88: Chapter 88 Negotiations Between the Two Sides: Each Getting What They Need

The morning mist gradually dissipated, and the stone slabs in front of the Chen Family Council Hall were still damp.

A crow landed on the corner of the roof eaves, flapped its wings, and flew away again.

The Great Clan's envoy walked with steps as heavy as if he were treading in mud; when he passed through the outer courtyard, not even the guards raised their heads to look at him.

He knew that what he was bringing back was not news of the ultimatum's completion, but rather—a price list.

Inside the Council Hall, the Third Elder of the Zhao Clan sat in the main seat, tapping his fingertips on the armrest at a steady, unhurried rhythm.

Behind him stood two stewards, one holding a dossier and the other gripping a Jade Slip; the atmosphere was so oppressive that it made one gasp for air.

"You say he told you within three days... to transmit a list of resources?" The Third Elder finally spoke, his voice low, yet it caused the temperature of the entire hall to drop by a few degrees.

"Yes." The envoy lowered his head, sweat seeping from his forehead, "He also said... 'Fair exchange, no deception.'"

The hall fell silent.

A white-bearded Elder nearby slammed the table abruptly: "Arrogant! A small clan from the borderlands dares to talk about 'fair value' with the East Ling Zhao Clan?"

"But those thirteen death soldiers from last night, not one returned." Another short, stout Elder said slowly, "Their bodies weren't even found, only a serrated short blade was left behind. This is not a situation that ordinary mechs can handle."

"So he has a trump card." The Third Elder continued, his gaze as deep as water, "It is not bluffing; it is brandishing a blade."

"But we cannot just bow our heads like this!" The white-bearded Elder said angrily, "We send a representative to negotiate? Wouldn't that be admitting he is on equal footing with us?"

The Third Elder did not answer, only asking the envoy: "Where was he standing at the time? What did he say? Repeat every single word."

The envoy closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and began to recount from the moment Chen Wuwang turned around, smiled, and stepped onto the stone stairs. When he reached the part about "You dare not act rashly," his own throat tightened.

After listening, the Third Elder was silent for a long time, then suddenly chuckled: "Interesting. He does not seek protection, does not pledge loyalty, and does not kneel. Instead, he turned our probing into a business deal."

"Business?" The white-bearded Elder sneered, "The Spiritual Plant was an anomaly we discovered first! It should have been led by our clan for research!"

"But it is in his hands now." The Third Elder said indifferently, "And he has already defended against the first wave of looting. What does this mean? It means that taking it by force will cost ten times more than negotiating."

No one else in the hall made a sound.

After a while, the Third Elder stood up: "Pass the order, summon the Fourth Elder to set off immediately, hold my token, and go to the Chen Family for formal negotiations. Bring the Incomplete Manual of the 'Nine-Turn Yuan Condensation Technique', ten Spirit-Gathering Talismans, and ten-year mining rights for three low-grade Spiritual Veins—as the first round of chips."

"You really want to negotiate with him?" The white-bearded Elder was shocked.

"It is not negotiating with him." The Third Elder turned around, flicking his sleeves, "It is that we must obtain that thing. As for the method... we only care about the result; there is no need to stand on ceremony."

Standing in the corner and listening to these words, the envoy suddenly understood one thing: while they spoke of "condescending," in reality, they had already acknowledged that the man standing on the stone steps—was qualified to sit across the negotiating table.

Three days later, at the Chen Family Council Hall.

Sunlight shone in through the carved window lattices, cutting several slanted beams of light onto the floor tiles. Two cups of tea were placed on the table; one was untouched, and the other was steaming.

Chen Wuwang sat in the main seat on the left, his silver hair tied up, his Mechanical Prosthetic Eye glowing slightly blue as he silently scanned the three people opposite him.

The old man in the middle had a stern expression, wore gray robes, and had a three-headed snake emblem embroidered on his chest—it was none other than the Zhao Clan's Fourth Elder, Zhao Chengyuan.

"Head of the Chen Family." Zhao Chengyuan spoke, his tone as calm as a lake surface, "On behalf of the East Ling Zhao Clan, I am initiating formal negotiations regarding the mutated Spiritual Plant in the Medicinal Field."

"Not demanding anymore?" Chen Wuwang picked up the tea and blew on the steam.

"It is cooperation." Zhao Chengyuan remained calm, "Your manor possesses rare resources, and our clan possesses deep foundations. Both sides taking what they need is the path to longevity."

"Well said." Chen Wuwang put down the teacup and tapped his fingertips on the table, "But whether what you brought is enough for 'what is needed' depends on the goods."

He waved his hand, and a light projection appeared in the air—it was the growth cycle charts of the seven Spiritual Plants, with Spiritual Qi fluctuation curves, peak medicinal effect times, and Formation consumption records all listed clearly.

"This is our cost." Chen Wuwang pointed to the last column, "The defense battle damage from last night is equivalent to 3,200 Spirit Stones. If you take it by force, I will not only destroy the samples but also detonate the underground Spiritual Vein, turning the entire Medicinal Field into a dead zone."

Zhao Chengyuan's eyes flickered slightly: "Is this a threat?"

"This is a fact." Chen Wuwang looked him straight in the eye, "What you want to take away is not roadside grass, but living resources capable of rewriting the Cultivation landscape. How much it is worth is up to me—because only I know how to raise it, and I also know how to make it disappear completely."

"A small clan, daring to set a price on a heaven and earth wonder?" The young steward beside Zhao Chengyuan could not help but speak out.

Chen Wuwang glanced at him and smiled: "Then tell me, if you could really replicate it, why not just come and snatch it? Why are you still sitting here talking?"

The man was speechless.

Zhao Chengyuan raised his hand to stop his subordinate and said in a deep voice: "We can provide Golden Core Stage secret technique Incomplete Manuals, high-grade Talismans, and mining rights for Spiritual Veins. Three samples in exchange for these is already a huge concession."

"Concession?" Chen Wuwang shook his head, "What you are giving is what you do not use; what I want is what you are reluctant to part with. This is not called a transaction; it is called charity."

He stood up, walked to the light screen, and pointed: "I want exclusive mining rights for five years to three mid-grade Spiritual Veins, or a package of resources of equal value. Additionally, the complete first three layers of the 'Nine-Turn Yuan Condensation Technique' Mind-Cultivation Technique, and the authorization for ten core disciples to enter your Scripture Pavilion for one day."

"Impossible!" The young steward jumped up, "How can outsiders be allowed to set foot in the Scripture Pavilion!"

"Then there is nothing to talk about." Chen Wuwang turned around, making a move to leave, "You can go back and prepare for war, and I can start the destruction procedure."

"Wait." Zhao Chengyuan suddenly spoke.

The air in the hall froze.

He stared at Chen Wuwang's back for a long time, then slowly said: "I can agree to two of your three conditions—the Spiritual Veins and the secret technique. But the discussion about the Scripture Pavilion is absolutely impossible."

Chen Wuwang stopped and turned back: "Then I can only agree to one—giving you two non-core samples, limited to research purposes only, not to be spread, and not for military use."

"Three samples!" The opposing steward shouted anxiously.

"Two samples." Chen Wuwang's tone remained unchanged, "One more sample, one less clause. You choose for yourself."

Zhao Chengyuan closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, he had made a decision: "Deal."

Chen Wuwang walked back to the table and took out a Jade Slip contract: "Then let us draw up the pact. Imprint your Spiritual Sense; those who break the contract will have their Divine Soul devoured, and their cultivation will not advance an inch for three years."

Zhao Chengyuan took it and injected his Spiritual Sense.

The contract was formed.

Both men withdrew their hands at the same time.

"I will arrange for people to deliver the items." Zhao Chengyuan stood up, his tone complex, "Head of the Chen Family, you are very smart. But smart people... often die quickly."

"That is why I live carefully." Chen Wuwang smiled, "But I also live clearly—whoever puts pressure on me, I will return that pressure doubled."

Zhao Chengyuan did not speak again and left with his people.

Only Chen Wuwang remained in the Council Hall.

He stood where he was, looking down at the Jade Slip contract in his hand, and gently stroked it.

The wind rose outside the window, blowing the paper on the desk.

He raised his Mechanical Prosthetic Eye, and the data log just sealed appeared in his vision—[Full negotiation recording, archived and encrypted].

Then he picked up a pen and wrote a line of words on the paper: "After the first batch of resources arrives, immediately initiate the phase one project of technological cultivation."

The pen tip paused, and he added another sentence: "Summon Chen Tiezhu, at the third quarter of noon, meet at the Artifact Refining Workshop."