Chapter 24: Both a Transaction and a Partnership

It was only last year that Tang Niannian obtained the blueprints for the hidden sleeve arrow from Tang San. To show her appreciation for his "selfless contribution," she would pay him a sum of money each year as a buyout fee. Tang San had originally been reluctant to share it with her, but with Xiao Wu’s persuasion, he reasoned that the sleeve arrow wasn't a particularly vital hidden weapon and handed it over. Consequently, he began receiving an annual payment, which he almost entirely spent on Xiao Wu. With Tang Niannian not by his side, he poured all his affection for his sister onto Xiao Wu, giving her anything she desired.

Tang Niannian had people keeping a secret watch on Tang San and Xiao Wu, so she was well aware of the dynamics between them. She did not deny that Tang San had once been kind to her, nor that he still thought of her, but her "convenient" brother was, in truth, deeply guarded. She had put in a great deal of effort to secure those sleeve arrow blueprints; it was fortunate she had won Xiao Wu over first, otherwise, things would not have gone so smoothly.

Tang Niannian’s recollections ended there. Ning Fengzhi enjoyed dealing with sharp-witted people. He had expected to offer more guidance, but to his surprise, Tang Niannian grasped his intentions immediately. Such a mind was truly worthy of the head of the Beggar Sect.

"Since Miss Tang understands my intentions, I will speak plainly. Money is no object to me. I wish to secure all the sleeve arrows the Beggar Sect produces in the future. You need only name your price." Ning Fengzhi was direct and remarkably generous.

However, Tang Niannian was not lacking in money. "Mr. Ning should know that I am not short on funds," she said calmly, leaving her meaning ambiguous.

Ning Fengzhi pursed his lips slightly. "What is it that you want, Miss Tang?"

"A partnership," she replied without hesitation.

"A partnership?" Ning Fengzhi looked at her with profound interest.

Tang Niannian continued, "I know you are the Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and I know money is not an issue for you. But you must have also inquired around—besides me, no one else on the entire continent can craft these hidden weapons. Since you want to buy them out, you must offer terms that pique my interest and are of actual use to me."

Ning Fengzhi fell silent for a moment. He narrowed his eyes. "Since you have put it this way, why not state your conditions directly? It will save us the trouble of second-guessing one another." Although he didn’t know what she was plotting, he was determined to secure that batch of weapons; he could not allow them to fall into anyone else’s hands.

If courtesy failed to procure them, he would have no choice but to use force.

Tang Niannian smiled faintly. "It is simple: I want my money to make more money."

"Money to make more money?" Ning Fengzhi was stunned.

Tang Niannian explained, "Sect Master Ning is a businessman, and you are surely superior to me in that regard. I need you to point the way for me to earn—more."

Ning Fengzhi felt he couldn't quite see through this young girl. He teased, "Didn't you just say you weren't short on money?"

Tang Niannian leaned back on the sofa and chuckled softly. "I am not short on the kind of money you can offer, but I am short on an amount millions of times greater than that. Sect Master, you should understand what I mean."

Quite the appetite. Yet, Ning Fengzhi did not refuse. He nodded, "Since this is a partnership, shouldn't we be transparent with each other?"

Trying to pry into her background? Tang Niannian had no intention of being transparent. She dangled a carrot: "I will have a batch of even superior hidden weapons in the future. If you think it is acceptable, those, too, will be offered to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect first."

"There are others?" Ning Fengzhi asked, "What kind, specifically?"

Tang Niannian opened the soul tool hanging at her waist and produced a Zhuge Crossbow, placing it before him. "Sect Master, please examine this carefully. If you find it satisfactory, we shall seal our partnership. Furthermore, beyond the sleeve arrows and this Zhuge Crossbow, there will be even more advanced weapons later. If we are partners, I will certainly prioritize you."

Ning Fengzhi picked up the Zhuge Crossbow, examined it, and fumbled until he pressed the trigger.

"Whoosh!"

The bolts fired, piercing through the wall of the private room, stopping just inches from breaking through entirely. The power of the Zhuge Crossbow genuinely surprised him. Such intricate and complex craftsmanship was not something an ordinary person could produce. Who exactly was this Tang Niannian? While questioning her identity, he was also very satisfied with the weapon.

"When can this batch be produced?" he asked.

Tang Niannian thought for a moment. "It will be at least two years before mass production is possible; this is currently just the testing phase." She hadn't actually obtained the blueprints for this one yet; she would have to trick Tang San into giving them to her later. It was a matter of making reasonable use of the resources around her—she felt her "convenient" brother still had great utility. Moreover, she had added a few "special touches" to boost the power of this crossbow, purely to lure Ning Fengzhi into helping her earn money for the next two years.

When it came to the ways of wealth, Ning Fengzhi was far more capable than she was. With his help, her consumption progress could be at least two or three times faster, and she wouldn't have to worry about unforeseen circumstances stalling her capital.

Two years? Ning Fengzhi considered this. He felt as though he had walked into her trap, rather than the other way around. Her appetite was indeed quite large; the buyout money he could have offered was by no means a small sum, yet she had dismissed it, aiming for returns millions of times greater.

He felt he needed to deliberate further. "Miss Tang, such a large appetite—are you sure you can handle it?"

Tang Niannian smiled. "That is not for you to worry about, Sect Master. Since I dare to name this price, it proves I can handle it. You get your benefits, I get my money; it is a fair trade. I have simply rephrased it as a partnership."

Merchants pursued profit, and Ning Fengzhi felt that the girl before him truly embodied that principle to the fullest.

"Very well," he agreed with a refined smile. "However, how much you earn will depend on your own ability. I am only responsible for showing you the way; I will not be responsible for the process in between."

"Agreed!"

With the partnership settled, Tang Niannian left his room. When she returned to her own, the auction was just beginning. She successfully bid on the soul tools and the soul bone. Ning Fengzhi, knowing she was the one bidding high, did not interfere. He looked at the Zhuge Crossbow left on the table by Tang Niannian and couldn't help but chuckle.

"Uncle Gu, let us return and prepare to open some doors for her."