NOVPUB
Chapter 1098: Chapter 1018: The Trade
To avoid opening up a fourth front, the Zhang Family specifically dispatched an Integration Realm cultivator to visit the Li family to discuss cooperation matters.
Li Zhirui, who was familiarizing himself with his new strength, did not make a personal appearance. Instead, people like Li Taiyao, Da Qing, and Li Chengsheng welcomed the guests.
Li Chengshuo, due to his unique constitution, feared being seen through and was not among them.
There was indeed a reason for this!
Li Zhirui had just achieved a breakthrough, and he needed to concentrate on consolidating his realm and getting familiar with the Integration Realm.
In any case, outsiders were unaware of his true situation.
"Your Excellency has traveled from afar. If there is any lack of hospitality, please forgive us," said Li Taiyao on behalf of everyone, then invited the several Zhang Family cultivators into the mountain.
"Clan Leader Li jests. This visit has two purposes: one is to congratulate Fellow Daoist Zhirui on his breakthrough to Integration, and the other is to seek assistance," said the Elder from the Zhang Family as he just seated himself, stating his purpose very directly.
Li Taiyao’s mind raced, instantly guessing the Zhang Family’s request, and smiled, "Elder Zhang jests. The Li family merely had the good fortune to have one who attained Integration. Moreover, Ancestor Rui was injured during his Tribulation Transcendence; truly, it’s our will but not our strength."
The Zhang Family wanted to invite the Li family to join their side to counter the three great powers of Wanzhu State!
But Li Taiyao was not very inclined to get involved, at least not for now.
Since Li Zhirui was consolidating his realm, the Li family should keep a low profile for a while. After he emerged from seclusion, they would then consider the matter and decide what would be most beneficial for the family. Thus, Li Taiyao tactfully declined Elder Zhang.
Elder Zhang’s face stiffened, and a touch of annoyance arose in his heart. If not for the Zhang Family’s recent misfortune and the encircling external enemies, how could they possibly take a Li family that had just luckily produced an Integration cultivator seriously?
Alas, now that the Zhang Family was in dire straits, they had to act cautiously.
"As long as the Li family agrees not to take action against the Zhang Family and helps block the advance of Wanzhu State cultivators, your clan may choose any five Spiritual Objects or Methods you need from us. We, the Zhang Family, shall fulfill your request!" The Elder suppressed the anger in his heart and earnestly stated.
Li Taiyao admitted to herself that she was tempted; she had not expected the Zhang Family to offer such a generous price!
Just as she was about to speak, a voice suddenly echoed in her mind, instantly causing her to change her words: "Your Excellency exaggerates. The Li family is not so greedy. We only request one thing from your family, and then the Li family will dispatch members to help fend off the invasion of Wanzhu State cultivators."
"What would that be?" Elder Zhang’s eyes showed a trace of vigilance; the simpler the conditions, the more stringent they tend to be.
"We wish to have the territories stretching eastward from Mount Wanxian all the way to the East Sea, and from this point forth, they shall belong to the Li family and no longer serve as vassals to the Zhang Family," Li Taiyao stated.
These were the exact words Da Qing had transmitted to her, not a single letter altered!
As for why the marine territories were not mentioned, it was because they did not belong to the Zhang Family and would be consolidated by the Li family in the future.
Elder Zhang’s pupils sharply contracted—in truth! The Li family was no kind-hearted clan. Seeing the Zhang Family in trouble, they had the audacity to demand such a vast stretch of territory—over a thousand miles of land!
As for the latter condition, he did not react much since it was quite normal.
Any force would not want to live in subordination. After all, besides the substantial tribute, a significant portion of one’s luck is also divided. It’s just that they lack the strength to be independent.
"How about if the Li family selects ten Spiritual Objects or Methods from the treasure vault or Scripture Pavilion of the Zhang Family?" Elder Zhang offered the highest price the family had empowered him to present.
Li Taiyao smiled faintly; compared to the family gaining independence and their own territories, these Spiritual Objects and Methods did not seem as important.
For by then, the Li family could amass more luck, which was far more valuable than Spiritual Objects and Methods.
"This matter is of great significance. I am unable to decide by myself. I have to convene the family for discussion before I can inform Clan Leader Li of the answer."
Despite Elder Zhang wanting to flip the table and leave, the current plight of his family made him calmly get up and say, "Then we shall take our leave first."
"Safe travels!"
Li Taiyao personally escorted them down Mount Wanxian, then asked, "Ancestor, do you think the Zhang Family will agree?"
"I do not know, but there’s a high probability they will agree," Da Qing pondered before responding.
Because the territory Li family demanded was not too large, only over a thousand miles, which probably was less than one-third of the dominion the three families would occupy upon their invasion.
Of course, it was possible that the Zhang Family might feel humiliated by the extortion from a former vassal and, out of fury, refuse.
However, it was unlikely the Zhang Family was foolish to that extent.
After all, compared to tangible territories, what was a bit of pride worth?
Meanwhile, inside the grand hall of the Zhang Family, the Elder was reporting the entire conversation with the Li family to his colleagues and the Clan Leader.
As soon as he finished speaking, one of the Elders angrily rebuked, "The Li family is too bullying, daring to exploit our predicament! We must not give in to them!"
Even though the Zhang Family had no strongholds in that region, and had not even exploited it, it represented a portion of luck; how could they give it up so easily!
"But the family is currently in a crisis and needs the Li family’s assistance."
The situation was not dire enough to result in the family’s destruction and the end of their legacy, but losing a vast tract of land and a continued decline in the family’s luck could trigger many chain reactions, such as affecting the cultivators’ practice.
If the Zhang Family does not recover their strength or even further declines, the surrounding forces will certainly launch attacks again.
