Demon Sword Sect’s Undercover
Chapter 615 - 615 614 Intricate and Confusing 3

615: Chapter 614: Intricate and Confusing 3 615: Chapter 614: Intricate and Confusing 3 Hou Niao spent his days leisurely in the Capital Commandant’s Mansion, and this past year had been the happiest time of his life; revered and flattered, both in public and private, he was celebrated as a star among men, lost in a whirl of glamour and riches.

He had finally experienced what Yu Zhengxing’s luxurious life in the grand mansion at Miao Gao Town was like, which was utterly intoxicating.

In the Capital Commandant’s Mansion, the cultivators chatted incessantly about the various actions of this Capital Commandant, expressing disdain, contempt, doubt, reflection, and even snitching on each other.

But one thing was certain: Hou Niao had solid backing.

Despite numerous complaints reaching the Sikong Mansion, there was no sign of action, as they simply let things take their own course.

That day, Lan Zaitian and Li Laixiang visited together, marking the first visit since Hou Niao had taken office.

Lan Zaitian got straight to the point, “Is the Capital Commandant aware of the vicious robbery that occurred at Wild Duck Crossing?”

Hou Niao appeared indifferent, “I’m aware, but does it relate to the Capital Commandant’s Mansion?

Past the Boundary River, it’s Anhe Daoist Sect’s territory.

They should be the ones worried, not us; we shouldn’t overstep our bounds, should we?”

Li Laixiang stared at him intently, “That may be true, but half of the escort team was from my central military mansion, and the goods being transported were products of Pingliang.

The lost revenue is Shan Country’s tax revenue…

These aren’t things the Capital Commandant can just ignore, right?”

Hou Niao maintained an indifferent demeanor, “What has Anhe said?

Even if the Capital Commandant’s Mansion were to intervene, there has to be a primary and secondary concern, doesn’t it?

Why not have the central military investigate first, and the Capital Commandant’s Mansion can follow up?”

Li Laixiang wouldn’t let him off the hook, “That wouldn’t be appropriate, would it?

The Capital Commandant has taken, used, and enjoyed benefits this year; shouldn’t you contribute something?”

Hou Niao slowly lifted his head, his eyes flashing fiercely, “Is the central military threatening me?

Since we’re discussing business, we must consider value!

Compared to the value of the lost goods, the benefits I’ve received are trivial, hardly worth risking my life for, wouldn’t you agree?”

Li Laixiang retorted, “The Capital Commandant should not believe those rumors; the value of the goods wasn’t that high.

It’s all listed on the central military’s inventory.

We are legitimate merchants and wouldn’t engage in deceitful practices.”

Hou Niao laughed, “So, what you mean is that as long as the goods reported by the central military are recovered, you consider it a job well done?”

Li Laixiang, not able to back down, confirmed, “Exactly!”

He had no choice but to stand firm because, in terms of dealing with bandits, neither the commandant-in-chief’s mansion nor the central military mansion could compare with the Capital Commandant’s Mansion; of the three, only the Capital Commandant’s Mansion, primarily comprised of genuine Shan Sect Sword Cultivators, was capable of coordinating across the various states.

The bandits would not linger in Pingliang State post-robbery; this required support from neighboring states, which neither the commandant-in-chief’s mansion nor the central military mansion could provide.

Thus, the two had come together to press the lazy bureaucrat into action.

After all this time feeding him, they expected some form of reciprocation, didn’t they?

To their surprise, this man turned out to be a thoroughly ungrateful sort!

Indeed, was it not for such an unthankful and miserly disposition that allowed him to thrive in a place like Sikong Mansion?

Hou Niao was clearly impatient but somewhat helpless, “Are you truly asking me to investigate?”

Li Laixian and Lan Zaitian exchanged glances, “We’ve already asked the Anhe Daoist Sect to investigate the cultivators crossing the boundary with ill intentions, but in Shan Country, we must request the Capital Commandant’s intervention.

We’re simply powerless.

With bandits at large, who would dare travel these commercial routes?

Since it concerns taxes for Shan Sect, please ensure not to treat it lightly.”

Hou Niao appeared reluctant.

Yet having received and benefited from their support, he said, “Let us be clear, I can collaborate with nearby states for leads, but if there is to be a real action, neither of your mansions can stand back…

Do not keep mentioning tax revenue for the nation to me.

Do such trite phrases deceive a three-year-old?

Moreover, if we do recover the goods, I demand forty percent to renovate the Capital Commandant’s Mansion; it’s getting rather decrepit here.”

Li Laixiang frowned, “Capital Commandant, isn’t forty percent a bit much?

By industry standards, such matters typically do not exceed twenty percent, especially since this falls within the responsibilities of the Capital Commandant’s Mansion…

Moreover, isn’t the architecture of the Capital Commandant’s Mansion more regular than both the commandant-in-chief’s and the central military mansion?”

Hou Niao dismissed them, tea in hand, “I’m not here to negotiate.

In fact, I’d rather not take any percentage.

As for the state of the buildings—standards vary, and if I say it is old, then it is old.”

Lan Zaitian, playing a perfect balancing role, conceded, “Well, since we depend on the help of the Capital Commandant’s Mansion, we agree.

We hope that the Capital Commandant will act quickly, lest these criminals escape.”

…After leaving the Capital Commandant’s Mansion, the two men were quite downcast, particularly Li Laixiang,

“He’s just an ungrateful cur!

After over a year of holding him in high regard and indulging him, this is how he repays us?

All this talk of renovating the Capital Commandant’s Mansion, he just wants to monopolize that forty percent!

Does he think everyone else is a fool?”

Lan Zaitian reminded him, “Brother Li, as merchants, you should clearly distinguish between immediate gains and long-term benefits.

Is the forty percent from this trade more important, or is the stability of the trade route in the future more crucial?

I suppose I don’t need to elaborate on the cost-benefit relationship.”

Li Laixiang snorted, “Had it not been apparent from his actions that he had no ulterior motives for being here, would I tolerate his faults?

Well then, once this matter settles, he will learn a lesson; since he understands that business demands investment, if he’s unwilling to pay the price, he can forget about any benefits.”

Lan Zaitian gave him a sidelong glance, “Control your anger!

With the accounting methods you use, if the Capital Commandant’s Mansion does catch those bandits, I’d be interested to see how you justify yourself.”

Li Laixiang, undeterred, responded, “Not to worry.

Given the way that ungrateful cur conducts himself, he’ll be sure not to forget dragging us into the fray when the time comes.

Since we’ll be involved, there will be plenty of room to maneuver…

Besides, the ore doesn’t bear names, who’s to say how many times it was stolen by the bandits?”

The two parted ways in the street, each heading back to his own mansion.

Unlike Li Laixiang’s brooding, Lan Zaitian was additionally worried,

After all, although the Jinxiu Continent was increasingly chaotic and disordered, occurrences like this were unprecedented in relatively isolated inland areas like Shan Country and Anhe.

It could be construed as a simple coincidence, but through the lens of conspiracy, a deeply unsettling aspect might be discerned.

Why had such an incident occurred soon after Hou Niao took office?

What role exactly had he played in it?

Essentially just a businessman, Li Laixiang naturally prioritized profit above all else, but he didn’t!

His demands were different.