Chapter 4 4: Negotiation [1]

Amon stepped into the VIP lounge, taking in the opulent surroundings with awe.

The Eastern style of the room was evident in the intricately embroidered tapestries and ornately carved wooden furniture, with a flowing dim blue lighting which resembled the ocean's ebb and flow, creating an enchanting atmosphere that only added to the luxurious ambience.

'It's her!'

[Oh, She's quite the beauty!]

'Don't be stupid; this woman is a dagger hidden within a bouquet of roses, let alone a damn thorn!'

He didn't want to deal with her if she wasn't so important; she not only controlled a large portion of her father's underground forces, her ability to be above board with the light side of the business was highly talented.

However, for her to reach the top levels of current CEOs and the big dogs, it would take her years—she is still in the upper level of the mid-leagues at her young age, and that's more than amazing.

'I have to make sure not to piss her off!'

Amon's feet sounded on the wooden floor—he checked to make sure, nodding that there didn't seem to be a custom of removing shoes in this place, his black jacket billowing as he stepped forward and stopped several metres from the main seat and table, not seating himself but bowing with a polite and elegant movement.

"Greetings; I apologise for the sudden appearance in your fine establishment, Miss Xue."

When he reached the centre of the room, he made sure not to allow himself to be charmed by this damn medusa.

He would not lower himself too much because he was still the only son of the most powerful woman in the city at the current time. Amon lifted his head, and immediately his eyes were drawn to the stunning woman sitting in the main seat.

Her eyes were a vibrant shade of red, reminiscent of rubies, and her hair was as dark as onyx, shimmering in the low light. Amon couldn't help but be captivated by her presence, feeling a sense of awe and reverence towards her.

The female exuded a powerful energy that commanded attention, and Amon found himself drawn towards her.

As Amon approached the Lady and her handmaidens, he suddenly snapped out of his reverie, remembering that she had a reputation for disliking men who stared at her for her beauty. This might just get him killed!

When the male arrived near the table, one woman stood behind the chair and rose, placing herself between them both. The other woman remained beside her mistress, watching the newcomer with suspicion.

"You may sit down," said the older of the three servants, gesturing toward the space opposite her mistress.

Amon gave the woman a polite nod, knowing she wasn't a maid or servant but her bodyguard almost in the Phantasmal Realm, according to his memories of the novel's world.

"Thank you very much."

He quietly reminded himself that he was more than 3 Realms below her, unwilling to make stupid moves to endanger his new life of freedom.

Bone Creation Realm

Body Forging Realm

Spirit Gathering Realm

Spirit Core Realm

Phantasmal Realm

These were the main realms in the novel for the first 1,000 chapters—even Ethan only reaches the last Realm near the end of the novel's Urban setting, as he kills Amon's mother the moment he magically has a breakthrough mid-fight, despite her beating him senseless and crushing several of his bones and ripping off his left arm.

All because she lightly pushes one of 'his women' away, causing him to enter a stupid, roid rage, as all urban cultivation protagonists can do.

'My only concern is getting strong enough to protect my mother, avoid annoying events with that damn protagonist and save the few unlucky women that died for no good reason, every single life!'

As soon as the thought entered his mind, he felt like his chest tightened, making breathing difficult.

It hurt, reminding him of how many people were suffering due to the machinations of others. His hands shook uncontrollably until they finally settled upon the table's surface, resting on its wood grain and looking over the two ladies before him.

He took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves as he introduced himself, his eyes staring into her eyes filled with a confident and neutral gaze. "My name is Amon," he said, his voice deep and magnetic, without the nerves from a moment ago. "I've been looking forward to meeting you. Miss Xue."

"Oh, the infamous Winchester boy has been looking forward... to meeting me?" Her eyes narrowed, the aura in the room not from any cultivation, just the sheer scrutiny in her piercing gaze as if her ruby-red eyes could penetrate his soul.

"So, what is it that you want, Mr Winchester?" she asked her tone not only cautious but seeming to be searching, like a deadly snake, watching her prey hidden in the grass.

"I want to hire a bodyguard, one that isn't afraid to dirty her hands, but not a cold-blooded killer that will kill for someone looking the wrong way."

"Her?" Ming Xue questioned as she lifted her leg, the red dress sliding down her beautiful snow-white thigh with the sound of fabric brushing against her skin filling the room before she placed it over her right, raising her eyes as Amon didn't even look towards her body once.

'That's right; you hate when men, like your father, see women as just tools for lust. But that doesn't mean I've gained any of her trust, just avoided being thrown out and beaten.'

"Mr Winchester, is there a reason you wish for a female bodyguard rather than a male?"

Tap Tap Tap!

Her black heels were tapping on the wood and marble desk, her pipe simmering in the glass tray, forming small trails of smoke.

'Here isn't the time to make a stupid lie; let's be honest.'

"I would rather have a woman who saved my mother's life 4 years ago than some stranger that cannot be trusted as they work for money."

"Oho? How..." When her word sounded, Ming Xue looked at Amon with shocked eyes.

'How did I know that cloaked and hooded woman was related to you? Is likely what she wished to ask.'

However, Lady Xue isn't such a weak woman; her posture snapped back, straightening her spine as she gave a charming smile that most males might misunderstand as her showing affection. Amon knew this snake of a woman never loved anybody, even the protagonist Ethan, couldn't truly win her heart, as they split before he ascended, having never touched her body.

"Ahem... If such a person exists, would she be in this dirty place where money is everything?"

"Well, If I am wrong, let's say I admit it's my loss, and I try to form a pipe between my mother's pharmaceutical company and your desire to enter the herb cultivation and elixir industry?"

Her body leaned forward, both hands resting under her chin; a slight movement caused one of her maids to rush out of the room.

'She is likely to check on the current movements of the Winchester Group; maybe I was a little too hasty...'

Everything depended on how fast his mother would announce the information of him becoming the president and having a say in the future of those two sectors.

Amon didn't wish to show his hand, leaning back as he picked up the glass of warm wine seemingly placed after he entered by the maid standing beside him; her eyes were nervous, those cute brown orbs trying to avoid his handsome gaze and that deadly handsome smile.

'Kanonkop Kadette Pinotage?' Amon thought as he brought his nose, swilling the glass of beautiful dark red wine, the flavours so powerful now because of his bodily changes; although he would no longer get drunk, he could enjoy the wines he loved more.

He leaned back and ignored Lady Xue, who watched him with interest, this wine wasn't a common wine for the rich, but it was a wine that had sentimental meaning for Amon; it was the first wine his mother used when she cooked at home, initially trying to make a Beef Stew in Red Wine Sauce shortly after his father passed away.

'Mother... she had never used the kitchen in her life... she mistook the wine used in the pot, and it was a wonderful day, but the meal was revolting, haha...'

[You seem very happy, I'm glad.]

Amon's mouth touched the crystal, the maids peeking at his soft pink lips, more glossy and alluring than a model; he felt the strong scent of the red currents, with a faint aroma of dried rose petals; he usually disliked wines with flowers due to their smell.

But the image of his mother, half crying on her knee's while eating the disgusting meal, was too amusing for him right now, remembering as he rubbed her shoulders and forced himself to eat the awful food.

His eyes were closed while he enjoyed the emotions, not even sensing the female who rushed back, her face shocked and optimistic, glancing at him momentarily before whispering in the Lady's ear.