Following the intense sparring match, Ashura and Amanda's father moved to the negotiation room. The initial offers were met with a skeptical frown from Ashura. He recognized a tactic often used by less-than-scrupulous businessmen: inflating the initial price to create a false sense of negotiation, ultimately aiming to settle on a still-exorbitant fee. Ashura calmly countered, pointing out the inflated pricing and asserting that any attempts to leverage this tactic would be unsuccessful. He was prepared for a long and difficult negotiation.
Realizing he was outmatched by Ashura's sharp intellect and unwavering resolve, Amanda's father conceded, offering a more reasonable price. However, Ashura, sensing an opportunity to secure an even more favorable deal, pressed on. "While your revised offer is acceptable," Ashura stated calmly, "I believe we can structure a deal that benefits us both. Even a reduced price is still profitable for you; if you were losing money, you wouldn't be negotiating. Let's find a mutually beneficial arrangement." Seeing the wisdom in Ashura's words, and impressed by his business acumen, Amanda's father agreed. "Very well," he conceded with a sigh of grudging respect. "Let's finalize this deal."
Ashura approached Amanda's grandfather, who greeted him with a raised eyebrow. "And what brings you here, young man?"
Ashura explained his request: a contest of intellect and wisdom. "I believe you to be a person of immense knowledge and insight," Ashura said respectfully, "and I'd be honored to test my own understanding against yours. It's not a challenge, but a means of self-assessment. If I can hold my own against someone of your caliber, it'll affirm my capabilities."
Amanda's grandfather chuckled, a deep sound that seemed to rumble from his very core. Pouring tea into two delicate cups, he gestured for Ashura to sit. "Very well," he agreed. "I've always enjoyed a good intellectual sparring match. But don't think this will be an easy victory for you." His eyes twinkled with amusement and a hint of challenge. "Let the games begin."
Ashura, beginning his assessment, posed a fundamental question: "Grandfather, what does wisdom truly entail?"
Amanda's grandfather, clearly taken aback by the directness of the question—a question he himself had never fully considered—responded, "Wisdom... it's more than mere knowledge, more than intellect. It's a lifelong accumulation of understanding, a way of seeing beyond the surface."
"And how does one acquire this wisdom?" Ashura pressed, his curiosity unwavering.
The old man chuckled, genuinely amused by Ashura's insightful questioning. "I've never been asked that before. Everyone assumes wisdom simply accrues with age. I confess, I don't have a definitive answer myself. Perhaps you can enlighten me?"
Ashura confidently replied, "Wisdom arises from observation. The more keenly one observes the world, their place within it, the problems they face, and the reasons behind those problems, the wiser they become. Older people often possess more wisdom simply because they've lived longer, accumulated more experiences, and made more observations. But that doesn't negate the possibility of younger individuals possessing equivalent, or even superior, wisdom. Experience is a significant factor, but not the only one."
Amanda's grandfather leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with interest. "A remarkably insightful perspective, young man. You possess a deep understanding of the world. I'm eager to hear more of your thoughts."
Amanda's grandfather, intrigued by Ashura's unwavering confidence, posed a challenging question: "What is your greatest fear, young man?"
Ashura's response was immediate and unwavering. "I fear nothing," he stated. "Not death, not poverty, not any earthly threat. My only fear is displeasing God. My faith in Allah is absolute. As long as I strive to live righteously and honor my God, I have no cause for fear."
Amanda's grandfather leaned back, considering Ashura's words. "An interesting perspective. Many possess faith, but few exhibit such unwavering conviction. What sets your faith apart?"
Ashura explained, "My belief in one supreme God provides an unshakeable foundation. Knowing that God is just and merciful, I have no fear of what the world might throw at me. I've always been fearless, ever since childhood. The emotion of fear is almost foreign to me. It's not arrogance; it's simply the certainty of my faith."Amanda's grandfather, leaning forward, posed a question that required more than simple knowledge: "Of all the great conquerors—Napoleon, Julius Caesar, and the many others throughout history—who do you believe was the greatest, and why?"
Ashura considered the question, then replied with a firm tone, "Napoleon. While other conquerors benefited from superior technology or superior fighting forces, Napoleon's era stands apart. His opponents were constantly improving their weaponry, tactics, and communication. Yet, he managed to dominate an entire era, to the point where the period is named after him. His downfall was not a lack of skill, but rather his ego and strategic miscalculations, particularly his disastrous attempt to challenge Britain's naval power. Had he not made those critical errors, he might have reigned supreme over Europe for far longer."
Amanda's grandfather nodded slowly, a hint of approval in his eyes. "A perceptive analysis. You've considered not just his victories but also the context of his failures. I agree; his impact was undeniable."Amanda's grandfather, clearly impressed by Ashura's insightful responses, expressed his admiration. "You possess a remarkable mind, young man. It's been a pleasure engaging with you." Just then, Amanda unexpectedly stumbled into the room, nearly falling into Ashura's arms.
Startled, Amanda's grandfather asked, "Amanda? What are you doing here? Were you eavesdropping?"
Amanda, flustered, denied it. "No, I wasn't spying! I was just curious about your conversation. You were talking for such a long time, I wanted to know what was going on."
Ashura saw through her flimsy excuse. "Amanda," he said gently but firmly, "that's not true. You were stalking me. Why?"
Amanda, her cheeks flushed, retorted defensively, "I don't care! You're mine, and it's not fair that you're talking to my grandfather without me!"
Ashura chuckled, shaking his head. "Amanda, you're acting like a teenager. You need to grow up." He looked back to Amanda's grandfather, adding with a wry smile, "I apologize for the interruption. She's...enthusiastic."Upon returning to the United States, Ashura tackled the server hosting issues with his team, implementing the solutions discussed with Amanda's father. He then turned his attention to the platform's monetization strategy, a complex process requiring careful planning. He explored various models, aiming for a balance between generating revenue and ensuring the platform remained accessible to his dedicated fanbase. He knew that a poorly-executed monetization strategy could alienate his audience, potentially undoing the hard work that had gone into building a loyal following.
The process demanded meticulous attention to detail; he had to consider the various pricing tiers for paid subscriptions, the design of the user interface to accommodate the new payment system, the implementation of suitable payment gateways to guarantee secure transactions, and the potential for upselling additional premium content. Each decision required careful consideration, balancing financial gains with maintaining a positive user experience. He understood that a clumsy execution could quickly create a negative impression, undermining the community he had worked so hard to foster. The goal wasn't simply to make money, but to make money sustainably, ensuring the longevity of his project and the continued satisfaction of his viewers.
He also knew that the web novel's popularity demanded a robust content management system, capable of handling an increasing volume of readers and stories. This meant investing in more powerful servers, and creating a system that allowed for easy updating and maintenance while ensuring the seamless delivery of content to his audience. It was a balancing act; he wanted to provide a high-quality user experience while also ensuring a healthy financial bottom line. It would be a long and challenging journey, one that would take time, patience, and a great deal of planning, but Ashura felt confident that he could accomplish it, taking everything he had learned on his journey as inspiration and motivation. He would not fail.