"Uncle Tong, why are you back?" Song Changsheng looked at Song Lutong with some surprise. Who had managed to provoke him this time?
"Changsheng, tell your old uncle the truth. What were you thinking? Three spirit artifacts, given away with nothing more than a wag of your tongue?" Song Lutong bellowed angrily.
Song Changsheng raised an eyebrow, puzzled. "Given away? Wasn't it an auction? How is that giving them away?"
"How is it not? Do you know how few spirit artifacts our clan even has? The patriarch only has two; I've only got one. Once they're gone, getting them back won't be easy!" Song Lutong's tone was thick with grievance.
Only then did Song Changsheng begin to realize what this was really about.
Hearing the unspoken meaning, he put on a look of concern and said solemnly, "Uncle, you're not wrong. But the word's already out. If we suddenly go back on it now, it could damage the family's reputation."
"Then what are we supposed to do?" Song Lutong was truly flustered.
"How about this? You can attend the auction yourself. Bid for one of the spirit artifacts on the clan's behalf. Bid as high as you like; the clan will cover the cost.
And if you handle it well, I'll personally allow you to pick out another spirit artifact from the clan's treasury as a gift. How does that sound?"
At that, Song Lutong's old face flushed red. With an awkward air, he muttered, "This… this isn't about me wanting another artifact, Changsheng. I just didn't think it right to let them fall into outsiders' hands."
"It's fine. You've guarded the mortal realm for years; your service is more than deserving. What's one spirit artifact compared to that?" Song Changsheng waved magnanimously.
"Ahem… in that case, I'll make sure the clan gets one back. We can't just let outsiders profit."
"Exactly. As the saying goes, fertile water shouldn't flow into outsiders' fields. But Uncle, you must remember: when you take part in the auction, you must disguise your identity. If others discover it, tongues will wag." Song Changsheng clasped his uncle's arm and spoke in a low voice.
Song Lutong rubbed his hands and nodded repeatedly. "Do you still not trust your old uncle? Don't worry, I'll remember. I'll head back to the Luo River right away."
And off he went, sword flying, in high spirits.
"Pfft"
Once he was out of sight, Song Qingxi couldn't hold back anymore. She burst out laughing, utterly unladylike.
When Song Changsheng looked at her, she quickly composed herself and said, "Uncle, you're too wicked. You never planned to auction off all three artifacts in the first place."
Song Changsheng smiled knowingly. Of course not, how could he be so foolish? The clan had accumulated only a small number of artifacts in over five centuries; he would never squander them like that.
The "three artifacts" were nothing more than a lure. In truth, only one would be sold. The other two would be bought back by people he had arranged in advance and quietly returned to the treasury.
This tactic was commonly known as using a "shill."
He had been wondering who to assign the role to, and as it turned out, Song Lutong had delivered himself straight to his door. It would be a waste not to use him.
True, those two artifacts could no longer appear openly afterward, but they could still be used in formations or for other purposes. They certainly wouldn't go to waste.
And as for why not retrieve all of them well, that would make the act too obvious. Other people weren't fools. If not a single artifact was sold, they would immediately realize the truth.
At that point, the Song Clan's credibility would be in tatters.
So, while not entirely honorable, this was standard business practice. As the saying goes, there's no business without tricks. This was hardly the first time anyone had done it, as long as no one caught him red-handed.
On this, Song Changsheng was clear…
...
White Cloud Peak, Wu Ling Sect – Council Hall
Bang!
Du Huating slammed the table, his face dark with fury. "What is the Song Clan playing at? Do they mean to monopolize the profits of the marketplace for themselves?"
The true intent behind the Song Clan's auction might not be obvious to outsiders, but as long-time rivals, Du Huating saw it instantly, and that was what enraged him.
Ever since Liu Hongye had seized Liuyun Market, the revenues of the major Lingzhou families had plummeted. To say they had no desire to rebuild a market would be a lie.
That the Song Clan was stepping up as the leader in this matter was originally a cause for celebration. After all, it had been the Song Clan who had first taken the lead in establishing Liuyun Market years ago.
And thanks to their reputation, it had gradually grown, attracting countless rogue cultivators and small families, until it became one of the cornerstones of the great sects' shared prosperity.
When the market was destroyed, they had not thought much of it at first; less income simply meant tightening their belts. But after paying nearly 270,000 lower-grade spirit stones to the Song Clan in compensation, the Wu Ling Sect's families had been bled nearly dry. Everyone was pinching coins.
They were in desperate need of new revenue. That was why they had welcomed the Song Clan's decision to rebuild a market.
What Du Huating had never expected was that this time, the Song Clan wanted to shut them out and go it alone.
Unforgivable!
"Well then, what should we do?" Du Huating's gaze swept the council hall.
Qiu Tianyang and Yu Chengshan both wore equally ugly expressions; their families had held the biggest shares in the old Liuyun Market.
Only Li Siyang remained calm. His Li Clan had owned only a handful of shops before. Market or no market, it made little difference to them.
"We must pressure the Song Clan immediately! The new market must be divided among us as before!"
"Yes, and they cannot monopolize this auction either!"
"That's right, the location of the new market should be a joint decision!"
...
In an instant, the hall broke out into a clamor. Everyone present was shouting, except for Li Siyang, who sneered:
"When Liuyun Market was first built, the Song Clan put in the most effort. Yet, who reaped the biggest profits? Us.
Back then, the Song Clan had just survived a great war and was weak at its foundations. That's why they brought us in as partners. But the Song Clan today is no longer the same. They've gained fame by slaying a great demon. If they can monopolize the market, why would they share it with us?"
His words silenced the crowd immediately.
Yes, why should they bring us along? Just because our faces are thick?
"Hmph! If the Song Clan dares to shut us out, then we'll make sure their plan fails!" Qiu Tianyang said coldly.
"That's right! I don't believe Liu Hongye will sit quietly. If our two families work together, whether the Song Clan likes it or not, they'll have to split the pie!" Yu Chengshan added darkly.
"Heh. Self-delusion." Li Siyang's expression was full of disdain. "Forget whether Liu Hongye will even cooperate with us. Let's talk about that quasi-heavenly warship of theirs. Who among us can deal with it?"
At the mention of the "quasi-heavenly warship," the once fiery crowd gradually cooled. They had all seen its power firsthand.
In the decisive battle against the Silvermoon Wolf horde, nearly half the casualties had been inflicted by that single warship. Its terror was beyond doubt.
And even if they somehow managed to destroy it through sheer numbers, there was still Song Changsheng, the battle fiend.
His achievements in the war were not something anyone could ignore.
Silence fell over the room.
It wasn't that Yu Chengshan and the others were foolish. They were simply blinded by greed, ignoring the obvious. Li Siyang saw only because he had no stake in the market; as the saying goes, the onlooker sees more clearly than those caught up in the game.
At length, Du Huating broke the silence. "No matter what, we cannot allow the Song Clan to monopolize the market's profits. We must negotiate with them as soon as possible and secure a share."
He looked around the council hall, dismissing the idle-minded Li Siyang outright, and finally turned to Yu Chengshan. "Elder Yu will accompany me. We leave tomorrow."
While the Wu Ling Sect was preparing to send envoys to the Song Clan, Liu Hongye, now the sole authority in his sect, was also leading his men there for talks. They wanted a share of the market profits as well.
And so, the two parties ran into each other completely unplanned.
Old rivals though they were, the atmosphere was unexpectedly harmonious. Du Huating and Liu Hongye, two sly old foxes, even held a private discussion for a quarter of an hour, and both emerged with satisfied smiles.
When word of their visit reached the Song Clan, Song Changsheng greeted them with the same smile he saw on their faces. His lips curved upward. So, they had already reached an understanding? A pity there is no such thing as an unbreakable alliance in this world.
"What wind brings my esteemed friends here today? Surely not to personally thank us for our assistance last time?" Song Changsheng asked, wearing that same cordial smile.
At that, Du Huating and Liu Hongye cursed him inwardly for his shamelessness. Assistance? They had paid for it!
But being seasoned foxes themselves, neither betrayed their thoughts. Du Huating cupped his hands and said warmly, "That is indeed part of the reason. Without the Song Clan's help, the Liuyun Mountains would have been in grave danger."
"Du Daoyou is too polite. In Lingzhou, we've always stood together against outside threats. This was nothing more than our duty." Song Changsheng waved his hand, his tone upright and righteous.
Inside, however, he found it amusing. He knew perfectly well why they had come. But since they wanted to play dumb, he didn't mind indulging them. After all, he was in no hurry.
Even these two battle-hardened schemers were taken aback by his brazenness. Compared to Song Xianming, Song Changsheng's face was truly made of iron.
Exchanging a glance, Liu Hongye took the lead. "Song Daoyou, word is that your esteemed clan will soon host an auction. May our sect also take part?"
Song Changsheng's smile gradually faded. Shaking his head, he sighed.
"Ah, Liu Daoyou, you see only part of the picture. My original plan was indeed to rebuild the market. But after two wars, Lingzhou is drained. The common people suffer, countless cultivators have fled, and the Immortal Dao here is in decline.
With such weakness, the plan could not be realized. So, I had no choice but to hold this auction, simply to attract attention. As for the market… that can only be a long-term goal."
His "sincere" confession caught them off guard. They had expected evasions and excuses, not open admission. For a moment, all their carefully prepared arguments went to waste.
Du Huating's mind raced. He quickly said, "Rebuilding the market is a matter that benefits all of Lingzhou. My sect and Liu Daoyou's as well could contribute, just as we did in the old days of Liuyun Market. Wouldn't that be ideal?"
Song Changsheng put on a look of sudden realization. "Ah, so you came for the market."
A smile crept back onto his face. "If you wish to join, nothing could please me more."
The two exchanged glances, surprised. Was it really this easy?
Though suspicious, this was exactly what they wanted.
But before they could celebrate, Song Changsheng's tone shifted. "However, the rules must change. Things cannot remain as before."
Du Huating's heart sank. Here it comes. Still, as long as the division wasn't too outrageous, he was prepared to grit his teeth and accept.
"How does Song Daoyou propose to change them?"
Song Changsheng smiled faintly. "It's simple. Shops in the market will be for rent, not for sale. My clan will release seventy percent of the shops for lease.
Of course, we will also shoulder the full responsibility for construction and defense. None of that needs to trouble you."
The longer he spoke, the darker their faces grew. By the end, Yu Chengshan could no longer hold back. "Song Daoyou, don't you think you're being far too greedy?"
"Heh."
Song Changsheng's chuckle cut him off. He looked at Yu Chengshan calmly. "Yu Daoyou, what do you mean?
Both the auction and the market are entirely organized by my clan. What's wrong with this arrangement?
If you feel my proposal is unfair, you're free to establish your market. We can each rely on our strength. What do you say?"
That shut Yu Chengshan right up.
He knew as well as anyone that they couldn't build a market on their own. Even if all their sects combined, holding two-thirds of Lingzhou's power, it still wouldn't work.
The reason was simple: they didn't have the qualifications.
In Lingzhou, they might be big fish. But across the Great Qi Empire, they were nobodies. No one would support a market under their name.
The Song Clan, however, was different. They had stood in Lingzhou for five centuries and had a recognized reputation in Qi's cultivation world. Though fallen in recent years, their name still carried weight in neighboring provinces. Many sects and independent cultivators were friendly with them.
Faced with two competing markets, nearly everyone would choose the Song Clan without hesitation. The few who hesitated would eventually do the same.
Because the Song Clan had both prestige and foundation.
Take this auction as an example; none of them could produce such items.
The group traded glances, and at last Du Huating stepped forward with a sigh. "Song Daoyou speaks with reason. Tell me, how many shops are currently available by the Luo River, and how many might be offered to us?"
"The market is still small for now. At present, only twelve shops are ready. All are prime locations.
The price is five hundred lower-grade spirit stones per year, with a minimum lease of ten years, rent payable annually.
If you sign now, your shops can open during the auction itself. What say you?" Song Changsheng's smile turned warm and inviting.
"Five hundred…" Du Huating's mind spun. If the locations were truly prime, the price was reasonable. The only uncertainty was whether the fledgling market would prove profitable.
But before he could finish his private exchange with Yu Chengshan, Liu Hongye suddenly declared:
"Song Daoyou, our Liuyun Sect will take ten. When may we move in?"
At that, Du Huating's face went pale with shock.
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