Chapter 464: Chapter 2: Black Wind Stronghold

But the other party’s demands are simply too excessive.

"Not high." Zhu Gui laughed and said:

"Only by selling can you make money; if you can’t sell, you won’t earn a penny, but the capital won’t decrease by a penny."

"Young Master Fang should understand this reasoning, right?"

"Master."

At this moment, Yuan Zhongdao seemed to receive some news and stepped forward to whisper in Fang Zheng’s ear:

"We’ve just received news that our caravan encountered trouble in Pingcheng County. The goods were robbed, and more than a dozen people were killed."

Hmm?

Such a coincidence?

Fang Zheng raised an eyebrow and looked towards Zhu Gui.

His opponent smiled without speaking.

"Thirty percent is still too much."

After considering, Fang Zheng shook his head again:

"Fang’s business profit is barely thirty percent. If it doesn’t make money, it’s better not to do it at all. Second Master Zhu, do you agree?"

"Then..." Zhu Gui leaned forward and tentatively said:

"Twenty percent?"

"At most ten percent!" Fang Zheng raised a finger:

"At ten percent, Fang can agree."

"Master." Lu Zhi was taken aback and instinctively wanted to speak, but Shangguan Duo, standing beside him, stopped him with a hand.

"Ten percent?"

Zhu Gui’s eyes flickered, then he burst into laughter:

"Great!"

"For Young Master Fang’s sake, I’ll agree on behalf of the Village Chief, and we’ll consider it the start of a friendship."

"There’s one more thing." Fang Zheng said:

"My goods ran into trouble in Pingcheng County. I wonder if Second Master Zhu can help resolve it?"

"Pingcheng County?"

Zhu Gui touched his chin, pondering:

"That’s the territory of the Golden Fish Gang. That money-named fellow is quite bold, daring to provoke friends of the Black Wind Stronghold."

"Rest assured, Young Master Fang. Once I get back, I’ll definitely seek justice for you!"

"In that case..." Fang Zheng cupped his hands:

"Thank you very much!"

"No need for thanks," Zhu Gui squinted his eyes with a smile, waving his hand.

"Young Master Fang."

At this moment, a man behind Zhu Gui stepped forward, cupped his fists, and spoke in a muffled voice:

"I’ve long heard of Young Master Fang’s dual cultivation of magic and martial arts, and exceptional prowess. I wonder if Huang Tianshou can witness it firsthand today."

"Eh?"

Zhu Gui raised an eyebrow:

"Tianshou, what are you doing?"

He gestured as if to stop him, but his movements changed back and forth, as if allowing his subordinate to step forward into the center of the hall.

It seemed he wanted to gauge Fang Zheng’s strength through his subordinate.

"No need for the Master to act."

Lu Zhi snorted and stepped out:

"I’ll take you on!"

"You?" Huang Tianshou sneered:

"Fine then!"

"I’ll deal with you first, and then experience your Master’s skills!"

"Arrogant!" Lu Zhi’s eyes widened:

"Take this!"

Before the words fell, the fist was already arriving.

Tiger Roar Force!

As a Great Zhou Celestial Martial Artist, Lu Zhi had grasped the essence of boxing. His fist blended with Essence Qi, creating a fierce wind that seemed like a tiger’s roar.

Facing his edge, Huang Tianshou even caught his breath, sensing as if a fierce tiger was lunging at him.

The momentum was astonishing!

"Good!"

With an angry roar, he raised his palm to meet it.

"Bang!"

When fist and palm collided, both stepped back.

"Again!"

Lu Zhi roared angrily, his form vaulted out again. His Tiger Step was mighty and fierce, integrating seamlessly with his boxing.

"I’m not afraid of you!" Huang Tianshou gave a cold smile; his eyes suddenly brimming with flames, and his palm glowing red.

"Bang!"

The palm struck.

As if a raging fire burned, the hard stone floor beneath their feet showed signs of charring.

"Fiery Sun Palm?"

Fang Zheng’s eyes shifted slightly:

"Could this person be from the Pure Yang Palace?"

"Indeed!" Zhu Gui nodded:

"Tianshou is indeed a disciple of the Pure Yang Palace, but he couldn’t bear the stringent rules, accidentally killed a few people, and sought refuge with our Black Wind Stronghold to avoid trouble."

Fang Zheng understood.

The other’s words sounded nice, but this person seemed like a renegade who escaped from the Pure Yang Palace.

Rumor has it that the Black Wind Stronghold harbors all sorts of outlaws. Judging by their acceptance of anyone who seeks refuge, it appears to be true.

"Fiery Sun Palm is a superior martial art of the Pure Yang Palace, known as the Nine Yang techniques. Brother Huang must have reached the Six Yang level."

Fang Zheng slowly said:

"One more step, and he’ll be a Flawless Martial Artist!"

Fiery Sun Palm is superior martial art, involving not just Palm Techniques and Martial Arts but also the path of Magic.

When cultivated well, the Palm Force can transform into flames that melt metal and stone.

That is to say,

The palm yields fire!

"Young Master Fang has a keen eye." Zhu Gui looked amazed:

"That’s right; Tianshou recently broke through to the Six Yang level. As for becoming Flawless, that depends on fate."

Seeing through Huang Tianshou’s cultivation level at a glance indicates that Fang Zheng is well-versed and likely has substantial power.

This leader of Fang Mansion, though not widely known and with few encounters, indeed cannot be underestimated.

Meanwhile, the two in the arena had exchanged dozens of moves.

In terms of cultivation base,

Lu Zhi was indeed slightly inferior.

Nonetheless, his aura was fierce, and his fist force was formidable. Relying on the relentless combat techniques, he did not fall behind.

"Ah!"

After a prolonged battle without victory, even facing danger multiple times, Huang Tianshou couldn’t help but roar angrily, with True Qi bursting out from within:

"Take my Heaven-Burning Flame!"

"Boom!"

The scorching, wild Flame Sun Energy erupted from his body, and in an instant, the entire hall seemed to transform into a steam room.

The wooden furniture and fur carpets within several feet simultaneously caught fire.

The sound of cracking echoed from the bluestone floor.

The palm descended,

like a blazing sun falling to the ground.

"Ah!"

Lu Zhi roared madly, the extreme pressure ignited his ferocity within, and he met it head-on with no regard.

"Not good!"

Shangguan Duo’s face changed dramatically, and Yang Meng’s wrist trembled, but it was too late to intervene.

"Bang!"

Fist and palm collided.

The violent explosion reverberated all around, and the shockwave swept across the surroundings.

Lu Zhi, with his clothes scorched black, was blown sideways, his body emitting white smoke like a boiled meal.

Huang Tianshou took two steps back, his face flushed, then suddenly turned towards the seated Fang Zheng, shouting as he charged:

"Young Master Fang, take one of my moves too!"

He moved like a raging fire, transforming into a streak of flame, and before his voice fell, his fiery hand appeared before Fang Zheng.

"Bang!"

The Fiery Sun Palm halted one foot away from Fang Zheng, with the Palm Force scattered along the invisible Protective Force.

"Protective Force?"

"Flawless!"

Huang Tianshou’s eyes shrank, as his body flipped mid-air, dropping palms chaotically.

The palm shadows were enveloped in flames, falling in clusters and layers, instantly forming a vortex of fire.

At center,

was the figure of the seated Patriarch of Fang Mansion.

"The Palm Technique is excellent."

Fang Zheng lifted his head, his voice calm:

"Unfortunately, your cultivation base is lacking!"

As he spoke, he raised his hand slightly, and a fierce Palm Force erupted from his meridians, instantly tearing through the incoming flames.

"Bang!"

Huang Tianshou spat blood as he flew back, landing and retreating repeatedly before barely stabilizing his body technique.

His face shifted between pale and dark hues.

"What great palm strength!"

Staring at Fang Zheng, he was filled with fear:

"Young Master Fang is impressive, I am no match for you."

"Haha..." Zhu Gui laughed as he stood up, cupped his hands towards Fang Zheng:

"Who would have thought, Young Master Fang is a Flawless Martial Artist who also practices Magic, Zhu admires!"

"Admire!"

"You flatter me." Fang Zheng’s expression was indifferent:

"Cannot compare to Second Master."

......

"Charge!"

"Charge!"

The strong horses with Exotic Beast bloodline galloped swiftly on the official road, the riders spurred them without regard for the pedestrians.

Even in densely populated areas, the riders did not reduce their speed, continuing their mad dash.

"Second Master."

Huang Tianshou swung his whip, saying:

"What do you think of that man named Fang?"

"What do I think?" Zhu Gui’s face showed disdain:

"Just a merchant!"

"Though he may be Flawless, with Protective Force only at one foot, he’s evidently just advanced in the last three to five years."

"Not skilled in Martial Arts, he relied on cultivation base and brute force against you, only lightly injuring you with a palm."

"Even if he hid some strength, it’s of little consequence."

A Flawless Martial Artist possesses Protective Force, with the weaker ones having only a few inches or a foot, while Zhu Gui could release two feet of force.

Stronger ones,

can even have three, five feet, and rumors of seven feet exist!

Fang Zheng’s one-foot protective force was naturally not weak compared to others, but among Flawless Martial Artists, it was indeed not strong.

"Indeed."

Huang Tianshou laughed as he listened:

"That Fang is merely in his thirties, being Flawless is heaven’s luck, how could he compare to seniors?"

Flawless Martial Artists can lock their essence without loss, naturally increasing their lifespan, like Zhu Gui who is over eighty.

He became Flawless forty years ago!

Forty years of cultivation accumulation, naturally exceeding Fang Zheng’s ability.

Zhu Gui smiled indifferently, his gaze containing seriousness:

"Fang Zheng is not to worry about, but his privately trained soldiers are commendable, and Yang Meng excels in Military Killing Techniques."

"If caught in a Battle Array, not even the Village Chief can guarantee escape unscathed. Caution is necessary."

"Oh!" Huang Tianshou raised his eyebrows:

"Is that so?"

"No wonder the man named Fang offered only ten percent benefits, yet the senior agreed."

*

*

*

"Black Wind Stronghold is too hasty."

Fang Zheng stood with hands behind his back, watching the departure of Black Wind Stronghold’s people, lightly shaking his head:

"A protruding bird gets shot, the ones who rebel first never end well, Black Wind Ascendant wants to unite the forces of Zhaonan Prefecture."

"They are likely nearing destruction!"

"Fang has no intention of claiming mastery, nor aiming to strive for supremacy. Having Black Wind Stronghold blocking the way is better."

He spoke as he lightly clenched his hand.

The Protective Force extended three feet from his body.