A new home

"Hello There!" A merchant of sorts approached Verna. Verna looked at him suspiciously. The man noticing his suspicion said "I'm Belial. I'm a real estate agent. I sell houses/give them out for rent to new people in town. And I see you're new to this town, so I was wondering whether you'd like to buy a house or rent a house" the man said with a smile so fake even a child would notice

But Verna ignored the creepy smile. "Yes, infact I was looking for a house." "Ahhh very well, if you'd like I could show you around some houses and you could see if you like any." Verna nodded. Even though he could get scammed he didn't care, he had enough money to last him years and he had martial arts prowess to put the guy in his place if he tried to overcharge him for the property.

They go to some places, Verna looks at some good houses some decent houses, but nothing ever really peaked his interest. Belial could see right through Verna's uninterest, not like Verna was trying to hide his uninterest. Unless Belial showed him something interesting he wouldn't really care.

Verna occasionally asked questions about the house and what not but in the end he was still uninterested. Until they finally got to the center of the city. Belial showed him the entire mid point of the city and also the midpoint fountain before actually bringing him to the house. It was truly beautiful. It was nothing grand but it was three story unlike the others he had seen including attic. And it also had a basement. Not only that it had water pipes with magic crystals of different elements such as water fire to build a stove of magic and a showers and taps of magic.

All in all it was a house the rich would live in. This kind of place right now would be worth about 300-400 gold coins rent per month including all the other expenses it requires such as the crystals and above 1500-2000 gold coins to buy.

This place peaked Verna's interest. This place was perfect for his base of operations. A home in the center of the city with everything needed to live comfortably. It was perfect.

Verna asked Belial "How much?" "For rent?" "Buying." "Ohh!" Belial's grin was so wide it Verna thought it might tear his face apart. Belial calmed himself down and looked at Verna while saying "originally this place was going to go for 4000 gold coins, because it was in such a place and with such facilities but just for you I can reduce it down to 3000 gold coins" Belial smiled pleasantly this time instead of that manical grin.

"Hmm..." Verna looked not convinced. He briefly once worked for a real estate agent and from him he had learned a few thing or two about real estate. And his instinct told him this place at max would go for 1500-2000 hold coins. Verna would settle for 2200-2300 even but 3000 was a bit too much. He wasn't that much of a pushover that he'd agree to that.

A sweat dropped down Belial's face as he looked at Verna's face. He tried to defend his price by saying "this is a pretty amazing place and many people are trying to buy this place. Which is why it is so expensive" not letting go of the smile on his face.

Verna again said "Hmm..." His glare so intense it was hard to stand straight in the room. Belial was sweating bullets at Verna's stare. It was like a laser hit his body. His body burned like never before.

Belial spoke once again "I..I guess we can do it in 2500." Verna was still not satisfied with the answer he knew Belial would go lower. And lower he did after Verna put Qi in his stare. As soon as that happened Belial said "we can do 2200 gold coins that's the lowest I can go" trying to maintain his smile but failing to do so.

Finally Verna stops his death stare at Belial and says, "we can do that." "Okay then. Would you like to pay in installments or.." as Belial is saying that Verna hands him a bag full of gold. Verna doesn't speak another word and starts looking around the house. Belial starts counting the gold coins in the bag.

As Verna comes back to room Belial finishes his counting. "So. Is it enough?" "Oh very much! It was a pleasure doing business with you sir.." "Verna" "ah yes, sir Verna. I'll make sure the papers of the property reach you tonight or early tomorrow." "Sure thing." Belial bids fair to Verna and closes the door as he leaves the house.

Verna after 12 hours or so stops his facial changing technique which was eating away at his Qi for so long. It not only hid who he truly was but also suppressed his Qi so he didn't have to have a second technique being used in the background.

Verna, or shall I say Kai finally could breathe easy. His Qi wasn't being depleted as much as before. Now he was using a light suppressing technique to hide his spiritual presence.

As Kai was about to rest he heard some commotion outside. Kai quickly put on his technique again and went outside to check what the commotion was.

There, outside was a messenger announcing something to the public. "Listen all residents of Rabia! The strongest cultivator and martial artist of the world, Supreme Sage Kai has been declared dead as of today!" The commotion in the center block increased as they heard this piece of news.

"Demons have also started invading our lands and world! So a new hero will be selected to fight against these demons and be the new strongest in the world. May the best person of the best country be chosen!"

Hearing this Kai just smiled a little, it was now his time to be retired.

Kai went back to his house not looking back.

"Have fun all of you. Maybe I'll..."