Chapter 349: Chapter 234: No Cunning, No Business, For Rent Only, Not for Sale (Part 2)
"Back then, the Song Clan had just been through a major battle and had a weak foundation. That’s why they brought us in. But the Song Clan of today is a different beast entirely. Slaying that Great Demon made them famous. If they can take everything for themselves, why would they cut us in?"
These words silenced the room.
’They were right. Why would the Song Clan bring them along? Because they thought they were special?’
"Hmph, if the Song Clan dares to cut us out, we’ll make sure they fail!" Qiu Tianyang said coldly.
"That’s right. At a time like this, I don’t believe Liu Hongye can just sit on his hands. If our two families join forces, the Song Clan will have to share whether they want to or not!" Yu Cheng Mountain added, his expression grim.
"Heh, you’re just fooling yourselves. Let’s not even talk about whether Liu Hongye would work with us. Just look at that Quasi-Celestial Ship. Who among us can handle that?" Li Siyang said with a disdainful look. ’These guys must have been kicked in the head by a donkey.’
Below the Purple Mansion Cultivator realm, who could possibly contend with a Quasi-Celestial Ship?
Hearing the words "Quasi-Celestial Ship," the agitated crowd gradually calmed down. They had all witnessed the power of that thing with their own eyes.
In the final battle against the Silver Moon Demon Wolves, the Song Clan’s Quasi-Celestial Ship was responsible for nearly half the kills, a testament to its terrifying power.
Even if they managed to take down the Quasi-Celestial Ship with their superior numbers, they couldn’t forget about that killing machine, Song Changsheng.
Based on his battle record alone, no one could afford to overlook him.
For a moment, everyone fell silent.
It wasn’t that Yu Cheng Mountain and the others were stupid; they were just blinded by the potential profits and had subconsciously ignored these facts.
In contrast, Li Siyang, who harbored no illusions about the marketplace, saw the situation clearly. As they say, an observer sees more of the game than the players.
After a long silence, Du Huating finally broke it. "No matter what, we can’t let the Song Clan monopolize the profits from the marketplace. We need to negotiate with them as soon as possible and fight to secure a share."
After speaking, he looked around at the sect’s other decision-makers. He first ruled out Li Siyang, who only wanted to coast, then turned to Yu Cheng Mountain and said, "Elder Yu and I will go. We leave tomorrow!"
...
Just as the Martial Spirit Sect was preparing to send people to negotiate with the Song Clan, Liu Hongye, who had now completely consolidated his power, was also leading his own people to the Song Clan for the same reason. They wanted a piece of the marketplace’s profits too!
And so, the two groups unexpectedly ran into each other.
When the old rivals met, the atmosphere was surprisingly harmonious. The two old foxes, Du Huating and Liu Hongye, even huddled together for a secret discussion that lasted nearly a quarter of an hour. In the end, both men emerged with satisfied smiles on their faces.
When Song Changsheng, having already received news of the two families’ visit, came out to greet them, he was met with the sight of the smiles on the two old men’s faces. The corners of his own mouth turned up slightly. ’Looks like they’ve reached an agreement. Too bad there’s no such thing as an unbreakable alliance in this world.’
"What auspicious wind blows my fellow Daoists here today? Could it be you’ve come to thank me in person for my assistance last time?" Song Changsheng greeted them, wearing the same kind of smile.
Hearing this, Du Huating and Liu Hongye inwardly cursed Song Changsheng for being so shameless. ’What bullshit assistance? We paid for it!’
But both men were old foxes and naturally wouldn’t let it show on their faces. Du Huating smiled and cupped his hands. "That is indeed part of our intention. If the Song Clan had not extended a helping hand, the Liuyun Mountain Range would have been in grave danger."
"Fellow Daoist Du, you’re too kind. We in Ling Province have always been united as one, facing external threats together. It was only what we should have done," Song Changsheng replied with a righteous wave of his hand.
Inwardly, however, he found it amusing. ’I know exactly why they’re here, but if they want to play dumb with me, I don’t mind wasting a few more words. After all, I’m not the one who’s in a hurry.’
Even with all their worldly experience, the two men were stunned by Song Changsheng’s shamelessness. Compared to Song Xianming, Song Changsheng’s skin was on another level of thick.
The two exchanged a look, and Liu Hongye, taking the cue, stepped forward. "Fellow Daoist Song, I hear your esteemed clan is planning to hold an auction. I was wondering if my sect might be able to participate?"
At these words, the smile on Song Changsheng’s face gradually faded. He shook his head and sighed. "Alas, Fellow Daoist Liu, you only know one part of the story, not the whole picture."
"My original idea was to rebuild the marketplace, but after experiencing two major battles back-to-back, the people are exhausted, and a great number of Cultivators have fled. This has caused the Immortal Dao in Ling Province to decline, making it difficult to put my plans into practice."
"Forced by these circumstances, I decided to hold this auction merely to attract some attention and bring people back. As for the marketplace, that will have to be a slow and gradual plan."
Song Changsheng’s "sincerity" caught them somewhat off guard. They had originally expected him to beat around the bush, but instead, he seemed to lay all his cards on the table without any attempt to hide anything.
For a moment, it rendered the speeches they had mentally prepared completely useless.
Du Huating’s mind raced. He quickly said, "Rebuilding the marketplace is a major undertaking that will benefit all of Ling Province! My sect and Fellow Daoist Liu’s can also contribute, just like with the old Liuyun Marketplace. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?"
Song Changsheng feigned a look of sudden realization. "Ah, so you two came for the marketplace after all."
A smile then crept onto his face. "If you two wish to join in, I am, of course, more than happy to have you."
Du Huating and Liu Hongye exchanged a look, both a little surprised. ’Is he really being this agreeable?’
Though they had their doubts, wasn’t this precisely their goal?
However, before they could get too happy, Song Changsheng’s tone shifted, and he continued, "That may be so, but the rules will have to change. We can’t do things the old way."
Du Huating’s heart sank. The thing he had worried about most was happening. Fortunately, he was prepared for this. As long as the distribution wasn’t too outrageous, he could grit his teeth and accept it.
"How does Fellow Daoist Song propose to change them?"
Song Changsheng smiled faintly and said nonchalantly, "It’s very simple. The shops in the marketplace will only be for rent, not for sale. My clan will make seventy percent of the shops available for lease."
"Of course, my clan will also shoulder the full responsibility for protecting and developing the marketplace. You won’t need to trouble yourselves with any of the associated expenses."
The more they listened, the darker their expressions became. Finally, Yu Cheng Mountain couldn’t take it anymore. "Fellow Daoist Song, don’t you think you’re being a bit too greedy?"
"Heh."
Those words actually made Song Changsheng chuckle. He gazed coolly at Yu Cheng Mountain and said, "What do you mean by that, Fellow Daoist Yu?"
"Whether it’s the auction or the marketplace, my clan is handling it all by ourselves. What is wrong with what I’m doing?"
"If Fellow Daoist Yu feels that what I’m doing is inappropriate, you are more than welcome to start your own marketplace. How about we each compete based on our own merits?"
These words instantly left Yu Cheng Mountain speechless.
He knew very well that they couldn’t establish a successful marketplace on their own, not even if their combined strength accounted for two-thirds of Ling Province.
The reason was simple: they weren’t qualified.
They might be considered major figures in Ling Province, but across all of Daqi, they didn’t even rank. No one would buy into a marketplace they established.
But the Song Clan was different. The Song Clan had been established in Ling Province for five hundred years and had a certain reputation in the Daqi Cultivation World. Although they had declined, they still held considerable prestige in the surrounding provinces, and many factions and Loose Cultivators were on good terms with them.
If there were two marketplaces, the vast majority of people would choose the Song Clan’s without hesitation. The rest would almost certainly choose the Song Clan’s as well after a period of observation.
There was no other reason for it. The Song Clan not only had prestige, but also a deep heritage.
Take this upcoming auction, for example. There were many items on offer that they themselves could never hope to produce.
The men quickly exchanged glances. Finally, Du Huating stepped forward and sighed. "Every word Fellow Daoist Song has said is reasonable. If I may ask, how many shops are currently at the Riverfront of Grace, and how many can be entrusted to us?"
"The marketplace is still small in scale. There are only twelve shops available for rent right now, all in the best locations. The rent is just five hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones a year, with a minimum ten-year lease. Rent is to be paid annually."
"If you rent now, you can begin operating during the auction. What do you all think?" Song Changsheng’s smile suddenly became much warmer.
"Five hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones..." Du Huating’s mind raced. If they were truly in the best locations, that price wasn’t expensive. The only uncertainty was that the marketplace was just starting out; no one could be sure what the returns would be.
While Du Huating was still secretly conferring with Yu Cheng Mountain, Liu Hongye spoke up directly. "Fellow Daoist Song, the Liuyun Sect will take ten shops. When can we move in?"
At these words, the color drained from Du Huating’s face.
...
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