Chapter 23: The Intentions of Ning Fengzhi

Tang Niannian had just stepped into the Tiandou Grand Auction House and had not yet had a chance to greet the receptionist when someone else called out to her.

The man approaching had features as refined as carved jade, with a straight nose and square jaw. He appeared elegant and gentle, dressed in a pristine white robe that seemed untouched by dust. He looked to be in his late thirties or early forties, his smooth black hair draped over his shoulders, his gaze soft.

Behind him followed a man clad in black armor. This man exuded an unsettling aura; his physique was not one of bulging muscles, but his frame was startlingly large. His clothes seemed to hang off a skeletal structure, as withered and dry as leaves caught in the wind.

Tang Niannian frowned as she looked at them.

Ning Fengzhi?

Recalling the descriptions from the original story, coupled with the unusual aura emanating from the man behind him, Tang Niannian quickly identified them as Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Ning Fengzhi was known for frequenting auction houses to rescue slaves who still possessed their souls, so encountering him here was hardly a surprise.

"Young friend, might I invite you to sit with me for a moment?"

Ning Fengzhi smiled, his invitation sincere. Though he looked refined and scholarly, his voice carried a sense of grandeur and poise. Just as described in the source material, he possessed a unique charisma that made it easy for others to feel a heartfelt sense of intimacy toward him.

Tang Niannian glanced at Gu Rong, who stood behind Ning Fengzhi.

The man did not look at her, but the situation was self-evident—Ning Fengzhi had come specifically for her.

Currently, Tang Niannian held no particular grudge against the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. In terms of business, they were certainly more capable than she was, and establishing a connection with them would not be a bad thing.

Tang Niannian nodded and stepped aside. "Please."

Although she was only eleven years old, she already stood at 1.65 meters tall. In the Douluo Continent, people matured early, and her physical development naturally followed this trend. Furthermore, since she was mentally an adult of eighteen, she possessed an air of natural, detached composure.

Ning Fengzhi was a notorious fox, yet even he found himself unable to see through Tang Niannian.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had eyes and ears all over the continent. As early as a year or two ago, he had noticed the "Beggar Gang" that had quietly emerged in Notting City. Over time, the number of its members had grown to more than ten times its original size.

No one knew the source of the Beggar Gang's wealth. Rumors in the outside world claimed that anyone who joined—regardless of age, gender, or skill—received a monthly subsidy of one Gold Soul Coin, provided they obeyed the person who held the Gold Plum Blossom token.

The holder of this token was undoubtedly the mastermind behind it all.

The Beggar Gang now numbered in the thousands. The monthly subsidies alone required tens of thousands of Gold Soul Coins, not to mention other operational costs. The stipends for veteran members were even higher, so the monthly expenditure was naturally immense. While it might not seem like much for a single month, the annual total was staggering.

And that was just the payroll.

Ning Fengzhi had previously made a rough calculation: the annual cost of the Beggar Gang was at least 500,000 Gold Soul Coins. As the gang expanded, costs only increased. Furthermore, their recent territorial expansion had seen money flowing out like water. Such a display of wealth, apart from the Imperial Family, could only be easily managed by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Yet, his sect secretly supported the Tiandou Imperial Family. If the royals were behind the gang, he would have known. Thus, that possibility could be ruled out.

If it were neither a sect nor the royal family, then this became quite interesting.

Ning Fengzhi had investigated in secret for a long time before finally finding a breakthrough. He had heard that the person holding the Gold Plum Blossom token was a young girl. While her movements were elusive, persistent inquiries eventually yielded some information.

There was no such thing as an airtight wall in the world; if there were, it could be breached with enough money. He had bought information on Tang Niannian’s whereabouts from within the Beggar Gang, which was how he had happened to cross paths with her.

However, a greater part of his interest lay in the batch of hidden weapons produced by the Beggar Gang.

***

In the VIP box.

Ning Fengzhi was a regular at the auction house and had spent a considerable amount there, making him a VVVVIP client who held a private suite.

After entering, Ning Fengzhi gestured politely. "Young friend, please, have a seat."

Tang Niannian sat down in silence.

Ning Fengzhi ordered tea for her, and once the auction staff had been dismissed, he spoke: "Young friend, let us get to know each other."

Tang Niannian looked at him, pursing her lips slightly. Calling her "young friend" repeatedly suggested he hadn't fully uncovered her identity after all. Being able to pinpoint her in the crowd meant Ning Fengzhi had been searching for her for a long time and had even bribed someone within the Beggar Gang.

The person who betrayed her didn't even know her name, which suggested they were likely a new recruit. After this was over, she would have to send a message to Zhou Yang to investigate who the traitor in their ranks was.

"My name is Tang Niannian."

Honesty was the first and most important step in making friends. Tang Niannian had no intention of playing games in front of an old fox; being direct was more favorable for her.

Ning Fengzhi nodded. "I am Ning Fengzhi."

As the leader of a sect, he carried himself with no airs, appearing entirely relaxed.

Tang Niannian remained equally composed. She asked directly, "I wonder why you invited me here, Mr. Ning?"

Ning Fengzhi smiled. "Naturally, I have matters to discuss."

"In that case, please speak plainly." Tang Niannian didn't want to play riddles; it was exhausting.

It was rare for Ning Fengzhi to encounter someone so straightforward. He looked at Tang Niannian, his gaze deeply penetrating. "Miss Tang is the leader of the Beggar Gang, the one who holds the Gold Plum Blossom token, is she not?"

As he spoke, his eyes lingered on the mask Tang Niannian wore. The ornament on it was undoubtedly a gold-inlaid plum blossom.

"..."

Tang Niannian quietly brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear. Her emerald eyes swept over Ning Fengzhi before settling on the steaming tea on the table.

She reached out, picked up the teacup, took a light sip, and replied languidly, "What is it, Mr. Ning? Do you only conduct business with the person in charge?"

"Naturally. Miss Tang, I have been searching for you for a long time, simply because I wish to do business with you."

*And, incidentally, to find out who is standing behind you,* he thought.

Ning Fengzhi spoke with sincerity, smiling gently as he looked at her.

Tang Niannian finally realized that Ning Fengzhi had come for that batch of hidden weapons.

She smiled. "Mr. Ning, your intelligence network is truly impressive. That batch of hidden weapons has only just been forged, and you are already at my doorstep."