Chapter 55: Weapon Business, Cooperation

If the Old Demon doesn't nod his head.

These people won't let Ye Tian leave easily.

Iron Fist and Ghost Leg said nothing, only stepped half a pace forward in unison, their gazes cold.

"?"

What's that mean, not afraid? Always reading novels -> ttks. tw

This reaction made the other side visibly pause—before, he'd guided many people here, and at this point, they'd all been frightened, so why was this time different?

Aren't you afraid of death?

Ye Tian didn't answer right away, and as for why—

【Detected: Host triggered choice】

【Choice One: Leave immediately! Reward: Primary Loyalty +50】

【Choice Two: Face the Old Demon! Reward: Primary Loyalty +50】

It actually triggered a choice—fifty Primary Loyalty, this Old Demon really is my lucky star, knowing I'm short on subordinates and sending me this.

"Don't be so tense."

He smiled and waved his hand, dispersing the previously heavy atmosphere.

Ye Tian spoke calmly and naturally.

"I think I'll leave here unharmed today."

"..."

They said nothing, only gave Ye Tian a deep look, then stepped aside to clear a path.

,,,

The first time he met the Old Demon.

Ye Tian almost didn't recognize him as a gangster—a middle-aged man around forty, his tea-pouring motions refined and expert, his demeanor calm, his clothes simple.

He looked like a refined middle-aged man; outsiders might think he was a merchant.

"Sit!"

Seeing Ye Tian arrive, the Old Demon wasn't in a hurry—he finished brewing the tea, poured a cup for Ye Tian, then gestured for him to sit across from him.

After Ye Tian sat down, the Old Demon immediately lifted his teacup and drank it down.

The Old Demon became interested.

"How's the taste?"

"Your motions look convincing enough, but the flavor's mediocre—Old Demon Hall Master still needs to practice!"

Ye Tian didn't know how to brew tea, but whether it tasted good or not, he could still tell.

"Hahaha!"

Hearing this reply, the Old Demon laughed instead.

"You're right—I still don't pretend well enough."

Once you reach a certain status, you always want to appear refined, but unfortunately, your act falls a bit short.

The Old Demon didn't mind being exposed—in fact, it made him find it amusing.

"After all this time, you're still the only one who says it outright—others always praised my tea-brewing skills."

"That's because they had something to ask of you."

Ye Tian smiled and set the teacup down again.

Speak to people as people, speak to ghosts as ghosts—he had plenty of experience with this.

It was precisely because he'd studied so much about the Old Demon that he said this; otherwise, would Ye Tian really be that foolish? Too many people had flattered him—occasionally offering something different makes you memorable.

"And you? Aren't you here to beg for my help?"

The Old Demon didn't mind, only smiled and turned his head to look at Ye Tian.

"Not begging—cooperation."

When it came to serious matters, Ye Tian grew serious.

"You have iron mines; I have forges. We can cooperate—weapons have never lacked buyers in the martial world."

Weapons have always been in high demand, even more so than alcohol—once you produce them, selling them is never a problem.

"There are other forges in Linshui City—why should I cooperate with you?"

Just as Ye Tian had expected.

The Old Demon knew he had a sister who was a Hall Master, and even outsiders didn't know there was another Hall Master, someone who had been with him since he first entered the martial world.

Later, the Old Demon spent heavily to pave the way, pushing the other up to the same Hall Master rank as himself.

In short, this faction naturally had three Hall Masters working together.

Under these circumstances, the Old Demon had to be even more cautious—any misstep could draw a united response from the other five Hall Masters.

Didn't the Old Demon want to expand his business?

Of course he did—but he couldn't.

Brothels, gambling dens, taverns—he couldn't run these businesses, at least not openly on his own territory.

If the other Hall Masters reacted defensively, thinking he was expanding to climb higher, he'd be finished—after all, suspicion needs no reason or evidence.

The weapons business was his next target, but his potential partner had been under his careful evaluation.

As for building his own forge—first, skilled smiths were hard to find, and again, any business he started on his own territory would draw suspicion from the other Hall Masters.

"Business is a two-way thing."

As long as we can talk, it's fine—what's feared is no talk at all.

Ye Tian didn't care about the condescension in the Old Demon's words—in truth, he'd only been in Linshui City a short time.

He's the type who appears out of nowhere—who knows if he might suddenly perish one day.

"First, the Iron Ore Mine in Linshui City isn't sold only by Old Demon Hall Master; but partnering with you best serves my interests and will help me ascend to the position of Hall Master."

"..."

Truly direct and to the point.

Old Demon didn't find it strange that Ye Tian wanted to take over Sēn Lǎo's position as Hall Master.

He's already a Head Boss—if he has no ambition to rise further, he's a waste.

But the fact that Ye Tian said it so directly shows he has confidence in achieving this cooperation—that's what intrigued Old Demon most.

"Second, there are many forges, but my goods cannot be produced by just any forge."

After saying that.

Ye Tian raised one hand; beside him, Iron Fist saw it and immediately placed a Bǎi Duàn Dāo into Ye Tian's hand.

"Kēng!"

The blade drew with a chilling gleam.

The next moment, strange noises echoed through the tavern—now, the seemingly empty hall was filled with Old Demon's men.

Ye Tian said nothing, merely spun the Bǎi Duàn Dāo and offered the hilt to Old Demon.

"Why not try it yourself, Hall Master?"

"Bold!"

Ye Tian's calm composure made Old Demon's interest deepen.

Where did this confidence come from? Was it the fearless ignorance of a newborn calf, or did he have other cards up his sleeve?

He didn't take it immediately, but waved his hand, signaling the hidden men to withdraw, then accepted the Bǎi Duàn Dāo Ye Tian offered.

"What a fine blade!"

The moment he grasped it, Old Demon sensed something was off.

Old Demon wasn't promoted solely through connections—he once carved his way up blade by blade; he'd seen every kind of weapon, good or bad, and could instantly tell its quality.

"Interesting!"

He raised his hand and tapped lightly twice on the blade's surface.

The blade's quality seemed better than he'd imagined.

"Huā Gǔ, come test the blade."

He didn't rush to give Ye Tian an answer, but instead called out toward the rear.

Ye Tian wasn't in a hurry.

The forging craft of the Bǎi Duàn Dāo was unquestionably a divine weapon in this era—if he lacked such confidence, why would Ye Tian have come here at all?

"Boss!"

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