235: Chapter 235 That's why I brought fewer people.

"In Ten Thousand Snakes Valley, regardless of who wins or loses, there will eventually be a window of chaos.

If the allied forces win, they'll have to divide the spoils and fight amongst themselves; that moment when order is loosest is our opportunity.

If the allied forces lose or both sides suffer heavy losses, then the opportunity is even greater."

Su Chengyuan pushed thirteen of the jade bottles toward Zhao Shan. "The key is that when that window appears, our people must already be in position near the valley entrance."

Zhao Shan tucked the thirteen spirit burst pills into his Storage Pouch, hesitating for a moment.

"Mr. Su, when those twelve Loose Cultivator Guards came, we discussed an escort mission, not this matter. If we still pay them the previous rate, I'm afraid they might have second thoughts."

Su Chengyuan had already considered this.

Temporarily recruited Loose Cultivators were different from the Chamber of Commerce's own people; his own people had received benefits for years, and their loyalty could withstand a test.

These Loose Cultivators had signed short-term three-month contracts and were there for the Spirit Stones.

If you drag them to the edge of Ten Thousand Snakes Valley, point at the Spells flying inside, and tell them to go in for a score, why should they risk their lives for you?

"Go back and explain the situation to them," Su Chengyuan said after thinking for a bit.

"First, if they participate, the reward for this mission will double.

Second, if we succeed, the spoils obtained in the valley—aside from the items I specifically name—will be divided per person, and they will be treated exactly the same as the Chamber of Commerce members.

Third, let's be blunt: this trip carries risks. Those willing to stay can stay, and those who aren't can wait in the city. They'll receive the rewards they're owed with no fault recorded, and once the contract expires, they can settle up and leave."

Zhao Shan mulled it over. "Mr. Su, isn't that a bit too generous?"

"No, after all, this trip might very well cost them their lives, so we naturally cannot be stingy." Su Chengyuan waved his hand. "However, don't mention the spirit burst pills yet. Just tell them one thing: I have a trump card, and I won't send them to their deaths for nothing. As for what it is specifically, I'll reveal it before we enter the valley."

Zhao Shan nodded to show he understood.

Su Chengyuan added, "Also, make the ugly truth clear beforehand. Once they take this job, they must follow my instructions completely after entering the valley. My word is final, and there is no room for bargaining. If anyone thinks they're too skilled or refuses to be managed..."

He paused, and his tone became significantly heavier. "Then don't blame me for being unkind."

Zhao Shan nodded. "Understood."

"Go then. Give them one hour to consider."

Zhao Shan left.

Su Chengyuan sat on the second floor of the shop, resting with his eyes closed.

Exactly one hour had passed when Zhao Shan knocked on the door.

"All twelve people came."

Su Chengyuan was somewhat surprised, but it was within reason upon reflection.

"Not a single one backed out?"

"None." Zhao Shan rubbed his hands. "After I finished speaking, three people slapped the table and agreed on the spot.

The remaining nine looked at each other, and finally someone said 'Let's do it,' and the rest followed suit with a nod.

However, a few privately tried to ask me what that trump card was. Following your instructions, I didn't reveal a single word, only saying they'd naturally find out when the time came. They didn't press further."

Su Chengyuan snorted. "Loose Cultivators are indeed pragmatic; they don't care about the source, only the benefits."

"There's one more thing. That Late Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator named Zheng Bei chatted with me for a bit on the way here." Zhao Shan's tone carried an inscrutable hint. "He used to be a courtyard Guard for the Golden Core Han Family in the Prefecture City for over a decade and was on good terms with several managers of that clan. His information network is much wider than the average Loose Cultivator's. He told me he heard Han Family members mention that the Four Seas Chamber of Commerce has some dealings with the Danding Sect, and that Danding Sect Disciples visited recently."

Su Chengyuan raised an eyebrow.

He was aware of this. His son, Su Cheng, had previously allowed the Chamber of Commerce to reveal their connection to the Danding Sect within a certain range to give the Four Seas Chamber of Commerce a layer of backing when traveling abroad.

However, this relationship wasn't openly publicized. Most who knew were in the inner circles of the Golden Core powers in the Prefecture City; ordinary Loose Cultivators couldn't touch information at this level.

A Loose Cultivator Guard, relying on a few old connections with a Golden Core Family manager, had actually sniffed out this lead.

"I didn't respond, so he didn't press further," Zhao Shan continued, "but he worked the hardest for the rest of the journey and took the initiative to help share quite a bit of the team's workload."

"A smart man." Su Chengyuan stood up. "Come, let's go meet them."

In the backyard of the Four Seas Chamber of Commerce shop, sixteen Foundation Establishment Cultivators sat in a circle in the middle of the yard.

The atmosphere wasn't exactly tense, but no one was joking around either.

The yard gates were tightly shut, and an isolation Formation had been set up around the area. Li Shi and the two Guards, Liu and Wang, stood watch outside, and even the shop's front door had been shuttered.

When Su Chengyuan came down the stairs, the gazes of the twelve Loose Cultivators turned toward him in unison.

This was the first time these people had seen Su Chengyuan, but they knew he was their semi-behind-the-scenes financier.

Su Chengyuan didn't introduce himself or exchange pleasantries. He stood by the stone table in the center of the yard and got straight to business.

"I'm sure Zhao Shan has already told you the situation, so I won't repeat it. I will only state three rules."

He held up one finger. "First, after entering the valley, everything follows my command; orders must be strictly obeyed. If I say fight, we fight; if I say retreat, we retreat. There is no room for discussion. You can raise objections afterward, but there is no hesitating on the battlefield."

A second finger went up. "Second, no unauthorized actions, no leaving the team, and no abandoning companions to snatch loot."

A third finger. "Third, for those who return alive, Spirit Stones and spoils will not be lacking. For those who die, the reward will be tripled, and I will send someone to deliver it to your designated location."

He lowered his fingers, and Su Chengyuan continued at an unhurried pace.

"Zhao Shan should have mentioned that I have a trump card. It's not convenient to say what it is now, but you will see it with your own eyes before entering the valley. However, I can give you my word: as long as you don't do anything stupid, I won't use your lives to fill a hole."

He paused, his gaze slowly scanning from left to right.

"Of course, the reverse is also true. If anyone enters the valley and decides they have other plans and doesn't want to follow orders..."

His tone remained flat and unchanged.

"Then you'll have to face the consequences. This rule is more important than the first three."

The yard was silent for a few breaths.

The Late Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator named Zheng Bei was the first to stand. He cupped his fists in a salute and said only one word: "Fine."

Another Late Stage Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator, Ma Qian, stood up next and gave a nod.

The other ten rose one after another, either cupping their fists or nodding, with not a single one hesitating.

Su Chengyuan scanned the group, memorizing each person's face.

"Good. Now for the arrangements."

He pulled a Jade Slip from his Storage Pouch, and with a pull of spiritual power, a rough topographical map of Ten Thousand Snakes Valley floated above the stone table.

This was drawn from memory after his first time entering the valley. It wasn't high-precision, but the valley entrance, stream bed, rock walls, bends, and the general locations of the underground Formations were all marked out.

“The allied forces of the five major powers entered the valley this morning, and more than half a day has passed. By my estimation, the first round of clashes should have already begun. We aren't in a rush to go in; we'll wait until dawn tomorrow to set out, taking two routes.”

He drew two lines on the map.

"The first team, led by Zhao Shan with twelve brothers at the Foundation Establishment Mid-stage level, will enter from the valley entrance and advance along the stream bed to here." His finger landed on the first bend in the valley floor. "Once there, conceal yourselves on the spot. Do not advance, do not reveal yourselves, and wait for my signal."

"The second team: I will take Li Shi, Zheng Bei, and Ma Qian. The four of us will enter from the eastern rock wall, take the high ground, circle to the depths, and observe from above."

Zhao Shan interjected, "Mr. Su is going above? The rock walls there are steep, and spiritual power fluctuations are easily detected."

“That's why I'm taking fewer people, and...” Su Chengyuan patted the Talisman pouch at his waist, “Second-grade Hiding Talismans, one for each person.”

Zhao Shan stopped asking. He was already used to Su Chengyuan's Talisman consumption.

This man's fighting style could be summed up in one word: burning.