267: Only eternal interests

An hour-long negotiation concluded in an atmosphere that appeared peaceful but was actually fraught with undercurrents.

Qin Feng, representing Medicine King Valley (though not officially authorized, Xiao Chun's status as a Personal Disciple was sufficient as a liaison), conducted preliminary discussions with Murong Qianye on a cooperation framework. The core conditions included: Blood-Filled Tower's promise not to accept hostile missions targeting Medicine King Valley and its associates (specifically Qin Feng's team); the formal lifting of the defection charges against Ji Ruxue (Qing Xue) and Ye Wuyou, restoring their freedom; and Medicine King Valley's agreement to provide Blood-Filled Tower annually, through specific channels, with several designated Earth Rank Medicinal Pills and a small quantity of special-effect Medicinal Pills (such as highly effective healing, detoxification, and aura concealment pills), priced at a 20% markup from market value, with transaction methods kept confidential.

The specific types, quantities, and handover details of the Medicinal Pills would need to be finalized after Xiao Chun consulted with her Sect. Murong Qianye expressed understanding and showed ample patience.

During a break in negotiations, Xiao Chun had already briefly reported the situation to Li Changqing and Sikong Ye, who were far away, using Medicine King Valley's unique emergency communication method. Soon, a reply came, with only two simple yet powerful words: "Negotiable." This was both a trust in Xiao Chun's judgment and an affirmation of Qin Feng's on-the-spot handling, and it gave the green light to the unexpected possibility of cooperation between Medicine King Valley and Blood-Filled Tower.

Thus, the life-and-death crisis brought by Blood-Filled Tower was temporarily resolved in an unexpected way. At least on the surface, the two sides shifted from hostility to potential partners.

Murong Qianye seemed quite satisfied with the negotiation results. Before parting, he gestured for the Golden-Masked Vice-Leader to retrieve a thin leather scroll and hand it to Qin Feng.

"Young Master Qin, a small token of sincerity," Murong Qianye said in a flat tone, as if speaking of a trivial matter. "This contains intelligence on three relatively important secret strongholds of the Yin Demon Sect in the northern border of Great Qian, including personnel configurations, contact methods, and recent activities. One is here in Juyan City, one is in Star Moon City, which you may pass through next, and another is on the outskirts of the Imperial Capital. Perhaps... it might be useful to you."

Qin Feng took the scroll, and his Divine Sense swept over it briefly. The content was detailed and specific, not appearing to be fake. This "gift" was valuable, serving both as a gesture of goodwill and subtly implying a desire to kill with a borrowed knife, while also revealing the tip of the iceberg of Blood-Filled Tower's intelligence capabilities.

"Many thanks, Murong Qianye," Qin Feng said, putting away the scroll, neither servile nor overbearing.

"No need to be polite, it's merely mutual benefit." Murong Qianye stood up, and the Golden Mask and Ye Wuyou also rose. Ye Wuyou looked at Ji Ruxue, her lips moving slightly as if to say something, but in the end, she only nodded, her eyes complex.

Murong Qianye took one last meaningful look at Qin Feng and the others, saying, "I hope our cooperation is pleasant. The Imperial Capital... is a very interesting place. I wish you all a safe journey." With that, he, the Golden Mask, and Ye Wuyou turned and left, their figures quickly disappearing into the night outside the inn.

Only after they had gone far did the lingering tension in the inn's main hall completely dissipate.

"Hoo..." Xia Ya let out a long breath and plopped down onto a nearby stool. "That old fox, his smile sent shivers down my spine. Negotiating is more tiring than fighting!"

Ji Ruxue gazed in the direction of the door, a hint of relief and faint mockery on her cold face. "That's just how he is. For profit, there are no eternal enemies, nor eternal allies. Today he can hunt us for the Yin Demon Sect's reward, tomorrow he can betray the Yin Demon Sect's intelligence for Medicine King Valley's Medicinal Pills. My Senior Sister and I... have completely escaped that quagmire."

Xiao Chun patted Ji Ruxue's hand to comfort her.

Tao Yuanyi mused, "Although the cooperation has the Valley Master's approval, the specific details require utmost caution. Blood-Filled Tower's trustworthiness is hard to gauge; we must guard against treachery."

Qin Feng nodded, "Senior Brother Tao is absolutely right. We are only facilitating this matter; the specific terms must be decided by the elders of our Sect and Master Ouyang. For now, we proceed according to our original plan and head to the Imperial Capital as soon as possible. This intelligence on the Yin Demon Sect, however, can be put to good use."

The group discussed for a while longer, then each returned to their rooms to rest. After a series of events, their spirits were exhausted.

As night deepened, the hustle and bustle of Juyan City gradually quieted.

As the zi hour approached, Qin Feng meditated alone in his room, his mind sinking into the System. Today's encounter with Murong Qianye, the negotiation and cooperation, obtaining the Yin Demon Sect's intelligence... he wondered what kind of information would be refreshed.

The light screen lit up as expected, and three new pieces of intelligence appeared:

[White Intelligence]: Murong Qianye, Murong Qianye, outwardly appears to be engrossed in business and accumulating vast wealth, but in reality, he has never forgotten his origins. He is the direct descendant of the royal family of the defunct small northern border country, "Yan Kingdom." For years, he has secretly amassed power, recruited former subordinates, and collected relics and intelligence related to his former country. Deep down, he harbors a secret ambition to find an opportunity to restore his homeland. Both accumulating wealth and expanding his influence serve this goal.

"Restoring Yan Kingdom?" Qin Feng raised an eyebrow. No wonder he cared so much about that ancient Yan Kingdom royal token, and Zhongli Wu was able to sway him with it. It turns out this seemingly profit-driven assassin leader actually harbored such deep obsession and schemes. This white intelligence explained some of Murong Qianye's motivations and also meant that this person was more complex and dangerous than he appeared.

[Green Intelligence]: The Yin Demon Sect, after its last disastrous defeat, suffered heavy losses, with nearly half of its elites perished. Sect Master Zhongli Wu was critically injured and on the verge of death. Although his life was sustained by a Blood Soul Pill, his Foundation was severely damaged. He has announced a long-term secluded cultivation, not to emerge unless it is a matter of the Sect's survival. The Yin Demon Sect's overall strategy has shifted to full-scale defensive contraction, recuperating and licking its wounds. Its public activities in the northern border will significantly decrease in the coming years, and the direct threat to you will be notably reduced.

This was good news. Zhongli Wu's secluded cultivation and the Yin Demon Sect's contraction meant that the overt pressure from this old adversary's pursuit on their way to the Imperial Capital would be much less. The green intelligence verified part of the information given by Murong Qianye (that the Yin Demon Sect was wounded) and also gave them a more lenient window for action.

[Yellow Intelligence]: The intelligence on the three Yin Demon Sect strongholds that Murong Qianye gave you today is true and reliable, with no false traps. This act serves both as a show of sincerity for cooperation and as an intention to further strike at the Yin Demon Sect through your hands (Blood-Filled Tower also has grievances with the Yin Demon Sect after their cooperation broke down), and to observe your capabilities. It can be utilized as appropriate.

Indeed, the System verified the authenticity of the intelligence. The yellow intelligence allowed him to use this "gift" with confidence, and at the same time, it pointed out Murong Qianye's deeper calculations — to use a tiger to devour a wolf, and to observe them. Dealing with a tiger requires constant vigilance.

"The intelligence refreshed on the first night is indeed closely related to recent encounters." Qin Feng exited the System, pondering. The white intelligence revealed Murong Qianye's secret, the green intelligence confirmed the Yin Demon Sect's current situation, and the yellow intelligence verified the reliability of the acquired intelligence. This gave him a clearer grasp of the current situation.

The Yin Demon Sect's threat was temporarily eased, Blood-Filled Tower turned to cooperation (at least on the surface), and Murong Qianye harbored ambitions to restore his country, requiring caution... The path before their journey to the Imperial Capital seemed clearer, but the undercurrents beneath the surface seemed even more complex.

He put away his thoughts and began to silently circulate his Cultivation Technique, nourishing his Meridians. The repaired ink plum sword lay quietly on his lap, occasionally flashing a faint, almost imperceptible electric arc.