Discussions
Yang Haoyu's plan was not complicated, and there were only two parties involved: the Yang Household and Jin Lianri.
Once the plan begins, the Yang Household will first secretly spread the news that the Zhao Household has obtained the Dragon Valley Hall's inheritance. Upon learning of this, the Zhao Household will be furious and will definitely try to drag the Yang Household down with them. Then, they will also spread the news that the Yang Household has also obtained the Dragon Valley Hall's inheritance, in order to share the pressure!
It's worth mentioning that as long as Zhao Leicong doesn't lose his mind, he won't risk offending Golden Core Cultivator by passing on the news that Jin Lianri Dragon Valley Hall.
Once the news spread by the Yang Household reaches Qi Yulong's ears, given the latter's emphasis on the treasure, he will surely send someone to the Yang and Zhao Households to verify it.
As for the process of this verification... it will most likely not be friendly. It will most likely be a forced acquisition, and there is a high probability that Qi Yulong will personally take action.
With Golden Core Cultivator making a move, neither the Yang Household nor the Zhao Household could withstand it. Therefore, to be on the safe side, Yang Haoyu sought Jin Lianri as his backer to guard against Qi Yulong personally coming to the Yang Household.
At the same time, the Yang Household will join forces with the Liu Household of Qianmu Town to send several Foundation Establishment Cultivators to guard the vicinity of Bianhe Mountain.
If the Dragon Valley Sect were to attack the Zhao Household, it would be best if Qi Yulong personally took action, as the Yang Household could seize this opportunity to completely annihilate the Zhao Household.
If it were Qi Yulong who sent Foundation Establishment Devil Cultivator to make a move, the Zhao Household would inevitably suffer heavy losses. At this time, the Foundation Establishment from the Yang and Liu families, who were waiting outside the Zhao Household's Bianhe Mountain, could also get involved and add fuel to the fire!
In summary, the Yang Household used the Dragon Valley Hall and themselves as bait to lure Qi Yulong into the fray, while using the Jin Lianri as a safeguard to protect their own safety.
In this way, the Zhao Household could suffer a great loss, or even be wiped out, while the Yang Household could take advantage of the situation and gain many benefits.
The plan is simple, or rather, most brilliant plans are not complicated, but the most crucial issue is actually—execution!
Yang Haoyu's plan sounds perfect, but there are several major challenges in its execution.
First, Jin Lianri, as Golden Core Cultivator, is far more powerful than the Yang Household. The relationship between the two is more about the Yang Household relying on the former than Jin Lianri having any requests of the Yang Household.
Therefore, if you want to join forces with them, you must have a compelling reason to convince them.
Secondly, the spread of information is highly uncertain. What if the Three Rivers Sect learns of the news spread by the Yang Household first and comes to the Yang Household to demand the treasure?
Unite with the Three Rivers Sect? Forget it. If that happens, the Dragon Valley Sect will hate the Yang Household even more. If this Golden Core sect, which has already Demonic Transformation path, is not destroyed, the Yang Household will live in constant fear from now on.
Third, although the Liu Household Qianmu Town and the Zhao Household of Border River Town have conflicts, they are not mortal enemies. To get the Liu Household to join forces against the Zhao Household, a lot of thought would be required, or to put it bluntly, to have enough incentives to entice the other party.
Fourth, what if Jin Lianri can't stop Qi Yulong?
This is a very real problem. Although both are Golden Core Cultivators, Qi Yulong has been hiding his true strength for many years and is too cunning. No one knows his true strength. If Jin Lianri cannot stop him, the Yang Household will be destroyed under the wrath of the Golden Core Devil Cultivator.
If all four problems are solved, the entire plan can be implemented smoothly, and the benefits that the Yang Household can gain from it will definitely not be small.
However, if any problem is not resolved properly, the implementation of the plan will encounter obstacles and add considerable risk.
After careful consideration, Yang Haoyu and Yang Qiongye chose to tackle the four major problems one by one, starting with the easier ones.
Of the four problems, the simplest is naturally the Liu Household in Qianmu Town.
As an old acquaintance, Yang Haoyu naturally knew the temperament of the Liu Household's higher-ups and how to persuade the Lineage.
She planned to send Yang Dangmo to visit the Liu Household, offering them substantial benefits, such as giving them a share of the Liu Household's Fixed Assets after the Zhao Household was overthrown.
Furthermore, by establishing Marriage Alliance ties through marriage, their worries about the future can be eliminated.
Combining these two points, Yang Haoyu was 90% confident he could persuade the Liu Household to join Yang Household cause. Furthermore, in this massacre by the Devil Cultivators, the Marriage Alliance of the Yang and Liu families— the Mu Household of Spirit Crane Town and the Qing Household of Qingfeng Town— were both wiped out.
This is also an important factor. Currently, the Yang and Liu Households are without allies, and cooperation would be mutually beneficial. If she were Liu Changsheng, the Old Ancestor of the Liu Household, marriage with the Yang Household would be entirely beneficial, regardless of any considerations.
Judging from the time, Yang Dangmo should already be at the Liu Household, discussing matters with Liu Changsheng. A result should be forthcoming soon.
The Liu Household's problems have been addressed, but three challenges remain.
These three problems, upon closer examination, are actually interconnected, with the most fundamental being the first one—persuading Jin Lianri!
Once Jin Lianri is persuaded to stand up for the Yang Household and unequivocally support Yang Household, the second problem will be easily solved.
The severely damaged Three Rivers Sect would not make things difficult for Jin Lianri because of some unfounded rumors. Even if the news was confirmed to be true, with the support of Golden Core Cultivator, it would only take a small price to settle the matter.
After all, the Three Rivers Sect is not what it used to be. Their strength has been greatly diminished, and now is the time to appease people's hearts and minds, so they will not make things too difficult for the Yang Household.
The fourth problem is something Jin Lianri will need to consider only after he has been persuaded. If the other party ultimately does not agree to the Yang Household's request, then there is no point in discussing anything further!
Therefore, the most important thing is to come up with a convincing reason for Jin Lianri to participate in Yang Haoyu's plan.
For this reason, Yang Haoyu personally wrote a letter and had his clansmen present it to Jin Lianri.
In the letter, Yang Haoyu told Jin Lianri the whole plan without reservation and invited him to come to the Purple Moon Mountain to discuss it, which led to the scene that Yang Tianyou had witnessed earlier.
As for why Zheng Qiufeng came with Jin Lianri, Yang Haoyu had some guesses in his mind, but he did not reveal them.
Once the three parties were seated, Yang Haoyu, as the Dao Master, did not observe the proper etiquette of a junior during the discussions, but instead sat opposite the two Golden Core Cultivators.
"This is just a little tea, please don't find it offensive, seniors!" With that, Yang Haoyu stretched out his right hand, Yang Tianyou quickly stepped forward to brew the tea.
The tea is Ginkgo Tea, a Second-Tier Upper-Grade Spirit Tea, made using Secret Method passed down through generations of the Yang Household for over a hundred years, making it extremely rare.
The water is from Wolf Pool, taken from the deepest part of the Wolf Pool's Earth Vein. The water is clear and full of Spiritual Qi.
Yang Tianyou picked up the kettle, slowly boiled it with True Fire, then poured the jade liquid back into the kettle, moving it around like a flowing stream. After a series of smooth movements, two cups of clear Spirit Tea appeared on the bluestone table.
After brewing the tea, Yang Tianyou respectfully withdrew.
Jin Lianri picked up the white jade teacup in front of him, took a small sip, his eyes brightening slightly. He praised, "Among the Tier 2 Spirit Teas I've tasted, your Yang Household's Ginkgo Tea can be considered top-grade!"
"It's indeed quite good. Although it can't compare to those legendary fine teas, it has its own unique flavor. Young friend Yang, you've put in a lot of effort," Zheng Qiufeng said with a light laugh.
"I am honored that you two seniors have taken a liking to me. I still have some Ginkgo Tea stored here, so please accept it as a small gift!" Yang Haoyu smiled and handed over two exquisite emerald green jade boxes.
"He who eats another's food is bound to him; he who takes another's gift is bound to him"—this truth remains unchanged throughout the ages!
After accepting the Spirit Tea, the two Golden Core cultivators became noticeably more amiable, especially Zheng Qiufeng, whose smile showed more sincerity.
After enjoying the tea, they got down to business Jin Lianri put down his cup and got straight to the point, "I've reviewed Young Friend Yang's plan; it is indeed an excellent scheme, however..."
Jin Lianri paused, then chuckled softly, "This plan doesn't seem to benefit me at all; it's all the Yang Household profits. In the end, I, Golden Core Cultivator, become a mere laborer, and I even have to bear the risks brought by Qi Yulong!"
At this point, Jin Lianri shook his head, his smile fading, and looked calmly at Yang Haoyu.
Although Jin Lianri usually appears quite gentle, once he becomes serious, this Golden Core Cultivator who has lived for over two hundred years is still full of majesty.
Under his powerful gaze, an inexplicable pressure descended, and Yang Tianyou's heart sank.