However, Shi Jiawen quickly rejected this proposal,
"Impossible. The Ninth Prince may seem humble, aloof, and easy to speak with, but deep down he is the most domineering and forceful sort. He wants to use this opportunity to draw in the four of us and the forces behind us. At the very least, he wants to become a familiar face and establish some ties.
A simple exchange of interests—just four favors—might tempt ordinary people, but the Ninth Prince would never be tempted.
I think we should perhaps look at this from another angle and start with the Lei Family, rather than using the Ninth Prince to probe that Grotto-Heaven Secret Realm."
Shi Jiawen's proposal did indeed move the other three, but it came with no small number of difficulties.
First, as had been said before, this Grotto-Heaven Secret Realm was an interest that could be passed down to one's descendants, creating a family that flourished without decline for generations, perhaps even allowing the Lei Family to rise another step. They would never easily carve it up for others. Only Beitang Shu, by some unknown means, had managed to get a hand in it.
Second, if they truly did this, they might avoid becoming entangled with Beitang Shu, but they would certainly offend the Ninth Prince and earn his resentment.
At the root of it, this was still a case of drinking poison to quench thirst. Either they offended the Ninth Prince's enemy, or they offended the Ninth Prince himself. Where could one so easily find a method that gave them the best of both worlds?
Qiao Nian also put forward an idea at this moment. Yet compared to his earlier reckless, headlong approach, this time he was far more roundabout.
"We want the benefits the Ninth Prince has brought us,