Chapter 069: The Deal

In an instant, Wang Niansheng’s demeanor changed entirely.

With a cheerful smile, Wang Niansheng gazed at Qiu He. “Master Qiu, may I ask where this painting came from?”

Qiu He closed his eyes, adopting an air of inscrutable profundity. Shaking his head slowly, he replied, “This painting was a gift from my master.”

“Your master?”

“That’s right.”

Wang Niansheng was somewhat surprised. “May I dare to ask, what kind of extraordinary person is your master?”

“Impudent!” Qiu He barked, startling Wang Niansheng.

Pointing at Wang Niansheng’s nose, Qiu He declared, “My master is a person of great ability, not someone you can inquire about at will!”

“Yes, yes!” Wang Niansheng quickly apologized.

“Hmph!” Qiu He snorted, picking up his teacup and taking a delicate sip.

With a cold smile, Qiu He said, “Wang Niansheng, it’s time we discussed the price, don’t you think?”

Wang Niansheng nodded hurriedly. “Yes, of course!”

He hesitated. “May I ask, Master Qiu, what price do you have in mind?”

Imitating Zhao Feng’s demeanor, Qiu He cast a cold glance at Wang Niansheng. He extended a single finger.

Wang Niansheng blinked. “One million?”

“Pfft!” Qiu He scoffed. “Do you think one million is possible?”

“Well...”

“So, how much then?” Wang Niansheng asked.

Qiu He replied coolly, “Ten million.”

“What?” Wang Niansheng leapt to his feet in shock.

He took a deep breath and sat back down, facing Qiu He earnestly. “Master Qiu, ten million is too much! You should know, even Young Master Xiang’s family fortune is only about ten million.”

“That’s not my concern!” Qiu He crossed his legs nonchalantly. “My master said, this is a magical treasure. If the price is less than that, it shows a lack of sincerity. Without sincerity, you cannot obtain this artifact.”

“A magical treasure?”

“That’s right! Otherwise, why would you cough up blood?” Qiu He retorted.

Wang Niansheng thought back carefully, beginning to believe Qiu He’s words. When he had looked at the painting earlier, all he had felt was an overwhelming sense of battle—clashing armor, flashing swords—so intense it felt as if he were about to be torn apart.

After a moment’s consideration, Wang Niansheng said, “Master Qiu, the price you’re asking exceeds my authority. I’ll need to consult with Young Master Xiang.”

Qiu He gestured politely, “Go ahead.”

“Alright.” Wang Niansheng took out his phone, remaining in the private room as he dialed the number in front of Qiu He.

He entered the number.

Ring... ring...

Click.

On the other end, a magnetic voice answered, “Hello? What is it?”

Wang Niansheng immediately became deferential. “Young Master Xiang, I’ve seen the painting. It is truly remarkable!”

“Mm,” the man on the other end responded indifferently.

“How much does he want?” Young Master Xiang asked.

“Ten million.”

After stating the price, Wang Niansheng was nervous, afraid Xiang Tao would refuse.

However, Xiang Tao simply replied, “Give it to him.”

“Yes! Of course!” Wang Niansheng nodded emphatically before hanging up.

He took a deep breath, his expression growing cold and calculating once more, his demeanor turning haughty. He shot Qiu He a disdainful look.

Qiu He frowned. After his interactions with Zhao Feng, his own presence had been somewhat influenced by Zhao Feng’s aura. But Qiu He remained unruffled, asking coolly, “What did that Xiang fellow say?”

Wang Niansheng froze for a second, then grew both startled and angry. “How dare you speak so disrespectfully of Young Master Xiang!”

“Pfft!” Qiu He sneered. “Who is Young Master Xiang? Just someone others flatter. In my master’s eyes, he is nothing.”

“You—” Wang Niansheng was momentarily speechless, his face flushed with indignation.

He took a deep breath and said, “I’ll overlook your disrespect, but you must deduct two million from the price!”

Before Qiu He could respond, Wang Niansheng continued, “We’ll split the two million equally. What do you think?”

To his surprise, Qiu He merely looked at him, calm and silent.

Wang Niansheng frowned. “What do you mean by that?”

“Hmph!” Qiu He snorted. “My master said, ten million— not a cent less. If you deduct two million, how am I supposed to answer to my master?”

He glared, “You’re putting me in a difficult position!”

Wang Niansheng’s face turned dark as pig’s liver. He pointed at Qiu He. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to! You’ll definitely pocket a kickback from this ten million!”

Qiu He replied coldly, “You’re mistaken. I’ll pass on every cent to my master!”

“You—!” Wang Niansheng was furious.

Qiu He slowly rolled up the painting. “Enough nonsense. Either pay up or I’ll take the ‘Riders Across a Thousand Miles’ back with me.”

“You, you, you!” Wang Niansheng was so angry he could hardly speak.

In truth, Wang Niansheng was somewhat afraid—afraid that Qiu He really would take the painting away. If that happened, Young Master Xiang would surely hold him responsible.

He took a deep breath. “How about one million? All you need to do is give me one million!”

Qiu He shook his head resolutely. “Not a single cent.”

Wang Niansheng was beside himself. “Qiu He, must you leave me with nothing?”

Qiu He shook his head. “It’s not I who am leaving you with nothing, it’s you who are trying to do the same to me!”

Wang Niansheng instantly deflated. “Fine. Give me your bank details and I’ll send them to Young Master Xiang.”

“Mm.”

Qiu He recited a string of account numbers, which Wang Niansheng forwarded to Young Master Xiang.

Ding.

Qiu He’s phone chimed. He checked and saw the payment notification. Nodding, he tossed the scroll of ‘Riders Across a Thousand Miles’ to Wang Niansheng.

Startled, Wang Niansheng caught it gingerly, terrified it might fall.

Qiu He laughed coldly. “A pleasure doing business.”

“Hmph!” Wang Niansheng snorted, turning and leaving without another word.

After he left, Qiu He wiped the sweat from his brow. “This time, he ought to be satisfied.”

With his phone in hand, Qiu He rose and exited the private room.

Night had fallen, dark as ink.

It was still early spring, and the night air was chilly.

Whoosh!

A cold wind blew, and Qiu He pulled his coat tighter around him.

Suddenly, a car appeared in the distance.

Its high beams were glaring, making it impossible to distinguish the make or color.

Qiu He raised his right hand to shield his eyes from the glare.

As the car drew closer, he could finally see—it was a black Santana.

Suddenly, the black Santana accelerated.

The engine roared like a sports car, and in an instant the vehicle was upon him.

With a bang, Qiu He was sent flying, a look of disbelief frozen on his face.

He crashed heavily to the ground.

With a screech, the black Santana sped off without hesitation.

Lying prone on the ground, Qiu He felt blood trickling from his head. His mind grew foggy, and just as he was about to lose consciousness, the last thing he saw was a pair of feet clad in Nike sneakers…