Antique Shop Zero: Disfigured School Beauty Becomes a Succubus to Pay Off Debts

Chapter 265 Negotiation

Ye Yunyun brought over a pot of tea and placed it on the table.

Cao Ye smiled and said, "Thank you, sister-in-law."

Ye Yunyun glanced at him and said indifferently, "It's not for you."

She poured tea for Jiang Chaosheng and said quietly, "Although our old Meng hasn't left the mountain for a long time, he still has his ways."

You two are not allowed to cause trouble on my turf today.

Especially you, Cao Ye.

After saying that, she turned around and swayed her hips as she walked back to the counter, leaving the two men staring at each other in bewilderment.

Watching Ye Yunyun's departing figure, Cao Ye suddenly asked, "Do you know why my sister-in-law is so annoyed with me?"

Jiang Chaosheng put down his teacup: "I enjoy listening to stories."

A look of reminiscence appeared in Cao Ye's eyes: "I don't know if you know Meng Xing's former identity."

Strictly speaking, Meng Xing is an American citizen.

He was a big shot in the supernatural world of the United States; at that time, he called himself the Hunter King.

A look of surprise flashed across Jiang Chaosheng's eyes.

Meng Xing, it turns out he has such a past.

He recalled the bedroom in Meng Xing's house where a statue of the Grim Reaper was enshrined. It seemed that Meng Xing did indeed have some connection with the supernatural world of the United States.

Cao Ye exhaled a breath of stale air: "He is an exorcist."

Although he doesn't possess supernatural powers, he is very familiar with the unique characteristics of the United States—a ghost.

He would use mirrors, crosses, red ropes, and all sorts of random things to perform exorcisms.

When I went to the United States for an exchange program as the director of the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau, I encountered an unusual incident, and he saved me.

He was very loyal; after only working with me once, we became sworn brothers.

At this point, a smile unconsciously crept onto Cao Ye's lips.

Clearly, the time he spent with Meng Xing in the United States was unforgettable for him.

"Later I found out that he had enemies, a group of supernatural humans."

During my exchange program with the United States, I was secretly investigating this group of people.

The name of an organization popped into Jiang Chaosheng's mind—the Dark Council.

Cao Ye frowned deeply: "I've discovered that this organization is running rampant in the United States."

Because of their ability to handle unusual events and their powerful strength, even if they kill innocent people, the US government will turn a blind eye.

Meng Xing's unconditional handling of the abnormal events threatened the Dark Council's interests, which is why he was being hunted down.

Cao Ye chuckled and continued, "Later, I was discovered by those people, and they wanted to kill me."

Meng Xing, like a god of war, reappeared and saved me.

But he was completely exposed and could no longer stay in the United States, so he had no choice but to flee back to China with me.

Furthermore, I used my privileges within the security system to obtain a Xia Kingdom identity for Meng Xing.

When I first encountered an anomaly after joining the Anomaly Management Bureau, I sought Meng Xing's help.

Meng Xing was very loyal and didn't refuse at all.

Unfortunately, his method was only effective against the ghost of the American flag; it was no match for the forbidden object.

So, I almost killed Meng Xing twice, which is why my sister-in-law hates me so much.

Cao Ye shrugged: "That's my story."

The biggest villain in this story is the Dark Council.

They are like an anomaly, above the law and above ordinary people.

It's even more terrifying than an anomaly.

Because they are human beings, possessing human thoughts and desires.

The US government's use of them to clean up abnormal events is, in my opinion, nothing more than a foolish act of drinking poison to quench thirst!

Now, many high-ranking officials regret it, but it's too late.

As the Dark Council's power grew, the US government went from not wanting to intervene to being unable to.

Jiang Chaosheng lowered his eyes, stroking the warm teacup, a mocking smile on his lips: "What are you trying to say?"

Do you think I'm the next Dark Council?

Cao Ye frowned and said, "No, you are more terrifying than the Dark Council."

Jiang Chaosheng raised an eyebrow: "Oh?"

Cao Ye said, "You don't have the petty mentality of the Dark Council and the Taiping Dao."

Your disdain for making money and for worldly power is precisely what is most terrifying.

Because this shows that you have higher goals and aspirations.

Cao Ye lit another cigarette and took a deep drag: "I know you're a big shot, I've always known."

Each time I reflect on you, the more I understand you, the more I discover how different you are from ordinary people.

You have lofty ideals, and everything else must give way to your great goals.

Whether it's human life or the law.

You've turned this world into a chessboard, into a battlefield.

In other words, you are more terrifying than male prostitutes and dark councilors.

"Sir, to put it bluntly, you're a madman."

Jiang Chaosheng suddenly understood a sentence.

Your opponent may know you better than you know yourself.

Cao Ye is right.

Apart from those few sentences about "some great goal".

He certainly has a very weak sense of morality.

He neither likes to harm people nor likes to save them.

However, anything that goes against his goal is called an obstacle.

Cao Ye exhaled a puff of smoke: "When the city gate catches fire, the fish in the moat suffer as well."

To you, mortals are like ants; they die and that's it.

Even though mortals are insignificant, they still possess thought and dignity.

As a mortal, I will treat you as an exceptional case for the sake of the dignity of other citizens of Xia Kingdom.

Jiang Chaosheng scoffed, "What makes you think you can act so high-handed?"

Cao Ye frowned: "What do you mean, sir?"

Do you think the Xia Kingdom is powerless to punish you, sir?

Cao Ye felt that Huang Hun was too arrogant and conceited.

He had already mastered the method to punish Twilight.

At the negotiating table, I am equal to the twilight.

Unexpectedly, Mr. Twilight said, "For thousands of years, the Xia Kingdom has never lost to any enemy."

Compared to the myriad gods and Buddhas filling the sky, what is a mere twilight?

Cao Ye's eye twitched.

He admitted that he was not invincible?

That's...remarkably humble!

But then, four words expanded in my mind.

Gods and Buddhas filling the sky?

Before he could think it through, he heard Mr. Huanghun continue, "And you, by what right do you represent the Xia Kingdom?"

Cao Ye composed himself and straightened his back: "I am the director of the Xia Kingdom's Abnormal Affairs Bureau."

Does it have official orthodox status?

Jiang Chaosheng scoffed: "Not enough. You're not qualified to talk to me about the legitimacy of the Xia Kingdom."

Cao Ye was stunned for a moment, then remembered Jiang Chaosheng's identity.

The Human Emperor.

Perhaps thousands of years ago, the entire Xia Kingdom belonged to him.

The Xia Dynasty was merely... one of the dynasties that, as dialectics dictates, constantly died and were reborn.

Mr. Dusk, however, observes the changing world from a higher perspective.

Jiang Chaosheng said, "Have you ever thought that if one day you really have the ability to destroy Twilight, and you happen to kill me?"

What kind of upheaval will occur in the Xia Kingdom? Will the Xia Kingdom truly enjoy peace and tranquility for ten thousand years, as you claim?

Cao Ye's brows furrowed slowly.

This is exactly what he's struggling with.

Is Huang Hun on the side of Xia?

Will his lofty ideal plunge the Xia Kingdom into dire straits?

If his ambition requires sacrificing the Xia Kingdom, then he must risk his life to stop it.

But if Twilight truly is the Emperor who protects humanity...

If I were to actually kill Twilight, I would be a sinner for all eternity!

Cao Ye took a deep breath: "Then may I ask you something, sir?"

Jiang Chaosheng said, "Speak."

Cao Ye's expression turned serious, and he subtly slipped one hand into his pocket: "Sir, are you truly not going to harm the Xia Kingdom, and are you its guardian deity?"

Jiang Chaosheng frowned: "I don't want to wear that compliment."

Cao Ye's heart leaped into his throat as he stared intently at Jiang Chaosheng's expression.

His hand, hidden in his pocket, gripped a remote control tightly, sweat beading on his thumb.

Jiang Chaosheng was silent for a moment, then his brows relaxed, and he gave a self-deprecating smile: "But, it's all fate."

Cao Ye calmed down and slowly exhaled a breath of stale air.

He took his hand out of his pocket.

Jiang Chaosheng glanced at his pocket without saying a word, then quickly put the light back in Cao Ye's face: "Stop talking nonsense and tell me why you asked me to come here."

Cao Ye said, "I didn't want to kill you, sir, so I wanted to know your position. Now I know about the case."

Jiang Chaosheng suddenly sneered: "What right do you have to kill me?"

His eyes held a mocking glint: "So you've arranged for a bunch of people to monitor the buyers I've traded with?"

Cao Ye was stunned for a moment, looking at Jiang Chaosheng in disbelief: "You, how did you know?"

Jiang Chaosheng glanced out the window: "Did you send down this rain today too?"

Cao Ye frankly said, "Yes, Bai Juzhi once left a will saying that he could only travel during the rainy season at dusk."

So I made it rain and arranged for people to be ready to artificially disperse the clouds at any time.

If negotiations break down, I will have those buyers killed and the sky cleared.

Using a two-pronged approach will only get the man into trouble.

Jiang Chaosheng shook his head.

A little over a year ago, the "artificial cloud dispersion" technique would indeed have caused me trouble.

He snapped his fingers in front of Cao Ye.

"roar!!!"

A dragon's roar suddenly rang out in the air.

The rain clouds in the sky suddenly dissipated.

Just a second before the sky cleared, the dragon roared again.

The sky was covered with dark clouds, thunder rumbled, and torrential rain poured down, far more powerful than any artificial rain.

Jiang Chaosheng looked at Cao Ye, whose face was full of shock, and said, "Luckily you didn't do anything stupid, otherwise you would have died a terrible death."

Of course, that's not all.

In Jiang Chaosheng's world, people and things are probably divided into two categories.

One is useful, and the other is useless.

Cao Ye was useless to him, but his death might bring about many unexpected little changes.

The harm caused by these minor incidents is far greater than the harm caused by Cao Ye living.

Cao Ye sighed, gave an awkward laugh, placed the remote control he used to issue commands on the table, and said, "Please forgive me, sir, but I plan to make a move against the gigolo, so I have to be careful of you."

Jiang Chaosheng asked, "Do you think I would help the Cowherd?"

Cao Ye shook his head, picked up a cigarette, lit it, and said, "No, I'm just afraid that after I die, no one will be able to control you, sir."

Cao Ye, with a cigarette butt in his mouth, suddenly gave a self-deprecating laugh: "I never had the ability to manage Mr. anyway."

I came today simply to get your attitude, sir, and to put my mind at ease.

>