With a soft thud, Huang Yuzhong and Elder Zheng both knelt on the ground, their heads bowed, sweat dripping from their hair, overpowered by a formidable force. Huang Yuzhong, who had harbored thoughts of revenge against Ning Beichen just moments ago, was now utterly terrified, his spirit nearly shattered.
"A Grandmaster, he's a Grandmaster!"
These two words echoed in the minds of Huang Yuzhong and Elder Zheng. All thoughts of revenge and hatred vanished, replaced by a trembling excitement that surged through Huang Yuzhong's body.
"He must be cultivating the Yin Xing Jue. Otherwise, how could he possess Grandmaster cultivation at his age? I must obtain the Yin Xing Jue."
Little did Ning Beichen know what was going through Huang Yuzhong's mind. Grandmaster? Yin Xing Jue? If the Yin Xing Jue was that formidable, Ning Beichen would have cultivated it long ago.
"Mr. Ning, please calm your anger," Huang Yuzhong and Elder Zheng said in unison. Unlike Huang Yuzhong's excitement, Elder Zheng was filled with fear of Ning Beichen. He had dared to make a move against a Grandmaster and was still alive; he considered it a miracle and had no desire to challenge Ning Beichen any further.
"If there's a next time, prepare your own coffins!" Ning Beichen said with a cold snort. After warning them, he turned and left.
However, Huang Yuzhong was not dejected but rather exhilarated. He had become convinced that Ning Beichen was cultivating the Yin Xing Jue of their Xingyin Sect, which was the source of his immense power. If he, the sect leader of Xingyin, also cultivated the Yin Xing Jue, wouldn't he become even more powerful than Ning Beichen in the future? Perhaps he could even glimpse the realm of unity between man and nature.
"Master, this Ning Beichen is a Grandmaster, and he's ruthless. He's not like other young men. You should stop bothering him," Elder Zheng said fearfully to Huang Yuzhong after Ning Beichen had left, his body covered in cold sweat.
"No, Elder Zheng, this is my chance, a golden opportunity," Huang Yuzhong said excitedly.
"Master, that Ning Beichen is not someone to trifle with. I've seen many like him. They really kill people," Elder Zheng said, his body trembling, as he tried to pull Huang Yuzhong away.
"Elder Zheng, you misunderstand. I'm not saying I want to oppose him, but rather I wish to obtain the Yin Xing Jue from him." Huang Yuzhong's mind was consumed by thoughts of the Yin Xing Jue and Grandmaster. Elder Zheng could not dissuade him.
Having followed Huang Yuzhong for over twenty years, Elder Zheng knew his master's desires. His master had always had things his way and rarely failed to get what he wanted. If he tried to persuade him further, it would only be counterproductive. He could only hope that his master wouldn't do anything rash for the sake of the Yin Xing Jue.
"Elder Zheng, everything in the world has a price. I will contact Ning Beichen again and tell him I'm willing to pay a high price to buy the Yin Xing Jue," Huang Yuzhong said to Elder Zheng, his eyes gleaming.
"Yes, Master," Elder Zheng replied, having no choice but to agree.
Ning Beichen thought the matter was settled. After yesterday's display of power, he believed Huang Yuzhong wouldn't dare to harbor any more schemes. However, early the next morning, he saw Zheng Yuan.
"What are you doing here?" Ning Beichen asked, naturally showing no pleasant expression.
"Mr. Ning, please don't misunderstand. I've come specifically to apologize and to discuss a transaction with you, Mr. Ning," Zheng Yuan, a man in his sixties, was not one to leave in a huff just because Ning Beichen showed him a cold shoulder.
"Whether you apologize or not, I don't care. Didn't I warn you not to scheme against us? Otherwise, I'll ensure you don't see another year's sun," Ning Beichen's gaze was filled with killing intent, causing Zheng Yuan to break out in a cold sweat. His legs felt like giving way and retreating, but remembering Huang Yuzhong's instructions, he forced himself to suppress it.
"I know, I know. I'm not here to cause trouble. My master truly wishes to conduct a transaction with Mr. Ning," Zheng Yuan said as quickly as he could.
"What transaction?" Ning Beichen asked. Although his attitude was less than welcoming, he wasn't so cruel as to kill him.
"My master is willing to pay a large sum to purchase the Yin Xing Jue from Mr. Ning," Zheng Yuan said immediately. Huang Yuzhong had told him that Ning Beichen, despite being a Grandmaster, was willing to be a bodyguard, suggesting he was in dire need of money. Therefore, as long as they were willing to pay, Ning Beichen would surely sell the Yin Xing Jue.
Ning Beichen looked at Zheng Yuan without speaking until Zheng Yuan, covered in sweat, lowered his head. Then he spoke.
"The Yin Xing Jue is indeed in my possession, but why should I sell it to you?" Ning Beichen was not surprised by Zheng Yuan's mention of Huang Yuzhong wanting to buy the Yin Xing Jue. He had guessed that Zheng Yuan was coming for it. However, Huang Yuzhong had made one incorrect assumption: Ning Beichen was not short of money.
Hearing Ning Beichen admit he possessed the Yin Xing Jue, Zheng Yuan's expression brightened. Although Huang Yuzhong suspected the Yin Xing Jue was with Ning Beichen, it wouldn't count until it was confirmed.
"Mr. Ning, my master is very sincere. Just name your price, and my master will surely agree," Zheng Yuan, like Huang Yuzhong, had misjudged Ning Beichen's intentions. It couldn't be entirely blamed on them; if a Grandmaster wasn't short of money, why would he be a bodyguard?
"I won't sell," Ning Beichen said, and then had someone escort the guest out. The Yin Xing Jue was not a particularly important item to Ning Beichen, but it was also not something that could be measured by money. Furthermore, since Ning Beichen wasn't lacking funds, why would he sell the Yin Xing Jue?
Faced with an unyielding Grandmaster like Ning Beichen, Zheng Yuan had no recourse. He didn't even dare to entertain any malicious thoughts and returned to report Ning Beichen's refusal to Huang Yuzhong.
"Elder Zheng, do you think Ning Beichen is holding out for more?" Huang Yuzhong analyzed it from a businessman's perspective. From a business standpoint, if someone refused to sell something valuable, it wasn't because they didn't want to sell, but because they wanted a higher price.
"That... is hard to say," Elder Zheng shook his head. He couldn't fathom Ning Beichen's thoughts either. If he were short of money, it didn't seem like it. But if he wasn't short of money, why would a Grandmaster work as a bodyguard?
"Money is not an issue. Elder Zheng, find an opportunity to contact him again. I'm not afraid of him asking an exorbitant price. As long as he dares to name it, I'll agree," Huang Yuzhong said. He was in a position to say this; such wealth to him was just a string of numbers. Of course, if Ning Beichen casually asked for a hundred billion or so, then Huang Yuzhong might genuinely not be able to afford it, but if Ning Beichen named such a price, it would mean he had no intention of selling the Yin Xing Jue at all.
"Understood, Master," Zheng Yuan nodded. He couldn't offer any good advice on this matter. The key issue was that Ning Beichen was a Grandmaster; did one dare to coerce or tempt him? That would be suicidal!