Chapter 346 - 192: A Game of Deceit, Riding a Tiger

Chapter 346: Chapter 192: A Game of Deceit, Riding a Tiger

Wan Ze just stared at Zhao Henian.

One second, two seconds, three seconds.

Then, he smiled.

But to Zhao Henian’s surprise, Wan Ze was practically pointing a finger in his face as he cursed, "Are you a fucking idiot? Do you not know the terms of our deal? If you can’t handle your end, then don’t fucking come to me! Old Zhao, if you think you can pull one over on me because I’m young, let me tell you..."

"That’s not my intention at all!" Zhao Henian cut in hastily. He knew that if Wan Ze finished that sentence, there would be no going back.

As Wan Ze’s gaze fell on him, Zhao Henian began speaking much faster than before. "If this situation wasn’t so critical, I never would have risked my reputation by coming to you... I know exactly what I’m doing."

His expression was grave.

Wan Ze gave him a cold look, showing no sign of backing down.

’From the very beginning, his stance had been simple. The terms of the deal were decided beforehand, set in black and white, and mutually agreed upon.’

’Now Zhao Henian comes running, saying the item is gone and I have to kill someone for him to get the rest of my payment... What kind of bullshit is this?’

’Worst case, we can just call the whole thing off!’

Wan Ze wasn’t the type to beg and grovel.

If this deal fell through, he could just find another one. The Holy City was only so big, but Zhao Henian wasn’t his only connection to the underground market.

Just then, Zhao Henian’s tone softened. With a pained expression, he said in a low voice, "My friend, I’m being straight with you. I’m in a tough spot myself."

Wan Ze just scoffed and turned to leave. "Your internal problems have fuck all to do with me. As per our agreement, the confidentiality period ends tomorrow. You’d best be prepared."

Zhao Henian stood his ground, his lips pursed tightly.

He watched as Wan Ze took seven or eight steps. Another five or six meters and he’d be out of the alley. Once he hit the main street, with all its people and prying eyes, certain things could no longer be said. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ

Zhao Henian sighed, his voice chasing after him. "How about I add another five hundred thousand to the deposit?"

Wan Ze didn’t break his stride.

His steps didn’t even falter, the rhythm exactly the same as before... TAP, TAP, TAP.

’Sly fox,’ Zhao Henian cursed inwardly.

’Five hundred thousand, rejected without even blinking. This meant Wan Ze either had an absurdly large appetite, or he simply didn’t care about the deal in the first place.’

Zhao Henian clenched his jaw. He couldn’t afford to lose this gamble.

He took a deep breath.

Zhao Henian spoke again, his voice firmer than before. "She has at least two High Level Martial Skills. The Martial Skills themselves are all yours; I only want the Tracings. On top of that... she controls an auction house conglomerate. If you want any of the old antiques inside, you can take your pick. How about it?"

Wan Ze finally stopped walking.

Seeing that figure halt, Zhao Henian let out a small sigh of relief. But his heart immediately leaped back into his throat, because Wan Ze still hadn’t turned around.

With his back still to him, Wan Ze was silent for several seconds.

Then he turned around, his face a neutral mask. "I’m still getting a raw deal, no matter how you look at it."

Zhao Henian nearly cursed out loud.

’A raw deal?’

’Two High Level Martial Skills, free reign over an auction house’s entire treasury, and half a million in cash. In any underground market, an offer like that would be enough to sway the most discerning buyer.’

’Yet Wan Ze claimed he was getting a raw deal. What was that if not feigning displeasure after hitting the jackpot?’

But Zhao Henian restrained himself.

He took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain composed.

’A man with great ambitions can’t sweat the small stuff.’

’Wan Ze had the upper hand. He had every right to make such demands.’

"What is it you want, Mr. Wan? Please, be direct."

Wan Ze stared into his eyes, speaking slowly and deliberately. "Two million for the deposit, and another five million when the job is done. Otherwise, I’ll sell you out in a heartbeat."

Before Zhao Henian could argue, he cut him off. "Don’t tell me it’s too difficult. You know perfectly well how hard it is to deal with a rival of your stature. If you want to use me as your hired gun, you’d better show some damn sincerity, right?"

Zhao Henian didn’t get angry.

This, in turn, made Wan Ze respect him a little more.

’Anyone who could hear a price like that and not lose their temper either had incredible self-restraint or was utterly desperate.’

’Zhao Henian seemed to be both.’

"...Fine." Zhao Henian nodded. "As long as you can get it done, Mr. Wan, I have no problem with your terms."

Wan Ze spoke again. "Second, I want to pick out a few old antiques from the scene first. You’ll arrange it. And don’t try to fob me off with some garbage."

Zhao Henian frowned, seemingly weighing the pros and cons. "To be perfectly honest, that will be quite difficult."

The words had barely left his mouth when Wan Ze sneered, his tone even harder than before. "Difficult? You want to talk to me about difficult? You’re the director of the Secret Palace, and you can’t even arrange something like this? Old Zhao, if that’s true, you’ll lose every shred of my respect!"

Zhao Henian’s lips twitched.

His face flushed red.

But he had more to think about than just saving face.

His gaze swept across Wan Ze’s face, lingering for two seconds as if trying to discern what the young man truly wanted.

After a moment of deliberation, he spoke in a low, resigned, yet candid tone. "Some things cannot be brought out into the open. Or, to put it another way... they can’t be revealed to outsiders. It’s a matter of principle."

Wan Ze raised an eyebrow, shooting him a look.

The look clearly said, *Get to the point. My patience is wearing thin.*

Zhao Henian’s expression softened slightly. "However, rules are rigid, but people are flexible. I’m willing to build a friendship with you, Mr. Wan. I’ll make the arrangements, but I hope you will agree to wear a disguise so as not to reveal your identity."

Wan Ze watched him without a word.

Zhao Henian took two steps forward, leaning in closer. His voice dropped to a whisper only the two of them could hear. "Someone will contact you by this evening at the latest. He’ll approach you with a cover story and take you to a black market Antique Dealer. He’ll handle all the arrangements. Mr. Wan, do not reveal your identity... It would be bad for both of us if you did."