Chapter 129: Tí Nán Green Jade

The Tianyu Trading Company was as bustling as ever, with crowds of people flowing everywhere. Zhang Xuan, hands clasped behind his back, strolled in slowly.

"Master, the place where Lord Ling works is just ahead..."

After walking for a while, Sun Qiang pointed forward.

Zhang Xuan looked up and indeed saw a lavishly decorated hall before him. At the entrance stood two tall green jade stone lions, majestic and imposing, exuding a strong sense of authority.

Their eyes, in particular, were jet-black and spirited, as if alive, making anyone who glanced at them feel a pang of fear.

"I heard this pair of stone lions was specially commissioned by Lord Ling from a Six-Polish artisan, using raw material from [Tí Nán Green Jade], the finest green jade in the Tianxuan Kingdom! With the Six-Polish artisan's craftsmanship, each lion alone is worth millions of gold coins."

Sun Qiang's eyes burned with fervor.

Many wealthy people placed valuable items at their doorsteps to flaunt their wealth and generosity, also as a gesture to attract fortune. It seemed this Ling Tianyu was no exception.

"Millions?" Zhang Xuan clicked his tongue in amazement.

Having had a million gold coins before, he thought it was quite a lot, enough to be a local tycoon. Hearing this, he realized that compared to true wealth, his money was no different from a beggar's.

"Master, should I go find Lord Ling and tell him you're here, so he can welcome you?" Sun Qiang looked over.

In his eyes, although Lord Ling Tianyu was wealthy enough to rival a nation, his status was far inferior to that of a master teacher.

A master teacher was a formidable figure whom even Emperor Shen Zhui dared not offend, while Ling Tianyu, no matter how rich, was merely a merchant.

"No need!" Zhang Xuan waved his hand. "I'll just look around."

He walked forward slowly, approached the two tall stone lions, and reached out to touch them.

The surface was icy and smooth, giving a very comfortable feeling, clearly the finest green jade.

His fingers touched and withdrew. Zhang Xuan looked around, touching various spots, and after a long while, he clasped his hands behind his back and walked back slowly.

Seeing his master looking around like a country bumpkin who had never seen the world, Sun Qiang was full of confusion.

"Let's sit over there!"

Ignoring the other's strange look, Zhang Xuan smiled faintly.

The Tianyu Market had many resting spots, and not far away was one. Zhang Xuan sat down and ordered a pot of tea.

Sun Qiang stood to the side, utterly bewildered.

This master said he wanted to see Lord Ling, but now that they were here, he wouldn't go in, nor would he let him announce their arrival. Instead, he sat here drinking tea? What was he up to?

"Are you wondering why I don't go inside to find that Lord Ling you mentioned?" Seeing his thoughts, Zhang Xuan said with a faint smile.

"Your subordinate wouldn't dare to presume your thoughts!"

Though he thought so, Sun Qiang dared not say it.

"No need to be nervous; speak freely," Zhang Xuan said, knowing the other was constrained by the pressure of a master teacher and dared not speak carelessly.

"I... I just find it strange... You are a master teacher. If you want to see Lord Ling, he certainly wouldn't refuse..." Sun Qiang couldn't help saying.

"If I reveal my identity, of course he won't refuse, and he wouldn't dare to. But do you believe... even without revealing my identity, I can make him come out to see me?" Zhang Xuan looked at him.

As a master teacher, actively revealing his identity to see a merchant would be too degrading, wouldn't it?

Only by making the other party come eagerly and confirm his identity through guesswork could he achieve a shocking effect.

"Without revealing your identity?" Sun Qiang was incredulous. "That's impossible, isn't it? Although Lord Ling is just a merchant, to run such a large market here, he has connections. Even some princes and ministers may not get to see him. How would he come if you don't reveal your identity?"

For Ling Tianyu to run such a large trading company in the royal city, where land was precious, he must have strong support from the royal family. Even as a merchant, such a person should not be underestimated.

If he revealed his identity as a master teacher, Ling would certainly come running. But without revealing it... how could he come out? If Lord Ling were that idle, he probably wouldn't have built such a big business.

Although Sun Qiang had also run a shop in the market, he knew that with his own face, he could never get this lord to spare him a second glance.

"Heh!"

With a soft laugh, Zhang Xuan picked up his teacup, his demeanor elegant. "If you don't believe me, I'll make him come obediently today. But before that, whatever I tell you to do, you do, without any disobedience!"

"Yes!" Seeing his master so confident, Sun Qiang, though full of doubts, couldn't help nodding in agreement.

"Good. Then go knock off the head of the left stone lion," Zhang Xuan said.

"What?"

Sun Qiang staggered, nearly fainting.

He thought his master would come up with some brilliant plan, but... this?

The stone lion worth millions, which Lord Ling treasured like a precious gem—if he went and smashed its head off, his own head would probably be on the verge of being moved too!

"Master, I don't want to die yet..."

Sun Qiang was on the verge of tears.

"With me here, dying isn't that easy. Don't worry!" Zhang Xuan waved his hand.

"..." Sun Qiang's lips twitched.

Dying might not be easy, but you'd still have to pay compensation. They wouldn't kill him outright, but even if they didn't kill him, they'd cripple him, wouldn't they?

"What? Do you dare disobey your master's orders?"

Zhang Xuan frowned, exuding a strong authority.

Having been a teacher for so long, combined with his sallow complexion, he now carried a certain bearing.

"I..."

"Don't worry. If you smash this lion, when we return, I'll guide you to break through to the third level of the Martial Artist realm. With me here, there won't be any problems. That Ling Tianyu you mentioned won't make things difficult for you; instead, he'll thank you and willingly give you good things." Knowing the awe this Lord Ling inspired, asking Sun Qiang to do such a thing was indeed a bit tough, so Zhang Xuan waved his hand and first promised a reward.

"Uh... okay!"

Hearing the promise and recalling that the other was a master teacher, even if Lord Ling was formidable, he probably wouldn't dare to be too presumptuous. Sun Qiang hesitated, then gritted his teeth.

He had been stuck at the third level of the Martial Artist realm for so long, having tried many methods, and thought he would never take another step. With this opportunity, he would do anything, no matter the cost.

That was why, when the other invited him to be a steward, he agreed without much hesitation.

With the resolve to risk his life, he turned and strode to the left stone lion. True qi surged within his body, raising his aura to its peak.

Though this fellow looked fat and unremarkable, his strength was considerable. His fist whistled through the air, carrying great power as it struck straight down!

Although the True Qi realm wasn't considered a formidable level, reaching its peak gave a strength of 450 kilograms. This green jade lion, though hard in texture, was as brittle as glass. As the fist landed, a crisp sound rang out.

Crack!

The head of the million-worth stone lion fell off, shattering into powder on the ground.