Chapter 174: Give One More Chance

Excellent!

That was well said, showing great magnanimity, which made Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang stare at him, and then at their own people.

Since Wan Daoxuan had spoken and given such an assurance, Mai Zhanchang felt unburdened. He turned to face his disheartened comrades who had arrived and declared, "When we were united, no matter how much we contributed, the credit was never ours. Now that we're separate, the achievements we make on our own are still expected to be handed over to them. Everyone, tell me, is this fair?"

Initially, no one responded. Then, one of Mai Zhanchang's disciples shouted, "Unfair!"

Cries of "Unfair!" began to rise and fall, gradually coalescing into a single voice that echoed through the valley.

The shouting gradually revealed anger, a desire for release and resistance. The grievances that had long been suppressed in their hearts finally burst forth in a moment where the law would not punish the masses. The welcoming golden lights on both sides of the valley dimmed considerably. This wasn't a return of comrades; it was an attempt to seize credit. Why welcome them? They didn't even want to show a friendly face.

On a distant mountaintop, hearing the resounding clamor, Mulan Qingqing stood with her hands behind her back, still as cold as ice and expressionless.

Guanying Jie, standing nearby, chirped, "So it begins."

Shi Chun's expression was solemn. Wu Jinliang, noticing his reaction, immediately became solemn as well. In any case, neither of them spoke, allowing the clamor to continue.

In fact, most people no longer believed in the current arrangement. Based on the previous income of Insect Crystals, if they continued, they would definitely lose to the other side, and it felt like an unfair loss.

"Stop spouting nonsense there; honestly admit defeat!"

It was a point to concede; further talk would only bring embarrassment. Mai Zhanchang, after a moment, spoke softly to the crowd: "Everyone, quiet down."

After observing the reactions from both sides, Shi Chun spoke on behalf of his own group: "Brother Wan, there's no need for such complications. There's no point in further comparison, and I don't think we can win anyway. Let's consider the conference concluded; there's no need for further complications. We are trustworthy and will not break the agreement. Let's just stick to the original terms."

"I won't beat around the bush." Mai Zhanchang declared with a sweep of his hand. "We've heard your dissatisfaction and demands, and we've just discussed them carefully." Mai Zhanchang smiled faintly, secretly breathing a sigh of relief. This was more normal; he had truly been startled earlier. Since Shi Chun was not participating, Mai Zhanchang's group was considerably more at ease. Their abilities were evident; they couldn't be dismissed as ordinary people. There was an inexplicable sense of apprehension in their hearts.

Shi Chun: "I have no particular intentions. They are them, and I am me. I cannot control them. In any case, I personally will absolutely not break the agreement. What is decided is decided. Let's count the Insect Crystals in front of each other, and we'll honor the bet, win or lose."

"We made our arrangements according to the win-loss competition. Now they come with this? What were they doing before?"

However, we also have our own valid reasons. Our major factions are here to compete for rank in this conference. If they want to break the agreement, we cannot possibly agree.

After stopping the commotion, he said to Shi Chun and the others: "Alright, everyone, you've traveled a long way and worked hard. Please settle down and rest. After we discuss things on our side, we will give everyone a satisfactory answer."

After listening for a while, Weng Yueteng also stopped paying attention to the loud quarrels of those people. While they argued, he quietly asked Shi Chun: "Brother Shi, we had an agreement. What do you mean by this?"

Logically, according to the bet, there was nothing to discuss; it was as it was. However, they had to admit one point: the quantity of the returning group's harvest this time truly surprised them. It would be unfair to say they had no credit. As the clamor of agreement arose from Mai Zhanchang's side, many people on the hillsides on the elite forces' side immediately became agitated and roared their objections. Those who refused and protested were among the elite forces who stood to lose out on credit if the new harvest was factored in. If all credit was based on the original outcome, they would get some share. But if it went by the current total results, they would get nothing, so they naturally objected vehemently. Interestingly, the hospitality from the elite forces was quite good; even caves had been dug for them in the valley, ready for immediate occupation.

Mai Zhanchang raised a hand to stop them. "Brother Shi," he said, "this isn't how things were. If internal strife turns into utter chaos, and Xuanzhou's bid for first place becomes a laughingstock due to internal training, then a good thing will turn bad once we go out, and we'll have no way to account for it to the Domain Lord."

Weng Yueteng said, "Let's allocate credit according to individual harvest and performance, without favoring anyone."

Shi Chun looked helpless, raising both hands to stop them. "Alright, alright, you all handle it yourselves." Another voice said, "Exactly, take whatever you earned, not a single bit more or less." Someone else said, "Leader, we haven't even competed yet, how can you conclude we won't win?"

Someone among the disorganized crowd retorted, "They gathered elites to compete with us. Is that fair or unfair? Don't they have any idea?"

He was a bit unsure how to respond. Forcibly making the other side compete again would both provoke their resentment and risk disapproval from his own people, potentially leading to a vicious cycle and increased suspicion.

A group of people swarmed around him, almost vying for position, urging Shi Chun. Some were so anxious they were on the verge of accusing him of deliberately going easy on Mulan Qingqing's side.

A shout brought the scene to a halt. Then, he said to the reluctant group, "Just say it directly, what do you want?"

Yuan Wu and Mai Zhanchang were somewhat speechless, wanting to ask what that fellow meant. Giving them opportunities didn't seem to make sense.

Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang subconsciously exchanged glances again. It would be strange if someone who dared to publicly reprimand people from major factions was simple. Both realized that there might be more than just one or two moles on their side.

Someone among the elite forces on the hillside responded loudly, "If you thought it was unfair, you should have said so earlier! If they had truly won, would they still be crying foul?"

Tang Zhen quickly spoke up: "The items aren't urgent, and they won't cause trouble. People are the most troublesome. Human matters need to be clarified first. If we argue over credit later and disturb the Domain Lord, it won't look good for any of us."

"However, let's make things clear upfront: this time, there can be no more going back on our word. Whichever side wins, the Insect Crystals will belong to that side entirely. If you lose, you are not allowed to argue or make a fuss again. Quietly conclude this conference and do not cause trouble for Xuanzhou. It will be the same if we lose." Fortunately, there was an insider among them. Wan Daoxuan was the first to object, limping to Shi Chun and advising him, "Leader, there's a chance to compete, a chance to be strong." So, the disorganized crowd was led away.

Shi Chun: "It's not that complicated, is it? Both sides count the Insect Crystals, and we honor the bet. What can objections do? Once we go out, who among your smaller sects and factions would dare to challenge them?"

Shi Chun spread his hands slightly. "What do they say we should do? We've made sacrifices but gained nothing. They're just venting a bit. I can't always shut them up, nor can I. Otherwise, so many people wouldn't have died back then."

"If you agree, we'll give you a chance to compete again. If you don't agree, then this matter is dropped, and no more fuss is allowed. What do you think?" Someone among the elite forces mocked, "At least they have some self-awareness, knowing who the elites are, and that they're inferior. Do they have any idea who the credit belongs to?" "You, with your strong manpower, managed to achieve nearly half the results. Your dissatisfaction is completely understandable to us. Given your actual contributions, we also don't want to ruthlessly erase them. After discussion, we decided to give you another chance to compete."

Behind them, Chu Jingting, who knew a little of the inside story, blinked his eyes repeatedly, sighing inwardly, "Every single one of them harbors ill intentions."

"Leader, you can't do this! So many brothers died; they can't have died in vain!" After a pause, Wan Daoxuan conjured a spell and loudly announced, "Everyone, quiet down! No more arguing, no more fuss. Let's talk things through properly." After the noise subsided a little, he added, "I understand what they mean, but the competition rules were agreed upon by everyone. It's probably not appropriate to deny the results after they've been achieved, is it?" Shi Chun quietly watched as this small group represented everyone. He didn't say a word. Wu Jinliang blinked his large eyes repeatedly.

Seeing that the argument was about to spiral out of control again, Mai Zhanchang conjured a spell and roared, "Everyone, shut up!"

The disorganized crowd looked at each other, surprised by this unexpected turn. Weng Yueteng and his group of eight also exchanged glances. They hadn't arranged so many posturing individuals among the elite forces. Now it seemed there was no need; once a topic was brought up, arguments naturally arose. Wan Daoxuan, not standing on ceremony, directly represented their side and asked the other side, "If we compete again, how should we do it?" He squeezed out from the crowd and shrugged helplessly at Mai Zhanchang's side, as if to say he also had no solution.

"Leader, they are willing to compete again. How can you cut short our own opportunity?"

"Leader, it's not too late to decide after hearing what they want to compete about." Chu Jingting, besides blinking his eyes, also stroked his full beard several times.

He turned and gestured towards the white cloth sacks carried by the group from the Azure Ripple Sect behind him. "All our Insect Crystals are here. Let's start counting them now. The sooner we finish, the sooner this is over. I'm tired of arguing. We can leave at dawn anyway."

After speaking, he waved his hand, signaling for people to take them away and settle them. Immediately, someone among the so-called disorganized crowd loudly retorted, "What kind of agreement is this? Do we have a choice, or is it just whatever they say?"

Shi Chun, Wu Jinliang, and the others retreated to the side, leaving the matter for the two sides to decide among themselves, looking as if they were not participating.

Someone among the elite forces snorted, "That's wrong. We call that calculating clearly. We only make a move when we're sure we can win. We don't bother with anything less. Unlike them, who waste time running around. We act only after we're fully rested. Winning against them is simply our skill."

"Yes, distribute it according to results!"

"A bunch of good-for-nothing idiots, who don't even know how to find a good excuse to take advantage!"

About an hour later, Mai Zhanchang and two companions arrived with a group of people they had finally managed to pacify after much effort. They also called out Shi Chun's people to discuss face-to-face.

Many people among the elite forces, however, reacted with clear reluctance, having evidently been forcibly persuaded.