Free Web NovelChapter 387: Chapter 304: Clearing the Path
In a Quiet Chamber within the Black Market, Fang Qingyuan was chatting with a cultivator who had a plain face and no discernible features.
This man was also a Late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator. His face was stiff—even when he smiled, the skin didn’t move in the slightest. It was obviously a disguise, something like a human-skin mask. Normally, Fang Qingyuan would have been required to wear a wide-brimmed, body-shrouding hat, but thanks to the Token, the two of them met just like this.
Over the years, Xiqi Leopard had periodically ordered Blood Life Pills. Most of these Elixir Pills had been exchanged for various resources and given to Fang Qingyuan, but a portion of the credit was recorded in this Token for Fang Qingyuan’s future use. And now, the time had come to use it.
The Black Market had always been a shady operation. Having had no need for it before, Fang Qingyuan had only visited a few times. This time, he came with the intention of making things quick.
So, after a few sentences of small talk, Fang Qingyuan stated his true purpose.
"Fellow Daoist, I was wondering if you have detailed intelligence on the Fangshan Zhang Family, the Three Splendor Sect... and other such sects and families?"
The leader of this Black Market had not revealed his name; both addressed each other as "Fellow Daoist." Hearing Fang Qingyuan’s question, he mulled it over for a moment before speaking.
"We naturally have it. However, this business of prying into the internal affairs of other sects tends to make enemies. To be frank, Fellow Daoist, if not for this Token, I would not bring out this intelligence."
Fang Qingyuan nodded lightly. ’Buying intelligence depends on connections. You can’t just show up and buy it out of the blue. Even with enough Spirit Stones, it still depends on whether they’re willing to sell to you.’
Fortunately, with the Token from Xiqi Leopard, Fang Qingyuan could skip some of the prerequisites, like having to perform a few troublesome tasks for the Black Market as part of an exchange before they would hand over the intelligence.
"I understand. Thank you for your flexibility, Fellow Daoist. I also have another matter to ask about. Does your... ’black hand’ take any kind of contract? What’s the price for a Late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator? What if the target is a Golden Core Cultivator?"
Hearing Fang Qingyuan ask this, the other man chuckled lightly.
"A Late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator costs between two hundred and five hundred Top-grade Spirit Stones, depending on their status and identity. And while Golden Core Cultivators are difficult to deal with, we do accept such contracts. It’s just that the price... I’m afraid that even if you exhausted your sect’s entire wealth, you wouldn’t be able to afford it, would you?"
Fang Qingyuan gave a dry laugh, but inwardly, he was unimpressed. ’My sect may not be able to afford it, but that doesn’t mean *I* can’t.’
But there was no need to go into such detail. Knowing that the ’black hand’ even took contracts on Golden Core Cultivators was enough.
After receiving the intelligence, Fang Qingyuan was politely shown out. He found a secluded spot, reviewed all the information, and then set off for the headquarters of the Far East Alliance.
As one of the top eight members of the Far East Alliance, the Qingyuan Sect had little day-to-day presence, but its official status was quite prestigious and aloof. Thus, as soon as Fang Qingyuan arrived, the Sect Leader of the Dongming Sect, who was also the Alliance Leader of the Far East Alliance, personally came out to greet him.
Two years ago, this man had used the Li Huo Alliance to gather a group of people and head north to Old Shandu of the Artifact Talisman Alliance to act as hired muscle. Afterward, just as he had promised, the cultivators who survived all made a hefty profit, and the Far East Alliance’s reputation was revealed to the major powers for the first time.
It seemed now that this Sect Leader of the Dongming Sect was quite capable after all. He wasn’t just a transitional, inaugural Alliance Leader propped up by everyone, as the outside world had speculated.
"Sect Leader Fang, it’s a rare honor to have you visit! You must have a few drinks with me today."
The Dongming Sect Leader held a banquet in Fang Qingyuan’s honor. He now raised his wine cup, inviting Fang Qingyuan to drink, and Fang Qingyuan raised his own cup and drank a few with him.
After three cups of wine, Fang Qingyuan stated the purpose of his visit.
"Alliance Leader Xiao, I have a favor to ask. I hope you’ll be able to help me."
This Alliance Leader Xiao, Xiao Chuan’gong, beamed when he heard Fang Qingyuan had a favor to ask. The Qingyuan Sect was part of the Far East Alliance, but it had always kept to itself over the years, appearing quite aloof and holding a special status within the alliance. Now, Sect Leader Fang himself was personally asking for a favor. ’Isn’t this a perfect opportunity to show what I, Xiao Chuan’gong, am capable of?’
Xiao Chuan’gong put down his wine cup and said warmly,
"Sect Leader Fang, please speak freely. If it is within my power, I, Xiao, will certainly not refuse."
Fang Qingyuan didn’t mince words and directly told Xiao Chuan’gong about the Qingyuan Sect’s desire to secure a trade route bordering the Barbaric Wilderness. This was a matter that had to be handled openly and aboveboard; once they made a move, it would be impossible to hide from others. Fang Qingyuan figured he might as well state it clearly here, which would also show that he had no intention of hiding things from the Far East Alliance.
Hearing this, Xiao Chuan’gong’s smile remained, but his tone became a bit more probing.
"Your esteemed sect wants to take the trade route bordering the Barbaric Wilderness. That will inevitably lead to conflict with several other sects. Your sect has been ennobled for three generations and enjoys a prestigious and unsullied reputation. It wouldn’t look good if you were to get your boots muddy over this."
Fang Qingyuan glanced at Xiao Chuan’gong’s expression. Seeing the man’s face, which seemed to show nothing but concern for him, he let out a soft sigh.
"Prestigious and unsullied, it’s true. But if this continues, we’ll become prestigious and impoverished. Maintaining a false front of dignity while letting my disciples scrounge for a living everywhere... I feel ashamed as a Sect Leader. Please rest assured, Alliance Leader Xiao. The Qingyuan Sect merely wishes to open a trade route to put food on the table. We have no designs on the territories of other sects whatsoever."
What Xiao Chuan’gong was worried about was simply that the Qingyuan Sect would use this as a pretext to annex the territories of a few smaller families and sects. Such things had happened several times over the past decade or so.
