"This is Mr. Yarman, a senior executive at Chuangsi Company."
"And this is my friend, Mr. Ning Beichen."
The next day, Fang Yi kept her word and took Ning Beichen to visit a senior executive at Chuangsi Company.
However, seeing that the executive's eyes never left Fang Yi from beginning to end, Ning Beichen knew that this was another poor man destined to be toyed with by the female devil, Fang Yi.
Who doesn't love beautiful women?
He, Ning Beichen, loved them too.
It's just that you need the right teeth for it; without them, you'll only end up with a mouth full of broken teeth.
"Mr. Yarman, my friend has something he needs your help with. Would you be willing to talk to him?"
Fang Yi smiled charmingly, her allure instantly captivating Yarman, whose soul seemed to fly out of his body. He readily agreed.
"Miss Fang's friends are my friends."
"Hello, Mr. Yarman. The situation is this: a friend of mine purchased several instruments from Chuangsi Company, but they recently encountered some trouble. Due to certain circumstances, the instruments have been detained. Would you be able to help with that..."
Ning Beichen explained politely. If the matter could be resolved peacefully, or with some financial cost, Ning Beichen would prefer not to resort to more drastic measures.
"That's a minor issue. What instruments have been detained?" Yarman asked dismissively.
"Three ASML lithography machines," Ning Beichen replied.
"No problem..."
"Wait, is your friend from the East Ancient Country's Tianmei Technology Group?" Yarman's senses immediately returned to him, even though he was still dazed by Fang Yi's charm.
The value of three ASML lithography machines was around one billion. These were not minor instruments, and it immediately made him think of the sanctioned Tianmei Technology Group.
"That's correct. Mr. Yarman, would you be able to show some leniency?" Ning Beichen nodded and replied.
"No, I can't make that decision, nor do I dare to. I apologize, Miss Fang Yi. I have a meeting to attend. I must leave now." Yarman seemed to be on fire, quickly making an excuse to leave, unwilling to continue the conversation with Ning Beichen.
Fang Yi soon took Ning Beichen to visit a second senior executive at Chuangsi Company. This executive's reaction was the same as the first, and Ning Beichen left disappointed again.
A day passed, and he met several executives from Chuangsi, but none were willing to help.
As they themselves had stated, they, even as senior executives of Chuangsi Company, had no authority to make such decisions.
Ning Beichen shook his head helplessly. He knew the matter was difficult, but he hadn't expected it to be this difficult.
"Mr. Ning, as you can see, it's not that I don't want to help you." Fang Yi apologized to Ning Beichen.
"It's alright. Thank you, Miss Fang. You've already helped me a lot," Ning Beichen told her.
Ning Beichen was unsure if the female devil, Fang Yi, had other better or more extensive means.
However, Fang Yi had genuinely gone to great lengths for him today, even using up many favors. Ning Beichen couldn't pretend not to notice this.
"Mr. Ning, the matter of Tianmei Technology Group is not easily resolved. It involves the orders of the four great families and a certain superpower. Chuangsi Company's executives cannot and dare not make unauthorized decisions. I advise you to let this matter go," Fang Yi sincerely advised Ning Beichen.
To her, it wasn't worth Ning Beichen going to such lengths for a company, or even for a woman.
"I know. Thank you for your trouble. I'll think of other ways," Ning Beichen nodded to her gratefully. Regardless, he had at least clarified the stance of Chuangsi Company's executives.
This meant that approaching them was useless. The crux of the issue lay with the attitudes of the four great families and a certain superpower.
If they gave their approval, Chuangsi Company would likely not be foolish enough to turn away profit.
"Ning Beichen, are you really leaving?" After returning to Fang Yi's estate, Ning Beichen immediately proposed to leave.
"Miss Fang, thank you for your help and hospitality. I'll visit again if there's an opportunity," Ning Beichen said goodbye to Fang Yi, carrying his suitcase and duffel bag.
Ning Beichen left without any lingering hesitation, turning and walking away. Fang Yi stomped her foot in frustration, wondering why her charm had no effect on him.
As for Ning Beichen, since Fang Yi couldn't help, he would have to rely on himself.
If Ning Beichen were willing to pay any price and use his identity as the King of Darkness to pressure the four great families, they likely wouldn't oppose him. However, a certain superpower would not accept threats, even from the King of Darkness.
This put Ning Beichen in a desperate situation.
"Am I really going to return defeated?" Ning Beichen sighed, walking down the street with his suitcase, leaving Fang Yi's estate. He needed to find a new place to stay, as this matter wouldn't be resolved in a day or two.
As Ning Beichen walked along the street, a man wearing a baseball cap approached him.
Just as they were about to pass each other, the man in the baseball cap suddenly pulled out a knife and lunged at Ning Beichen.
Although Ning Beichen's mind was preoccupied with how to resolve the situation, his cultivation as a Grandmaster made him extremely sensitive to danger.
The moment the man in the baseball cap harbored murderous intent, Ning Beichen had already sensed it.
*Clang.*
Ning Beichen slapped the knife out of the man's hand.
The man in the baseball cap likely hadn't expected Ning Beichen to react so quickly. He immediately abandoned the knife and threw a punch at Ning Beichen's head.
Ning Beichen blocked the man's punch with his arm.
This man was clearly no ordinary assassin. Seeing his first attack fail, he immediately kicked towards Ning Beichen's head. His reaction speed was at least three times faster than other assassins.
However, his skills were insignificant in the eyes of Ning Beichen, a Grandmaster.
Before the attacker could even fully execute his kick, Ning Beichen, as if divinely aided, struck first.
*Crack.*
Ning Beichen kicked the assassin's leg away. Just as Ning Beichen was about to apprehend him for questioning, the assassin decisively raised his hand, scattering a puff of white powder.
"Lime powder!"
Ning Beichen chopped his palm through the air, dispersing the powder. He saw the assassin frantically fleeing the scene.
"Trying to escape!"
Ning Beichen snorted coldly. He tapped his foot on the ground, covering ten meters in an instant, and grabbed the assassin by the neck.
The assassin's heart pounded in alarm!
Just as he was about to resist, his waist suddenly went numb. He was shocked to find himself unable to move.