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nTranslator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

nClenching his teeth, Steve quickly calmed himself down. Now was not the time to start a fight with Yang Ling. Until he investigated the family behind Yang Ling, he needed to be careful.

nThe greater plan would be foiled if he could not tolerate something small like this.

nSteve remembered the lessons his father taught him before he left for Wissen Town.

n“Brother Yang Ling, it is alright if it is inconvenient for you to give us a place to live. Then let me trouble you for the hundred thousand Purple Crystal Coins!” Even if he failed to secure the castle, successfully extorting a hundred thousand Purple Crystal Coins wouldn’t be bad either. Steve settled for second best. As long as he could successfully solidify his rule in Wissen Town, there would be many chances to get Yang Ling to hand over the massive castle. There was no need to be fixated on it at this point in time.

nHearing Steve say this, Yang Ling was all smiles. “Murbaqi, quickly help Sir Leader run the calculations. With installments of ten Purple Crystal Coins a day, how long will I need to finish paying him the hundred thousand Purple Crystal Coins?”

nTen Purple Crystal Coins a day?

nSteve was dumbfounded, and the old butler Murbaqi was even more shocked when he heard this. Originally, the group had found it rather surprising that Yang Ling would promise to hand over the hundred thousand Purple Crystal Coins. Now, with this sudden move, everyone was frozen.

nAfter swallowing, the old butler stuttered as he said softly, “Sir, at ten Purple Crystal Coins a day, you will need at least twenty-seven years to fully pay the sum!”

nTwenty-seven years?

nHearing the old butler say this, Yang Ling’s smile became more radiant, while Steve’s face turned a steely green. He had thought that Yang Ling might haggle to reduce the number of crystal coins or even immediately start a fight. But he had not expected Yang Ling to make such a weird move.

n“Brother Yang Ling, you sure know how to joke!” After clenching his teeth, Steve forcefully suppressed his impulse to stab Yang Ling and said coldly, “Without the coins, I won’t have anything to eat. It is alright if I go hungry, but my subordinates would have to suffer. I fear that when the time came, even I would not be able to stop them!”

nSince he could not persuade Yang Ling, Steve could only do this the hard way, coldly laying out words of threat. He could allow Yang Ling to live in the castle a little longer. He could give up on the crystal coins. But if word of Yang Ling taunting and teasing him time and time again was to get out, his reputation would be completely tarnished.

nIn response to Steve’s threats, the guards following him quickly drew their weapons, their bloodlust rising. At the same time, Triangle Eyes released a magic signal, and a resounding boom rang from outside the castle. The three thousand Black Armor Guards that Steve was so proud of closed in toward the castle, bloodthirsty.

nSeeing their enemies about to strike, Casey had to take action. He instructed the warriors to take their positions and be ready to fight. At the same time, he instructed a group of barbarians to tightly surround Steve and his men.

nA large battle was about to begin!

n“Sir Leader, I am not trying to be difficult, but I cannot hand over that many crystal coins in such a short amount of time!” Facing Steve’s powerful guards, the group was incredibly nervous, and only Yang Ling was still smiling nonchalantly. He continued, “I have a few hundred people, which means that I have a few hundred mouths to feed. My income right now isn’t even enough to cover my expenses. Why not do it this way; I still receive a few crystal coins every day at Shangri-La. Sir, why don’t you send a few people there to collect the money? Other than the capital, you can take all of the profit! How about that?”

nSend someone to Shangri-La to collect the money?

nHearing Yang Ling say this, the crowd was once again surprised. This was especially so for Goode, who had spent much of his energy on Shangri-La. He opened his mouth anxiously, wanting to say something, but had no choice but to close his mouth when Yang Ling shot him a look. At the same time, the surprised Steve creased his brows, seriously thinking about Yang Ling’s intentions.

nCould it be that there is some hidden ploy here? Or could Yang Ling have buckled under the pressure and be giving in while trying to save face?

nSteve was extremely confused. He still didn’t fully understand Yang Ling and his mysterious background. Seeing Yang Ling’s sincere expression, he felt as though Yang Ling was not lying. But seeing his faint smile, he felt that there was something wrong with the offer.

n“Sir Leader, if you are not willing to go through the trouble, I can send over my daily earnings to you!” Yang Ling looked sincerely at Steve. “This money is not aid, you can see it as the taxes I’m paying you, how about that?”

nHanding over a hundred thousand Purple Crystal Coins as tax?

nGoode shook his head in disbelief, but Steve had a glint in his eyes. No matter if Yang Ling had a hidden ploy or not, Steve’s highest priority was getting ahold of the crystal coins. After all, he had come here today with the hope of extorting a sum of crystal coins and the chance to infiltrate Wissen Castle; more importantly, he wanted Yang Ling to show that he was willing to submit to Steve’s rule.

nYang Ling was the sole powerhouse in Wissen Town; if he were willing to submit to Steve, the townspeople would likely follow his example. That would be immensely beneficial to Steve’s future plans.

nThe crux of the matter did not lie in the coins!

nOriginally, Steve had thrown out the figure of a hundred thousand Purple Crystal Coins to make a statement. Even though he was unable to obtain that many crystal coins for the time being, being able to extort Yang Ling’s daily profits from the inn was already an unexpected surprise.

n“Brother Yang Ling, you sure are agreeable. From today onward, I will let Midhart be responsible for our communication.”

nAfter pretending to be passionate and exchanging formalities, Steve strode confidently out of the castle. Behind him, the guards followed closely, only leaving behind the man with triangle-eyes called Midhart.

nEven though he was still a little suspicious that Yang Ling was planning something, Steve did not care too much now that he had achieved his goal. Winter had arrived. He had to think of ways to increase taxes, eliminate the factions that did not listen to his commands, and exterminate the people of the Rossi Empire that were hiding within Terras Forest, There were too many things to do. As long as Yang Ling did not show any obvious resistance, he did not have to spend too much effort on him for the time being.

nWhen Steve left, Yang Ling told Argus to treat Midhart to a feast. He then instructed everyone to head outside, leaving only Goode.

n“Sir, Shangri-La is our heart and soul, could you really have…” The crowd had just left when Goode hurriedly voiced the doubt in his heart.

n“Haha, what a great bargain. As far as the crystal coins are concerned, I don’t want the so-called leader to be able to take them!” After a pause, he looked at the confused Goode and let out a cold smile.

n“Goode, head to Shangri-La later and place a notice. The ordinary rooms will now cost three hundred Black Crystal Coins a day, the tents in front of the door will go for eighty, and even those who are sleeping on the floor of the inn will have to pay twenty Black Crystal Coins. Make special mention that the increase in price will be handed to the leader as tax! But make sure to tear the notice down before Triangle Eyes reaches the inn!”

nAfter his shock, Goode understood. “Sir, you mean to intentionally spark conflict between the neutral parties and Steve?”

n“Haha, that’s right. Goode, we have to seize the chance and quickly put the previous plan into motion. Establish communications with the Rossi people within Terras Forest as soon as possible.”

n“Yes, I understand!”

nAfter Goode left, Yang Ling leaned comfortably on the tall chair. With the bloodbath in Wissen Town, the only place of refuge left was Shangri-La. For their own safety, merchants, troops, and adventurers would have no choice but to stay there no matter how high the prices were. If he planned it meticulously, the fury in their hearts would naturally be pointed at the arrogant Steve.

nIt was poisonous bait; even a lick would be deadly, much less eating it whole!

nYang Ling believed that Steve might feel that he had found treasure now by sending Triangle Eyes to collect the money at Shangri-La, but in the future, he would definitely realize how foolish he had been.

nAs long as he was successful in igniting the conflict between the neutral Livenza Alliance and Steve, coupled with secretly assisting the Rossi people who wanted revenge, Yang Ling believed that the leader who came out of nowhere would be defeated soon enough. The man was unknowingly perched atop a volcano.

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