Chapter 596: The Exchange

"Do you think they'll come?"

"Definitely. No one in this world can remedy the Cycle of Four Seasons Palm. Whether they're doing the exchange or not, they'll come without a doubt."

"Is there a possibility that our plan would backfire?"

"Certainly not."

"Of course, they won't actually believe us. Truthfully, when have we truly trusted anyone?"

"They will certainly come, but whatever their intentions are... isn't important to us."

The black-robed man smiled faintly and said, "So be it, for now. At least we're still the ones in control of things up to this point. Now, we only have to wait. That's all there is to it."

The other person replied, "Ling Xiaozui and Dugu Chou are called the world's Unrivaled Expert. What If..."

"So what if they're the Unrivaled Experts? The both of us, have we been afraid of anyone in this world?" replied Mr. Nian.

He smirked. "The Unrivaled Experts is but a name we created ourselves."

"What else could become of it?"

The other person laughed, the confidence in his voice palpable.

Obviously, they had no regard for these so-called Unrivaled Experts.

...

Out of the blue, a sword cry broke the air like a thunderbolt. A ray of sword light shot down like a dragon across the clouds. The beam appeared out of nowhere, so swiftly that even a person who had been observing the sky would not be able to discern how the sword light appeared.

It was as if the ray of light had existed since the beginning of time, had been present all along. It was only now that it showed the menace and threat contained within. Once it appeared, no one could fight it. One could only await death, unable to do anything else.

The spark of sword light caught the simultaneous attention of the two people on top of the mountain. Both of their expressions turned grim at the same time.

They were aware of the identity of the incoming presence.

...

The sword light hacked a large gap in the clouds with a titanic boom, revealing the sparkling starlight in the sky.

A man descended, his fluttering, black gown shimmering and sparkling, like an immortal had suddenly emerged in the worldly realm.

Just as the man in black landed, another man wearing grey descended as well, both without a sound. He stayed close by the former's side. If one had not seen it with their own eyes, they would not have sensed it with their deific consciousness.

How many people like this could there be in this world?

Ling Xiaozui!

Dugu Chou!

The two top experts had come together to this mountaintop.

"Mr. Nian, come out!" Ling Xiaozui hollered, his voice echoing thunderously in the stillness of the surroundings.

A graceful laughter rang out in the dark. Mr. Nian, all in black, strolled out like he had opened a door in midair and said faintly, "I am rude to not have welcomed Brother Ling's honorable arrival. Have you made your choice?"

Ling Xiaozui replied lightly, "You want the man? I'll give you Heaven's Inquisition. However, you'll have to leave with me to save my young friend."

Before his voice could echo, he waved his arm negligently. The skeletal Gu Chaliang was thrown at Mr. Nian's feet with a surprised gasp. Gu Chaliang looked maligned, disbelief sprawled across his sunken face. His cultivation was probably sealed; not only could he not move, he was unable to even speak.

Mr. Nian's gaze flickered, but he did not move forward to check on the man. Instead, he moved farther away from Gu Chaliang, speaking softly, "Brother Ling, you can't possibly be unaware of who Brother Gu, Gu Chaliang is. Then, let me ask you this. What's the relationship between you and that young friend of yours?"

Ling Xiaozui scoffed and said, "It has nothing to do with you, whatever relationship we have! What you should do now is to quickly check if this fellow here is the authentic person and complete this deal, then follow me to save the man. Are you otherwise occupied at this point in time?"

Mr. Nian did not do as he was told but took another step back instead. He scoffed lightly, and said, "For you, Ling Xiaozui, to make such a huge sacrifice by giving up Heaven's Inquisition - taking it lightly, you've betrayed your friend; more seriously, you've missed a very fated encounter of your own. How can I not question this matter?"

"Since when is Heaven's Inquisition my friend? My young friend, Yun Yang, is my destiny. That's all there is to it!" Ling Xiaozui said coldly.

"Ling Xiaozui, do you think I'll believe your words?" Mr. Nian wore a peculiar smile.

Ling Xiaozui answered faintly, "I don't care if you believe me or not. I'll only vow here and now that if you don't go today and cause my young friend to die, then from today onwards, I shall kill each and every Four Seasons Tower's man I see! Do you think I won't do that?"

His gaze on Mr. Nian was cold. "I've done something like this once many years ago. I've stopped, on pure sentiment. Today, it can go on due to sentiment as well!"

Dugu Chou chimed in, saying coldly, "Count me in. I wouldn't mind joining you this once to tackle the Four Seasons Tower. The Four Seasons Tower's higher authorities are worth a fight, but as for the rest of them... I believe they should be easy pickings."

Mr. Nian's pupils contracted. "Are you threatening me?"

Ling Xiaozui looked up, his gaze as sharp as a sword. "You find some fault with that? You can threaten and coerce us as you wish, but I can't do the same to you?"

Mr. Nian howled and laughed as he said, "Of course you can. It's just that it's been too long since someone has threatened me, especially when it comes from an expert like Brother Ling. It is truly the first time in a long, long time. How refreshing!"

"I don't wish to engage in this argument. You're the one who asked for an exchange at Spirit Breeze Mountain within three days. Now that we're here and have done as we were told, you're evading and dragging the matter on. I'm sure you wouldn't mind if I were to threaten you under such circumstances," Ling Xiaozui said faintly.

"So what? You can only accept my coercion submissively!"

Mr. Nian laughed and said, "If your threat works, why would you need to bring Heaven's Inquisition here for an exchange? It's a threat after all; will the effects differ?"

Ling Xiaozui's heart skipped a beat. Mr. Nian was incredibly intelligent indeed; he had spotted the loophole immediately.

"A man has his limits on what to do and what not to do. I have my reasons for doing what I do, there is no need to explain it to you!" Ling Xiaozui's gaze turned stern. "Cut the bullsh*t. I'll ask you only one thing right now. Are you preparing to dishonor our previous agreement?"

Mr. Nian snorted. For the first time, his gaze turned hesitant.

Honestly, he had seen through the illogical part of the other party's direction. He should continue probing. After all, Ling Xiaozui's current choice was a surprise. Even if it were out of helplessness, he would not have obeyed this easily; even if he cared too much for Yun Yang, the dispute just now should have made him more aggressive.

Yet, as Mr. Nian directed his thoughts in another direction, he began to understand. A man needed his dignity just like a tree needed its bark - Ling Xiaozui and Dugu Chou, Feng Xiange as well, could not resolve his Cycle of Four Seasons Palm; this issue itself was already a stain to their names, a tiebreaker that decided their disadvantage.

The threats and other ramblings made sense, but they only worked on the basis of Yun Yang's life. A misstep would strip the youth of his life, thus rendering the method an absolute ill one. Otherwise, they would not have brought Gu Chaliang here for an exchange.

At the same time, even Mr. Nian himself had to watch out for the risk of the collaboration of Ling Xiaozui and Dugu Chou brought. He had to contemplate especially after taking in Ling Xiaozui's aggressive front that was near to breaking out into a fight, should there be further arguments.

Perhaps... Heaven's Inquisition, Gu Chaliang, had been truly contained!

If Heaven's Inquisition could not remedy the Cycle of Four Seasons Palm as well, it was understandable for Ling Xiaozui, who just got acquainted with the former, to give him up and in turn secure the life of his young friend!