AZI Volume 2 Chapter 42

"…Well, you heard him."

"…"

Standing behind bars—while glaring at the wall-sized projector screen, Nian Yao Yao felt the urge to cuss at Long Hua for his three bold statements. However, considering the situation she and the others are in, she didn't dare to act rashly.

"…"

Turning her eyes away from the projector screen, Nian Yao Yao looks to the figure dressed in a purple shirt with a red tie, while thinking—

(This guy… His skin is so white. Has he never stepped out into the sun in his life?)

Despite how dark the room is, Nian Yao Yao can see that the facial features of this individual are leaning more towards the feminine side—especially so when they have their black hair grown out, and tied into a flowy tail. Within their hair, there are a few shades of deep blue.

Leaning against the round table—in front of the individual, is a cane, that looks to have been made from a special type of white-colored wood. The handle of the cane is a phoenix's head—with a golden ring wrapped around its collar.

"…"

Standing by the seated individual was a young lady—dressed in a black jacket over a plain white shirt.

The air this young lady gives off is rather meek, almost servant like, however—

(Jeans and boots, jacket and shirt are both short-sleeved… She seems more like a bodyguard than a household servant. No, wait…)

Similarly, to the seated individual, the young lady also possesses the same two-colored hair, and emerald-green eyes—causing Nian Yao Yao to think that they may be related to each other by blood.

Walking up to Nian Yao Yao's side, Nian Tao Tao asks—

"Are you the village chief?"

"Indeed. Call me Zhen Huai."

"Zhen-laoban, is it possible for you to release us first?"

Without looking back at Nian Tao Tao, Zhen Huai answers—

"I ask that you bear with the rough treatment for the time being. The business talk that you've brought up to me in the past—can be discussed at a later date, once this matter is sorted through."

"Wou-"

"I've said this before. So long as you are able to make it here, I am more than willing to talk business with you. That is, so long as you are willing to wait."

"…"

Wrapping her right hand around a black bar, Nian Tao Tao gets a feel for it, while thinking—

(These bars may as well be nonexistent, since Qing Yue can slice them apart at any time. Is he testing my patience to see if I'm worth being a business associate of his?)

"Madame Nian, shall I-?"

"No need."

Before Qing Yue can suggest anything, Nian Tao Tao shakes her head. She's already waited for god only knows how long—for this opportunity to arrive; what does it matter to wait a bit longer?

"Just so we're clear, my mother's business and mine are separate."

"I'm aware of that."

Realizing fast that there wasn't much room to negotiate their treatment, the two could only choose to give up.

Besides that, they weren't treated too badly, as there is still a table with refreshments on their side of the vicinity.

However—

(This attitude of his. He clearly doesn't care about us.)

(…A merchant, was it? Despite us being Nian beasts, this utter lack of interest is far too odd.)

"Zhui Yun, be on guard."

"Understood."

Seating themselves at the table together, the two turns their attention towards the projector screen.

(Taking us out of the group… Seems like they want to see what Long Hua is able to do when there's nothing holding him back. Maybe I should actually be thanking this surnamed Zhen for transporting us here? That contract of ours is starting to make me feel less and less secure.)

In Nian Yao Yao's mind, the moment Long Hua sees her as a hindrance—is the moment he would lop her head off with the excuse of her being in his line of fire.

(On the frontlines, the Immortals are shown to demonstrate abilities—that are akin to natural disasters. But last night, he didn't show any of those abilities… Perhaps, I'll have a chance to see it here.)

Narrowing her eyes, Nian Tao Tao looks intently at the projector screen, but before she and her daughter can fully immerse themselves—

"Lao Zhen, what's up with the cage?"

Walking into the room is a white-haired man dressed in robes. The wide sleeves of his outer white robes are stitched with purple sun patterns. Beneath this robe, he wears a purple layer with a black sash.

"Bai-shao?"

Turning her head towards the white-haired man, the young lady—who is beside Zhen Huai throws the former a puzzled look.

Towards the young lady, Bai Wen gives a casual wave, whereas Zhen Huai asks—

"Lao Bai, what's the occasion for you to dress like that?"

"I felt like I should meet that new friend of mine with a more truthful appearance."

Recognizing Bai Wen to be the same person, who had clashed with Long Hua the night before, Nian Yao Yao raises an eye, and remarks—

"Ah, he's the guy from last night…"

Being called out to, Bai Wen shifts his attention away from Zhen Huai, and says—

"I wasn't able to get a good look at them last night, but these two… They're Nian beasts, aren't they?"

As Bai Wen turns his head towards their direction—with an eye of ill-intended interest, Zhui Yun and Qing Yue move to cover Nian Yao Yao and Nian Tao Tao behind them.

"Hm?"

Turning his attention to the two Moon Guards, Bai Wen puts on a smile of amusement, whereas Zhen Huai says—

"Lao Bai, as much as they may seem like caged animals right now, they are still potential business partners of mine. Might I suggest you—to keep your hobbies of collecting rare materials in check?"

"I know, I know. I won't do anything to them—since they seem to have a cooperative relationship with that new friend of mine as well."

Directing his attention to the projector screen—that shows Long Hua and Tian Cheng entering the dark tunnel, Bai Wen sits down on the opposite side of the table from Zhen Huai.

Pouring himself a cup of tea, and helping himself to a few walnuts from the center of the table, Bai Wen asks—

"So, what exactly do you think of him—now that you've seen him?"

"Too early to say. Still, just from his three bold statements earlier, I can tell he's quite a piece of work—even when compared to the standard."

"What did you have in mind for a test exactly?"

As Bai Wen crushes a walnut's shell with effortless ease, Zhen Huai answers—

"What better way is there to test a practitioner's strength—other than to have them demonstrate a few of their divine arts?"

"Oh? Seems like there will be quite a show tonight."