Chapter 1017: You don't have that qualification

## Chapter 1007: You Don't Have the Right

"Whoa, whoa," He Lingchuan waved his hand. "Don't misrepresent things. Mr. Yu, you're sitting here perfectly fine; I haven't 'dealt with' any officials from Beijia."

Yu Zecheng's expression softened. Just moments ago, the sight of the roasted wolf had filled him with such rage that he couldn't think straight. Now, having sat down and recovered his composure, he suddenly realized something: this He Xiao still feared Beijia. If he didn't, why would he insist on making him deny that the wolf demon and his teammates were from Beijia? Dealing with stray animals and demons was nobody's business, but killing demons from Beijia would certainly lead to repercussions. However, what was the point of He's insistence on splitting hairs and making only superficial statements? No matter how deranged he seemed, he must know that Yu Zecheng would report everything truthfully upon his return home.

However, He Lingchuan’s next sentence was, "What I've dealt with—no, I mean, what I'm about to execute—are all foreign invaders." He, of course, emphasized the word "execute." "Beijia wouldn't go easy on foreign invaders either, would they?"

Yu Zecheng responded blankly, "Stop playing games. Name your terms." The young man didn't dare kill him, but he also didn't want to release him. As for his subordinates and his team, He Lingchuan treated them differently, not considering them "Beijia officials" at all. Since they had participated in the Bairong rebellion, it was no surprise for something to happen to them during the operation; the island lord had the right to defend his territory. Every action had a consequence. If he didn't do something, his teammates would soon become "casualties of war." Soon! They wouldn't be able to wait for Beijia's rescue. Not to mention, these were all old subordinates who had followed him for years. If his subordinates were wiped out while he himself returned safely, could he ever hold his head high in Lingxu City or in the military again? Victory and defeat were common in war, but abandoning one's subordinates to their deaths was not the way of a general. Moreover, a large part of tonight's battle failure was due to him.

"Good, I knew Mr. Yu was a straightforward person," He Lingchuan clapped his hands. "It seems to me that tonight's incident was just a misunderstanding between us. Mr. Yu was also misled by villains. As long as we clear up this misunderstanding, there will be no conflict between Mr. Yu and me, nor between Yangshan Archipelago and Beijia. Wouldn't you agree?" He directed the last question to his guards behind him. Of course, everyone nodded repeatedly. If the leader said yes, then it certainly was.

Yu Zecheng knew it was his turn to speak. "In Island Lord He's view, how can this misunderstanding be resolved?" How was this situation going to be settled?

"Where there's a will, there's a way," He Lingchuan mused. "Behind my hot spring retreat, another villa, called 'Zhaowan Hall,' is about to be completed. It faces west, offering endless beautiful views of the sunset over the sea."

"So?"

"These villas are reserved for our most distinguished clients. Zhaowan Hall is also available for lease, with a thirty-year term."

Yu Zecheng was startled, taking a moment to fully grasp the meaning. He Xiao's condition for releasing them was...? He spoke, his voice a little dry, "What's the rent?"

"Such a prime location and exquisite villa would normally cost at least one hundred and fifty taels per day," He Lingchuan's abacus clicked so loudly that almost everyone in the room heard it. "However, if Mr. Yu opts for a long-term lease, we can offer a 40% discount, making it only ninety taels a day."

Ninety taels? Yu Zecheng's jaw tightened. Ninety taels a day for thirty years amounted to one million taels! This fellow wanted to extract one million taels from him?

"Suding Island is bound to prosper, and this price might not even be available during peak seasons later on. Mr. Yu, investing now is a good deal," He Lingchuan sighed. "Besides, if you lease this villa on Suding Island, even if you don't use it yourself, you can sublet it or let your relatives and friends stay there."

Lu Qiuwei and the others kept straight faces, suppressing their laughter. Their lord was earnestly trying to persuade Yu Zecheng to rent his property, as serious as a seasoned landlord. This was probably because Yu Zecheng was indeed wealthy. When he first arrived at Yangshan Archipelago, didn't he immediately offer a million to buy the islands? Everyone believed he truly possessed such financial means. Beijia's wealth was unmatched in the world, and Yu Zecheng, leading a team to capture Zhu Erniang, surely had ample funds for the operation. Not to mention, they had certainly bribed local officials in Mu Kingdom and even offered a hefty reward for Zhu Erniang's cave spiders. Wasn't that money flowing like water? He Lingchuan was currently desperate to raise funds; how could he let such a wealthy patron go? He was determined to have Yu Zecheng contribute significantly to the development of Yangshan Archipelago.

In truth, behind this comical scene lay a bloody reality. If the conditions weren't met, those Beijia people would be turned into delicious dishes. And if Yangshan Archipelago mishandled the situation, it would inevitably ignite Beijia's towering rage!

Yu Zecheng fell silent. Leasing the villa was just a pretext; He was extorting him! No ransom, no lives. But defeat was defeat; he would definitely have to swallow this loss. One million taels was, of course, an enormous sum for him. He could advance it from public funds, but he would later have to pay it back himself. When under another's roof, one must bow one's head. He secretly took a deep breath and, under everyone's gaze, said in a deep voice, "Six hundred thousand taels."

Lu Qiuwei and the others exchanged glances. "Oh boy, Mr. Yu caught on so quickly and even knew how to haggle?" Had Island Lord He just enlightened him? Once this stage began, it was all about practicality.

"Mr. Yu, that's quite a steep cut you're proposing," He Lingchuan's tone hardened. "Let's skip the haggling part. The price is ninety thousand taels, fixed." Since Yu Zecheng had already conceded, he didn't want to waste too much time here. There were many other troubles waiting for him, the island lord, to resolve. He Lingchuan didn't want to play games anymore, so Yu Zecheng could only swallow his pride and nod, "Alright, but I'll need some time to raise the money." He took off the jade thumb ring from his right hand and placed it on the table. "This is a deposit."

He Lingchuan took it and looked inside. The storage ring contained over a dozen banknotes, totaling around three hundred thousand taels. He immediately beamed with joy. "Suding Island welcomes straightforward people like Mr. Yu the most! Feel free to stay as long as you like; Nuanxiang Study will make you feel right at home." To Yu Zecheng, these words were full of sarcasm.

However, He Lingchuan immediately added, "Oh, and Mr. Yu, when you send your message to Lingxu City, could you do me a favor and deliver a letter for me?"

Yu Zecheng was somewhat surprised. "To whom?"

"Grand Tutor Shuangye."

Yu Zecheng was a little astonished. "You know Grand Tutor Shuangye?" He suddenly recalled Grand Tutor Shuangye's remarks about He Lingchuan. It seemed these two had known each other before.

"We met once in the imperial capital, and I often think of the old man," He Lingchuan stood up. "Mr. Yu, please rest well. I still have matters to attend to. I'll send the letter over the day after tomorrow."

Circumstances change with time. Now he felt it was necessary to write a letter to Grand Tutor Shuangye.

Wanqiu Feng quickly stood up. Surely it was his turn now? But he stood up so abruptly that his chair tilted back with a creak. Wanqiu Feng reached out to steady it, a sheepish expression on his face. His uncle, Wanqiu Song, was a monster, but he didn't torture his opponents with as much... creativity as Island Lord He, making even a bystander like him feel a chill running down his spine. Sure enough, He Lingchuan beckoned to him with a smile, "Come, it's your turn."

As the group was about to leave the private room, He Lingchuan suddenly stopped, turned, and said to Qiu Hu, "Ah Hu, you stay behind and attend to the guest. At least cut Mr. Yu another wolf leg, lest our honored guest doesn't get enough to eat here."

Qiu Hu responded, "Yes," turned back, and indeed brought out his silver knife again. Mr. Yu had already swallowed a piece of wolf meat; did he really need another leg? Their lord had said, make sure the guest has an unforgettable night.

Yu Zecheng's face flushed crimson. He couldn't help but say, "Looking at all your actions, do you really think this is over? Do you really think you've won?" In his view, He Xiao wasn't just teetering on the edge of utter self-destruction; he was boldly provoking it.

"Heh. Whether I'm finished or not is not for you, Yu Zecheng, to decide, nor is it for you to worry about," With the outcome decided, He Lingchuan no longer concealed his disdain. "Don't you understand? You don't have the right."

The group left the private room in Yu Zecheng's silence and headed for the back door. This Beijia general could no longer stir up any trouble.

Wanqiu Feng quickly said, "Island Lord..." He felt nervous when facing He Lingchuan, having rehearsed what he wanted to say several times in his mind. However, as soon as he spoke, He Lingchuan interrupted him again. "Where are your people?" Having been interrupted at least seven or eight times tonight while talking with He Lingchuan, Wanqiu Feng was no longer annoyed. Besides, he had watched the entire time in the private room, witnessing firsthand how He Lingchuan dealt with Yu Zecheng. He Lingchuan had roasted Beijia's demon soldiers as if they were just food; what good outcome could his Bairong people expect? It wasn't looking optimistic.

"...Not far," Wanqiu Feng replied.

"It's always uncomfortable to be out in the wind and rain. Do you want to let them in to shelter?"

Wanqiu Feng did not answer.

"You're quite courageous to come looking for me," He Lingchuan gestured outside. "Come out with me; we can talk as we walk." He controlled the pace of the conversation, leaving Wanqiu Feng with no choice but to follow him out of Nuanxiang Study.

Behind them, Wang Fubao and Lu Qiuwei exchanged glances, knowing that the next act was beginning. The scene in the private room had been a combination of intimidation and persuasion: hitting Yu Zecheng and knocking Wanqiu Feng. It was crucial to make Wanqiu Feng understand exactly who he was dealing with! It was also to make him carefully weigh how much leverage he truly had and what the consequences of acting recklessly would be. And the effect of this performance was indeed excellent. Wanqiu Feng now faced He Lingchuan feeling constrained and uneasy, his hands fidgeting, completely different from when he first arrived. This state was much like when Min Tianxi and the others had first been subdued by He Lingchuan.

He Lingchuan's first words when addressing the main topic were remarkably gentle: "Your old uncle and the clan members are all fine; their lives are not in danger." His uncle had indeed been caught. Wanqiu Feng's heart first sank to rock bottom. When he saw that the explosion site at Suding Island's pier was in the wrong place and then heard that He Lingchuan was still there playing chess, he knew something was seriously wrong. Unfortunately, his prediction came true: they had used a strategy to lure the enemy, a tactic to draw the tiger away from the mountain. His uncle had foolishly walked straight into the trap, bringing over a hundred clan members with him! But then he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.