Half an incense stick later, Plum Blossom Seven appeared in the light and shadow again, looking weary. "The negotiations succeeded. Here's the peace agreement, and here's Xu Yi's letter of repentance."
As he spoke, he displayed two documents. Their seals were as red as blood. The letter of repentance bore both a signature and a blood seal, and a Ruyi Pearl preserved footage of Xu Yi signing it.
Xu Lingfeng finally smiled. Pointing at Plum Blossom Seven, he said, "You've rendered outstanding service. What reward would you like?"
Plum Blossom Seven replied, "I eat the ruler's salary and share his worries. I hold a high position and am entrusted with its duties; this is simply my responsibility. What merit have I earned?"
Lu Zhongyuan said, "Xu Yi shouldn't have been so easy to deal with. He went from five seeds to two. Did he really agree so readily?"
"Xu Yi certainly wasn't happy about it," Plum Blossom Seven said. "I gave him the seed Dao Master Xu had bestowed upon me, and swore an oath that it was my personal property. Seeing that I'd even given up my own belongings, he knew there was no point in pressing me further. He took the three seeds and recorded this Formal Complaint."
Everyone present was aghast. Xu Lingfeng said, "This man is truly a pillar of the state. How fortunate our church is to have such a devoted servant!"
Xu Lingfeng's admiration was genuine, but he absolutely wasn't going to promise Plum Blossom Seven another seed in compensation. Seeds were simply too precious. As for what he owed Plum Blossom Seven, he planned to make it up to him in other ways. After all, he had promoted Plum Blossom Seven, who was naturally one of his own. He would simply look after