Chapter 854: Chapter 291: Tough Negotiations_2
It’s reasonable when you think about it. On the first day Yang Weida defected to Ning Zhuo, something happened to him.
After Ning Zhuo learned of this bad news, he decisively stopped exploiting the finances regarding Yang Weida, all for this moment.
What Ning Zhuo didn’t know was that before Yang Weida defected to him, he had already written a letter to Yang Sanyan, explaining his plan in his heart.
Yang Sanyan tightened the bag’s opening and tucked the storage bag into his bosom.
He sighed heavily, his cold expression noticeably softened: “According to my temperament, I wouldn’t normally accept this storage bag. But after all, it’s my brother’s relic, keeping it with me serves as a token of remembrance.”
“You young ones act with admirable openness.”
Ning Zhuo smiled slightly: “I offer this storage bag not just to show my sincerity and intentions, but also as a gesture of goodwill towards you, Senior Yang, hoping you could support me more, helping to raise the Qing Jiao Army.”
Ning Zhuo’s words once again took Yang Sanyan by surprise.
He couldn’t help but scrutinize the yellow-faced young man in front of him again: “White Paper Immortal City does indeed produce some local talents.”
The request Ning Zhuo made seemed unreasonable but was precisely what Yang Sanyan planned to do next.
Yang Sanyan’s purpose of coming to White Paper Immortal City wasn’t just because Yang Weida was here; he also bore the sect’s mission.
One part of that mission was to stabilize the situation as much as possible to gain more rights for the sect.
The death of his younger brother, Yang Weida, filled Yang Sanyan with immense grief.
But as soon as he appeared, capturing Qing Chi and summoning Ning Zhuo wasn’t merely about venting his fury at his brother’s death but had a deeper purpose.
That purpose was the Qing Jiao Army!
Qing Chi was the commander of the Qing Jiao Army. Ning Zhuo’s initiative in leading troops clearly indicated that he was also one of the commanders.
Yang Sanyan acutely realized that once the Qing Jiao Army was truly established, it would be an indispensable force in White Paper Immortal City.
This force, combined with Golden Core level commanders, would grant them Nascent Soul level battle power.
This meant they could stand on equal footing with the City Lord of White Paper City.
With proper planning, the Myriad Images Sect could support the Qing Jiao Army to become a major power in White Paper Immortal City. This would be greatly advantageous for the Myriad Images Sect in collecting cultivation resources in the Yin Tide Black Swamp in the future.
Yang Sanyan was proud by nature but was not foolish; he was quite strategic and resourceful.
However, an unexpected event occurred when he planned to control Jiao Ma to influence the Qing Jiao Army.
Ning Zhuo demonstrated combat power that far exceeded his expectations.
Just as he was recalibrating his mindset to negotiate secretly with Jiao Ma (Ning Zhuo) and propose terms to support the Qing Jiao Army, Ning Zhuo guessed his intentions and stance, directly making it clear, hoping Yang Sanyan would generously support the Qing Jiao Army.
Yang Sanyan’s eyes lit up: “Jiao Ma, you are a smart person. Talking to smart people, I believe, will be very easy.”
He was about to discuss specific terms when Ning Zhuo spoke again.
This third statement from Ning Zhuo again exceeded Yang Sanyan’s expectations: “I am not Jiao Ma; I have taken over this identity. My real name is Ning Zhuo.”
Yang Sanyan frowned: “What?”
Ning Zhuo: “I am the Deputy City Lord of White Paper Immortal City, recognized as a savior by the current City Lord.”
Yang Sanyan’s frown deepened: “Savior? What do you mean by this?”
Ning Zhuo did not answer but continued: “I am not a local; I come from Southern Bean Country. My mother is Meng Yaoyin.”
Yang Sanyan: “Meng Yaoyin?”
Upon hearing this name, he found it familiar, and the next moment he recalled, his expression changed drastically.
He couldn’t help but stand up and walk to Ning Zhuo: “You are the son of our sect’s Golden Core True Transmission, Meng Yaoyin?”
Ning Zhuo nodded: “My mother passed away due to illness when I was two. I traveled the world this time to collect relics and clues related to my mother, wanting to know what kind of person she was.”
“That brought me to White Paper Immortal City, and coincidentally, it was during the crisis of the Ghost Tide and the Yin Army’s siege.”
“Senior Wen Ruanyu is unaware of this matter, but the White Paper City Lord is informed.”
“Perhaps precisely because of my mother’s contributions to the Immortal City, that’s why she secretly granted me the position of Deputy City Lord.”
“To protect me, the City Lord also gave me three paper talismans, stationed in three major Dantians.”
Yang Sanyan was momentarily dazed.
Ning Zhuo’s stream of information was too dense, leaving him at a loss for reaction.
Yang Sanyan blinked: “How can you prove …”
Before he could finish his sentence, Ning Zhuo took out some of Meng Yaoyin’s relics and said, “Thanks to Senior Wen Ruanyu’s favor, once this matter is resolved, I will carry his recommendation letter to the Myriad Images Sect to attend the Feiyun Conference and strive to join the sect.”
“At that time, I believe there will be more reliable means to prove my identity genuine.”
Yang Sanyan scrutinized these relics in his hand: “But these are not conclusive evidence.”
Ning Zhuo nodded: “It’s strange. My mother left no related verbal testament directing me to return to the Myriad Images Sect. I was just lucky enough to gather some crucial clues, leading me back here.”
Ning Zhuo’s words appeared more genuine.
Seeing Yang Sanyan deep in thought, Ning Zhuo smiled slightly: “Actually, there is conclusive evidence in the Technique Classics.”
“My mother left behind many insights and achievements on her cultivation.”
“One of which, concerning formations and disguises, was exactly why I could discover a formation space within the Paperman Giant Statue!”
Yang Sanyan nodded: “This situation was already reported to the sect by Wen Ruanyu, and I was informed before coming here.”
“I didn’t expect things to be like this …”
Ning Zhuo: “Because there’s a traitor in the city that hasn’t been identified, I trusted no one and insisted on refining the Qianmo Lamp within the formation space.”
Yang Sanyan: “The Qianmo Lamp must be submitted to the sect, but for now, you keep it; this isn’t the main point.”
Yang Sanyan did not place importance on the Qianmo Lamp, which was great news for Ning Zhuo.
He focused more on another point: “Ning Zhuo, since you’re wary of Wen Ruanyu, do you think he is the traitor in the city?”
Ning Zhuo shook his head: “Currently, it seems he isn’t.”
“I have thought of someone and am eighty percent certain he is the traitor or one of them!”
At this statement, Yang Sanyan showed a fierce look and urgently pursued: “Tell me, who is he?”
Ning Zhuo again smiled without answering, leisurely sipping his tea.
Yang Sanyan saw his demeanor and almost slapped him in anger. When did a mere Foundation Establishment Cultivator dare to act high and mighty before him?
But recalling Ning Zhuo’s strength and the conversation just now, Yang Sanyan felt a chill.
He suddenly realized that since the start of the secret discussion, the conversation rhythm was firmly controlled by Ning Zhuo. Though he was a Golden Core Cultivator and a True Disciple of a super sect, he was kept thoroughly in check and led by the nose.
Yang Sanyan took a deep breath, already understanding Ning Zhuo’s request, and gave a cold snort: “I am willing to fully support the Qing Jiao Army.”
“To be honest with you, I brought a lot of resources this time, enough for your military needs.”
“These resources aren’t mine; they are mission funds from the Myriad Images Sect.”
Ning Zhuo put down his cup: “The Myriad Images Sect can fund, and it’s indeed welcomed as my mother’s sect.”
He stared at Yang Sanyan with a hint of firmness: “Qing Jiao Army is my army, and I’m the only one who leads it.”
In other words, the sect can fund it, but the army belongs to him alone.
Yang Sanyan’s eyes narrowed as he considered this situation. With a hint of vindictiveness, he said, “I am willing to fully support the Qing Jiao Army.”
Both Yang Sanyan and Ning Zhuo signed an agreement.
Yang Sanyan directly gave Ning Zhuo the storage bracelets.
“Now quickly tell me who the traitor is!” Yang Sanyan finally grew impatient as he watched Ning Zhuo pocket all the bracelets.