Ning Zhuo abruptly stood up, raising his voice over Yuan Er’s: "Cease your slander! Do you have any evidence of us assassinating you or harming your monkey pets?"
"Can you present any evidence?!"
Yuan Er was taken aback, his eyes reddening with fury as he pointed at Ning Zhuo, a murderous gleam in his gaze.
"You wretch! Coming here to insult me? You deserve death! Death!"
Ning Zhuo lifted his chin and took a bold step around the desk, moving toward Yuan Er as he shouted, "Come on, come on! My head is right here—Leader Yuan Er, feel free to take it!"
He advanced step by step, his presence forcing Yuan Er to retreat until he bumped into his chair, collapsing into it.
Here he was, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, being intimidated by a young cultivator at the Qi Refining stage.
If anyone saw this, his reputation would be utterly ruined.
Seeing this, Ning Zhuo let out a laugh, then backed off a few steps, his tone softening.
"Leader Yuan Er, you're a wise man."
"Since I’m here to recruit you, I obviously have protection. Let's not dwell on that."
"However, if I suffer even a scratch here, what do you think Lord Fei Si would do? What would the Ning family do? And how would the Flying Disc Workshop retaliate?"
Yuan Er was shaken.
He gritted his teeth, clenching his fists so tightly that his nails dug into his flesh, drawing blood.
Yet, this pain was nothing compared to the humiliation and rage he felt at this moment!
Ning Zhuo seemed to relax completely, placing his hands behind his back as he strolled around the study.
If Yuan Er lost his temper and attacked out of frustration, Ning Zhuo’s outcome would indeed be grim.
But he continued to stroll confidently, knowing that such poise would only further unsettle his opponent.
Raising his head, Ning Zhuo began recounting the lives of Yuan Yi and Yuan Dasheng, detailing the founding of the Monkey Head Gang and each critical battle in vivid detail.
This feeling of being thoroughly known made a chill rise in Yuan Er’s heart.
Even though his opponent was only at the third layer of Qi Refining, to Yuan Er, Ning Zhuo seemed like a beast with jaws wide open, ready to devour him and the entire Monkey Head Gang!
Once again, Ning Zhuo stood before Yuan Er, his sharp gaze piercing to the core.
"Leader Yuan Er, your father and your Uncle Monkey fought a lifetime to build this foundation. Now it’s in your hands, and it’s about to crumble?"
"Can you accept this? Do you think you’re living up to your father and your Uncle Monkey?"
Yuan Er glared. "My current situation is all because of you people!"
"No, you're wrong!" Ning Zhuo waved his hand broadly. "If not us, then someone else! In this world, the weak are preyed upon. You’ve weakened and naturally become food for the strong."
"After all, how did your father and your Uncle Monkey rise to power? How was the Monkey Head Gang founded?"
"Your current thinking is no different from those whom you once trampled underfoot."
"Stop blaming the world, Leader Yuan Er."
"That attitude is cowardly—leave some dignity for your father and your Uncle Monkey!"
Yuan Er continued to glare but found himself at a loss for words.
He came from a gang background and deeply believed in the law of the jungle; he had no rebuttal.
Ning Zhuo lifted his head, steering the conversation back. "If you join us, we can help you; only then will we step in to assist."
Yuan Er took a deep breath. "How will you help me?"
Ning Zhuo turned, hands behind his back as he paced a few steps, leaving Yuan Er to view only his back.
His tone grew heavy, "Do you understand the relationship between the Flying Disc Workshop and Lord Fei Si?"
"Let me share a secret with you: forty percent of the profit from selling mechanical monkeys goes to Lord Fei Si."
"Although Lord Fei Si would never admit this openly, just a bit of backing from him, and your situation would be entirely different."
"That connection alone is enough to intimidate those ambitious elders."
Yuan Er took another deep breath, his heart filling with renewed resentment.
"So, the reason the Flying Disc Workshop wields such power is due to a profit-sharing deal with Fei Si, with him supporting them behind the scenes."
"Disgusting! Truly disgusting and corrupt!"
"No wonder my Monkey Head Gang has been bullied to this extent."
"With a Golden Core cultivator backing them, ruthless as Fei Si, how could we win?!"
The more Yuan Er thought about it, the deeper his sorrow and anger grew, sapping his courage.
Ning Zhuo watched every flicker of emotion in Yuan Er’s expression and continued, "Beyond that, we’ll also sell large quantities of mechanical monkeys to you."
"From now on, you must abandon your live monkey pets and switch entirely to Mechanical Fire Explosive Monkeys."
Yuan Er froze, then retorted, "Impossible! If I issue such an order, I’ll be overthrown immediately. They’d never comply with such an absurd command."
Ning Zhuo laughed, already prepared, and replied, "I wouldn’t let you lose your position as Leader."
"Just inform them that from now on, the business of harvesting fire persimmons will be solely in the hands of the Monkey Head Gang. The Flying Disc Workshop won’t touch it!"
"The only condition is that you must use Mechanical Fire Explosive Monkeys, abandoning all monkey pets."
Yuan Er was incredulous. "What did you say?"
Ning Zhuo chuckled. "Did you think the Flying Disc Workshop wanted to steal your business?"
"Your vision is too narrow."
"Our interests are tied to Lord Fei Si. If we tried to monopolize the fire persimmon business, it would be seen as taking from the people, damaging Lord Fei Si's reputation. He would never allow it."
"Our goal is simply to sell Mechanical Fire Explosive Monkeys, to minimize the risks of harvesting fire persimmons, reduce casualties—beneficial to both country and people, a most commendable venture."
Yuan Er’s face turned pale; he found the situation utterly absurd.
All along, he had believed that they wanted to seize the Monkey Head Gang’s livelihood, so he had fought back without hesitation.
But to think their real aim lay elsewhere!
So, what were all their fears and defenses for?
Reading his thoughts, Ning Zhuo continued, "Leader Yuan Er, don’t overthink it."
"If you continue using monkey pets, you are our enemy. If you adopt Mechanical Fire Explosive Monkeys, you become our client!"
"The difference between enemy and client should be clear, even to a child."
"According to Lord Fei Si, the future of Fire Persimmon City does not require such outdated methods of harvesting."
"Each monkey is a living creature; how can you be so heartless?"
"Mechanical monkeys are far superior—not afraid of death and highly efficient."
"I promise, as long as you ally with us, we’ll secretly supply you with special models of mechanical monkeys. These monkeys will surpass the standard models in every way."
"This will allow your Monkey Head Gang to hold a distinct advantage in harvesting fire persimmons."
Yuan Er’s heart sank.
He knew that if he agreed, he would be forever dependent.
The supply and maintenance of these mechanical monkeys would be controlled by the Flying Disc Workshop.
The once-proud Monkey Head Gang would be under their thumb.
Meanwhile, the Flying Disc Workshop would strengthen its grip on the entire market through them.
The Monkey Head Gang would be busy fending off competitors, while the Flying Disc Workshop collected revenue, sitting back to watch the struggle, untouched by bloodshed.
"What a scheme, truly ingenious!" Yuan Er murmured bitterly, his spirit utterly crushed.
Ning Zhuo’s eyes gleamed darkly. "Leader Yuan Er, have you made up your mind?"
Yuan Er’s heart was filled with despair.
At this point, did he even have a choice?
From the moment the millennia-old Fire Persimmon Forest exploded, he had lost utterly; he had no other option!
And so, Yuan Er stepped around the desk and stood before Ning Zhuo.
Taking a deep breath, he swallowed the sorrow and indignation in his heart, bowed, his voice trembling, "Yuan Er, pays respects to Mister Ning!"