Zhang Zehu Bows His Head

Five days passed in a row, and news of the Poison Wolf Squad's annihilation indeed spread.

But it had little to do with Ning Ze. He continued training according to his usual rhythm.

Ning Hua handled the whole matter. They had been well prepared at the time and had video evidence, so there was no major problem.

It was perfectly normal for warriors to kill each other. If they dared come looking for trouble, they had to be prepared to die. Getting killed for courting death was only what they deserved. No one blamed them, at most saying they had been too ruthless in wiping out two squads outright.

Of course, things were different on the Limitless Martial Arts School's side. After this incident, Ning Hua's reputation underwent an enormous change. The title "Gilded Blade," forgotten for seven or eight years, became widely known once more.

Still, everyone called him the "Golden Fire Bear." The Thunderclap Martial Arts School had some grievances against them, so naturally they had nothing good to say. The people at the Limitless Martial Arts School were simply used to the name, and since there had never been much malice behind it, this incident did not change anything.

And because of this matter, a special guest came to their home.

"Chief Instructor, did you need something from me?"

Ning Ze walked out of the Training Room, looking somewhat surprised. They had lived in this residential area since childhood, so he was very familiar with the Chief Instructor of the Yangzhou District Limitless Martial Arts Hall.

Chief Instructor Wu Tong beamed. "Come on. Uncle Wu needs your help with something this time."

Ning Ze's expression turned strange. "Me? Don't joke around. How could I possibly help you?"

Within the Limitless Martial Arts School, there were instructors, Branch Masters, District Chief Directors, and supervisors.

A District Chief Director was the Hall Master of a Limitless Martial Arts Hall. In Yangzhou District, that made him the public head of the Limitless Martial Arts School. How could Ning Ze possibly help such an important figure?

As he spoke, he turned to look at his father, only to find him smiling without saying a word.

"If I came to ask you, then naturally you can help." Wu Tong smiled faintly. "You must have heard about the genius who recently moved into our residential area. After becoming a Quasi-Warrior, someone made a move against him at the police station. But the other side has a warrior background, so everyone is preparing to negotiate. It is better to resolve enmity than deepen it. If we can settle privately, that would be best."

"By coincidence, something happened to your Warfire Squad recently. Your strength may not be that great, but the other side definitely won't dare underestimate you. Since this is a negotiation, we cannot be too forceful. Your presence will be no less useful than that of those Advanced Warlords."

Ning Ze wore an odd expression. He had never expected to have a day when he would be there to lend weight to a situation.

Warriors cared about face. Their conduct and personalities were often unruly and arrogant, so conflicts naturally arose often. Negotiations existed to ease tensions between both sides.

And the people brought in to lend weight were all renowned powerhouses, meant to keep the situation under control. Without strength or reputation, who would listen when you spoke? Neither side in a dispute would believe you.

"Head Hall Master, do you really think I would be useful there?" Ning Ze asked helplessly.

Those with strength naturally did not fear offending others. Once he went there... there was no need to say it. The other side would definitely have a powerful figure, at the very least a top Advanced Warlord. Just days ago, he had needed Shao Yang and the others to help him. Now he would be directly facing them... if he could not even stand firm himself, how could he lend weight to the occasion? It was dangerous!

Wu Tong smiled. "Kid, are you scared?"

Ning Ze's face twisted. Was this even a matter of being scared or not?

Offending people for no reason was no joke.

He turned to look at his father, only to find him pretending nothing was happening.

After thinking for a moment, he more or less understood what the two meant. When had there ever been so much harmony among warriors?

Warriors' titles were all fearsome names!

A codename either came from a weapon, a battle achievement, a Secret Manual they cultivated, or their personality.

If you were strong, others feared you. If you were fierce, others dreaded you.

Something like this had happened to the squad he belonged to, and Fei Ying had also spread word of his combat power.

In the wilderness, one could not always act as one pleased. Being obedient did not mean there was no danger. A man might not intend to harm a tiger, but the tiger might intend to harm him. When a fearsome reputation and talent were combined, others had to think carefully before making a move.

He truly possessed a certain degree of intimidation. He even ought to make more of a splash.

"Uncle Wu, you jest. If a warrior is afraid of this and afraid of that, then what's the point of being a warrior? He might as well stay obediently in the Base City." Ning Ze snorted, then assumed a proud expression. "I'll take this matter! Even if my Warfire Squad cannot be considered top-tier, we are not people who fear trouble!"

"Besides, with you there to support us, I have even less to fear. If the other side is a Warlord, fine. As a senior, we can give him some face. Luo Feng is a newcomer, after all. As long as we can save face, we can make some concessions. But if it is a Warrior, then he should behave himself. If he makes a mistake, he must accept punishment; if he gets beaten, he must stand at attention. Only with a good attitude can we show some leniency. In any case, we cannot tarnish the prestige of our Limitless Martial Arts School!"

"Hahaha!" Wu Tong burst into laughter. "Good kid, that's the spirit! But the other side is not a Warlord. He is an Advanced Warrior, so don't let him get too arrogant."

"Fine. When does the negotiation begin?" Ning Ze asked directly.

"They'll be here in a little over ten minutes." Wu Tong smiled. "I only just thought of bringing you along, so I came to find you at the last minute."

"Then let's leave now," Ning Ze said.

"Good!"

The two arrived at the reception room on the second floor of the Limitless Martial Arts Hall in Bright Moon Residential Area.

Since he knew them all, Ning Ze greeted them one by one. "Brother Chen, Uncle Kong..."

His gaze lingered briefly on those two, because they were Warlord-level powerhouses. Finally, he looked at a young man who appeared rather ordinary.

He was around 1.75 meters tall and stood there with a quiet, steady air. He was not particularly handsome, yet he possessed a distinctive toughness, especially in those exceptionally bright eyes.

At the same time, Luo Feng was sizing Ning Ze up. The white training uniform gave him a somewhat elegant appearance. With sword-like brows, starry eyes, and an exceptionally handsome face, he wore a faint smile at the corner of his lips that instinctively made people feel he was friendly. Only, his face looked rather young.

Luo Feng found it somewhat strange. For a negotiation like this, anyone who came should have at least some reputation. Otherwise, no one would recognize them, and there would be no point in coming. Yet such a handsome young man had appeared here?

Seeing the two carefully observing each other, Wu Tong smiled. "What, have the two great geniuses of Bright Moon Residential Area never met? I imagine you have both heard of each other."

"I've heard about you many times." Ning Ze smiled faintly. "Hello, Luo Feng."

"Brother Ning."

Realization appeared in Luo Feng's eyes. So this was Ning Ze. He nodded slightly in response.

He had already integrated into Bright Moon Residential Area, so of course he knew about what had happened among the warriors. The Warfire Squad had killed two squads of warriors who had caused trouble in the Wilderness Area, and the matter had caused a huge stir on Limitless Home's forum.

At the same time, he attached great importance to Ning Ze himself.

It was not merely that he had heard of him many times. He had even made Ning Ze his goal.

He had thought that after awakening his Mental Power, his cultivation speed had greatly increased and he could catch up to this genius. Yet he had not expected the other party to progress so quickly. When he heard news of him again half a month later, Ning Ze had already reached the level of an Advanced Warrior.

That made Luo Feng's heart tighten. Yes, he possessed the talent of a Mental Master, but talent had its limits. Even with the talent of a Mental Master, his cultivation speed was still slightly slower than the other party's.

Even if Mental Masters were invincible at the same level, that was only at the same level. If Ning Ze surpassed him by too much, then even a Mental Master would be inferior to Ning Ze. How could he speak of catching up to him as a warrior?

"Hahaha, you are both young, and you live in the same place. You should interact more often." Wu Tong chuckled.

"Sure. If you have an opponent in cultivation, your training speed can improve as well." Ning Ze agreed with a smile. He greatly desired an opponent, because that could increase his cultivation speed!

"I'm still no match for Brother Ning. Once I master my Secret Manual, I'll come seek your guidance." Luo Feng's attitude was modest. Even if his Mental Master abilities were stronger than Ning Ze's, he could calmly acknowledge the inadequacy of his own warrior strength.

With Wu Tong present, everyone chatted pleasantly.

Before long, another eight warriors entered the reception room.

One of them was tall and heavily built, giving off the feeling of a peerless ferocious beast. He was Zhang Zehu.

His tiger-like eyes swept around the room. When he saw Luo Feng, a vicious light burst from his eyes. Then, when he saw Ning Ze, he frowned slightly. There was another young man? Zhang Zehu was greatly puzzled. Who was this kid?

The leader from the Thunderclap Martial Arts School was a burly man. He walked with his head held high and an exceedingly arrogant demeanor. When he saw Ning Ze, he froze slightly, then frowned deeply. "It's you, kid?" He turned to Wu Tong and said dissatisfiedly, "What does your Limitless Martial Arts School mean by bringing this kid here?"

Ning Ze wore a faint smile and nodded in reply.

This burly man was the one who had thrown him a weapon during his duel with Zhai Yanko. Someone who could hold the scene together at the main hall and face off against Yangzhou District's Chief Instructor Wu Tong would not be lacking in presence.

"Mad Saber, don't misunderstand. Little Ze lives here too. Since a young man wanted to come take a look, naturally he came." The smile on Wu Tong's face deepened.

The burly warrior snorted, clearly dissatisfied with the answer. It had only been a few days since the Poison Wolf Squad was wiped out, while Fei Ying alone had escaped from the Blood Shadow Squad. Bringing Ning Ze along carried more than a hint of intimidation.

"Let's get straight to the point. Regarding Luo Feng, Tiger's nephew did indeed do wrong. But he is only a child. How old is he? What could he possibly understand? Besides, he is just an ordinary person, not a warrior. There is no need to keep pressing the matter."

"Mad Saber, that's not for you to decide." Wu Tong shook his head with a smile. "The situation is perfectly clear. You came here because you want a private settlement, right? Mountain-Splitting Tiger, you speak."

Zhang Zehu was known in warrior circles as the "Mountain-Splitting Tiger."

"Hall Master Wu." Zhang Zehu smiled faintly, his gaze falling on Luo Feng. "It would be better for Little Luo to say it himself. Little Luo, what resolution would satisfy you?"

"Heh."

The laugh came abruptly. Zhang Zehu frowned and turned his head. When he discovered that the young man was the one laughing, vicious light flickered in his eyes as he shouted in a low voice, "Kid, what are you laughing at?"

Wu Tong, Kong Quan, and the others all smiled knowingly. This Mountain-Splitting Tiger was truly arrogant, daring to offend even Ning Ze.

Mad Saber's expression changed, and he said in a deep voice, "This kid is Ning Ze. You just returned from the Wilderness Area, so you may not know. He now possesses strength close to that of a Warlord."

Zheng Xuan, who had escaped, said that this kid could withstand his attacks and possessed Warlord-level strength. Though everyone found that somewhat exaggerated and did not fully believe it, they still acknowledged Ning Ze's strength.

Offending Luo Feng was no big deal, but offending Ning Ze would be terrifying. Mad Saber had not said much earlier precisely because he had only come to help, not to make enemies.

The vicious light in Zhang Zehu's eyes immediately receded, and astonishment filled his face. He turned to the others, wanting to make sure he had not misheard, only to discover that everyone who had come with him looked deeply wary. He faintly sensed that something was wrong.

This pretty boy was actually someone important!

Ning Ze said disdainfully, "If you do wrong, you must accept punishment. Your nephew is not qualified to apologize, which is why you needed to come. You came here today to offer compensation and apologize, so why are you asking Luo Feng what he wants? What a joke! If you want to apologize, then straighten out your attitude! Or do you think newcomers like us are easy to bully?"

Zhang Zehu was so angry that his face trembled. He was supposed to lower his head to a newcomer?

"Mr. Zhang Zehu." Luo Feng spoke up at this moment, smiling faintly. "I'm somewhat embarrassed to have made so many senior brothers come forward over this matter. But according to my own thoughts... hmph, Zhang Haobai wanting to break my limbs was a small matter. But he actually dared hit my father. That was courting death!"

Mad Saber frowned slightly but said nothing. Family was a warrior's bottom line. Anyone would be unable to bear such a thing happening.

Zhang Zehu's face turned extremely ugly. He remembered who Ning Ze was now. This kid had gone to the Thunderclap Martial Arts School for a duel before, and rumors at the time said he was extremely strong. In just half a month, he had gained strength close to that of a Warlord. That already meant he was no weaker than Zhang Zehu.

Zhang Zehu still possessed some rationality. Naturally, he did not dare offend such a genius.

But even Luo Feng dared glare at him, and rage surged within him. "Hmph, Luo Feng, what do you intend to do? Speak!"

"One sentence. Fifty million Huaxia Coin. I, Luo Feng, will give you face, and this matter will be settled." Luo Feng smiled.

"You really have a lion's appetite. Fifty million!!!" Zhang Zehu glared.

During a negotiation, the amount of compensation represented one's face.

Mad Saber swept his gaze over the faces of the Limitless Martial Arts School's group. Head Hall Master Wu Tong was one thing; though he held a position, he would not leave the Base City. But Fire Cannon Chen Gu and Eagle Saber Kong Quan behind him would enter the Base City's wilderness. Kong Quan in particular was a veteran Warlord, and his strength was no weaker than Mad Saber's.

Then there was Ning Ze, a peerless genius whose fame had risen rapidly. Geniuses tended to appreciate one another, and the two even lived in Bright Moon Residential Area. They might become friends in the future. This time, they would not merely offend Luo Feng; they would very likely offend Ning Ze as well.

He could not help saying in a deep voice, "Tiger, just pay the money and let it go. It's better than donating one hundred million to the state and making enemies besides. It isn't worth it."

Warriors were a privileged class. If an ordinary person offended a warrior, government authorities would directly step in and convict them. Unless they became a Star-level citizen—that was, their contribution level reached One Star—ordinary people could not hunt monsters and could only donate!

Zhang Zehu's face shifted between green and red. For Mad Saber to say such words, he was clearly deeply wary. But asking him to lower his head to a newcomer was simply too humiliating.

He also worked out the connections involved. Turning to Ning Ze, he saw a pair of indifferent eyes. That disregard made him smell death, and a chill rose in his heart.

"Fine!" After struggling for a while, Zhang Zehu spoke with extreme difficulty. "Little Bai was in the wrong this time. For everyone's sake, I'll pay the fifty million!" After saying that, his face burned with unbearable shame. He turned and strode straight out.

"I'll transfer the money later." Mad Saber tossed out a sentence before turning and leaving as well.

The other six warriors from the Thunderclap Martial Arts School nodded to Kong Quan and the others. Their gazes lingered briefly on Ning Ze before they followed after him.

Joy appeared on Luo Feng's face. An extra fifty million Huaxia Coin meant he could buy better equipment!

Everyone had seen Zhang Zehu's expression earlier. Wu Tong teased, "Kid, it seems your deterrence is even stronger than Old Kong's. Zhang Zehu is famous for his foul temper, yet he actually lowered his head because of you."

"Uncle Wu, please don't say that. My strength is far inferior to Uncle Kong's." Ning Ze smiled modestly and nodded toward Kong Quan beside him.

Luo Feng felt somewhat envious. This was the deterrence brought by talent and reputation. With a serious expression, he said, "Thank you, everyone, for this time." As he spoke, he looked at Ning Ze.

Ning Ze smiled and nodded.