Chapter 148: Battling Elder Zhou Shentong!
I had to admire Zhou Shentong's composure. Here I was, having just destroyed his garden, killed his guards, and walked into his sanctum like I owned the place, and he sat there looking mildly amused. Either he was supremely confident in his abilities, or he was putting on one hell of a poker face.
"Negotiations?" I replied, keeping my tone light as I studied the room more carefully. "And here I thought we were just having a pleasant evening chat."
The reception hall was larger than it had first appeared, with high ceilings supported by wooden pillars carved to look like intertwining vines. More of Zhou Shentong's ostentatious displays of wealth, but they might prove useful. Through my connection to plant life, I could feel that the carvings weren't just decorative – they were made from the same type of wood as the roots holding Han Zhongwei.
"Oh, we can chat," Zhou Shentong smiled, though it didn't reach his eyes. "In fact, I'm quite curious about several things. For instance..." He made a subtle gesture, and the roots tightened around Han Zhongwei's chest, drawing a pained gasp. "How did a supposedly talentless young master suddenly develop such... interesting abilities?"
I felt Han Renyi's consciousness stir at the insult, but I kept us focused on more important matters – like the wooden roots currently suspending his father from the ceiling. I could feel their vitality, or rather, their desperate hunger. Like everything else in this world, they were starving for energy.
"The gardens are quite impressive," I commented, deliberately changing the subject as I expanded my awareness through the room's various plant decorations. "Though they seem... undernourished. Having trouble maintaining them?"
Zhou Shentong's eyes narrowed further, probably wondering why I was making small talk about his gardening habits while my father hung suspended above us. But that was fine – let him think I was trying to stall or playing some game. The truth was, I needed time to fully understand the network of roots he'd created.
"A common problem these days," Zhou Shentong replied smoothly, playing along. "The declining rouqi makes maintaining such luxuries... challenging. But then, that's why consolidation of resources is so important, isn't it?" His smile turned predatory. "Which brings us back to our negotiations."
The roots tightened their grip on Han Renyi's father, drawing a pained gasp. I could feel the man's confusion – here was his son, supposedly come to rescue him, chatting about gardens while he suffered. But I needed just a little more time...