Otherworld Advance Team
Chapter 1540 - 1533: Reaching an Agreement

Chapter 1540: Chapter 1533: Reaching an Agreement

"Ideal? I don’t think so," Cheng Ziang said.

"So, you all are heading to Kyushu this time to foster long-lasting peace between the prosperous imperial court and West Outer Heaven?" Dongliang Yu asked.

"Exactly," Cheng Ziang nodded.

"Good," Dongliang Yu said, patting his hands, "However..."

"However what?" Cheng Ziang asked.

"You don’t look like an embassy," Dongliang Yu stated pointedly.

"And you don’t look like a Sect," Cheng Ziang retorted.

With that, the two sat staring at each other, the atmosphere suddenly growing tense. Just then, the sound of munching caught their attention, as Feng took the opportunity to eat some sweets while their backs were turned.

Both men glanced at her, then turned back to each other, smiles appearing on their faces involuntarily. Although his expression was hidden by a mask, Dongliang Yu could feel Cheng Ziang’s gaze softening.

"We can consider a reduction in tax duties. If the Manor Lord personally requests it, our Sect is willing to cut the tax rate by ten percent for one year, as a gesture of goodwill to you all, how about that?" Dongliang Yu said.

"Only one year?" Cheng Ziang squinted his eyes and asked.

"Hehe, Manor Lord, the Wuyun Sect needs the tax revenue for its support, one year is already very generous. Besides, these tax rates aren’t entirely up to me," Dongliang Yu said.

"Then who are they up to?" Cheng Ziang pressed on.

"The Imperial Court, the Fengyu Imperial Court," Dongliang Yu pointed at the ceiling and said.

"The Fengyu Imperial Court has no authority here to be honest; if you chose not to pay, what could they possibly do?" Cheng Ziang said.

Facing Cheng Ziang’s challenge, Dongliang Yu did not answer directly but stared at him with an inexplicable smile. Seeing his smile, Cheng Ziang realized there was an issue with his statement.

After pondering for a moment, he decided to change the topic and gather some more crucial intelligence.

"I’ve heard that the Sect Master hails from the Dongliang family of Qi State. Excuse my ignorance, but it seems from what you’ve said, the Dongliang family isn’t a minor aristocratic family in Qi State, are they?" Cheng Ziang asked.

"You flatter us. The Dongliang family’s influence is great, but it only extends to Qi State; it cannot be considered a major power," Dongliang Yu modestly replied.

"So, when the sect was founded, it must have received support from the main family, right?" Cheng Ziang asked with significant implication.

"Have I not already mentioned," Dongliang Yu spoke calmly, "that I founded our Sect by leaving Qi State to come to Fengyu, a journey of a thousand miles. And the Dongliang family’s influence is only limited to Qi State."

"In other words, you’re saying you established such a grand sect out of nothing? I am impressed," Cheng Ziang feigned admiration.

"With the help of a benefactor; otherwise, I wouldn’t have achieved such success today," Dongliang Yu said, his face revealing a rare expression of gratitude.

"That benefactor..." Cheng Ziang asked hesitantly.

"As hosts to our guests coming from West Outer Heaven to Fengyu, I’d like to offer a gift of a thousand silver taels for your journey’s expenses," Dongliang Yu interrupted Cheng Ziang’s question, then clapped his hands. Two disciples came forward holding heavy plates, lifted the silk covering, and unveiled shining silver coins.

In East Prosperity Nine States and even Fengyu, currency is primarily silver. Unlike in the Western Continent, the East Continent has a limited gold reserve, but plenty of silver; thus, silver naturally becomes the mainstream currency.

Unlike silver ingots, the Kyushu Empire and even Fengyu prefer to cast silver into coins for use. This trend originated from the Dongsheng Empire, and most of the silver coins were also minted by Dongsheng Empire, which was spread throughout the Continent by merchants. Therefore, although some people in Fengyu also use silver blocks, silver coins have become fairly widespread.

Minting coins is a good job indeed, because silver is soft, so silver coins can’t be made of pure silver and always include some alloys. The saved silver, accumulating over time, also represents a considerable fortune.

It is said that Dongsheng Empire is actively promoting the use of silver notes recently, encouraging everyone to deposit their silver in banks throughout Kyushu, and the banks issue silver notes in return. The silver notes can be freely traded, and anyone can withdraw silver from any designated bank at any time with these notes.

One must admit that under the arrangement of the Civil Official group, the financial system of the Dongsheng Empire is indeed flourishing. The vast Kyushu Empire seems to be intent on absorbing the wealth of the entire Continent; their ultimate purpose is unknown.

"We can’t do this, we’re here to negotiate, not to collect money. If the people in town find out that we’ve accepted money from the Wuyun Sect, our reputation will be at stake," Cheng Ziang declined without hesitation.

"You care about what those small town folks think of you. Isn’t that a bit timid?" Dongliang Yu said with a smile.

"Since we have promised to help, we must be responsible to the end," Cheng Ziang said.

"But you have already done it, haven’t you? I’m willing to reduce it by ten percent, for a period of one year," Dongliang Yu said.

"They certainly hope to reduce it even more, never to have to pay a penny, but that’s obviously impossible. I’m willing to yield, and you, sir, have perfectly achieved your goal," Dongliang Yu added.

"I feel like the Sect Master is giving alms to us," Cheng Ziang said.

"What do you mean by that, nevermind," Dongliang Yu shook his head and then took out a letter from his bosom, shook it in front of him and said, "Since you are headed to Kyushu, please do me a favor and bring this family letter back to the Dongliang Manor. I am not a heartless or ungrateful person; living in Fengyu for a long time, I inevitably miss my family. As for this money, consider it your delivery fee, how about that?"

"You’re willing to entrust the letter to me?" Cheng Ziang asked, narrowing his eyes.

"Why not, it’s just a simple family letter," Dongliang Yu said with a wave of his hand and a smile, "Although I haven’t known you for long, I can tell that you are a man of your word."

"In that case, alright, I accept your request. But I’ll only take half of the money. I can’t enjoy so much money; even sleeping would be uneasy," Cheng Ziang mused before speaking.

"Alright then, since you insist," Dongliang Yu shrugged without pressing further.

"Now that the matter is settled, I will take my leave," Cheng Ziang stood up and bowed.

"You won’t stay for a few more days?" Dongliang Yu also stood up to retain him.

"No, I have an appointment to return today. If I delay, I fear the Saint might be furious," Cheng Ziang said, intentionally using a mysterious tone, "The Saint’s rage is not as simple as the rage of a Nascent Soul."

"Hehe..." Although Dongliang Yu didn’t fully understand what he said at first, he still smiled broadly.

Taking the family letter and silver from Dongliang Yu, Cheng Ziang boarded the carriage that had been prepared in advance and began his return journey to Bianzhen Town.

His contact with Dongliang Yu and the Wuyun Sect made him realize that this Sect was definitely not as simple as it seemed. It was like a forward outpost placed on the border of Fengyu and West Outer Heaven by some organization, secretly carrying out its schemes.

"Nascent Soul..." Sitting in the carriage, Cheng Ziang muttered this term repeatedly. According to the information he had, Nascent Soul should refer to a level of cultivation, that is, the Nascent Soul Realm.

From lowest to highest, the cultivation system of the East Continent can be roughly divided into Foundation Building, Jiedan, Golden Core, Incarnation, Nascent Soul, and Ascension. These steps embody the process from strengthening the body to adapt to magical power to eventually using pure magical power, independent of the body.

Actually, despite Feng’s prowess, according to this system, she would barely qualify as a Cultivator in the Jiedan Realm. It’s just that she practices the Royal Dao technique, which appears to be stronger than the Ba Path technique.

In the same realm, the Royal Dao technique is always stronger than the Ba Path technique. If the Royal Dao is characterized by offense, then the Ba Path focuses on defense.

Because the Advance Team had been staying in West Outer Heaven before, they had not seriously learned what each realm entailed. However, as the situation stands, a Cultivator who enters the Jiedan Realm can basically make a name for themselves.

It seems that the recruitment standard of the Dongsheng Empire’s Military Armament Department is the Jiedan Realm. And in the battles in West Outer Heaven, most of the Generals they encountered also belonged to the Jiedan Realm. Even Yichuan Long, considered among the best, was still of the Jiedan Realm, just on the verge of reaching the bottleneck of the Golden Core Realm.

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