#233 - Chapter 233 Negotiation

Outside the window of Yusheng Teahouse in the east of the city, the setting sun was like blood, dyeing the sky a faint lavender color, which complemented the soft candlelight in the room, adding a touch of mystery to this seemingly peaceful but turbulent meeting.

Cheng Feng, dressed in a green robe, sat upright in the teahouse. He was slowly savoring tea with the vice leader of the Red Star Gang, showing no signs of an imminent fierce conflict.

The vice leader of the Red Star Gang was a middle-aged man who looked quite refined, wearing a white robe and sporting a handsome beard, giving people the feeling of being a scholar.

According to Black Ear's intelligence, this vice leader of the Red Star Gang was named Yan Hua, a true scholar. However, in this world, without a sufficiently strong background to rely on, studying could not bring much practical use.

Yan Hua was originally just an ordinary literati, but later, relying on his scholarly appearance and good looks, he successfully married the daughter of the Red Star Gang leader.

Subsequently, Xie Lin, the leader of the Red Star Gang, personally taught him martial arts, allowing him to gradually grow. Now, Yan Hua had reached the late stage of Blood Refinement.

Despite this, Cheng Feng did not think this would pose a great threat to him. After all, Cheng Feng really didn't care about martial artists below Bone Tempering.

Cheng Feng felt Yan Hua's gaze, but he remained calm and composed, without any fluctuations.

Yan Hua stared intently at the young, handsome man full of vigor in front of him, and couldn't help but sigh in his heart: Is this Cheng Feng, the Hongmen Sect Leader, whom his father-in-law praised as a 'hidden dragon in the abyss'?

This Hongmen Sect Leader, at a young age, had shown extraordinary talent and ability. From the moment he embarked on the path of martial arts, he had reached the Bone Tempering realm in just two years.

He founded the Hongmen single-handedly and formulated strict rules, demanding a lot from his disciples. However, he was not stingy with his disciples, being generous and magnanimous.

He first destroyed the Si River Gang, and then eliminated the Green Bamboo Gang, which greatly increased the strength of the Hongmen. During this period, he accepted disciples from many small gangs, allowing the Hongmen to rise rapidly and step onto the stage of the county town.

None of these disciples who were absorbed into the Hongmen had expressed regret, and they were all filled with admiration for Cheng Feng.

In addition, Cheng Feng also performed well in handling the Black Wind Fortress, earning high praise from the government. Yan Hua sighed secretly, such a promising young man was indeed rare to see.

Cheng Feng gently put down the teacup in his hand, the sound of porcelain touching the wooden table was particularly clear in this quiet space. He looked up at Yan Hua, his deep eyes flashing with elusive light.

"Brother Yan, today's appointment is not just for this pot of good tea, right?" Cheng Feng's voice was not loud, but every word was clear, with a hint of imperceptible probing.

Yan Hua smiled slightly, the smile containing both the elegance of a scholar and the cunning of a Jianghu person.

"Brother Cheng is straightforward, and I, Yan Hua, naturally don't like to beat around the bush. Recently, the situation in the city has been changing, and various forces are eager to move. Although my Red Star Gang is not top-notch, we don't want to become fish on someone else's chopping board in this troubled world."

He paused, his eyes becoming deep, "Brother Cheng's 'Hongmen' has risen to fame in recent years, especially your achievements in martial arts, which are impressive. I came here this time to discuss the possibility of cooperation with Brother Cheng. After all, in this troubled world, it is difficult to achieve great things by fighting alone. Only by working together can we protect our evergreen foundation."

Cheng Feng smiled faintly at the words, but secretly pondered in his heart. He naturally understood the deep meaning in Yan Hua's words, and also knew that behind this was not only the game of interests, but also the game of power.

"Brother Yan is right, but cooperation is no small matter, and both parties need to treat each other frankly in order to last. I wonder what specific ideas Brother Yan has?"

Yan Hua gently stroked his beard, seemingly having a plan in mind. "I mean, our two gangs can cooperate in trade, resources, and information sharing. At the same time, facing the upcoming situation, we can also jointly respond to ensure that our respective interests are not infringed. Of course, the specific details of the cooperation need to be further discussed."

Cheng Feng watched Yan Hua talk eloquently there, always avoiding the key points, smiling without saying a word.

Yan Hua was in high spirits, and was slightly annoyed when he saw Cheng Feng's appearance: "So I just spoke for nothing?"

Cheng Feng didn't believe that the other party would be so kind. The Hongmen had recently caused a lot of trouble, and now suddenly coming to say mutual help seemed a bit ridiculous?

Seeing that Yan Hua was still preparing to draw a big cake, Cheng Feng was a little impatient and interrupted directly: "Don't worry, don't worry, let's not mince words. Before discussing cooperation, I want to ask, how are the frictions between the two gangs these days going to be settled?"

A touch of arrogance flashed in Yan Hua's eyes: "The Red Star Gang has thoroughly investigated this matter, with all the evidence and witnesses. It is the fault of the Hongmen disciples, and naturally the Hongmen needs to make certain compensation. Sect Leader Cheng doesn't want to give this face?"

A playful smile appeared on the corner of Cheng Feng's mouth, but his eyes revealed an unquestionable firmness. "Face, naturally, must be given. But the grievances between the Hongmen and the Red Star Gang, how can they be written off with mere compensation?" His words were light, but every word was like a needle, piercing Yan Hua's heart.

Yan Hua frowned, obviously surprised by Cheng Feng's attitude. "Sect Leader Cheng, your words are too serious. The Jianghu emphasizes harmony to make money, and enemies should be resolved rather than结. Your Hongmen needs to be responsible for this friction and promise that the two sides will not interfere with each other in the future and jointly maintain the peace of Qingxi County. This matter will be settled like this. If you have any other ideas, don't think that my Red Star Gang is vegetarian."

Cheng Feng sighed softly, seemingly feeling helpless at Yan Hua's stubbornness. "Brother Yan, you and I are not novices. The Jianghu is dangerous, and people's hearts are unpredictable. The matter of compensation, of course, must be discussed, but it is not the Hongmen compensating the Red Star Gang, but the Red Star Gang compensating the Hongmen."

Yan Hua was furious when he heard this: "Cheng Feng. Don't think that you are so great just because you are in the Bone Tempering realm. Do you think that my Red Star Gang doesn't have Bone Tempering martial artists?"

Sure enough, there are Bone Tempering martial artists in the Red Star Gang! Cheng Feng thought to himself, but his face remained unchanged.

Cheng Feng said faintly: "My Hongmen has strict rules, and the monthly salary of disciples is much higher than that of your Red Star Gang. How could it be possible to cause trouble on your territory because of mere silver taels? This is simply a big joke!"

His tone was calm and firm, as if he was full of confidence in what he said.

Then, Cheng Feng opened his mouth again: "Yan Hua, your father-in-law is probably abandoning you, right? How dare you let you be so presumptuous and rant in front of me? Do you really think that my Bone Tempering strength came from nowhere? Do you really think that you are qualified to sit at the same table with me?"

After saying this, Cheng Feng slammed the table and stood up abruptly, glaring at Yan Hua, releasing all the aura of a Bone Tempering martial artist, his eyes revealing a kind of domineering, as if he was about to explode at any moment.

Yan Hua was frightened by Cheng Feng's sudden change of face. He widened his eyes and looked at the man in front of him in shock. He did not expect that Cheng Feng would tear his face so easily.

At this moment, Yan Hua felt an unprecedented pressure. His heartbeat began to accelerate, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.