Chapter 12: Sir, Times Have Changed!

Hearing these words, Lin Hai and Lin Ya's faces each shifted, but both showed traces of worry.

The name of Qingyun Sect was simply too renowned.

Today, the Lin Family's annihilation of the Qins had been extremely high-profile; Qingyun Sect would inevitably receive word.

When that time came, that Qin Long would certainly get wind of it too.

This was not good news!

"So?" Lin Feng raised an eyebrow and asked in confusion.

Shen Ao was taken aback—was his hint still not obvious enough?

Relying on the Lin Family alone, they couldn't deal with Qingyun Sect; at this moment, the Lin Family needed to find a backer!

Without a backer's support, wouldn't Qingyun Sect be able to wipe out the Lin Family whenever they pleased?

"Lin Clan Leader, this City Lord's meaning is that the Lin Family might be able to cooperate with me. Even if Qin Long returns, with this City Lord mediating, that Qingyun Sect wouldn't dare strike at you openly."

Shen Ao's face was full of arrogance; he spoke with great confidence.

He was the City Lord of Ziyun City, under the jurisdiction of Leiling Province, and standing behind him was that State Governor of peerless cultivation.

Even Qingyun Sect had to give him face.

Hearing this, Lin Feng actually understood Shen Ao's meaning. This fellow didn't care about the struggles within Ziyun City; the various factions were nothing more than passing clouds to him.

Now that the Lin Family had stood out, to make control easier, he had come to offer congratulations.

Moreover, he even wanted to win over the Lin Family, to make them lean toward Leiling Province behind him.

But the Lin Family didn't need to rely on anyone!

"Many thanks for the City Lord's kind intentions, but my Lin Family doesn't need it."

Lin Feng refused very decisively. He had already obtained the God-level Family Head System—what backer could he possibly need?

He himself was the Lin Family's greatest backer!

Ziyun City was merely a small city, nothing particularly powerful.

And above Ziyun City was Leiling Province, which governed hundreds of thousands of li of land, with dozens of cities under it, among which quite a few were larger than Ziyun City.

And the City Lord of each city was personally appointed by that State Governor of Leiling Province.

The City Lord's Manor could be considered a force under the State Governor.

This background was indeed formidable.

"If your Lin Family is willing to submit, this City Lord can introduce you to the State—"

Shen Ao was speaking when he suddenly stopped, an expression of disbelief appearing on his face.

"What did you say?!"

Don't need it?

What a joke!

Shen Ao's eyes went wide; he couldn't believe those words had come from Lin Feng's mouth.

At this moment, Lin Hai hurriedly stepped forward, pulled Lin Feng aside, and whispered: "Clan Leader, the City Lord's Manor has the State Governor backing it. If we could get on this line, even Qingyun Sect wouldn't dare touch us lightly."

"This is a good thing; we have no reason to refuse, right?"

Lin Hai's vision was ultimately a bit narrow; he hadn't yet adapted to the change in status.

But Lin Ya, his eyes lighting up, turned to persuade Lin Hai instead: "Grandfather, I think the Clan Leader is right. We don't need to depend on anyone. If Qingyun Sect's Qin Long wants to come back for revenge, we'll just take him on."

"What does a child like you know!" Lin Hai couldn't help but scold.

His old face was full of tension—this was no joking matter.

One had to know that Qingyun Sect's strength rarely met its match within ten thousand li; they were an overlord-level existence.

Although the Lin Family had resolved the trouble in Ziyun City, facing Qingyun Sect…

"Lin Clan Leader, I advise you to think clearly before answering; this City Lord means well."

Shen Ao's face gradually darkened.

He had assumed his proposal would make the Lin Family deeply grateful.

He never expected this to be the outcome.

One had to know that after Shen Ao took up residence in Ziyun City, the Four Great Families had come to him many times, each expressing their willingness to serve the State Governor loyally—unfortunately, Shen Ao had ignored them all.

Now he had taken the initiative to bring this up, giving the Lin Family a chance.

And the Lin Family actually didn't want it?

"Elder, currently my Lin Family runs shops and markets in Ziyun City; what tax rate do we pay the City Lord's Manor each year?" Lin Feng narrowed his eyes and suddenly asked.

Elder Lin Hai thought for a moment, then said: "Four-tenths."

Leiling Province's taxes were extremely high; the City Lord's Manor's main function was essentially to suppress a region and collect taxes on time.

Although the various great families suffered greatly, deterred by that State Governor of peerless cultivation, none of them dared say anything.

Now that Lin Feng brought it up, Shen Ao instantly felt something was wrong.

"City Lord Shen, if my Lin Family does as you suggest, can the tax rate drop to one-tenth? Or perhaps, not be paid at all?"

Lin Feng looked at Shen Ao with great interest. You want my Lin Family to pledge loyalty to the State Governor—what about the benefits?

"Of course not! Not only that, your tax rate must also increase by two-tenths."

Shen Ao's face changed drastically; he naturally realized what Lin Feng was getting at.

"Your Lin Family submits to the State Governor, enjoys the State Governor's protection, so naturally the tax rate must increase. This is an honor many people would beg for and still not get!"

Lin Hai fell silent upon hearing this.

Lin Ya, meanwhile, rolled his little eyes.

Only Lin Feng gave a cold laugh and questioned: "My Lin Family toils for a whole year, and we still have to give the State Governor six-tenths? Wouldn't that make me a beggar on my knees?"

"Lin Clan Leader, there's no need to put it so harshly! How many people want this path but don't even have the chance!"

Shen Ao's mouth twitched. In truth, Leiling Province's taxes were not heavy.

Each clan only had to pay two-tenths, and even to receive the State Governor's protection, they only needed to pay three-tenths.

But when it came to Shen Ao, it had doubled.

The extra naturally went into Shen Ao's own pocket — otherwise, where would he have gotten the money to buy a four-star technique?

"The people of my Lin Family have stiff backs and firm legs. We cannot bend our waists, nor kneel."

"Therefore, this tax rate — I say not only should we not pay more, we ought to pay less."

"How about this! From today onward, all of my Lin Family's industries shall pay a tax rate of half a tenth. Consider it a small token of my Lin Family's regard for the State Governor."

"City Lord Shen need not be grateful. After all, we are all citizens of Leiling Province — it's only proper."

Lin Feng's words fell, and he swept his sleeves and left.

He couldn't even be bothered to quibble with Shen Ao. If Shen Ao could squeeze even half a Spirit Stone out of him, that would count as Shen Ao's own skill.

"Lin Clan Leader!"

Shen Ao was frantic. How had he failed to gain any benefit, failed to strike a deal, and on top of that lost his own profits?

Yet Lin Feng was still a powerhouse of the Wudao Realm.

Even if Shen Ao wanted to make a move, he couldn't win!

Times had changed — the era had changed!

"City Lord Shen, now in all matters of my Lin Family, everything follows the Clan Leader's word. If the Clan Leader says we only pay half a tenth, then it's half a tenth."

Lin Hai, shrewd as a fox in his years, hastily tossed out a line, grabbed Lin Ya, turned, and left.

"You—"

Shen Ao's face twitched all over. He and his attendant were both dumbfounded.

This trip to the Lin Family, not only had he gained no benefit, he had actually lost quite a bit. The tax rate had been lowered, and on top of that, he had given the Lin Family a scroll of a four-star technique!

That had cost him a fortune!

"City Lord, the Lin Family is far too outrageous! We've taken a massive loss this time!" the attendant said, righteous indignation brimming.