Chapter 8

Suddenly, the trading hall fell into chaos as people screamed and shrieked, instinctively crowding to the other side, as far from the door as possible, staring in terror at the scene, unsure why such a shocking incident had occurred.

"Everyone, please calm down."

Chen Guo gathered his breath and shouted loudly.

Instantly, the entire hall echoed with a rumbling sound, making everyone's eardrums buzz, and the cries and noise were instantly suppressed. Everyone looked up at Chen Guo.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we are all old friends. Today's incident has nothing to do with any of you. It's just a bit of business between me, Chen, and Mr. Xiao. I will only take a little of your time. After I finish my business with Mr. Xiao, the trading will continue. I promise that no one will be harmed. I apologize to all of you, I'm truly sorry!"

Chen Guo clasped his hands and made a bow in all directions.

Hearing this, the panicked guests gradually calmed down. However, seeing the gleaming machetes, it was hard for them to feel completely at ease. But this was Chen Seven's territory, and no one dared to step forward and be the first to challenge him.

Chen Guo was polite to the guests, but that was just a business tactic. If he were truly provoked, would Chen Seven be helpless? In the world of the underworld, the most important thing was not your own strength, but your judgment.

Those with good judgment always lived longer.

"Mr. Xiao, please understand. It's not that I don't follow the rules, but this matter is too important to me."

After calming the other guests, Chen Guo turned to Xiao Fan, still courteous and smiling, speaking calmly.

Xiao Fan smiled lightly and said, "Mr. Chen, is it for the Wu Yang wood?"

"Exactly, Mr. Xiao. I've been looking for this Wu Yang wood for four or five years. I've never even seen the real thing, and few people have even heard of it. Even Old Yin couldn't explain it. I never thought it would appear today. Mr. Xiao, I must have this. Please let it go to me. No matter the price, just name it. I'll give whatever I can, even if it means going bankrupt."

Chen Guo said earnestly.

Xiao Fan replied seriously, "Mr. Chen, I'm afraid I will disappoint you. This Wu Yang wood is also very important to me. It's not about money."

There's a joke on the internet: Whenever someone says, "It's not about the money," it usually is.

But this saying didn't apply to Xiao Fan.

When Xiao Fan said it wasn't about the money, it really wasn't.

Chen Guo laughed and said, "Mr. Xiao, I'm a straightforward person, not one for beating around the bush. Let's be clear. I'm not negotiating; I must have this Wu Yang wood. If you don't name a price, I will. Two million, in cash. Cash on delivery. If Mr. Xiao refuses, I will have to offend you. Mr. Xiao and Miss Xin are both scholars, and you are my guests. I really don't want to do this. So, please don't make me difficult. If you give me this face today, from now on, I will consider you a friend. Whatever you say, as long as I can do it, I will do it, even if it means risking my life, to repay your favor."

Chen Seven was indeed a formidable figure in the underworld of the three southwestern provinces. His words were clear and reasonable. Those who knew Chen Guo's character understood that he was extremely loyal and would stick to his word. Since he had said this in front of everyone, the likelihood of him going back on his word was very small.

Two million in cash, plus Chen Seven's word, was a heavy price and a high offer.

Xiao Fan carefully observed Chen Guo for a moment and then said softly, "Mr. Chen, I understand your feelings. The hidden illness in your body is indeed quite serious... If you don't mind, let me take your pulse."

Before Xiao Fan's wrist could even reach out, Chen Guo had already taken two quick steps back, raised his palm to guard himself, narrowed his eyes, and assumed a defensive stance, saying, "I'm sorry, Mr. Xiao, but I can't agree to that."

When Xiao Fan and Deng Tongtian fought earlier, others might not have understood, but Chen Guo saw everything clearly.

Seeing Deng Tongtian subdued in one move by Xiao Fan, Chen Guo was already on high alert.

The Red Sand Palm and the "Yanluo Hand" he practiced were both powerful palm techniques, one yang and one yin. Chen Guo had once sparred with Deng Tongtian in private and barely managed a draw after dozens of moves, despite being at a disadvantage. If it were a real fight to the death, Chen Guo estimated he would be no match for Deng Tongtian.

Deng Tongtian was a fierce and formidable opponent.

If even Deng Tongtian couldn't match this seemingly gentle and weak young man, how could Chen Guo dare to easily let him take his pulse? Deng Tongtian was making a deal with Xiao Fan, but Chen Guo was trying to take something from him.

The situations were completely different.

"Don't move!"

Lao Liu, who was standing next to Chen Guo, and another burly man simultaneously drew their guns and pointed them at Xiao Fan.

They were old-style revolvers, possibly several decades old. Qingyuan, located at the intersection of three provinces, had always been a lawless place with a mix of Miao and Yao ethnic groups, plagued by bandits. Before liberation, there were over a dozen bands of bandits, which were later suppressed by the army. However, some firearms and ammunition were still scattered among the people and had never been fully confiscated.

These old revolvers might be old, but they were still effective.

Taking a life should still be easy.

Chen Guo let out a sigh of relief.

The difference between the cold weapon era and the era of firearms was clear. No matter how high your martial arts skills or how agile your body, you couldn't be faster than a bullet.

"Lao Liu, don't be rash!"

Seeing the situation, Yin Zhengzhong, who was nearby, turned pale and called out urgently.

The most advanced weapons were only as good as the person using them. Just because someone used firearms didn't mean they would always win. Yin Zhengzhong, over eighty years old, had seen countless storms in his life.

Someone like Lao Liu, even with a machine gun, might not necessarily win.

Yin Zhengzhong had once seen a top expert kill four armed men with a single dagger, slicing their throats before they could even pull the triggers of their pistols.

Unfortunately, Yin Zhengzhong's warning came too late.

A flash of cold light, and Lao Liu and the other man holding a gun screamed in pain. Their guns clattered to the ground, and both had a bright, small throwing knife embedded in their wrists, blood dripping.

Another flash of cold light, and it was heading straight for Chen Guo, who was two steps away. The attacker was actually Xin Lin, who had been standing quietly behind Xiao Fan. No one could have guessed that this timid and gentle girl was also a skilled martial artist.

Chen Guo was shocked. The cold light was blinding, and he couldn't see where it was coming from. In a battle between experts, if you can't see where the attack is coming from, how can you fight?

Chen Guo was also a formidable opponent. At this moment, with no place to retreat, he let out a low growl and used both palms to perform a desperate move of the "Yanluo Poison Hand," a pungent smell immediately spreading.

Adding the word "poison" to the "Yanluo Hand" was not a trivial matter.

As everyone watched in amazement, Yin Zhengzhong called out urgently, "Miss Xin, show mercy!"

With this shout, the eighty-year-old, white-haired, cane-wielding old man suddenly moved with the agility of a leopard, dashing over with the sound of the wind. The sound of the air being split by his cane was deafening.

It was a formidable display of power.

Screams filled the air.

Many people's faces showed excitement.

Today was truly thrilling. No one had expected that even the old man Yin Zhengzhong was a hidden expert. Judging by his stance, even a few strong men would only end up getting beaten.

The next moment, the whistling sound of the air suddenly stopped.

Yin Zhengzhong's ox-head cane was suddenly stopped in mid-air, held by two slender, white fingers.

Xiao Fan smiled and nodded at Yin Zhengzhong.

The incredibly tough ox-head cane was now firmly held by Xiao Fan's left index and middle fingers. Despite Yin Zhengzhong's three attempts to regain control, the cane remained immobile.

Yin Zhengzhong's youthful face instantly turned pale, and he called out urgently, "Mr. Xiao, show mercy."

Xiao Fan smiled and said, "Don't worry, Old Yin, we have no ill intentions."

Just as they were speaking, two muffled sounds were heard, and Chen Guo let out a pained groan.

The fight on the other side had also ended in an instant.

When everyone saw the scene, screams filled the air again.

Chen Guo's two hands, one in front and one behind, were impaled on a gleaming sword. The extremely thin and sharp sword, similar to an Emei dagger, was held by Xin Lin.

Dark red, almost purple blood dripped from the sharp blade.

The pungent smell grew stronger, making people feel nauseous.

"Seventh Master..."

The knife-wielding men, who had just regained their senses, panicked and shouted, two of them charging forward without hesitation.

"Don't move!"

Chen Guo gritted his teeth and shouted fiercely.

Everyone froze, including the two men who had been charging forward, now both shocked and angry.

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