Martial Arts: I Have a Wilderness World

Inside the private room, the decorations were lavish and the lighting was soft.

Ma Yue sat at the table, feeling somewhat apprehensive. 'He didn't know if Zhao Lide would agree to sign the confidentiality agreement, or if this deal would go smoothly. But he understood he had to give it his all to complete the mission for his Lord.'

Before long, Zhao Lide, who had been invited, walked in.

He sported a handlebar mustache and had a shrewd look about him. Upon seeing Ma Yue, he couldn't suppress a smile, revealing a few yellowish teeth. "Younger Brother Ma," he chuckled, "I only said this afternoon that I'd consider it, yet you're already this eager."

Ma Yue rose to greet him, smiling. "Brother Zhao, this matter benefits us both. Naturally, the sooner, the better."

He invited Zhao Lide to sit, then signaled for the prearranged company, food, and wine to be brought in.

Zhao Lide didn't have much disposable wealth to spend at a place like this. Now, having been invited, he found that not only was the environment far superior to the brothels of the South District, but even the Spiritual Qi within was denser than outside.

"Younger Brother Ma, you've really gone to great expense this time," Zhao Lide remarked with some feeling, though his face revealed a condescending air.

Ma Yue scoffed inwardly. 'If it weren't for the man's special position at the Corpse Collection Manor, why would I ever waste Spirit Stones on someone like him?' But he simply smiled and said, "Brother Zhao, don't say that. Why do we earn Spirit Stones, if not for Cultivation and a little enjoyment? With enough Spirit Stones, coming to a place like this every day wouldn't be a problem."

Just as he finished speaking, two Female Cultivators entered. They had graceful figures, exquisite beauty, and an alluring charm. Following them were servers carrying trays of food and wine.

"Serve Brother Zhao well tonight. As long as he is pleased, this tip is yours. Half for each of you."

With that, Ma Yue placed forty Spirit Stones on the table.

Seeing this, the two Female Cultivators' faces bloomed into radiant smiles. With a wave of their right hands, they each collected twenty Spirit Stones before seating themselves beside Zhao Lide and beginning to pour him wine.

"Hahaha! Younger Brother Ma, aren't you getting one for yourself?" Zhao Lide didn't hold back, pulling one woman into each arm, his hands roaming freely. He was utterly content.

Ma Yue chuckled. "Tonight, Brother Zhao is the star of the show. Your enjoyment is all that matters."

"Well said! Hahaha, well said!" Zhao Lide, understanding Ma Yue's implication perfectly, laughed even more heartily.

Ma Yue rose and walked to the window, quietly gazing at the pleasure barges on the Zi'an River.

Exquisite pleasure barges drifted slowly across the shimmering surface of the river like floating works of art. They were brightly lit, and from them came the faint, melodious sounds of stringed instruments and joyous laughter. The bustling riverbanks thronged with people: hawkers calling out their wares, tourists leisurely strolling about, and children laughing as they played.

The magnificent scene of prosperity filled Ma Yue with emotion.

He thought of Jade Peak Immortal City, the city his Lord had built from the ground up. 'Although Jade Peak Immortal City is developing steadily, it will take a great deal of time to reach the level of prosperity seen here in Zi'an County. Still,' Ma Yue firmly believed, 'under the Lord's guidance, the Immortal City's future is full of hope.'

Ma Yue knew very well that all of this was possible because of his Lord's tireless efforts.

'He single-handedly supports the Immortal City's development, creating a stable living environment and ideal Cultivation conditions for everyone. I don't care what secrets my Lord may have; I only know that my good life, my current Cultivation, my family's security, and the hope that my children might one day walk the path of cultivation—I owe it all to him.'

Therefore...

Ma Yue slowly turned back and glanced at Zhao Lide.

Zhao Lide was cavorting with the two women, the very picture of a petty man enjoying a taste of power. The women, dressed in vibrant clothing, giggled coquettishly as they catered to his every whim.

A smug grin was plastered on Zhao Lide's face. He held a wine cup, taking a sip from time to time before letting out an exaggerated laugh, surrounded by the women.

Ma Yue's expression remained impassive, his smile fixed in place, but inwardly he felt nothing but disdain for Zhao Lide's behavior.

'But,' he understood, 'to complete the Lord's mission, I have to work with men like Zhao Lide for now. Putting on a show in a place like this is simply unavoidable.'

He took a deep breath, composed himself, and continued to wait for Zhao Lide to finish his revelry so they could discuss the matter at hand.

The atmosphere in the private room was a study in contrasts: on one side, Ma Yue's calm determination; on the other, Zhao Lide's unbridled indulgence and greed. Outside the window, the Zi'an River remained as boisterous as ever, its lively scene a testament to the world's mix of splendor and squalor.

Half an hour later, Zhao Lide, with an arm around each woman, shot Ma Yue a meaningful glance. Understanding the unspoken request, Ma Yue had someone arrange for a private room for them to rest.

'It was obvious what the lout intended to do next.'

As Zhao Lide departed with the two women in tow, the smile vanished from Ma Yue's face. He rubbed his cheeks, his expression turning blank as he once again gazed at the bustling Zi'an River, as if the joyful sounds from its banks were the only real thing in the world.

As it turned out, another half an hour passed before a refreshed and vigorous Zhao Lide returned alone, his voice booming through the door before he did:

"Hahaha, I've truly made Younger Brother Ma go to great expense and wait for so long tonight."

His words were accompanied by the sound of the door sliding open.

Ma Yue plastered a smile back on his face. "As long as Brother Zhao enjoyed himself, that's what matters most. Shall we get down to business now?"

"Haha, of course. Go ahead," Zhao Lide replied, feeling magnanimous enough to grant Ma Yue this bit of face.

Ma Yue nodded and placed the confidentiality agreement on the table.

Zhao Lide looked at the Beast Hide Scroll, his brow furrowing slightly. "What's this?"

Ma Yue explained, "Brother Zhao, this is our confidentiality agreement, which also outlines the details of our transaction. Once you sign it, our cooperation officially begins, and we will proceed as stipulated. Rest assured, as long as you act according to the agreement, you will not be short on Spirit Stones."