Martial Arts: I Have a Wilderness World

Chapter 592: Chapter 308: Giving In (Part 2)

Cheng Zongyang narrowed his eyes slightly and said flatly, "Since Elder Tang refuses to believe me, then I have nothing more to say. However, am I to understand that you no longer wish to talk? Also, the Immortal City has its own rules, and not just anyone can break them at will."

Tang Feng sensed the composed confidence still radiating from Cheng Zongyang, and the fearlessness in his voice, and his heart skipped a beat.

He hadn’t expected the seemingly young Cheng Zongyang to possess such an aura. He shook his head slightly and said, "Mr. Cheng, I mean no harm. I simply wish to discuss a partnership. It’s best to talk with the person who can truly make the decisions, isn’t it?"

"Heh, then you’re bound to be disappointed. You came to talk to me, not the other way around. It’s like I said: if you want to talk, show some sincerity. Otherwise, there’s no need for us to meet again. I will also see you out of the Immortal City. As for the others..."

"Mr. Cheng! This has nothing to do with us!" Before Cheng Zongyang could finish, one of the eight Chiefs immediately interjected.

’Are you kidding me? We’ve spent months preparing these resources! In just another ten or twenty days, we can go to the Cultivation Immortality Realm. How can we let Tang Feng ruin this for us?!’

"That’s right. Elder Tang’s actions reflect his own intentions, not ours. We have all our passage fees ready," another person added.

"Absolutely not, this isn’t our problem..."

"..."

Tang Feng’s expression darkened as he watched the eight Chiefs. He never expected these guys to defy him so openly. But before he could speak, he heard Cheng Zongyang say with a laugh:

"There’s no need to worry. I will naturally follow through on what I promised you. Please go to the Cheng Clan Commerce Association first and find the Chief named Cheng Zongwen. You can hand over the materials to him. Once the Commerce Association has taken inventory, I will arrange a time for us to depart together."

"Excellent, excellent!"

"That’s wonderful! Thank you for your understanding, Mr. Cheng."

"No problem. We’ll head over right away!"

"..."

The eight men all cupped their fists in thanks toward Cheng Zongyang, then promptly left, ignoring Tang Feng and Chen Kaishan.

Cheng Zongyang looked at Chen Kaishan. He had no intention of making things difficult for him and maintained his smile. "You can go attend to your duties. Elder Tang and I have a few more things to discuss."

Upon hearing this, Chen Kaishan couldn’t help but look at Tang Feng.

After all, he was still the Steward of the Da Yi Commerce Association’s branch in Jade Peak Immortal City, and he answered to Tang Feng. It wouldn’t be right to leave just like that.

Tang Feng turned to look at Chen Kaishan and nodded slightly.

With that, Chen Kaishan was relieved of his difficult position. He bowed to them both with cupped fists and left the living room.

Tang Feng was the first to speak. "I must admit, you control the path to the Cultivation Immortality Realm, which is why you can handle them so effortlessly. But I am different. I have no plans to go to the Cultivation Immortality Realm, so you have no hold over me."

Cheng Zongyang chuckled. "In that case, I’ll arrange for someone to escort you out of the city. You’re welcome to walk around and look at the sights within the Immortal City if you wish. But if you haven’t left after one day, you will be responsible for the consequences."

"You don’t want to cooperate anymore?" Tang Feng retorted. "You don’t even want to hear what the partnership is about?"

Cheng Zongyang shook his head. "You fail to distinguish between what’s important and what’s not, and you can’t grasp the situation. There’s no need to talk. The only reason Jade Peak Immortal City has allowed the Da Yi Commerce Association to remain is to provide the goods necessary to support the lives of the common people. Without the Da Yi Commerce Association, I imagine the Thirteen Royal Families, the various Noble Families, or even the Royal Families of different nations would be more than happy to cooperate."

Having said his piece, Cheng Zongyang turned to leave, tossing one last sentence over his shoulder. "Jade Peak Immortal City can do without the Da Yi Commerce Association, but the people of the Da Yi Commerce Association cannot do without Jade Peak Immortal City."

As his voice fell, he summoned the Flying Cloud Shuttle, which shot up from the courtyard and vanished in an instant.

Just then, Tang Feng, who had just snapped back to his senses, felt his pupils contract violently!

’Those are truly the methods of a Cultivator! That kid is really a Cultivator!’

Tang Feng was utterly shocked. His brows furrowed tightly as he recalled Cheng Zongyang’s earlier words. ’A Cultivator who achieved the Martial Dao... does their displayed Cultivation truly appear no different from the vital energy level of an Innate Martial Artist?’

Tang Feng’s brows remained locked in a frown as he muttered to himself, ’How is that possible? According to all the intelligence our Commerce Association has gathered, this kid has always had the strength of a Martial Artist. Even when he fought, he used a Martial Artist’s techniques. While he has some strange artifacts, they’re still within a comprehensible range, not something a Martial Artist couldn’t contend with.

’He was only at sea for a few months. Factoring out the travel time, it was two or three months at most. How could he possibly become a Cultivator in such a short time?

’Could it be that after encountering a Cultivator, he’s been practicing Cultivation Immortality this whole time instead of Martial Arts? Has he been playing the wolf in sheep’s clothing? The intelligence reports do mention that he rarely fights. It’s not impossible that he was deliberately hiding his true strength.’

For a moment, Tang Feng was lost in deep thought. As for having offended Cheng Zongyang, he didn’t take it to heart. It was a minor issue. In the face of enormous benefits, anyone with a bit of cunning and foresight wouldn’t dwell on it. Besides, this was a trivial matter, not some blood feud like the murder of one’s father.

Just then, Chen Kaishan, who had been waiting outside, hurried back in. He hadn’t actually left, but had been waiting nearby. When he suddenly saw Cheng Zongyang summon the Flying Cloud Shuttle and depart, he was greatly alarmed and rushed back toward the living room.

"Lord Tang," Chen Kaishan said, bowing with cupped fists and interrupting Tang Feng’s thoughts. He asked urgently, "Lord Tang, did something unexpected happen?"

Tang Feng snapped out of his thoughts and looked at Chen Kaishan. He shook his head, his expression calm. "Young people these days are too impetuous. Go and tell him that I have a business proposition to discuss, one concerning the surviving Cultivator ruins in the Martial Arts Realm. I will wait for him here."

Chen Kaishan understood immediately. Tang Feng must have said something inappropriate and angered Cheng Zongyang.

He had known Cheng Zongyang for a long time and had a good grasp of his temperament. Cheng Zongyang was low-key and steady, someone who didn’t like to stir up trouble and was always easy to talk to. He never acted high and mighty or condescending toward those who came to buy passage. Now, just a moment after he had left, Cheng Zongyang had flown off. It was obvious who was in the right and who was in the wrong.

But since Tang Feng had given the order, he could only cup his fists and say, "Well... this subordinate will go and check on the situation first. Please wait a moment, Lord Tang."

Tang Feng nodded slightly.

With a helpless expression, Chen Kaishan left the Commerce Association and headed toward the Cheng Residence.

Chen Kaishan hurried along, pondering what he should say. When he arrived at the gate of the Cheng Residence, he knocked lightly. A moment later, the gate opened, and a servant appeared.

"I’m looking for Mr. Cheng. I have urgent business to discuss," Chen Kaishan said.

The servant, who recognized the frequent visitor Chen Kaishan, cupped his fists and said, "Steward Chen, please wait a moment while I announce you."

A short while later, the servant returned and led Chen Kaishan into the residence.

In the study, Cheng Zongyang was sitting in a chair behind his desk, calmly reading a book. His expression betrayed no hint of his mood.

"Mr. Cheng, please accept my apologies for what happened at the Commerce Association." Chen Kaishan took the initiative to apologize with cupped fists. "Lord Tang has just expressed that he shouldn’t have underestimated you. He sent me to ask you to return, to discuss a partnership regarding a Cultivator ruin in the Martial Arts Realm."

Without even looking up, Cheng Zongyang said, "If he wants to talk, tell him to come himself. Does he really think this Immortal City belongs to his Da Yi Commerce Association?"

Chen Kaishan sighed softly. "Young Master Cheng, what happened earlier was a misunderstanding. Lord Tang didn’t mean to offend you; he was just a bit too eager with his words."

Cheng Zongyang sneered. "If I hadn’t considered the difficult position you’re in, I could have just killed him on the spot. If he wants to talk, he can come here himself. Acting all high and mighty because of his age... I’ve shown him more than enough courtesy!"

Chen Kaishan’s heart leaped with joy. Ignoring the rest of the tirade, he quickly said, "Then I’ll go inform Lord Tang right away."

With that, Chen Kaishan hurried away. Not long after, he returned to the Cheng Residence with a calm-faced Tang Feng.

Upon seeing Cheng Zongyang, Tang Feng cupped his fists and said, "Mr. Cheng, I was impudent earlier. I hope you can forgive me."

’I gave him an inch and he took a mile. Now there’s no need to be polite.’ Thus, Cheng Zongyang didn’t even bother to stand up. He simply gestured for Tang Feng to sit wherever he liked and said flatly, "You’re too kind, Lord Tang. I wonder, what is this business you mentioned?"

Tang Feng glanced at Cheng Zongyang. He had already decided to discard the intelligence the Commerce Association had provided him, choosing instead to base his judgment on what he was seeing and hearing now, forming his own new assessment. Therefore, he paid no mind to Cheng Zongyang’s attitude and said with a slight smile:

"Mr. Cheng, are you aware of the past relationship between the Martial Arts Realm and the Cultivation Immortality Realm?"

Cheng Zongyang shook his head slightly.

Although he had some theories from what the Ring Spirit had told him, he wouldn’t voice them carelessly.