“Lord Jovan, you know better than anyone that gathering all those things can’t happen overnight,” Jared said. “Let me send word to Lord Maceo. He’ll have everything ready within three days and send it straight to you.”
“Of course, we’ll remain here in Winged Tiger City during that time. But you’ll be responsible for keeping us and Bastian safe,” Jared demanded.
“No problem,” Jovan replied.
“I want territory and resources. Your lives mean nothing to me.” He extended a hand, shaking Jared’s. For Jovan, the negotiation had gone unusually smoothly.
As Jared stepped out of the room, Madman and Eason rushed over.
“Jared, how did it go?” Madman asked.
“It went well,” Jared said with a grin.
“He didn’t try to extort us too hard, did he?” Madman questioned.
Jared shook his head. “It’s fair. He asked for a million celestial coins, a hundred years’ worth of resources, and that Treasure Land.”
“What?” Eason‘s eyes went wide. “That’s a hefty price. You didn’t actually agree, did you?”
“Of course I did. He could’ve asked for all of Rhino City, and I still would’ve agreed. After all, I never planned to give any of it,” Jared said casually.
“You’re not giving it to him?” Eason blinked in disbelief.
“Not a chance. I’m just buying time. We’ll get Bastian out of here without handing over a single thing to Winged Tiger City,” Jared said with a smile.
“Jared, we passed through so many cities and checkpoints. Won’t it be really difficult to break out?” Madman asked, brows furrowed.
“There’s always a way,” Jared said, voice light but confident. “We’ve still got time to figure it out.”
At that moment, the person arranged by Jovan arrived to escort Jared and his group to their quarters.
For the next three days, they were restricted to the confines of the city lord mansion in Winged Tiger City.
***
After Jared and the others had settled in, Jovan’s eyes remained fixed on the western mountain range. Slowly, his figure faded and vanished.
By the time Jovan reappeared, was already in a small town nestled in the mountains. The place was filled with cultivators dressed in red robes. None of them acknowledged Jovan with so much as a nod when arrived, but Jovan didn’t seem surprised by the lack of courtesy.
He walked into a lavishly renovated house. Inside, a masked man sat silently. His complexion looked poor.
When noticed Jovan entering, his tone was cold and sharp, “So, what’s the result?”
“Sir, we’ve got an agreement. One million celestial coins, a hundred years’ worth of resources, and even the Treasure Land. Rhino City agreed to everything,” Jovan said excitedly.
“Oh?” The masked man was visibly surprised. “They agreed that easily?”
“Yes, they jumped at it. They promised everything would be ready in three days,” Jovan confirmed with a nod.
“I’ve always thought that if someone agrees too quickly, it’s not a good sign. You’d better be on your guard these next three days,” the man warned.
“I understand,” Jovan replied firmly.
With a wave of his hand, the man dismissed Jovan.
After Jovan exited, the man suddenly started coughing violently, and the black cloth covering his face slipped off.
If Jared had been present, would have immediately recognized the man-it was Braxton, the overlord of Celestial Palace’s Eighth Hall.
Previously, Braxton‘s divine soul had been summoned by Colby, the head of the Haverford family, using a token. That encounter led to a prolonged battle with Jared, who at the time was possessed by the Vermilion Demon Lord. Jared had beaten Braxton into a miserable retreat.
Since returning, Braxton had remained in a frail state, requiring significant resources to recover. Now, leading the forces of Celestial Palace’s Eighth Hall, had taken control of Winged Tiger City.
The current city lord, Jovan, was merely his puppet. It was Braxton who came up with the idea to demand such an outrageous sum of celestial coins and resources from Rhino City.
Jared had guessed correctly. The real decision-maker in Winged Tiger City wasn’t in the city lord mansion at all.
