Chapter 459: Achieving Cooperation

Jiangnan Wang, on the contrary, had a calm expression, even his face still bore Laughter, as if he hadn't heard Duan Zhang's curses.

"Duan Zhang, don't rush to curse, sit down first, listen to a few words from me."

"Say your mother!"

Duan Zhang gritted his teeth; it was one thing that Jiangnan Wang hadn't helped him, but now he had even leaked the ruin's secret to Jiang Feng!

He came from Kyoto to Jiangcheng, aiming straight for the ruin!

Now that Jiang Feng knows the ruin's secret, how can he contend with the other party?

"Duan Zhang, cooperating with Mr. Jiang is the most suitable for you."

Jiangnan Wang said unhurriedly, his Tone carrying a hint of persuasion.

"After all, without a top-tier powerhouse like Mr. Jiang assisting you, you might not even be able to enter that ruin, right?"

When those words were spoken, Duan Zhang's complexion changed.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but swallowed it back.

Jiangnan Wang was right.

That ruin, he had searched for so long…

Although he had clues in hand, he was completely unaware of what the Inside of the ruin was like.

Ruins left by Martial Ancestor Level strongmen surely contain Seals…

Even if he alone found the ruin, he might not be able to get inside, let alone obtain what's inside.

Even his master, the National Teacher, such a top-tier powerhouse, would not risk it.

If a powerhouse like Jiang Feng helped…

Duan Zhang fell silent, lowered his head, the anger on his face Gradually fading, clearly deep in thought.

"Alright, how shall we cooperate?"

Jiangnan Wang, seeing this, instantly broke into a mischievous grin.

"That's right! Duan Zhang, I, Jiangnan Wang, won't deceive you; cooperating with Mr. Jiang, you will absolutely not regret it."

He said while walking to Duan Zhang's side, patting his Shoulders.

"Come, sit down, sit down and talk."

Duan Zhang took a deep breath, walked to the table, and plopped down.

But the expression on his face remained not very pleasant.

Jiangnan Wang didn't mind, pouring a cup of tea for Duan Zhang.

"Duan Zhang, now we shall have a good meal, and after eating, discuss together the matter of going to the ruin."

As he spoke, he looked at Jiang Feng, his face piled with Laughter.

"Mr. Jiang, do you agree?"

Jiang Feng said nothing, merely gave a faint nod.

Jiangnan Wang exhaled, about to call for the dishes, when Duan Zhang suddenly spoke.

"I can explain the ruin's matters."

"But... the items inside the ruin must be let me choose first!"

When those words were spoken, the atmosphere in the private room instantly solidified.

Jiangnan Wang's smile on his face froze.

He looked at Jiang Feng in Shock, fearing that if Jiang Feng got angry, he would directly act to kill Duan Zhang.

"Otherwise, even if you kill me, you still won't get any information about the ruin!"

Duan Zhang, still gritting his teeth, added.

He had spent so much time and effort on this ruin; if in the end he got nothing, he would rather not speak!

Cold sweat dripped from Jiangnan Wang's forehead, and he hurriedly tried to smooth things over.

"Duan Zhang, what kind of words are those? Let's discuss properly…"

Before the words were finished, Jiang Feng suddenly lifted his head and gave Duan Zhang a faint look.

The gaze was very calm, so calm it made one's heart hair‑raise.

Duan Zhang's body stiffened; instinctively he wanted to dodge, yet he forced himself to hold back.

The private room remained quiet for a full ten‑plus seconds.

Just as Jiangnan Wang thought Jiang Feng would get angry, Jiang Feng suddenly nodded.

"Can."

Just two words, Tone flat, revealing no joy or anger.

"Alright, alright! Mr. Jiang is magnanimous! Duan Zhang, look, Mr. Jiang has agreed, what more are you uneasy about?"

Duan Zhang snapped back to his senses, a sigh of relief in his heart, yet his gaze toward Jiang Feng grew even more wary.

He vaguely felt that the man before him was truly terrifying, even scarier than the impression his master gave him.

His master, the National Teacher, is one of the empire's topmost strongmen.

The pressure of his aura is like a Mountain, making people dare not look directly.

But Jiang Feng gave a different feeling, a bottomless silence, like a pool of dead water.

You don't know what lies beneath the water, but you know that once you anger him, the Consequence is absolutely beyond what you can bear.

"Alright, I agree to cooperate."

Duan Zhang took a deep breath and nodded.

Jiangnan Wang rejoiced, quickly clapping his hands.

"Servants, bring the dishes!"

Soon, delicate dishes were brought up, filling the whole Table.

The Jiangnan Wang greeted enthusiastically.

"Mr. Jiang, Young Master Duan, Young Master Ma, come, come, come, take your chopsticks, don't be polite."

Jiang Feng picked up his chopsticks, pinched a bite of food, ate slowly, his face showing little expression.

Ma Jian sat beside him, however, ate very heartily.

Jiang Feng put down his chopsticks after only a few bites.

"Now, speak about the Ruins."

His tone left no room for doubt.

The Jiangnan Wang hurriedly set down his chopsticks and looked at Duan Zhang.

"Young Master Duan, you see…"

Duan Zhang fell silent for a moment, then nodded.

"Alright, I'll speak."

He set down his bowl, inhaled deeply, and began to speak slowly.

"I only know that the Ruins lie within a lost ancient city, and that city's ruins should be those of the Ancient Wu Empire."

"Ancient Wu Empire?"

The Jiangnan Wang frowned, searching his Brain for that name.

Although he is the Jiangnan Wang, his knowledge of the Ancient Wu Empire is limited.

"Yes, the Ancient Wu Empire, that was an empire before the Former Dynasty, existed for over eight hundred years, then due to a great disaster it was annihilated overnight; the empire's capital turned into ruins, disappearing into the long river of history."

As Duan Zhang spoke, his gaze grew heavy.

"And that Former Dynasty Martial Ancestor, it is said, was the last guardian of the Ancient Wu Empire; after the empire fell, he vanished—some say he died, others say he went into seclusion, but no one knows the truth."

"Until recently, I happened to obtain a clue; this Martial Ancestor, before his death, left all his life's treasures in the Ancient Wu Empire's ruins, along with records concerning the Ancient Dragon Race."

Hearing the words 'Ancient Dragon Race', Jiang Feng's eyes flickered slightly, yet he said nothing and kept listening.

"But the problem is, the Ancient Wu Empire fell millennia ago; no one knows where its ruins actually lie."

Duan Zhang sighed, his tone tinged with a hint of helplessness.

"I have examined many ancient texts and only found a tiny clue: the capital of the Ancient Wu Empire is likely within present-day Jiangnan territory, but its exact location still requires further searching."

The Jiangnan Wang, after listening, nodded pensively.

"So, what we must do first now is locate the precise position of the Ancient Wu Empire's capital?"

"Yes."

Duan Zhang nodded.

"Once we find the capital's location, we can locate that Martial Ancestor's Ruins."

Jiang Feng suddenly spoke.

"How certain are you of the clue in your hand?"

Duan Zhang hesitated for a moment.

"Fifty percent. I can only be certain that the Ancient Wu Empire's capital lies within Jiangnan, but its exact spot still needs on‑site surveying."

"Enough."

Jiang Feng said lightly, standing up.

"We'll start searching tomorrow."

After he finished, he turned and walked outward.

Ma Jian hurriedly followed.

The Jiangnan Wang quickly rose to see them off.

"Mr. Jiang, take your time, I'll arrange manpower right away; we'll start searching first thing tomorrow morning!"

Jiang Feng didn't even turn his head, waved his hand, and left the private room.

Duan Zhang sat there, watching Jiang Feng's departing silhouette, his gaze complex.

"Hope that once inside the Ruins, nothing goes wrong."

Duan Zhang muttered to himself, a trace of worry flashing in his eyes.

The Jiangnan Wang, after seeing Jiang Feng off, turned back, smiling as he looked at Duan Zhang.

"Young Master Duan, I may have wronged you earlier, but rest assured, I, the Jiangnan Wang, keep my word; once we find the Ruins, you'll certainly get first pick of what's inside."

Duan Zhang let out a cold snort.

"Jiangnan Wang, you'd better not play tricks, otherwise, over at my Master's side, you won't be able to explain yourself."

The Jiangnan Wang quickly waved his hand.

"How could I? Young Master Duan, rest assured, though I, the Jiangnan Wang, am not a good man, I never renege on a promise."

Duan Zhang, too lazy to continue engaging him, stood up and also left the private room.

The Jiangnan Wang sat alone in the private room, his smile gradually fading, his gaze deepening.

"Ancient Wu Empire... Wu Zun Ruins... Ancient Dragon Race..."

He muttered, his fingers lightly tapping the Table.

He thought for a long time without understanding, then shook his head and stood up.

"Enough, never mind, first find the Ruins and then talk."

As he spoke, he walked out of the private room and ordered the subordinate guarding the doorway.

"Relay my command: have all scouts of the Prince's Residence mobilize, investigate the whereabouts of the Ancient Wu Empire's capital, and report immediately upon any news!"

"Yes!"

The subordinate took the order, turned, and left.

Jiangnan Wang Standing in the Corridor, watching the night outside the Window, a trace of anticipation flickered in their gaze.

Wu Zun Ruins!

If we could obtain some treasure from Inside, perhaps…

Their Mouth corner lifted a trace of Laughter, and they did not continue thinking.

Turning, they vanished at the end of the Corridor.