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Chapter 89: Defense Clan
2023-04-04 Author: Fu Hejun
After finding the location, Ye Cheng quickly arrived before the gate of the Defense Clan's mansion. Two burly men stood guard at the entrance. Seeing him, one stepped forward and politely asked, "Hello, may I ask your business?"
As the Defense Clan, they often received visitors like Ye Cheng who came to discuss business, so naturally, there was none of the cliché, face-slapping drama typical of web novels.
"I'm here to see your clan head to discuss a major business deal."
Ye Cheng had not yet reverted to his original appearance. He merely released a sliver of his aura, and simultaneously, nine soul rings flashed into existence around his body before vanishing.
"Of course. Please wait a moment in the reception hall. I will go inform the clan head." The guard's pupils constricted at this sight. Not daring to be disrespectful, he promptly invited Ye Cheng inside.
This was the effect of strength. If he were merely an ordinary person, or a lower-level Soul Master, it would have been impossible to meet the Defense Clan's head so easily, even if he came for business.
Ye Cheng was escorted into the Defense Clan's guest reception hall.
Before long, the clan head, Niu Gao, rushed over.
"You're the one looking to discuss business with me?"
Seeing Ye Cheng's incredibly youthful face, Niu Gao instantly felt a surge of annoyance regarding the guard's earlier message. This young man, could he truly be a Titled Douluo?
He suspected this young man had likely used some kind of deceptive, illusionary soul skill to make the guards mistakenly believe he was a Titled Douluo.
After all, even if some Soul Masters' appearances didn't age easily, their temperament sometimes couldn't conceal their true age. The youthful vigor emanating from Ye Cheng made Niu Gao certain that the man before him was genuinely young, not some old-timer with a youthful facade. He conservatively estimated Ye Cheng to be no older than thirty.
A Titled Douluo under thirty?
As if everyone is Ye Cheng!
Because he was convinced the Ye Cheng before him was not a Titled Douluo, coupled with the feeling of being trifled with, Niu Gao's attitude grew cold. He walked to the head seat, sat down, and said, "Speak. What business?"
He had already made up his mind: if Ye Cheng's so-called business failed to satisfy him, he would personally throw the young man out.
Ye Cheng was unfazed by his coldness. He merely released another subtle hint of his aura before calmly saying, "I have long heard that the Defense Clan's architectural skills are unparalleled under the heavens, which is why I've come to discuss a business deal with you. However, this business can be conducted in two ways. I wonder which you would prefer?"
Feeling the terrifying aura that had been released and immediately retracted, Niu Gao, who broke out in a cold sweat, stared at Ye Cheng in astonishment. He finally confirmed that the young man's strength was the real deal, without the slightest hint of falsehood.
Realizing he had just been so disrespectful to a genuine Titled Douluo, Niu Gao quickly straightened his posture and said with an accommodating smile, "May I ask what these two ways are, Your Excellency? Please, do tell."
"The first way is the one you are most familiar with: I pay, and your Defense Clan helps me construct buildings. This falls within the scope of a normal transaction." Ye Cheng remained unfazed by the change in Niu Gao's attitude and continued, "The second way is for the Defense Clan to come under my command. I will still pay you, and furthermore, the Defense Clan will no longer be troubled by money in the future."
As his words fell, Niu Gao's expression changed. If not for the fact that the man before him was a Titled Douluo, he would have likely slammed the table, cursed him, and thrown him out.
Even so, his expression was incredibly unpleasant. Forcefully suppressing his rage, he said as calmly as possible, "May I ask which faction you hail from, Your Excellency? The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect? The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan? Or perhaps... Spirit Hall!" When he mentioned Spirit Hall, Niu Gao's killing intent was inadvertently released.
"None of them."
Ye Cheng calmly ignored his killing intent, slowly undoing his Dream Bubble Illusion as he spoke.
"I represent only myself!"
A thin mist suddenly appeared on his face. As it dispersed, his peerlessly handsome features were revealed.
"You are!"
Niu Gao shot to his feet.
To say Ye Cheng's face was now recognized by everyone in the world was no exaggeration.
"I need not introduce myself; I presume you know who I am." After revealing his true face, Ye Cheng was inwardly quite pleased with Niu Gao's expression of such shock his eyes looked ready to pop out, but he maintained a serene facade. "So, which of these two methods of cooperation do you choose?"
Niu Gao's expression immediately began to flicker with uncertainty.
Frankly, he was truly tempted.
This man was the youngest Titled Douluo of the current era, and arguably one of the strongest.
As a former affiliated sect of the Clear Sky Sect, Niu Gao knew all too well just how powerful a Limit Douluo was. Back then, Tang Chen, who was also a Limit Douluo, had shaken the world with his might. It was because of him that the Clear Sky Sect was elevated to the status of the world's number one sect.
Unfortunately, Tang Chen later disappeared without a trace, and his whereabouts remain unknown. Only then did the Clear Sky Sect suffer its later calamity.
If Tang Chen had still been around, Spirit Hall would have never dared to be so ruthless. But alas, there were no "ifs." What had happened, had happened, and it could not be undone.
Niu Gao knew very well that if they could join the faction of a Limit Douluo, the Defense Clan could absolutely return to its peak!
Especially just a few days ago, at that world-shaking soul bone auction.
Although he hadn't attended because he was broke, he had learned through some friends that the three soul bones at that auction had sold for a staggering sum of over 230 million gold soul coins.
Niu Gao had never seen so much money in his entire life. The Defense Clan was truly not wealthy. While their architectural skills were indeed exceptional, most Soul Masters were wanderers without a fixed home, and commoners had no need for the Defense Clan's services. Therefore, the Defense Clan mostly took on projects for wealthy merchants, royalty, or nobility.
This meant that while each individual deal paid well, there were only so many nobles in the entire Heaven Dou Empire. That amount of money was not enough to sustain a clan, let alone allow it to grow and develop.
Therefore, joining a leader with such immense strength and wealth would be purely beneficial for the Defense Clan, without a single drawback.
However, when Niu Gao recalled their former master, the Clear Sky Sect, and how they had unhesitatingly abandoned their affiliated sects to serve as shields when crisis struck, he felt an immediate, powerful resistance to joining another faction.
Being abandoned and used as a pawn once was enough.
Niu Gao would never experience a second betrayal!
Ye Cheng naturally saw his resistance and faint refusal. He immediately said in a level voice, "Don't be so quick to refuse. I believe you need to give more consideration to your clansmen."
"You should be well aware of your Defense Clan's situation. Whether it's financial expenditure or the issue of raising the next generation, as the clan head, you understand the problems perfectly, yet you are powerless to solve them!"
Hearing this, Niu Gao fell silent.
He had no retort.
Being a Soul Master was not just a profession reliant on talent; it was also an incredibly expensive one. Especially in the early stages, if you ate steamed buns and pickles for every meal while others consumed the flesh of soul beasts, the ones eating soul beast meat would undoubtedly be stronger. This was an undeniable fact.
Niu Gao was aware of this critical problem. But right now, the Defense Clan had to support the Agility Clan, and the clan itself required funds to operate. Where would they find the extra money to cultivate the younger generation?
At this thought, his resolve to refuse instantly wavered.
PS: This book will be going premium on the 1st of next month. I'd be grateful if all my readers could support it with an initial subscription then. Even if you plan to 'hoard' chapters to read later, please at least make an initial subscription first. The book's future recommendations depend on it. I'm counting on you!
(end of chapter)
2023-04-04 Author: Fu Hejun
After finding the location, Ye Cheng quickly arrived before the gate of the Defense Clan's mansion. Two burly men stood guard at the entrance. Seeing him, one stepped forward and politely asked, "Hello, may I ask your business?"
As the Defense Clan, they often received visitors like Ye Cheng who came to discuss business, so naturally, there was none of the cliché, face-slapping drama typical of web novels.
"I'm here to see your clan head to discuss a major business deal."
Ye Cheng had not yet reverted to his original appearance. He merely released a sliver of his aura, and simultaneously, nine soul rings flashed into existence around his body before vanishing.
"Of course. Please wait a moment in the reception hall. I will go inform the clan head." The guard's pupils constricted at this sight. Not daring to be disrespectful, he promptly invited Ye Cheng inside.
This was the effect of strength. If he were merely an ordinary person, or a lower-level Soul Master, it would have been impossible to meet the Defense Clan's head so easily, even if he came for business.
Ye Cheng was escorted into the Defense Clan's guest reception hall.
Before long, the clan head, Niu Gao, rushed over.
"You're the one looking to discuss business with me?"
Seeing Ye Cheng's incredibly youthful face, Niu Gao instantly felt a surge of annoyance regarding the guard's earlier message. This young man, could he truly be a Titled Douluo?
He suspected this young man had likely used some kind of deceptive, illusionary soul skill to make the guards mistakenly believe he was a Titled Douluo.
After all, even if some Soul Masters' appearances didn't age easily, their temperament sometimes couldn't conceal their true age. The youthful vigor emanating from Ye Cheng made Niu Gao certain that the man before him was genuinely young, not some old-timer with a youthful facade. He conservatively estimated Ye Cheng to be no older than thirty.
A Titled Douluo under thirty?
As if everyone is Ye Cheng!
Because he was convinced the Ye Cheng before him was not a Titled Douluo, coupled with the feeling of being trifled with, Niu Gao's attitude grew cold. He walked to the head seat, sat down, and said, "Speak. What business?"
He had already made up his mind: if Ye Cheng's so-called business failed to satisfy him, he would personally throw the young man out.
Ye Cheng was unfazed by his coldness. He merely released another subtle hint of his aura before calmly saying, "I have long heard that the Defense Clan's architectural skills are unparalleled under the heavens, which is why I've come to discuss a business deal with you. However, this business can be conducted in two ways. I wonder which you would prefer?"
Feeling the terrifying aura that had been released and immediately retracted, Niu Gao, who broke out in a cold sweat, stared at Ye Cheng in astonishment. He finally confirmed that the young man's strength was the real deal, without the slightest hint of falsehood.
Realizing he had just been so disrespectful to a genuine Titled Douluo, Niu Gao quickly straightened his posture and said with an accommodating smile, "May I ask what these two ways are, Your Excellency? Please, do tell."
"The first way is the one you are most familiar with: I pay, and your Defense Clan helps me construct buildings. This falls within the scope of a normal transaction." Ye Cheng remained unfazed by the change in Niu Gao's attitude and continued, "The second way is for the Defense Clan to come under my command. I will still pay you, and furthermore, the Defense Clan will no longer be troubled by money in the future."
As his words fell, Niu Gao's expression changed. If not for the fact that the man before him was a Titled Douluo, he would have likely slammed the table, cursed him, and thrown him out.
Even so, his expression was incredibly unpleasant. Forcefully suppressing his rage, he said as calmly as possible, "May I ask which faction you hail from, Your Excellency? The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect? The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan? Or perhaps... Spirit Hall!" When he mentioned Spirit Hall, Niu Gao's killing intent was inadvertently released.
"None of them."
Ye Cheng calmly ignored his killing intent, slowly undoing his Dream Bubble Illusion as he spoke.
"I represent only myself!"
A thin mist suddenly appeared on his face. As it dispersed, his peerlessly handsome features were revealed.
"You are!"
Niu Gao shot to his feet.
To say Ye Cheng's face was now recognized by everyone in the world was no exaggeration.
"I need not introduce myself; I presume you know who I am." After revealing his true face, Ye Cheng was inwardly quite pleased with Niu Gao's expression of such shock his eyes looked ready to pop out, but he maintained a serene facade. "So, which of these two methods of cooperation do you choose?"
Niu Gao's expression immediately began to flicker with uncertainty.
Frankly, he was truly tempted.
This man was the youngest Titled Douluo of the current era, and arguably one of the strongest.
As a former affiliated sect of the Clear Sky Sect, Niu Gao knew all too well just how powerful a Limit Douluo was. Back then, Tang Chen, who was also a Limit Douluo, had shaken the world with his might. It was because of him that the Clear Sky Sect was elevated to the status of the world's number one sect.
Unfortunately, Tang Chen later disappeared without a trace, and his whereabouts remain unknown. Only then did the Clear Sky Sect suffer its later calamity.
If Tang Chen had still been around, Spirit Hall would have never dared to be so ruthless. But alas, there were no "ifs." What had happened, had happened, and it could not be undone.
Niu Gao knew very well that if they could join the faction of a Limit Douluo, the Defense Clan could absolutely return to its peak!
Especially just a few days ago, at that world-shaking soul bone auction.
Although he hadn't attended because he was broke, he had learned through some friends that the three soul bones at that auction had sold for a staggering sum of over 230 million gold soul coins.
Niu Gao had never seen so much money in his entire life. The Defense Clan was truly not wealthy. While their architectural skills were indeed exceptional, most Soul Masters were wanderers without a fixed home, and commoners had no need for the Defense Clan's services. Therefore, the Defense Clan mostly took on projects for wealthy merchants, royalty, or nobility.
This meant that while each individual deal paid well, there were only so many nobles in the entire Heaven Dou Empire. That amount of money was not enough to sustain a clan, let alone allow it to grow and develop.
Therefore, joining a leader with such immense strength and wealth would be purely beneficial for the Defense Clan, without a single drawback.
However, when Niu Gao recalled their former master, the Clear Sky Sect, and how they had unhesitatingly abandoned their affiliated sects to serve as shields when crisis struck, he felt an immediate, powerful resistance to joining another faction.
Being abandoned and used as a pawn once was enough.
Niu Gao would never experience a second betrayal!
Ye Cheng naturally saw his resistance and faint refusal. He immediately said in a level voice, "Don't be so quick to refuse. I believe you need to give more consideration to your clansmen."
"You should be well aware of your Defense Clan's situation. Whether it's financial expenditure or the issue of raising the next generation, as the clan head, you understand the problems perfectly, yet you are powerless to solve them!"
Hearing this, Niu Gao fell silent.
He had no retort.
Being a Soul Master was not just a profession reliant on talent; it was also an incredibly expensive one. Especially in the early stages, if you ate steamed buns and pickles for every meal while others consumed the flesh of soul beasts, the ones eating soul beast meat would undoubtedly be stronger. This was an undeniable fact.
Niu Gao was aware of this critical problem. But right now, the Defense Clan had to support the Agility Clan, and the clan itself required funds to operate. Where would they find the extra money to cultivate the younger generation?
At this thought, his resolve to refuse instantly wavered.
PS: This book will be going premium on the 1st of next month. I'd be grateful if all my readers could support it with an initial subscription then. Even if you plan to 'hoard' chapters to read later, please at least make an initial subscription first. The book's future recommendations depend on it. I'm counting on you!
(end of chapter)
