Sun Qian and the others exchanged glances, instantly seeing the temptation in each other's eyes.
This plan, without a doubt, tied them to Black Dragon Stronghold to some extent. But if trouble really arose, all the third-rate forces in Jingzhou could band together and abandon Black Dragon Stronghold without much issue. No one would truly dare to strike at all of them together. In other words, Black Dragon Stronghold bore nearly all the risk, while everyone shared the benefits.
Gao Yuan was tempted too. Though he was an official, the government could also earn a share of this money. Jingzhou was vast, and how many insignificant forces they could rope in depended on each person's skill. He was confident he could claim the lion's share.
But two concerns lingered in his mind.
First, Ling Tuisi was, after all, a government man. If trouble came, the forces in Jingzhou could unite and fear no one. But Ling Tuisi was alone—his situation was different. With such a major bandit emerging in Jingzhou, Ling Tuisi bore responsibility. Though Gao Yuan was confident he could avoid the fallout, it still required Ling Tuisi's own decision, and possibly a report to higher-ups with a share of the profits. This made the benefits far from simple to articulate, entangling countless parties. At the very least, officials at all levels in Jingzhou and many of their households would need to be involved.
Second, there was the issue of Li Daoqiang. Under this arrangement, Li Daoqiang could strut unopposed across Jingzhou—unless a stronger figure took issue and killed him. His reliance on Ling Tuisi would greatly diminish. How their relationship would evolve was a question.
Many thoughts churned in his mind, but he didn't show them. Even if such an agreement were to be made, it couldn't be done in an instant. It required careful deliberation, and it wasn't a decision for just the few of them.
Li Daoqiang watched them in silent contemplation, unafraid they'd refuse. It was simple: this was about profit, and Jingzhou's unique circumstances. Across the land, experts abounded, and even grandmasters were not rare. But the world was vast, and places with grandmasters were few. Currently, Jingzhou had none. Because of the four, there weren't even second-rate forces. Aside from those four, the rest were just third-rate forces, known only within Jingzhou's borders. Though they considered themselves righteous, they had no lofty moral standards and cared little for reputation. Profit was paramount. What did colluding with bandits matter? As long as there was gain, it was no issue. Add to that their lack of strength against him, and it was only natural they'd conspire. If a few second-rate forces existed, this plan would face many more problems.
The assembly hall fell silent again for a while. Sun Qian, who had kept his head down, finally looked up at Li Daoqiang and said solemnly, "Chief Li, what you just said—were you serious?"
"Heh, I, Li Daoqiang, value credibility and fair dealing above all. Since I said it, it's true." Li Daoqiang replied with a hint of pride.
Sun Qian took a deep breath and said gravely, "Chief, this matter is too weighty. We few can't decide it alone. But I have two questions. If they're not resolved, nothing can move forward."
"Speak." Li Daoqiang's expression turned serious, and the others fixed their eyes on Sun Qian.
"First, the amount—ten thousand taels per household—is too much." Sun Qian frowned.
Wan Zhenshan and the others nodded. Indeed, it was too much. Ten thousand taels monthly was beyond their means. Even squeezing it from insignificant forces wasn't simple; it was exorbitant.
Li Daoqiang raised an eyebrow, unyielding. "Gentlemen, in all of Jingzhou, there are barely a dozen forces with innate realm experts. But how many insignificant forces and merchants need to pass by my Floating Cloud Mountain? Hundreds or thousands, right? Is ten thousand taels per household really too much? Moreover, you all know the risk falls on my Black Dragon Stronghold. Isn't this amount fair?"
Sun Qian shook his head, speaking earnestly, "Chief, it's still too much. We won't agree to this figure."
"Don't rush to a decision." Li Daoqiang waved a hand, then paused meaningfully. "Once we build some trust through this cooperation, we can deepen it. Jingzhou is vast, and there are always those who don't play along. My Black Dragon Stronghold despises such ungrateful types."
The five present all felt a jolt. Damn, that's ruthless. He was hinting at a joint plunder of all insignificant forces in Jingzhou that didn't pay the flag fee. Even those not passing through Floating Cloud Mountain would have to pay, or else... It was black-hearted beyond words.
"Ahem, Chief, let's discuss that later. Ten thousand taels is truly too much; let's negotiate. And the second point." Sun Qian glanced at the others and decisively cut off that topic.
Li Daoqiang wasn't in a hurry. Slow and steady.
"The second issue is bigger. Chief, you must know of the Four Southern Heroes. Without their approval, nothing can proceed. But given their nature, they'd never agree." Sun Qian said with some frustration.
Wan Zhenshan and the others nodded, also troubled. Though no final decision had been made, they were already scheming for this cooperation. They couldn't help it—the profits were too great.
Li Daoqiang smiled. Finally, the biggest obstacle to this plan. The Four Southern Heroes—each was strong enough to lead a second-rate force. They were sworn brothers, as close as kin. Known in the martial world as "Falling Flowers and Flowing Water," they were quite famous. They were the pillars of Jingzhou's martial arts scene, wielding great influence. But since Li Daoqiang had devised this plan, he'd found a loophole in their presence.
"Gentlemen, the Four Southern Heroes are an obstacle, but they've never formed any force. Second, they spend most of their time outside Jingzhou, focused on cultivation. Even when they return, their homes aren't in Jingzhou City. We can keep it from them. If you all unite, who would dare tell them? They're just four old men who care about reputation and stand alone. Outside, they represent Jingzhou's martial world. But inside Jingzhou, you are its representatives. I don't believe you can't handle them."
Li Daoqiang spoke with full confidence, showing no concern.
Sun Qian and the others fell silent. What he said made sense. But it wasn't as easy as it sounded.
"Chief, this is too significant. We need time to deliberate." Gao Yuan finally spoke.
Sun Qian and the others quickly nodded. Coming back to themselves, they felt a lingering fear. The discussion had gone too far, almost dreamlike.
"Fine, no rush. We all have time to talk it over." Li Daoqiang nodded calmly.
Soon, Sun Qian and the others left. Li Daoqiang remained composed. Now, he just had to wait. They would make the wise choice; he trusted them.
After a brief moment of thought, his mood lifted with anticipation, and he headed to the secret chamber. The eighth layer of the Dragon-Elephant Vajra Art was ready to be mastered.
Entering the chamber, he glanced at over 300,000 bandit points and mentally clicked. Instantly, over 280,000 bandit points vanished. A surge of power, stronger than ever, erupted, drawing in the world's spiritual energy in a torrent. His innate true qi and blood energy rapidly intensified, pushing toward their limits. Golden light blazed, and chaotic energy currents rippled even outside the chamber. The faint sounds of dragons and elephants were clearer than before, audible for dozens of yards around. The dozen guards nearby felt an overwhelming pressure, their bodies weakening with terror. Their eyes widened in shock toward the chamber. If they hadn't known it was their chief, they'd have fled in panic.
The strange phenomena around Li Daoqiang persisted for a long while before slowly fading. The golden light dissipated, and he opened his eyes, a sharp gleam flashing through them—a sign of peak vitality, spirit, and emotion.
Powerful! That was his only feeling. His body brimmed with strength, every aspect pushed to its limit. He had truly reached the peak of the innate realm. To go further, his true qi and blood needed another transformation. Like building a house—to build higher, each floor must be stronger. The same applied to cultivation: to ascend, one needed greater power. The innate realm required true qi; the grandmaster realm required true essence. This was the greatest hurdle for martial artists. Innate martial artists were countless—Jingzhou alone had the Four Southern Heroes as top experts. But grandmasters were pitifully few. Each could sustain a first-rate force.
The ninth layer of the Dragon-Elephant Vajra Art! Feeling his newfound strength, Li Daoqiang immediately set his sights on it—the grandmaster realm. Taking a deep breath with grim resolve, he turned to the Great Bandit System.
The next moment—a twitch crossed his face, and a breath caught in his chest. Damn it. The word burst from his heart. Five million! Five million bandit points for the ninth layer! Even knowing it would be costly, he still wanted to smash something and curse. Five million bandit points! In silver, that was five million taels. Recalling the 300,000 taels he'd just pocketed, which had felt substantial and made him think he'd been harsh, now it only felt too little, too poor, too soft-hearted. He now wanted to ransack every major force in Jingzhou City.
Taking a deep breath, he suppressed that impulse—one he now had the strength to act on. He was a bandit building a force, not a lone raider striking once and fleeing. So he couldn't do that. But then, a headache set in. Five million bandit points—what was he to do?
(Seeking support, all kinds of support.) ......