47: Transaction negotiations

Unknowingly, the sun had set in the west, and the evening glow dyed the horizon red.

The two walked to a small pavilion in the middle of the lake, which was where they first met.

The evening breeze swept across the lake, carrying a hint of coolness.

The palace attendants had already prepared tea and snacks in the pavilion!

Then, they discreetly retreated to a distance.

The two sat opposite each other, silently drinking tea. The atmosphere was no longer awkward; instead, an unspoken understanding flowed between them.

Finally, Qin Rouer spoke first.

She put down her teacup, raised her head, and her bright eyes sparkled like stars in the night.

She looked directly into Chen Xu's eyes and asked, "Head of the Chen Family, we have only known each other for half a day, but I know that you are not someone who would be constrained by romantic attachments."

"I am the same."

"The matter of the marriage alliance is Madam Qin's intention, and also the Imperial Family's intention. It is a beneficial transaction for you, for the Chen Family, and for the Imperial Family."

"I just want to ask the Head of the Family one thing, setting aside these benefits."

"What do you think of me, Qin Rouer, as a person? If I were not a princess today, would you still be willing to become my Dao Companion?"

Her voice was not loud, but every word was clear, carrying a desperate courage.

She was gambling, gambling on this man!

That he could see her as a person, and not just the status behind her.

Chen Xu looked at her, at the tension and anticipation in her eyes, and his heart stirred slightly.

He was silent for a moment before slowly speaking.

"Princess, I cannot answer your question."

Qin Rouer's gaze instantly dimmed.

"Because..."

Chen Xu's voice continued, "There is no 'if'. You were born a princess; this is your destiny, your shackles, and even more, your capital."

"I, Chen Xu, am also just the Head of the Ninghai Chen Family. We are both people constrained by our identities."

He picked up his teacup, looked at the tea leaves floating in the cup, and said lightly, "A marriage alliance based solely on benefit is fragile; it will scatter with a gust of wind."

"But a marriage alliance that has both benefit and mutual respect can truly be solid."

He raised his head, his gaze returning to Qin Rouer's Face, his eyes sincere and calm.

"The Princess asked me what I think of you as a person."

"My answer is, very good."

"You are intelligent, insightful, know when to advance and retreat, and understand the bigger picture. You are more outstanding than most women I have met."

"It is Chen Xu's honor to be able to become Dao Companions with the Princess."

He did not say any flowery words, nor did he make any grand vows.

But his words, more than any sweet nothings!

Were able to move Qin Rouer's heart even more.

Because this was genuine recognition and respect.

Qin Rouer's eyes reddened. She fought back tears, stood up, and bowed deeply to Chen Xu.

"Thank you, Head of the Family."

"From now on, Rou'er will be a member of the Chen Family."

Chen Xu also stood up, gently supported her, and said in a deep voice, "I, Chen Xu, swear here that as long as you are truly for the Chen Family, I, Chen Xu, will never let you down."

A marriage alliance concerning two forces was formally settled in this lakeside pavilion under the night sky!

There was no embrace, no lingering affection!

Only the solemnity and understanding of adults reaching an agreement.

Chen Xu personally escorted Qin Rouer back to the entrance of her palace.

Watching the palace door slowly close!

Chen Xu turned and left, the gentleness on his Face gradually receding!

Returning to his deep, unperturbed composure.

He did indeed have a good impression of Qin Rouer, but what pleased him even more was her Earth-Grade High Grade Spiritual Root Aptitude.

An intelligent Dao Companion, a princess of the Imperial Family, and a mother of highly talented descendants.

This transaction, for the Chen Family, was an absolute profit.

As long as it could bring benefit to the Family, he never minded having another mistress in his inner courtyard.

Early the next morning, before dawn.

Li Jing's figure appeared at the entrance of the villa where Chen Xu was staying!

His smile was even more enthusiastic and respectful than yesterday.

"Head of the Chen Family, congratulations, congratulations!"

He cupped his hands in congratulations to Chen Xu, his eyes full of admiration.

He had already heard about what happened last night, and he was even more impressed by Chen Xu's methods.

This master was not only unfathomably strong.

His ability to win people over was also top-notch.

"Madam Qin and Your Majesty heard about this, and were extremely pleased."

"They specifically ordered me to come and invite the Head of the Family to the hall for a discussion, to formally discuss the wedding arrangements."

Li Jing led the way, with Chen Xu following behind. They passed through several heavily guarded palace gates and finally arrived in front of a magnificent hall.

Above the hall door, three gilded characters, "Yangyun Hall," were inscribed in a flowing Dragon and Phoenix script, and an invisible pressure swept over them.

"Head of the Chen Family, please."

Li Jing stopped, his expression even more respectful than yesterday, even tinged with a hint of fear.

Chen Xu nodded and stepped into the hall.

Inside the grand hall, the space was vast, with dozens of huge coiled Dragon golden pillars supporting the dome!

It appeared solemn and majestic.

The hall was already filled with people.

At the forefront were ten elders wearing various royal robes, their auras unfathomable.

They stood casually, their surrounding magical power causing the space to subtly distort, clearly all Golden Core Stage Immortal Masters.

Behind them stood dozens of Cultivators in official robes, each with a calm aura, their cultivation at least Late Foundation Establishment Stage.

And on the throne at the very top of the hall, Madam Qin was leaning back languidly, propping her chin with one hand.

Her gaze, a half-smile, watched Chen Xu as he entered.

The entire hall, with her at its center, formed an absolute field of power.

As soon as Chen Xu entered, everyone's eyes converged on him.

Scrutiny, curiosity, disdain, all varied.

"Head of the Chen Family, allow me to introduce."

Li Jing bravely stepped forward, pointing to an elderly man in a bright yellow royal robe with a majestic Face, and said, "This is our Prince Dingqin, and also the Chief Elder of the Imperial Family."

He then introduced the other five Golden Core Elders in turn.

Chen Xu simply calmly cupped his hands to everyone, as a greeting.

"Chen Xu, your marriage to Rou'er, we have already approved."

Prince Dingqin spoke first, his voice resonant, "Since we are about to become Family, let us speak frankly."

He paused, his gaze like lightning, "Our Imperial Family needs you to draw Spirit Invocation Talismans for us, to deal with the war against the Black Water Nation. Name your price, what reward do you need?"

He did not mention the Heavenly Dao Golden Core that Madam Qin had promised before, nor did he mention the Demonic Battlefield.

Clearly, today's negotiation was limited to the transaction of the Spirit Invocation Talismans.

Chen Xu understood; this was the strategy of the Imperial Family.

Business is business, private matters are discussed separately.

He scanned the people in the hall and went straight to the point, "I don't want to hear what you can give; I only say what I need."

At these words, the brows of several Golden Core Elders furrowed slightly.

This young man spoke with great arrogance.

"Tell us."

Prince Dingqin remained composed.

"It's simple, my Chen Family doesn't want your Guest Elder title, nor any long-term contract."

Chen Xu extended a finger, "We only do business, charging by the Talisman."

"A single third-tier Low Grade Spirit Invocation Talisman, ten thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones."

"Boom!"

This price instantly caused an uproar in the entire hall.

"Ten thousand?!"

A hot-tempered prince slammed the table on the spot, "Why don't you just rob us! A common third-tier Low Grade offensive Talisman on the market is only three to four thousand Spirit Stones! You dare to ask for ten thousand for this auxiliary Talisman!"

"Exactly, young man, do you really think our Imperial Family is easy to bully?"

"Such an exorbitant demand, aren't you afraid of choking yourself to death!"

The Foundation Establishment Stage officials behind them were even more vociferous in their discussions.

Their eyes at Chen Xu were filled with hostility and mockery.

Chen Xu was deaf to the surrounding clamor.

His gaze remained calmly fixed on the leading Prince Dingqin.

Prince Dingqin's Face was ashen. He looked at Chen Xu.

He tried to discern even a hint of guilt or wavering on his Face.

But he was disappointed.

Chen Xu's expression was as calm as a deep pool of water.

"Your Highnesses, that is incorrect."

Chen Xu slowly spoke, his voice not loud, "Third-tier Talismans on the market can be bought because someone sells them. But for my Spirit Invocation Talisman, throughout the Great Feng Dynasty, besides me, Chen Xu, is there a second person who can draw it?"

"This is an exclusive business; the highest bidder wins, isn't that very normal?"

He paused, then continued, "What's more, the front-line war is urgent. If the soldiers have one more Spirit Invocation Talisman, they gain one more chance of survival and reduce the danger of being corroded by Devilish Qi. What are these Spirit Stones compared to the lives of the soldiers and the outcome of this national war?"

These words were piercing.

They directly tied the price to morality and the war situation.

Several princes were choked into silence, their Faces flushed red.

Prince Dingqin took a deep breath, suppressing the anger in his heart, and said in a deep voice, "Ten thousand is too high. The front line has huge daily consumption; at your price, our Great Feng Kingdom's treasury would be emptied in less than half a month!"

His words also implicitly admitted the Imperial Family's financial predicament.

Chen Xu sneered inwardly, it seemed this national war.

Had pushed them to their wits' end.

"The high price is due to high cost."

Chen Xu began to talk nonsense with a straight Face, "The Materials required to draw Spirit Invocation Talismans are inherently rare."

"Moreover, the process of this Talisman is complex, consuming a great deal of Divine Sense. For every ten I draw, I fail four times; the success rate is extremely low."

"Considering the losses, what I earn is merely hard-earned money."

"Nonsense!"

The hot-tempered prince couldn't help but exclaim again, "What Talisman has such a low success rate! Do you take us for three-year-olds!"

"Believe it or not."

Chen Xu spread his hands, looking indifferent, "Even if a deal doesn't go through, goodwill remains. If the Imperial Family thinks the price is unsuitable, they are welcome to find someone more skilled. Chen bids farewell."

With that, he actually turned, making to leave.

"Wait!"

Prince Dingqin quickly spoke.

He knew that Chen Xu was using retreat as an advance, holding their Achilles' heel.

He quickly exchanged glances with the other elders.

Finally, he gritted his teeth and said, "Materials, our Imperial Family can provide entirely! You are only responsible for drawing them. In this way, your costs are eliminated, so the price should come down, right?"

"Since Your Highness is so sincere..."

Chen Xu pondered for a moment, as if calculating something difficult.

Finally, he said with a pained expression, "Then… seven thousand Spirit Stones per Talisman. I can't go any lower. This is already out of consideration for Princess Rouer's Face."

"Pfft—"

An official nearly spat out a mouthful of tea.

With Materials included, it only dropped by three thousand?

What's the difference between this and outright robbery!

Prince Dingqin was trembling with anger, his finger pointing at Chen Xu shaking, "You... you..."

He had lived for hundreds of years and had never seen such a shameless person!

On the throne, Madam Qin's smile grew wider and wider.

This Chen Xu is interesting, very interesting.

Seeing that the plan to purchase by Talisman had completely fallen through, Prince Dingqin knew.

He couldn couldn't let this kid lead him by the nose anymore.

He and the other Family elders once again quickly discussed through Divine Sense for a moment, deciding to abandon this method.

They returned to the bundled transaction plan.

"Good, Chen Xu, you are indeed as we expected!"

Prince Dingqin took a deep breath, sat back down, and said with a gloomy expression, "The matter of purchasing by Talisman is hereby dismissed. We will try another approach."

"We will give you several Earth-Grade Cultivation Techniques and three High Grade Spiritual Artifacts."

"In addition, what else do you want? Magical Treasure, Medicinal Pills, just name it."

"As long as our Imperial Family can produce it, everything is negotiable."

This was already a huge investment.

Earth-Grade Cultivation Techniques were enough to make any second-rate Sect envious.

Chen Xu heard this, but slowly shook his head.

"Magical Treasure and Medicinal Pills, my Chen Family does not lack."

He looked at the various princes and said, word by word, "What I lack is Foundation."

"What I want are all the first to third-rank Artifact Refining methods, Pill Formulas, Talisman crafting Legacies, and Formation diagrams from your Imperial Family's treasury. All of them, not a single one missing."

"What?!"

This time, even Prince Dingqin, who had been sitting steadily, suddenly stood up.

His Face was filled with disbelief.

"Are you crazy! That is the Foundation accumulated by my Great Feng Imperial Family over thousands of years! You are trying to dig up the roots of my Imperial Family!"

"Foundation?"

Chen Xu smiled, "Your Highness is joking. These things, to you, might be Foundation."

"But to my Chen Family, they are just an opportunity for us commoners to learn from scratch."

"Compared to Earth-Grade Cultivation Techniques, I think all you princes know the relative importance of these basic things."

Inside the main hall, silence fell for a time.

Everyone was stunned by Chen Xu's outrageous demands.

Only then did they understand!

This man's ambition was far greater than they had imagined.

He didn't want temporary benefits; what he wanted was a Family.

A cornerstone to establish a complete Legacy system from nothing!

Prince Dingqin and several Family elders exchanged glances!

They all saw deep apprehension in each other's eyes.

This condition, seemingly not as damaging as directly asking for Spirit Stones or Magical Treasures.

But in the long run, it was even more terrifying.

This was tantamount to using the Imperial Family's Foundation to cultivate a potential future opponent.

But did they still have a choice?

The battle on the front lines couldn't wait.

Finally, Prince Dingqin sat back down, lost in deep thought.

"Alright... I agree."

As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Xu's voice sounded again.

"It's not over yet."

"Besides these, I also need Spirit Stones."

Chen Xu extended a finger: "Every month, one hundred thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones, as my personal remuneration."

Prince Dingqin suddenly opened his eyes, a hint of impatience already in them: "Chen Xu, don't push your luck!"

"This is not pushing your luck, this is only right and proper."

Chen Xu's tone remained calm: "You take away my time for crafting Talismans, and I lose the opportunity to earn Spirit Stones. My Chen Family has hundreds of people to support, Medicinal Pills, Magical Artifacts, stipends... which one doesn't require Spirit Stones?"

"Without this money, my Family will grind to a halt in an instant."

One hundred thousand, every month!

This number, like a great mountain, weighed on the hearts of all the Imperial Family's high-ranking officials.

They had just been emptied of thousands of years of accumulated knowledge.

Now, their liquid assets were also to be drained.

The atmosphere in the hall froze to an ice point.

Just as the tension was at its peak, Madam Qin, who was on the throne, finally moved.

She nodded gently at Prince Dingqin.

Prince Dingqin seemed to have received some instruction, and the anger and struggle on his Face instantly faded.

In its place was a complex smile.

"Cough cough..."

He cleared his throat, his tone doing a complete one-hundred-and-eighty-degree turn, "Head of the Chen Family, look at us, we've been talking business for half a day and have forgotten the most important thing."

He stood up and walked to Chen Xu with a beaming smile: "Head of the Family, Your Majesty and Madam Qin are extremely satisfied with your marriage to Princess Rouer."

"That child Rou'er, we watched her grow up. She is gentle, virtuous, educated, and sensible. For you to marry her is your good fortune, and also the good fortune of our Imperial Family."

"From now on, we are one Family."

He affectionately patted Chen Xu's shoulder.

As if the prince who had been ready to devour him just now wasn't him.

"Since we are one Family, why be so particular?"

Another prince also stood up, chuckling and echoing: "What remuneration or not, wouldn't it be a joke if people heard about it? It's all for our own country."

"Exactly, exactly, we are one Family, no need for formalities."

The atmosphere in the hall instantly changed from a tense business negotiation to a harmonious Family meeting.

Chen Xu sneered inwardly, but his Face remained impassive, merely watching their performance indifferently.

Prince Dingqin saw that the time was right and finally revealed his true intentions.

"Head of the Family, how about this?"

He took Chen Xu's hand and said earnestly, "The Cultivation Techniques, Spiritual Artifacts, and those Legacy diagrams, we will all agree to your terms. These are all the Family assets for you two young ones to live your lives, and we elders don't feel distressed."

"But this monthly Spirit Stone... one hundred thousand is really too much. The national treasury is tight, and front-line expenses are high, so we are truly powerless."

He sighed, saying with a troubled expression, "How about we change it to thirty thousand Spirit Stones per month? Consider it the dowry from the Imperial Family for Rou'er, for you two young ones to spend daily."

"When the war settles down and the national treasury is abundant, we will make up the difference for you, how does that sound?"

From one hundred thousand, it was slashed to thirty thousand.

This was no longer bargaining; this was blatant bullying under the guise of "relatives."

Everyone's gaze was fixed on Chen Xu's Face, waiting for his reply.

Chen Xu's expression remained unchanged.

He slowly withdrew his hand, then smiled.

"Thirty thousand?"

He looked at Prince Dingqin, slowly shook his head, and said, word by word.

"Your Highness, are you joking with me?"

At these words, Prince Dingqin's smile froze.

The several princes beside him, who had just been all smiles, also changed their expressions.

The harmonious atmosphere in the hall was shattered by this single sentence.

Chen Xu looked at Prince Dingqin calmly.

"Relatives are relatives, business is business."

"Princess Rouer marrying into my Chen Family is my Chen Family's good fortune. I, Chen Xu, will naturally treat her with the respect due to a main wife and will never let her suffer any grievance. This is my duty as a husband."

"But the Imperial Family inviting me to craft Spiritual Talismans to resolve the national war crisis is another matter."

"My Chen Family, with hundreds of people, has astronomical daily expenses. Without Spirit Stones, the Family will cease to operate."

"I personally can disregard remuneration, but I cannot fail to consider my clansmen."

"Does Your Highness intend to use a marriage to cut the Spirit Stones my Chen Family relies on for survival from one hundred thousand to thirty thousand? Is this the sincerity of the Imperial Family?"

With each sentence he spoke, Prince Dingqin's Face grew a shade uglier.

Chen Xu's words were impeccable.

He completely separated the marriage from the transaction!

He placed himself at the height of being responsible for his Family, leaving no room for fault.

Instead, it made the Imperial Family appear to be taking advantage under the guise of an alliance through marriage, making their actions look unsightly.

"You..."

The hot-tempered prince wanted to flare up again but was stopped by a look from Prince Dingqin.

Prince Dingqin took a deep breath. He knew that playing mind games with this young man.

These old fellows had already lost.

From beginning to end, they had been led by the nose.

The atmosphere in the hall once again fell into a stalemate.

Everyone's gaze involuntarily turned to the woman high on the throne.

The woman who had not said a word from beginning to end.

Madam Qin finally moved.

She stretched languidly, revealing a section of her snow-white wrist, and with a light chuckle, broke the silence in the hall.

"Alright, Prince Dingqin, stop embarrassing yourself."

"The dignified Great Feng Imperial Family, haggling over a mere one hundred thousand Spirit Stones, aren't you afraid of being laughed at?"

She looked at Chen Xu, her eyes filled with undisguised appreciation.

"It will be as Head of the Chen Family says."

"All first to third-rank Legacy diagrams can be handed over to you immediately."

"One hundred thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones per month, starting from today. For this month, consider it half a month's remuneration, fifty thousand Spirit Stones, which will be given to you shortly."

Madam Qin's decision was final, and no one in the hall dared to object.

Although Prince Dingqin and others were unwilling, they could only bow and accept the order: "We respectfully obey Madam Qin's command."

With the agreement reached, Chen Xu felt little ripple in his heart; everything was within his expectations.

He slightly cupped his hands towards Madam Qin on the throne: "Thank you, Madam Qin."

Madam Qin smiled, said nothing more, and just waved her hand.

Prince Dingqin understood and immediately put on a businesslike expression for Chen Xu: "Head of the Chen Family, please follow me, we will go to the treasury for the handover now."

Chen Xu nodded.

Just as he was about to leave with Prince Dingqin, the corner of his eye caught a glimpse.

In the crowd, Princess Qin Meimei, who had been silent and aloof, looked at him deeply, then turned and quietly left the main hall without a word.

Her movements were very light, not attracting anyone's attention.

As if she was just leaving early!

But the complex meaning in that glance!

It caused a slight stir in Chen Xu's heart.

He didn't ponder it deeply, retracted his gaze, and followed Prince Dingqin out of the Yangyun Hall.