The two strolled slowly down the corridor. There was no noise around them, only the occasional rustling of bamboo leaves in the wind, creating a scene reminiscent of a nighttime stroll through Chengtian Poetry Garden.
However, neither of them spoke, especially Mittel Tengshan.
Although he didn't know why Lin Feng had summoned him alone, his shrewdness as a businessman meant that anyone seeking a favor would first demonstrate their sincerity, allowing him to negotiate a higher price.
"Elder Tengshan," Lin Feng suddenly turned around after reaching a corner and said to Mittel Tengshan, "do you still remember the Ice Emperor—Hai Bodong?"
"What!?" As soon as Lin Feng spoke, Mittel Tengshan almost tore off his proud beard. Ignoring his composure, he hurriedly asked Lin Feng,
"How did you learn about Elder Hai's whereabouts, young friend Lin Feng? Please tell me, no matter what. The Mittel family can fulfill any request you have, Master Lin Feng."
"Is that so? What if it offends the royal family or the Yunlan Sect?" Seeing this anxious old face, Lin Feng knew he had the upper hand.
"However, I still need to test his limits," Lin Feng thought to himself. "I must eliminate Mo Cheng, this potential threat, otherwise, with this mad dog watching me constantly, even if I'm not afraid of him, I'll inevitably have moments of complacency."
"Perhaps I should strike first! Let's see how sincere Mittel Tengshan is towards Hai Bodong." Watching Mittel Tengshan's changing expression, Lin Feng leisurely enjoyed the surrounding scenery.
After hesitating for a while, Mittel Tengshan ultimately felt that the Ice Emperor's news was more important to his family. He gritted his teeth and slowly said to Lin Feng,
"Young friend Lin Feng, please inform this old man of Elder Hai's news. Even if it offends the royal family or the Yunlan Sect, my Mittel family is not afraid."
Perhaps having made up his mind, his voice became increasingly firm towards the end.
"To be honest, Elder Tengshan, I was born in the Jia Ma Empire. In my youth, I struggled on the border between the Empire and the Snake-People. Therefore, I've been to several surrounding cities."
Seeing the lack of impatience on Mitel Tengshan's face, Lin Feng secretly praised, "As expected of the leader of a major power, you are indeed very composed."
In reality, Mitel Tengshan was overjoyed, "They really didn't try to fool me!"
For the Mitel family, Hai Bodong was the pillar of their power. As long as he lived, no one would dare covet the Mitel family's vast wealth.
However, with Hai Bodong's long absence, some began to speculate whether he had perished in some unknown place.
Mitel Tengshan was also anxious about this. He remembered that back then, he was just a lowly Dou Ling, yet he had to support this large family; the pressure was unimaginable.
Moreover, the Mitel family couldn't openly search for him, as that would confirm that even the family itself had lost the Ice Emperor.
If that were truly the case, the enemy lurking in the shadows would likely engulf the already fragile family in an instant.
They wouldn't even dare to reveal their presence in the shadows, for who could be sure there weren't enemy agents among them?
Therefore, the moment Lin Feng uttered the news of the Ice Emperor, Mittel Tengshan lost his usual composure.
This had nothing to do with anything else; it was simply that what had sustained him for decades was his childhood idol, the Ice Emperor—Hai Bodong.
Seeing Mittel Tengshan's composed expression, Lin Feng curled his lip in boredom, seemingly feeling that some kind of mischievous amusement hadn't been satisfied.
"Elder Tengshan, I remember once stopping in a small town during my travels, and an old map shop left a deep impression on me."
Seeing Mittel Tengshan's expression, Lin Feng stopped being mysterious.
"There's only one old man in the shop, with an eccentric temperament. He doesn't seem to care whether customers come or not. But his map is undeniably excellent, and it even saved me from a crisis."
"That must be Elder Hai. I remember many years ago, Elder Hai loved to travel the continent and created some truly remarkable maps." Mittel Tengshan's arm, hidden beneath his robe, tightened, and his expression seemed to be barely able to contain his excitement.
"Young friend Lin Feng, please finish your story."
"Haha, that was my fault." Seeing Mittel Tengshan suddenly interrupt him, Lin Feng decided to keep it brief.
"When I saw the Mittel family crest on the old man, I wondered why someone from the Mittel family would come to this resource-poor, war-torn, and harsh desert to retire. Could it be that this old man was exiled?"
Lin Feng's tone seemed to describe his initial confusion. Indeed, even if someone wanted to retire, they wouldn't come to such a place alone!
"However, after seeing the portrait of the Ice Emperor some time ago, I am now certain that this is indeed the real Ice Emperor—Hai Bodong."
"Young friend Lin Feng, thank you for informing me of this important news. Such a great favor, please accept my bow."
After hearing Lin Feng's account, Mittel Tengshan was completely convinced that this was indeed their Mittel family patriarch, the long-lost Ice Emperor—Hai Bodong, one of the ten strongest figures of the Gama Empire.
Seeing Mittel Tengshan about to bow, Lin Feng quickly stepped aside; he couldn't accept the old man's bow.
He quickly helped the old man up. "Elder Tengshan, if you truly wish to express your gratitude, there is something I need your help with."
After a pause, Lin Feng tentatively added, "Moreover, it has quite offended the Yunlan Sect. I wonder if the Elder will keep his word?"
"Hahaha, young friend Lin Feng, you underestimate me and the Mittel family." After calming his excited expression, Mittel Tengshan regained the composure and magnanimity of a pillar of a powerful force.
"Young friend Lin Feng, please speak freely. For us merchants, integrity is the foundation of our existence. Therefore, keeping one's word is my lifelong motto!"
"Since that's the case, then I will tell the Grand Elder the truth." Seeing that Mittel Tengshan indeed had the style of the Ice Emperor, Lin Feng secretly sighed, "No wonder he admires the Ice Emperor. Could it be that he's also a guy who likes to play in the peak tournament at heart?!"
"The matter started like this. I have a younger sister, the woman in green who is always by my side."
Lin Feng paused, seemingly thinking of his words, "And today, that Mo Cheng of the Mo family in Yancheng, the guest elder of the Yunlan Sect, he..."
"That's how it is. Grand Elder, can you take him down? Today, I must cut off this old bastard's dog head!" Lin Feng said, his tone somewhat cold, which startled Mittel Tengshan. It seemed that he had never seen Lin Feng like this before.
"Don't worry, young friend, leave this to me. I guarantee you'll get a dog's head." Mitter Tengshan stroked his beard, his eyes narrowing slightly, as if another prey had entered his sights.
"In that case, thank you very much, Elder!"