Sincerity! . . .
Subsequently, Cha Eun Xiao adopted an almost theatrical stance. Following his last words, he demonstrated his audacity by closing his eyes and seemingly preparing to doze off. His posture exuded an air of indifference, as though he couldn't be bothered by anyone in the room.
This brazen demeanor left his companions – Wan, Xiu, and Ling Wuxie – in a state of bewilderment. Any one of them possessed the power to end his life with a mere flick of their hand, yet he lay there, reclining in the chair, behaving as though no one held any significance in his eyes. His arrogance knew no bounds.
[How dare he!]
But why would Cha Eun Xiao hesitate?
[Do you dare to kill me? Do you dare to lay a hand on me?] He didn't utter these words, but his actions conveyed the message clearly. He had no intention of concealing his audacity.
Cha Eun Xiao remained silent, much to the consternation of Ling Wuxie and the two ladies. They found themselves rendered speechless and powerless. The thought of striking him down had crossed their minds on numerous occasions. [I'll pound you into submission until you kneel before me! Let's see whose will is tougher, yours or my fists…]
But they couldn't bring themselves to do it. They simply couldn't.
What if Cha Eun Xiao truly was a man who feared nothing, not even death? If he perished, their plans would crumble. That would be a disastrous outcome for them.
Cha Eun Xiao exuded an air of "I am a man who fears nothing." In the face of formidable adversaries, everyone else would concede, but not him. Surrender was simply not in his vocabulary.
Moreover, they didn't have the luxury of time to test his resolve. If Meng Wuzhen ascended to the level of almighty power early, even Bai Chen's esteemed status wouldn't avail much. Nobody could predict how much time they had left.
One thing was certain: if Bai Chen chose to wait for the divine punishment to end on its own, it would take roughly a thousand years – a time span far too long. This gave Meng Wuzhen the ideal opportunity to reach the level of invincibility. In Ling Wuxie's estimation, it would take no more than three hundred years for Meng Wuzhen to attain that status, rendering him virtually unbeatable.
Even Ling Wuxie, among the most formidable of the younger generation, would be unable to contend with him. This situation underscored the gravity of their predicament.
"Brother Feng, what's gotten into you? Why the sudden change in demeanor? We were having such a delightful conversation, as if we'd known each other for years. We were enjoying ourselves. Why the discomfort after just a few words?" Ling Wuxie furrowed his brow and feigned distress.
Ling Wuxie was a master of playing the innocent card, renowned for this skill in the Human Realm Upon Heaven. Regardless of the gravity of the situation, he could defuse it with a few choice words.
However, Cha Eun Xiao remained resolute in his silence. He didn't acknowledge the attempt at reconciliation.
His eyes remained closed, his body motionless.
"I understand that you are skilled in crafting the Heaven Seizing Dan. I know you dislike being threatened, and I know you don't want to take unnecessary risks. I believe the two ladies have held the reins for so long that they've grown accustomed to controlling everything. On their behalf, I apologize. Brother Feng, you are a master alchemist, and it's only natural that you are concerned about the risks. However, we will find a solution to alleviate your concerns." Ling Wuxie spoke deliberately, hoping to pierce through the walls Cha Eun Xiao had erected.
Cha Eun Xiao continued to speak, seemingly untroubled by whether Feng Monarch was actively listening. His words flowed forth with an air of determination.
"Brother Feng, your honor is evident. We can offer a promise that if you ever face divine punishment, we will utilize everything at our disposal to shield you from harm. Your safety will be our top priority, demonstrating our unwavering commitment."
He paused briefly, then continued, "Moreover, we are prepared to supply all the materials necessary for crafting the Supreme Dan. Any remaining resources after the process is complete will be yours to keep. As a gesture of our sincerity, we pledge to provide you with ninety-nine exceptional treasures, each of which is unique and cannot be found in the Land of Han-Yang or the Qing-Yun Realm. These are treasures I personally acquired."
"Furthermore, we promise to safeguard your friends and family, ensuring their protection to the best of our abilities. I assure you, Lady Bing Xinyue will be released immediately. Wan-Er may have been somewhat overzealous earlier, not recognizing Lady Bing-Er's intentions of reciprocating your kindness. She mistakenly believed it was an auspicious turn of events. I shall personally request that Master Bai address Wan-Er's actions."
"And as for our agreement, the House of the Chaotic Storms will withdraw from all affairs in this world, causing no further disturbances. These are the commitments we can make to you. If, however, you remain unsatisfied, please inform me. As you've rightly said, we are here to seek your assistance. Whatever you deem necessary, just say the word!"
"All hinges on your decision. What actions do you believe would compel you to aid us? The choice is entirely yours. You hold the reins!"
"What we require is simply an adequate number of dan beads."
Cha Eun Xiao fixed his gaze on Ling Wuxie as the latter sighed and continued, "Brother Feng, I have demonstrated a great deal of sincerity. If you still remain unreceptive to our proposals, we truly find ourselves at a loss."
[Negotiating with this man is incredibly taxing. I should have allowed Bai Chen to conduct the negotiations personally.]
[Dealing with a man of this nature is bound to be troublesome. Regardless of what I offer, he seems unwilling to accept it.]
[I've just pledged everything we possess. It seems I had no other option to prompt him to engage in a conversation.]
[If Bai Chen had been here, would things have gone differently?]
Yet, Ling Wuxie was unaware of one crucial detail. His approach, despite seeming somewhat simplistic, was the most effective way to engage with Cha Eun Xiao.
To be straightforward.
[Just tell me what you desire!]
Lucky for Ling Wuxie, Cha Eun Xiao was predisposed to taking the initiative.
However, not everyone could seize the initiative under all circumstances!