Chapter 233: Negotiation

Outside the window of Yusheng Chalou in East City, the setting sun was like blood, dyeing the horizon a faint violet; it complemented the soft candlelight inside, adding a touch of mystery to this meeting that appeared peaceful but was actually surging with undercurrents.

Cheng Feng, dressed in green, sat upright in the teahouse, slowly savoring tea with the Deputy Sect Leader of the Red Star Gang; there was absolutely no sign of the intense conflict about to erupt between them.

The Deputy Sect Leader of the Red Star Gang was a middle-aged man who looked quite refined, wearing a white robe and sporting a handsome beard, giving one the feeling of a scholar.

According to intelligence from Black Ear, this Deputy Sect Leader of the Red Star Gang was named Yan Hua, a true man of letters. Yet in this world, without a sufficiently powerful background for support, reading books could not bring much practical use.

Yan Hua was originally just an ordinary scholar, but later, relying on his scholarly appearance and good looks, he successfully married the daughter of the Red Star Gang leader.

Subsequently, Red Star Gang leader Xie Lin personally taught him Martial Dao techniques, allowing him to grow gradually. Now, Yan Hua had already reached the Blood Refining Late Stage.

Despite this, Cheng Feng did not feel this posed much of a threat to him. After all, Cheng Feng truly did not hold Martial Artists below the Bone Refining Realm in his eyes.

Cheng Feng sensed the gaze cast by Yan Hua; his expression remained as calm as water, without a ripple.

Yan Hua stared fixedly at the young, handsome man full of masculine vigor before him, unable to help but sigh inwardly: Is this the Hong Sect Leader Cheng Feng, who was evaluated by his father-in-law as a "hidden dragon in the abyss"?

This Hong Sect Leader had displayed extraordinary talent and ability at a young age. From the time he began stepping onto the path of Martial Dao, he had reached the Bone Refining Realm in a mere two years.

He founded the Hong Sect all by himself and established strict Hongmen Sect Rules, setting high requirements for his disciples, yet he was never stingy or ungenerous toward those under his command.

He first wiped out the Sishui Gang, then immediately eradicated the Green Bamboo Gang, causing the Hong Sect's strength to increase greatly. During this period, he accepted disciples from numerous small gangs, allowing the Hong Sect to rise rapidly and ascend to the stage of the county city.

Not a single one of these disciples absorbed into the Hong Sect had expressed regret; all were filled with admiration for Cheng Feng.

Furthermore, in handling the Black Wind Stronghold affair, Cheng Feng had also performed brilliantly, receiving high praise from the government side. Yan Hua sighed inwardly that such a young and promising figure was truly rare to see.

Cheng Feng gently set down the teacup in his hand; the sound of the porcelain lightly touching the wooden table seemed exceptionally clear in this quiet space. He raised his eyes to look at Yan Hua, his deep pupils flashing with an unfathomable light.

"Brother Yan, today's appointment is not just for this pot of good tea, is it?" Cheng Feng's voice was not high, but every word was clear, carrying a trace of imperceptible probing.

Yan Hua smiled slightly; that smile contained both the refinement of a scholar and a hint of the cunning of a person of the jianghu.

"Brother Cheng is a straightforward person, and I, Yan Hua, naturally do not like to beat around the bush. Recently, the winds and clouds in the city have been changing, and various forces are stirring; although my Red Star Gang cannot be considered top-tier, we do not wish to become fish on someone else's chopping block in these troubled times."

He paused, his gaze becoming deep, "The 'Hong Sect' of Brother Cheng has risen to fame in recent years, especially your achievements on the path of Martial Dao, which command respect. I have come this time to discuss the possibility of cooperation with Brother Cheng. After all, in these troubled times, fighting alone rarely leads to great success; only by joining hands and advancing together can we ensure our foundations remain evergreen."

Upon hearing this, the corners of Cheng Feng's mouth hooked into a faint smile, though he pondered inwardly. He naturally understood the deeper meaning in Yan Hua's words, and he also knew that what was hidden behind this was not just interests, but a game of power.

"Brother Yan's words are reasonable, but the matter of cooperation is no small thing; it requires both sides to be sincere and open with each other to last. I wonder what specific ideas Brother Yan has?"

Yan Hua gently stroked his beard, appearing as if he had long since had a plan in mind. "My intention is that our two gangs can cooperate in trade, resources, and intelligence sharing. At the same time, facing the coming situation, we can also respond jointly to ensure our respective interests are not infringed upon. Of course, the specific details of the cooperation still require us to discuss further."

Cheng Feng watched Yan Hua talking eloquently there without ever speaking to the point, smiling without saying a word.

Yan Hua was in the middle of his spiel and felt a slight inner anger upon seeing Cheng Feng's appearance: "So I was just talking for nothing?"

Cheng Feng did not believe the other party would truly be so kind-hearted; the Hong Sect had encountered quite a few troubles recently, and now that they suddenly came to talk about mutual assistance, didn't it seem a bit ridiculous?

Watching Yan Hua still preparing to paint a big picture, Cheng Feng grew impatient and interrupted directly: "No rush, no rush. A bright person doesn't speak in riddles; before discussing cooperation, I would like to ask, how should the friction between the two gangs these past few days be accounted for?"

A flash of arrogance crossed Yan Hua's eyes: "My Red Star Gang has already investigated this matter thoroughly, with both human and material evidence complete; it is the fault of the Hong Sect disciples, so naturally, the Hong Sect needs to make a certain amount of compensation. Does Cheng Sect Master not want to give me this face?"

Cheng Feng's mouth hooked into a playful smile, yet his eyes revealed an unquestionable firmness. "Face, naturally, must be given. But can the grievances between the Hong Sect and the Red Star Gang be wiped out with mere compensation?" Although his words were light, every word was like a needle, piercing straight into Yan Hua's heart.

Yan Hua frowned, clearly surprised by Cheng Feng's attitude. "Cheng Sect Master, you are speaking too heavily. In the jianghu, what is valued is that harmony brings wealth, and enemies should be reconciled rather than knotted. Your Hong Sect needs to take responsibility for this friction and promise that in the future, both sides will mind their own business and jointly maintain the peace of Qingxi County; that is how this matter should be settled. If you have any other ideas, don't think that my Red Star Gang is a pushover."

Cheng Feng sighed lightly, seemingly feeling helpless at Yan Hua's stubbornness. "Brother Yan, neither of us is a novice; the jianghu is treacherous, and human hearts are hard to fathom. The matter of compensation naturally must be discussed, but it is not the Hong Sect compensating the Red Star Gang, but the Red Star Gang compensating the Hong Sect."

Upon hearing this, Yan Hua's face turned furious: "Cheng Feng. Don't think that just because you are in the Bone Refining Realm you are so great; do you think my Red Star Gang has no Bone Refining Martial Artists?"

Sure enough, there were Bone Refining Martial Artists in the Red Star Gang! Cheng Feng thought to himself, but his face remained calm.

Cheng Feng said indifferently: "My Hong Sect has strict Hongmen Sect Rules, and the monthly stipend of my disciples is I don't know how much higher than yours in the Red Star Gang; how could they possibly cause trouble on your territory over mere silver? This is simply a huge joke!"

His tone was calm and firm, as if he were full of confidence in what he said.

Then, Cheng Feng spoke again: "Yan Hua, I'm afraid that father-in-law of yours has abandoned you, hasn't he? To actually dare to let you be so presumptuous and spout such nonsense in front of me? Do you really think my Bone Refining strength was obtained out of thin air? Do you really think you are qualified to sit at the same table as me?"

After saying this, Cheng Feng slammed the table and stood up, glaring at Yan Hua, releasing all of his Bone Refining Martial Artist aura; his eyes revealed a kind of dominance, as if he were about to explode at any moment.

Yan Hua was frightened by Cheng Feng's sudden change of face; he widened his eyes, looking at the man before him in utter astonishment. He had not expected that Cheng Feng would tear off his mask so easily.

At this moment, Yan Hua felt an unprecedented pressure; his heartbeat began to accelerate, and fine beads of sweat broke out on his forehead.