Of course, Gongyang Ying also saw the hundred members of the Moon Soul Group...
Now everyone’s voice were sealed, and after seeing her, all that remained were the sounds of "whoo whoo whoo."
Powerless, Gongyang Ying could only be led by Ning Jingjing into the backyard within the nest building.
The place suddenly quieted down, surrounded by mountains, water, and flowers, bathed in sunlight, and looking splendid. Positioned at the center of the backyard was a stone table by which the Soul Eater Leader—Sikong Jing—was leisurely drinking.
He, looking so self-satisfied and so despicable.
Ning Jingjing clasped her hands and said, "Boss, Miss Gongyang has arrived; I shall take my leave now."
Having said that, she turned and walked away, leaving Sikong Jing face to face with Gongyang Ying alone.
Sikong Jing slowly stood up, pointed to the stone seat opposite the stone table, and smiled, "Miss Gongyang, please take a seat!"
Gongyang Ying clenched her fists tightly, then loosened them and walked over, sitting down with a stern expression.
The next moment, she picked up a wine cup from the table, filled it for herself, and said with a cold laugh, "Here’s to Brother Sikong’s complete victory, I, Gongyang Ying, shall drink to it—cheers!"
After finishing her words, she gulped down the wine and then suddenly looked up, asking with a chilly tone, "I wonder if I should address you as Brother Sikong or as the Soul Eater Leader now?"
At this moment, she displayed the demeanor fitting of Miss Gongyang Ying of the Moon Soul Group, striving to remain calm.
Sikong Jing also took a sip of wine and then replied, "Let’s stick with Soul Eater; Brother Sikong does not deserve Miss Gongyang’s esteem."
At his words, a chill flashed in Gongyang Ying’s eyes...
She understood what Sikong Jing meant—he had always been considered a talent worth nurturing, even receiving secret protection.
He, naturally, had failed her.
Thinking this, Gongyang Ying then asked, "So, does the Soul Eater Leader now wish to pull me in to become chief’s wife?"
What worried her the most wasn’t anything else but this matter.
The group of Soul Stealers had shouted something about the boss wanting her to return and be the chief’s wife, and within the War Soul Dynasty, there weren’t many men who didn’t want her.
Sikong Jing’s sparing the Jianghu people might only be to win her over... Gongyang Ying felt a slight tension in her heart.
Sikong Jing, however, was stunned. Gongyang Ying had caught him with such a question.
Watching her, although her face was veiled, her eyes could not hide her resentment. Sikong Jing suddenly felt a mix of ridicule and irony—she was so accustomed to being flattered by the men of the War Soul Dynasty that she thought he also valued her beauty.
"Miss Gongyang thinks too much; I have no interest in you personally," Sikong Jing held back a laugh and asserted firmly, "Although Soul Eater has committed many evils, I am a man of deep affection; I have someone I love."
With these words, Gongyang Ying secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
But inside, she inexplicably felt very uncomfortable.
This was the first time she had been rejected by a man, and the one rejecting her was a mountain bandit leader, which felt quite bizarre to her.
Taking a deep breath to adjust her mindset, Gongyang Ying then asked, "So, Boss didn’t invite me here just to have a few drinks, nor just to show off your achievements, right?"
After finishing, she stared intently at Sikong Jing; since it wasn’t for her beauty, there must certainly be something he needed from her.
Because of this, Gongyang Ying gradually became composed and serene.
Sikong Jing was taken aback, then said, "Show off my achievements? Miss Gongyang still thinks too much; this achievement isn’t much."
Of course, that was the absolute truth.
But in saying so, he forgot that the person he had defeated was sitting right across from him, which could deeply demoralize someone.
Sure enough, the previously composed and serene Gongyang Ying nearly jumped up.
There were many curses she wanted to hurl, but as the noble Moon Soul Immortal widely spoken of, she had to mind her manners.
She could only suppress her urge to erupt, continuing to stare at Sikong Jing, seeking an answer.
"My purpose is very simple, just one herb."
Sikong Jing no longer beat around the bush, but got straight to the point, "I have a friend who was severely injured and needs a specific herb to save his life, and only the State Preceptor possesses it."
Instantly, Gongyang Ying trembled violently, asking urgently, "What herb?"
Sikong Jing slowly started to speak, revealing the name of the herb, "Thousand-year-old White Ginseng."
The moment the words fell, Gongyang Ying couldn’t help but slam the table and rise abruptly, glaring straight at Sikong Jing, "Soul Eater Leader, aren’t you asking for too much? Do you know the value of the Thousand-year-old White Ginseng?"
As she spoke, she coldly glanced around, then asked, "Do you think, you have enough bargaining chips?"
Clearly, the value of the Thousand-year-old White Ginseng was outrageously high, so high that even Gongyang Ying couldn’t help but lose her composure. Sikong Jing was well aware of this fact; Yao Changgeng had made it abundantly clear before he set out.
"Not enough?" Sikong Jing took a sip of alcohol and countered.
Gongyang Ying, feeling her loss of composure was a bit too unsightly, took a deep breath, sat down, and said, "Far from enough. Even if you killed everyone, even if you ruined my reputation, it wouldn’t be enough. My grandfather would never agree to it."
Staring at her, Sikong Jing said again, "What if, you were added to the equation?"
Her expression slightly changed, Gongyang Ying clearly understood Sikong Jing’s meaning and after a moment’s thought, she said, "Adding me would certainly be enough, but I’m afraid you might obtain it but not live to use it. My grandfather would surely turn the Soul Penetration Mountain to dust."
What she meant was, taking her as hostage would indeed give Sikong Jing the opportunity to obtain the Thousand-year-old White Ginseng.
But regardless of the outcome, Gongyang Ren would completely annihilate the Soul Stealers, leaving none alive.
The forces deployed would be the most elite from the War Soul Dynasty.
Of course, Sikong Jing was not afraid... because he had the Iron Bone Flying Vulture as his trump card and support; however, his real goal was not to fight the War Soul Dynasty to the death.
The Iron Bone Flying Vulture was meant for Mo Ci.
Moreover, Beigong Xianfeng also still had time; Yao Changgeng mentioned they could at least keep the former alive for one more year.
Seeing Sikong Jing deep in thought and silent, Gongyang Ying’s voice became even sharper, "You can try your luck, gamble big with the lives of you and all the Soul Stealers."
With her, Gongyang Ying, as hostage to obtain the Thousand-year-old White Ginseng, it wasn’t completely out of chance.
In Gongyang Ying’s eyes, it all depended on whether the Soul Eater Leader dared to bet all the Soul Stealer’s fortunes and lives.
Facing the sharp and confident Gongyang Ying, Sikong Jing’s expression remained unchanged, and he said, "Alright, let’s not add Miss Gongyang for now; I’ll raise the stakes further... dissolve the Soul Stealers."
It meant if they gave him the Thousand-year-old White Ginseng, the Soul Stealers would disband on the spot and no longer pose a threat to Wang Hun State.
"Not enough, far from enough."
Gongyang Ying still resolutely shook her head, her confidence growing stronger.
But truthfully, she was somewhat tempted... dissolving the Soul Stealers was not a small offer, but it still fell far short of the value of the Thousand-year-old White Ginseng, and Grandfather Gongyang Ren would still likely not agree.
And now, during the negotiation, Gongyang Ying wouldn’t show any signs of weakness, even if it were enough; she still wanted more.
"Additionally, I’ll reform and start anew," Sikong Jing continued to up the stakes.
However, Gongyang Ying still shook her head decidedly, even scoffing repeatedly, believing that the man before her, from the Soul Eaters, could not possibly reform.
"Then what if I not only start anew but also serve as Miss Gongyang’s guard?"
Sikong Jing, unfazed, continued to raise the stakes.