……

As the conversation continued, Emperor Qingyu of Northern Liang descended from the sky.

After a great victory, Emperor Qingyu was in high spirits, his entire demeanor transformed, and even his strength seemed to have improved slightly.

His profound energy layered and spread outward, enveloping a "group" of young women, ranging from little girls in their teens to young women in their twenties, all exquisitely dressed. There were cute and innocent types, intellectual and cold beauties, and even tall, elegant ladies, totaling eight or nine in all.

"Uh..."

Wang Fugui was speechless, looking at Emperor Qingyu with a sense of resignation.

Are you here to make my life difficult because you think I'm living too comfortably? Is this supposed to be a gift?

"Ancestor Qingyu!!" Yun Mengyu stomped her foot in frustration, "What exactly do you mean by this?"

She was already annoyed by the royal family's little princesses earlier, and now Emperor Qingyu had gone even further, bringing in a bunch of beauties from who knows where.

"What kind of expressions are those?" Emperor Qingyu chuckled, "Now that Fugui has achieved a great victory at Xiang Ancient City, it's only natural for various clans to be interested in him."

"Mengyu, you must understand your great-grandfather. It's tough for me too. Our Liang Kingdom has been at war for over fifty years, and not only is the treasury empty, but I also owe a lot to various businesses and clans. Now that these clans have entrusted me with some tasks, how can I refuse?"

"But you can't just throw a bunch of temptations at Fugui!" Yun Mengyu was exasperated, "He's still young, and if he gets distracted by beauty, it could ruin his future. Besides, I'm still your direct descendant~"

"It's just a meeting, getting to know each other," Emperor Qingyu said with a troubled expression, clasping his hands toward Wang Fugui, "Fugui, give me some face and entertain them a little, maybe recite some poetry or play some games. These are connections that might come in handy in the future. If you truly like someone, it's fine; their families are willing to be secondary. Alas, I'm poor and have no choice."

"Wait! Your Majesty." Wang Fugui took out an account book, looking at Emperor Qingyu with a half-smile, "It seems you're trying to kill two birds with one stone. On one hand, you're collecting introduction fees from various clans, and on the other, you're pleading poverty to reduce our reward?"

"This..." Emperor Qingyu's face didn't turn red, but his heart skipped a beat as he awkwardly laughed, "Fugui, I'm not pretending to be poor; I really am. I was going to discuss this with your grandfather Wang Anye, but he said he doesn't make the decisions and asked me to talk to you."

At the mention of this, Emperor Qingyu felt like a thousand horses were galloping through his heart. Such a big matter, and Wang Anye doesn't make the decisions, leaving it to Fugui. What kind of family is this?

Moreover, what troubled Emperor Qingyu the most was that, despite Wang Fugui being only fourteen, he was far more difficult to deal with than Wang Anye. One was indifferent to everything, while the other could calculate down to the bone, even the Red Abyss Demon Emperor suffered losses against him.

"Your Majesty, don't worry, you're not poor at all." Wang Fugui comforted him kindly.

"Not poor?" Emperor Qingyu was puzzled, "Our treasury is empty, how can we not be poor?"

"Your Majesty, I did some research and made some plans." Wang Fugui picked up the account book and discussed it with Emperor Qingyu, "In this war supporting Liang Kingdom, we fought a beautiful battle, and the main benefits are in these three areas."

"First, the ransom for the elite Chao Clan warbands we captured. You don't need to worry about this; I heard the fourth ancestor of the Chao Clan is on his way to Northern Liang to discuss the ransom."

"Second, the spoils we seized from Xiang Ancient City and other places. You don't need to worry about this either; I've already made detailed accounts, and we'll distribute it internally as agreed."

"Your Majesty is undoubtedly concerned about the third benefit, which is the immense merit our three warbands have achieved. According to tradition, these merits should be converted into actual rewards, but you can't provide them at the moment. Therefore, you're trying to corrupt me, the leader of this warband, hoping to defer or reduce this portion of the reward."

His words hit the mark, making Emperor Qingyu feel awkward: "Fugui, you traveled a long way to help, and you fought a great victory for Liang Kingdom. Logically, I should reward you well, but you must understand the difficulties of our Liang Kingdom. The treasury is truly empty, so please reduce it a bit, or better yet, defer it for a while."

"No problem, no problem, everything is negotiable." Wang Fugui's slightly chubby face always wore a smile, looking mature beyond his years, "With all the merits of our volunteer army, converting to three billion immortal crystals isn't too much, right?"

"Well..." Emperor Qingyu admitted, "The volunteer army not only turned our defeat into victory but achieved a great triumph, a merit of saving the nation. Three billion immortal crystals, though a sky-high price, is very much in line with the value of this merit."

This was what troubled Emperor Qingyu; the volunteer army's merits were too great, and he couldn't afford the reward.

"Northern Liang is still rich in resources," Wang Fugui said, "Especially in Futong Commandery, where the production of copper, red copper, refined copper, and other materials has been abundant. Most of the red copper and refined copper were traded to the Immortal Dynasty, and the remaining large quantities of copper ingots are actually piled up."

"Fugui, are you interested in copper ingots?" Emperor Qingyu suddenly became spirited, "We do have a lot of copper ingot stock. This material is low in production and expensive, with limited use beyond making coins."

"Our Wang's Clan has a demand for all kinds of metals," Wang Fugui said leisurely, "From basic gold, silver, copper, iron, tin, to black iron, red copper, cold crystal silver, geng metal, and so on, as long as it's a material, we want it."

Copper is extremely important to the Wang's Clan.

It's an excellent energy-conducting material with many industrial uses, and the consumption has always been significant, as is the case with other metal materials.

Now, the Wang's Clan is in a period of great development, and the demand for various metal materials is like a bottomless pit.

"Good, good, good!" Emperor Qingyu was overjoyed, "As long as you're willing to offset the merits with materials, I have no objection. However, even so, it won't cover three billion immortal crystals."

Three billion immortal crystals are a huge sum for any first-grade family.

Even the powerful Jing'an Wei Clan had to sell Divine Spirit Artifacts and inheritance grounds to pay off huge compensations.

"No problem, no problem, I've also studied Futong Commandery. It seems to have declined after the mines were exhausted," Wang Fugui said, "But in reality, due to limitations in exploration, mining, and smelting technology, these mines still have a lot of untapped potential. Our Wang's Clan can contract some copper-producing mining areas, and we can discuss the specific revenue sharing and taxes."

Emperor Qingyu was delighted to hear this.

That's great~ Those pitted mining areas in Futong Commandery were like chicken ribs, with the good meat already eaten, leaving only hard-to-chew bones, sometimes with output not even covering expenses.

"Good, good, good, Fugui, you've solved a big problem for me. Let's do as you suggested." Emperor Qingyu finally felt a weight lifted off his shoulders, and his expression relaxed.

With a wave of his wide sleeve, his vast profound energy turned into a light that enveloped the young women, and then he solemnly said to Yun Mengyu, "Mengyu, don't blame your great-grandfather. I'm doing this for your good, testing Fugui's character."

"Now it seems our family's Fugui has excellent character. I can rest assured entrusting you to him."

With that, he soared into the sky, eager to leave with the young women.

Leaving the two young people staring at each other.

Why are these elders so shameless?

……

A few days after dealing with Emperor Qingyu.

The fourth ancestor of the Chao Clan of Red Moon, Chao Yuanning, led more than a dozen clan elders to Liang Kingdom.

At the same time, the negotiation envoy sent by the Immortal Dynasty, King of the South, also arrived in Liang Kingdom. He was there to support Emperor Qingyu and Fugui.

King of the South and Wang Fugui were old acquaintances, having had deep "cooperation" before, so they worked together harmoniously.

At the start of the negotiations, the Chao Clan elders began by slamming tables and acting tough, threatening that if Wang Fugui didn't unconditionally release the captives, they would start an immortal-demon war.

Unfortunately, they underestimated Wang Fugui.

Wang Fugui wasn't afraid of the Demon Emperor, daring to take a bite out of him, so why would he care about the Divine Realm elders of the Chao Clan?

He listed the captives' names in detail and the ransom price for each.

In total, there were ten thousand Lingtai Realm captives, ranging from early to peak stages, with an average price of five thousand immortal crystals each, totaling fifty million immortal crystals.

Additionally, there were five hundred Celestial Realm captives, with an average price of eighty thousand immortal crystals each, totaling forty million immortal crystals.

As for the Purple Mansion Realm captives, they were the Chao Clan's mid-to-high-end talents, serving as commanders of various warbands, totaling eighty captives, with a ransom of eighty million immortal crystals.

There were also three Divine Realm captives, each priced at thirty million, totaling ninety million immortal crystals.

In total, it amounted to a staggering two hundred and sixty million immortal crystals!

What made the Chao Clan gnash their teeth was that this price didn't include equipment. To redeem the captured equipment, mounts, and corpse puppets, they had to pay extra, with Wang Fugui demanding an additional one hundred and fifty million immortal crystals.

Moreover, Wang Fugui listed the compensation for our warband's battle losses, demanding another four hundred million immortal crystals.

If they were to pay the ransom and compensation according to Wang Fugui's list, the Chao Clan would have to pay a total of eight hundred and ten million immortal crystals!

Although the Chao Clan was known as the second family of the Red Moon Demon Dynasty, with strength far surpassing ordinary super-grade families, almost qualifying as a "True Demon Family," such a lion's demand for compensation was absolutely unacceptable.

Therefore, the Chao Clan's negotiation team resorted to various threats and bluster.

Wang Fugui remained unmoved, adopting an attitude of "take it or leave it."

At worst, he would sell the equipment and other spoils, then sell the elite Chao Clan captives to the Immortal Emperor as cannon fodder slaves.

If he lost money, so be it; after all, Wang Fugui was a second-generation wealthy who didn't care about profit, as long as he was happy.

Undoubtedly, this presented the Chao Clan with a huge dilemma.

Building those three elite warbands didn't cost anywhere near eight hundred million immortal crystals. However, the time cost and the cost of training and attrition couldn't be simply measured in money.

Moreover, these three elite warbands included many Chao Clan collateral, direct descendants, and hereditary retainers.

If they died on the battlefield, it was one thing, just pay compensation. But if they refused to redeem them for money, leading to their miserable end, it would be a big problem.

The Chao Clan was currently in the spotlight, with countless eyes watching and countless mouths gossiping.

If they really did that, it would undoubtedly put the Chao Clan in an extremely passive position, potentially affecting family unity.

Most importantly, if the Chao Clan lost these three warbands, their overall strength would plummet, adding insult to injury at this critical moment.

Reluctantly, the Chao Clan had to find ways to appease Wang Fugui and began to negotiate to reduce the ransom.

They knew that Wang Fugui's price was a lion's demand, leaving room for negotiation.

This opening had to be given; if they didn't budge at all, the Chao Clan's negotiation team would bear a huge burden, one that even the fourth ancestor couldn't shoulder.

After a series of intense negotiations, the Chao Clan finally managed to reduce the ransom, compensation, and the price for redeeming equipment, spiritual beasts, and corpse puppets to a total of five hundred million.

By cutting three hundred million from the price, the Chao Clan's negotiation team proved their efforts, and they could return with an explanation.

After a series of dazzling negotiations and maneuvers, Wang Fugui once again secured five hundred million immortal crystals.

This huge compensation made Emperor Qingyu envious and drooling. Why was it that when he fought wars, he only got poorer, while Wang Fugui could make a fortune from wars?

After dealing with the prisoner issue.

Wang Fugui had already meticulously accounted for the resources looted and convened an internal meeting to share and discuss, ultimately reaching a pleasant and amicable consensus.

The Wang's Clan reaped the following rewards.

The resources and wealth looted from Xiang Ancient City and other places were valued at approximately three hundred million immortal crystals, plus a Dao Artifact. After comprehensive discussion, Wang Fugui took the lion's share, ultimately receiving one hundred and fifty million immortal crystals in resources and a Dao Artifact.

The total merit rewarded by Liang Kingdom, converted into resources and various contracts, amounted to three hundred million immortal crystals, with the Wang's Clan also taking half, receiving one hundred and fifty million.

The total compensation from the Chao Clan's spoils was five hundred million immortal crystals, with the Wang's Clan again taking half, totaling two hundred and fifty million immortal crystals.

Therefore, this support war for Liang Kingdom not only fully realized Wang Shouzhe's strategic layout but also resulted in a total profit of five hundred and fifty million immortal crystals in resources, along with a Dao Artifact, the "Heaven-Shaking Shield."

The other allies also made a fortune, almost wanting to worship Wang Fugui as a war god, no, a reincarnation of the god of wealth.

If it weren't for Fugui's young age, they might have been ready to rally around him and head to the outer region battlefield to make money.

……

While Wang Fugui was busy dividing the spoils with his allies, Wang Anye had already left Liang Kingdom alone.

Firstly, he had matters to attend to with the Ji's Clan in the Immortal Dynasty, and secondly, he couldn't stand Emperor Qingyu's relentless enthusiasm for introducing him to concubines.

This time, he returned to the Immortal Dynasty on a Yun Yao flying boat operated by Yao's Air Transport.

Traveling from Liang Kingdom to the Immortal Dynasty also required bypassing the enormous "Shenwu Heavenly Abyss." In this regard, Yao's Air Transport was very experienced, having already mapped out a safe and fast route.

But this time, the Yun Yao flying boat was unlucky.

It encountered a once-in-a-century energy tide in the Shenwu Heavenly Abyss.

The experienced flying boat captain, Yao Baiquan, a Divine Realm cultivator, used all his skills to successfully navigate the flying boat through numerous obstacles and escape danger. By then, the flying boat was already riddled with holes and on the verge of collapse.

After escaping danger, he immediately entered the VIP area to apologize to the "startled" guests.

Among them, the one Yao Baiquan was most concerned about was the distinguished guest, Wang Anye.

He was an important direct descendant of the Wang's Clan, and if something happened to him on the Yun Yao flying boat, it would spell disaster for the entire Yao's Clan.

"Young Master Anye, are you alright?" Yao Baiquan apologized, still shaken, his tone sincerely apologetic, "This was our Yao's Clan's mistake, causing you distress. We will certainly compensate you."

"No problem, no problem." Wang Anye replied calmly, "Captain Yao has already done an excellent job. To be able to lead everyone safely out of the energy tide's aftermath in the Shenwu Heavenly Abyss, I am truly impressed."

"Phew~ Fortunately, we were on the outskirts of the Shenwu Heavenly Abyss. If we were any closer, I wouldn't dare guarantee our escape." Yao Baiquan recalled with lingering fear, wiping cold sweat, "That energy tide was terrifying. I've only experienced it three times in my life, and this was the most thrilling. Huh?"

Suddenly, Yao Baiquan noticed a small, exquisite sword floating beside Wang Anye.

The sword was very beautiful.

The blade was neither too wide nor too narrow, with inscriptions specially designed and transformed, appearing both mysterious and elegantly beautiful. As it shimmered, a faint cold light swept across the blade, indicating its extraordinary nature.

This... didn't seem like the aura of a Divine Spirit Artifact.

Yao Baiquan was puzzled and was about to inquire.

But before he could speak, the sword suddenly stood upright and pointed at Yao Baiquan's nose, starting to scold, "What are you looking at? Haven't you seen such a beautiful Dao Sword before? Keep looking? Keep looking, and don't blame me for gouging out your eyes."

"Wanwan, don't be unreasonable, or I won't keep you." Wang Anye frowned and scolded softly.

"Don't~ I'll behave, okay?" The Dao Sword, called "Wanwan," immediately pleaded coquettishly, "I'll definitely work on my temper."

"This, this, this, is this a Dao Artifact?" Yao Baiquan was so startled he took a few steps back, full of doubts, "Young Master Anye, where did this Dao Sword come from?"

"Wasn't it just the energy tide earlier?" Wang Anye explained calmly, "The energy tide threw Wanwan out of the Shenwu Heavenly Abyss and pierced the Yun Yao flying boat. I happened to be nearby and caught her. Then, she decided to stay with me."

"What, what, what!?"

Yao Baiquan was so shocked his eyes almost popped out.

Young Master Anye, are you kidding me?

A casual grab, and you caught a Dao Artifact?

Yao Baiquan had piloted the Yun Yao flying boat, narrowly escaping the energy tide, so why didn't he catch a Dao Artifact?

We're all human, so why?

In that instant, his heart almost shattered.

"Hey, hey, you old man, don't get any ideas." The Dao Sword Wanwan scolded again, "With your kind of old man, even if you caught me, I'd probably just slice your head off. I'm not a sword you can covet!"

"Also, do you think I'm just an ordinary Dao Sword?" The Dao Sword "Wanwan" puffed up proudly, "Haha~ Listen up, I'm a half-step Immortal Artifact!"

……