Chapter 925: Asking for money (1/2)

As Jun Yixie crawled to his feet, Ning Cheng wanted to continue fighting, but a few guards hastily held him back. Ning Cheng glared at Jun Yixie with flaming eyes as if he’d never stop raging.

Jun Yixie had shattered teeth, a bruised nose, and a swollen face from the blows. Bai Yuqiao had ignored her own pains to help him up, but he simply shoved her aside. She rolled to the ground and was completely neglected. Perhaps Jun Yixie hadn’t even realized it was her and not a random guard that went to help him up.

Ning Cheng’s kick was already painful enough. Coupled with her new fall, and Bai Yuqiao was in too much pain to get up again. Jun Yixie wiped away the blood from his lips and broke into a wicked, wild grin. If Ning Cheng had said any other reason for agreeing to work with him, he would have held suspicions. But he didn’t suspect this reason at all!

Despite being only merchants, the Di Clan was famous for their moral integrity amongst the Seven Noble Families. Even if they were disappointed in West Qin, they would never agree to cooperate with his Black Clan and betray the dynasty. However, if Ning Cheng was doing this because of love turned into hate, then that was a different matter.

Jun Yixie licked at his blood before examining the phoenix wing facemask once more. The longer he stared, the more thoughtful he grew. He chuckled and said, “It’s pretty interesting that you’re hiding that blind eye with a phoenix wing!”

“How do you want us to cooperate?” Ning Cheng asked coldly.

Jun Yixie didn’t reply immediately, but brought Ning Cheng into his tent. There, he settled into the host’s seat and got straight to the point. “Soldiers’ pay and provisions!”

Ning Cheng’s eyes flashed with scorn before he replied, “How much do you need?”

“The Northern Li emperor cut off all my supplies of grain. The 30,000 soldiers and horses here all need food, while the second round of 30,000 battle horses will be arriving in another month. All of them need silver to keep them alive, and grain prices are most expensive during the winter,” Jun Yixie didn’t blush at asking for money outright.

“That’s it?” Ning Cheng feigned ignorance.

“I also have 10,000 cavalrymen under my command,” Jun Yixie said next.

“Just these?” Ning Cheng asked again.

As Jun Yixie prepared to nod, Ning Cheng cut in coldly. “Jun Yixie, you should know very well that our alliance isn’t a business deal. However much you need, just tell me. This clan head is in no mood to haggle!”

Jun Yixie rubbed his sore shoulder and laughed. “Alright, that’s straightforward! I want ten billion!”

Anyone else might be cowed by such huge numbers, but not Ning Cheng. He didn’t even knit his brows and coldly replied, “It’s only 90,000 battle horses and 10,000 cavalrymen. To pass a winter with all pay and provisions won’t require more than 20 million.” He was not only a businessman, but a general who’d led his share of troops. When it came to military estimates, he was very clear.

“In other words, Ning Clan Head is only planning to cooperate with me for one winter?” Jun Yixie arched his brow.

“I’m only calculating the costs for a single season, that’s all,” Ning Cheng said briskly.

“I’m not just raising 90,000 horses and 10,000 cavalrymen,” Jun Yixie stood up and walked towards the map hanging on his wall. He pointed to multiple locations and said, “The troops stationed at these spots are usually supported by me.” Since he was asking Ning Cheng for money, he needed to show the man his military might, too.

Ning Cheng glanced at his map a few times and memorized all of its markers, which detailed the situation of Northern Li’s various troops. Looks like Bai Yuqiao wasn’t lying. Jun Yixie really does have the skills to face off against the Northern Li emperor. If he has enough pay and provisions, Northern Li will be thrown into internal chaos as soon as he calls on the troops. Although the Northern Li emperor wouldn’t be defeated, he couldn’t gain any advantages over Jun Yixie, either.

“Even if you factor in all those men, the total still doesn’t add up to 10 billion,” Ning Cheng said calmly.

“10 billion includes the costs and expenses of everything between the Black and Di Clan. In the future, I won’t ask you for a single cent more--whether we’re facing Long Feiye or conquering Western Zhou and Tianning!” Jun Yixie said seriously.

Ning Cheng chuckled. “I can give you 10 billion, but what can your Black Clan give me?”

“What do you want?” Jun Yixie asked.

Ning Cheng only gave him three words. “Han Yunxi!”

Cold laughter flitted past Jun Yixie’s eyes before he walked over to pat Ning Cheng’s soldiers. “Brother,” he probed, “Why take the pains? When we control Cloud Realm in the future, won’t we have our pick of women?”

“If you can’t do it, then the deal is off!” Ning Cheng was absolute.

Jun Yixie immediately released his shoulder. “Ning Clan Head, if you want the woman, go snatch her yourself! I’m not interested!”

A sinister gleam rose in Ning Cheng’s eyes before he demanded, “Give me 30,000 battle horses and 10,000 cavalrymen.”

Despite his emphasis on Han Yunxi, his request still raised Jun Yixie’s guard. He studied Ning Cheng without a word.