Martial Arts: I Have a Wilderness World

Chapter 650: Chapter 331: Taking Under Command (Part 2)

Lin Feng’s hands trembled as he accepted the book, his eyes filled with excitement and exhilaration. He carefully opened it, looking at the text and the mysterious accompanying illustrations, his heart swelling with anticipation for the future.

Cheng Zongyang watched Lin Feng’s excited expression and continued,

"Cultivating the Black Death Secret Manual requires absorbing the Resentful Qi, Evil Qi, and Soul Power of those you kill. However, you can also absorb the Resentful Qi, Evil Qi, and Soul Power of those you didn’t kill personally. It’s just not as effective as killing them yourself.

There’s no need to slaughter the innocent indiscriminately, but if you want to increase your strength quickly, killing is a must. So, after you reach Entry Grade, you can take on some simple assassination bounties targeting wicked people—ones within your capabilities—to improve your strength."

Lin Feng nodded heavily. He knew this was a path fraught with danger, but for the sake of immense Power, he was willing to take the risk.

This time, he dropped to both knees and kowtowed again. "My lord, I am forever in your debt for this immense kindness. I will not disappoint you!"

Cheng Zongyang nodded slightly. "Also, later on, go to the Corpse Collection Manor in Zi’an County and find a man named Ma Yue. Just tell him I sent you. He’s a Corpse Burier at the manor. From now on, you’ll work alongside him. You can also make use of the Resentful Qi and Evil Qi from the corpses.

Finally, your face might be on record with the Immortal Sect, so you need to disguise yourself, even if it means looking a bit scruffy. There’s no need for a proper disguise technique; unless it’s an incredibly powerful one, it would be useless against a Cultivator’s Divine Sense."

"Once you enter the Extraordinary realm, I will have other things for you to do," Cheng Zongyang added as a final instruction.

A chill went down Lin Feng’s spine. ’This is both a test and a warning from Cheng Zongyang,’ he thought, secretly resolving to cultivate diligently and perform his duties well.

’I’m no fool. Faced with a heaven-sent opportunity like this, a man with no background, wealth, or power... I know exactly what choice I have to make.’

Over the next two days, Cheng Zongyang waited while also guiding Lin Feng on the key points of reaching Entry Grade in Martial Arts.

He also silently cursed himself for selling the Mountain Ghost Core earlier. It would have been the perfect target for Lin Feng to absorb while cultivating the Black Death Secret Manual. He mentioned this to Lin Feng, telling him that when he was strong enough in the future, he could go hunt a Black Mountain Ghost.

Two days later, he recalled Lin Feng into the Wilderness World and re-entered Zi’an County.

He didn’t return to the Cheng Mansion. Instead, he checked into an inn by himself, quietly released Lin Feng, and then they went their separate ways.

Lin Feng, disguised as an ordinary farm boy, headed for the Corpse Collection Manor, carrying the Martial Arts Chapter of the Black Death Secret Manual and the Universal Storage Pouch Cheng Zongyang had given him.

Meanwhile, Cheng Zongyang went to the Cyan Dragon Commerce Association alone.

Walking down the bustling street, Cheng Zongyang appeared calm, but inwardly, he was on high alert. He wasn’t sure if anyone was still watching him from the shadows, but what needed to be done still had to be done.

He narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze sweeping quickly through the crowd, searching for any sign of suspicion.

Before long, Cheng Zongyang arrived at the Cyan Dragon Commerce Association. Its vermilion gates stood open, welcoming guests from all over. The guards by the entrance stood tall and straight, their sharp gazes exuding an air of authority. With a steady gait, Cheng Zongyang stepped into the Commerce Association, his mind on the upcoming transaction.

As soon as he entered the Commerce Association, Cheng Zongyang saw an eagerly waiting Baili Xi.

The moment Baili Xi saw him arrive, the worry that had been weighing on his heart finally lifted.

An unconcealable joy showed in his eyes; he had been afraid Cheng Zongyang wouldn’t show up, even though he had already paid a Foundation Establishment Pill as a deposit.

But in a transaction this fraught with uncertainty, Baili Xi could never be completely at ease. The truth was, he had already covered the cost of the Foundation Establishment Pill with Spirit Stones from his own accounts.

"Fellow Daoist Luo, I’ve been waiting for you." Baili Xi stepped forward enthusiastically, his face wreathed in smiles, and led Cheng Zongyang into his personal office.

Cheng Zongyang smiled without speaking. After sitting down, he simply watched Baili Xi quietly, waiting for the man to finish what he had to say.

His gaze was deep and calm, making his thoughts impossible to fathom.

The office was decorated in a simple yet stately manner. The bookshelves were filled with various ancient texts and ledgers, and several precious decorative Magical Artifacts were displayed on the desk.

But the man’s next sentence made Cheng Zongyang’s expression darken.

"Fellow Daoist Luo, the amount involved in this transaction is enormous, and with so many Foundation Establishment Pills at stake, I had no choice but to report it to my superiors. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to mobilize so many Spirit Stones and Spirit Crystals. As a result, the person from headquarters who brought the goods would also like to meet you."

Baili Xi’s tone was laced with apology and helplessness. He watched Cheng Zongyang’s reaction carefully, afraid the man would be displeased. Seeing Cheng Zongyang’s expression shift, he quickly added,

"I couldn’t prevent this. Of course, I did my utmost to explain the situation and abided by our agreement—I didn’t leak any information about you. The representative from headquarters said that if you don’t wish to meet, then you don’t have to, and the transaction will proceed as normal. If you do agree to meet, I will take you to them.

They also assured me that this matter will be kept completely confidential. The Cyan Dragon Commerce Association would never do something as shortsighted as backstabbing a client. Foundation Establishment Pills are important, but our Commerce Association values customers like you more, as we hope for a long-term relationship.

Furthermore, my superiors have indicated that if you meet with them, we can discuss further cooperation. We can negotiate on the quantity and variety of resources you need, better prices, and more. After all, we’re all in this to make money. It’s only natural to pursue a deeper partnership."

Cheng Zongyang frowned slightly. He had no desire for excessive contact with others from the Cyan Dragon Commerce Association. ’After all, in the complex Cultivation Immortality Realm, every extra person who knew my business is an added risk.’

But he also understood that with a transaction of this magnitude, it was indeed difficult for Baili Xi to act alone.

At the same time, the man’s words were not without reason.

’This whole situation with Lin Changfeng has drawn the attention of an Immortal Sect, which will make things extremely inconvenient for me going forward. If I could forge a deeper partnership with the Cyan Dragon Commerce Association and secure more goods at lower prices, it would be a good thing for Jade Peak Immortal City.’

’Compared to future convenience and enormous profits...’

After a moment of silence, Cheng Zongyang spoke slowly, "In that case, I’ll meet them. But I hope this matter is resolved quickly, without any complications."

His tone was flat, yet it carried an authority that permitted no argument!

Baili Xi nodded hurriedly. "Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Luo. I will facilitate this as quickly as possible."

He turned and left the office. About fifteen minutes later, he returned and led Cheng Zongyang to a spacious reception hall.

The reception hall was luxuriously decorated, with scrolls of calligraphy and paintings hanging on the walls. A middle-aged man in a cyan robe was seated in the host’s chair, sipping his tea quietly.

Cheng Zongyang looked at the man. He had a fine layer of stubble on his chin, and his hair was simply tied back in a half-ponytail. His face was stern, and his sharp eyes gave off a profound, inscrutable aura.

Baili Xi bowed respectfully to the man. "Greetings, Elder Lin. This is Fellow Daoist Luo, the one conducting the transaction with us. Fellow Daoist Luo, this is Elder Lin Youfeng from our Commerce Association’s Li City headquarters."

Lin Youfeng raised his head slightly, his gaze falling upon Cheng Zongyang. His eyes held a hint of scrutiny and inquiry, as if trying to see right through him. But a moment later, his heart skipped a beat.

’Martial Arts Cultivation and aura?’

But he had met countless people and knew of many ways to conceal one’s cultivation aura, so he didn’t pay it much mind.

His purpose in coming this time was simply to meet the man, get a better understanding of him, and see if he could learn anything more. He immediately rose and gestured for Cheng Zongyang to sit, saying,

"Fellow Daoist Luo, you are most welcome. This transaction is of a significant scale, which is why I specifically gave instructions to Steward Baili. However, he abided by your agreement and said nothing, so I had to come personally and have him convey my request. After all, the Commerce Association must be cautious. I hope you understand, Fellow Daoist Luo." His voice was deep and magnetic.

Cheng Zongyang cupped his hands slightly. "Elder Lin, you’re too kind. I also hope this transaction can be completed smoothly. And I am curious to hear what Steward Baili meant when he mentioned further cooperation with you."

As he spoke, he took a seat. His eyes were calm, without a trace of fear. ’The fact that Baili Xi could keep a secret is the only reason he’s still alive,’ he thought. ’If he had told anyone on either side without my permission, he wouldn’t have lived to see today.’

Baili Xi also sat down to one side, listening quietly.

After sitting down, Lin Youfeng spoke slowly, "Fellow Daoist Luo, you and I are both people of the Dao, meeting for the sake of cooperation, so let’s not beat around the bush. My questions may be a bit blunt, but if you don’t wish to answer, you don’t have to. Is that acceptable?"

Cheng Zongyang just nodded slightly.