Demon Sword Sect’s Undercover
Chapter 398 - 398 397 Reaching a Compromise Extra for Alliance Hierarch Renault Chen

398: Chapter 397: Reaching a Compromise [Extra chapter for Alliance Hierarch Renault Chen] 398: Chapter 397: Reaching a Compromise [Extra chapter for Alliance Hierarch Renault Chen] Wang Chuquan’s face clouded with uncertainty, which deeply disappointed Hou Niao in his ally, the Wo Sect.

Initially in the southwestern Daoist discussions, he had realized that the cultivators of the Wo Sect were far from impressive, not because their strength was lacking, but because they were half-hearted, signifying their dual allegiance and equivocal loyalty.

The origins of the Wo Sect were complex and intertwined with all the Sects across the Continent, much like the Daoist Sects.

Defined now as a Demon Sect, they were essentially the excluded by the Daoists, who always needed some targets; those of distant lineage, less obedient, those whose Daoist lineage had mutated.

But the issue with the Wo Sect wasn’t just about heritage; it also revolved around interests.

Bai Qingqian had once mentioned that the main source of tax revenue for the Mirage City Commerce was from the Daoist nations, accounting for seventy percent of the total.

Such a large share naturally made the landlords iffy about offending anyone, even if the Shan Sect was nominally an ally, which meant little in practical terms in Mirage City.

Interests dictated everything.

Therefore, what could have been a straightforward and easy case became wishy-washy in Jiedu Mansion; in the Cultivation World, was killing ever an issue?

Never!

Cultivation itself was a high-risk occupation.

Demonstrations and battles determining life and death were daily routines for cultivators.

If one didn’t have that level of resolve, what were they cultivating for?

The Daoist Sects used interests to oppress, while the Shan Sect used survival to persuade.

Which was more important?

The naive might think it was about survival, but the realistic only considered interests; because interests were more tangible.

Moreover, if the Wo Sect ceased to exist, it didn’t necessarily mean the individual cultivators would cease to exist.

This was the subtle reason behind Wang Chuquan’s hesitance.

But today, he had to make a decision because Hou Niao had already shown his readiness to escalate the matter, and if it came to that, no one would have good days ahead — not a scenario the Jiedu Mansion wished to see.

These Sword Cultivators were overly brutal.

Just by their demeanor, it was evident what needed to be done.

Therefore, the Jiedu Mansion had to employ its best skill — playing peacemaker.

No longer pretending, and realizing deep discussions were impossibilities with these killers, it was better to be straightforward,

“Fang Yazi can be released, but the fact that five of the Anhe Daoist guest elders were killed also stands.

Therefore, you must also pay a price; if you agree to this, I can mediate to see if there’s a perfect solution?”

Without hesitation, Hou Niao replied, “Agreed, I am not unreasonable.

Those people have died; paying some funeral expenses is only right.”

Wang Chuquan again closed his eyes, not speaking, but Hou Niao knew this must be him bargaining with someone; Wang Chuquan’s audacity in doing this in front of him was essentially telling him that the Shan Sect Sword Cultivators did not have absolute privileges in Mirage City.

Hou Niao realized that his previous words were futile; interests were what mattered to them, and that had never changed.

It was all about exchanging interests.

Quite normal, how could he, a minor Tongtian second realm cultivator, expect to change the mindset of a Golden Core Upper Cultivator with just a few words?

Jiedu Mansion, not to be relied upon; at the same time he lost faith in it, he also solidified another notion.

A moment later, Wang Chuquan opened his eyes, “Guys from the Anhe Daoist Commerce said they wouldn’t pursue Fang Yazi’s crimes, but they want a share of the Bai family’s assets.

Your share they don’t need, but they require half of the Bai Family’s share to be managed by Bai Lingzhong and his son, as compensation for the five deceased.

Are you willing to accept that?”

This was somewhat outrageous, the foundation of the Bai Family was known, Hou Niao’s shares were merely thirty percent, yet now it was as if the Bai family, father and son, were splitting it further into thirds — a well-to-do enterprise partitioned this way.

The other party cleverly linked the compensation for the five deceased with the identities of the Bai family father and son.

But this was an opening offer, not a final price.

There was still room for verbal sparring and back-and-forth negotiations; Hou Niao had always disliked haggling over every little thing, so,

“Alright, you can discuss the specifics with the Bai Family.

I won’t get involved.”

Fang Yazi needed to be rescued urgently, as the Cultivation circle was rife with dirty tricks that were hard to guard against, and this greenhorn was also quite bold…

Wang Chuquan was somewhat surprised.

He knew that Sword Cultivators didn’t focus on the minutiae of resources, but he hadn’t expected such generosity, which might indirectly prove that his relationship with the head lady of the Bai Family wasn’t as rumored—were they not as closely involved?

“Good, my young friend is straightforward and decisive.

Since you are content, so am I.

You can take Fang Yazi with you now to quickly stabilize the situation and restore peace and harmony to Mirage City.”

Hou Niao nodded in agreement, finally showing the respectful demeanor of a junior disciple.

What peace and unity, his involvement in this mediation surely brought him benefits, as well as an opportunity to calm the unrest within the city—a win-win situation, and he handled it smoothly.

Seeing that Hou Niao was about to leave with the prisoner, Wang Chuquan’s worries were allayed, and his mood greatly improved, prompting him to make a light remark,

“I heard that you, young friend Hou, came from a Law Officer background, but now it seems somewhat misleading.

Indeed, your judgment of personal relationships seems far superior to legalities.”

Hou Niao stopped at the doorway, turned, and bowed, “Mansion Master, you err!

The law varies in thickness and depth; looking deeply into this matter, the root cause lies in certain individuals wanting to exploit the internal strife within the Bai Family for their own gain, which led to the subsequent casualties.

Those of us who uphold the law must seek its roots to prevent future mistakes and to heal and save people.

As for killing, what does it count for in the Cultivation World?

Once one enters into Cultivation, viewing life and death indifferently is but our duty.”

…

Qingqian Bai hurried to the front of Jiedu Mansion.

Among the sea of people, countless junior cultivators were shouting, their faces red, yelling words they themselves did not understand.

Plenty of Spirit Stones had been spent on this demonstration.

Qingqian Bai had no time to pay attention to these details, focusing only on the entrance, extending her Divine Sense as far into Jiedu Mansion as possible, fearing that the clashing of senses might indicate a fight breaking out inside.

Hou Niao alone had already caused enough unrest; now, with the addition of the sycophantic Fang Yazi, she wouldn’t be surprised if the two of them fought their way out of Jiedu Mansion together.

In this anxious wait, time ticked slowly by, and what puzzled her was that the demonstrating crowd was also dispersing.

Turning to Elder An, “Senior, weren’t the protests supposed to last all day, from morning to night?

Why do they seem to be quieting down after just half a day?”

Elder An smiled, “Indeed, three Spirit Stones a day is the going rate; but today, some among them received a message to wrap things up early.

I suspect that some agreement was reached inside?”

Qingqian Bai was skeptical, but she didn’t know what had occurred inside Jiedu Mansion.

However, she could clearly see that the crowd had gathered strangely and dispersed inexplicably.

In just a moment, what had been a bustling street teeming with people had turned eerily empty and desolately chilly, utterly surreal.

Eventually, only a few of them remained, conspicuously standing in the long street.

Just then, two men emerged one after another from behind the doors of Jiedu Mansion—the one in front tall and stately as a pine, the one in the back sharp as a sword, maintaining a distance of about three feet, their steps in perfect sync, not missing a beat.

…On the hunting grounds of Lihai, Lonely Sword traveled alone.

He strategized the winds over a thousand islands and surveyed the mountains to the camp.

Precious pearls came to Commerce, and tobacco leaves spread through Sea City.

He bowed deeply to the esteemed Mansion, gracefully discussing the five military strategies.