Chapter 303 - 245: I Help My Beloved Wife Achieve Glory in Ganshan City (2)

Chapter 303: Chapter 245: I Help My Beloved Wife Achieve Glory in Ganshan City (2)

Of course, the Huang Family was unwilling to accept this, much less hand over a twenty percent tribute.

But they were in no position to object. The City Lord had clearly been bested, so they naturally didn’t dare to raise a fuss.

Tang Wen was puzzled and sent a sound transmission to Shui Yun. "Senior Sister, why haven’t the Huang Family’s other Fourth Grade masters made an appearance?"

A Fifth Grade master’s lifespan was one to two hundred years; a Fourth Grade’s was likely even longer.

The title of City Lord wasn’t a lifetime appointment.

The Huang Family had produced more than one City Lord. They should have at least one Fourth Grade master.

Shui Yun shook her head. "The City Lord has always been a mysterious and reclusive figure. It’s hard to say if the Huang Family has any other Fourth Grade masters."

She hadn’t used a sound transmission, so Aunt Lian, who was standing nearby, overheard and answered them. "They probably don’t have any. In fact, not only the Huang Family, but all of Ganshan City likely has only one Fourth Grade master: the City Lord himself."

"Huh?"

Curiosity filled the eyes of Tang Wen, Shui Yun, and Li Zi.

Aunt Lian said, "This is just speculation. It hasn’t been confirmed, so don’t repeat it."

The three of them exchanged a glance. Knowing this wasn’t the time to discuss the matter, they fell silent.

After speaking, the Jade Tiger paid no mind to the crowd’s reaction. It turned, settled back into the young woman’s embrace, and let out a wide yawn.

The City Lord saw this, gave the tiger a look, and didn’t linger. He turned and headed directly for the Inner City Lord’s Mansion.

The young woman on the White Tiger showed little reverence for the Fourth Grade City Lord, casually reaching out to stroke his Jade Tiger as if it were a simple housecat, even rubbing its head from time to time.

A Fifth Grade master from the Commerce Association, who was fond of pets, watched the scene with immense envy.

He was dying to rush down there himself and get a few pets in.

With the City Lord gone and the Huang Family’s backbone shattered, there was a momentary leadership vacuum.

All eyes turned to Patriarch Chen.

After a moment’s thought, he stepped forward. "Ladies, it’s windy and dusty out here. Shall we move the discussion inside the city?"

What the City Lord had decreed was not up for debate.

But whether it was the matter of tribute, the handing over of materials, or the exchange for Fifth Grade masters to bolster their defenses...

None of it could be settled with a single sentence.

There were many details to be ironed out.

"Alright."

Without consulting anyone, the young woman agreed immediately. Spurring on her White Tiger, she led the way into the city.

The seven White Tigers took to the air, soaring over the broken ramparts and landing directly within the city.

Fifth Grade mounts.

’I wonder if they’d be willing to sell those White Tigers?’ Tang Wen thought, his eyes burning with envy.

The women riding the tigers looked all around, intrigued by everything the city had to offer.

Between the Outer City and the Inner City lay a wide, open plaza.

The two groups came to a halt there.

Without needing to be told, leaders of the major factions like Shui Qianjun and the Giant Rock Gang Leader ordered their core personnel to approach for the council. The remaining members formed a perimeter around the plaza, preventing anyone from getting close.

Li Zi gave a slight pout and stepped back. Tang Wen, Shui Yun, Aunt Lian, and a few of the Vice Gang Leaders stepped forward.

The Three Great Families of the Inner City and the five major factions from the Outer City were each represented by about ten people.

The Huang Family also sent a few of their Fifth Grade masters.

In total, over a hundred people were taking part in the council.

"How should we address you, miss?"

"This is the Saintess of our tribe."

"Holy Daughter," Patriarch Chen began, choosing his words carefully to both spin the matter of tribute in a more pleasant light and explain it simply. "Since the City Lord has commanded it, our families will not refuse to provide you with annual provisions in exchange for the aid of your Fifth Grade masters. However, our incomes vary year to year. We will present our account books for your people to inspect and verify."

"Hm, alright." The Saintess surveyed the crowd, her gaze finally resting on Patriarch Chen. "We were originally invited here by the Black Water Gang to discuss a partnership. That being the case, we’ll have the Black Water Gang handle the transport of provisions and act as the liaison for daily communications with our tribe."

Huh?!

The White Tiger Saintess sounded quite reasonable and easy to deal with.

There wasn’t a trace of arrogance in her demeanor; her words even seemed considerate of Ganshan City’s dignity.

The leaders of the major factions were all exceptionally shrewd individuals.

They keenly sensed that establishing a line of communication with the White Tiger Tribe could be immensely profitable!

"Saintess, the Black Water Gang is willing to undertake this important duty!" Shui Qianjun, overjoyed, reacted in a flash.

The moment the words left her mouth, he had accepted without a shred of hesitation.

"Hold on, hold on. There’s no need to decide so quickly."

Before the Saintess could even nod her agreement, Patriarch Chen interjected, clearly displeased.

The leaders of the Horse Gang and Boat Gang both spoke up:

"Saintess, our gangs were founded on transporting goods! No one knows logistics better than us!"

Having spoken in unison, the two shot each other a glare.

"You’re both mistaken," the head of the Commerce Association cut in. "We have the most comprehensive inventory of goods. A task like this should naturally fall to us."

The members of the Huang Family were seething with impotent rage.

’What is the meaning of this?’

’Are you all already competing to suck up to the enemy?’

’This is treason!’

’You’re all betraying the city!’

Though furious, the Huang Family members dared not voice their anger.

’In the past, was there ever a city-wide council where our Huang Family wasn’t the center of attention?’

’Now we have the smallest delegation, are forced to provide the most resources, and are left standing in a forgotten corner like a bunch of nobodies!’

’How could they possibly remain calm?’

Unfortunately, the tide had turned. They could do nothing but remain silent.

Shui Qianjun said, "Everyone, everyone! My gang has the deepest ties to the White Tiger Tribe, so it’s only fitting that we take responsibility for this. I’ve even chosen the perfect candidate. Tang Wen, step forward!"

Tang Wen, who had been watching the drama unfold from the back: ?

’So much for being a bystander.’

"Yes, Master."

His Gang Leader had called him out by name. He had no choice but to assent and step forward.

Those who had met Tang Wen before knew, upon hearing his name, that the game was already over for them.

If even worldly old men found the youth’s beauty to be unparalleled, what chance did these Tiger Race women stand, who had clearly seen so little of the world?

Patriarch Chen, who had never met Tang Wen, was surprised to hear Shui Qianjun call out a name with such confidence.

But when he turned to look... well, damn!

’Old Shui, you cunning bastard!’

’We’re all here talking about logistics and diplomacy, and you just go straight for the honey trap? Unbelievable!’