For the Twelve Main Meridians realm, five hundred taels. For the Eight Extra Meridians realm, two thousand taels. As long as the money arrives, the person is released immediately. Fair and just, honest to all ages. Of course, if someone from Black Dragon Stronghold is killed, the price is different. Ten thousand taels for a death, two thousand taels for an injury. This is only if the dead is an ordinary person or someone with just a bit of inner strength. If the dead is from the Twelve Main Meridians realm, it's twenty thousand taels, with injuries starting at four thousand taels, depending on the situation. For the Eight Extra Meridians realm, it's forty thousand taels, with injuries starting at eight thousand taels. This pricing, to some extent, corresponds to the ransom for captured innate masters. Li Daoqiang had already set the prices for innate masters. Based on the strength of the fifth to eighth layers of the Dragon-Elephant Prajna Art, he divided innate masters into four levels. Ten thousand, twenty thousand, forty thousand, eighty thousand. It wasn't that Li Daoqiang didn't want to ask for more, but he worried those innate masters couldn't afford it. Not all innate masters are that wealthy. Better to set the prices a bit lower, to encourage ongoing transactions and steady flow, and to keep innate masters from fighting to the death over the price. Once the reputation is firmly established, some people facing Black Dragon Stronghold might not even fight desperately, but instead surrender and use silver to buy their lives. Besides this, if someone actively seeks trouble with Black Dragon Stronghold, the price for being captured triples. Li Daoqiang had all the prices clearly marked. And he made the entire Black Dragon Stronghold memorize them thoroughly. This was also part of the daily mandatory exams. Including all leaders, major chiefs, and minor chiefs—if questioned and unable to answer, there would be punishment. This batch of nearly a hundred people wasn't considered as actively seeking trouble with Black Dragon Stronghold, since they only entered Fuyun Mountain, so the triple price didn't apply. But even without the triple price, Li Daoqiang hadn't expected that some couldn't afford it. When the leaders came to report, Li Daoqiang frowned in disbelief: "It's one thing if those who killed someone can't pay, but are you sure the dozen or so who didn't kill anyone are telling the truth? They can't even come up with a mere five hundred or two thousand taels?" One leader said with difficulty: "Chief, we threatened them with death, but those dozen or so absolutely couldn't produce the money. They're all rogue cultivators with nothing but themselves, dirt poor." "Useless trash, and they dare come to my Black Dragon Stronghold as paupers?" Li Daoqiang couldn't help but snort coldly. Instantly, everyone present lowered their heads, silent as cicadas in winter, standing respectfully, not daring to breathe loudly. Before, they were already terrified of Li Daoqiang; now that they knew he had broken through to the Grandmaster realm, they revered him like a god, not daring the slightest disrespect. After a moment of thought, Li Daoqiang said coldly: "For those who didn't kill anyone and can't pay, ask if they're willing to join my Black Dragon Stronghold. If they are, then it's settled, and they'll be brothers in the stronghold from now on. If not, break their limbs and throw them to the wolves in the back mountain. As for those who killed someone and can't pay, hmph." Another cold snort, with a disdainful tone: "They haven't even reached the innate realm, have no money, yet dare to kill. What use are such useless trash? Break their limbs and throw them to the wolves." Below the innate realm, in Li Daoqiang's view, there was no need to recruit. If they had no money and had killed, they could only die. "Yes." Everyone immediately responded. "Go about your business. Get the money as quickly as possible, and only release people after receiving it. And remember, money is the most important thing. Don't ruin my Black Dragon Stronghold's rules and reputation, or don't blame me for not recognizing you as brothers." Li Daoqiang swept his gaze over everyone and said calmly. "Yes." Everyone shuddered and immediately replied. The crowd withdrew to their tasks, and Li Daoqiang calculated that this wave would net him over fifty thousand taels of silver. Not bad. Really not bad. Though fifty thousand taels of silver now meant little to him, it was fifty thousand taels earned in a single day—what more could he ask for? Besides, this was only the first wave, the least profitable one. The real big gains were yet to come. Of course, he had to handle it with care and have enough strength to control the situation, or a good thing could turn bad. Soon, all nearly a hundred people were dealt with. Except for over a dozen who were killed, and more than twenty who joined Black Dragon Stronghold, the rest chose to pay. At the same time, this news spread quickly. In Jingzhou City. More and more martial artists gathered, discussing daily about Black Dragon Stronghold, Grandmaster Li Daoqiang, and the mercy of not killing after capture. "Speaking of Chief Li Daoqiang, he's a genius of his generation, reaching the Grandmaster realm in his twenties. Isn't that impressive? Too bad he's too greedy for money, wanting it for everything. That mercy of not killing is quite famous in Jingzhou." "Yeah, Chief Li is among the top of the younger generation in the world today, but he loves money too much. Five hundred taels for the Twelve Main Meridians realm, two thousand for the Eight Extra Meridians realm. I heard once he captured some innate masters, said they were too weak, and demanded ten thousand taels. And since they actively sought trouble with Black Dragon Stronghold, it was triple the price." "Those who can't pay and didn't kill anyone from Black Dragon Stronghold can join to save their lives. But if they killed someone, ha, break their limbs and throw them to the wolves." "Brutal, too brutal. It's simply—" "Brother, are you crazy? That's a Grandmaster, you know? A Grandmaster!" "Yeah, brother, keep your voice down. That's a Grandmaster. Can you control what he wants to do?" "Sigh, heaven has no eyes, letting someone like that become a Grandmaster." "Jingzhou gave us Li Daoqiang, greedy for silver every day. No silver to repay mercy, break limbs and feed the wolves. A dignified Grandmaster, so obsessed with money, it's... sigh." "But you have to say, Chief Li has good credit. Pay and you're released, and the price matches the realm, no haggling." "I heard some are planning to enter Fuyun Mountain again. Wonder how it'll turn out?" "How could it? Unless a Grandmaster shows up, who can handle Chief Li?" "True, but it's the Liancheng Jue treasure. Maybe a Grandmaster will come, and then we'll see a battle between Grandmasters." "I don't know if a Grandmaster will come, but I heard the Four Heroes of Falling Flowers are heading to Jingzhou City." "Oh? Are the Four Heroes of Falling Flowers also after the Liancheng Jue treasure?" "I don't think so. The Four Heroes are upright and honorable. They're probably not after the treasure but feel they must come since such a big thing is happening in Jingzhou." "Makes sense." ...... ...... All kinds of discussions buzzed endlessly. The number of martial artists in Jingzhou City grew larger. And people entering Fuyun Mountain came in an unending stream. Though after the first wave, many took it as a warning and dared not step into Fuyun Mountain now, there were always those who couldn't give up, thinking Fuyun Mountain was vast and they'd be fine if careful. And when some entered, more followed. Martial artists never lacked the bold. In Black Dragon Stronghold, Li Daoqiang liked these bold ones. In his eyes, they were like walking gold and silver rushing toward him on their own. If he let them go, wouldn't that be a sin from heaven? Under his orders, the entire stronghold was busy, constantly patrolling the mountain and capturing people. Li Daoqiang even regretted that Fuyun Mountain was too big, the stronghold had too few people, and even fewer experts. They couldn't catch them all. In a good mood after hearing another leader's report, Li Daoqiang calculated that in just three days since the first wave, he had captured over a hundred more people. Earning over sixty thousand taels of silver, progress was good. Just then, Ding Dian entered the assembly hall, saluted, and said with a grave expression: "Chief, I hear more and more people are entering Fuyun Mountain. Should I step in to intimidate them?" "No need." Li Daoqiang refused immediately, smiling casually: "Those people are rushing to give us money. How can we refuse?" Ding Dian felt uneasy inside and said seriously: "But the number of martial artists in Jingzhou City is growing. If this continues, it might be hard to control. Better to strike hard now, before real experts arrive, to intimidate a portion." Li Daoqiang shook his head and said calmly with a smile: "Don't worry too much. Most of those martial artists are just here for the spectacle. These martial artists, they flock wherever there's excitement. No need to fear them. As for those truly after the Liancheng Jue treasure, unless a Grandmaster fights me, they won't dare show themselves. Like those entering Fuyun Mountain first, most are blinded by gold and silver, wanting to get a head start. When I fight other Grandmasters, they'll try to attack you and force the treasure's location." "Heh, the martial world never lacks such bold fools without strength. Perfect for sending us money. Don't dwell on this. Your priority now is to break through to the Grandmaster realm. Once you do, my Black Dragon Stronghold will be as steady as Mount Tai. As for Grandmasters coming, isn't there me? Relax, I'm not so easy to deal with." Li Daoqiang spoke earnestly to Ding Dian, projecting an image of shouldering the burden while Ding Dian focused on his breakthrough. Though he sensed Li Daoqiang was trying to win him over, Ding Dian was still somewhat moved and nodded firmly: "Chief, rest assured. Ding Dian won't let you down." Li Daoqiang nodded approvingly. Suddenly, Ding Dian hesitated and said: "Chief, there's one more thing I want to say." "Speak freely." Li Daoqiang said magnanimously. This was a privilege no other subordinate enjoyed. Without strength, what treatment could they expect? "Money is ultimately an external thing. Chief, you might want to... take it a bit easier." Ding Dian said tactfully. The series of ransom standards from Black Dragon Stronghold made his scalp tingle. (Thanks for your support.) ......