The two generals were still shaking their heads.
Having served as a caravan commander for many years, Qian Sanduo understood that the other party had been offering conditions and continuously lowering their demands. Simply rejecting them outright wasn't a solution.
He cleared his throat softly and asked, "Young Mistress Bai, since things have come to this, why don't we discuss it in detail first? Only then can we make a decision, right?"
General Zhao also chimed in, "Young Mistress Bai, you can rest assured. Whether or not we end up cooperating, we will never breathe a word of this."
As for the risk of leaks, Bai Youruo wasn't too worried.
She summarized, "The task is to enter Mountain Chasing City, quietly find something, and then retrieve it."
"Is it really that simple? In that case, Young Mistress Bai only needs to write a letter and provide a token, and we'll send someone to fetch it. If you're not at ease, you can send someone to accompany them."
Bai Youruo smiled bitterly. "It's naturally not that simple. The reason I was ambushed outside the city is because someone doesn't want me to get my hands on that item. The contact my family originally had in Mountain Chasing City—I'm not even sure what their current situation is. What I'm afraid of is that if someone enters with my token, they'll be captured immediately!"
The waters were indeed deep.
Anyone who dared to harm Bai Youruo was an enemy of the Bai family.
Given how powerful the Bai family was, their enemies couldn't possibly be small fry.
The two generals pondered intently, but lacking crucial information, they couldn't come up with anything concrete.
All they knew was that this task carried significant risks.
After thinking for a while, Qian Sanduo combined his previous experiences and speculations from his merchant days and ventured, "The enemy knew Young Mistress Bai's itinerary and the number of people with her, allowing them to set up an ambush with such precision in terms of timing and location. Could it be that the enemy comes from within the Bai family?"
Bai Ying and Bai Xue's expressions turned grim.
Bai Youruo sighed, which was as good as an admission.
Qian Sanduo continued, "I've heard that Old Master Bai is over a hundred years old. He has many children, and several of his sons are exceptionally talented.The atmosphere grew subtle.
Bai Youruo's gaze turned icy as she stared at Qian Sanduo.
But the latter wasn't intimidated.
Instead, he became even more convinced that he had guessed the truth!
Think about it.
What was the status of the Bai family's young mistress from White Stone City?
After losing two Transcendents and narrowly escaping danger, shouldn't she have immediately sought to return to White Stone City and bring back more experts to crush her enemies?
Why had she lingered in this small, rundown camp of theirs for several days?
And now, she wanted to rely on the strength of their Flame Camp?
Even if this place was too far from Tri-Alliance City—a journey that would take an ordinary caravan over a year—with just three Sand Wolves as mounts, traveling day and night, she could return quickly!
But clearly, she didn't want to go back like that? She insisted on accomplishing something first.
And instead of seeking help from her family, she wanted to use external forces to strike at her opponent.
This was unreasonable.
Unless her enemy was also from the Bai family—and held a high position.
Otherwise, whoever dared to ambush Bai Youruo, the Bai family would surely take action.
Otherwise, where would their dignity lie?
Qian Sanduo stated bluntly, "So, it's the young masters of the Bai family vying for the position of city lord."
The expressions of the two Bai women changed, and they were about to rebuke him when they saw their mistress raise her hand. "Commander Qian's guess is correct. My mother and Seventh Brother's mother are sisters. Since Seventh Brother is competing, as his younger sister, I can only help."
Qian Dong, half-drunk, thought enviously: Sisters! Your father is truly blessed.
"So that's how it is." General Zhou's brows relaxed. "Young Mistress Bai must bring the items from Mountain Chasing City back on her own to show the old family head. However, Mountain Chasing City is filled with numerous experts, and we are far from being able to help."
"General Zhou, don't be so quick to refuse. I've thought about it, and this matter can still be handled with strategy. If we have a young but exceptionally talented Martial Master infiltrate Mountain Chasing City, get close to the target, and gather intelligence, it should still be possible."
Bai Youruo refused to give up.
In fact, she couldn't afford to give up. Once you're on the boat in the struggle for the position of heir in a major power, there's no getting off!
For her, the only way to secure a good future was to help her Seventh Brother ascend to the position of the next city lord.
If she failed, the best outcome for Bai Youruo would be to spend the rest of her life guarding family assets in some remote place.
Find someone, use strategy?
It seems this is why she kept seeking out Tang Wen.
Understanding this, Qian Sanduo felt a surge of joy.
General Zhou and General Zhao naturally thought of it too.
Qian Dong, who was seven-tenths drunk, suddenly slammed his cup down and straightened his back.
Strategy, young, exceptional combat skills, a genius Martial Master!
Isn't that exactly me?
What are the two generals hesitating for? For the sake of the camp, I, Qian Dong, am willing to give it a try!
Send me on this risky mission in exchange for the invaluable Mental Meditation Technique—it's a sure win...
Huh?
Uncle Qian, what's with that expression?
General Zhao, why are you glaring at me?
Qian Dong looked at General Zhou, who completely ignored him.
All three of them knew that Bai Youruo wanted Tang Wen.
Bai Youruo continued, "Flame Camp saved my life, and I must repay that debt. Regardless of whether this succeeds or not, I will gift fifty revolvers and three thousand bullets."
After making her promise, without giving anyone else a chance to speak, she added, "If my Seventh Brother becomes the next lord of White Stone City, my status will naturally rise. At that time, not only firearms and elixirs, but even building factories here to help Flame Camp escape the threat of natural disasters would not be impossible!"
Escape the threat of natural disasters?
This temptation was too great, hitting right at the soft spot of everyone in Flame Camp.
Qian Sanduo was the first to ask, "Young Mistress Bai, the person you want is Tang Wen?"
"Exactly!"
General Zhao sighed, "Young Mistress Bai, anyone else would be easier to discuss, but Tang Wen is someone I've watched grow up. He's also the camp's recognized top genius. If anything were to happen to him, we would lose our future!"
Commander Qian chimed in, "Yes! As long as Commander Tang Wen continues to train steadily for ten years, he will undoubtedly grow into a king-level combatant! We can't agree to this! How about someone else? Qian Dong, what about Qian Dong? If you agree, I'll send him on his way tonight!"
Qian Dong, who had just heard his name and was about to feel proud, shivered at the last sentence, sobering up from his drunkenness!
General Zhao quickly joined in, enthusiastically promoting Qian Dong.
Commander Qian and he sang in harmony, praising Qian Dong to the skies.
Qian Dong didn't even dare to lift his head.
Young Mistress Bai felt a throbbing in her temples: Who said that people in remote areas are all simple and honest?
That's all just rumors!
Whoever said that must have never dealt with Flame Camp.
To her ears, the words of General Zhao and Commander Qian could be summed up in one sentence:
"If you want Tang Wen, you'll have to pay more!"
Suppressing her inner frustration, she pulled out a light blue jade token from her pocket.
The jade slip was translucent and pure, without a trace of impurity, and it was engraved with intricate symbols.
"This jade slip contains a Mental Meditation Technique. Both Martial Masters and Transcendents can practice it. As long as Tang Wen goes, regardless of success or failure, this will be the reward!"
The room fell silent instantly, as if a pin could be heard dropping.
The people from Flame Camp felt as if a massive tornado had swept through their hearts, blowing away all their thoughts of bargaining.
The Mental Meditation Technique, as the name suggests, could strengthen one's mental power.
It would make it easier for Martial Masters to break through, and the same applied to Transcendents.
"Young Mistress! This?"
Bai Ying and Bai Xue grabbed Bai Youruo's arm, looking as if they wanted to advise against it but didn't dare.
It seemed they were saying, "This price is unacceptable! We're losing too much! This is going to be a loss!"
"Is this for real?"
"Of course. After the task is completed, an even higher-level Mental Meditation Technique will be offered!"
"Only Tang Wen?"
Bai Youruo didn't speak, but her eyes were resolute.
Commander Qian and General Zhao were visibly tempted and both looked at General Zhou.
The latter helplessly spread his hands: "But, Young Mistress Bai, Tang Wen is my dear nephew-in-law! Sending him to such a dangerous place, I really can't bring myself to say it, nor can I explain it to my poor niece."
Bai Youruo's eye twitched: "As far as I know, they are still just engaged, right?"
"Though they are only engaged, they have been living together for a long time. Their bond is incredibly deep. Alas!"
General Zhou sighed deeply and closed his eyes, his helplessness evident.
Too greedy!
These guys are too greedy!
Bai Youruo had half a mind to stand up and leave, but leaving would be easy, and the matter would remain unresolved.
The room fell silent again, and after a stalemate, she sighed: "At most, I can add an Aura Concealment Art..."
They negotiated from noon to evening, and from evening to night.
Finally, the camp sold Tang Wen for a good price.
After Bai Youruo and her companions left, General Zhao sensed something was amiss:
"We sold Tang Wen, but it seems we didn't tell him?"
General Zhou's smile faded as he tightly gripped the blue jade slip on the table.
Qian Sanduo, after all, was the caravan commander, and he chuckled: "Although the other party has paid the deposit, if Commander Tang Wen really disagrees, we can always return the deposit."
General Zhou: "Alright, I'll go into seclusion now."
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