Zhao Xieren sat opposite the Right Guardian of the Crow King’s Nest, who sat back in a sofa as if it was his own home, contrasting the proper manner of sitting of the former.

"I understand you wished to see me about something? I don’t have much time", Zhao Xieren finally spoke after a full minute of patiently waiting for the Right Guardian to start the conversation.

"~Heh~!", the latter loudly snorted, seemingly amused, "Look at you, keeping your head so high when talking to someone you should be fearing"

The look in Zhao Xieren’s eyes changed, "You would do well to not go overboard with your rudeness, I entertained your request to meet on behalf of who you are, but I am fairly busy today, you might’ve heard we have an important event"

The four people standing behind the Right Guardian seemed to intend to move, but the former raised his hand in a laid-back stopping gesture, and then changed his laid-back posture to sit in a forward-leaning kind of way, looking into Zhao Xieren’s eyes intently.

The two stared at each other for around half a minute in tense silence, when the Right Guardian suddenly scowled, "Heh... hehahahaha, not a pushover - I like it!" 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Zhao Xieren did not share that amusement, continuing to sit with a frosty expression.

The Right Guardian’s laughter also abruptly stopped, "I’m afraid, however, that sometimes, for people like you who live in the light, especially when you encounter someone living in shadows like me, it is better to be a pushover"

"You are welcome to test the limits of how far the shadows you live in stretch, but I have a feeling you will find it’s not far enough to reach me", Zhao Xieren didn’t bat an eye at that not-so-veiled threat.

The Right Guardian’s eyes and whole atmosphere turned menacing as he released a bit of his cultivation base pressure, "Bold words, but I’m afraid ill-advised. Are you sure you want to be so brave and inflexible when you’re representing a client of yours? Your words and attitude may lead to very unfortunate consequences for this Trading Company, and I’m afraid they won’t be too thrilled with that"

"Oh no, it’s so unfortunate you have so many irrational fears...", Zhao Xieren’s tone was a bit dramatic as he said that, and then continued with a completely flat one, "perhaps I could recommend a few soul-nourishing or mind-nourishing incense sticks that my client sells to help with that, is that all you wished to consult me about today?"

Veins popped on the temples of the Right Guardian’s head, as he tightly clenched his jaws, abandoning the attempts at speaking in a more sophisticated manner and revealing a more thug-like tone instead, "Alright, smart guy, why don’t you answer this? Do you think this Trading Company will survive if you truly turn the Crow King’s Nest against you? We haven’t touched you so far, but it’s not because we can’t - you were just not that important"

"I am guessing that we have gained some importance then - seeing that you’re here, or is the second-highest person in the Crow King’s Nest hierarchy regularly sent on menial errands?", Zhao Xieren refused to go along, continuing to seek out the purpose of this man’s visit rather than engage in exchange of threats or posturing.

Sparks flew as the qi pressure of the two clashed in between them, people standing behind both bracing as they were slightly pushed back. Zhao Xieren was pushed back as well, but only slightly as they both limited themselves to not provoke an outright fight.

Despite being visibly rattled, however, the Right Guardian surprisingly forced himself to calm down, "Look, we can do this the easy way or the hard way. Let’s not make this any more painful than it should be. I just need a bit of cooperation from you"

Zhao Xieren kept silent, realizing that any further provocation was unproductive, since he already achieved his goal in aggravating the Right Guardian.

It was quite easy to tell that the long preamble up to now was not just a whim or a random power-trip from the Right Guardian, but a rather clumsy attempt to try and make Zhao Xieren to acknowledge a coercive element to this conversation, a power imbalance - effectively forcing him to admit defeat and promise cooperation even before anything was brought up.

Zhao Xieren, on the other hand, intended to go past that and straight into the reason why the Right Guardian was here. The last words the latter spoke now clearly showed his frustration and readiness to abandon this strategy.

Realizing his final attempt at getting Zhao Xieren to pre-emptively capitulate failed as well, the Right Guardian became even more furious, but, just as the former suspected, eventually gave up and continued to squeeze out words through tightly gritted teeth, "I need two things. First, that you keep my presence here hidden. And second, when your auction is over and owners of the items sold come to receive their prize money, I need you to point out the owner of one specific item to me. Simple, right?"

He then raised his index finger to signal Zhao Xieren to wait, "Ah-ah-ah~... I didn’t finish speaking... Before you say something about the client’s privacy and privilege, think about who is asking you for this favor. It is very useful to have the Crow King’s Nest as a friend, but incredibly dangerous to have us as an enemy. And it’s not like you do something hard or big, you just point and look away. No one will ever know it happened"

"No", Zhao Xieren simply shook his head, "Non-negotiable, full stop, end of discussion - this meeting is over"

He stood up, causing the Right Guardian to tighten his fists.

The latter then shouted to the former’s back, standing up as well and pointing his finger, "Think of the consequences! It is a very tiny and painless request that would cost you nothing to fulfill, and you will have a very powerful and very grateful friend! If you refuse, on the other hand, you will be in for a world of pain, all for what?! For such a tiny insignificant matter to you!"

This didn’t stop Zhao Xieren as he continued to almost walk out of the room, the sliding doors already opened before him.

"It’s not just us, but the Jewel of the Universe Pavilion!", the Right Guardian shouted, causing Zhao Xieren to finally stop and half-turn. Seeing that, the former continued with rapid speech, "You’ve been around. You should know who that is, you don’t want to mess with them. Cross us, you will be in big trouble, sure, but cross them and there is no way in Seven Heavens you ever going to survive, not a single tiny chance in infinity - there will be no single brick of this Trading Company left standing, not one soul left alive"

Zhao Xieren paused with an unreadable expression, and then simply threw "Let them try" as he turned to continue walking away.

"You’re insane!!! You’re going to regret this!!!", the voice of the Right Guardian resounded from behind, "I promise you! You will regret it!"