Compromise

The receipts were about ten pages long.

Due to time constraints, Xu Yuan did not have time to have everyone copy the document.

The font on each page of the document is different, but each page corresponds to an important industry of the Wanxiang Sect in an important prefecture in the Xize Continent.

These items were all temporarily collected by the Black Scale Guard from various locations at noon today.

The situation of each prefecture and county was divided into several major categories according to Xu Yuan's requirements, and these major categories were further subdivided into many smaller categories.

At first glance, it doesn't look complicated.

From agricultural fields and mines catering to ordinary people, to taverns and brothels in the city, to large-scale chambers of commerce and banks, and even a section in the general catalog that includes the unique array pattern technology of the Wanxiang Sect.

In silence,

The Wanxiang Sect Master and the Great Elder then browsed through the list.

They exchanged a glance, and both saw a hint of anger and helplessness in each other's eyes.

This list encompasses 70% of the Wanxiang Sect's businesses in the Xize Continent, and over 90% of the businesses on the list are profitable.

Taking a deep breath, the Wanxiang Sect Master quickly said in a deep voice:

"Young master, the properties listed on this directory are worth far more than ninety million."

Xu Yuan interrupted him halfway through, casually filing his nails and saying:

"Don't worry, I know the value of your properties far exceeds the total amount you need to compensate. The problem is time is tight. It's only been a little over half a month since the incident in Shengshan County, and the properties on this list are only what we're interested in. Just agree to this, and someone will come to discuss the details of the discounted price with you."

The Wanxiang Sect Master remained silent.

The other party's meaning was very clear.

Don't try to make up the numbers with those money-losing, worthless assets; we've already investigated them thoroughly.

While the top brass of Vientiane were shirking responsibility like headless flies, the Prime Minister's Estate had already begun making these meticulous preparations.

In silence,

The Wanxiang Sect Master and the Great Elder stood up almost simultaneously. The Great Elder cupped his hands in greeting.

"Young master, this matter is of great importance; we need to return to our clan."

Although they are the sect leader and the Great Elder, they have no authority to decide on such a amount.

Because many of the properties on this list belong to other Aristocratic Clan within the clan.

"Sure."

Xu Yuan shrugged, indicating it was fine, and then, under the gaze of the two, instructed Xu Xinyao behind him:

"Xiao He, come here and clean up this Crystal Message Body debris."

The meaning is clear: feel free to discuss, but I must remind you that the Black Scale Army will be attacking the city in 25 minutes.

Upon hearing this, the Great Elder frowned sharply.

"Young master, could you please grant me some more time?"

Xu Yuan shook his head and said helplessly:

"Great Elder, there is no room for joking in the army. Although I am willing to change orders frequently, a general in the field may not always be able to follow orders."

Without saying another word, the two old men bowed and carried Zhou Xiaohe's body out of the Mystic Yin Pavilion, then transformed into two afterimages and sped towards the depths of the mountain gate.

After watching the two figures disappear from sight, Xu Yuan sighed and sank into the soft couch behind him, then instructed Xu Xinyao beside him:

"Go and inform the people ahead that we're taking a detour to the East City."

"What?"

Xu Xinyao spoke for the first time at this moment, asking hesitantly, "Aren't we... going to wait for them here?"

Xu Yuan rolled his eyes and said helplessly:

"There's no need for us to stay here any longer. If they agree, they'll come to the East City to find us. If they don't, staying here is just waiting to die."

After saying that, Xu Yuan waved his hand at Xu Xinyao:

Go ahead.

"."

Xu Xinyao remained silent for a moment, then bowed slightly and turned to walk out of the room.

Looking at Xu Xinyao's slender back, Xu Yuan suddenly spoke up:

"Xin Yao, do you see the sect's ugly side now?"

Xu Xinyao's body stiffened slightly.

Xu Yuan laughed and said, "Alright, no need to answer. You already know the answer in your heart."

After saying that, Xu Xinyao silently walked out of the attic.

As soon as the door to the side room closed, Xu Yuan felt the soft couch beside him sink a little, and the alluring floral fragrance wafted over again.

Lou Ji's two jade-like legs, partially visible, were crossed, her feet half-exposed, and her high-heeled Lotus Boots swaying back and forth.

"Changtian, do you think they'll agree?"

Xu Yuan, inhaling the fragrance of the flowers, replied with a light laugh:

"Of course we'll give it to them. Ninety million won't shake their foundation. Even if someone wants to fight to the death, the rest of their sect won't agree."

Lou Ji smiled upon hearing this, lowering her eyes to play with her long, sharp fingernails:

"You've thought things through quite thoroughly, but Changtian, you were just giving orders to Yuan Hao ~"

Xu Yuan glanced at the old lady sideways and smiled slightly:

"Sister, are you worried that Yuan Hao won't obey orders?"

Lou Ji nodded and said with a smile:

"That guy will most likely be eager to get started with your orders. To Yuan Hao, Wanxiang City right now is like a naked prostitute to a lustful lecher."

Xu Yuan shook his head:

"Although Yuan Hao is a bit crazy, he still knows what's what when it comes to warfare. Even if there are orders, he has to wait for reinforcements to enter the city. No matter how much you urge him, it will take at least 15 minutes."

Speaking of this,

Xu Yuan grinned:

"Besides, haven't I already prepared to go to East City?"

Lou Ji narrowed her phoenix eyes:

"So, what you just said was just to scare those two old men?"

Xu Yuan remained silent for a moment, then sighed:

"Not entirely, but it's best to avoid war if possible."

"Is it because you couldn't bear to?" Lou Ji asked with interest.

"."

Xu Yuan didn't speak immediately, but gently rubbed his knuckles. After a while, he shook his head.

"It's unnecessary to talk about these things, but that's one of the reasons."

Upon hearing this, Lou Ji gently raised her hand and patted his head, speaking softly:

"Changtian is so kind."

Xu Yuan chuckled, his eyes lowered as he stared at his hands, his voice devoid of emotion:

"No, the main reason I'm unwilling to take action is because the returns would be very low. The reason our plan was implemented so quickly is largely because we were caught off guard. If the Wanxiang Sect puts up a desperate resistance, everything will be destroyed, and our casualties will increase."

"Even if they win, Wanxiang City will be completely turned into battlefield ruins, and their treasury inside the mountain gate will most likely be burned down in the fight to the death."

"And,

"Even if there is a legitimate reason, destroying the Wanxiang Sect will affect the attitude of all sects in the world towards us; conversely, it will make them lower their guard."

Having said that,

Xu Yuan raised his hand to rub his temples, and glanced to the side, only to find Lou Ji staring at him intently.

"What, did I say something wrong?"

Lou Ji's beautiful eyes curved into two crescent moons.

"Changtian, you really have become more handsome."

Xu Yuan rolled his eyes:

"You can still see my face even with a mask on?"

"Sister is referring to your behavior and conduct, of course."

Lou Ji said softly, then suddenly asked, "By the way, Changtian, why did you insist on killing that sect leader's daughter?"

"To make that sect leader feel pain," Xu Yuan replied without hesitation.

Lou Ji nodded in agreement:

"That's a reason; I also really dislike the way he addresses me."

Xu Yuan's expression turned somewhat strange upon hearing this.

Lou Ji playfully pinched him hard.

"What's wrong? Even though I'm a bit ruthless, I still have a conscience~"

Ah, yes, yes, yes.

Xu Yuan rolled his eyes inwardly.

Lou Ji gave a soft hum, her slender fingers curling a strand of hair from her temple, twirling it between her fingertips, a hint of reminiscence in her eyes:

"My sister used to be a lowly commoner among these sects, is it strange that she feels unhappy about it?"

Xu Yuan understood immediately. "Not surprising."

The next moment,

Lou Ji suddenly moved closer to Xu Yuan, staring at him with a smile, and said, "But for you, Changtian, this reason is not enough."

After a brief silence, Xu Yuan still spoke truthfully:

"I know Zhou Xiaohe."

"."

Lou Ji understood Xu Yuan's intention in an instant, after all, he was in the intelligence business.

To silence them.

However, seeing Xu Yuan's expression, she tactfully remained silent.

Xu Yuan lowered his eyes and whispered:

"She and another person saw Ran Qingmo and me in Shengshan County. Although they didn't recognize our true identities, she could recognize us at any time if she had our identities."

"Well done," Lou Ji praised.

Xu Yuan exhaled, looking in the direction of Shengshan County, remaining noncommittal:

"Back then, the two of them traveled thousands of miles to Shengshan County to help the border troops kill demons in order to save the people. But now, well, her choice was the right one."

Upon hearing this, Lou Ji raised her hand and pulled Xu Yuan's head to rest on her shoulder, stroking his hair as she spoke softly:

"Changtian, don't think so much. Your older brother and your father did the right thing. If their positions are different, they should be killed. If they aren't killed, they will turn around and kill you."

As she spoke, Lou Ji paused, then continued in detail:

"Come on, tell your sister the name of the other person."

"Dead."

Xu Yuan said softly, "That man was a fool. He couldn't accept what his sect had done and insisted on going outside Shengshan County to kill demons to atone for his sins. It happened during a Demon Beast tide, and he's probably already dead."

At this point, Xu Yuan sighed:

"Xin Yao's unwavering belief is most likely due to the existence of these people."

Lou Ji raised an eyebrow upon hearing this, but remained silent and did not press the matter. She simply stroked Xu Yuan's head gently in her arms, though she had already silently made a mental note of him.

He died for his principles; that's admirable and commendable.

But for Changtian's safety, she needed to confirm that this person had died in the Demon Beast tide.

The Council Hall of the Wanxiang Sect.

After the list was briefly circulated, the top management of Vientiane was in an uproar.

Although blood had begun to seep from their necks, this did not diminish their unwillingness to give up their interests.

The Wanxiang Sect Master and the Great Elder silently watched the chaotic shouting and arguing below.

Ninety million taels? They're trying to destroy the very foundation of my Wanxiang Sect!

"Sect Master, even if we win a full-scale war against my Wanxiang Sect, the Prime Minister's Estate will not gain any benefit! Let's fight! The Prime Minister's Estate dares not!"

"I think we can consider negotiations, but payments should be made in installments. Some of the properties on this list can be handed over, including those essential to the lives of the lowly people. However, we absolutely cannot give them the important properties such as Demon Beast, array patterns, and medicinal herbs. Giving them to them would shake our foundation."

"What do you mean?! Those agricultural and sideline equipment businesses are all owned by our Gu Family, so why don't you say we should hand over the Demon Beast business?!"

"Demon Beast? How dare you mention that? They are the foundation of our sect. If we lose a few large-scale Demon Beast breeding farms, the Demon Vein Chamber of Commerce will lose its supply, and the sect's income will be greatly affected! Not to mention we need a military-equipped army. You saw those flying Demon Beast that attacked today."

"You only have 15 minutes left, and you still want to argue?!"

The Wanxiang Sect Master shouted, his gloomy gaze sweeping over the crowd below before settling on Xia Wenlin, the Old Five, his tone softening:

"Old Five, what do you think of this matter?"

Xia Wenlin, who had been listening silently, rose and bowed to the elders upon hearing this, speaking quickly:

"We must do our best to preserve our assets; these are the goose that lays the golden eggs."

"I just did a quick mental calculation. The sect's accumulated wealth over the years should amount to about ten million taels of silver in cash at once. It might actually be a bit more. We should be able to scrape together about twenty million taels, which is still about seventy million taels short of ninety million."

The Wanxiang Sect has existed for a thousand years and has accumulated a great deal of profit, but its expenses are also enormous.

After all, cultivation is the most resource-intensive activity, and the benefits for disciples of sects are excellent.

At this point, Xia Wenlin bowed respectfully.

"My Xia Family is willing to donate one million taels to help the sect overcome this difficult time."

After speaking, there was silence.

Donate money?

Donate farts.

The Wanxiang Sect Master and the Great Elder's faces darkened as they saw the silent crowd.

The people below are all leaders of the Aristocratic Clan. Apart from what they hand over to the sect, these people have enjoyed many benefits in their daily lives.

But now that the time has come, they have sensed that many of their subordinates are starting to plan their escape.

After a while,

The Great Elder spoke:

"If the sect ceases to exist, those properties will become easy prey for other sects and aristocratic Aristocratic Clan. The Nie Family, donate three million taels."

The sect leader also spoke:

"Gentlemen, please consider carefully. My Zhou Family will also donate three million taels."

Hearing what the two leaders said, the elders below, though reluctant, all donated some silver.

Xia Wenlin listened carefully, then let out a long breath:

"Now that we've raised forty million taels, we need to set aside a portion as a reserve. We can't afford to run out of cash; if we do, many businesses will go out of business."

"How much should we leave?" the Wanxiang Sect Master asked in a deep voice.

Xia Wenlin remained silent, looking at He Jigu opposite him:

"I am not in charge of the Chamber of Commerce; you should ask Elder He and the others about this matter."

Although he was vying for power and profit, He Jigu was quite capable in business. After a quick mental calculation, he replied:

"Considering that some assets need to be mortgaged, the impact of these shortfalls should be accounted for at least tens of millions."

Upon hearing this, Xia Wenlin then asked:

"Elder He, how much of our sect's assets are roughly equivalent to 60 million taels?"

He Jigu pondered for a moment, then replied:

"Based on market prices, it's about 30%. Losing 30% of our assets would severely damage our sect, but it wouldn't shake our foundation. The Prime Minister's Estate has calculated that we won't fight to the death over this."

Upon hearing this, Xia Wenlin let out a long sigh:

"It's pointless to bring this up now. The Prime Minister's Estate's goal in acquiring assets is definitely to enter Xize Continent. They will inevitably get involved in businesses like money shops and chambers of commerce. We need to prepare in advance."

He Jigu raised an eyebrow:

"Asset transfer?"

Xia Wenlin shook his head and pointed to the list on the table:

"The Prime Minister's Estate was able to find out all this means they must have made preparations long ago. Such a small trick as transferring assets is naturally impossible to achieve. However, we can do something with the shop assistants and managers at the bottom."

"Also, we need to dispose of the building materials for those Ghost-Capturing Array formations as soon as possible, and we need to get that person who was captured alive back, otherwise we will always be at their mercy."

Having said that,

Xia Wenlin cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards the Wanxiang Sect Master:

"Sect Master, things have come to this point. We need to prepare for the impact. I will give you a detailed plan later."

A few minutes late again