Modern World's Martial Dao Human Immortal-Chapter 217 - 207 Compensation

"It is better to recover than to persist in your wrongdoings."

Aboard the flying boat, Lou Yuyu looked at Ma Hong, but his face did not show any smile.

"Exactly, exactly, exactly."

Ma Hong nodded continuously, "Xuanming Sect and Nine Cauldrons Sect have never had direct conflicts since ancient times. During the era of the Artifact Sect, the Xuanming Sect was even one of Artifact Sect’s best allies. Therefore, there really is no need for us to escalate to the point of military confrontation like today."

"Heh."

Lou Yuyu let out a light chuckle.

But he said nothing, wondering why they had not spoken such words before.

The situation in the East Sea Archipelago is complicated.

The current Nine Cauldrons Sect might be able to annihilate Xuanming Sect, but it would inevitably take a lot of time, just as Limitless Star Palace did when it sought to destroy the Black Feather Sect.

If not handled carefully, it might get bogged down in a war morass, taking tens or even dozens of years to extricate itself.

Especially for the Nine Cauldrons Sect at the moment, the most important thing is the opportunity for peaceful development.

If they could have one or two decades, allowing Nine Cauldrons Sect to complete the transformation of all Spirit Gathering Arrays and to upgrade the equipment for all Great Cultivators, then dealing with Xuanming Sect later could be as easy as how Limitless Star Palace eliminated Quicksand Sect, utterly erasing them without giving them a chance to resist or seek help from other forces.

Therefore, the Nine Cauldrons Sect doesn’t actually have to destroy the Xuanming Sect at this moment.

Of course, not destroying Xuanming Sect is one thing, but whether this action severely damages Xuanming Sect is another matter.

The choice is in the hands of Nine Cauldrons Sect’s Lou Yuyu.

The key is whether Xuanming Sect knows how to act appropriately.

"Can you truly represent Xuanming Sect?"

Lou Yuyu asked.

"I can."

Ma Hong immediately answered, "Our Sect Master has been indisposed recently and has temporarily entrusted me with the sect affairs, so I can fully represent Xuanming Sect."

After saying this, he continued, "I understand very well that Hall Master Lou’s personal visit to Xuanming Sect this time is because someone caused trouble and infringed upon the external interests of Nine Cauldrons Sect. Please rest assured, Hall Master Lou, I have already ordered strict punishment for all those who took advantage of the chaos to plunder. Once captured, they will be dealt with severely. Right now, both Guardian Hall and Campaign Hall are taking action to apprehend these troublemakers, ensuring that no one can continue to take advantage and fish in troubled waters..."

Lou Yuyu briefly diverted his attention to sense the Void Divine Realm.

Through the Void Divine Realm, he indeed saw many reports of intervention in this unrest from various departments.

But that made sense.

Both Qingfeng Courtyard and Divine Might Academy had already taken action.

With the reality laid out before them, it was impossible for Xuanming Sect not to respond.

By capturing those troublemakers themselves, Xuanming Sect could at least control the scope of casualties. But if they left it to Qingfeng Courtyard and Divine Might Academy...

It would be a massacre wherever they went.

After pondering for a moment, Lou Yuyu spoke, "If that’s the case, I would trouble Vice Hall Master Ma to cooperate with us. Notify all people from Nine Cauldrons Sect within Xuanming Sect to gather at the skyports of each city. Flying boats from Nine Cauldrons Sect will pick them up one by one and take them away from Xuanming Sect."

"We will certainly fully cooperate, and we will also issue orders for local departments to assist the people from Nine Cauldrons Sect in relocating. If there is a need to liquidate assets, local departments will also take over these assets at market prices..."

Ma Hong immediately assured.

"That will do. Additionally, there are by no means a small number of people from Nine Cauldrons Sect within Xuanming Sect; there are definitely tens of millions. It may take more than a dozen rounds for ten large flying boats to take them all away. I need an airport in one of the cities as a temporary stopover point..."

Lou Yuyu waved his hands, and a map of Xuanming Sect appeared.

He picked a city that was closer to Nine Cauldrons Sect and said, "How about this place?"

"That will do. This skyport will be under Nine Cauldrons Sect’s use for the next period of time, and we will certainly do our utmost to cooperate."

Ma Hong quickly agreed.

"Rest assured, Nine Cauldrons Sect is not one to take advantage without giving; we won’t use your port for free. We can consider it a rental of your port," said Lou Yuyu calmly. "As we do not know exactly how many people from Nine Cauldrons Sect are within Xuanming Sect, and separating them out will obviously take a considerable amount of time, let’s set the rental period for this port at thirty years. What do you think?"

"Thirty... thirty years!?"

Ma Hong was stunned.

Then, somewhat cautiously, he said, "Xuanming Sect will certainly do its utmost to assist Nine Cauldrons Sect in the screening of its people... Even accounting for delays, one or two years should suffice... Don’t you think thirty years is a bit too long?"

"Don’t forget, many people from Nine Cauldrons Sect will not only hide in Xuanming Sect but may also hide in the subordinate worlds governed by Xuanming Sect. And the opening of the stellar gates for these subordinate worlds often has cycles. For some of these worlds, the cycle starts at ten years. To ensure the message reaches everyone, thirty years is a very conservative estimate."

Lou Yuyu explained.

Ma Hong’s expression changed repeatedly.

It was a while before he spoke, "If my Xuanming Sect is willing to cooperate with Nine Cauldrons Sect and sign this agreement, could Hall Master Lou and Chief Shen withdraw in advance?"

"Of course," said Lou Yuyu affirmatively. "Since our goal has been reached, we will of course turn around and leave. In fact, Vice Hall Master Ma understands the situation in the Eastern Sea better than I do. If Xuanming Sect hadn’t gone too far this time, Nine Cauldrons Sect would not wish to end up in such a state of affairs with Xuanming Sect."

"This is all because Song You failed to understand the situation, leading to these misunderstandings occurring."

Ma Hong hurried to explain.

"Yes, it is Song You’s fault," Lou Yuyu said with a smile, nodding his head.

At this moment, he was dividing a portion of his attention into the "Divine Nation" card within the Void Divine Realm, where, after discussion with others, a plan had been formulated.

By giving Ma Hong some face and retreating in a timely manner, allowing Ma Hong to save face and boost his prestige within the sect, they would then instigate a fight between the Ma Family, whom he represented, and the Song Family represented by Song You.

This was not a bad thing for Nine Cauldrons Sect.

At the very least, they need not worry about them causing trouble in the East Sea Archipelago for the next dozen or so years.

"As long as Hall Master Lou and Chief Shen are willing to lead their forces to withdraw, we agree to these terms," said Ma Hong.

"Very well."

Lou Yuyu gave a slight nod, "Then next, we come to the issue of compensation for Sect Master Song of the Xuanming Sect."

"Com… compensation…"

"Indeed, due to Sect Master Song’s decision, we were prompted to bring a large force to the Xuanming Sect, two elite Battle Courtyards, ten large Flying Boats, mobilizing tens of thousands of people. The consumption of Spirit Stones and supplies during this period is no small sum."

Lou Yuyu presented a list directly: "Our Nine Cauldrons Sect will not force anyone into a corner, nor will we take advantage of someone’s misfortune. What the Xuanming Sect needs to pay is merely the cost of manpower and materiel. According to our calculations, this cost totals up to eight million Spirit Stones."

"Eight million Spirit Stones!?"

This number made Ma Hong gasp in shock.

The annual budget of the entire Campaign Hall of the Xuanming Sect wasn’t even eight million!

"Vice Hall Master Lou…"

Ma Hong was about to say something but stopped when he heard Lou Yuyu continue, "Please, Vice Hall Master Ma, urge Sect Master Song to make the payment. Of course, we are aware that Vice Hall Master Ma is in charge of the Campaign Hall and not in charge of these supplies, so, please point us in the right direction, and we will personally seek out Sect Master Song for the payment."

Hearing what Lou Yuyu said, Ma Hong immediately understood his meaning.

The source of this c𝐨ntent is freeweɓnovēl.coɱ.

The funds...

They will only seek payment from Song You and the Song Family he represents.

Since they don’t have to foot the bill themselves, that would make things much easier.

Moreover, with the Song Family’s finances being drained by eight million, this would serve to weaken them significantly, which would be beneficial for the Ma Family’s following moves to control the Xuanming Sect’s situation.

As for the possibility that the Song Family refuses to pay...

That would be even easier to deal with.

Let the Song Family’s final elite force, the Feather Forest Court, have a showdown with Lou Yuyu to the death.

Whether both sides suffer losses or the Song Family meets its demise, it would be a good outcome for them.

If the Song Family is defeated, it would spare the Xuanming Sect’s face.

The Nine Cauldrons Sect would also incur considerable damage, and they would not dare to make any further demands afterward.

If both parties end up suffering, that would be even better; the Ma Family could simply step in and reap the rewards.

Thinking this, Ma Hong immediately said, "It is indeed our fault that your esteemed sect had to mobilize such a force. Compensating for the expenditure is reasonable and proper. I will go with you all to meet the Sect Master right away and personally convey this just and fair request."

"Excellent," Lou Yuyu said, smiling and nodding his head.

...

Inside the Nine Cauldrons Sect.

The senior members of the sect, having learned of the progress at the Xuanming Sect through the Void Divine Realm, couldn’t help but show their joy.

Xuanming Sect!

Although never considered a strong power, ever since they had formed connections with the Limitless Star Palace, they had been restless, occasionally creating disturbances in the Eastern Sea’s dynamics.

This time...

They could finally let out a sigh of relief.

The compensation of eight million Spirit Stones.

The thirty-year lease of a Skyport.

The former would slow down the Xuanming Sect’s recovery.

The latter would plant a thorn in the Xuanming Sect.

From now on, should there be any hint of trouble in the Xuanming Sect, the Nine Cauldrons Sect would detect it immediately.

This operation could be considered a complete victory.

"Vice Hall Master Lou, well done," Li Qingshan sincerely praised.

"Merely borrowing the tiger’s might," said Lou Yuyu with a smile, "If it weren’t for our Sect Master and Alkaid achieving an unprecedented splendid victory in the battle against the Great Sun Sword Sect, which left the Xuanming Sect in disarray, it wouldn’t have been so easy to get a grip on the Xuanming Sect."

"It’s also a matter of timing. The Limitless Star Palace is mired in the war with the Black Feather Sect, unable to pay attention to the situation in the Heavenly Star Continent. Otherwise, if the Xuanming Sect could have called for reinforcements from the Limitless Star Palace, they would definitely have fortified their defenses and waited for support."

He Xifeng said.

"Timing has also come from the accuracy of the information we received. If we did not have precise information confirming that the Limitless Star Palace would not intervene on behalf of the Xuanming Sect, we would not have dared to let Vice Hall Master Lou venture so boldly into enemy territory," Li Qingshan said.

The others, including Lou Yuyu, nodded in agreement upon hearing this.

Precise information!

It is sometimes even more important than one or two elite Battle Courtyards.

"What do you think, will Song You willingly pay out the eight million Spirit Stones?" Liang Qiu asked curiously.

"He will," the Great Elder Huang Tianhao directly gave a definite answer, "By paying the eight million Spirit Stones, at the very least, he could ensure the safety of the Song Family and preserve Feather Forest Court, the Song Family’s core force. With their connection to Vice Hall Master Lei Meng of the Limitless Star Palace’s Campaign Hall, Ma Hong would not dare to actually remove him from the Sect Master position. At most, he would join forces with other Sect Masters to strip him of real power, but if he refuses to pay the Spirit Stones… we will show no mercy!"

The other Hall Masters nodded in agreement upon hearing this.

"Now, let’s look forward to Vice Hall Master Lou’s triumphant return," Li Qingshan smiled and said.

"This triumphant return doesn’t just symbolize a splendid victory; it also signifies that starting today, the Nine Cauldrons Sect has turned a new page in its history, beginning a new chapter," Zhou Lijian, the Chief of the External Propaganda Hall, solemnly declared as he threw a powerful fist into the air, bringing a palpable excitement to everyone present: "From now on… the Nine Cauldrons Sect will leave behind an era of mere defense and truly step out of our sect to confront external enemies, transforming from defense to offense!"