The Head of State and Elder Quinn had long been prepared for these people’s greedy ways, but hearing the middle-aged nun’s thinly veiled threats still left them feeling uncomfortable.
"May I ask how I should address you, Sister Lydia?" the Head of State asked calmly.
"My Dharma name is Sister Lydia," she replied.
Sister Lydia continued coldly, "We won’t pursue what you’ve already taken from the Secret Realm, but from now on, the Secret Realm is no longer your concern. Any objections?"
Even with all their composure, the Head of State and Elder Quinn couldn’t help but get angry at Sister Lydia’s bandit-like words.
So the Head of State sneered, "How generous of you, Sister Lydia. The Secret Realm belongs to our Yanhuang Republic, and anything we obtain from it is naturally ours. What’s this talk of ‘taking back’ what’s ours?"
"Exactly. The Secret Realm belongs to our Yanhuang Republic—that’s an undeniable fact. Even you can’t just take it as you please!" Elder Quinn said gravely.
"What? You refuse to hand over the Secret Realm?" sneered the narrow-eyed Daoist sitting next to Master Wu, his gaze full of contempt.
Another Daoist chimed in, "Do you realize the Secret Realm is a thing of the Immortal Dao? In your hands, it’s like a child flaunting gold and jade on the street. We’re taking it for your own good—otherwise, disaster will come sooner or later!"
The Head of State couldn’t help but laugh in anger. "So you’re saying you’re taking the Secret Realm for the sake of our Yanhuang Republic?"
"Indeed."
All nine nodded.
Seeing these nine people act as if it was perfectly natural, and even dressing up their seizure of the Secret Realm in such grand terms, made them furious.
Bang!
Elder Quinn slammed the table and glared at Master Wu, Sister Lydia, and the other nine. "You’re even worse than bandits!"
Master Wu just smiled indifferently and said, "Enough, my young friends. The fact that we’re here negotiating already shows respect. Otherwise, with our power, if we wanted to seize the Secret Realm by force, could you really hold on to it? So, hand it over, and we’ll grant you ten Longevity Pills. Each Longevity Pill can extend your life by ten years!"
A slap in the face, then a sweet date—classic carrot and stick.
This was a move they’d often used on others—never expecting to be on the receiving end themselves.
For a moment, both the Head of State and Elder Quinn could only smile bitterly. As for the Longevity Pills, though precious, they believed the Research Branch would eventually develop something similar.
The next moment, the Head of State’s face regained its calm. Looking at Master Wu, he said coolly, "You may be able to seize the Secret Realm by force, but we can destroy the passage to it!"
These words made the nine, who thought victory was in their grasp, suddenly turn pale.
Sister Lydia couldn’t help but snap, "You wouldn’t dare!"
"Why wouldn’t I?"
The Head of State sneered, "The passage to the Secret Realm is maintained by nuclear energy. Before you arrived, we already transported two-thirds of our nuclear warheads there. Every half hour, I contact the base; if I fail to check in, they’ll detonate the passage immediately!"
"How dare you threaten us!" Sister Lydia slapped out, sending the Head of State flying with a loud smack.
"Sister Lydia, stop!"
Master Wu hurriedly shouted.
Elder Quinn stared at Sister Lydia in shock and anger. He never imagined they’d be so lawless as to lay hands on the Head of State.
The Head of State got up, wiped blood from the corner of his mouth, but showed no anger. He looked at Sister Lydia and laughed, "Who would have thought a nun like you would have such a temper?"
Sister Lydia said darkly, "Do you believe I’ll kill you? Make your soul scatter!"
"I don’t believe you! If you kill me, you’ll get nothing!" The Head of State shook his head calmly.
Sister Lydia’s temper flared. "You’ve got a death wish!"
Sister Lydia flared up, and with a wave of her hand, shot a Fireball straight at the Head of State. But Master Wu flashed in front of him, pointed a finger, and the Fireball dissolved into sparks.
"Fellow Daoist Sister Lydia, please calm down!" Master Wu said sternly.
"Hmph! For Master Wu’s sake, I’ll let you off this time!" Sister Lydia said coolly, glancing at the Head of State.
"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Sister Lydia," Master Wu said, forming a hand seal and sending a cooling spiritual energy to the Head of State’s injured cheek. In less than a moment, the burning pain vanished.
"Thank you, Master Wu!" said the Head of State gratefully, though inwardly he sneered—one plays the red face, one the white face, did they think he couldn’t see through it?
Everyone sat down again.
Master Wu looked at the Head of State. "Young friend, what do you propose?"
The Head of State spoke slowly, "We’re willing to give up one-third of the Secret Realm’s harvest. Second, we’ll cancel the annual tribute! And third, if our Yanhuang Republic faces trouble and needs your help, we ask that you lend a hand!"
When the Head of State listed the first condition, Master Wu could still smile; at the second, his smile vanished; and by the third, his face had turned gloomy.
As for the other eight, their faces were ugly, and their eyes flashed with cold, murderous intent.
"Young friend, your conditions are far too much!" Master Wu said coldly.
"Master Wu, why not share your terms?" the Head of State replied calmly.
"Fine, let’s discuss first," Master Wu nodded, then began exchanging messages with the other eight via sound transmission.
After a round of discussion, Master Wu said, "First, regarding the Secret Realm: Yanhuang gets only one-tenth of the harvest. Second, your annual tribute must be doubled. Third, if you want our help, you’ll have to pay extra compensation every time!"
The Head of State shook his head, "We do not accept!"
"Don’t be so ungrateful!" Sister Lydia snapped again.
"So what? Are you going to kill me?" The Head of State sneered, refusing to give them any face.
"Do you really think I wouldn’t dare kill you?" Sister Lydia’s eyes flashed with cold menace.
"Head of State, honored seniors, may I say a word?" Elder Quinn suddenly spoke up.
"Please, young friend, speak." Master Wu nodded, signaling Elder Quinn to continue.
Elder Quinn went on, "Why not divide each Secret Realm harvest into ten shares? Yanhuang gets one share, you get two shares, and the remaining seven will be allocated through competition between our two sides. What do you think?"
"How will the competition work?" Master Wu asked calmly, realizing the other side had prepared their terms well in advance.
Elder Quinn smiled at Master Wu and the others. "Since the nine of you are far too powerful to participate, each side will send two hundred martial artists under thirty for arena matches. Each win earns one point, and the seven remaining shares will be distributed according to the score. How about it?"
"No, two hundred is too many. Each side sends one hundred competitors—we can accept that!" Master Wu said gravely.
"Alright, one hundred it is!" Elder Quinn agreed with a smile, and the Head of State looked visibly relieved.
After further discussion, both sides agreed to hold the competition in three days.