Cheng Zongyang withdrew his gaze from Qiu Fengxing and looked at Xu Tieshan. "Since no one can take a joke, let’s cut to the chase.

"The County Town needs everyone’s cooperation to recover. My goal is simple: for all of us to work together to restore it. Once everything is back on track, you can all settle your grudges then. Of course, if any of you have other ideas, feel free to share them."

Having said his piece, Cheng Zongyang fell silent, picked up his chopsticks, and resumed eating.

He didn’t rush, just ate at a leisurely pace, not even glancing at the others’ expressions.

Qiu Wan’Er had been observing Cheng Zongyang’s behavior from the very beginning, her elegant brows knitting together slightly.

She truly couldn’t make sense of the young man before her.

’That moment during his clash with Lu Yanqi... his words, his actions, they all radiated an intense confidence! It was the kind of aura that suggested he could cut down the Patriarch of the Lu Family right then and there. It’s just like the confidence my father displays when facing a Martial Artist of the same Realm—and he always backs it up!’

To see that same quality in a young man was simply unbelievable.

After all, the other patriarchs were present. If a fight broke out, it would be a perfect opportunity for them to eliminate an opponent, and they surely wouldn’t stand idly by.

And yet, Cheng Zongyang was completely unafraid.

"If you want to cooperate, what’s your offer?" Liu Chengdong suddenly asked.

Cheng Zongyang’s hand paused. He looked at Liu Chengdong. "My offer? I’m the one who needs to make an offer?"

Liu Chengdong scoffed. "Do you really think we can’t manage the County Town without you?"

Cheng Zongyang stopped wasting time and looked to Xu Tieshan and the others. "Patriarch Xu, is that your sentiment as well? Does everyone else feel the same?"

"That knife you had the other night," Xu Tieshan said suddenly. "I think it’s quite impressive."

Liu Chengdong laughed. "I, for one, think it would be better if your Cheng Family and your so-called Celestial Break Gang just left the County Town. Why not go develop things in that... what is it, Tiantuan Village? You have that thousand-mu plot of fertile land there. Oh, right, it’s almost harvest time, isn’t it? That’s no small amount."

Cheng Zongyang shot a calm glance at Liu Chengdong but didn’t rush to speak.

"You can name a price. How much are you selling that knife for?" Qiu Fengxing suddenly asked.

This took everyone by surprise.

Were they actually negotiating a sale?

Only the Ding and He Families remained silent.

Cheng Zongyang set down his chopsticks and smiled. "It seems the only reason you all came today was to tell me you have no intention of cooperating."

"Tell me where you got that knife first. It’s not too late to talk about cooperation after that," Xu Tieshan persisted.

"Heh." Cheng Zongyang shook his head slightly, knowing there was no point in continuing this.

Seeing this, Xu Tieshan rose to his feet. Without another word, he headed downstairs.

His attitude made it perfectly clear: if he wasn’t getting the knife, there was nothing more to discuss.

Seeing Cheng Zongyang’s unmoved expression, the others also got up to leave. After they had filed out one by one, only He Shujun remained.

Cheng Zongyang looked at He Shujun, rather surprised.

Among the patriarchs of the six families, He Shujun was the youngest, followed by Liu Chengdong.

Only then did He Shujun rise, looking at Cheng Zongyang with a smile.

"You want to cooperate, but you’re underestimating us. No one will agree to a partnership with nothing to gain. We can easily manage without you.

"As for doing this ’for the County Town’... heh, that’s meaningless. Restoring the County Town might benefit us all, but do you really think anyone here is going to sacrifice their family’s interests for the sake of its people? Who knows who would truly reap the rewards of our labor?"

With that, he turned to leave. But just before heading downstairs, he added, "Distant allies are no substitute for a close neighbor. North City and West City are so close, after all. Let’s talk again when you have time."

Cheng Zongyang watched the figure disappear down the staircase, his eyes glinting.