Chapter 195: One Hundred Small Goals

When Lei En spoke, the few nobles at the table flushed slightly, their anger rising.

Such a brazen demeanor was as if he didn't regard them at all.

Marquis Ji Liu Suonasi raised his hand, stopping the reprimand that Pili Nuo Aiden beside him was about to utter, and said calmly, "Earl of Glamorgan, we come with sincerity to negotiate; you are not the type to cause unreasonable trouble, so please dismount and speak."

Lei En looked at the legendary berserker.

Yesterday he had been hammered by his own strike, severely wounded, his spine nearly shattered, yet today he was vigorous and rosy, almost showing no sign of the recent injury.

However, in the Soul Eye, his soul was weak, his power less than half of what it once was.

Hey, silver‑capped wax gun, looks good but useless.

Lei En remained expressionless; the tension lingered for over ten seconds as he scrutinized Marquis Ji Liu for a long while, then finally leapt from his dragon‑horn warhorse.

He sat at the table, confronting the seven people opposite him.

"I truly am not an unreasonable troublemaker," Lei En said in a very calm tone, "I only wish to reclaim what belongs to me."

As he spoke, his gaze swept over the seven lords and their envoys; facing the rulers of Mo Du, he showed no hint of fear, but rather overpowered them with his presence, "It is you who wish to negotiate, not me."

Lei En tapped the table, "Where is your sincerity?"

"Please have a look, Your Excellency," Suonasi pushed a parchment from his own table toward Lei En, "These are the terms we have drafted; if you find any unsatisfactory…"

Snap.

A bolt of lightning erupted from Lei En's hand, instantly turning the parchment to ash, without even glancing at it.

Suonasi was stunned.

Lei En sneered, "What a pile of crap, is this the sincerity you speak of?"

Count Atelank, Pili Nuo Aiden sprang to his feet, unable to contain his anger any longer, pointing at Lei En to berate him, but found Lei En sitting there, gazing askew at him, his eyes seeming to pierce his soul.

"If you dare utter a filthy word, today will be your death day."

Lei En's tone showed no fluctuation, as if he were speaking of a trivial matter, not threatening the life of an actual count.

But Pili Nuo felt an immense pressure.

It was as if his skull had been lifted and doused with a basin of snow water; his lips trembled a few times, and he ultimately dared not speak, sitting down looking somewhat meek.

Suonasi's complexion was also unpleasant.

He had never in his life encountered such a tricky situation.

Behind Lei En stood two Holy Soul Wizards, truly not to be provoked.

Moreover, Lei En's own strength was absurdly great; even after spending a fortune to have a legendary priest of the Earth Church heal yesterday's hammer blow, his back still throbbed painfully.

At the sight of Lei En's overly youthful face, Suonasi felt so depressed he wanted to vomit blood.

He had lived over a hundred years, a distinguished marquis lord, yet now was scorned by a barely twenty‑year‑old brat.

"Young man, tell us your conditions." Kailin Pumoer broke the silence, her voice hoarse yet melodious, as if she had weathered countless storms, evoking the scent of the sea.

Lei En glanced at the supposedly nation‑wealthy countess, whose soul's hostility was only second to Pili Nuo's, though none of it showed on her face.

He warned himself, raising two fingers.

"I have only two demands: first, get lost; second, pay compensation!"

Kailin showed a hint of interest, leaning forward slightly, "Your demands are too vague; can you be more specific?"

Unwittingly she became the negotiation's focal point, yet Suonasi didn't mind at all, even welcomed it, merely watching with a cold eye.

Lei En snapped his first finger: "Clause one, I give you three days for all supernatural forces to withdraw from my domain. Those lands that were originally mine—such as this Yangshui Port, plus estates, farms, plantations—must be fully returned, and the laboring peasants who operate them must be kept for me."

The request was not excessive, since the land originally belonged to the lord.

Suonasi and the others found it acceptable; when preparing for the negotiation they had already prepared to relinquish those land assets.

It is no longer the agricultural era of centuries past.

Although nobles still base themselves on land, its importance has slightly waned; the greatest wealth now comes from industrial and commercial real estate under capital control.

Seeing no objection, Lei En extended his second finger and continued, "Clause two, the twenty‑four factories you built within the domain, as well as the thirty‑three buildings and 160 shops in the 'Six Deep Horn' commercial district, may be temporarily retained…"

Before he finished, the Mo Du nobles were secretly elated, not expecting Lei En to be so generous.

These factories, shops, and commercial real estate were their most valuable assets within the Glamorgan domain, second only to the two ports.

Their value far exceeded that of the farmlands and estates, at least tenfold!

This is the main act.

However, when they heard what Lei En said next, they erupted in fury.

"They may be retained for now, but I demand half the shares." Ignoring the nobles' angry faces, Lei En said calmly, "I have examined past ledgers; your factories and shops have never paid taxes, and you must make up the difference, not a single Gold Shield can be omitted."

"That's impossible!" Pili Nuo Aiden finally could not hold back.

Lei En raised an eyebrow.

Pili Nuo, a ninth‑level Wizard, was not weak, yet for some reason he always felt inexplicably insecure before Lei En; Lei En's glance stripped him as if his clothes were removed under the sun, leaving no secret untouched.

He forced his skin‑hard head to speak, "Whether it's half the shares or back‑paying taxes, it's impossible!"

Lei En hummed.

If it weren't for these factories and shops, which require massive professional staff to operate, I have no manpower, and in a short time there's nowhere to recruit; I cannot swallow them whole, guaranteeing that I won't give even half to them, but will seize them all outright.

"If you don't give me half the shares, then you won't get anything."

Lei En adopted a nonchalant stance, saying very firmly, "I'll send people right now to smash all those factories and shops."

He wasn't joking; within the domain there are factories and shops established by others, not belonging to Mo Du nobles, comprising over two‑thirds of the entire industry, all of which can be taxed normally.

"Wait." Suonasi hurriedly interjected to stop him.

Lei En looked at him.

"Half the shares is too much," Suonasi said earnestly, "Many of these enterprises aren't solely owned by us; there are other partners, none of whom are commoners. If you take half, we cannot explain that to them."

When mentioning partners, he looked up at the Fu Kong Cheng in the sky, subtly indicating that among the partners were Wizards from Weizelan.

Then, after weighing, he tentatively suggested, "How about we concede thirty percent of the shares, Your Excellency, what do you think?"

"I want half, no negotiation. How you explain it to others is your problem," Lei En flatly refused.

The enterprises within one's own domain must hold a fifty‑percent share to obtain absolute control.

Otherwise, there will inevitably be endless shirking and bickering later.

"You…"

Suonasi was unusually angry; faced with such a forceful negotiator, none of his previous threats and temptations used on others could apply.

Half the shares are truly too much—it's more painful than cutting flesh, and he can't decide right away.

Both sides fell into a stalemate.

Lei En, not wanting to give the other side breathing room, said coolly, "My patience is limited; what you can't obtain on the battlefield, don't even think of getting at the negotiating table."

The Mo Du nobles were all taken aback.

Kailin Pumoer's eyes lit up, as if to reassess Lei En, and he kept appraising him. Rosa Glos, who had remained silent like an outsider, also cast a surprised glance.

Pili Nuo's expression wavered, leaving him speechless.

Suonasi shook his head and sighed softly.

Since they couldn't kill Lei En, feared the two Holy Soul Wizards behind him, and were forced to the negotiating table, they shouldn't expect favorable terms—just a slight reduction of loss.

He exchanged glances with several lords and their envoys, then turned and said, "Half the shares can be yours."

Lei En smiled calmly.

In truth, his heart was already elated, muttering, "Damn, I'm getting rich now!"

"Who would have thought, who would have thought, I've actually achieved many small goals in this other world!"

"With so many small goals, it should count as 'moderate significance.'"

Lei En had estimated that, combined, the factories, shops, and commercial real estate amount to a half‑share worth roughly eight to ten million Gold Shields!

In the Empire, one Gold Shield exchanges for one thousand copper coins; a worker's monthly salary is about eight hundred copper coins, so ten million Gold Shields equal one hundred billion copper Lisos, a fortune that any being in this world—even a dragon hoarding vast treasure—cannot refuse.

Of course, that's only an appraisal; if sold, the amount would shrink dramatically, perhaps yielding only one or two hundred thousand Gold Shields.

Such a kill‑the‑chick‑for‑the‑egg scheme is something only a fool would attempt.

The more they earn, the more taxes they must remit to the Empire and the Duke of Silver Star; Master Anxi will certainly demand his share, so it's not all theirs.

There are countless expenses; money is never too much.

Lei En calmed down and suddenly heard Amelia's breathing grow a bit heavier beside him.

He turned his head, and from the corner of his eye saw the dragon‑born apostle's soul emotions in intense turbulence, her expression slightly unnatural—clearly, she knew the value of those enterprises.

"No wonder a dragon‑blooded dragon‑born, and a woman at that, is so drawn to wealth."

Lei En's mouth twitched.

He tapped the table, looked toward Suonasi and the others, and said, "Now we should discuss the issue of paying the back taxes."

The Mo Du nobles couldn't help but be startled.

They've already handed over half the shares—why still need to pay back taxes?

Marquis Jiliu Suonasi was extremely displeased, "These enterprises are already half yours, yet you demand additional taxes—aren't you being excessive?"

"Now is now; the past is the past."

Lei En's eyes widened as he said matter‑of‑factly, "You evaded taxes before, causing losses to the Gra Morgan Territory; as a lord I will certainly reclaim them. You're all lords—if you notice tax evasion in your lands, would you just ignore it?"

Suonasi's hands trembled with anger, yet he could not refute.

They had used every means to seize the Gra Morgan Territory and poured effort into its management, so paying taxes was unthinkable—why would they tax themselves? Moreover, after paying, the accounts become messy, and the Empire would inevitably take a share.

Over the years, the total evaded tax must be an astronomical figure.

If they had to pay it all back, they'd be better off abandoning the factories and shops altogether.

Suonasi inhaled deeply and asked, "How much do you want?"

Lei En knew he couldn't reclaim all the taxes, nor exceed the half‑share value—indeed not even approach it, lest he overreached and scare the nobles away.

He extended a finger and said, "One million Gold Shields, and the previous taxes are written off."

The dock fell silent.

The lords across the negotiating table each wore a different expression.

Before speaking, Lei En had already opened his Soul Eye, carefully observing their emotional shifts, using a larger sum to test their limits.

One million Gold Shields might be unattainable for a single noble.

But if seven nobles split it proportionally, it's manageable.

As the world‑renowned trade capital, Mo Du's seven nobles are wealthier than nations, richer than some small‑country kings; each could easily produce a few hundred thousand Gold Shields in cash.

Don't forget, the Gra Morgan Territory enterprises are only a small fraction of their assets; the bulk remains in their own lands.

Especially the Pumoer family, the Empire's maritime trade hegemon, whose wealth is incalculable.

Viscount Sitoinde's Glos family, which controls Mo Du's central district, certainly isn't short of money; its wealth likely trails only the Pumoer family. Yet their interests in the Gra Morgan Territory are modest, so they stayed silent, letting Rosa Glos witness without comment, granting Suonasi full authority.

However, contrary to Lei En's expectations, Suonasi and the others reacted unusually intensely.

As if that one million Gold Shields could cost them their lives.

"Impossible!" Pili Nuo retorted outright.

Kailin Pumoer shook his head repeatedly, "You're even greedier than a dragon…"

"You demand a million Gold Shields right off the bat—why don't you just rob?" Suonasi, disregarding decorum, angrily accused Lei En of excessive greed.

Rosa Glos and the representatives of the other three noble houses also couldn't help but stand up to denounce.

Lei En couldn't help but be surprised; their reactions seemed genuine, as if they truly couldn't produce a million Gold Shields—this shouldn't be the case?

The seven great nobles governing Mo Du apparently don't even have a million Gold Shields; no one would believe it if told.

Where has all their money gone?

Lei En mused inwardly, a strange grin on his face, and replied to Suonasi, "Where does robbery earn you more debt collection? Even if you hit a bank, you can't rob a million Gold Shields."

The Mo Du nobles were all speechless.

After a long while, Suonas said in a deep voice, "One million Gold Shields is too much; even if you force us, we don't have it."

Lei En saw that he wasn't lying, and sensed a hint of wanting to slam the table and walk away, so he softened his tone: "One million Gold is non‑negotiable, but I will allow you to pay in installments."

Suonas showed hesitation, and the other lords also seemed somewhat inclined.

Lei En could now confirm that they truly had no money and could not produce one million Gold Shields.

A few nobles rose from the negotiation table, moved farther away to set up a Soundproof Force Field, talked behind Lei En for a while, then returned; Suonas, with a cold face, said, "If we spread the payment over five years, deducting two hundred thousand Gold each year from our factories and shop revenues, that amount would be acceptable."

"Hand over the first payment now, two hundred thousand Gold Shields," Lei En knew this was roughly their bottom line.

"Deal," Suonas said, making no further haggling.

They had no cash of two hundred thousand Gold Shields on hand, so each immediately sent someone back to fetch the money.

While waiting for the money, Suonas rewrote an agreement stipulating the outcome of the negotiation; after both sides confirmed there were no issues, they swore in the name of the Empire's Three Gods and the God of Wealth and Trade "Wojin," signed their names, and affixed their family seals.

In less than half an hour, two hundred thousand Gold Shields were delivered before Lei En.

Half of it consisted of gold tickets with a face value of one hundred thousand, the other half were Empire Gold Shields, together weighing over a thousand pounds, filling four large crates completely; their yellowish glow held everyone's gaze.

Lei En put away the gold tickets, but found there were too many Gold Shields; the space inside his dimensional ring couldn't contain them.

He had to take out Lambo's Gun, clear some space, and then fit all four crates into the ring.

Instantly, everyone's eyes fell on Lambo's Gun.

"That's the Legend Grade Soul Gun!"

Curiosity filled people's eyes; the value of a Legend Grade weapon exceeded two hundred thousand Gold Shields by an incalculable multiple, even two million Gold couldn't purchase it.

But Lei En was indifferent, tossing it to Xika Liusi.

"Xika Liusi, hold it for me."

"Ah… okay, boss," Xika Liusi quickly caught it, his face full of panic.

Lambo's Gun weighed just over two hundred pounds, lighter than his great sword, yet in his hands it felt as if it weighed ten thousand pounds; he cradled it gingerly, fearing to break it.

Lei En collected the money and, without courtesy, saw the guests out.

"Gentlemen, this is my port; you should depart," Lei En said. According to the agreement, any armed forces of other Mo Du nobles wishing to enter the Glamorgan Domain or set sail must first report to Azure Water High Fortress and obtain permission; otherwise it counts as invasion.

Suonas and the others were seething with anger and didn't want to stay here even for a second.

Especially Pili Nuo Aiden, who had controlled this water‑pumping port for years, painstakingly developing it, now forced to hand it over, felt his heart bleed.

Luosa Gelosi immediately mounted a gryphon, taking ten gryphon knights and flew away.

A group of nobles boarded the ship docked at the pier, preparing to depart.

"Earl of Glamorgan," Kailin Pumoer suddenly turned back and asked, "Is the Sea God Pearl of Pulisila in your possession? I am willing to pay ten thousand Gold Shields to redeem it."

"Redemption is possible, but it requires extra money."

Lei En took the Pearl out of the ring and showed it to the other side.

Kailin Pumoer instantly saw that the Pearl no longer contained a demon soul, but for a Storm Priest, its true value lay in the Tear of the Sea God, which is extremely rare; the demon soul was secondary, and it would be better to purchase a suitable elemental creature.

She considered for a few breaths and offered, "Twenty thousand Gold Shields."

Lei En was unmoved; Ao Xi Li Ya had said that a Sea God Pearl's worth exceeds that of top‑tier gear, possibly approaching epic gear, and trying to buy it back for twenty thousand Gold Shields was bullying someone who doesn't understand the trade.

The Countess Kailin gritted her teeth, tossed a stack of thirty thousand Gold Shield tickets, and said with a wry smile, "I have no more than that."

"Fine, it's yours then," Lei En caught the tickets and threw the Tear of the Sea God back.

The countess had been drained by herself today.

Kailin Pumoer left without looking back, fearing to stay, even the last Gold Shield was snatched by Lei En, as if fleeing in panic.

Standing on the pier watching the Mo Du nobles' ship sail away, Lei En let out a breath and smiled.

He had just turned when he met a pair of purple eyes.

A 5,400‑character chapter; there should be updates late at night, keep voting for me, hehe…

(End of chapter)