Please, Young Master, Slay the Demon!
Chapter 881 - 91 Disposing of Loot [Vote for Monthly Tickets!]

Chapter 881: Chapter 91 Disposing of Loot [Vote for Monthly Tickets!]

"Right, this is a whole new model of cooperation," Chu Liang said.

"Indeed, it is quite novel; I have never come across such a concept," Uncle Yin said, puzzled, "If Warrior Chu were to ask us to integrate into Shu Mountain Sect, we could actually consider it, but this acquisition... We are not a business, how do we make a purchase?"

Chu Liang was not explaining this for the first time and had anticipated this question. Both Huan Leisheng and Hong Jufeng had had similar doubts before.

Actually, it’s quite simple, whether it is a small Immortal Sect like the Talisman Sect, a middle-sized Immortal Sect like Sun Moon Tower, or a large Immortal Sect like Town Star Island... If there’s a chance to join one of the Nine Heavens, from a purely profit standpoint, they would definitely be overjoyed to do so.

If they could have joined the Nine Heavens Immortal Sect early on, including the Sect Leader, who among the rest of the Immortal Sect disciples would have come here?

But from Shu Mountain’s perspective, that’s not necessary.

As one of the Nine Heavens Immortal Sects, they would provide far greater resource support to their disciples than ordinary sects, and taking in a new batch of disciples would inevitably lead to a substantial increase in resources expenditure. Moreover, the talents of these Immortal Sect disciples are certainly not as high as those of the Nine Heavens, which would undoubtedly result in a great waste of resources.

Furthermore, with an increase in numbers, the sect would have more responsibilities to bear, and with a mix of good and bad, it would inevitably bring a lot of troubles. The value of Immortal Sect disciples lies in quality, not quantity; more is not always better. This was exemplified by the Heavenly Star Divine Sect before; while their power was incredibly vast, the mouths demanding resources greatly increased, and the inability to sustain them was the main cause of their split.

Based on this consideration, Chu Liang introduced the concept of "acquisition."

I think your sect has great potential, but this doesn’t mean you have to merge with me. I just need to give you some support, and in return, you can provide compensation from your profits in the future. Maintaining a pure profit relationship, we are essentially an alliance with hierarchical relations, yet each party remains an independent entity.

Of course, when it comes to critical moments of great importance, Shu Mountain would still have to take over some control.

"So that’s how it is," said Uncle Yin, finally understanding.

He might be old, but certainly not slow-witted; how could one who became a mastermind behind the scenes in Python Belly City be confused?

But after pondering for a moment, he asked, "Yet there’s still something I don’t understand. I can see how the Talisman Sect could sell talismans to bring profit to Shu Mountain, and how Town Star Island could sell spirit ores, which is indeed a lucrative trade. But we from Sun Moon Tower are a proper Sect, we don’t have such revenue, do we?"

As he said, the current model for most Immortal Sects is still traditional; they offer to drive away evil spirits for the locals in exchange for day-to-day expenses, and find their cultivation resources on their own, either in the wild or by exploring secret realms, with only occasional surplus used to trade for needed items. Even Shu Mountain Sect used to operate in this way, without much external commercial activity.

Despite the trend started by large forces such as Taotie City, Red Cotton Peak, Immortal District, etc., in recent years leading to more Cultivators engaging in commercial activities, it is still limited and not enough to change the big picture of the Immortal Cultivation World.

"What era is this, and we’re still running traditional Immortal Sects?" laughed Chu Liang, "Who says you have no revenue, didn’t Sun Moon Tower just acquire a vast treasure trove?"

Uncle Yin realized and said, "Warrior Chu, are you suggesting that we... sell Treasure Swords?"

"Exactly," Chu Liang replied, "Those Treasure Swords forged with Upper Realm craftsmanship, even the worst standard Flying Swords rank in the top five hundred of the Ten Thousand Treasures Record, with the best amongst them even reaching the top thirty. Giving such swords for your own use, you don’t have enough reliable disciples. If you sell them rashly, it’s difficult to get a good price and it may attract unwanted attention."

Uncle Yin nodded; indeed, he had given some thought to what to do with that batch of Treasure Swords.

Sun Moon Tower had few hands and generally low cultivation levels. Suddenly acquiring these Treasure Swords would offer some enhancement to their combat power, but it would be limited. Selling them for other cultivation resources could easily attract the attention of those with ulterior motives, a classic example of the curse of the precious gem.

"If you accept Shu Mountain Sect’s acquisition, we at Red Cotton Peak have a mature team that can help you manage, advertise, auction, and even protect your safety. This ensures that the Treasure Swords are transformed into Sun Moon Tower’s development at the highest price, in the most suitable way. In return, I just take a portion of the profit once Sun Moon Tower joins my ranks. Isn’t that fair and reasonable?" Chu Liang waved his hands, outlining a future development plan, "In the future, when Shu Mountain rises to the position of the First Immortal Sect, Sun Moon Tower will soar with it, and becoming one of the Ten Earth Sects is not impossible."

Even with Uncle Yin’s composure, he couldn’t help feeling exhilarated by the prospect, his eyes shining, "In that case, this is indeed a tremendous opportunity."

Although it still sounded a bit odd, as if the Treasure Swords were given to Sun Moon Tower, yet not quite...

But he could have taken them by force, and yet he is willing to help us sell the swords. Isn’t that evidence of Master Chu’s kindness?

"Warrior Chu... from now on, let’s call you Master Chu. I hope I live to see the day Shu Mountain Sect and Sun Moon Tower rise together," Uncle Yin said, holding Chu Liang’s hand with emotion.

"Uncle Yin, it is inevitable," Chu Liang said with a smile.

"Back then, when we first met in Python Belly City, I was an enemy to Master Chu, plotting to have my worthless four adopted sons challenge you in combat." Uncle Yin chuckled awkwardly, "It’s quite nostalgic to think about it. I’d never have imagined that there’d be a day when I would join forces with you."

"Hey," Chu Liang waved his hand, "let’s not dwell on the past. As they say, we wouldn’t have become friends if we hadn’t fought first. It’s a collaboration, not defection. You know, I have this friend who is truly..."

Before he could finish his sentence, he felt the Immortal Friends Circle Token vibrate. Upon probing with his Divine Sense, he discovered a new message.

[Du Wuhen]: "I’m outside the Mountain Protection Array, got something to discuss, let me in."

...

What a coincidence.

Speak of defection, and there comes Du.

Chu Liang smiled, notified an Elder who was in charge of the Mountain Protection Array, and let Du Wuhen in with a warm welcome.

Chu Liang had already heard about his and Elder Mayfly’s heist in Penglai through the Immortal Friends Circle. Even if they hadn’t been friends before, for pulling off such a stunt, Chu Liang felt he owed them a toast.

These "two brothers" had directly plundered the Spirit Vein of Penglai, which was a more serious offense than robbing an ancestral grave. Even if his own master had done it, it might not have been so thorough. Currently, Chu Liang only wanted to lavish them with praise, calling them "born bad seeds" to their faces.

After a round of warm greetings, Du Wuhen explained the purpose of his visit.

It turned out that Elder Mayfly, while establishing the Secret Realm, had also sorted through their loot, not to mention the priceless Spirit Vein, just the number of Spirit Plants was considerable. As for the treasures stripped from the various Upper Sect Elders and disciples, they were innumerable.

Elder Mayfly needed a tremendous amount of Spiritual Energy to restore his cultivation, and this time’s Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasure were just the right supplement, with even plenty to spare. As for the miscellaneous treasures they had no use for, they planned to sell them off since it wasn’t suitable for them to do so personally.

Put simply, Du Wuhen had come to ask Chu Liang for help with "selling stolen goods."

Elder Mayfly suggested that they could split the loot 60-40 with the Shu Mountain Sect; Chu Liang taking a Forty percent commission just for helping with the "sale" was the way of the jianghu. That’s in case they weren’t in a hurry. If they needed to escape and use the money urgently, Chu Liang might even take the lion’s share, up to an 80-20 or 90-10 split.

Robbery, escape, "sale"... Master knows this whole process too well, and big brother Du Wuhen has also learned many practical experiences from it.

"That’s easy to handle," Chu Liang grinned broadly, waving his hand magnanimously, "No need for so much, a standard ten percent commission will do."

If it were loot stolen from somewhere else, Red Cotton Peak certainly wouldn’t accept the job, no matter the price offered. But for treasures taken from Penglai, Shu Mountain wouldn’t just help you sell them – they’d practically reward you for it.

"There’s one more thing..." Du Wuhen rubbed his hands, hesitantly bringing up another issue.

It turned out that he wanted to use a large portion of the remaining resources to compensate Thunder Fortress after receiving Elder Mayfly’s consent.

When he had defected from Thunder Fortress, he had almost caused its destruction. After Huang Ling’er saved him, he’d been plagued by guilt. Now that he had finally struck it rich, he wanted to offer some compensation to his former Sect.

He also wished to entrust Chu Liang with this task.

Shu Mountain had already formed a wide network of good relations under Wen Yuan’s leadership, and with the support of Red Cotton Peak, it had become a gathering place for various Sects. Whenever there was trouble between the Sects, they often asked Shu Mountain to mediate.

Resolving issues like his wasn’t difficult, and Chu Liang readily agreed.

Master Wen Yuan was always happy to handle such requests. After all, prestige and reputation were built up through these interactions, and the current good standing of Shu Mountain was proof of that.

Just as he was about to discuss more of the details of the heist in Penglai with him, two streaks of rainbow light landed. A man in a white robe, Baize, led an elderly man dressed in green robes with a pair of fleshy horns on his forehead and a pair of burning golden eyes, down to earth.

"Chu Liang," Baize called out to him, introducing, "This is Venerable Azure Dragon."