Chapter 1212: The Landing Money Chamber of Commerce President

"As expected of a major guild, they handle affairs with great prudence." Lu Yang found the guild's regulations very reasonable, believing that large deals required such strictness.

Coincidentally, he had personally witnessed both incidents at the Sword Tower and the Yishan Tianhai Sect from beginning to end. Since both were pure accidents, it was normal for the guild's risk assessment to be inaccurate. Nevertheless, changing the rules was a good idea; perhaps the headquarters staff were more skilled than the branch staff and could make more accurate judgments.

Soon after, Mang Gu and his two senior martial brothers left the guild. If this deal succeeded, Zhongshan County might purchase insurance annually, making it an incredibly lucrative venture. Realizing this, the branch president dared not delay, writing the report and submitting it directly to the Imperial City headquarters.

"Full insurance for Zhongshan County?"

Mang Gu was a disciple of the Wendao Sect, the top scholar of Great Xia, and a specially promoted County Governor. With these three identities combined, he held sway in both official and unofficial circles, leading the Imperial City headquarters to take the matter very seriously.

"Seven seniors, we have a risk assessment that requires your expertise."

The head of risk assessment approached seven cultivators. These seven were no ordinary individuals; they were formerly revered elders of the Jingzhou branch who had been transferred to the headquarters as valuable talents due to their outstanding performance and impeccable record in risk assessment. Although they had made a mistake in their risk assessment of the Yishan Tianhai Sect before their transfer to the headquarters, subsequent investigations revealed it was a pure accident. Who could have anticipated that Guiyuan Heavenly Venerate and Daqian Divine Monarch, who had been missing for eighty thousand years, would battle within the Yishan Tianhai Sect? Since it was an accident, it was not the fault of the seven elders. Their talents could not be overlooked because of it—this was a decision personally made by the Guild President.

"Very well, we'll take care of this," the seven elders stated with full confidence. Since arriving at the headquarters, they had consistently proven their capabilities, with every risk assessment proving highly accurate.

The seven elders analyzed the data for Zhongshan County while relentlessly traveling towards it.

"This insurance is being purchased by the new Zhongshan County Governor, Mang Gu, who is also a disciple of the Wendao Sect."

"From the Wendao Sect?" They hadn't paid much attention to Mang Gu's identity at first, but hearing the name of the Wendao Sect instinctively made them wince.

The leader tried to reassure them: "Alright, can't you get past it? The issue lies with Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, not the Wendao Sect itself. There's no need for such a reaction." Despite this, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou were currently very prominent, making it easy to associate them with the Wendao Sect whenever it was mentioned.

"By the way, does the data mention whether Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou are in Zhongshan County?" one of them inquired. Their past failure at the Yishan Tianhai Sect made them instinctively wary of Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou. Now, for any risk assessment, their first step was to rule out the presence of those two individuals.

"I've checked; they are not mentioned."

"That's good."

The seven elders continued to analyze the materials, frequently commending Mang Gu's actions.

"This young man is remarkable. He remained low-key throughout his time as a county magistrate until half a month ago, when he seized an opportunity to remove three County Governors. Though his methods were assertive, they were both reasonable and legal. This effectively communicated to the high-ranking officials of Huangzhou that he was determined to secure the position of County Governor."

"This also reveals Mang Gu's cautious nature; otherwise, he wouldn't have waited until now to make his move."

"It's normal for a cautious person to purchase insurance."

"However, isn't it a bit unusual to purchase insurance immediately after taking office?" someone still questioned.

The leader shook his head. As the most senior and experienced among them, having encountered all types of individuals, he had long seen through Mang Gu's true objective. "There's one thing you haven't considered: insuring the entire county is indeed very expensive. His seemingly unreasonable request, made immediately upon taking office, is very likely a method to observe the reactions of Zhongshan County officials—to see who supports him and who opposes him."

"A test of loyalty? You're right, I overlooked that."

As they conversed, the truth gradually became clear.

Upon arriving in Zhongshan County, they visited the Quyi County government office and discreetly questioned the local constables.

"Mang Gu hired two distant relatives as constables, and both have since been promoted to the county level. Everything else appears normal."

"Finding work for relatives is a common human trait. People often approach me for favors, asking if I can help them join the guild."

"And have you noticed that these two relatives also participated in the arrests of the three former County Governors? This is something ordinary constables wouldn't dare to do; it could only be handled by relatives Mang Gu deeply trusts. They are his inner circle."

"Indeed."

After completing their investigation, the seven elders submitted their report to the head of risk assessment at the headquarters.

"Extremely low risk?"

The head of risk assessment at the headquarters carefully read their report. It was highly persuasive, citing numerous references, drawing from extensive sources, presenting detailed data, and offering a thorough analysis. All that remained was the Guild President's approval.

"The Guild President isn't here?" the head of risk assessment inquired, informed by the President's secretary of his absence.

"He's been unreachable for several days now," the President's secretary replied, accustomed to the President's frequent disappearances.

"So, should this risk assessment be approved or rejected?" Mang Gu's party was still waiting, and they were a major client.

The President's secretary calmly stated, "According to regulations, if the President cannot be reached and there is an urgent reason, the risk assessment can be directly approved, with all consequences borne by the President."

Zhongshan County Grand Prison.

The criminals captured by Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou were initially held in Quyi County Prison. After Mang Gu's promotion to County Governor, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou decided that these captures were Mang Gu's achievement and that they should keep them with him, thus moving them to the Zhongshan County Grand Prison. Moreover, the Zhongshan County Grand Prison offered a much better environment than the Quyi County Prison, which could be seen as upholding human rights and providing preferential treatment for prisoners.

Inside the grand prison, the three former County Governors were confined to a single cell. Though their experiences differed, their ultimate fates were identical, giving them ample common ground.

"Master, you're actually the King of Thieves!" Fang Ning gazed at his master with adoration. He knew his master was mysterious and powerful, but he hadn't realized the extent of his power.

The King of Thieves—a legendary figure in their Thief Sect, second only to the Thief Ancestor himself.

The King of Thieves sighed, "How often have I taught you to remain calm and collected, to avoid arrogance and impatience? I deliberately withheld my identity precisely because I feared you would react this way."

"The King of Thieves is merely one of my identities. I have another."

"What is it?" Fang Ning looked at his master expectantly.

The King of Thieves' lips curved slightly as he slowly revealed, "The current President of the Falling Coin Guild." Since his good disciple now knew his identity as the King of Thieves, there was no longer any need to conceal his other identity.

"Ah?" Fang Ning was stunned as if struck by lightning. How could his master, the King of Thieves, possibly be the President of the Falling Coin Guild? The two identities were like night and day.

The King of Thieves stretched, then settled into a comfortable lying position. It was certainly more comfortable here than in the Quyi County Prison.

"But Master, you're imprisoned here now. What about the guild?" Fang Ning worried for his master, surprised by his continued calm.

"The Guild President isn't as busy as you imagine," he replied. "I often disappeared before, and the guild continued to operate normally. There won't be any problems."