Xiao Family Compensation

The Xiao Family's main hall seemed far more harmonious this time.

Zhang Yang and Ling Yunzi sat in the seats of honor, while Xiao Jianchun and Liang Fang instead sat as guests beside them, wearing courteous smiles.

"We began mining the copper mine ten years ago." Xiao Jianchun came straight to the point and took the initiative to explain. "The annual output is roughly one hundred thousand jin... The miners simply work too slowly. We really only extracted this much. If you two do not believe it, you may inspect the mine yourselves."

Zhang Yang did not dwell on whether Xiao Jianchun was telling the truth. He asked, "So in ten years, you extracted one million jin of copper ore? The copper ore I brought back last time was about fifty thousand jin. After refining it, we obtained one thousand jin of refined copper, twenty jin of red copper, and around one jin of Copper Mother. Your Xiao Family has earned quite a lot over these ten years!"

All of those were materials for refining magical treasures.

When Ling Yunzi thought of how Azure Cloud Sect had had so many materials stolen away, leaving them so poor they could not even afford to use Spirit Stones, his gaze could not help turning colder.

Seeing that Ling Yunzi's expression was off, Xiao Jianchun hurriedly explained, "Uh... the earliest copper ore did not have as high a concentration as the ore does now. But since Azure Cloud Sect is willing to entrust the mining to our Xiao Family in the future, we can compensate Azure Cloud Sect for the past share according to the current ratio. What do you two think?"

Afraid that Azure Cloud Sect would disagree, he hastily added, "No matter what, we have poured a great deal of blood and sweat into mining this copper ore over the years!"

He knew full well that there could be no muddling through this time.

Since they could not win by force, they had to swallow the loss.

If they angered Azure Cloud Sect and it refused to let them mine the copper ore, while also demanding an accounting of their past earnings, the Xiao Family would truly be finished.

Zhang Yang pondered for a moment, then nodded. "We can agree, but you must repay the past portion as soon as possible."

Xiao Jianchun let out a breath of relief, and a smile appeared on his face. So long as the problems left over from the past were resolved, all was well.

He then asked, "Then what about the division of the copper ore? How about a forty-sixty split?"

Zhang Yang was somewhat surprised. "You are willing to take only forty percent?"

"No, no, no!" Xiao Jianchun hurriedly waved his hands. "Our Xiao Family will be responsible for mining and refining it. If we take only forty percent, that would be far too much of a loss."

"Forty percent it is." Zhang Yang said calmly, "Your Xiao Family will not need to refine it. You only need to mine it, and we will collect it ourselves."

"This..." Xiao Jianchun hesitated.

Zhang Yang snorted coldly. "Your Xiao Family is already getting the lion's share. You should know when to be content."

Xiao Jianchun gave a bitter smile and nodded. "Fine, then forty percent."

The Xiao Family still had to give a portion to Qingfeng Sect, leaving even less for themselves.

But the situation was stronger than the man; they had no choice but to agree.

"Our Azure Cloud Sect will send people to patrol the mine. I hope you do not pull any other tricks while mining, or next time, this will not be so easily settled." Zhang Yang fixed his gaze on Xiao Jianchun. "Also, prepare the compensation for us. We will take it back to the sect."

Xiao Jianchun immediately said, "Rest assured, our Xiao Family absolutely has no other intentions. As for the compensation, we do not have that much on hand. Could you give us a little time to gather it?"

Part of those cultivation resources had gone into Qingfeng Sect's pockets, so Qingfeng Sect would certainly have to contribute part of this compensation.

It was simply inconvenient for them to discuss it in front of Azure Cloud Sect.

They intended to deal with Azure Cloud Sect first, then discuss it properly afterward.

"I'll give you three days to prepare!" Zhang Yang rose to his feet and turned to Ling Yunzi. "Martial Uncle, let's go to the inn. We still need to discuss a few other matters."

His Talisman advertisements had already gone out, so naturally, he needed to sell them.

There was another matter as well: he still needed to purchase other resources to bring back to Azure Cloud Sect.

Xiao Jianchun hurriedly stood and said with a smile, "You two honored guests may stay at my Xiao Family's residence. Also, we would like to buy some Talismans."

Zhang Yang looked at Xiao Jianchun with a half-smile. "You have no money to compensate Azure Cloud Sect, but you have money to buy Talismans?"

Xiao Jianchun's expression changed, and he smiled awkwardly.

Zhang Yang did not press the issue any further. He left in grand strides with Ling Yunzi.

Liang Fang and Xiao Jianchun saw the two out of the Xiao Family. Only after their figures vanished from sight did Xiao Jianchun slap his thigh viciously. "Fellow Daoist Liang, does your sect not have any other experts capable of dealing with Azure Cloud Sect?"

Liang Fang smiled bitterly. "My Qingfeng Sect has existed for barely a hundred years, while Azure Cloud Sect has already stood for five thousand years. Do you know what a five-thousand-year-old sect means?"

Xiao Jianchun furrowed his brow tightly. "But didn't you say Azure Cloud Sect was not strong?"

If it had truly been that strong, would they have dared provoke it back then?

Liang Fang appeared thoughtful. "I heard Azure Cloud Sect suffered some changes, which is why it became what it is today. But even a starved camel is bigger than a horse. Even Azure Cloud Sect as it stands now is not something my Qingfeng Sect can compare to. We gambled that Azure Cloud Sect would not interfere. Now that they have come knocking, all we can do is accept our defeat!"

Xiao Jianchun looked utterly aggrieved. "So many materials that had already fallen into our hands, just handed over like this—I truly cannot accept it! There is no other way now. We can only give them up. But Fellow Daoist Liang, Qingfeng Sect must contribute something toward that compensation."

Liang Fang smiled. "We will provide thirty percent... Do not rush. The main reason is that Qingfeng Sect has already used those materials, and there truly is not much left over. We can make up for the Xiao Family's losses elsewhere, such as with pills, magical treasures, and so on. No matter what, we still need to continue cooperating, do we not?"

Xiao Jianchun calculated it over, then nodded in agreement.

"Then I shall return to gather the materials and explain the matter to the Sect Master as well." Liang Fang cupped his fists and flew away.

After watching Liang Fang leave, Xiao Jianchun began issuing orders to gather resources.

At the same time, he summoned a trusted subordinate and instructed, "Make a trip to the imperial capital and inform His Highness of this matter. Most importantly, make it clear that our Xiao Family will not be able to offer so many materials as tribute in the future."

"Yes!" The steward leaped away.

After arranging everything, Xiao Jianchun frowned and pondered for a while before letting out a long sigh.

Meanwhile, Zhang Yang and Ling Yunzi had not gone far after leaving the Xiao Family when an elderly man in brocade robes stopped them.

"Gentlemen, my master invites you. Please honor us with your presence," the elderly man in brocade robes said politely.

Zhang Yang acted as though he had not heard him. Without slowing his pace, he walked straight on.

When Ling Yunzi saw that Zhang Yang had continued on, he did not stop either.

Though his cultivation was high, he had to admit that Zhang Yang was far smarter than he was. Naturally, he followed Zhang Yang's lead in matters of action.

The brocade-robed man's expression turned ugly. He could only hurry a few steps forward and lower his voice. "Gentlemen, I am the steward of the City Lord's Manor. Please do us the honor of showing the City Lord's Manor some respect. We have come to buy Talismans this time. We will take all of your Talismans."

Zhang Yang finally stopped and asked, "The price?"

"How about two hundred Spirit Stones per Talisman?" the City Lord's Manor steward asked with a smile.

Fury rose in Zhang Yang's heart. Were they treating them like beggars?

He smiled faintly, glanced around, and raised his voice. "We will hold a public bidding at Grand Celebration Tower. Anyone who wishes to buy Talismans can find us there! And tell your master when you return: we are not selling just a few. We are seeking direct cooperation with Azure Cloud Sect. So show some sincerity."

After saying that, he left without giving the City Lord's Manor steward a chance to speak.

Several figures around them swiftly disappeared.

The City Lord's Manor steward's expression changed, and he hurried away as well.