Chapter 781

He let out a long breath, and the vice president then sheepishly glanced at Qi Xiong; just now he hadn't paid attention, and seemed to have lost face a bit.

"Sect Master Qi, this food............"

This is absolutely the most delicious meal he has ever eaten in his life, bar none.

Seeing the vice president looking a bit embarrassed, Qi Xiong smiled indifferently and said.

"As long as the president likes it, that's fine."

"Thank you, Sect Master Qi, for the hospitality."

After finishing the meal, the Heiyan Commerce Association delegation was completely conquered; even after returning to their lodgings, someone spoke up.

"President, I think that since we have reached cooperation with the Dao Yi Sect, we should leave someone at the Dao Yi Sect to facilitate communication between both sides."

"I am unworthy, but I am willing to lay down my life for the Commerce Association."

This person spoke with a sincere expression; hearing this, the vice president of the Heiyan Commerce Association gave him a faint glance.

"Still talking about laying down your life? Your little schemes, I've heard them all even in Dongzhou."

"Why didn't you say you'd lay down your life before? Now after a meal you want to lay down your life? And you're even willing to stay at the Dao Yi Sect?"

But after a moment's thought, the vice president suddenly had an idea, and said with a smile.

"What you said does make some sense; our cooperation with the Dao Yi Sect is indeed important, directly affecting the Commerce Association's future development, and indeed we do need someone to stay at the Dao Yi Sect."

"On one hand it facilitates communication; on the other hand it allows us to better maintain good relations with the Dao Yi Sect."

Hearing this, everyone's faces showed a hint of anticipation, and they all chimed in.

"President, I too am willing to lay down my life."

"I am willing to stand guard for the Commerce Association at the Dao Yi Sect."

"Please rest assured, President; I will certainly not disappoint the Commerce Association's expectations."

Staying at the Dao Yi Sect means having food to eat, and everyone scrambled for it, refusing to back down.

As for the vice president, he remained calm, waiting until everyone had finished speaking before shifting the topic.

"I'm gratified that you have this intention, but our cooperation with the Dao Yi Sect is crucial; we must leave someone of sufficient stature behind, and this also demonstrates the Commerce Association's emphasis on this cooperation."

"Huh???"

Hearing this, everyone immediately felt something was off; what does this mean? You old coot, something's not right—there's a hidden meaning.

As expected, the next second, the vice president spoke unhurriedly.

"So I have decided that I will personally stay behind to oversee everything, taking full responsibility for all matters concerning the Dao Yi Sect."

"Sure enough, sure enough—this old bastard has nothing good hidden in his heart."

Hearing this, everyone's faces instantly darkened; you old fool, if you want to stay yourself, just say it—why beat around the bush here?

However, the vice president gave no chance for anyone to rebut; after his words fell, he went back to his room humming a little tune, clearly in a good mood.

"Old bastard, not a proper person."

"Indeed, as the saying goes, 'He who lives long without dying is a thief'; old thief, I cannot coexist with you under the same sky."

"I'm going to complain to the Commerce Association; as vice president, how can you be so neglectful of your duties?"

Naturally, the people were not willing to accept this; each one decided in their heart that they must complain to the Commerce Association.

As vice president, how can he be left to guard other sects? This sort of thing should obviously be handed over to them.

The vice president didn't know what these lackeys under him were thinking.

At this moment he was still enjoying today's delicious meal; it really was a pleasure.

Thinking back to what he used to eat, those were just garbage.

Early the next morning, the Heiyan Commerce Association delegation had already inquired about the Dao Yi Sect's daily mealtime, and arrived early outside the city lord's mansion to wait.

Moreover, since they are the patrons, Qi Xiong also gave them some preferential treatment; anyway, it's not long, so he let them eat directly.

Although it was just a normal three meals a day, holding their big bowls, the Heiyan Commerce Association delegation still ate with great enjoyment.

It really is delicious, making one reluctant to leave.

After a few days, the members of the Heiyan Commerce Association became ever more determined to stay.

Such deliciousness, if we can't have it in the future, that would certainly be a great regret.

"I really envy those people of the Heiyan Commerce Association."

As for the disciples of the various affiliated sects, seeing the Heiyan Commerce Association people able to eat without having to scramble, their eyes turned red with envy.

"If you can produce fifty million top-grade spirit stones a year, you could probably eat as well."

"I... our sect master is useless."

Fifty million top-grade spirit stones a year— the various sects really can't come up with that; it's simply an astronomical sum.

One can imagine how wealthy these commerce associations are.

In Zhongzhou, any sect or dynasty with some strength has countless ties to the commerce association.

And behind holy lands like the Qingtian Holy Land, the commerce association is even more fully supporting them.

The commerce association puts up money in exchange for the holy land's protection; both sides get what they need.

Right now the Heiyan Commerce Association has this intention: they want to fully support the Dao Yi Sect in exchange for its protection, and of course being able to eat is the best.

So, after a few days, Qi Xiong needed many things— talisman seals, formation disks, etc. — and the Heiyan Commerce Association hesitated not at all, agreeing directly.

In the battle against the Qingtian Holy Land, the Dao Yi Sect had almost exhausted its talisman seals and formation disks, urgently needing replenishment.

At the commerce association's lodgings, a member with a somewhat grim expression stood before the vice president and said.

"President, some elders in the commerce association have already grown dissatisfied, feeling that our support for the Dao Yi Sect has gone too far."

"The value of the talisman seals and formations purchased this time has already exceeded thirty million top-grade spirit stones, and it's still far from enough, so..............."

"So they want to stop supporting the Dao Yi Sect?"

Hearing this, the vice president said lightly, then let out a cold snort.

A bunch of idiots—can't they still not see the potential of the Dao Yi Sect? Now even a pig could see it; the Dao Yi Sect will definitely replace the Qingtian Holy Land and become a new holy land.

At this point, sending charcoal in the snow—isn't that better than adding icing on the cake?

As long as the Dao Yi Sect attains holy‑land status, today's efforts will be repaid ten‑, a hundred‑fold.

That's how they put it, but the Dao Yi Sect is still not a holy land, after all, and those elders are merely using that as an excuse.

Hmph, short‑sighted............

The vice chairman is definitely a staunch supporter of the Dao Yi Sect, but just as the two were speaking, another member of the Heiyan Commerce Association rushed in, looking grim.

Chairman, the Dingming Commerce Association has made a move.

Speak.

They have purchased the assessed medicinal pills, Talisman Seals, Formation Disks, and magical treasures, sending them to the Qingtian Holy Land; it seems they remain firmly committed to the Qingtian Holy Land. With these resources, I worry that the Qingtian Holy Land............

You're worried the Dao Yi Sect will run into trouble?

Indeed.

The Dingming Commerce Association is one of the commerce associations behind the Qingtian Holy Land, but who would have thought that, even now, the Dingming Commerce Association is still supporting the Qingtian Holy Land; the vice chairman narrowed his eyes and said coldly,

There really are those who aren't afraid of death.

So what should we do now?