Chapter 691: The Great Buddha of the Heavenly First Floor

"Aren't you afraid that Sheng Shen Dian Tang will hold you accountable, Xu Shao?"

Yuan Haisheng didn't answer directly and continued with a relaxed smile, "Xu Shao, you should know that the information you want to spread is something Sheng Shen Dian Tang absolutely doesn't want to make public. They are afraid it will cause even greater chaos."

"Has Sheng Shen Dian Tang given you money to suppress the news?"

"No."

"Then why won't you take my money?"

"It's not about whether we'll take it or not; it's that the matter is too serious to be resolved with money alone."

Xu Xiaoshou snorted upon hearing this, "Heh, then I wonder, is your 'Ye Mao' organization named after 'Ye' or 'Sheng'? A major intelligence group like yours, and you're actually afraid of Sheng Shen Dian Tang?"

Yuan Haisheng narrowed his eyes with a smile but didn't reply.

Deep down, however, he was feeling some inner turmoil.

He had originally thought that this young master from a semi-saint family, no matter how reckless, was at most just a pawn from a major clan.

Perhaps, he was even a chess piece sent by the northern domain's semi-saint families to expand their influence.

But from their conversation...

It seemed the other party genuinely didn't take Sheng Shen Dian Tang seriously at all?

As Xu Shao had said, as an intelligence organization, Ye Mao wasn't worried about retaliation from Sheng Shen Dian Tang after widely spreading the news.

Because Ye Mao had too many ways to ensure that Sheng Shen Dian Tang couldn't trace any source of the rumors.

What surprised Yuan Haisheng more after this probing was Xu Shao himself.

He was fearless, acting as if he was openly here in Dong Tian Wang Cheng to stir up trouble.

But...

"Is it really that simple?" Yuan Haisheng suspected, trying to fathom Xu Shao's deeper intentions.

"Can we make a deal or not?"

Xu Xiaoshou didn't give him more time, yawning as he said, "I mean, you people at Ye Mao, can't you act a bit more normally? It's this late, and I should be sleeping, but here I am wasting time on you."

"So..."

"If we can talk, let's talk; if not, get lost!"

"You're hesitating like a weakling!"

Liu Lu, standing nearby, was listening with his heart pounding in fear.

This Xu Shao really dared to say anything. Although Yuan, as the fourth leader, was only at Wangzuo level, his position came from even more terrifying means than his cultivation.

Under him, there were not just Wangzuo experts; he even had several Zhandao masters.

How could someone like him tolerate this kind of insult in daily life?

This was basically asking for a beating the moment he stepped out, right?

But what Xu Shao said tonight didn't anger Yuan Haisheng at all. Instead, Liu Lu caught a hint of admiration in his eyes for Xu Shao.

"Terrifying..."

Liu Lu felt he shouldn't be here.

He didn't know why, in such an important discussion, Yuan Haisheng and Xu Shao didn't block him out. He didn't even qualify to enter the meeting room in the first place.

"How much consequence can you bear, Xu Shao?" Yuan Haisheng asked after a moment of silence.

"For example?"

Yuan Haisheng laughed; this kid was learning fast.

"For example, if Sheng Shen Dian Tang strikes back and traces it to the root, uprooting both Ye Mao and your forces."

Xu Xiaoshou rolled his eyes and shook his head.

"It's not that exaggerated."

"At this critical time of the Wangcheng Trial, Sheng Shen Dian Tang's attention will be divided, whether they want it or not."

"I also believe that Ye Mao has been surviving in Wangcheng for so long, so you must have your own ways to protect yourselves."

"As for me..."

Xu Xiaoshou shrugged, "I don't need any special care from you. I have my own methods, so just take the money and do the job."

Yuan Haisheng was about to speak, but Xu Xiaoshou cut him off.

"Think it over; no need to answer right away."

"But before you speak, you should know that the matter of Xu Kong Island isn't a secret to begin with. The common people might not know, but I don't believe you don't, and neither do the highest powers in Wangcheng."

"All Ye Mao has to do is give it a little push to make more people 'alert'—it's not that big of an issue."

Alert... Yuan Haisheng was amused by Xu Shao's wording.

He realized this Xu Shao wasn't just talking; he really intended to cause trouble in Dong Tian Wang Cheng. So he said, "No need to think more. Xu Shao, how much can you offer?"

Was that a yes?

Xu Xiaoshou felt a surge of joy in his heart.

He knew how dangerous spreading such "rumors" could be, so he hadn't been too hopeful that Ye Mao would take the task.

After all, Sheng Shen Dian Tang's influence was deeply entrenched, and not every local power had the courage to face it head-on.

But Yuan Haisheng's boldness far exceeded his expectations.

"You name a number."

Xu Xiaoshou pondered for a moment before saying.

He had no idea about the market rates for intelligence, but to stir things up in Dong Tian Wang Cheng and complete the task from Ba Zun An, he figured he'd have to bleed a lot this time.

"This amount." Yuan Haisheng held up three fingers.

Xu Xiaoshou stared at those three fingers and hesitated, "Three thousand Lingjing?"

A scoff escaped Liu Lu as he slipped and stumbled.

Even Yuan Haisheng's eyebrows twitched at that moment.

"Too much?"

Xu Xiaoshou asked, seeing Yuan Haisheng on the verge of exploding, and quickly added, "Or too little?"

"What do you think!" Yuan Haisheng was quite annoyed.

Even if it was bargaining, who bargained like that?

This was outright insulting!

Taking such a huge risk to stir things up right under Sheng Shen Dian Tang's nose, and offering three thousand Lingjing? Were you trying to dismiss a beggar?

"Just say it straight; stop beating around the bush like a weakling." Xu Xiaoshou leaned back in his chair, not interested in dragging this out.

Liu Lu was once again startled by Xu Shao's bold words; he didn't dare listen anymore, afraid the two might start fighting any second.

Yuan Haisheng, however, remained unfazed and said calmly, "Thirty billion."

"What?" Xu Xiaoshou slammed the table and stood up, eyes wide with anger, "Are you kidding me? Thirty billion? Why don't you just rob someone?"

"That's the price; no need for more words." Yuan Haisheng smiled as he watched Xu Shao put on his act.

"I don't have that much money!"

"If you didn't, you wouldn't have come to us at Ye Mao."

"I can't afford thirty billion!"

"No, you can. Just based on that 'Chi Jin Ye' you have, your net worth, Xu Shao, is far more than that."

Chi Jin Ye... Xu Xiaoshou's feigned anger paused for a moment.

This Ye Mao had some real intel!

He was certain that he hadn't obtained the Chi Jin Ye yet, and Duo Jin Merchant House wouldn't announce it widely; they'd keep that day's transaction absolutely confidential.

But Ye Mao still got the information...

"The Chi Jin Ye is my own business; it's not something you at Ye Mao can use to jack up the price." Xu Xiaoshou admitted it openly.

Yuan Haisheng was once again surprised by how calmly Xu Shao thought, not letting himself be led astray, but he stuck to his guns: "That's the market price. If you can't come up with thirty billion, we at Ye Mao won't take this risky job."

Xu Xiaoshou's eyes narrowed slightly.

Honestly, thirty billion wasn't beyond his means.

But he couldn't let the negotiation keep going Yuan Haisheng's way.

Otherwise, he'd just be seen as an easy target, and if anything small changed later, this guy might unilaterally cancel the deal and pin everything on him.

So, he stopped arguing with Yuan Haisheng, stepped back, and sized up this unflappable fourth leader of Ye Mao, who held a jade flute.

"Here's an off-topic question; I don't know if I should ask it."

"Go ahead, Xu Shao." Yuan Haisheng met his gaze.

Xu Xiaoshou chuckled, "I'm suddenly curious—if spreading this kind of intelligence is worth thirty billion... then, what's the price on your head as the so-called fourth leader of Ye Mao?"

Thud—Liu Lu's heart skipped a beat; in that moment, his pulse stopped.

Here it comes?

Really here it comes?

I knew these two couldn't avoid a fight... Liu Lu's teeth were chattering; he was scared.

Yuan Haisheng remained composed and laughed, "Xu Shao, are you threatening me?"

"Threatening? Not at all," Xu Xiaoshou gripped the back of his chair, his smile widening, his tone quite friendly, "Just curious, purely curious."

"Then feel free to take it and see what it's worth, Xu Shao." Yuan Haisheng sat steadily on his simple wooden chair, exuding an aura of authority.

Xu Xiaoshou drew the Cang Ku sword from his chest and slashed it toward Yuan Haisheng's neck.

This sudden sword strike caught everyone off guard.

Even Yuan Haisheng was shocked that Xu Shao actually dared to draw his sword on him.

He was a Wangzuo.

And the opponent was, at best, just a Jianzong—how dared he?

The sword flew past the edge of the domain Yuan Haisheng instantly expanded, slicing toward the roof of the meeting hall.

A dark figure appeared there, and an old man with a sword on his back emerged, pinching the sword energy between two fingers.

With a squeeze, the sword energy shattered.

Xu Xiaoshou sheathed his sword and looked at the newly appeared old man, "And who might this elder be?"

A cold light flashed in Yuan Haisheng's eyes.

He hadn't expected Xu Shao to spot the hidden Zhandao expert's location.

This was getting mysterious.

If Xu Shao had a Zhandao bodyguard behind him, that would make sense.

But if he discovered it himself...

Yuan Haisheng scanned all directions with his spiritual sense but couldn't find any trace of a hidden Zhandao expert behind Xu Shao; he didn't even detect a hint of heavenly dao fluctuations.

"Jian Lao."

The person was forced out, but Yuan Haisheng didn't feel embarrassed; he just introduced, "One of my guards, responsible for my personal safety."

Xu Xiaoshou grinned and exposed the lie, "Just a guard? No 'one of' about it."

Yuan Haisheng was a bit stunned.

He realized that Tian Shang Di Yi Lou might truly be full of hidden masters; even the fact that he only brought one Zhandao expert was seen through so confidently.

And Jian Lao, after being attacked, didn't counterattack immediately, which was odd.

Jian Lao wasn't known for his patience, especially when a junior dared to strike at him.

For him to hold back like this, there was only one possibility.

The opponent was stronger!

That meant, behind Xu Shao, there had to be more than one Zhandao expert, or even a Taixu!

"This..."

Connecting the dots, Yuan Haisheng suddenly regretted his words.

Just a moment ago, he had said, "Feel free to take it and see what it's worth," and the next second, the other side really made a move.

The key was, if it came to a fight, he might not even win.

"Does a semi-saint family have such terrifying foundations?" This was Yuan Haisheng's first real encounter with a semi-saint family, and he admitted he had been careless.

"Let's talk."

Xu Xiaoshou sat back down, having forced the person out to prove his point.

Besides, this person was called "Jian Lao"; he believed that someone like Yuan Haisheng couldn't sense, but a sword user absolutely could.

"Receiving fear, passive value: 2."

In the information panel, a popup showed "2," one probably from Liu Lu.

The other, from the fearless Yuan Haisheng? Impossible—it had to be from Jian Lao, who sensed someone's presence.

"Thirty billion—I agree."

Xu Xiaoshou waved his hand with great resolve.

"The money is a minor issue, but what I want, you should all know."

"Once the deal is done, I don't want to see any underhanded moves, and I certainly don't want to get stabbed in the back. If that happens..."

Xu Xiaoshou didn't address Yuan Haisheng but looked at Jian Lao and smirked, "This little guy might not know the consequences, so you, as the elder, should give him a few pointers."

Yuan Haisheng was stunned.

Little guy...

He glanced at Liu Lu.

Liu Lu was already scared out of his wits, basically a non-entity in this negotiation.

So, that meant Xu Shao's "little guy" was referring to himself?

In that instant, a nameless anger rose in his heart; Yuan Haisheng was truly provoked.

He had never met such a shameless person!

Clearly young enough to be his junior, yet calling him "little guy" at every turn.

Who was he insulting?

But before he could vent his anger, Jian Lao pressed down on Yuan Haisheng's shoulder and said, "Rest assured, Xu Shao; Ye Mao's reputation is absolutely guaranteed."

The hoarse voice suggested it hadn't spoken in a long time.

Outsiders might think that was just Jian Lao's natural tone.

But Yuan Haisheng was shocked; in all the time he'd had Jian Lao as a guard, he'd only heard him speak twice, and each time it was when dealing with someone they couldn't afford to offend.

That meant, behind Xu Shao, it was likely not just a Zhandao expert, but probably a Taixu!

Yuan Haisheng's heart trembled.

He was reevaluating the semi-saint families.

Was a junior like this going out with a Taixu escort?

What kind of setup was that?

Was there any fairness left in the world?

Pushing a Xiantian-level frontman into talks while hiding a Taixu in the shadows—this was basically setting people up for disaster!

Yuan Haisheng's mind was in chaos.

He didn't dare stay in Tian Shang Di Yi Lou any longer.

After a few promises, he took the deposit, swore the deal was feasible, and quickly left with Jian Lao.

"Taixu?"

Once safely out of Tian Shang Di Yi Lou, Yuan Haisheng steadied his heartbeat under the moonlight, still shaken as he asked.

He could clearly hear Jian Lao's heartbeat, which was even faster than his own.

"Probably not just any ordinary Taixu..."

Jian Lao rarely spoke again, and once he started, he couldn't stop, unlike his usual reticence.

"There's a great Buddha sitting in Tian Shang Di Yi Lou!"

"I tried to probe with my spiritual sense earlier, but they didn't pursue the rudeness and let me go. However..."

"What is it?" Yuan Haisheng was alarmed; for Jian Lao to call someone a "great Buddha" and mention "pursuing" them, that person's strength was beyond description!

"He was staring at me the whole time!"

Jian Lao looked a bit terrified as he said hoarsely, "I could feel it was like a natural enemy—an existence far superior. He doesn't fear my cultivation at all; probably... just one sword could completely erase me."

Yuan Haisheng's pupils dilated. "One sword?"

Jian Lao took a deep breath.

"One sword!"