Negotiation

Inside the Jiangnan Base City headquarters building of the Limitless Martial Arts School, Xia Zhi, Zhuge Tao, and the old man, Uncle Eagle, sat on comfortable sofas in the reception room.

"Supervisor Zhuge, the Security Bureau and the Northern Military Region have already executed the criminals involved in this matter."

The old man spoke first. "As for my young master, Li Wei, he is young and ignorant. This matter did not cause any serious consequences, so there is no need to keep holding onto it."

"Uncle Eagle, don't talk nonsense." Zhuge Tao shook his head with a smile. "This matter is not so simple. The martial artist assessment is such an important event, yet someone dared to tamper with it behind the scenes. If we do not deal with it, what if it happens again in the future?"

He glanced at Xia Zhi and continued, "There were no serious consequences because Xia Zhi was strong. Otherwise, if he had been killed by the Tiger Mastiff King, we would not be here talking to you today."

The old man fell silent for a long while after hearing this.

That was indeed the current situation. With Li Yao's strength and background, ordinary matters were nothing to him. But this time, Li Wei had acted on his own and arranged for someone to tamper with the practical assessment. That was an outrage.

The upper echelons of every faction in Jiangnan Base City were watching. Even with Li Yao's influence, he could only keep the matter contained within Jiangnan City. If it truly alerted Hong, the chief instructor of the Limitless Martial Arts School headquarters, then the situation would no longer be under Li Yao's control.

"The key is still this kid. As long as he agrees to settle privately, it will be easy to handle. Fortunately, he was not actually killed. If he had died, there would have been no room for compromise."

As he thought about it, he could not help cursing inwardly, That Young Master Wei is an idiot too. The master and the others spoiled him rotten. Killing someone should have been so simple, yet he turned it into this mess. It looks like we will have to bleed heavily this time.

He looked at Xia Zhi, who had not said a word since the beginning, and said, "Little friend Xia Zhi, how do you think this matter should be resolved for you to be satisfied?"

Although his tone was gentle, the old man's gaze was like a venomous snake eyeing its prey, sending a chill through one's entire body.

"Elder Ying." Xia Zhi smiled. "Although this matter did not cause me any harm, they used such despicable methods during the assessment in an attempt to murder me."

"I do not think this can simply be brushed aside with a claim that he was young and ignorant, can it?"

"What do you intend to do? Say it directly!" Uncle Eagle's expression darkened.

"One sentence: one billion Huaxia Coins, and this matter will be over." Xia Zhi continued with a smile.

"One billion? You really are asking an outrageous price! Do you know how much a General-level martial artist earns in a year? Do you know what one billion means to you? This price is too high." The old man glared.

"One billion is indeed a great deal for a General-level martial artist, but for a War God-level existence, it is not much."

Seeing Uncle Eagle's attitude, Zhuge Tao frowned from the side. "Not to mention that War God Li Yao is a high-level War God whose global ranking is astonishingly high."

Xia Zhi merely smiled without speaking. Before Uncle Eagle had arrived, Zhuge Tao had already discussed the matter with him in advance.

Asking for too little compensation would mean taking a loss. Besides, at a time when so many higher-ups were watching, demanding too little would also affect the Limitless Martial Arts School's reputation.

But if they refused to let it go and demanded too much, it could easily cause further trouble.

"Little friend Xia Zhi, I will give you a price as well: five hundred million! My Li Family will give you five hundred million, and this matter will be settled. Otherwise, if you refuse to give my Li Family face, things may not go so well for you in the future!" The old man stared fixedly at Xia Zhi.

After exchanging glances with Zhuge Tao, Xia Zhi nodded. "Fine. I will give your Li Family this face. This matter is settled."

Zhuge Tao also smiled and said from the side, "Isn't this much better? After all, if this really gets out of hand, it will not benefit anyone."

"Hmph. The five hundred million in cash will arrive in your account today. I hope none of us brings up this matter again in the future." The old man rose to his feet. "Supervisor Zhuge, I have other matters to attend to, so I will not stay any longer. Farewell."

Zhuge Tao and Xia Zhi also stood and said to him, "All right, I will have someone see you out."

Uncle Eagle gave Xia Zhi a deep look, then turned and left.

"Haha, Xia Zhi. It is rare to see that old eagle suffer a setback. Although this matter has come to an end, you must still be careful when you go to the Wilderness Zone in the future."

Thinking of Uncle Eagle's shock upon hearing the demand for one billion, and his fury when he finally gritted his teeth and agreed to five hundred million, Zhuge Tao said happily.

"You will understand how terrifying monsters are once you leave the Base city, and how suddenly all kinds of dangerous situations can arise. Besides, I am worried that the Li Family will not simply let this go."

Zhuge Tao continued, "I have already reported the video footage of your Microscopic-level movement technique during the practical assessment to headquarters. I believe a Special Envoy responsible for assessments will arrive soon. As long as you enter the Elite Training Camp, there will be no need to worry."

"This time, I have arranged for you to join a General-level Elite Squad. Among the many martial artist squads, it is the best in terms of reputation, reviews, and strength."

"Next, focus on training with the secret manuals you purchased. When the squad contacts you, you can go to the Wilderness Zone with them for experience."

"By the way, have you bought your weapons and equipment?"

Hearing Zhuge Tao's arrangements for him made Xia Zhi even more moved. At the question, he shook his head. "Not yet. I browsed the mall last night. I do not have enough money, and they also require contribution points. But once the five hundred million arrives, it will be enough."

When Zhuge Tao heard this, he laughed. "Haha, that is simple. Tell Assistant Bai what weapons and equipment you want later. Then I will buy them for you! You do not have enough contribution points, but I do! You can pay me back for the goods afterward."

"Right, other people cannot buy secret manuals for me, but they can buy weapons and equipment. I actually forgot about that." Xia Zhi suddenly understood.

For learning materials such as secret manuals, if someone else bought them for you, or if you learned them and then passed them on to someone else, it would be suspected of unauthorized copying and distribution, infringing upon the rights of the martial artist who owned the secret manual. Such violations were severely punished.

Without purchasing it, one had no right to train with it!

However, for goods meant for use, such as weapons, equipment, and tools, there was no such thing as copyright ownership.

"After you leave, just tell Assistant Bai directly. Once the purchase is made, I will have everything delivered straight to your home," Zhuge Tao said.

"Mm. Thank you, Supervisor!" Xia Zhi said gratefully.

Zhuge Tao stood up. "Go on. The martial artist squad will contact you before they set out in a while. During this time, do not slack off. Strength is the foundation of everything."

Xia Zhi nodded in agreement, then left to find Assistant Bai and provide the information on the weapons, equipment, and other items he wished to purchase.

After Uncle Eagle walked out of the building, he turned back to look at the four words "Limitless Martial Arts School" on the towering dark-blue structure.

"Hmph, five hundred million? We will see whether you live long enough to spend that much money."

He thought inwardly, That kid's mental will is so strong. Whether as a martial artist or a Mind Controller, his future potential is immense. I must report back to the master. This threat needs to be dealt with as soon as possible.

As he thought of the coveted potential hidden beneath Xia Zhi's youthful face, his desire to eliminate him immediately grew stronger and stronger.

Afterward, he straightened his clothes and strode quickly toward the car waiting at the entrance.

Fifty thousand words already. It has not been easy. I work more than ten hours every day, then spend another three or four hours writing. My daughter is already quite unhappy about it. Don't know when I will receive a contract offer from the site; at least that would mean I have been recognized. But no matter what, there are already five hundred bookmarks. Thank you all for your support, especially those big shots who vote every day. Thank you for the support, my deepest thanks!