Negotiation

As soon as the person called Xiao Liu walked out the door, the Poison Scholar turned to Hu Qiang, who was sitting in another chair, and asked, "Old Three, how is Miss Zhou? You didn't rough her up, did you?"

The Poison Scholar knew Hu Qiang well. He was quite capable, with astonishing Divine Power, but he was greedy and lecherous, definitely not someone one could form a deep bond with. Over the years, the two of them had often clashed privately.

Hu Qiang was a burly man in his thirties with long hair and a bare chest, looking quite imposing. However, his chest was wrapped in white bandages, emanating a pungent medicinal smell, and his face was somewhat pale.

"Not yet, I was planning on keeping that girl since she looked pretty good, waiting until my injuries healed before having some fun. But now it seems like she'll end up being a bargain for the Zhou family. How about this? Why don't you take her virginity tonight? Consider it a tribute from your little brother to you, Second Brother."

Hu Qiang's voice was deep, but due to his injuries, it lacked some strength. Speaking also tugged at the wound on his chest, making him feel weak and in pain, which was quite unusual for a notorious bandit known for his bravery and strength.

"Absolutely not. Miss Zhou is of great use to us. Our stronghold's last operation not only yielded no benefits but also cost us two brothers and injured over ten others. Even you, Old Three, were seriously hurt. It's hard to guarantee we won't make mistakes next time. I think we should take this opportunity to extort a good sum from the Zhou family.

Zhou Fugui is a wealthy tea merchant with a fortune beyond measure, doing business across several counties. If this deal goes through, who would worry about not having women to sleep with?"

The Poison Scholar was well aware that their Black Wind Mountain Stronghold had become a thorn in the side of several nearby counties. While it was manageable within the Black Mountain, dealing with the authorities was difficult. However, if they went out to rob, the risk would greatly increase, making them easy targets for schemes. Thus, it was best to minimize outings, and this incident was a perfect opportunity.

"Hmm, that's true. I've heard Zhou Fugui is rich; let's take him for all he's worth this time."

Having been injured, Hu Qiang didn't want to venture out again, especially if he encountered another tough opponent.

At that moment, the bandit leader Xiao Liu brought Xiang Yang up. When the Poison Scholar and Hu Qiang saw the Thick-backed Saber in Xiang Yang's hand, they were initially displeased. Xiao Liu was becoming increasingly unreliable. However, seeing that Xiang Yang was just a young boy, at most fifteen or sixteen years old, they relaxed a bit.

"What's your name? Where are you from? What's your relationship with the Zhou family? Why did Zhou Fugui only send you up here to negotiate the ransom?"

The Poison Scholar didn't even look at Xiang Yang and casually fanned himself with a folding fan. On the other side, Hu Qiang glared at Xiang Yang with fierce eyes, making it hard for anyone timid to speak.

However, Xiang Yang was not an ordinary person. He first cupped his hands in greeting to both of them and then replied, "I am from Yang Xiang of Kunning, and I have no ties to the Zhou family. A few days ago, I came to Anyuan to visit a friend and heard that the Zhou family was offering a handsome reward for a brave soul to come up the mountain to negotiate for the ransom, so I took on this task.

Originally, Zhou Fugui wanted to choose a strongman from the local heroes in Anyuan County to come up and negotiate with the heads of your group. But luck wasn't on his side. Li Jin Hai was away visiting friends, Old Hero Qian was too ill to travel, and several others declined for various reasons. I, on the other hand, know that you gentlemen are not the type to harm the innocent, plus my family isn't well-off, so I accepted this job to earn some money."

As he spoke, Xiang Yang took off his knapsack from his back and placed it on the ground. "Here is a letter personally written by Zhou Fugui along with a stamped money order as proof of my identity.

This is a painting of a hummingbird, specially selected from his collection, which Zhou Fugui heard you, Second Brother, like calligraphy and painting, and he presents it as a greeting gift for you.

As for Third Brother, Zhou Fugui originally intended to send a few beautiful women as wives or concubines to serve you. However, since he is in the county, there were some reservations, and he couldn't manage it. I hope you won't hold it against him."

Xiang Yang took out each item and had Xiao Liu pass them to the Poison Scholar and Hu Qiang, while he squinted his eyes, seemingly unconsciously glancing at Hu Qiang, who was indeed seriously injured.

Though Hu Qiang felt somewhat displeased, he could reluctantly accept it; after all, the Zhou family was not a bandit group and wouldn't forcibly seize a few civilian women to please him.

The Poison Scholar, however, tossed the letter and money order aside and unfolded the hummingbird painting to admire it, his delight evident. He looked at Xiang Yang with a bit more warmth.

"Not bad, indeed the work of a scholar. The spirit is vigorous, and the brushwork, though delicate, is not lacking in boldness. It's truly excellent."

The Poison Scholar praised it, but Xiang Yang couldn't help but feel that this person was merely a pretentious dilettante. After all, boasting didn't cost anything, and everyone in the hall was a rough fighter; no one could see through his act.

Eventually, the Poison Scholar set the painting aside and opened the letter, nodding and frowning at times, causing Xiang Yang to unconsciously tighten his grip on the Thick-backed Saber, staring at the Poison Scholar's delicate hands and the folding fan, somewhat lost in thought.

People thought that the Poison Scholar was known for his schemes and tricks, not realizing that if he were truly just a frail scholar, he could at most be a military advisor and would never be able to suppress a fierce man like Hu Qiang to become the second-in-command of the Black Wind Mountain Stronghold.

On the way up the mountain, Xiang Yang learned from Xiao Liu that the Poison Scholar had indeed been a scholar in his early years but was fortunate enough to acquire a fragment of martial arts, mastering the technique of eighteen methods for hitting acupoints. He could use the folding fan to strike acupoints, which allowed him to immobilize, kill, or torture people. Even Hu Qiang, with his innate Divine Power, still held a degree of respect for him, showing just how formidable he was.

After a long while, putting the letter aside, the Poison Scholar said, "Yang Xiang, I can reveal a bit to you. Miss Zhou is currently unharmed and in perfect condition; she hasn't been violated or mistreated.

So, Zhou Fugui's offer of ten thousand taels of silver may not be enough. Here's the deal: since you've calculated three thousand taels worth of food and supplies, add another three thousand taels in cash, making a total of thirteen thousand taels.

Additionally, our brothers here on the mountain are short on clothes and weapons. You should ask Zhou Fugui to provide three hundred new garments and five hundred pounds of wrought iron. If there are finished swords or weapons, that would be even better."

The Poison Scholar's words made Xiang Yang gasp. This was indeed a lion's demand. While food, silver, and clothing could be discussed, the key issue was the five hundred pounds of wrought iron. If they were to forge weapons, how many arrows could they make? More importantly, this was military material, which couldn't be bought or used by civilians. Could Zhou Fugui gather that together?

"Well, both of you, the others can agree to everything, but I can't decide on the five hundred pounds of wrought iron. How about this: allow me to go down the mountain to discuss with Zhou Fugui. If it can be arranged, I will send someone back to contact you. What do you think?"

"Can't decide? Then what use do you have? Someone, drag this little brat out and behead him."

Hu Qiang snorted coldly and slammed his hand on the armrest of the chair. Hearing Hu Qiang's words, two men outside immediately stepped forward to grab Xiang Yang and drag him away.

Xiang Yang's eyes flashed with cold light, ready to resist. But seeing the Poison Scholar's smiling face, he held back and shouted, "Third Brother, spare my life! I will definitely persuade Zhou Fugui to agree to your terms when I return. I won't go back on my word."

As long as he could return safely, that was good enough for him. As for Zhou Fugui, he was a wealthy tea merchant with connections; he didn't need to worry about that.

In his heart, Xiang Yang was also pondering whether he could use this opportunity to set up Hu Qiang for a fall. With him injured, his Combat Power would surely be greatly reduced, and if he found the right opportunity, he might just succeed.