Chapter 64: Chapter 64: When One is Unimportant, Their Words Carry Little Weight
In front of the Martial Arts Hall.
Two people walked out of the main entrance of the Martial Arts Hall and climbed into the carriage that had been waiting at the door for a long ti.
At the sa ti.
Two n, who had been staking out outside the Martial Arts Hall for several days, exchanged a glance when they saw Jiang Ning appear.
One of them said excitedly, “We’ve finally caught this kid leaving! Should I inform Mr. Xu?”
“Go ahead! I’ll keep waiting here at the entrance,” the other man replied.
The two speakers both had a small green snake tattooed on their arms.
Anyone from Luoshui County with any insight knew a green tattoo on the arm ant they were mbers of the infamous Green Snake Gang.
…
Moon Pavilion.
Cheng Ran, Jiang Ning, and the Elder Zheng ntioned by Cheng Ran appeared at the entrance of the Moon Pavilion.
This was the venue where Supervisor Liu from the Sihe Chamber of Comrce had invited Cheng Ran to a banquet.
At that mont, a man about thirty imdiately ca forward upon seeing Cheng Ran.
He approached Cheng Ran, bowing slightly with cupped hands, “Is this Mr. Cheng?”
Cheng Ran nodded, “Indeed, it is I!”
“Mr. Cheng, please follow . My master has been waiting in the private room on the second floor for quite so ti!” The middle-aged man bowed slightly as a sign of respect.
“Lead the way,” Cheng Ran gestured with his hand.
“Yes!” the middle-aged man bowed again slightly.
During the conversation, his gaze lingered on Jiang Ning for a fleeting mont before swiftly shifting away.
He thought for a mont and realized he had no mory of anyone nad Jiang Ning and decided not to dwell on it.
Thud, thud, thud—
The three of them ascended the stairs towards the second floor.
…
A mont later.
The middle-aged man led Cheng Ran to a private room on the second floor.
Knock, knock, knock—
He knocked on the door of the private room.
“Master, Mr. Cheng has arrived.”
As the words fell, a rush of footsteps was heard.
In less than two breaths of ti.
The door abruptly opened.
Standing before Jiang Ning and Cheng Ran was none other than Liu Zhixiang, who had visited Canglang Martial Arts Hall the day before.
His chin sported his characteristic goatee, and his beard was gray, indicating his advanced age as the tips of his hair were turning white.
At that mont, Liu Zhixiang’s gaze fell on Cheng Ran with a delighted expression.
“Mr. Cheng, please co in quickly. I have been waiting for you for quite so ti!” he hurriedly stepped aside, gesturing with his hand for Cheng Ran to enter.
Cheng Ran smiled, “Manager Liu, I’ve brought my junior brother with to the banquet, is that alright?”
Upon hearing this, Liu Zhixiang’s gaze imdiately shifted to Jiang Ning.
He only pondered for a mont before recognizing Jiang Ning’s background.
Being one of the managers of the Sihe Chamber of Comrce, how could he not know the person the Cao family’s third young master wanted to deal with?
He shook his head repeatedly, “Of course, there’s no issue! Mr. Cheng’s presence at the banquet already does great honor, and I welco anyone you bring.”
Hearing this, Cheng Ran smiled again and turned to Jiang Ning.
“Brother Jiang, let’s go!”
With that, he stepped over the threshold of the private room.
At the sa ti.
Liu Zhixiang also said to the middle-aged man who had led the way, “Order them to serve the dishes quickly.”
…
Inside the private room.
Once Cheng Ran and Jiang Ning were seated, Liu Zhixiang then took his seat.
As he sat down, his eyes inevitably lingered on the ebony longsword at Jiang Ning’s feet.
Now, the ebony longsword was placed by Jiang Ning’s side, leaning against the leg of the dining table.
He poured Cheng Ran a cup of wine.
“Mr. Cheng, please have so wine first; the dishes will be served shortly.”
Then, he filled the glass of an elder nad Elder Zheng who was sitting beside Cheng Ran.
“Elder Zheng, please try this, it is the finest wine from Moon Pavilion!”
During the conversation, Liu Zhixiang was quite respectful.
Because he knew well who Elder Zheng was, who was accompanying Cheng Ran.
He was a formidable figure who had single-handedly killed three mid-level Martial Artists years ago.
This man was also the stable foundation upon which the Cheng family’s business stood.
However, he did not know the exact background of this person, but he knew this fierce man was very powerful.
Cheng Ran’s father had a great favor from this man, thereby earning his repaynt.
Elder Zheng slightly shook his head, “Just give a pot of wine, I don’t need anything else!”
…
After dealing with Elder Zheng, Liu Zhixiang hesitated slightly, still, he filled a cup of wine and pushed it towards Jiang Ning.
“Please, young brother!”
“Thank you!” Jiang Ning expressed his gratitude.
Seeing this, Cheng Ran spoke up, “Manager Liu, let’s be straightforward! I don’t like to beat around the bush!”
“Fair enough!” Liu Zhixiang imdiately took out a folded piece of white paper from his chest, placing it in front of Cheng Ran, “Mr. Cheng is aware, so I won’t say much more. These are the terms offered by the Sihe Chamber of Comrce. Mr. Cheng, please have a look, and if there are any issues, we can discuss further.”
Cheng Ran opened the white paper placed in front of Jiang Ning by Liu Zhixiang, then handed it to Jiang Ning after a glance.
Jiang Ning also looked at it briefly and compared it silently with the list of goods he had seen in the invitation from Zhou Xing the day before, shaking his head secretly.
The terms offered by the Sihe Chamber of Comrce were not as good as those offered by Zhou Xing, roughly only seventy to eighty percent of Zhou Xing’s offer.
At this mont,
Cheng Ran also spoke, “These terms are not as good as those of my Brother Zhou!”
A smile appeared on Liu Zhixiang’s face, “If you are unsatisfied with the terms, we can discuss further!”
Cheng Ran shook his head slowly and spoke, “I don’t need to discuss the terms; I can accept the conditions offered by the Sihe Chamber of Comrce!”
“Really?” Liu Zhixiang’s expression beca serious, then he showed a look of joy.
Cheng Ran said, “However, I have an additional condition.”
“Please speak, Mr. Cheng!” Liu Zhixiang responded.
Cheng Ran raised his hand to direct Liu Zhixiang’s attention towards Jiang Ning, “This is my junior brother, Jiang Ning, and also my best friend! His Martial Arts Talent is even greater than mine!”
Liu Zhixiang’s gaze fell on Jiang Ning, his face showing a look of surprise upon hearing this.
Cheng Ran continued, “My extra condition is simple. The Sihe Chamber of Comrce should draft another list, the sa terms as those given to and give it to my junior brother. If so, I will agree to all the terms proposed by the Sihe Chamber of Comrce!”
Jiang Ning also stood up and said, “If the Sihe Chamber of Comrce is willing to trust , I, Jiang Ning, will not disappoint you. There will be a return one day, and I also owe Manager Liu a favor!”
A favor!
Hearing these two words, Liu Zhixiang felt sowhat amused inside.
Being targeted by the third young master of the Cao family, what future is there? The so-called favor is nothing but drawing a cake to satisfy hunger.
Having been in business for so many years, how could he believe such pie-in-the-sky promises by Jiang Ning.
But despite all these thoughts, he kept them hidden in his heart.
Imdiately after, a troubled expression appeared on Liu Zhixiang’s face.
“Mr. Cheng, I’m not the sole decision-maker here!”
“Don’t you trust ?” Cheng Ran stared intensely at Liu Zhixiang.
“I certainly believe Mr. Cheng’s words!” Liu Zhixiang spoke, his gaze shifting between Jiang Ning and Cheng Ran, “I also believe this young brother Jiang Ning’s exceptional Martial Arts Talent, otherwise, he wouldn’t have beco Mr. Cheng’s friend.”
“But…”
“Alas—” Liu Zhixiang sighed deeply, “but I am rely a manager at the Sihe Chamber of Comrce, my position is modest and my words carry little weight, I really am not the final say in this matter!!”
“Please forgive , Mr. Cheng!”
Hearing such a clear denial, Cheng Ran grew grim, his expression turning difficult.
“Manager Liu, you say you are modest and insignificant within the Sihe Chamber of Comrce, speaking in such a manner, do you take , Cheng Ran, for a three-year-old child?”
Cheng Ran stifled his anger, Liu Zhixiang’s words in his view were indeed treating him as if he were a naïve child.
A manager in a Chamber of Comrce, how could he be modest and insignificant?
Such a minor investnt, he himself had the authority to make decisions.
This made him feel utterly humiliated in front of Jiang Ning.
The next mont, Cheng Ran stood up and flicked his sleeves.
“Brother Jiang, let’s go!”
Jiang Ning internally sighed and grabbed the knife lying beside him.
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