But the Thousand Beasts Pavilion was run by a subordinate faction of the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan. How did Lei Ying dare speak of the clan like that?
Lu Heng studied Lei Ying and said,
"Steward Lei, before I came in, I heard the merchants outside discussing how the Thousand Beasts Pavilion had the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan backing it."
"Aren't you afraid the walls have ears, disparaging your own patrons like that right in front of me?"
Lei Ying gave an awkward smile and lowered his voice.
"Venerable Lu, it's fine to say that in this room, but please don't pull the rug out from under me once you leave."
"The Thousand Beasts Pavilion flies the Heavenly Demon Phoenix banner, but we're really just a subordinate faction of one of their subordinate factions."
"Which important figure with actual access to the Heavenly Demon Phoenix main branch would hole up in some backwater like Ten Thousand Beasts City to handle menial affairs? We simply hand over a hefty tribute every year in exchange for a signboard no one dares casually smash."
Lu Heng couldn't help smiling at that.
That was the plain truth.
The great factions of the Central Plains had layer upon layer of branches beneath them. It was perfectly normal for low-level stewards trying to earn resources to grumble about their patrons in private.
Lu Heng pointed at the map on the table.
"You're a sensible man, Steward Lei."
"If the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan is out of the question, which other major clans nearby can I deal with?"
Lei Ying breathed a sigh of relief and traced a mountain range just north of the map's center with his finger.
"If we're talking about clans with a reasonably friendly attitude toward humans, the Qingluan Clan is one."
"They're