Chapter 282
A mere merchant?!
Ning Rongrong was so ashamed that she wanted to crawl into a hole in the ground. She no longer cared about questioning him. She stomped her foot and, like a frightened little rabbit, quickly hid behind the tall and imposing Sword Douluo Chen Xin. She clung tightly to the hem of her grandfather's robe and buried her face in it, only revealing the tips of her two bright red ears.
The fierce aura she had shown when facing Flander had vanished, leaving only the extreme shyness of a young girl.
As for Chen Xin, the Sword Douluo, who was just moments before brimming with murderous intent and about to kill Flander, the icy killing intent on his face melted away instantly, like snow meeting the blazing sun.
Instead, he wore an extremely strange expression—first astonishment, then sudden realization, followed by a look of utter speechlessness as he looked at Ning Fengzhi, and finally, when his gaze fell on his granddaughter hiding behind him, who was overcome with embarrassment, a rare hint of... barely suppressed laughter flashed in the depths of his sharp, sword-like eyes.
Even the fierce sword intent that had been cutting through everything around him softened a bit.
He coughed lightly, said nothing, and simply pulled his wide robe sleeves back, like a silent mountain, providing shelter for his shy granddaughter.
Zhu Zhuqing, who had been quietly staying by Lin Xia's side like a shadow, slightly narrowed her cat-like eyes.
She clearly sensed Ning Rongrong's turbulent emotions and immense shame, and also keenly grasped the underlying intention behind Ning Fengzhi's words.
Subconsciously glancing at Lin Xia beside him, the slight wariness and inexplicable emotions in his heart only dissipated when he saw Lin Xia rubbing his temples and the helpless yet amused expression on his lips.
The hand gripping Lin Xia's clothes seemed to tighten a little more.
The same was true of everyone around them!
Oscar was the most upset. He had been hoping to have a fling with Ning Rongrong after she arrived.
Now everything is ruined!
Just as a mix of emotions—embarrassment, shame, shock, speechlessness, and suppressed laughter—permeated the entire scene, Lin Xia, as one of the epicenters of the storm and the focus of everyone's attention, felt that the atmosphere was far too strange.
Lin Xia put down her hand that was rubbing her temples and decisively chose to change the subject.
He gently tugged at the corners of his mouth, revealing an extremely natural smile, somewhat like a businessman trying to make money, and spoke to Ning Fengzhi in a clear voice, breaking the eerie silence.
"Ahem, Brother Ning, you're joking."
Lin Xia's tone carried just the right amount of humility and a hint of helplessness.
"I'm not as powerful as you say. The twelve-year-old Soul King, controlling calamity beasts... that's all just outsiders exaggerating. I'm just a small-time merchant, selling some soul tools and earning a meager living. It's nothing to mention, really nothing to mention."
Lin Xia spoke these words casually, adopting an extremely humble posture, as if the person who had previously suppressed Soul Saints like crushing ants, and who had attracted the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's sect leader to personally come and say that he "did not want to lose his daughter," had nothing to do with him.
Who is Ning Fengzhi?
A mind with seven orifices, exquisitely clever!
He instantly understood that Lin Xia was intentionally trying to defuse the awkwardness and change the subject.
Although he was a little embarrassed that his "old father's little thoughts" had been exposed in public, how could he not accept the way out that Lin Xia had so tactfully offered?
Moreover, following Lin Xia's lead, we can have a deeper discussion about the core issue he cares about most and that is crucial to the future development of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School—soul tools!
Ning Fengzhi quickly concealed his embarrassment and put on his gentle, approachable sect leader smile again.
He followed up on Lin Xia's words and burst into laughter, his laughter hearty, as if the brief embarrassment he had just experienced had never happened.
"Hahaha! My brother, my brother!"
Ning Fengzhi stepped forward and patted Lin Xia's shoulder very naturally, the gesture appearing extremely intimate. "You're being far too modest! It's utterly ridiculous!"
Ning Fengzhi's voice suddenly rose, carrying an undeniable certainty and intense admiration, his gaze fixed intently on Lin Xia.
"A small-time merchant? Selling some soul tools? Earning a meager living through hard work?"
With each repetition of Lin Xia's self-deprecating remarks, Ning Fengzhi emphasized his words, until finally his tone became almost resolute.
"Brother, if you describe yourself like that, every businessman in the world should be ashamed to the point of having nowhere to hide!"
Ning Fengzhi didn't give Lin Xia another chance to "argue" and began to recount her experiences in a clear and loud voice, which echoed clearly in the night sky. He was speaking not only to Lin Xia but also to everyone present to demonstrate Lin Xia's importance.
"Sell soul tools all over the continent? My friend, you make it sound so easy! You've revolutionized the concept of soul tools and restructured the soul tool market!"
"You have transformed the once expensive and rare soul tools, which were exclusive to top nobles and powerful soul masters, into practical tools that can enter thousands of households and benefit countless ordinary people and low-level soul masters!"
"From the most basic storage soul tools to portable temperature-controlled soul tools that can change the climate, to powerful defensive and offensive soul tools, and even special soul tools that assist in cultivation... the variety, coverage, and penetration of your Gengjin City's product line are unprecedented!"
"You say you're a small businessman? What small businessman could have core directly operated stores and thousands of authorized distribution points spread across two empires and hundreds of large and medium-sized cities?"
"Could it be that a set of almost harsh, yet unquestionable 'Gengjin Standards' has unified and standardized the quality system of the entire soul tool market?"
Ning Fengzhi paused, a shrewd glint in his eyes, and continued:
"All forces want to cooperate with you? Brother, that's no exaggeration! From the imperial family and the Spirit Temple to the major sects, noble families, and even those powerful Soul Master groups operating in the gray area, which one wouldn't want to hitch a ride on your 'Gengjin City' ship?"
"Your soul tool technology is the core, your raw material supply channels are the lifeline, and you control the upstream, midstream, and downstream of the soul tool industry chain!"
"Cooperating with you means priority access to the latest and most powerful soul tools, which translates to huge profits and strategic advantages! Who would dare to offend you easily?"
"Offending you is tantamount to cutting myself off from the future development of soul tools!"
Ning Fengzhi's words were full of inflammatory and genuine shock, leaving Dai Mubai, who was standing to the side, both excited and horrified.
So this seemingly young Lord Lin wields such terrifying influence?
Flanders felt a sense of absurdity mixed with despair.
How could I have even tried to manipulate the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School to curry favor with such an existence?
That's utterly delusional!
Even if you're courting death, you wouldn't do it this way!
Although Sword Douluo Chen Xin remained expressionless, a hint of approval flashed in his eyes.
Although he was devoted to the way of the sword, he was also well aware of the strategic significance of soul tools.
Ning Fengzhi's high regard for Lin Xia's business empire is no exaggeration. (End of Chapter)