Negotiating the Division

This is Zhang Xuezhou's first time working in a three-person team with existing conflicts.

This situation was worse than he had anticipated, but it was also very advantageous for Zhang Xuezhou.

Zhang Xuezhou was worried about Gongsun Hong, and he was equally worried about Li Shaojun.

Li Shaojun may have a sweet tongue, but when there's risk or great profit involved, he's definitely the type to run away or grab the benefits first and then disappear.

It's hard to say about Gongsun Hong either; this great Confucian scholar also had a history of running away halfway through his mission to the Xiong State.

However, if there is someone of equal strength or someone who is prone to causing trouble to restrain them, the character of these two people will be much better.

Gongsun Hong satisfied the former, while Li Shaojun satisfied the latter.

"Gentlemen, everything can be discussed," Zhang Xuezhou mediated. "Our business isn't even settled yet; if we start internal strife now, wouldn't we become a laughingstock?"

"I didn't cause any internal strife. I'm just straightforward and like to tell the truth, without the beating around the bush that officials do," Li Shaojun said.

"Those who hide their true intentions are unreliable," Gongsun Hong said, frowning.

"Since we can't reach an agreement, let's not talk about it anymore," Zhang Xuezhou said. "I'll rest at the post station or this Daoist temple for a while, and then I'll return to Chang'an City."

"No!"

"Etc!"

Li Shaojun and Gongsun Hong were startled and immediately tried to persuade him to stay.

The two were surprised that Zhang Xuezhou suddenly decided he didn't want to continue.

What was clearly a dispute between Li Shaojun and Gongsun Hong turned out to be a conflict between the two of them, who never expected that the person responsible for dragging them into this would be the one to break up their partnership.

Zhang Xuezhou's decisive attitude in breaking up the group was far more efficient than Li Shaojun and Gongsun Hong's back-and-forth arguments.

If they had no demands on each other, they would only engage in empty talk when they had nothing better to do; they would have left long ago. The reason they keep entangled is that they are testing each other's bottom line and constantly trying to steer the final outcome toward themselves.

But if the partnership falls apart, then there's nothing more to discuss.

"I know many islands in the sea. We can stop to rest and repair our boat without any problem. We can also replenish our water on the islands," Gongsun Hong said. "We have a great advantage at sea. I know several islands with agarwood trees that have already produced resin. We can collect some and bring it back. Even if we fail, I won't let you make a wasted trip!"

"Agarwood? You don't think you can just fob off Dongfang Shuo with this little bit, do you?" Li Shaojun said, "No wonder Dongfang Shuo quit so easily. He 'Not Short of Money; he can buy whatever kind of agarwood he wants!"

"I'm only saying this in case we fail to find the Mechanized City," Gongsun Hong said. "If we do find the Mechanized City, then we will definitely divide it fairly!"

"Is it true that the cultivators skilled in water Divine Ability suppress the other cultivators and then carry out what you call fair distribution?" Li Shaojun asked.

You're judging a gentleman by your own petty standards!

"A true villain is better than a hypocrite!"

Just as they were about to launch into another verbal attack, they stopped talking when Zhang Xuezhou shook his head and was about to leave. Instead, they started pulling and tugging at Zhang Xuezhou.

"You two," Zhang Xuezhou said, spreading his hands. "I'm bedridden and can't do anything, which is why I dragged you two together. Since you don't get along, let's just not do this and go back to Chang'an City peacefully!"

"No, there's no future without you," Li Shaojun said, pulling Zhang Xuezhou along.

"Dongfang Shuo, this is the territory of the Dragon King of the East Sea. We can't do without you," Gongsun Hong said, slightly anxious. "Let's not even talk about how we'll divide the spoils once we're in the Mechanical City. Without the Dragon King's connections, even if we get the treasures, we won't be able to return to the mainland!"

"I have no connection with the Dragon King of the East Sea!"

When Gongsun Hong pulled him away, Zhang Xuezhou finally understood his position.

He's the team's mascot; we don't usually need him, but he's indispensable in crucial moments.

No matter how skilled Gongsun Hong is in water magic, he can't compare to the Dragon King. If the Dragon King of the East Sea finds out about the hunt, there will inevitably be friction.

At this point, one would need to rely on some connections to get back An Ran, lest their efforts be in vain.

If you find the mechanical city, take the heavy object, and then have it taken away by the aquatic creatures on your way back, this situation can easily drive someone mad.

Although Gongsun Hong didn't plan ten steps ahead for every step he took, he felt that this one step was essential.

"The Dragon King of the East Sea..."

Li Shaojun glanced at Zhang Xuezhou speechlessly, completely unaware of how Zhang Xuezhou had become involved with the Sea Dragon King.

Normally speaking, Zhang Xuezhou and the Dragon King are two beings who would never cross paths or meet in eight lifetimes, let alone form a connection that would earn the Dragon King's favor.

If that's the case, Zhang Xuezhou has to protect her carefully until they return to land.

The sea is the Dragon King's territory, and people like Zhang Xuezhou, with whom he has connections, are of paramount importance.

In these kinds of situations, it's better to be safe than sorry. Even if you're intercepted by aquatic creatures when you're successful, encountering harassment on your way there would be a real headache.

"Brother, you are the guiding light that illuminates our path forward. We can't do without you," Li Shaojun said.

"Finding the Mechanized City is one thing, getting the items back is another," Gongsun Hong said. "Whoever benefits is a coward. We should each get what we need without conflict, and work together to get this done!"

"Your cultivation is higher than ours, so shouldn't you get the best stuff?" Li Shaojun said unwillingly.

"What suits you best is the best," Gongsun Hong said bluntly. "If you can't accept this philosophy, even if you obtain something belonging to the True Self Realm cultivator, you can only look at it and never use it for the rest of your life. It's not impossible that such greed could lead to high risks!"

"In other words, if the items hidden in the Mechanized City are beyond your control, you will suppress your desire and not take them," Li Shaojun confirmed.

That's exactly right!

Gongsun Hong nodded.

This made Li Shaojun think more highly of the other party.

Neither he nor Zhang Xuezhou could do that; the two often risked their lives when exploring dangerous places.

Having a reliable person like Gongsun Hong in the team can indeed mitigate some of the risks.

"Since you only take what is suitable, if I were to obtain something beyond my cultivation level, or even something beyond yours, by chance, would you remain unmoved and not seek any reward?" Li Shaojun asked slowly.

"Sure, but if you bring risks you can't afford, you'll have to bear them yourself. I can't help you!"

"That's no problem. Can you swear by Sage Kong that you won't covet what I get?"

"Able!"

After Li Shaojun questioned him, Gongsun Hong answered without changing his expression.

Having understood Gongsun Hong's bottom line, Li Shaojun had no objections, even if Gongsun Hong would have received a higher value in the normal distribution.

The fairness he sees is indeed not the same as the fairness Gongsun Hong sees.

However, as long as everyone's bottom line is clear, disputes over distribution can be easily resolved.

"Brother, let's do something big together!" Li Shaojun said earnestly, pulling Zhang Xuezhou along. "Let's get rich together!"

"I'll have to stay in bed from now on," Zhang Xuezhou said.

"Lying down is fine too!"

Li Shaojun nodded in agreement.

Until it's time to use Zhang Xuezhou, Li Shaojun doesn't care whether Zhang Xuezhou is lying down or standing up.

But when it came to using Zhang Xuezhou, Li Shaojun hoped that Zhang Xuezhou could stand up and play an irreplaceable role.