266: Discuss cooperation

The atmosphere in the inn's main hall was thick and heavy as iron. Murong Qianye's seemingly casual invitation only weighed more heavily on Qin Feng and the others. For the Tower Lord himself to come in person, accompanied by his Vice Pavilion Master, clearly indicated this was more than just a simple chat over tea.

Qin Feng forced himself to calm down. His gaze swept over Murong Qianye, then the Vice Pavilion Master standing beside him—whose aura was obscure and who wore a half golden mask—before finally settling on Ye Wuyou, whose expression was complex and her head lowered. He noticed there were no signs of Ye Wuyou's Qi being restrained, but the conflict and helplessness etched between her brows could not be faked. It seemed her departure from the team a month ago had been due to other circumstances, and she had likely already been in contact with the Tower's higher-ups.

Ji Ruxue (Qing Xue) looked at Murong Qianye, the man who had once symbolized the highest authority and a cold, unyielding order in her mind. Her feelings at this moment were indescribably complex. The branding of betrayal, the pursuit along the way, the sacrifices of her fellow disciples... all originated from this man's orders.

"Truly worthy of Young Master Qin," Murong Qianye set down his teacup, his tone unreadable as to whether it was praise or mockery. "In such a short time, you've managed to secure the full protection of Medicine King Valley, and even caused a force like Zhongli Wu and the Corpse Demon Sect to retreat in defeat, with that arrogant fool Blue Nightmare getting himself killed in the process... It seems Medicine King Valley places great hopes in you."

Qin Feng's heart tightened slightly; the other party was remarkably well-informed about the details of the previous battle. Keeping his expression unchanged, he cupped his hands respectfully. "Murong Qianye flatters me. This Junior merely survived by luck, relying entirely on the protection of my elders and the desperate efforts of my companions." The ink plum sword behind him emitted a faint hum, as if resonating with its master's emotions.

"Luck? If it's luck every time, then it's strength." Murong Qianye gave a noncommittal smile, then turned his gaze to Ji Ruxue, his tone softening slightly. "Qing Xue, regarding your matter... I have already heard Ye Wuyou's detailed report."

He paused, as if carefully choosing his words. "This time, there was an error in the Tower's decision-making. We trusted Zhongli Wu's one-sided account, underestimated your connection to Medicine King Valley, and misjudged the situation. Blue Nightmare, driven by impatience for merit, acted on his own authority, leading to a great disaster and the loss of the Tower's elite. His crime warranted execution." He shifted the primary blame onto the deceased Blue Nightmare, while his words also served to absolve Blood-Filled Tower's own position.

"Our Blood-Filled Tower, ultimately, only cares about profit. Making a complete enemy of a reclusive Sect with deep heritage like Medicine King Valley is not a wise move." Murong Qianye shifted the topic, looking back at Qin Feng, his eyes turning sharp. "However, Young Master Qin, and also Qing Xue, Ye Wuyou, you killed one of our Managers (Blue Nightmare) and five Diamond-grade Assassins. That is an indisputable fact. According to Blood-Filled Tower's rules, when we lose personnel, there must be an... explanation. Otherwise... it will be difficult to placate morale within the Tower, and I, as its Lord, will find it hard to maintain authority."

Here it comes, the main point. Qin Feng knew that this so-called "explanation" was the true purpose of their visit.

"Murong Qianye, the situation at the time was a fight to the death. They came to kill us; we merely defended ourselves and counterattacked," Qin Feng said solemnly, not backing down. "If my elders from Medicine King Valley had not arrived in time, the one sitting here demanding an explanation would likely be Zhongli Wu."

"That is the principle of the matter," Murong Qianye nodded, seemingly acknowledging Qin Feng's point. "Therefore, my personal visit today is not to demand accountability, but to seek a... mutually beneficial solution, an 'explanation' that benefits both sides."

He leaned forward slightly, his fingers tapping lightly on the table with a rhythmic sound. "Medicine King Valley is renowned throughout the world for its pill Dao. Rare Medicinal Pills, unique pill formulas, even some secret medicines for healing, detoxification, and aiding Cultivation are things the outside world dreams of. As for my Blood-Filled Tower, we may not have much else, but we have plenty of money, extensive channels, sharp intelligence, and can also provide some... special 'services'."

"How about this," Murong Qianye laid out his terms. "Medicine King Valley and my Blood-Filled Tower establish a long-term cooperative relationship. Medicine King Valley periodically supplies us with a certain quantity of specific Medicinal Pills. The types and grades can be discussed in detail, and the price will be absolutely fair, even above market rates. In return, my Blood-Filled Tower will be responsible for the sales channels and promises that, during the period of cooperation, we will not accept any hostile missions targeting Medicine King Valley or its related personnel. We will also provide a certain degree of intelligence sharing and conveniences."

He glanced at Ji Ruxue and Ye Wuyou. "As for Qing Xue and Ye Wuyou... I can decide, on my authority, to formally restore their freedom. The past will be wiped clean. Whether they stay or leave is entirely their own decision. Blood-Filled Tower will pursue the matter no further."

Finally, he presented the real bait. "Medicine King Valley has always remained reclusive. Although protected by a Sacred Beast and possessing deep heritage, its connections with the outside world are ultimately limited. By cooperating with my Blood-Filled Tower, Medicine King Valley's Medicinal Pills can be exchanged more safely and efficiently for needed resources, you can stay informed of outside developments, and even... gain a reliable ally in certain matters. And this conflict can serve as the very opportunity for our two sides to establish a connection. Young Master Qin, what do you think?"

Cooperation? Trading Medicinal Pills for peace, freedom, and even a potential ally? Murong Qianye's proposal was unexpected, yet it made sense. Blood-Filled Tower was an assassination organization, but even more so, merchants who put profit above all else. A deadly feud with Medicine King Valley would bring heavy losses with no tangible benefits. Switching to cooperation, however, would secure a stable source of top-tier Medicinal Pills, broaden revenue streams, and ease relations with a powerful reclusive Sect. It looked like a profitable deal no matter how you viewed it.

Qin Feng quickly weighed the options. The other party seemed to be making concessions but was actually being shrewd. Medicine King Valley's Medicinal Pills were hard currency; cooperation would bring Blood-Filled Tower immense benefits. However, they had indeed shown sincerity: the Tower Lord himself came to negotiate, promised to cease hostilities, and offered to restore Ji Ruxue and Ye Wuyou's freedom. For Qin Feng's team, who currently urgently needed a stable environment to head to the Imperial Capital and who never intended to form a deadly feud with Blood-Filled Tower in the first place, this was undoubtedly a highly attractive option.

Of course, the details of cooperation—types and quantities of pills, prices, the scope of intelligence sharing, and so on—all needed to be carefully hammered out. They couldn't let the other party dictate terms. They would also need to seek instructions from Li Changqing and Sikong Ye back at Medicine King Valley. But at the very least, the deadly deadlock before them now held the possibility of a peaceful resolution.

Qin Feng glanced at Ji Ruxue and Ye Wuyou; both their eyes showed signs of being moved and hopeful. He then looked at Tao Yuanyi, Xia Ya, and Xiao Chun; they all gave slight nods, clearly also considering this the best choice available.

After a moment of silence, Qin Feng raised his head, met Murong Qianye's gaze directly, and slowly uttered two words:

"We can talk."

He didn't immediately agree to all the conditions, but he indicated a willingness to engage in negotiations. This preserved room for maneuver while also demonstrating their own confidence.

A trace of a smile, almost imperceptible, flashed in Murong Qianye's eyes, as if Qin Feng's reaction was not unexpected. He raised his teacup, using it as a substitute for wine. "Young Master Qin is decisive. Then let us... talk slowly. Golden Mask, go ask the innkeeper for a proper private room. Bring a fresh pot of good tea and arrange some snacks. Young Master Qin, we are in no hurry. Let's talk slowly."

The tense atmosphere, with Qin Feng's three words "We can talk," quietly eased. But everyone knew the negotiations to come might not be any easier than the previous battles.

A game of chess concerning profit, the future, and even life and death had just begun in this inn of Juyan City.