“Out of wine?”
On this particular day, just as Li Fan was about to invite his friend for another round of drinks, he received this unexpected response.
He was utterly stunned.
Sima Changkong’s face turned slightly red, as if he wanted to say something but held back. After a moment, he scratched the back of his head awkwardly and explained, “Here in this Congyun Sea, I don’t have many close friends, so I didn’t prepare much.”
“Brother Li, you’ve been my guest for quite some time…”
Li Fan calculated quickly and remarked in surprise, “I hadn’t realized time passed so quickly; it’s been a whole year already.”
Apologetically, he continued, “Since Brother Sima finds my presence a burden, it’s time for me to take my leave.”
“But before I go, please let me know the ingredients used to make that wine. I’ll collect some for you…”
Before he could finish, Sima Changkong’s face flushed even more. He quickly waved his hands and said, “Brother Li, no, it’s not a complaint. It’s just…”
“Never mind. Brother Li, please stay here for a few days. I’ll be back soon!”
Without waiting for a response, he left in a hurry.
Li Fan watched Sima Changkong’s departing figure with a wry smile. “What an interesting person.”
Though he hadn’t gone out all year, Li Fan wasn’t entirely unaware of the outside world.
His clone, Zhou Qingang, had been running himself ragged.
Setting aside numerous trivial matters, the most urgent task was the ‘Monthly List of Recruited Cultivators’.
Even though the Congyun Sea’s forces were severely weakened, the Immortal Alliance Headquarters continued to issue conscription orders.
However, given the Congyun Sea’s current state, most recruited cultivators were spared from direct combat.
They were primarily assigned to logistics and support roles.
Still, no one could guarantee that the war wouldn’t expand, eventually involving them in the crossfire.
As a result, no one wanted to be sent to the Tianling Prefecture.
Compiling the recruitment list had become a challenging task.
Initially, it was Li Fan’s duty as a Secret Envoy to finalize this list.
But with Li Fan in “seclusion,” the task technically fell to his trusted associates He Zhenghao and Gao Yuan, who had been authorized to make decisions in his absence.
Yet, He Zhenghao was known as an easygoing person, while Gao Yuan was skilled at diplomacy and careful to avoid offending anyone.
Neither wanted to be responsible for sending people to possible death.
If the individuals sent to battle perished, that was one thing. But if they survived and returned with accolades, it could create lasting enmity.
Therefore, they secretly approached the more reclusive “Zhou Qingang” to ask for help.
Naturally, “Zhou Qingang” declined.
There was no reason for him to take on such a troublesome task.
But soon enough, He Zhenghao brought out his trump card.
“Fellow Daoist Zhou, take a look.” He took out a scroll and spread it out before “Zhou Qingang.”
“Liu Yihang, ten million contribution points.”
“Zhou Peng, eight hundred thousand contribution points.”
“Sikong Yi, three hundred thousand contribution points.”
…
Li Fan’s gaze swept across several familiar names on the scroll, and he asked, knowingly, “What is this?”
He Zhenghao cleared his throat. “This is the record of contributions from last year’s investment plan.”
“The year is up, so it’s time to return the capital and profits. Thanks to the guidance of our Secret Envoy, I sold off all our accumulated supplies when prices soared over three times their original cost.” Ɽ
“The final profit was about…”
He Zhenghao paused, his face revealing a barely concealed pride. “Three hundred and fourteen million contribution points.”
Li Fan gasped in amazement. “That much? I had heard that supplies were scarce on the battlefield, but I didn’t realize prices had skyrocketed so much. Doesn’t the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance regulate this?”
“Regulate it? How could they? Business is about mutual consent. If you don’t want to buy, you don’t have to. But the more prepared you are, the better your survival chances on the battlefield. If you don’t buy, someone else will!” Unlike his hesitant demeanor from a year ago, He Zhenghao now appeared quite nonchalant in the face of “Zhou Qingang” reaction.
Li Fan simply shook his head, refraining from further comment.
“So, what’s the point of showing me this?” Li Fan asked, feigning confusion.
He Zhenghao exchanged a look with Gao Yuan, glanced around, and then set up a concealment formation.
Feeling assured, he marked five names on the scroll and struck through each one heavily.
Realization dawning, Li Fan gasped, “These cultivators… died in the Tianling Prefecture battle?”
“Quiet, quiet!” He Zhenghao jumped, quickly gesturing for silence.
“Please, don’t spread this around. I’m only telling you because you’re one of us.” He added with a hint of reproach.
Li Fan nodded repeatedly, showing his understanding.
“So, no one is left to claim these people’s contributions?” he asked quietly.
He Zhenghao spoke with a tinge of excitement, “Exactly. I secretly confirmed it; these five indeed fell on the battlefield in Tianling Prefecture.”
“Moreover, they didn’t leave any wills.”
“The five total a principal of three hundred thirty thousand contribution points, along with a bonus of another three hundred thirty thousand…”
Li Fan interrupted, “Didn’t you say the profit was three times? Why only a thirty thousand bonus?”
He Zhenghao snorted, “Thirty thousand is already generous. The Secret Envoy adjusted the bonus ratio out of compassion.”
“According to the original agreement, we only needed to pay fifty percent of the principal as interest each year.”
“But the Secret Envoy is benevolent, so I won’t argue.”
“In short, these six hundred sixty thousand contribution points are unclaimed now.”
“All I need is for you to help handle this matter, and they’ll be yours,” He Zhenghao said enticingly.
“Zhou Qingang” was clearly tempted.
Yet he hesitated, showing a hint of reluctance.
“Will this go unnoticed? Taking the contributions of the dead feels taboo.”
“Also, does the Secret Envoy know about this?” Li Fan asked deliberately.
He Zhenghao’s eyes flickered as he patted his chest in assurance. “Don’t worry, Fellow Daoist Zhou. The list of contributors is confidential, known only to a few of us. There’s no risk of exposure.”
“I even asked the Secret Envoy, and he said I could handle this as I saw fit,” He Zhenghao stated confidently.
“I see…” Li Fan studied He Zhenghao for a long moment.
Only when He Zhenghao started feeling uncomfortable did he look away.
“Alright, I’ll take care of it,” Li Fan agreed.
He Zhenghao and Gao Yuan exchanged a look, their faces lighting up with joy.
