The City Lord’s smile broadened, the tension in the hall easing.
He placed his cup on the table with a satisfied thud. "A simple division. Thirty percent of all revenue will go to you, Lin Mu. Another thirty to the Xian Sword Sect. Thirty will remain with the city. The remaining ten percent will be set aside for upkeep, formations, and maintenance of the valley itself. It is a clean, balanced division, with no room for dispute."
Even Grand Elder Huo nodded approvingly. "Not a bad cut, boy. If you’d tried to argue further, I’d have scolded you for being too modest for your own good."
Lin Mu considered the numbers in silence.
It was not wealth he sought, but resources were always useful, rare herbs, ores, formations, talismans. Money, properly directed, could smooth the path forward and remove needless obstacles. He had no desire to haggle when the arrangent was already generous and politically sound.
"Very well," he said at last. "Send my share to Lady Kang. She can manage it better than I. If I need sothing, she can deduct from it directly. It will save ti and effort."
The City Lord nodded in satisfaction. "As I expected. Efficient and wise. Then it shall be so. The Smoldering Rock rchant Union will handle the transfers. They have long-standing connections with the Great Kang Auction House and its wider clan businesses. No one else could deliver funds across the Immortal Realm as reliably."
Lin Mu’s eyes narrowed briefly, then relaxed.
That much was true. The Smoldering Rock rchant Union had proven themselves swift and thorough. And Lady Kang... she was perhaps the best suited to act as his proxy. With her handling the funds, he could request anything: rare treasures, cultivation materials, immortal stones or more... and she could see to it swiftly.
More importantly, Lin Mu knew himself.
He would not linger forever in the Silent Lotus World. His path stretched farther, perhaps even beyond the Immortal Realm one day. Having a steady and trusted anchor like Lady Kang, who could manage such matters without drawing him away from cultivation, was invaluable.
He gave a small nod. "That arrangent is acceptable."
ng Bai grinned, clearly relieved that his master had agreed. "See, Master? Sotis practicality wins. Having wealth doesn’t an greed, it ans opportunity. I read that in one of your collected books too!"
Grand Elder Huo roared with laughter again. "Well said, boy! Perhaps your disciple will keep you grounded when your head gets too far into the clouds!"
Even the City Lord chuckled, raising his cup once more. "Then it is settled. The valley will prosper, and all three parties will benefit. May this be the beginning of an age of greater strength for us all!"
Wine was poured anew, and the hall filled once again with laughter and cheer.
But Lin Mu remained thoughtful, silently acknowledging how fate had twisted destruction into opportunity. What had begun as a battle of blades and wills had beco a foundation for alliances and growth.
And though he cared little for wealth, he understood this truth: resources ant stability, and stability ant power. If these profits could fuel the path of cultivation, not just his own, but those he guided, then perhaps this "share" was more than re coin.
It was another weapon in his arsenal, hidden though it might be.
Soon the talks were over and Lin Mu got up to go back. But just as he stood up, the City Lord stopped him.
"Where do you think you’re going?" he asked.
"Huh? Is there sothing more?" Lin Mu raised a brow.
SIGH
The city lord almost felt like he was talking with so naïve clerk, rather than a strong immortal that had just fought a transcendent to a draw.
"You can’t go now, we have a Banquet soon." He stated.
"A Banquet?" Lin Mu muttered.
"A BANQUET!" ng Bai and Ashy shouted in unison.
"Of course, we can’t let a chance like this go away." Even the Grand Elder was in approval.
With so many people in favor, Lin Mu could do nothing but nod and look forward to the food.
And it certainly was one to look forward to.
The banquet was unlike anything Ash Crown City had seen in many decades.
That very night, the City Lord’s mansion ca alive with light, music, and the fragrance of food that carried through its sprawling courtyards.
Lanterns of jade-green and crimson were strung high upon carved wooden arches, glowing softly against the night sky. Formations hidden within the lanterns caused motes of light to drift down like falling starlight, creating an atmosphere both festive and majestic.
The City Lord had gone all out... or rather, his sponsors had.
The Smoldering Rock rchant Union and half a dozen other powerful rchants had willingly poured their resources into the event.
For them, this was no expense but an investnt. Closer ties with Lin Mu, the Xian Sword Sect, and even the Grand Elder himself were worth more than treasures of gold or jade. And so the feast was extravagant, as though ant for royalty.
Long tables of dark sandalwood stretched across the hall, covered in embroidered silk cloths. Upon them were laid dishes that glistened with color and steam, delicacies gathered from across the Silent Lotus World.
There were platters of Spirit Fla Pheasant, roasted to golden perfection, its skin crisp while its at radiated faint Fire Qi that nourished the dantian with every bite. Beside it, bowls of Molten Rock Stew bubbled, prepared with beast marrow and roots from the Ashfall region itself, hearty and thick with rich Earth Qi.
Trays of Silverfin Carp, caught from the far northern lakes and braised in fragrant immortal herbs, shimred under the lantern light, each bite lting on the tongue and leaving behind a faint cooling sensation that soothed the ridians.
For dessert, plates of Glacial Lotus Cakes were set out; soft pastries infused with Ice Qi that balanced the heaviness of the ats. Tiny drops of condensed lotus nectar decorated each cake like dew, making them almost too beautiful to eat.
And to drink, there were jugs of Thousand-Year Plum Wine, Fire Nectar Liquor, and for the brave, even Emberblood Brew, a fiery concoction that could burn through an ordinary cultivator’s throat if consud recklessly.
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