"...It's unrealistic to expect a major deal right away. I believe there's plenty of time ahead, and we can take things slowly. After this, if you're thinking of things like murder or arson, make sure you've thought it through and prepared the price before coming to me."
As he spoke, he looked at Bi Xuan meaningfully.
Bi Xuan's heart tightened slightly. Sure enough, although Li Daoqiang was greedy for wealth and women, he wasn't in a hurry at all, always staying clear-headed and rational. And this meant he wanted the Jin Kingdom to come up with fifty million taels of silver first before anything else?
After a moment of contemplation, he said solemnly, "The chieftain is right. There's plenty of time ahead. I was too impatient."
Li Daoqiang laughed heartily, dispelling the golden light, raised his wine glass, and said earnestly, "Come, let me toast Brother Bi, wishing our friendship everlasting."
Even Bi Xuan, with his strong mental fortitude, couldn't help but find the words a bit awkward, but he still raised his glass and drank. His expression remained calm, with a hint of dignity and aloof pride.
Off to the side, Wan Wan subtly curled the corner of her mouth. *Truly shameless.* How could he say something like that?
Of course, she wouldn't show it. Li Daoqiang had taken a liking to her, but he clearly wasn't infatuated, and he was still a domineering bandit who didn't know how to charm women. There were some things she could do by relying on his interest in her. But other things, she couldn't.
For instance, right now, when Li Daoqiang was clearly reaching some agreement with Bi Xuan, this was serious business. She couldn't truly anger him.
Wan Wan understood this well and was still feeling out his personality, boundaries, and so on.
Setting down his glass, Li Daoqiang's gaze shifted slightly toward a certain direction, and his smile deepened. *They're here.*
After a moment, two figures who clearly looked extraordinary walked into the modest inn. Immediately, Li Daoqiang and the others turned to look at them.
The two men retracted their imposing auras, their expressions carrying a hint of respect as they approached Li Daoqiang.
"Greetings, Chief Li."
The two clasped their fists in salute, lowering their posture slightly.
"Master Ouyang, and you must be Master Zhao Deyan," Li Daoqiang said with a smile, his attitude quite warm.
"It is I," Zhao Deyan replied solemnly.
"Mm, since you're here, you must already know the situation. Master Zhao, return to the Jin Kingdom. Within two months, the chieftain expects to see fifty million taels of silver at Black Dragon Stronghold. By then, Brother Bi will naturally return," Li Daoqiang said calmly, his smile unchanged.
Zhao Deyan glanced at Bi Xuan, nodded, and said gravely, "I understand. Within two months, the fifty million taels of silver will be delivered to Black Dragon Stronghold."
"Good, straightforward. You can go back on your own. Master Ouyang will stay a while longer," Li Daoqiang praised briefly before giving a plain order.
Zhao Deyan's heart stirred, but he didn't say anything else. With a slight bow, he turned and left.
Li Daoqiang watched his retreating figure for a moment before looking away. *This man isn't worth trying to win over.*
Turning his attention to Ouyang Feng, his smile grew more hearty, and he gestured, "Master Ouyang, have a seat."
"Thank you." Ouyang Feng didn't stand on ceremony, sitting down calmly in the only empty seat left at Li Daoqiang's table.
With the unruffled, unshakable bearing of a grandmaster, even facing Li Daoqiang now, he showed no restraint, neither humble nor arrogant. He merely displayed the appropriate respect for a peerless expert.
Li Daoqiang looked at Ouyang Feng with appreciation and said warmly, "Master Ouyang, I left in a hurry and didn't catch the outcome of the final battle?"
Ouyang Feng paused for a moment, then transmitted his voice to Li Daoqiang: "I made some deals with Hong Qigong, so we ended up mutually wounded."
Li Daoqiang's gaze flickered slightly, but he said nothing, just looking at Ouyang Feng with interest.
Ouyang Feng understood and continued calmly via telepathy: "He gave me the *Nine Yin Manual*, and I fought him to a draw, preserving the Heroes' Assembly. That also gave the Mongols an explanation."
"Good, you're straightforward." Li Daoqiang laughed heartily, his expression full of admiration. He didn't use telepathy, speaking directly aloud.
This drew sidelong glances from everyone. Some even felt envy and jealousy—Li Daoqiang hadn't treated them with such warmth.
Of course, they knew it came down to strength.
"Master Ouyang, name your conditions. If I can agree, I won't hesitate," Li Daoqiang said bluntly, ignoring his subordinates' thoughts.
Bi Xuan narrowed his eyes slightly, glanced at Ouyang Feng, sighed inwardly, and closed his eyes. *The Great Jin now...*
The more he thought, the heavier his heart grew.
The others also understood—Ouyang Feng was joining Black Dragon Stronghold.
Ouyang Feng didn't use telepathy again, remaining steady and unhurried: "I don't have many conditions. First, what the chieftain said."
"No problem. As long as you have the ability, I'll do my best to help you advance further," Li Daoqiang said seriously.
"Second, I've roughly understood Black Dragon Stronghold's rules, and I can accept most of them. But I have some personal grudges to settle, and resolving them might stir up trouble," Ouyang Feng said, his tone growing heavier, hinting at something.
Li Daoqiang's expression turned serious as well. He knew exactly what kind of trouble he meant.
After a moment of silence, he spoke: "Alright, I'll take on that trouble. But Black Dragon Stronghold won't act on your behalf. And if you plan to move, you must report to me first."
"Agreed." Ouyang Feng accepted without hesitation.
This didn't surprise him. Li Daoqiang wouldn't risk a direct clash with the righteous factions of the Song Kingdom just for him.
His goal was simply to inform Li Daoqiang in advance, seeking his protection after taking revenge. He would handle the revenge himself.
As for reporting and such, it didn't matter much. He could roughly guess Li Daoqiang's intentions and would deal with it later.
"Third, I will never accept control by something like the Life-and-Death Talisman. And within Black Dragon Stronghold, I will only take orders from the chieftain," Ouyang Feng said, his tone firmer, with a hint of pride.
"Haha, rest assured, Master Ouyang. As long as you don't betray me, the Life-and-Death Talisman will never be used against you. That's the same for everyone in Black Dragon Stronghold. As for orders, our stronghold values strength above all. If your strength is sufficient, everything can be negotiated," Li Daoqiang said with a laugh.
Ouyang Feng set aside most of his concerns. He knew Li Daoqiang had placed the Life-and-Death Talisman on Zhu Yuyan, and that was precisely why he was more cautious—he couldn't accept it.
But after much thought, Black Dragon Stronghold was still his best option now. Li Daoqiang was strong enough to temporarily suppress his pride. He could withstand pressure from the Mongols and the Jin Kingdom. Most importantly, he could help Ouyang Feng go further.
So, after receiving Li Daoqiang's telepathic message at the end, he came. With Bi Xuan as an excuse, he and Zhao Deyan arrived without Fang Yeyu stopping them.
Of course, he also knew that Li Daoqiang's influence might have played a part.
Since he had made his decision, he didn't waste words. He acted decisively, directly showing his stance to Li Daoqiang.
The result was satisfactory enough.
His expression grew more serious. He stood up, took two steps back, clasped his fists, and bowed: "Subordinate Ouyang Feng pays respects to the chieftain."
This bow formally established his status and identity.
"Good, please rise." Li Daoqiang gestured, maintaining a certain level of courtesy.
Like with Wu Xingyun, Ouyang Feng's strength warranted such special treatment. There was no need to explain—this was the rule of strength.
From the very beginning, this was the tone Li Daoqiang had set for Black Dragon Stronghold. Duan Yanqing and the others could resent it all they wanted, but their strength simply wasn't enough.
(That's all for today. Everyone, get some rest.) ………………