The lord of Pingjiang City was a ninth-tier martial artist, currently the top expert in the mythical game.
However, standing before him was the chosen one, Zhang Pingfan.
Although his current level was 0, his state was far beyond that of a level zero individual.
The powerful aura of the Pingjiang City lord felt no different than a gust of wind to Zhang Pingfan, having no effect on him whatsoever.
The City lord looked at Zhang Pingfan with some surprise.
"You are truly remarkable, no wonder you were able to establish Pingfan Town!"
Zhang Pingfan smiled, "Thank you for the compliment, City lord. It was merely by chance, and with the help of my beloved villagers!"
"Haha, good, I admire you. Anyone else would have already knelt by now!"
Zhang Pingfan inwardly thought, "If you had made a move on me earlier, you might be the one kneeling now."
He dared not casually use the "turn foe into friend" ability for fear that the three of you would gang up on me.
However, based on the current situation, the Pingjiang City lord seemed to hold no great animosity towards him.
"What business do you have with me, City lord? Are you not just going to let me feel the breeze?"
"Then I'll get straight to the point. I think highly of your Pingfan Town, and I'd like to merge your Pingfan Town into my Pingjiang City. We both start with 'Ping,' so I feel a connection with you!"
Zhang Pingfan sneered, "Sorry, I prefer flat heads!"
The steward kneeling by the side almost burst out laughing, but given the current situation, if he dared to make a sound, he would likely lose his life.
The City lord's expression turned somewhat unpleasant. This fellow had so bluntly refused him, not giving the City lord any face at all.
"Town lord, why not consider it?"
Zhang Pingfan retorted, "Why should I consider it? Merge into your Pingjiang City and be governed by you? Then you take my resources to strengthen your forces. Do you think I'm stupid?"
That was precisely the mindset of the three City lords: if they could take over Pingfan Town, all its resources would be theirs to control.
As for Zhang Pingfan, they would simply appease him with some minor position.
But Zhang Pingfan had his own mission. If they truly occupied Pingfan Town, wouldn't that be a death sentence for him?
"Kid, what do you want? Weapons, equipment, or various cultivation techniques and skills?"
If Zhang Pingfan were a player, he would indeed have a strong desire for these things. However, at this moment, Zhang Pingfan was merely an NPC and didn't care about such items at all.
"City lord, if there's nothing else, I'll be taking my leave. Of course, if you wish to keep me here, you can try!"
Zhang Pingfan's voice was firm, showing no fear of the City lord's threat. This made the City lord somewhat wary of Zhang Pingfan.
He had already thoroughly investigated Zhang Pingfan's background.
Besides a dog and an old farmer, he had nothing at home.
However, for Zhang Pingfan to have developed a village into a town so rapidly, he undoubtedly possessed an unspeakable secret.
Since he dared to speak like this, it meant he had his own trump cards.
If he were to make a move now, he might be the one at a disadvantage. It would be better to let the other two test the waters for him.
"Town lord, you worry too much. I invited you here as a guest, not to cause you trouble. Since we can't agree, there's no need to fall out. Perhaps we'll have cooperation in the future, what do you say, Town lord?"
Zhang Pingfan sneered, "Perhaps. Farewell!"
Zhang Pingfan turned and left with a flick of his sleeve.
When Zhang Pingfan was far away, the steward slowly stood up.
"My lord, shall I send someone to have him eliminated?"
The City lord shook his head and said.
"No need for us to act. This fellow is quite interesting. Let's keep him for now. Of course, that hot-tempered fellow from Haibin City might not think so!"
"Yes!"
The steward was not convinced. He had just been humiliated and couldn't let this go. Did the City lord say not to act, and I really shouldn't?
As Zhang Pingfan left the City lord's mansion, he finally exhaled the breath he had been holding.
But as soon as he reached the teleportation array, he felt someone was still tracking him.
"Heh, still not giving up?"
Zhang Pingfan made no pause and returned directly to Pingfan Town.
At this time, spies from the City lord's mansions of Haibin City and Seven Stars City had returned to their respective City lords.
"Reporting to the City lord, the Town lord of Pingfan Town has left the City lord's mansion of Pingjiang City."
"Mm, any news discovered?"
"It seems the negotiations broke down."
"Oh? That's quite interesting. I thought that kid would agree!"
"Shall I dispatch to Pingfan Town?"
"No, wait until after tonight. If he's still alive after tonight, it won't be too late to see him tomorrow!"
"Yes!"
Zhang Pingfan hummed a tune and returned to his small courtyard. He wasn't in a hurry to log off, though it was getting late. He was waiting for someone to deliver goods.
As expected, a few minutes later, his small courtyard was pounded upon with loud thuds.
Hei Huang frowned.
Ri Tian looked up at the door, yawned listlessly, and lay down again.
Zhang Pingfan leaned back in his chair.
"Xiao Hei, go open the door. Let them in, and remember not to kill them!"
"Yes, Master!"
Hei Huang's expression was grim. He could clearly sense that the people outside the door were all filled with malevolent intent, clearly plotting against him.
The courtyard gate opened, revealing six burly men outside, all looking fierce and ferocious.
"Damn it, you took so long to open the door, are you looking to die!"
Hei Huang frowned. If it weren't for Zhang Pingfan's words, the fellow before him would have already turned into a bloody mist.
"Country bumpkin, get out of the way quickly! My blade and sword don't have eyes!"
The leading man in black even reached out to push Hei Huang aside.
As his hand was about to touch Hei Huang, that arm was instantly engulfed by black flames and turned into nothingness.
"My hand!!! My hand!!! Ah!!!" the man in black screamed in terror.
The others' faces showed fear, and they stared at Hei Huang with vigilance.
"Brothers, chop him to death!"
Hei Huang's expression was grim.
With a wave of his hand, the six men before him were like six stalks of straw, falling directly before Zhang Pingfan.
"You ants dare to disturb my master's rest? Kneel!!!"
With a shout!
The six men collectively prostrated themselves on the ground, unable to lift their heads.
Zhang Pingfan narrowed his eyes, looking at the six men in black!
"Does your Pingjiang City lord wish to die?"
The six men were suppressed to the ground by Hei Huang's aura, unable to lift their heads.
Hei Huang roared, "Not answering when Master is asking? Truly seeking death!"
These six had never imagined that as sixth-tier martial artists, in such a remote place, they would be suppressed to the ground by the aura of a mysterious expert, unable to move at all.
They never dreamed that this seemingly ordinary Town lord was such a terrifying existence.
"We... we were sent by the steward. Sir, sir insulted the steward just now, and the steward wants us to cripple one of your legs and one of your arms! It's not the City lord's intention, please..."
Zhang Pingfan sneered, "Xiao Hei, dispose of these people, then go to the Pingjiang City lord's mansion and bring their steward to me. Remember, I want him alive!"
"Yes! Master!"
Hei Huang waved his hand, and with a bang, the six people who were prostrate on the ground turned into a cloud of blood mist.