Moonlit Pavilion.
In the private room on the second floor, Liu Zhixiang watched as Cheng Ran stormed out in anger, his face filled with fury. Liu Zhixiang also stood up.
"Young Master Cheng, since you've made up your mind, I won't say more. But I must warn you, the young man by your side is Jiang Li's younger brother. Jiang Li, a mere disabled constable, has caught the attention of Cao Bin."
"Do you think he has any future or prospects?"
"His fate is already sealed. If you continue to associate with him, your Cheng family will inevitably be implicated."
"Although your aunt married into the Xie family, she is only the fourth wife of a branch family. She doesn't have the power to protect you."
Hearing these words, Cheng Ran's footsteps paused slightly as he crossed the threshold, but he continued to walk out of the private room.
A moment later, the middle-aged man who had led the way earlier returned, followed by several servants carrying dishes. As soon as he entered the room, he was stunned.
"Master, where is Young Master Cheng?"
"He left."
"Why did he leave so soon? Did you not present the second proposal?"
Liu Zhixiang shook his head. "There was no need."
"Master, what happened?"
Liu Zhixiang sneered. "That Young Master Cheng has lost his mind. He asked me for an investment an investment in someone Cao Bin is targeting."
"Am I crazy? This is provoking the third young master of the Cao family, Cao Bin. What makes that kid worthy of me offending Cao Bin?"
"Because Cheng Ran said his martial talent is higher than his? Or because of the so-called favor, the kid mentioned?"
"What a joke!"
"Even if his martial talent is higher than Cheng Ran's, how many days does he have left to live now that he's caught the attention of the Cao family's third young master?"
"Could he possibly reach the martial arts rank in just a few months and seize the opportunity to join the Inspection Bureau in a little over two months?"
The middle-aged man asked, "Master, so this matter is over?"
"It's over," Liu Zhixiang said. "Since this Young Master Cheng refuses to accept our terms, we'll focus more on Xiao Peng. Invest more in Xiao Peng. His talent and comprehension surpass that of Young Master Cheng. With enough resources, the gap in vital energy and martial progress can be closed."
"Once Xiao Peng's martial progress catches up to Young Master Cheng, how can Cheng Ran compete with him?"
"It's good that he refused. By rejecting our Sihe Chamber of Commerce, I'll increase my investment in Xiao Peng. In the future, Cheng Ran will surely regret today's decision."
Outside the Moonlit Pavilion.
"Junior Brother Jiang, I'm sorry," Cheng Ran said with an apologetic expression.
"Senior Brother Cheng, what are you saying? You've already done your best to help me today. How could I not know that?" Jiang Ning replied.
Cheng Ran said, "I was too naive. How could the Sihe Chamber of Commerce risk offending the Cao family to invest in you? It was my oversight, and I've embarrassed you."
Jiang Ning smiled. "What's there to be embarrassed about? Being rejected is normal, isn't it?"
Then Jiang Ning continued, "Speaking of this, Senior Brother Cheng, you really should consider it. Getting too close to me will indeed provoke the displeasure of Cao Bin, the third young master of the Cao family. It's best if you don't get too close to me."
"Junior Brother Jiang, what are you saying?" Cheng Ran's face showed anger. "When I, Cheng Ran, make friends, I don't weigh the pros and cons. If I like someone and they suit my temperament, I'm willing to be close friends!"
"As for Cao Bin, why should Junior Brother Jiang care about him?"
"With Junior Brother Jiang's talent, it won't be long before you master the Five Animals Fist. Once you do, you'll pass Master Wang's test and become his true disciple."
"With Master Wang's status, as long as you become his true disciple, Cao Bin won't dare to touch you unless he's gone mad."
"This is a sure thing, given Junior Brother Jiang's martial talent!"
Seeing Cheng Ran's resolute expression, Jiang Ning felt moved.
He cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, Senior Brother Cheng, for today."
At the same time, a figure slowly appeared in the distance a man in a black official robe with a long sword hanging at his waist.
This person was Xu Yunfeng.
Beside him was a man with a small green snake tattoo on his arm.
"Boss Xu, according to our brothers' reports, Jiang Ning just entered the Moonlit Pavilion."
"No need to say more. I've already seen him," Xu Yunfeng said with a smile, his gaze fixed on the entrance of the Moonlit Pavilion.
Seeing the smile on Xu Yunfeng's face, the Green Snake Gang member couldn't help but tremble.
Having worked in the Green Snake Gang, he had seen Boss Xu's hidden daggers behind his smiles.
On the other side, Jiang Ning suddenly felt a chill, as if he were being watched by a venomous snake.
Following the feeling, he saw Xu Yunfeng at the end of the street corner.
It's him!
Xu Yunfeng!!
Jiang Ning's expression tightened.
He wasn't surprised to see Xu Yunfeng again; he had been prepared for this.
With Green Snake Gang members staking out the martial arts school, how could Xu Yunfeng not know once he stepped out of the school?
Jiang Ning's right hand touched the bulging bag at his waist, which contained lime a practical tool for combat often seen in martial arts dramas from his previous life.
He had prepared this in advance.
Feeling that the bag of lime was still there and gripping the Ebony Longsword in his hand, his confidence surged.
"Junior Brother Jiang, what's wrong?" Cheng Ran noticed the sudden change in Jiang Ning's expression and asked.
As he spoke, his gaze followed Jiang Ning's and landed on Xu Yunfeng in the distance.
In an instant, he also saw Xu Yunfeng in his constable uniform at the street corner.
Before Jiang Ning could speak, Cheng Ran said, "So it's Cao Bin's lackey who's here!"
Then he patted Jiang Ning's shoulder. "Junior Brother, don't worry. I've prepared for this. I'll escort you back to the martial arts school. I don't believe he dares to follow you into the school!"
At this moment, Jiang Ning considered refusing Cheng Ran's offer, as he wanted to test his current strength and see if he could kill Xu Yunfeng with a single strike.
But the thought quickly passed, and he decided against it.
There was no need!
It wasn't worth it!
Although he was confident that with the Canglang Sword Technique, a mid-tier martial art, he could defeat a stronger opponent and kill Xu Yunfeng with a single burst of the Ninefold Force, there was no need to take such a risk when he had other options.
With his growth rate, in another ten days to half a month, he would have a 100% chance of killing Xu Yunfeng.
Why take the risk today?
With this in mind, Jiang Ning said, "Then thank you, Senior Brother Cheng."
Cheng Ran smiled. "Let's go! Get on the carriage!"
Clop Clop Clop
Under the moonlight, in the night, a carriage sped through the wide streets of Luoshui County's inner city, heading quickly toward the Canglang Martial Arts School.
Suddenly
"Halt!!!"
A man in a black official robe, holding a standard-issue long sword, stood in front of the carriage.
He flipped the sword slightly, and the cold glint of the blade reflected the moonlight into the horse's eyes. Sensing the killing intent ahead, the horse reared up on its hind legs.
The carriage driver quickly pulled on the reins.
Whoa
Amid the horse's panic, the carriage came to an abrupt stop.
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