Chapter 370 Xia Chong Bu Ke Yu Bing

"Alright, Xiao Ning, have you ever thought about joining my Qinghe Gang?" the leader of the Qinghe Gang said to him.

Ning Beichen immediately felt a sense of exasperation and speechlessness. If he truly wanted to play the game, wouldn't being the King of Darkness be more satisfying than being someone's dog?

"I'm not interested, Gang Leader Yan. The reason I'm here today is primarily to ask for something, or perhaps to see if you would be willing to sell it to me." Ning Beichen didn't want to waste his time and got straight to the point.

"Oh, what is it you want?" the leader of the Qinghe Gang asked.

"The Jiugong Ce," Ning Beichen said.

"The Jiugong Ce!" the leader of the Qinghe Gang was taken aback. He hadn't expected Ning Beichen to seek him out for this particular item.

"What do you want the Jiugong Ce for?" Yan Lixing suddenly became interested in Ning Beichen. During the years the King of Darkness rose to prominence, Yan Lixing had naturally heard of Ning Beichen's name, but he had never paid him any mind. Why? The reason was simple: no matter how glorious the King of Darkness was, he was not on the same level. It was akin to an elephant and an ant; would an elephant care about an ant beneath its foot? No. Therefore, even though Ning Beichen was standing before him now, Yan Lixing hadn't truly looked at him. His earlier invitation for Ning Beichen to join the Qinghe Gang was merely a casual remark; whether Ning Beichen accepted or not was of no consequence to Yan Lixing. Why? Because one cannot discuss ice with a summer insect.

"I enjoy collecting ancient books. I heard that Gang Leader Yan possesses the Jiugong Ce, and I wished to have a look," Ning Beichen naturally wouldn't reveal his true intentions.

"I do indeed have the Jiugong Ce, and even two copies. However, forgive me for being blunt, but you cannot afford it, and I will not sell it to you," Yan Lixing told Ning Beichen.

"I truly like ancient texts and wish to acquire them. Is there truly no way you can let them go?" Ning Beichen frowned slightly and asked.

"No," Yan Lixing shook his head at Ning Beichen. Although he spoke courteously, there was an inherent arrogance in his eyes, as if he were looking down at an ant.

"Is there really no chance at all?" Ning Beichen thought for a moment and then asked.

"None. Even if you became the leader of the Qinghe Gang, you wouldn't have a chance, unless you can defeat me," Yan Lixing looked at Ning Beichen, his eyes filled with disdain. The position of leader of the Qinghe Gang wasn't particularly significant; anyone could hold it. For Yan Lixing at this moment, his mindset was somewhat similar to Ning Beichen's. The position of gang leader had become a restriction rather than an aid for them. It's like when you've grown up, would you still play with children in kindergarten? No. Because they yearn for a bigger stage.

"Defeating you is enough?" Ning Beichen was stunned for a moment, a slight smile gracing his lips.

"That's right. As long as you can defeat me, not only will the Jiugong Ce be yours, but you can even have the position of leader of the Qinghe Gang," Yan Lixing told Ning Beichen. He was so confident because he knew that few people in this world could defeat him. While he might not compare to the established Grandmasters, he was certainly not someone a mere youngster could handle. To put it bluntly, crushing him would be no different than crushing an ant.

Upon hearing Yan Lixing's words, Ning Beichen's expression became somewhat peculiar, tinged with surprise. He hadn't intended to resort to force, as the Qinghe Gang hadn't caused him any trouble. If Yan Lixing had simply named a price, say tens of billions for the two copies of the Jiugong Ce, Ning Beichen truly wouldn't have had that much money, and he'd be too embarrassed to forcibly take them, thus leaving with regret.

"Are you sure?" Ning Beichen asked.

"I am sure. Therefore, you have no chance. Ning Beichen, you can be considered a formidable figure. If you are willing to join my Qinghe Gang, I promise to give you the position of vice-leader. As for the Jiugong Ce you desire, while I cannot give it to you, I can lend it to you for viewing. What do you think of this offer?" Yan Lixing said to Ning Beichen. Although he didn't think highly of Ning Beichen, this person had once made the King of Darkness a formidable force, surely possessing some capabilities. Making him the vice-leader of the Qinghe Gang wouldn't be an unreasonable elevation. Moreover, he genuinely needed someone to help him manage the mundane affairs of the Qinghe Gang.

"I am not interested in your Qinghe Gang; I am only interested in the Jiugong Ce," Ning Beichen replied indifferently.

Yan Lixing looked at Ning Beichen for a few more moments, noticing that this fellow had some boldness, not even being tempted by the Qinghe Gang. One must remember, the Qinghe Gang was far from comparable to the King of Darkness. The terror of the King of Darkness stemmed solely from their mystery, like rootless duckweed, untraceable, making revenge impossible because you couldn't find them. It wasn't that the King of Darkness was truly formidable. In terms of strength and wealth, the King of Darkness was no match for the Qinghe Gang. The Qinghe Gang had existed for over two hundred years, deeply rooted across the globe, even penetrating the upper echelons of various countries.

"Do you know what an ant is?" Yan Lixing stopped trying to persuade Ning Beichen and asked him with a condescending gaze. Ning Beichen was indeed decent, but not to the point of astonishing him. Furthermore, he had already given him an opportunity, and if he didn't cherish or seize it, then he shouldn't blame Yan Lixing for not valuing his talent.

"I don't know. Perhaps you can enlighten me," Ning Beichen felt somewhat weary, not physically, but mentally.

"Then I will let you know what an ant is!" Yan Lixing pointed his palm at Ning Beichen and pressed down through the air. A surge of powerful force landed on Ning Beichen. "Kneel!"

"Is that so?" Ning Beichen's clothes rippled for a moment before returning to normal. He then looked at Yan Lixing and said with disdain in his eyes, "Is that all?"

"Impossible!" Yan Lixing's expression changed drastically as he felt the power of his palm strike dissipate mysteriously. He stared intently at Ning Beichen. Ning Beichen, as if nothing had happened, flicked his clothes and grinned at Yan Lixing, saying, "It seems I underestimated you."

Although Yan Lixing's expression had shifted drastically, it quickly returned to normal. Even if Ning Beichen could withstand his palm strike, so what? He had only casually unleashed that strike, using at most thirty percent of his power. While Yan Lixing had considered the possibility that Ning Beichen might also be a Grandmaster, he had immediately dismissed the thought due to Ning Beichen's extreme youth. How could someone in their early twenties be a Grandmaster? He must be overthinking it. However, it was already quite remarkable that this Ning Beichen could withstand thirty percent of his power, especially since he was a Grandmaster.

"You didn't underestimate me; you never truly looked at me in the first place. Reciprocity, Gang Leader Yan. You can take this punch from me as well." Ning Beichen, disliking unnecessary chatter during a fight, immediately threw a punch towards Yan Lixing.