356: Qingyun Chamber of Commerce's decision

Hearing this, the Withered Bone Ascetic's brow furrowed even deeper, a trace of struggle flashing in his eyes.

He touched the sound transmission jade talisman hidden inside his monk's robes, his fingertips trembling slightly.

That was what Situ Jun had given him inside the Immortal Cave; the commands within the Jade Talisman were concise and overbearing, exactly the three he had just announced.

He still remembered that young but terrifying figure in the core area of the Immortal Cave, who could suppress Nascent Soul old monsters with a casual gesture; such strength had long since surpassed his imagination.

He had heard that Elder Yin Gu and Village Elder Gongsun were killed on the spot by Situ Jun for defying him, their souls and forms completely obliterated.

It was already a great fortune that he could come out alive.

"I presume everyone is well aware of my character."

The Withered Bone Ascetic spoke slowly, his voice still raspy.

"I presume everyone knows my character; I have always been ruthless and profit-driven. Why would I care about the life or death of those secular Mortals? I cannot say much about this matter, nor is it convenient to do so, but these three commands concern the rise and fall of our Ten Thousand Gu Sect. There is no room for the slightest doubt!"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, his tone carrying an unquestionable majesty.

"A few pieces of Mortal silver, coarse grains, and cloth are but a drop in the bucket for our Ten Thousand Gu Sect; I imagine no one will care too much. If we provoke an existence that should not be provoked because of this, never mind an empty treasury, I fear our Ten Thousand Gu Sect will be erased from Southern Border, leaving not even a chicken or dog alive!"

He spoke the last sentence with great weight, carrying a heavy threat.

Hearing this, everyone's expressions changed. Although they still had doubts, seeing the Withered Bone Ascetic so resolute and the fear in his tone seemingly genuine, they did not dare to question him further.

A moment later, light flickered in Sect Leader Yang Yu's eyes. After weighing the pros and cons, he was the first to speak.

"Elder Withered Bone has always been far-sighted. Since he says it is for the survival of the Sect, there is likely no mistake. We shall follow Elder Withered Bone's words; the three commands are to be executed immediately!"

He looked toward the back of the hall and shouted loudly,

"Huang Yun!"

"Disciple is here!"

A handsome young Disciple dressed in a white robe stepped forward quickly and bowed.

He was Yang Yu's Personal Disciple and a standout among the younger generation of the Ten Thousand Gu Sect. He handled matters steadily and was deeply trusted.

"This matter shall be handled by you. You must put your heart and soul into it; there must be no mistakes!"

Yang Yu said in a heavy voice.

"Yes! Disciple obeys! I will see to it immediately!"

Huang Yun replied with a bow, turned around, and walked away quickly.

Watching Huang Yun's back, the Withered Bone Ascetic slowly withdrew his gaze and touched the sound transmission jade talisman again, a trace of imperceptible bitterness appearing on his face.

One cannot help themselves... but compared to the fate of Old Ghost Yin Gu, whose soul and form were destroyed, being able to return alive and keep his life and power was already an immense stroke of luck.

He only hoped to properly handle the tasks Situ Jun had assigned and safely survive this tribulation.

The discussions in the hall gradually subsided as the Elders and Disciples withdrew to their respective duties... Tianqi Dynasty Royal Capital, the Tianqi Branch of the Qingyun Chamber of Commerce.

This chamber of commerce, located in the most prosperous area of the Royal Capital, featured towering buildings with carved beams and painted rafters, exuding luxury.

At this moment, inside the meeting hall deep within the chamber, the atmosphere was exceptionally heavy.

Mo Chenggui hurried back to the Headquarters, travel-worn. He wore a deep blue brocade robe, his face resolute and his eyes tinged with fatigue. He had clearly just rushed back from Southern Border and hadn't even had time to catch his breath.

As soon as he returned to this Tianqi Branch, he immediately convened an emergency meeting in his capacity as Executive Elder and Southern Region Inspector, with all high-level members of the chamber present.

"Pass down my orders!"

Mo Chenggui stood at the head of the meeting hall, his voice steady and powerful, yet carrying unquestionable authority. His gaze swept over the high-level members below, and everyone felt the determination in his tone.

"First, all branches of the Qingyun Chamber of Commerce within the borders of the Tianqi Dynasty are to open their granaries immediately! All grain, basic Medicinal Pills, and low-rank Magical Artifacts are to be sold to the people and Cultivators of Southern Border at pre-disaster prices. Any price gouging or hoarding is strictly forbidden! If anyone violates this, they will be removed from their position and expelled from the chamber!"

"Second, immediately send word to the branches of the Qingyun Chamber of Commerce in the Great Zhou Dynasty to allocate thirty percent of their reserve resources—including cloth, medicinal herbs, Spirit Grain seeds, and ordinary farm tools—to be quickly transported to the Southern Border of the Tianqi Dynasty as free aid to help the local tribes and Cultivators rebuild their homes! The loss and costs of transporting the materials will be entirely borne by the Tianqi Branch!"

"Third, mobilize all the chamber's strength, including the enshrined Cultivators and hired escorts, to clear the banditry and troublemaking Loose Cultivators from all main trade routes from the Tianqi Royal Capital to the Southern Border, ensuring that the aid materials can pass through without obstruction! Anyone who stands in the way, regardless of their background, is to be killed without mercy!"

As the three orders were issued one after another, the meeting hall fell into a dead silence.

The high-level members looked at each other, their faces full of shock and confusion.

A moment later, a fat Elder with a ruddy complexion couldn't help but speak up, his tone filled with deep heartache.

"Elder Mo, this move... this move is far too costly! Selling grain at fair prices already yields no profit, and free aid is a total loss. Combined with the transport losses of allocated materials and the manpower and resources to clear the trade routes, our chamber's loss this time will be more than ten million Spirit Stones! This... does this need to be reported to the main Headquarters? For such a major decision, it might be inappropriate for our Tianqi Branch to act on its own, right?"

This fat Elder was in charge of the chamber's finances and valued profit above all else. At the thought of such a huge loss, he couldn't help but feel his heart ache.

Other high-level members also chimed in.

"Indeed, Elder Mo, ten million Spirit Stones is no small sum. The main Headquarters likely won't agree to it."

"Moreover, Southern Border is currently in chaos, with many Cultivators fighting there. If we intervene rashly, we might lose both materials and manpower if we're not careful. The gains won't make up for the losses!"

Mo Chenggui's gaze turned cold as he swept it over the fat Elder, a formless pressure quietly releasing.

He had now undone the Star Seal Restriction on his Cultivation. Just a sliver of his aura was enough to make the Golden Core Stage fat Elder break into a cold sweat instantly, his face turning pale as he didn't dare say another word.

"Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures! I have my own judgment on this matter!"

Mo Chenggui's tone was categorical, leaving no room for compromise as he continued.

"If Southern Border falls into chaos and the trade routes are cut off, the Foundation of our Qingyun Chamber of Commerce in Tianqi and even the Southern Region nations will be shaken. By then, the loss won't just be ten million Spirit Stones, but countless profits and a century of heritage!"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd as he continued in a heavy voice.

"As the Inspector of the Southern Region nations, I have the power to make immediate decisions. This matter does not need to be reported to the main Headquarters! If the main Headquarters holds anyone accountable later, I alone will bear all the blame; it has nothing to do with you! Now, I only ask one thing: can you execute these orders?"

Hearing this, everyone's heart skipped a beat.

Mo Chenggui's strength and determination left them no room for further doubt.

Furthermore, every word Mo Chenggui said was reasonable. The Southern Border trade route was vital to the Qingyun Chamber of Commerce; once cut off, the consequences would be unimaginable.

"We obey! We will execute the orders immediately!"

The high-level members all bowed in unison, not daring to delay in the slightest.

"Very well."

Mo Chenggui nodded slightly, his tone softening a bit as he said,

"This matter is of great importance. You must personally oversee it and ensure there are no mistakes. Accelerate the transport of materials and clear the trade routes with vigor and speed. We must let Southern Border feel the sincerity of our Qingyun Chamber of Commerce in the shortest time possible."

"Yes!"

The high-level members all took their orders, turned around, and walked away quickly to begin their work.