Toying with Wang Xing'an

Inside a room on the top floor of HR Alliance Mall.

Across from the sofa were two video windows, one on the left and one on the right.

On the left was a gaunt, somewhat gloomy-looking middle-aged man with a thick little mustache above his lip. On the right was a full-faced, gentle-looking middle-aged woman.

"Xing'an, didn't the Warfire Squad make a move?" the gaunt middle-aged man asked with a frown.

Wang Xing'an's expression was unpleasant as he replied in a low voice, "No. He was quite emotional at first, but now he's just sitting there without moving."

The gaunt middle-aged man frowned tightly, cold light flickering in his eyes. He reached up and stroked the little mustache beneath his nose before snapping, "You idiot! You caused such a huge mess, yet they're not panicking at all. Do you know what that means?"

"According to the news from City No. 003, that kid is called the 'Gale Sword.' Every martial artist makes way for him on sight. What kind of presence is that? His overall strength is at least War God Level. He has the ability, yet he refuses to act. That's called having something to rely on. He must have discovered our arrangements and is confident his backup plan can keep him safe."

"Couldn't you use your brain when handling things? Is someone like that so easily offended? If your mother and I hadn't kept track of your movements, by the time we found out, your head would already have been chopped off!"

Wang Xing'an's body suddenly trembled. He had originally been waiting calmly for the Warfire Squad to return, only to receive a scolding call from his parents after several days.

The two had been closely watching their son's movements. When their information analysis revealed that he might have offended someone, they immediately questioned Wang Xing'an and quickly confirmed that the person he had sent people to kill was the "Gale Sword" from City No. 003.

Only after a harsh reprimand did Wang Xing'an realize what kind of genius he had provoked.

However, the news had come from the Wang Family's systematic network of connections. It was an information network the Wang Family had built themselves, covering geniuses, powerhouses, wealthy merchants... It had originally been used to recruit talented individuals and conduct business, but it could also be used to deal with enemies and identify potential threats.

At first, Ning Ze's title of "Gale Sword" had not been particularly famous, since it was merely a rumor. But when he sold monster materials at the Limitless Martial Arts School and directly verified his own strength, the information network detected Wang Xing'an's unusual movements, and the Wang Family network immediately sent out an alert.

They could not possibly make a move at Limitless Headquarters. Fortunately, Ning Ze and his group later went to the Underground Alliance, and they used that opportunity to find a trustworthy War God. They did not officially act until nightfall.

"Stop scolding the child." A cold glint flashed through the gentle-looking middle-aged woman's eyes. "Can't we have Wild Wolf make a move now? Just kill that kid and be done with it. I'll handle the Base City side and make sure the guards and police won't interfere. There will definitely be enough time for you to deal with everything."

"Nonsense!" the mustached middle-aged man barked. "Since Director Dongfang helped that kid before, it means he has already reported the matter to Limitless Martial Arts School headquarters."

"Making a move now would be no different from telling the outside world that we have a grudge against that kid and deliberately set him up to kill him. The more we try to conceal it, the faster we'll be exposed. Even the Alliance's reputation will suffer."

"What's more frightening is the Limitless Martial Arts School. Do you think their people are so easy to fool? If you want Xing'an dead, then have Wolf Blade make a move!"

As soon as he said that, the gentle-looking middle-aged noblewoman fell silent. Even Wang Xing'an began to tremble inwardly. The gaunt middle-aged man snorted and continued, "If we want to act, we must wait until we've dealt with that batch of materials and erased the inspection traces left behind by the Limitless Martial Arts School. Only then can we openly make a move against that kid."

"By then, it won't matter how much commotion he causes by fighting back. We'll have excuses to evade responsibility. Forget Director Dongfang— even if Iron Hand Zhou Yongzheng, the president of the Limitless Martial Arts School, comes personally, we'll still have reason and evidence on our side."

"As for now, that kid has at least the strength of a War God. Once War God-level combat power erupts, this entire building won't survive. How much of a disturbance would that cause? Until we're fully prepared, we absolutely cannot act."

"Xing'an, how much longer before that batch of materials is processed?" the gentle-looking noblewoman asked anxiously. He was her only son, and she had spoiled him rotten. Now that he had offended someone like this, she was panicking.

Wang Xing'an's expression was extremely ugly. "At least another three hours." He was terrified. A genius who had reached the War God level in four months—if they delayed any longer, he really would be waiting to die!

He regretted it deeply now as well. He had thought Ning Ze was merely a minor genius. Who would have expected Zhai Yanko to recommend someone like this?

"Three hours!"

The gentle-looking noblewoman shrieked. Something unexpected was bound to happen over such a long period.

After all, their transaction was down to the final stage of discussing the price. Ning Ze was under control, but they had no way to control Ning Hua and the others. They could only activate the signal shielding devices inside the building, leaving the people outside unable to interfere.

"What do we do?" The gentle-looking noblewoman turned toward the other side, her eyes full of inquiry.

The gaunt middle-aged man pondered for a moment. More than ten seconds later, he said, "The destructive power of a War God is enormous. There will definitely be a commotion. It doesn't matter how much we lose or how many people die, but if we act first, we won't have solid evidence. We can suppress things on the official side, and at most, a few ordinary people will die."

"What we fear most is the Limitless Martial Arts School. This concerns a genius's development. If anything happens, they definitely won't let it slide. If they investigate and find any traces, neither you nor I will be able to escape. Unless..."

"Unless what? At a time like this, you're still keeping us in suspense!" The gentle-looking noblewoman was frantic, her face becoming somewhat twisted.

Wang Xing'an also listened intently. This time, he was truly afraid.

Narrowing his eyes, the gaunt middle-aged man said, "Unless you can make him act! If he attacks first, we can record it. With current technology, videos can't be forged. From the moment he attacks first, anything can happen afterward. Even if the Limitless Martial Arts School blames us later, we won't have done anything wrong."

"At most, we'll be defending ourselves and bear some financial losses. Once he attacks first, we can use heavy weapons to destroy all the materials. Then the matter of the materials can be covered up too. At worst, we'll lose a little more."

Wang Xing'an suddenly understood. He nodded vigorously. "Dad, I understand! I'll go do it now."

"Go. Be careful. Even if you fail, there will be more chances later. Don't put yourself in danger," the gaunt middle-aged man reminded him. The couple truly doted on Wang Xing'an, or they would not have indulged him so much.

"Okay!"

With that, Wang Xing'an turned and excitedly headed downstairs. He had already thought of a way.

A short while later.

Wang Xing'an arrived at the VIP room where the Warfire Squad was being received and stopped in front of Ning Ze.

Beside him stood an ordinary-looking middle-aged man around 1.7 meters tall. He had been silent the entire way and was easily overlooked.

Wang Xing'an studied him with interest. Judging by his appearance, he had to admit that Ning Ze did look impressive. Especially now, dressed in a snow-white Combat Suit, Ning Ze possessed a distinctive air at first glance. It was clearly combat gear, yet he wore it with the refinement of a scholar.

His arms-crossed posture exuded confidence. Even in the current situation, he remained supremely self-assured. The silver-white Light Swan Sword in his arms gave him an easygoing yet murderous aura.

Wang Xing'an met Ning Ze's gaze. He believed Ning Ze could definitely guess who he was. Even if Ning Ze did not recognize him, he must have had a firm suspicion. Yet those indifferent eyes revealed nothing of what he was thinking.

Wang Xing'an chuckled, masking his fear as he teased, "Great genius, do you know who I am?"

"You're afraid of me." Ning Ze's voice was calm. With one glance, he could tell that this man was all bark and no bite. He looked powerful on the outside, but his heart was not strong at all. He had looked Ning Ze over three times before daring to speak. Many monsters that had died under Ning Ze's sword had been just like this. He was familiar with the type.

Hearing that, Wang Xing'an's face darkened before he gave another sinister grin. "Xiao Guai is quite a nice name."

Ning Ze shifted his gaze slightly and gave him a faint glance. He had already memorized this man's appearance. In his heart, this man was now linked to death.

Wang Xing'an felt a chill run through him. Suppressing his discomfort, he said with a lewd grin, "Of course, she's quite nice too. The three plum blossom moles on her chest are beautiful."

Ning Ze smiled faintly, turned his head, and softly said, "Thank you."

Wang Xing'an froze. In that instant, he felt that Ning Ze was somewhat deranged. He had thought his own behavior was twisted enough, but he had not expected someone even more twisted than himself.

He was talking about an intimate part of her body! They were all adults; there was no way Ning Ze did not understand what he meant. He had already done something to Shu Yi.

Ning Ze was Shu Yi's husband, yet he thanked him? He was not angry at all after learning something so private?

"Confused?" A teasing smile tugged at Ning Ze's lips, and his eyes looked at Wang Xing'an as though he were an idiot.

Wang Xing'an clenched his fists tightly. He wanted nothing more than to punch this man in the face, but he knew he could not. He needed Ning Ze to attack first. Current video technology could not be faked, and if they really fought, he could not beat Ning Ze anyway.

The amusement on Ning Ze's face deepened as he leisurely said, "The information you got is outdated. Those cute little three-dot flowers were still there two years ago, but they were gone a year ago."

Wang Xing'an's face turned green, then red. Thinking of the middle-aged man they had brought back, who had spilled everything after only a little pressure, rage surged in his heart. A beggar had actually dared to deceive him!

Ning Ze could not help bursting into laughter. Looking at him as though he were a fool, he laughed, "You actually believed it? Were you just thinking that someone had fooled you? Thinking of killing that person?" After a slight pause, he asked in a negotiating tone, "How about... you let me kill the person who told you that secret?" He paused again. "Of course, you can arrange for someone to kill him now too. Hmm... thank you. It might not be easy for me to do it myself. After all, he's someone close to Xiao Guai."

Wang Xing'an remained silent. He realized that he could not understand what this man was thinking at all, much less make him attack first.

For the first time, he discovered that martial artists who did not fear his family's power were this difficult to deal with. They were impossible to read, afraid of nothing, and impossible to manipulate.

"Ha ha ha!"

"Ha ha ha!"

Zuo Xingyuan and the others burst into laughter, looking at Wang Xing'an as if he were an idiot. He had revealed everything after just a few words. This young master's life had been too smooth, and his scheming still needed work. That kind of acting could not even fool monsters in the Wilderness Area, yet he had tried to fool martial artists who killed monsters for a living?

Leaning back on the sofa with a smile, Ning Ze softly said, "You told me three things when you came here this time. First, my family is safe, and you can't make a move through them. Second, just as I expected, you're afraid of the martial arts school and want me to act. That means your preparations aren't sufficient."

"Finally, there's the most important thing. Do you know what it is?"

Wang Xing'an could no longer endure Ning Ze's taunts. It was the first time anyone had dared treat him like this. Embarrassed and enraged, he snapped, "What are you so arrogant about? Do you dare lay a hand on me? Believe it or not, I can have someone kill you right now!"

Ning Ze gave a scornful laugh and shook his head mockingly. "Thank you, truly. You've brought this farce to an end. Someone should come compensate me next." With that, he stood up.

Wang Xing'an's face changed drastically, and he hurriedly backed away two steps.

Ning Ze did not stop him. He merely watched with a smile.

When Wang Xing'an noticed the ordinary-looking middle-aged man standing beside him, his expression suddenly relaxed. He respectfully said, "Uncle Lang. Thank you."

Ning Ze said with an amused expression, "Thank him? Is thanking him useful?"

"Young man, don't be too arrogant!" the ordinary-looking man said in a low voice. His voice was hoarse and faintly broken, and his words came out stiffly, as though he disliked speaking.

Ning Ze smiled faintly at Wang Xing'an. "I spoke with you to assess his strength. Were you talking to me just to prove you're an idiot?" He ignored the Wang Xing'an who was about to fly into a rage. If not for the backing behind him, Ning Ze could not even be bothered to spare such a character a glance.

Turning around, Ning Ze said indifferently, "I'll give you a chance. Leave now, and I'll pretend you never existed in this matter."

"Heh!... Heh!... Heh!" After three short, hoarse laughs, the ordinary-looking middle-aged man sneered. "Young man, you're very confident. Do you think you can kill someone right in front of me?"

Ning Ze smiled faintly and asked in return, "Why do you think my strength improved so quickly?"

The ordinary-looking middle-aged man stiffened, his pupils abruptly contracting. He looked Ning Ze up and down, his expression conflicted. After a brief silence, he calmly said, "A Mental Master?"

At those words, Wang Xing'an, who had been furious moments ago, suddenly felt cold all over. If Ning Ze were only a martial artist, Wild Wolf could definitely stop him. But if he was also a Mental Master...

Mental Masters had the most unpredictable attacks. Moreover, Ning Ze was said to possess the strength of an Advanced Warlord as a martial artist! If his Mental Master ability was two levels higher, that would make him a Mid-level War God. Wild Wolf was also a Mid-level War God, but Mental Masters were invincible among martial artists.

Even with only the physical fitness of an Intermediate Warlord, a Mental Master possessed the strength of a Beginner War God. Under those circumstances, Wild Wolf might be able to block Ning Ze, but protecting Wang Xing'an would be extremely risky.

After seeing Wang Xing'an's expression, Ning Ze became even more certain. Taking the initiative, he asked, "Mid-level War God? Leave now, and what I said still stands."

Wild Wolf's expression was blank as he said in a low voice, "I owe the Wang Family a favor."

Ning Ze's heart sank. True martial artists were the hardest to deal with, because their wills were extremely firm. They often kept their word, and their principles were strong.

He had no Mid-level War God strength at all. His Mental Master power was 12,000 kilograms, not even enough to count as an Intermediate Warlord. He could only control three flying swords, equivalent to three times Force Generation.

If they fought under these circumstances, he might not win!

Ning Ze stared at Wild Wolf with an indifferent expression, while Wild Wolf regarded him with equally cautious eyes.

An intensely oppressive atmosphere suddenly filled the room, and battle seemed ready to erupt at any moment.