“Was it you?”
Old Master Lu stared intently at Ning Beichen, as if he could devour him whole.
“If you say so, then it was.”
Only then did Ning Beichen release the teacup and look up at Old Master Lu.
“This is just an appetizer.”
“My patience is very limited, and I’m already starting to get impatient because you have no sincerity.”
Ning Beichen stood up, appearing ready to leave.
“Wait.”
Old Master Lu hurriedly called out to him.
“Without my command, if you dare to move half a step from your seat, the people outside will kill you.”
However, Ning Beichen completely ignored him. He picked up the case he had placed beside him and said to Old Master Lu,
“Your men are already dead.”
After saying this, Ning Beichen not only left his seat but also walked to the door.
Yet, the attack Old Master Lu had foreseen did not happen. No one attacked Ning Beichen.
“Seize him.”
Old Master Lu, unaware of what had happened and feeling a mix of anxiety and panic, ordered the men beside him without thinking.
“Seeking death!”
Ning Beichen roared.
He pointed his palm at them and unleashed a powerful strike.
With a booming sound.
A vortex of energy exploded from his palm, and the entire hall was swept by a hurricane of twelve levels, sending Old Master Lu and his men flying.
If Ning Beichen hadn’t intended to spare Old Master Lu, the old man would have been dead by now.
However, his bodyguards were not so fortunate.
What struck them was not a hurricane, but lethal internal energy.
Without even a cry, several pulverized bodies lay scattered in the hall, leaving only Ning Beichen and Old Master Lu alive.
With a *snap*.
Old Master Lu, as if his body had fallen apart, collapsed onto the floor, his eyes filled with terror as he looked at Ning Beichen.
He wasn't afraid of enemies or opponents. Even if Ning Beichen had said he had the backing of an ancient family, Old Master Lu wouldn't have panicked.
Because those were all within the realm of normal human affairs, things that could be resolved.
But the man before him, with a single palm strike like a thunderclap, had instantly killed the experts he had heavily invested in or trained.
Was this even human?
“I told you, whether you agree or not is irrelevant. If you agree, we all benefit. If you don’t, I will destroy the Habsburg family, and I can do without those instruments at most.”
Ning Beichen made his move, no longer holding back. His aura descended upon Old Master Lu like Mount Tai pressing down, making it impossible for him to even breathe.
Old Master Lu, like a stray dog, realized that the imposing aura he had projected towards Ning Beichen earlier was nothing more than a joke.
“Wait, wait… just wait a moment.”
Seeing that Ning Beichen was truly about to leave, Old Master Lu desperately called out.
The information he had received earlier, the mysteriously dead gunmen, and the spectral palm strike in the hall had completely shattered his psychological defenses and his sense of luck.
Ning Beichen paused. He wasn't afraid that Old Master Lu wouldn't yield, unless he truly dared to gamble his entire Habsburg family against Ning Beichen's willingness to act.
However, Ning Beichen was confident that Old Master Lu couldn't afford to gamble. He wouldn't dare to stake the survival of the entire Habsburg family.
As for whether Ning Beichen dared to act?
He certainly did, it was just a matter of necessity.
If Old Master Lu refused to yield to the very end, Ning Beichen wouldn't be polite.
However, destroying the Habsburg family would also cause Ning Beichen considerable trouble, so his actions were primarily meant to intimidate and threaten.
Although he had ordered the destruction of several Habsburg territories, he hadn't killed anyone, merely demolished some structures as a warning.
“I… I agree to your terms.”
Old Master Lu had never bowed to anyone in his life, but now he had no choice.
“A wise man knows when to submit. But can you make this decision? Or rather, can your Habsburg family make this decision?”
Ning Beichen asked, looking at him.
Because if Old Master Lu agreed to his demands, it would mean he would offend a superpower.
This was a troublesome matter for Old Master Lu as well.
However, Old Master Lu could distinguish between what was more important.
Offending the madman before him would lead to the immediate annihilation of the Habsburg family.
But offending a superpower might still leave room for negotiation.
Therefore, Old Master Lu would rather deal with those people than with the devil in front of him.
“I can make the decision. I will have them handle it immediately.”
Old Master Lu was a decisive person. He knew that any further delay would only enrage the devil before him, so it was better to be straightforward.
In fact, this matter was a minor one for the Habsburg family, and a superpower's sanctions wouldn't reach them.
Even if he allowed Chuangsi Company to release the goods, he had a thousand ways to distance himself. It was simply a matter of wounded pride.
This was the first time in many years that the Habsburg family had suffered such a significant setback, and in such an unclear manner.
It was impossible not to feel resentful, but Old Master Lu knew that no matter how dissatisfied he was, he had to swallow his pride for now. He could always seek revenge after ensuring his safety.
Ning Beichen knew his thoughts well. If someone had treated him this way, Ning Beichen would have likely felt the same, wanting to draw his sword and exact revenge on the spot.
But the situation was what it was. As long as Old Master Lu wasn't a fool, he would surely understand that he had to swallow his pride, whether he wanted to or not.
As for whether the Habsburg family would retaliate later?
Ning Beichen knew without even thinking about it that Old Master Lu would certainly seek revenge, but that was a matter for later.
If they insisted on courting disaster, then Ning Beichen would have to oblige them.
“The matter is resolved. The goods for Chuangsi Company are ready, but there are no cargo ships available…”
Old Master Lu said to Ning Beichen with some difficulty.
“I will provide the ships to transport the goods. I only need them to help me get the cargo to the dock.”
Ning Beichen said.
He had originally kept the couple's ship as a contingency, never expecting to actually use it.
“Alright, I will notify them immediately to send the goods to the dock.”
Old Master Lu glanced at Ning Beichen with surprise, then quickly said.
Now was not the time for games. He had to save his son first.
Ning Beichen nodded, then suddenly turned to Old Master Lu and gave him a wicked smile.
“You’re not planning any tricks, are you?”
“No… no.”
Old Master Lu felt a chill run down his spine, as if Ning Beichen had seen through his very soul, making him flustered.
“That’s for the best.”
Ning Beichen placed his palm on Old Master Lu’s shoulder and patted it three times. A surge of internal energy entered his body.
Old Master Lu only felt a slight warmth in his body and didn't notice anything out of the ordinary.