"Master Chen."

Xu Ning walked into the room and saluted Chen Ren.

Chen Ren's face was still full of fatigue, his eyelids drooping.

Only when his eyes glanced at the flowers and plants next to him, did he feel slightly energized.

"You've been at the guard station for a few days now, how are you doing?"

Although Chen Ren seemed to be concerned, his tone was indifferent.

"I'm doing good."

Xu Ning replied in a routine manner.

Chen Ren nodded. He was silent for a moment. Then he said, "Have you been in contact with Dayuan Trading Company?"

Xu Ning knew that his intuition was correct.

Chen Ren asked to see him because of Dayuan Trading Company.

"I have been in contact with Deputy Manager Yu from Dayuan Trading Company."

Xu Ning responded truthfully.

"Deputy Manager Yu…"

Chen Ren straightened his back, wanting to sit up straight. "He is a shrewd and capable person in Dayuan Trading Company…"

"Xu Ning, you're new to Maple Lane, maybe you still don't get it."

Chen Ren's tone softened slightly. "Dayuan Trading Company has played an important role in the construction of Kangyun County. 30 years ago, when the Black Armored Guards first took over the city of Kangyun County, everything was barren. There was nothing to do, and the environment was extremely harsh."

"Dayuan Trading Company got in touch with the Black Armored Guards and took the initiative to enter Kangyun County. With their help, our business in Kangyun County gradually developed. Now, Kangyun County is a trade transit center. These improvements were all brought about by Dayuan Trading Company."

"In addition, in Kangyun County, 30% of the businesses here are handled by Dayuan Trading Company. They have contributed a lot of taxes to Kangyun County."

"Therefore, Dayuan Trading Company is a good friend of the Black Armored Guards, we can trust them unconditionally."

Having said that, Chen Ren picked up the tea cup in front of him and took a sip.

Xu Ning listened quietly, waiting for Chen Ren's words.

Chen Ren's words just now were an indication of Dayuan Trading Company's influence.

First of all, Dayuan Trading Company was the hero of Kangyun County.

Secondly, Dayuan Trading Company had powerful roots and connections inside Kangyun County.

Thirdly, Dayuan Trading Company was trustworthy.

Chen Ren put down the teacup in his hand and saw that Xu Ning hadn't answered yet. He looked slightly annoyed.

He took out a wooden box from underneath the table and placed it on the tabletop.

When Xu Ning saw it, he recognized it instantly. That was the three Qinglu Dans that he returned to Yu Xinghe from before.

'Even if I don't want to accept it, I have to accept it…'

Xu Ning laughed.

They directly went to contact his boss, giving Xu Ning no choice.

If Chen Ren did this a few days ago, Xu Ning might have accepted it, just like the others in Maple Lane, he would have been bought out by Dayuan Trading Company.

But over the past few days, Xu Ning had done some thinking. He asked Tao Qingyuan and the other guard station guys about the reputation of Dayuan Trading Company.

After summarizing the information, Xu Ning came to a conclusion.

Most guard stations were afraid or even repulsed by Dayuan Trading Company.

Moreover, the seniors of the Black Armored Guards had expressed dissatisfaction with Dayuan Trading Company's increasingly presumptuous behavior.

However, they had not yet acted on this dissatisfaction.

Xu Ning made a decision not to have any ties or conflicts with Dayuan Trading Company.

As the first batch of newcomers recruited by the Black Armored Guards from the Tao Village, he carried a great responsibility.

This action would make Chen Ren and Dayuan Trading Company afraid that they would not be able to take any initiative if Xu Ning refused their advances.

In fact, Xu Ning's guess was right.

Chen Ren was full of dissatisfaction with Xu Ning.

However, due to Xu Ning's relatively special status, Chen Ren could not directly force Xu Ning to board the bribery ship.

So he had to use a gentle method, combined with his authority, to force Xu Ning into being bought out.

In fact, Chen Ren felt that a small character like Xu Ning wouldn't need to be bribed at all.

Even if Xu Ning did not cooperate with Dayuan Trading Company, it would not have a huge impact.

But the intention of Dayuan Trading Company was very clear, and that was to completely control all of the Black Armored Guards in Maple Lane.

It seemed that this was the only way they could guarantee the stability of their foundation in Kangyun County.

"Xu Ning, I heard that you newcomers are still under the pressure of assessment."

Chen Ren seemed to change the subject. "With regards to martial arts, talent is the most important thing, followed by resources. Without sufficient resources, the speed of practice will slow down, you could even hurt yourself."

"Take these three Qinglu Dans."

Chen Ren pushed the wooden box forward. "Mortal realm third stage is all about physical strength. These Qinglu Dan are the most suitable medicine for the mortal realm third stage. With these three Qinglu Dans, you will definitely be able to keep your cyan plate in the follow-up assessment, you might even have the opportunity to challenge a yellow plate."

Xu Ning did not respond.

Chen Ren's eyes went slightly cold. His attitude changed and his tone was slightly curt. "What, you're not going to take it? I'm delivering it to you personally."

Xu Ning seemed to be afraid of Chen Ren's status, so he finally stepped forward and took the wooden box.

Chen Ren smiled. "Alright, head on out, practice hard, bring honor for the Maple Lane Guard Station and I."

"Yes, Master Chen."

Xu Ning answered blankly.

"By the way, this gift was given to you by Yu Xinghe, the Deputy Manager of Dayuan Trading Company. If you have the opportunity, remember to thank him."

Chen Ren finished speaking.

He looked like he had just played Xu Ning like a puppet.

Xu Ning didn't reply, after nodding, he immediately left the room.

"An outsider of an outskirt village acting so prideful… What a joke."

Chen Ren closed his eyes again and faced the window, enjoying the warmth of the winter sun.

…

Xu Ning didn't feel any emotions after being played by Chen Ren.

In fact, he thought Chen Ren, the boss, was ridiculous.

Xu Ning felt that this guy was nothing more than a soft puppet of Dayuan Trading Company.

Even though he had accepted these three Qinglu Dans, he would send them back a second time.

Xu Ning felt that he might be the toughest person in the entire guard station.

"Sir."

Xu Ning returned to his study room and found Feng Sigua waiting for him at the entrance.

"Perfect, I was looking for you."

Xu Ning opened the door to enter the room. Feng Sigua looked around outside the room before entering and closing the door behind him.

Over the past few days, Feng Sigua finally experienced the feeling of being proud.

Ever since the other city guards knew that he was friends with Master Xu, people began calling him "Brother Sigua".

His wife's attitude also softened and started taking care of him in all aspects.

Becoming the deputy of a Black Armored Guard meant he would gain further qualifications as a city guard.

Xu Ning had become the most important person in Feng Sigua's heart. All of his future prospects were in Xu Ning's hands.

When Feng Sigua heard from his colleagues that Xu Ning was called in by Chen Ren, his heart dropped to his stomach.

He knew about Xu Ning's attitude towards Dayuan Trading Company. He also knew about the relationship between Chen Ren and Dayuan Trading Company. He was afraid that Chen Ren would give Xu Ning a hard time, so he came and waited outside Xu Ning's study.

"Send this back to Dayuan Trading Company, back to Yu Xinghe."

Xu Ning put the wooden box on the table.

"Um…"

Feng Sigua immediately recognized that these were the Qinglu Dans that Xu Ning had previously rejected.

"Master, did Lieutenant Chen…"

Feng Sigua asked tentatively.

"Yes, he made me take it."

Xu Ning's expression was relaxed. "But I don't want it."