Chapter 316: Volume 3 Prologue – Part 1 (2/2)
”Recently, there's an odd organization at the northwest of Aves Continent. I would like to hire you and your men to investigate this organization. They seem to have rebuilt Siren City from scratch, so I would like you to check it.”
[What a coincidence. I happen to be on a sightseeing trip on this continent as well. Well, how much can you give me?]
”… 10,000 essence cores for the identities of every people in the rumored Siren City. I want to know their current strength, manpower, and the source of their mysterious Qi in the area.”
[Please, Lord Yuan. Are you looking down on me because I'm a country bumpkin in your continent? Even Administrator Meng paid me ten 1st-grade soul stones so that he could make me babysit a resurrected kid for a few months.]
The generals in Yuan Shaoqing's room glared at the phone in anger as this person in the line had extorted their lord.
Yuan Shaoqing raised his hand to calm his subordinates. Then, he continued to negotiate, ”How much do you want?”
[My brothers told me that they had sensed a Dao Soul Realm expert in the area that you mentioned. Since this job can be potentially dangerous, I will have to shamelessly ask you for soul stones instead of essence cores.]
Wen Chou and Yan Liang raised their eyebrows as they found the intel interesting. Even Yuan Shaoqing's face darkened as the new information revealed a new potential threat.
”How many 8th-stage experts are there?”
[So far, we've sensed one. Well, if you agree to our terms, we might find out more.]
”…”
Yuan Shaoqing muted the phone and looked at his treasury officer, who stood in lines along with other officers.
”Tian Feng.”
A scholar brown robes stepped forward and bowed to his lord. The beardless man appeared to be in his early 30s. His long black hair had been tied into a topknot and covered by tall headwear like an ancient Chinese cultured man.
Despite looking neat and harmless, Tian Feng was another late-stage nascent soul expert. His presence wasn't weaker than everybody in the palace.
”Lady Yuan Hua has shipped 90 1st-grade soul stones to us. However, the world guardian has already converted them into 90 million essence cores. Combining with our current treasury, we have 450 million essence cores to spend.”
”What about our upkeep?”
”This number has included the 100 years worth of our clan's upkeep, including the pay for mercenaries and the potential inflation.”
The officers and generals in the room nodded in approval as their lord's wealth was unrivaled. Only the Holy Land's Great Clans or immortals could compete with his status.
Yuan Shaoqing unmuted his phone and told the agent his offer.
”I don't have soul stones, but I'll pay you a million essence cores.”
[Make it five or no deal.]
”Two million. That's my entire treasury.”
[How disappointing. Well, that's a deal. Ship them to the location in the text. Once I receive the payment in full, I'll investigate that city for you.]
”Alright.”
Yuan Shaoqing glanced at Tian Feng, who gave his lord a thumb up, praising him for the good bargaining skill. The latter also texted his subordinates to prepare the essence cores for the job right away.
…
After Yuan Shaoqing had finished talking to the [Young Master Liu], he started making calls to other clan lords and sect masters.
Jiangdong White Tiger Sect
Mount Hua Sword Sect
Hengshan Heavenly Spear Sect
Flower Edict House
Yuan Shaoqing was a busy man. He made different calls and told them the same things.
”Ma Ping and Jia Shan have turned rogues. They have burnt Red Sun City, plundered the Imperial Clan's treasury, kidnapped the young emperor, and stolen the Liu Clan's greatest heirloom, an immortal-grade artifact! One of their allies is an 8th-stage cultivator, and he has amassed a large army of outlaws. Rumor said that evil demon worshipers, the Huangjin Sect, are also in league with these people! We need your strength to vanquish these evildoers and restore the peace for the Aves Continent!”
After inciting these orthodox organizations, Yuan Shaoqing also provoked the evil sects with a different rumor.
Silver Phoenix Sect, Poison Pavilion, Mountain Goose Sect, and Twilight Hunter Guild got a different version.
”Ma Ping and Jia Shan have killed Liu Bian and obtained the necromancy technique. I know that the relationship between us, demons and humans, is not favorable. Let's forget our differences and join forces against these fools before they can turn this continent into a playground for the undead! You can keep whatever you kill or take from Siren City.”
Yuan Shaoqing assembled a grand alliance against a new organization without hesitation. After all, he had received a direct order from his sister to avenge her vessel.
'Dear, oh dear. What a bossy elder sister. Your vessel is just so weak that he fell because of a brat and a vampire. You should have gathered your men and attacked them at the same time! Use your number advantage, you foolish girl!'
Every time Yuan Shaoqing thought of Yuan Hua, he lamented for his sister's foolishness. Still, he never complained to Yuan Hua directly since she had been supplying his clan with riches and artifacts from immortal realms.
'Dear, oh dear. After cleaning up this mess, I should recapture Ju Shoufen and feed her the potion of youth. Her natural beauty used to be unrivaled under heaven. Too bad that I accidentally killed her daughter by mistake. Otherwise, I could have made her mine…'
Yuan Shaoqing's eyes were burning with a passion. He still longed for the adorable woman, who was his first love.