"Sir misunderstood the meaning. The guild wants to hire you for an expedition that is formulated to collect frost lily. We would like you to enter the Misty Ridge with our guild forces and then collect the frost lily. You would also be expected to provide some help in case of sudden unexpected danger."
"So you are trying to hire me as a mercenary for your guild. That is going to cost you a lot more than you probably expect."
"The rewards for the number of stalks gathered would be counted as per the normal arrangement. We would be paying you an additional royalty for helping the guild forces. We are gathering many Qi Kings in the area to venture deep into the Misty Ridge. Our informants have suggested that the population of frost lily down there is quite high."
"Is your guild the only force that is going to enter the Ridge during this time?"
"We don't control the Misty Ridge. Many forces continuously enter and exit the location. If you agree to join the expedition, my guild will be providing you with the necessary information about every single force which is going to enter the location during this time. The Emerald Amethyst Hall is one of them."
"Wouldn't it lead to a clash between various forces?"
"That is a possibility, but we do expect it to work out if we can hire capable people like Mr Meng."
"Will the guild take responsibility for the attacks we would be doing to enemy forces in the location? Since I will be providing support, it would mean that I will be dirtying my hands during the clash with other forces, which provides them with the verdict to target me as one of their priorities. What is your guild's plan in that area?"
"Mr Meng lives up to his name." The Manager was hesitating to answer. " Sadly, the guild wouldn't be taking any responsibility for your deeds once you exit that location. But the compensation ould be adequate."
"You aren't kidding right. You might be able to fool others with your words, but I am not going to risk my life and a possible future where top tier forces would put me on their blacklist by joining your expedition. I need extra compensation from your side."
"What do you have in mind?"
"The guild will be providing me ten catties of Healing herbs which are of level 5 at the very least. Along with that, I need a small compensation in terms of earthen pith, a batch of level 5 would do. I also require you to prepare 100 batches of the following herbs." The herbs enlisted included those which would be going into the creation of Qi bombs.
The Manager's face turned pale after hearing Li Meng's condition. " isn't sir Meng going overboard with his demands. This is too much for a small force like mine."
"We aren't discussing in here. These are my terms for working with you. I also want to state clearly that every single enemy which I will be slaying will belong to me. From his body to every single of his belonging. You aren't allowed to ask for anything. I also need a signed agreement that your force will be giving me 100% assistance as long as I don't betray you."
"I am afraid I will have to reject your offer."
"I guess the right way isn't something which fits my character. I will be blunt." Li meng looked at the manager. For the first time in his life, he felt a sense of mortal danger. He could feel bloodlust curling against his skin and all his hairs were standing straight. "If you don't expect my offer, I will enter during the same time as your force enter the location and wipe you all out."
Li Meng said it with an indignant smile, which creeped the manager out. He could feel an extremely bad premonition regarding Li meng. Although the guild had Qi emperor as its top echelon, they wouldn't be interfering with such a small expedition. Li Meng might be able to wipe their force out as suggested.
"Is master Meng threatening my guild?"
"You said yourself that the Misty Ridge is a place where clashes happen regularly. I couldn't help but cut down my enemies when they decide to act against me. I do have to protect myself right." Li Meng's expression remained unchanged.
" Would master Meng be able to give me some time to think about the situation? I would be able to come up with a reply after consulting with my superiors."
"Please do so. I am waiting for a positive response from your side."
Li Meng decided to stay in the guild lounge for some time.
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"What should we do master? He seems insistent on having us pay the price. I would be best If you could interfere in this matter."
"Do you think that he doesn't know of the Qi Emperors residing in the guild, yet he dared to give us such blatant conditions? He must be confident in whatever force is backing him up, or he is hiding his true strength. We can't make any rash decision." An old man spoke.
"But the price is too steep. We will take a loss in this condition."
"Tell him that he needs to make sure every single one of our cultivators returns safely or he wouldn't be receiving anything other than the initially guaranteed price."
"Would that take care of the situation? Shouldn't we fix a particular quota he needs to fulfil to get the prize."
"Do you know what time this is? It is the end of the year and the annual offering from the branch of emerald amethyst is going to occur soon. They are going to enter Misty Ridge to collect cultivation resources. They would inevitably clash with ur group and in return would lead to casualty on our side. We wouldn't have to pay that brat in that case."
The manager's eyes shone with a brilliant light. The old master was a clever fox after all. He managed to control the situation so easily.
"I will be taking m leave master." The manager bowed and left the room.
"This brat is interesting. If he manages to gain the upper hand in the situation, we might be able to talk some actual business with him. This would also prove to be a good opportunity to take care of that brat."
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"The upper echelon has responded positively, but we have a condition which must be met if you want such a huge amount of rewards. Sir Meng would need to guarantee that every single member of the expedition will be returning alive from the ridge. If you can do so, you can make sure that the condition is met, we will be providing you with the rewards."
"That is quite a difficult proposition you have there. I agree with it. I like the challenges which it poses in this situation. If I have to guess, you made this bet because of the annual offering of Emerald Amethyst Hall right?" LI meng spoke up.
The Manager' expression took a turn for the worst.
"I guessed right. Tell your superior I accept his challenge. I will be waiting for your guild to hand down the rewards you promised me. When is the expedition beginning?"
"Exactly 1 day from now the forces will be gathered in the hall. You can come and join them."
"Since I am going to be in charge of their safety, I am eligible to be the leader right?"
"Sir Meng can hold the position if you desire. Our only concern is whether or not you would be able to deliver the requested goods and fulfil the conditions for the rewards."
"I will." Li Meng left the hall.
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The Misty Ridge-
A group of black-hooded people were surveying the situation within the ridge right now. They were making their way into the depths with incredible speed.
"Sir, the core region of Misty Ridge is quite deep. We wouldn't be able to handle the frost energy with our equipment."
"I understand your concern. I have decided to come to this location because we would be preparing an ambush in this region. We aim to enter the core region and we require fire attributed treasures for that. Emerald Amethyst Hall is planning the expedition for their annual offering."
"As the top fire element force. They are bound to have immense artifacts of fire attribute. I heard that a provisional Holy son is also entering the region. That makes things easy for us. We'll eliminate them and take their treasures. The holy son's ornaments and artifacts would be a great offering for Commander."
"When is the commander arriving?"
"He is supposed to reach the location any time now. He had recently undergone a breakthrough and managed to enter the peak of Qi King. He is heading here for the treasure location. We will make sure that The Black-Devil Church obtains the inheritance and the treasure within that place. Our commander must obtain them if he wants to enter the heaven Cleaver sect. "
