Money Can Buy Everything

006: I Am Neigh But a Merchant

Reimu remained in a state of shock but dutifully carried out her responsibilities, informing Momo about the status of the transaction.

An identity card and a bank card suddenly appeared in Momo's pocket. Upon inspection, one was a pitch-black bank card that seemed quite valuable, while the other was his identification document, bearing the name Momo Masayoshi, listed as the uncle of Mifune Masayoshi.

"Ah, I'm so tired!"

Having once again sold nine years of his lifespan, Momo felt even more depleted and slumped onto the bench, barely able to muster the strength to stand.

"You're pushing it too far; you only have one year of life left. You're taking a huge risk doing all of that you know!”

"Old man, are you alright? Do you need me to call a doctor for you?"

Mifune seemed to have become visibly younger within an instant, his gray hair disappearing. He felt a surge of strength coursing through his body, as if he had returned to his appearance from ten years ago.

Momo smiled faintly and said, "No need. I just wanted to ask you if there's someone among your bodyguards whom you despise greatly."

Mifune was taken aback for a moment, then a glint appeared in his eyes as he replied, "Ryuichi, come here!"

"This Ryuichi is the personal bodyguard my filial son assigned to take care of me and attend to my needs. Of course, he also keeps my son informed about my condition at all times. Now that I have an additional nine years to live, I suppose I won't be needing him anymore."

"Is that so? That's good."

"Boss, what can I do for you? Huh, you seem..."

Mifune remained composed and said, "Haha, I just had a conversation with this elderly gentleman, and it lifted my spirits. Ryuichi, this old man needs to speak with you."

Miyamoto Ryuichi, while feeling bewildered, respectfully replied, "Sir, what can I do for you? I will do as you command."

Momo shook his head slightly and, holding the black card in his hand, said, "Young man, would you be willing to sell your life force? I'm offering an incredibly high price: one hundred million dollars for one year of life. Are you interested?"

"Old man, you must be joking..."

[Trust] activated!

"One hundred million dollars for one year of life, which is equivalent to ten billion Japanese yen per year... My goodness, I'll sell, I'll sell my life!"

Mifune chimed in, "Ryuichi, this is a rare opportunity that I fought hard to secure for you. Remember, you're my son's trusted aide, and that's why you have such a chance. So, seize it and change your life!"

“Yes! Thank you very much!”

Ryuichi's eyes sparkled as he exclaimed, "I'll sell ten years, no, thirty years, no... twenty years! Twenty years of life in exchange for twenty billion dollars!"

"Deal reached."

Reimu's eyelids twitched, but she still announced the completion sound.

In an instant, Ryuichi aged rapidly. The man in his twenties transformed into a middle-aged man. Like Momo, he now had a black card in his pocket containing two hundred billion yen.

Momo's shriveled muscles quickly regained strength, and his dry hair regained some vitality. Though still an elderly person with gray hair, Momo could at least move freely now.

"Haha, I'm rich, I'm rich!"

Ryuichi kissed the black card, laughing maniacally. He seemed to be the happiest person in the world. Suddenly, his expression changed.

Ryuichi clutched his chest, contorting in pain. Mifune's mouth curved slightly as he shouted, "Quick, someone, Ryuichi is having a heart attack!"

The surrounding bodyguards rushed over in a flurry, startled by Ryuichi's sudden aging appearance. However, without thinking much, they quickly carried Ryuichi to the emergency room.

"Young man, it seems you didn't inform me that he had a heart condition."

"Old man, what does it matter? The transaction was fair, voluntary, and equal. He willingly exchanged twenty years of life for two hundred billion yen, disregarding his physical condition. Who can we blame for that?"

"You truly are a mischievous child."

"No, old man, you're the devil."

Mifune bowed respectfully to Momo once again and said, "There will be significant fund transfers within the company that I need to handle. Tomorrow, I will visit you, not as an old man, but as your uncle. Also, I will raise funds and hope that you can replenish your life force. I believe we will trade again."

"Then I'll wait for you to accompany this old man out of the hospital."

"Hai!" (Tn: Japanese for yes)

It was only after Mifune left that Reimu seemed to relax, taking a deep breath. This series of ups and downs made her unable to help but marvel at the extraordinary nature of Momo's thinking.

"However, is this really a good thing? Momo, you essentially killed a person just now. I can tell that Ryuichi guy probably won't live much longer."

"I've said it before, the transaction follows the principles of fairness, equality, and voluntariness. Since he valued money more than life itself, he should naturally experience the consequences."

"Haha, so are you a righteous messenger after all?"

Momo smiled and shook his head, saying, "You're mistaken. I'm just a merchant, engaging in fair, equal, and voluntary transactions with others."