Free Web NovelChapter 601: Chapter 601: Cooperation (Part 2)
Holding the teacup from the table with both hands, Wu Ziyu took a gentle sip.
He was feeling a bit dry in the mouth from talking, needing tea to moisten his throat, as he was about to continue the negotiation with Zhang Yuan.
In fact, this Wu Family disciple didn’t have much hope for the outcome of this trip.
He was quite puzzled at heart, not understanding why the elders in his family believed Zhang Yuan had the ability to solve this issue.
It’s important to know that the Nu Tao River route had troubled the Wu Family for decades, and despite their strength and connections, they had not been able to resolve it. How could Zhang Yuan, just a rising star in the Upper Scenic Celestial, possibly bear such a burden?
Moreover, Zhang Yuan was no fool; it was impossible for him to pretend competence without merit.
Most important of all, Wu Ziyu didn’t think Zhang Yuan was someone who could be easily swayed by profit!
But it wouldn’t be a problem if it failed, after all, no one expected him to succeed.
However, what Wu Ziyu never expected was that after just taking a couple of sips of tea, Zhang Yuan suddenly asked, "If I help you open up the Nu Tao River route, what can the Wu Family offer me?"
"Cough cough!"
Wu Ziyu almost spat out the tea on the spot, choking on it as it hit the back of his nose.
He put down the teacup somewhat awkwardly and quickly wiped his face, saying with a mix of tears and laughter, "Dao General Zhang..."
"I need to know what I will be getting."
Zhang Yuan gestured dismissively and continued, "I’m not interested in profit shares or dividends."
What a joke, he wouldn’t possibly be the West Plain Dao General forever, at most in two or three years, he would break through to the Divinity Transformation Realm and have to leave.
What use are Wu Family caravan shares to him?
Besides, Zhang Yuan really had no interest in money—gold and silver combined in his storage space already exceeded a million.
By comparison, Zhang Yuan valued other benefits more.
Being an elite disciple from a large family, Wu Ziyu immediately understood Zhang Yuan’s meaning.
He felt a sense of absurdity inside, then tentatively asked, "Dao General Zhang, what do you want?"
Wu Ziyu’s question had a hint of opportunism, but Zhang Yuan answered without hesitation, "My cultivation of the Six Harmonies Qilin Body requires a large amount of Qianyang Attribute heavenly materials and earthly treasures."
"Uh..."
Wu Ziyu hesitated.
He certainly knew the Body Refining Technique Six Harmonies Qilin Body, but Qianyang Attribute heavenly materials and earthly treasures were priceless yet unavailable, even the Wu Family’s secret vault wouldn’t have much in stock.
Moreover, Wu Ziyu didn’t have the authority to promise Zhang Yuan anything in this regard.
Zhang Yuan glanced at him and continued, "Or perhaps an even higher-tier Cultivation Technique than the Six Harmonies Qilin Body."
Wu Ziyu smiled wryly, saying, "Dao General Zhang, I can’t make decisions on these matters, I’ll need to contact my family for a reply."
"No problem."
Zhang Yuan smiled and said, "I’ll wait for your news."
When Wu Ziyu dizzily left the Dao Camp, the Wu Family disciple suddenly came to his senses.
He subconsciously believed that Zhang Yuan could solve the Nu Tao River route issue without any doubt.
He foolishly agreed to relay the conditions proposed by Zhang Yuan to the family for a decision.
Wouldn’t my elders think I was muddling up things?
Wu Ziyu angrily wished he could slap himself.
He returned to the post house at the fastest speed, wrote a letter with the results of the discussion with Zhang Yuan, and sent it through Hawk to contact the family hundreds of miles away.
The next afternoon, Wu Ziyu finally received a reply from his family.
After reading through the thick letter, he was utterly stunned.
He could hardly believe his eyes!
After this, the Wu Family disciple, in a trance, came back to the West Plain Dao Camp.
Upon seeing Zhang Yuan, he silently handed over a letter, saying, "Dao General Zhang, this is my family’s response."
Hmm?
Zhang Yuan noticed his peculiar expression, but he calmly accepted the letter.
He scanned the contents, which instantly imprinted themselves in his mind.
The He Yuan Wu Family offered two conditions.
If Zhang Yuan truly could solve the Nu Tao River trade route issue, the Wu Family would provide three items of Qianyang Attribute heavenly materials and earthly treasures, each over three hundred years old.
Additionally, they offered Zhang Yuan the Vajra Bright King Skill!
Vajra Bright King Skill was a top-tier Body Refining Technique capable of being cultivated up to Tier Eight, a rare Divine Level Horizontal Training Technique.
Though the technique wasn’t exclusively owned by the Wu Family, its treasured cultivation art with its exquisite heart formula was highly valuable.
If not for the significance of the Nu Tao River route to the He Yuan Wu Family, they would not have offered this technique to him!
In truth, the generosity of the Wu Family was quite unexpected to Zhang Yuan.
And Wu Ziyu, after seeing him finish the letter, couldn’t help but say, "Dao General Zhang, my father is also willing to offer his younger sister in marriage to you!"
Upon saying this, the Wu Family disciple felt very conflicted.
He had four sisters, and the most beautiful and adorable third sister was called Wu Yunxi, who was only seventeen this year, exceptionally wise, and deeply loved by the family elders.
Though not obsessed with his younger sister, Wu Ziyu had always cherished her.
He never imagined that his father, who regarded Yunxi as a treasure, would use her as a bargaining chip to win over Zhang Yuan!
Although his sister was getting older and would need to marry eventually, Wu Ziyu truly wished she could find a husband she loved and cherished.
Not be appointed by the family.
But the Wu Family disciple knew clearly that he had no say in this matter.
"Thank you for Uncle’s kindness."
Zhang Yuan unexpectedly glanced at Wu Ziyu and shook his head, saying, "We’ll speak of this later; I currently have no plan to marry. As for the cooperation terms in the letter..."
He waved the letter, "I am very satisfied!"
Wu Ziyu instantly breathed a sigh of relief.
It was evident that Zhang Yuan was not interested in tying the knot with the Wu Family, and his father wouldn’t force it.
Yet, he felt a bit resentful—Yunxi is such a wonderful girl!
With a strange feeling, the Wu Family disciple couldn’t help but ask, "Dao General Zhang, how do you plan to solve the Nu Tao River route issue?"
Opening a safe route along the Nu Tao River is not a simple or easy task.
First, there’s the lurking great danger beneath the river, and then there are the myriad hidden reefs.
Both must be completely dealt with!
Neither can be resolved by brute force, otherwise, it wouldn’t have troubled the Wu Family for so many years.
Zhang Yuan chuckled and said, "Let’s look over it first."
Without understanding the specifics, he couldn’t easily make any promises.
But the Wu Family was so generous that Zhang Yuan took the job!
So early the next morning, Zhang Yuan left West Plain City alone and headed towards the northern foot of Liping Mountain.
The Nu Tao River originated in the north of West Plain, flowed through the undulating mountains into the He Yuan region to the east, stretching over a thousand miles, making it a major river.
The moment Zhang Yuan saw Nu Tao River, he understood why the Wu Family was willing to pay such a price!
