If the hidden weapons could truly prove that effective, wouldn't the
Seeing the contemplative look on
Ning Fengzhi snapped back to the present. From Tang San's tone, it was clear that the methods of crafting hidden weapons were non-negotiable. Though Tang San was only a teenager, the composure and calm he exuded—along with the determination he had already demonstrated—were not so easily swayed.
So Ning Fengzhi settled for a secondary proposal. "We've already seen the hidden weapons Rongrong carries. I'd like five hundred sets identical to her equipment. I'll offer ten thousand Gold Soul Coins per set. What do you think?"
Tang San replied, "The price is fine, but there's one thing I need to make clear up front. This complete set of hidden weapons will not include the Flying Heaven Divine Claw on Rongrong's right hand. I can replace it with a Silent Sleeve Arrow instead. Everything else remains the same. The Flying Heaven Divine Claw isn't really a hidden weapon—while it does have offensive capability, its more important function is auxiliary. Moreover, its materials are extremely difficult to craft, and ordinary artisans wouldn't be able to complete it."
"Oh?" Ning Fengzhi had never seen
Even with Ning Fengzhi's standing, the temptation of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Tower was simply too great. It was his only chance to take a step further from the peak he had already reached.
Unfortunately, Tang San shook his head. "The Qiluo Tulip is an immortal-grade herb. There is likely only that one in the entire world. No immortal-grade herb exists in duplicate in the same place. Perhaps others exist elsewhere on the continent, but they wouldn't be something I could find. The one Rongrong has was a gift—how could I accept payment for it from Uncle Ning? Five hundred Gold Soul Coins is more than sufficient. However, I should be clear: I will only handle the final assembly. The manufacturing process for all the various components will be up to Uncle Ning to arrange. According to Rongrong, your clan has its own dedicated smithy, so that shouldn't be difficult. Furthermore, having your own smithy produce the components will make it much easier to replenish supplies for the hidden weapons in the future—especially crossbow bolts and steel needles."
As he spoke, Tang San pulled a stack of blueprints from the Twenty-Four Bridges Moonlit Night. After carefully reviewing them, he handed them over to Ning Fengzhi. "The Silent Sleeve Arrow, the Stomp Crossbow, and the Boot-Mounted Flying Blades can all have their components manufactured in duplicate."
Watching Ning Fengzhi accept the blueprints, Bone Douluo couldn't help but speak up. "Kid, you sure know how to do business! You're not even handling the component manufacturing, and you're pulling in five million Gold Soul Coins just like that? That's a bit too easy, isn't it?"
"Uncle Bone." Ning Fengzhi shook his head at
Tang San had little interest in money at the moment. What he wanted most was to clarify his identity as soon as possible. He smiled faintly. "If Uncle Ning feels the price is unreasonable, you're welcome to lower it. You were the one who proposed the original figure—I have no objections."
Ning Fengzhi smiled gently. "No need to lower anything. Let's stick with what was already agreed. I may not be one to speak with golden authority, but the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's credit is beyond question."
Tang San nodded. "Then it's settled. Thank you for your help just now, Uncle Ning. If there's nothing else, I'd like to go back and rest. Regarding the hidden weapons, please send over the components for every hundred completed sets, and I'll assemble them here before handing them over. The consumable items used in each hidden weapon will need to be manufactured on your end."
Ning Fengzhi didn't press Tang San to stay. He personally stood and saw him out of the meeting room, pressing a gleaming golden card into his hand. He didn't mention how much it contained, simply telling Tang San it was a deposit—the remaining balance would be paid after the hidden weapons were assembled.
Watching Tang San leave, Gu Rong couldn't help but frown deeply. "Fengzhi, why did you agree so readily? The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan may have money, but this is hardly the way to spend it."
Ning Fengzhi tapped the blueprints in his hand and smiled. "There's no need to rush, Uncle Bone. The blueprints Tang San provided are extremely detailed—they not only specify what materials to use, but also list the manufacturing method for every single component. Moreover, they aren't out of order; every component is classified according to the hidden weapon it belongs to. Our clan has no shortage of skilled craftsmen—surely they can handle assembly? In my view, five million Gold Soul Coins for an entire set of hidden weapon blueprints is hardly expensive. Even setting that aside, if we didn't have these blueprints, do you think five million gold coins could exchange for a single Qiluo Tulip immortal-grade herb?"
Only after hearing Ning Fengzhi's explanation did Gu Rong's expression soften. He murmured, "If you put it that way, it does seem like we can't lose no matter how you look at it."
Ning Rongrong, standing to the side, couldn't keep quiet any longer. "Dad, Grandpa Bone—why does it feel like you're scheming against my Third Brother?"
Ning Fengzhi shot Ning Rongrong a look. "Silly girl, this isn't schemering. As the clan master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, everything I do must be for the clan's benefit. Now, go on back. Continue cultivating diligently at the academy."
Ning Rongrong glared at her father in dissatisfaction and looked to Bone Douluo for help, but this time he didn't come to her rescue. He simply gave her a glance, signaling her to leave first.
Ning Rongrong departed the meeting room as well. Now only Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong remained, and with Gu Rong's strength, eavesdropping from anyone nearby would be impossible.
"Fengzhi, what do you make of that boy? Is he really
Ning Fengzhi nodded. "There shouldn't be any mistake. The Clear Sky Hammer of the Clear Sky Sect cannot be imitated. From what I know, no direct-line disciple of the Clear Sky Sect has left the clan in recent years—they've been extremely low-profile as a whole. The only exception was Tang Hao's disappearance back then. Besides, the boy himself confirmed that his father's name is Tang Hao. Judging by his age, the timeline fits as well. I never would have guessed that even after leaving the Clear Sky Sect, Tang Hao would raise such an extraordinary son."
Gu Rong smiled bitterly. "How could he not be extraordinary? After all, this boy was born of Tang Hao and that woman. He's not just terrifying in strength—his mind is remarkable as well. From the look of him, he probably didn't know Tang Hao's identity before. Even so, upon learning the news today, he still managed to maintain his composure—something no ordinary teenager could have done. Given time, I fear he'll become another Tang Hao. Clan Master, should we perhaps..."
At this, a flash of ruthlessness crossed Gu Rong's face, and his right hand traced a subtle knife-hand gesture in the air before him.
"No." Ning Fengzhi flatly rejected the suggestion. "Uncle Bone, never say such things again. The Clear Sky Sect has always stood above our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, but the Upper Three Clans have always shared the same bond. From any perspective, we cannot harm this child. I may not be able to predict how far he'll develop in the future, but judging by his Twin Martial Soul, it's entirely possible that years from now, he could become a figure on the level of a Supreme Pontiff. We may not be able to draw this child into our clan, but we must do everything in our power to maintain a good relationship with him."
Gu Rong looked puzzled. "Why? Are we simply going to watch a threat grow unchecked? If in a few decades he also becomes a Titled Douluo, the Clear Sky Sect will become a clan with three Titled Douluo. At that point, we might be suppressed beneath them for good."
Ning Fengzhi sighed. "What you say is true enough, but I'm thinking further ahead than that. Uncle Bone, you rarely leave the clan and never concern yourself with outside affairs. But have you noticed that over the last twenty years, the entire Soul Master world of the continent has been unnervingly quiet?"
Gu Rong's expression shifted slightly. "Clan Master, what do you mean?"
Ning Fengzhi said, "I still remember when I was young—the Soul Master world of the continent was in constant upheaval, with both visible and invisible conflicts breaking out everywhere. But over the past twenty years, such conflicts have nearly vanished. The entire continent, the Soul Master communities of both great empires, have fallen silent in a way that's almost frightening. Yet I sense a gathering storm—the calm before a tempest. Perhaps in just a few more years, the balance of the Soul Master world will undergo a fundamental change."
Gu Rong was somewhat dismissive. "Fengzhi, aren't you being a bit overcautious? The continent's peace strikes me as a natural trend. The Soul Master world is primarily controlled by Spirit Hall and our seven great clans. We maintain our own spheres without interference. The vast majority of Soul Masters are affiliated with one of these two powers, and those who aren't belong to the two great empires or their subordinate kingdoms and principalities. The overall situation is inherently stable. Where would any variables come from?"
Ning Fengzhi smiled ruefully. "If only it were truly that simple. I've already uncovered certain threads, but nothing that can be confirmed yet. We'd best remain cautious in all things. What I can say with certainty is this: should the continental situation change in any way, the seven great clans must stand united. I can't speak for the Lower Four Clans, but the Upper Three Clans have always shared one heart. As long as our bonds hold firm, we need not fear any shift in power from any direction."
(End of Chapter)