The Demon Lords
Chapter 53 - 39 Negotiation Expert: The Blind Man_1

Chapter 53: Chapter 39 Negotiation Expert: The Blind Man_1

"Is he dead?"

Zheng Fan wanted to grab his hair at this moment, a habitual action he would perform when his comic book plot hit a dead end.

Everyone had been busy all day: ambushing, killing, and running a marathon, only to find that the person they rescued ended up dead?

Was this some kind of joke?

"Let me see."

Blind Bei took a step forward and boarded the carriage.

Zheng Fan also followed him up, while the rest of the group could only stand beside the carriage and watch.

Inside the carriage, Blind Bei placed his hand on Ding Hao’s wrist, his eyes closed and his expression serious.

"How is his pulse?" Zheng Fan asked.

Blind Bei sighed, and his expression became even more solemn.

"What exactly happened?"

"My lord."

"Hmm?"

"I am a psychologist."

"...." Zheng Fan.

Blind Bei shook his head and said, "I guess it’s hopeless. There’s no pulse or breathing."

"So he... he’s just dead?"

"Yes."

Zheng Fan was somewhat at a loss. He took a deep breath and said, "Alright, let’s bury this guy then."

"If we bury him, it’s a waste. Why not slice him up and use him as fertilizer for the flowers in the garden? The men who died in the yard before received the same treatment."

Zheng Fan was taken aback.

He often felt at odds with his men due to his own lack of brutality.

But since it was Blind Bei’s suggestion, Zheng Fan could only suppress his discomfort, nodded, and said, "Fine, let’s do it that way."

As soon as he finished speaking, Ding Hao’s eyes opened.

"He... he’s awake! He’s not dead!"

Zheng Fan pointed at Ding Hao’s face in shock.

Blind Bei didn’t seem surprised at all and instead had the presence of mind to flatter, "As expected of the lord’s teacher. After being influenced by my lord’s fortune, naturally, good things will happen to you."

Zheng Fan instinctively felt that something was off, but Blind Bei quickly continued, "My lord, accepting someone as your teacher involves certain necessary etiquette and agreeing on terms. Please entrust this task to me. I promise that by tomorrow, you can begin your true cultivation."

Real cultivation in this world!

Zheng Fan nodded. He had a clear idea that this guy had been feigning death, but he trusted Blind Bei’s ability and obediently got off the carriage.

However, he still reminded him, "Have a good chat. Try not to resort to violence."

Blind Bei nodded in response.

When only Blind Bei and Ding Hao were left in the carriage, Blind Bei looked at Ding Hao with his empty eye sockets and slowly said, "Your Turtle Breath Skill is impressive. Alright, let’s have a good talk now."

Ancient mansions emphasized multiple courtyards and halls, unlike the later Siheyuan, or four-sided courtyard houses. Additionally, the "New Guesthouse" was now formed by combining two residences, one in front of the other. So, even though many servants and young women lived there, a large area remained unused.

Blind Bei found an empty room and had Fanli put Ding Hao in a chair, while he personally moved another chair to sit opposite Ding Hao.

Siniang also came. She naturally knew that this kind of negotiation might not be so civilized, so she prepared to stand by, possibly finding an opportunity to act.

Siniang, who had run countless brothels and clubs, was actually most skilled in torture.

She had even invented a form of torture: manipulating an embroidery thread to travel and wriggle inside a person’s body, then slowly advancing towards their brain while they remained fully conscious of it.

Whichever brain it targeted, upper or lower, the experience was utterly terrifying.

"Blind man, if you need my help, just say so."

Siniang continued knitting the item in her hands. It was a scarf. Initially, she had planned to knit a hat. However, remembering that the lord was to start working at the government office soon and would likely be issued a military uniform and armor, she switched to making a scarf.

Blind Bei shook his head, pointed to Ding Hao in front of him, and said, "This is the lord’s teacher. We must respect him."

"Oh? You plan to persuade him with reason?"

"Isn’t that right? I don’t know why, but ever since I went blind, I’ve increasingly enjoyed reasoning with people. My temper isn’t as fiery anymore."

Ding Hao just slouched in the chair, his arms propped behind his head to maintain balance. He said nothing, wearing an expression that seemed to say, I’ll just quietly watch you all put on your show.

Finally, Blind Bei began to discuss serious matters.

"Let me introduce myself. As you can see, I’m a blind man, a cripple. Fortunately, my master didn’t abandon me and gave me a livelihood. You can call me Blind Man, or if you wish to be polite, Mr. Bei."

"Alas, we are both cripples. Your tendons in your hands and feet have been severed, and I am blind. I believe that as fellow sufferers in this world, we should be able to find some common ground, don’t you agree?"

"Cripple?"

Ding Hao scrutinized Blind Bei intently, as if trying to determine if he was joking.

After all, not long ago, it was this very blind man, who called himself a ’cripple,’ who had twisted off the head of Wang Li’s killer with an erhu string right before his eyes.

"We are a very friendly group, always committed to world peace and development. We are a gentle organization."

"The motto of our organization is love and peace. No war, no killing, no harm."

Blind Bei spouted this utter nonsense with a perfectly straight face.

Then, he clasped his hands together and cupped them upwards in a gesture of respect. "Our lord has always wanted to be a martial artist. He has always dreamed of being a hero—punishing the wicked, upholding justice, and helping the needy."

"So, we’ve invited you here to be our lord’s teacher, to instruct him in the methods of martial cultivation."

Ding Hao automatically filtered out the first part of that speech in his mind. The latter part, however, made his eyes narrow. He immediately chuckled, "You want me, a cripple, to teach martial arts to the person you serve?"

"Yes."

Blind Bei nodded earnestly.

A look of deep disappointment instantly appeared on Ding Hao’s face. He pursed his lips and muttered, "Heh, I actually thought you were people sent by the imperial court."

"Currently, we are not," Blind Bei replied flatly.

"Oh?" Ding Hao asked, still doubtful. "Are you people from the imperial court?"

"Hmm, you could understand it that way. Our lord is due to take up a position as a Captain at the Hutou City government office in a couple of days."

Of course, here, Blind Bei actually meant that in the future, they too could be considered part of the imperial court.

"If you are people of the court, how dare you do such things?"

"I believe those are trivial details. If the court finds out, they can certainly question us. But you shouldn’t be asking this question."

"Why not?"

"Because if we hadn’t intervened, you would already be dead. You wouldn’t be sitting here in front of me, asking this question."

"True."

"Let’s discuss the terms of your employment. As long as you can teach our master martial arts, during your time as his teacher, we will ensure your safety, provide you with fine clothing, good food, and dedicated servants. Additionally, your salary and remuneration will be..."

Ding Hao suddenly interrupted Blind Bei, "Did I ever say I agreed to be the teacher of your... your master?"

Siniang put down her knitting and took two steps forward.

Blind Bei raised his hand, stopping Siniang.

"What? Planning to use torture?" A contemptuous smile spread across Ding Hao’s face.

He had been a military officer, had slaughtered his superior’s entire family, and had also been a bandit leader. After being captured by the Zhenbei Army, he had endured torture. What storms had he not weathered?

Of course, his earlier use of the Turtle Breath Skill to feign death was a gamble, hoping to escape in the confusion.

But now, it wasn’t that he was adamantly refusing to teach. This matter was like doing business: you name your price, I haggle, and we can discuss it thoroughly.

Even though his life was in their hands, Ding Hao didn’t care in the slightest. His life was already worthless; he truly had nothing left to lose.

"Hee hee, I’ve seen plenty of so-called heroes who turn into whimpering dogs once the torture starts. You just let..."

"Siniang, I told you, he is the lord’s teacher."

A flash of anger crossed Siniang’s face, but she still retreated a step.

"Since he is the lord’s teacher, we must treat him with respect. After all, in the future, the lord will need to learn the path of a martial artist from him."

"But he..."

Blind Bei’s voice rose a notch as he continued to rebuke her, "Besides, the lord has also taught us to persuade people with virtue, to talk things over properly with him."

Siniang glanced at Blind Bei, then simply returned to where she had been standing and resumed her needlework.

Blind Bei turned back, his empty eye sockets still facing Ding Hao.

He smiled gently and said, "Now, let us have a proper discussion."

"We can talk, but you must satisfy my three con—"

Blind Bei suddenly leaned to one side, ignoring Ding Hao completely.

He called out to Siniang, who stood behind him, "Oh, by the way, Siniang. The day before yesterday, Patrol Captain Wang Li’s wife shortchanged me one copper coin when she came for a divination. Go and slaughter her entire family now."

"..." Ding Hao.