as she glanced at her arm and then, at Allen.
The public couldn't understand what's going on with the Lin Clan's heiress but what they saw is how their neighborhood fellow bested her in a battle.
The last time during the previous day, the condition was just touching her. So, people thought she was too arrogant and was taught a lesson.
But, now, she was overpowered right from the start and was cleanly defeated without any tricks. They were naturally happy and proud of Allen and thereby, Genesis store for standing against such a high-born noble.
None of them including Mark knew that it is very rare for a spirit warrior to release attribute power without using skills or ether energy. It takes a genius to add an attribute to the ether energy attack but it takes a once-in-a-century genius to use attribute without the aid of anything. It was missed by everyone else.
Analyzing her state, Allen informed her in a straight tone, "Lady Lin, you are no condition to continue the battle. Fighting at the same pace, you will lose consciousness in about 32 seconds. Please pick up the sword if you wish to resume the battle. It is against the rules of swordfight to battle an unarmed opponent."
"Huh? What is he doing?" Mark was a little bit surprised by his words. Apart from him, usually, this eternal servant of his won't chat with anyone else, especially when in the middle of the battle or so, he thought. Now, he felt the need to research more about the functions of Android, later.
Meanwhile, Yao Ling looked worried about her state. Using ether energy or attribute power is banned in the swordfight. So, he wondered whether she was consumed by anger and will break the rules.
If she does so, Mark might intervene and so, he will be also forced to join in. Should he assassinate the owner when he got the chance? If he succeeds, it will be alright but what if he fails?
Then, will Mark take revenge against Lin Clan as he did with Song Clan? Can they stop that huge puppet vehicle?
Maybe, they can, if they have done enough preparations but at what cost? Is it worth it?
Yao Ling's mind was filled with so many thoughts at the moment.
It was then, Lin Xue managed to control her lightning energy that was going out of control and spoke, "You won this fight but I won't admit that you are a better swordsman than me. I'll return again to challenge you. Be prepared for it."
Allen nodded in response and turned around to return to his master.
As Lin Xue stepped inside the carriage, she caught her head and took a deep breath before raising her hand. Sparks were once again seen around her palm but this time, they were controlled.
Making a fist, she mumbled to herself, "It's been a long time since someone forced my lightning to appear on its own. Perhaps, he's the key for me to get stronger."
Yao Ling handed the pouch of 200 gold coins to Mark, to which the latter packed forty single-shot pistols and handed him the boxes.
*Ding! You sold a single-shot pistol. 4 gold coins have been deducted.
*Ding! You sold a single-shot pistol. 4 gold coins have been deducted.
*Ding! You sold a single-shot pistol. 4 gold coins have been deducted.
Twenty successive notifications appeared one after another as soon the transaction is completed, bringing a pleasant smile to Mark's face. "20% commission indeed feels great."
As Yao Ling stored them while not feeling good due to the young miss loss in a fair duel, Mark controlled his emotions and said, "Just a piece of free advice. It's better to donate these weapons to others as I don't think Lady Lin might be pleased to see them after losing badly. The rest is your wish…"
Mark's idea was not only to sell as many firearms as he can, to get closer to completing the main quest, but also to spread those modern weapons all over the Imperial city to increase his customer base. The more people buy them, the more they will return to his store to buy bullets.
Now that he cannot depend on Song Yue to promote his store, he can only think of a roundabout way. Unfortunately for him, Yao Ling wouldn't act without Lin Xue or her father, Lin Wuying's permission. It won't go according to his plans, although it might not be a bad case too.
Soon, Yao Ling and the horse carriage left the alley to return to the Lin Mansion and Mark returned to the counter while whistling in excitement. "200 gold coins business. Including yesterday, Lin Xue had done a total of 400 gold coins worth of business with the store. As long as her defeat doesn't get to her head and started to think of a silly thing like revenge, she can become the gateway to my profits, hehe…"
The rest of the day went well for Mark with more than ten customers buying either a single-shot pistol or revolver. Lin Xue's defeat definitely aroused the interest of more individuals and spies but everyone is still displaying a wait-and-see attitude on one hand, while trying to probe into the origins of the store, on the other hand.
The next day;
At 9 o'clock in the morning, almost at the same time as earlier day, the horse carriage once again stopped in the alley and Lin Xue entered the store.
This time, her conditions were once again changed. While the usage of skills is still banned considering the small free space, Lin Xue proposed to allow ether energy in one's attacks. Mark agreed to it without second thoughts. After seeing the difference between her and Allen, he didn't bother to take away her luck again.
The result went as he expected.
Lin Xue was defeated once again but unlike before, Mark saw her face is glowing in excitement. He failed to notice that the match went for nearly seven minutes. As per the agreement, she had to pay 200 gold coins and receive another forty single-shot pistols. Mark was any more satisfied. Even not by traditional way, his business is booming with him about to make a profit of over 40 gold coins.
He started walking towards the counter while ordering Allen to bring the boxes from the storage room.
It was at that moment, a strange thing happened. Unlike the previous two times, she didn't go and sit in the carriage. Instead, she followed into the store quietly and opened her mouth when Allen stepped inside the storage room.
"Owner Lu, your servant is wasting his talent by working at a place like this. I offer 2000 gold coins if you give him to me."
"Hmm?" Mark's facial expression changed right away as soon as he heard the proposal. A frown appeared on his face. "Give him to you?"
"5000 gold coins. Think about it, carefully." Lin Xue raised the amount right away.