Chengying

Through the window, Yaoguang looked at her. She seemed to be looking back at him as well. Their eyes met. In those wide-open eyes was a profound longing to live—just like when she had leaped from the minibus not long ago, struggling with everything she had to escape. Last time, she had survived. This time, she was dead. For a moment, there was utter silence. The next instant, Lin Xiaowei, Zhang Qing, Xia Wuyuan, and the others all turned pale. "Quick! Call an ambulance!" "Get to the security control room immediately! Find out which floor she fell from, then investigate!" "She has ligature marks on her body, and some of the injuries... don't look like they came from the fall..." Talking over one another, they rushed out of the Mijade Gallery reception room. Just before darting through the door, Lin Xiaowei paused. She turned back to look at Yaoguang, her expression dead serious. "I'll be keeping a close eye on you!" With that, she hurried after Xia Wuyuan, Zhang Qing, and the rest. Yaoguang stood up calmly and walked to the window. He watched the passersby screaming in terror, scattering in every direction. He watched Lin Xiaowei, Zhang Qing, Xia Wuyuan, and their team burst out of the gallery and push through the fleeing crowd, fighting against the tide to administer first aid to Yu Xiaoying. In the end, all they could do was helplessly take off their jackets and cover her body. *Knock, knock.* A gentle tap at the door broke the silence in the reception room. "Young Master Su... there was an accident outside. Do you think we should..." Curator Fang's voice came through. "Where is my sword?" Yaoguang asked. "It's here." Shortly after, the door was pushed open, and Curator Fang walked in with Zhang Qing. Seeing them, Yaoguang pulled down the window blinds, forcing the curious Zhang Qing to suppress his urge to see what was happening outside. Accompanying Curator Fang were two staff members carrying a display rack. Resting neatly upon it was none other than the ancient sword Chengying. Chengying was somewhat longer than the swords Yaoguang had used before, measuring over ninety centimeters in total length. The blade had been forged from an unknown material, rendering it entirely transparent. Without a close look, one could hardly see the blade at all, as though it were merely a bare hilt. This design immediately endeared it to Yaoguang, who already wielded the secret technique Formless. He walked straight to Chengying and picked it up. Though relatively slender, the sword was not light, weighing over six jin. Its unusual heft proved that the material was definitely no ordinary steel. Yaoguang flicked the flat of the blade with his finger. A crisp sword chime reverberated through the air. Through this chime and the way the blade responded to the force of his flick, he confirmed his impression. This ancient sword, said to have been forged with techniques from a thousand years ago, was indeed superior in quality to most modern craft weapons on the market. It was incredible, but it was fact. "I'll take it," Yaoguang said. "What's the price?" "Someone once offered twenty million to buy Chengying, but our boss turned them down," Curator Fang said. "However, when I asked our boss just now, he said that if Young Master Su wants it, we are naturally willing to give you the best price—fifteen million will do. Furthermore, to apologize for our earlier rudeness, we are willing to offer an additional discount on top of that: twelve million. What do you think, Young Master Su?" "Acceptable," Yaoguang nodded. Even though they had acquired the sword for only eight million, hyping it up over the years also carried a cost. Twelve million was indeed a reasonable price. Without delay, Yaoguang went out to his car and retrieved 1.2 million Star Coins from the briefcase he had taken from the Qingyu Industrial Park. Mijade Gallery naturally had no reason to turn down this universal global currency. In fact, such unregulated cash made it even easier for them to move funds into international circulation. The transaction was completed shortly. "Young Master Su, allow me to have it mounted and cased for you," Curator Fang said with a warm smile. "No need," Yaoguang replied, merely taking the documentation that accompanied the ancient sword. "You head back first," Yaoguang told Zhang Qing. "Then... should I drop your things off at the hotel?" Zhang Qing asked for instructions. "Yes." Yaoguang nodded. After Zhang Qing left, Yaoguang glanced toward the scene of the fall once more. The ambulance had already arrived, though it was of no use now. He turned to Curator Fang beside him. "I would like to meet the big boss of Yulong International. Could you make an introduction?" Curator Fang hesitated slightly. However, considering Young Master Su's background, even though he had not yet returned to the Su family, an introduction was just a brief meeting. With the Su family's influence, the big boss of Yulong International would likely not refuse. "I'll ask for you," she said. Yaoguang gave a slight nod. The Su family name was quite useful. At this moment, he was already considering whether he should pay a visit to the Su family. Previously, he had avoided returning mainly because the original host's parents were utterly insufferable; going back would inevitably entangle him in trivial disputes and disrupt his cultivation plans. But now... *Perhaps I can talk to the head of the Su family as a partner, working toward mutual benefit.* He could use his martial prowess to protect and foster the Su family's growth, while the Su family could support him with money and connections, facilitating his efforts to earn wealth, slay demons, and achieve the realms of Martial Saint and Human Immortal. Attaining Grandmaster was already considered a major accomplishment. As long as the old family head possessed any degree of insight, he would treat Yaoguang differently from the rest. Even if the Su family refused, he could still cooperate with other factions. Though a Grandmaster could not compare to a Martial Saint—who would be treated as an honored guest of the royal family and establish a prominent clan of their own—they were hardly inferior to a family whose influence spanned an entire province. Before long, Curator Fang returned. "Boss Ou warmly welcomes your visit, Young Master Su," she said with a smile. "Someone will be down shortly to escort you up." "Thank you for the trouble." Yaoguang nodded slightly. "Are you interested in weapons, Young Master Su? If Mijade Gallery acquires any new famed pieces in the future, may we extend an invitation to you?" "You may," Yaoguang replied. "If you can find a Treasure Weapon or Divine Weapon, that would be even better." A Treasure Weapon or Divine Weapon? Curator Fang gave an awkward smile. Supreme treasures worth hundreds of millions, or even billions, were far beyond what Mijade Gallery could easily obtain. However, the mention of Treasure Weapons seemed to remind her of something. "The Wanfa Chamber of Commerce, with whom we maintain a close partnership, gathers rare treasures from around the world every October to hold a joint auction. Three months ago, they acquired a Treasure Weapon from a fallen ancient sect. Nine times out of ten, it will be put up for bid at this year's auction. If you are interested, Young Master Su, you might want to look into it." "The Wanfa Chamber of Commerce." Yaoguang nodded upon hearing the name. Just then, a woman in a blouse who appeared to be under thirty walked in. "Secretary Ding," Curator Fang greeted her, stepping forward to make introductions. "This is Young Master Su." The woman addressed as Secretary Ding nodded, then turned to Yaoguang with a smile. "Young Master Su, please follow me. President Ou has long held Buzhou Group in high esteem and has always wished to pay his respects to Old Master Su." Yaoguang stood up, followed Secretary Ding out of Mijade Gallery, and stepped into an exclusive elevator. Soon, the elevator reached the twenty-second floor. This was the floor reserved for Yulong International's private offices. "Please, this way." Secretary Ding gestured, leading Yaoguang inward. Yaoguang glanced around. Outside the elevator was a magnificent, hotel-like lobby, lavishly decorated. Several burly men and women lingered in various corners, and staff members bustled back and forth. The moment Yaoguang stepped out of the elevator, two pairs of eyes immediately locked onto him. Seeing that he had been brought up by Secretary Ding, they shifted their gaze away. Yaoguang followed Secretary Ding across the palatial lobby into a deep corridor, walking several dozen meters. However, upon reaching the third fork in the hallway, Yaoguang came to a halt. "Young Master Su? This way, please," Secretary Ding said. Yaoguang paid her no heed. Turning directly down the other fork, he strode forward. "Young Master Su?" Secretary Ding hurriedly chased after him. Yaoguang did not appear to be walking slowly, and the distance between each of his steps was remarkably wide. Even jogging, Secretary Ding found herself unable to keep up. Before long, Yaoguang stopped outside an office bearing a sign that read "Director." "Young Master Su..." Before Secretary Ding could voice her objection, he had already pushed the door open and stepped inside.