Dividing the Spoils

"Grandmaster Peak!!!"

Zhou Ruiming, who had initially intended to haggle, immediately changed his expression and attitude upon hearing Ouyang Yun's exclamation.

The guard had only informed him that Zhao Ping'an was suspected to be a Grandmaster realm expert. Although he was excessively young, considering that both of the Sun Family's Ninth Level Innate experts had fallen to him, his cultivation in the Grandmaster realm was certain.

(They were not yet aware of Sun Hongxi's breakthrough to the Grandmaster realm, as Sun Hongxi had died from his severe injuries not long after Zhao Ping'an left.)

Any Grandmaster was a human destructive force, possessing powerful defenses, terrifying mobility, and the immense destructive power of Qi, leaving those below the Grandmaster realm utterly defenseless.

Therefore, he did not wish to offend any Grandmaster unless absolutely necessary, as his own cultivation was too low, merely at the ninth level of a Martial Artist.

Furthermore, his relationship with Ouyang Yun was merely cooperative; Ouyang Yun would not risk his life for him against another Grandmaster.

Now, upon discovering Zhao Ping'an's "true" cultivation, he dared not offend him in the slightest, completely abandoning his petty schemes.

"As you said, four tenths of the Sun Family's assets. No, I only need three tenths. I will send people immediately to cooperate with you in eradicating the Sun Family Remnants!"

Zhou Ruiming immediately changed his mind and said with a firm voice.

"No need. I said four tenths, and it will be four tenths. I wish us a pleasant cooperation. I await the City Lord's good news. Farewell!"

After speaking, Zhao Ping'an executed the perfected Golden Eagle Soaring Technique and vanished from the City Lord's Mansion.

"Human Grade Perfection movement technique!!!"

Watching Zhao Ping'an disappear from sight in an instant, Ouyang Yun exclaimed in shock.

"Brother Zhou, this person can only be befriended, not offended. Otherwise, I wouldn't even be able to protect myself, let alone you..."

After standing still for a long time, Ouyang Yun turned to Zhou Ruiming beside him and solemnly advised.

"Rest assured, Brother Ouyang. Ruiming understands!"

"Guards!"

Soon, over a thousand soldiers from the South Ridge City Guard were mobilized, beginning to assist the Blazing Blade Sect in guarding the Sun Family's industries within the city and pursuing the Sun Family Remnants.

At once, various major and minor forces, who had been closely monitoring the situation, were thrown into an uproar. Those with some standing sent people to the City Lord's Mansion to inquire about the news, while those who couldn't reach the City Lord's Mansion utilized all their connections to gather firsthand information.

They did not want to do this, but it would affect their future livelihoods.

Zhao Ping'an, after leaving, first visited several of the Sun Family's important industries in the city and found that most of them were already guarded by people from the Blazing Blade Sect.

Those that were not guarded had already been emptied by someone, leaving them in a state of disarray.

"I hope the Blazing Blade Sect moved everything out themselves, otherwise..."

After looking around, Zhao Ping'an returned to the Zhao Residence, leaving the rest to the City Lord's Mansion and the Blazing Blade Sect. He only wanted the Medicine Mountain outside the city and the Alchemy Workshop inside the city.

Soon, Zhao Ping'an, who had made a round, returned to the Zhao Residence. At the entrance, he found several carriages and more than ten fine horses parked. Beside the carriages and horses, martial artists dressed in Blazing Blade Sect Attire stood quietly.

Even the main entrance was guarded by four early-stage Houtian Martial Artists (levels one to three) from the Blazing Blade Sect.

"Greetings, Senior Brother Zhao!..."

The moment they saw Zhao Ping'an, the four immediately bowed in unison and clasped their fists in greeting.

Clearly, someone had already briefed them on Zhao Ping'an's appearance, and they had even seen his portrait.

"En, who told you to guard here?"

Zhao Ping'an responded calmly, his voice clear and cold as he inquired.

"This... it was the Sect Master! And the Sect Master is waiting for you inside!"

The one with the highest cultivation hesitated for a moment before quickly replying.

"Song Lieyang? You guys can continue guarding."

Zhao Ping'an murmured and stepped into the Zhao Residence.

As he walked into the courtyard, Zhao Ping'an sensed only one unfamiliar aura inside. It was likely the Sect Master of the Blazing Blade Sect, Song Lieyang.

However, his cultivation was not at the eighth level of the Innate Realm as his Master had said, but had somehow broken through to the ninth level.

Zhao Ping'an did not conceal his aura, so as he walked to the center of the courtyard, the three people sitting in the main hall came out one after another.

This was the second time Zhao Ping'an had seen Song Lieyang. The last time they met was at the Apprenticeship Banquet when he became Master Zheng Hetong's personal disciple, which was almost eight years ago.

After they met, Song Lieyang stood somewhat awkwardly beside Zheng Hetong, unsure how to address Zhao Ping'an.

It would have been fine if they met often, but clearly, they didn't. Furthermore, Zhao Ping'an was practically invisible in the Blazing Blade Sect. Not to mention the few more than ten personal disciples, even among the numerous inner disciples, very few recognized Zhao Ping'an.

This made Song Lieyang extremely regretful.

"Master, Mistress! Sect Master Song, let's go inside and talk."

Zhao Ping'an first bowed respectfully to his Master and Mistress, then spoke to the awkward Song Lieyang.

In the reception hall, after the four were seated, Zhao Ping'an explained his agreement with the City Lord's Mansion and his future plans.

In essence, the City Lord's Mansion would help the Blazing Blade Sect stabilize the situation, and the reward would be forty percent of the Sun Family's assets. The specific division would be discussed by Song Lieyang himself with Zhou Ruiming.

Of the remaining sixty percent of the assets, the Medicine Mountain outside the city and the Alchemy Workshop inside the city would belong to Zhao Ping'an, which accounted for about twenty percent of the Sun Family's total assets.

Of the remaining forty percent of the family fortune, the Blazing Blade Sect took thirty percent, and the last ten percent went to the Zhao Mansion.

That is, of the Sun Family's Industries, forty percent went to the City Lord's Mansion, thirty percent to the Blazing Blade Sect, twenty percent to Zhao Ping'an, and ten percent to the Zhao Family.

Despite feeling the pinch, Song Lieyang did not dare to raise any objections and immediately agreed with pleasure.

But Zhao Ping'an's final words made Song Lieyang's expression change drastically, leaving him utterly shocked.

"One last thing, after the Sun Family's affairs are settled, I will have no further ties with the Blazing Blade Sect. From then on, you'll go your separate ways, and I'll go mine."

"Of course, Master, Mistress, and my Senior Brothers and Sisters will always be my family. If you wish, you can leave the Blazing Blade Sect with me and live peacefully in the city. No one can force you to do anything you don't like. Isn't that right, Sect Master Song!"

As he said this, Zhao Ping'an looked at Song Lieyang, who was sitting opposite him, with a smile and asked in a calm tone.

"Yes! Yes! Yes! You are absolutely right!"

Song Lieyang glanced at Zheng Hetong, who remained silent, and quickly nodded.

"Very good. Tonight, at Zui Chun Lou, I will host the City Lord's Mansion and the Zhao Family's Old Master. I hope Sect Master Song will not be late. You may leave now."

"Alright, alright, alright, I will be there on time. I'll take my leave now!"

Song Lieyang quickly stood up and agreed.

Watching Song Lieyang depart, Zheng Hetong fell into a thoughtful silence, his expression complex.

"Ping'an, I agree with what you said, but I still need to discuss it with your Senior Brothers and Sisters. After all, this concerns their future."

Zheng Hetong said in a low voice, looking at his wife's expectant eyes beside him, and then walked out.