Chapter 126 Rogue Cultivator Alliance, Qingzhou Chief Envoy
Regarding the Rogue Cultivator Alliance, Ye Qiuyue had indeed heard of it, but Qingzhou did not have a branch of the Rogue Cultivator Alliance.
The headquarters of the Rogue Cultivator Alliance was in Central Province, and it could be considered a first-tier force, though it was the weakest among first-tier forces. After all, the Rogue Cultivator Alliance consisted of various rogue cultivators banding together, yet its membership was vast. Except for Qingzhou, all other provinces bore traces of the Rogue Cultivator Alliance to varying degrees.
"That's right, Senior. The two of us are from the Rogue Cultivator Alliance. This time, we wanted to find little friend Qin Xiao to join our alliance. Aside from accepting all kinds of rogue cultivators, our Rogue Cultivator Alliance also shelters many disciples abandoned by sects or other forces. We can certainly provide protection for little friend Qin Xiao."
Seeing that Ye Qiuyue seemed to recognize the alliance, the leader quickly offered an explanation.
"Do you two have proof? What are your names? What positions do you hold? Speak the truth, and I will naturally verify your identities."
Ye Qiuyue remained cautious. She did not wish to act rashly; if their claims were true, the Heavenly Clothes Pavilion could not afford to provoke such a faction at present.
"We are the Qingzhou Chief Envoys sent by the Rogue Cultivator Alliance. This is our token. My name is Zhang Zuo, and his name is Li You. Because of our names, we became sworn brothers. Senior may examine the token for yourself."
Zhang Zuo flicked a token straight toward Ye Qiuyue.
Ye Qiuyue caught the token and inspected it. She realized it was far from ordinary-it was clearly a credential-type Dharma Treasure.
"I cannot discern much from the token alone. Wait here while I verify your information."
After returning the token, Ye Qiuyue began sending a voice transmission to Ye Tianyi, instructing her to purchase information from the Immortal Dao Merchant Association. Since the association also originated from Central Province, it should be well-acquainted with the Rogue Cultivator Alliance, and intelligence trading was part of its normal business.
"That doesn't sound right, does it? The Chief Envoys of the Rogue Cultivator Alliance are all Great Ascension experts, or at the very least, at the Soul Formation stage. The two of you are only at the Soul Formation stage-how could you possibly be Chief Envoys?"
Yun Man caught the inconsistency in their words and immediately chimed in.
"Ah, to be frank, it's rather embarrassing. My brother and I were originally Hall Masters of a city in Central Province. Due to certain circumstances, the Administrative Elder sent us to Qingzhou to serve as Chief Envoys. The alliance hasn't established a branch in Qingzhou yet, so currently it's just the two of us. The Elder ordered us to set up the Qingzhou branch within five years, which is why we've been scouting everywhere for talent."
Zhang Zuo explained with a hint of awkwardness.
The hierarchy of the Rogue Cultivator Alliance was straightforward. Aside from the Alliance Leader, a council of Elders held the greatest authority. Below them were the provincial Chief Envoys, followed by District Envoys, and finally the hall masters stationed in various cities.
These two brothers had been directly promoted from Hall Masters to Chief Envoys. On the surface, it was a promotion, but in reality, they had been banished to Qingzhou to build a branch from scratch. They were given no personnel, no funds, and a strict five-year deadline.
Soon, Ye Qiuyue received the reply transmitted by Ye Tianyi.
"So they really are from the Rogue Cultivator Alliance?"
After reading the intelligence report, Ye Qiuyue finally confirmed their identities.
In the past, major powers had always looked down upon a barren backwater like Qingzhou. Furthermore, local factions were deeply entrenched, with sects and aristocratic families having long since monopolized the local talent pool. Coupled with the presence of the Supreme Heavenly Dynasty's City Lord, it was virtually impossible for external forces to gain a foothold.
Only trade-oriented forces like the Immortal Dao Merchant Association maintained branches in every province. The Rogue Cultivator Alliance had never expanded into Qingzhou precisely because these two brothers had offended the Administrative Elder and been exiled here to develop the territory.
"Then I must ask, what terms are you offering to recruit me?"
Qin Xiao's interest was piqued, and he stepped forward to ask.
"Well, we can't offer any material benefits at the moment. Since being sent to Qingzhou, even our salaries have been suspended. But rest assured, the Elder promised that once the branch is successfully established, our back pay will be issued in full. While we have nothing to give you right now, the prestige of the Rogue Cultivator Alliance is enough to guarantee your safety. Even the Tianyuan Sect Great Elder won't dare to lay a finger on you."
Zhang Zuo attempted to use the alliance's reputation as bait. After all, the Rogue Cultivator Alliance was a first-tier force-far beyond what the Tianyuan Sect could afford to offend.
"Furthermore, if you agree to join us, I can appoint you as the Eastern District Envoy of Qingzhou. How does that sound? The entire eastern district will be under your command."
Sensing that mere reputation might not be enough, Zhang Zuo hastily added the position of Eastern District Envoy to the offer.
"Two Seniors, after talking for so long, are you just drawing cakes for me to look at?"
Hearing Zhang Zuo's pitch, Qin Xiao felt zero interest. It was all empty promises without even a drop of water to wash them down; he couldn't swallow them, not in this lifetime.
"How about this, two Seniors? What was your monthly salary when you were Hall Masters in Central Province? I'll pay you double if you act as my bodyguards. You're idle anyway."
Qin Xiao had intended to hire a pair of bodyguards from the very beginning; he had zero desire to join any Rogue Cultivator Alliance.
"What is the meaning of this? Are you trying to humiliate us?"
Zhang Zuo's expression darkened with displeasure. He had kindly extended an invitation and offered protection, only for this kid to turn around and mock them.
"Big Brother, wait."
Li You was far more pragmatic. Branch or no branch, their current financial reserves were running critically low, and earning some Spirit Stones right now sounded remarkably appealing.
"Second Brother, what do you mean by this?"
Zhang Zuo asked, looking puzzled.
"Big Brother, we have no idea how to kick-start this branch anyway. Why not earn some Spirit Stones first? Without Spirit Stones, how can we recruit anyone? Besides, our salaries have been cut for five years. Do you really think the Administrative Elder sent us here to develop a branch? We were banished here to atone for our sins."
Li You urged in a low voice. His elder brother was simply too rigid, genuinely believing they had been entrusted with a grand mission. Securing Spirit Stones had to come first.
"So, Second Brother, you're saying we should agree to be this kid's bodyguards? Can he even afford our price?"
Zhang Zuo felt a flicker of temptation. The two of them truly lacked savings; though they used to draw handsome monthly salaries and manage lucrative hall businesses, they also spent lavishly. Ever since their transfer to Qingzhou, their dwindling stash of Spirit Stones had been shrinking by the day.
"Leave it to me, Big Brother. If he can't afford our rates, we can simply refuse. The other party has a Body Integration stage cultivator backing him; it's best not to make an enemy of him."
Seeing his elder brother relent, Li You took charge of the negotiation.
"Little friend Qin Xiao, although my brother and I were merely Hall Masters back in Central Province, our monthly salaries were counted in the millions-quite unlike the poverty-stricken state of Qingzhou."
Li You spoke up.
"I know. So how much were your salaries? Several million each?"
Qin Xiao was hardly short on Spirit Stones at the moment. What did a few million matter?
"Our monthly salary was two million five hundred thousand each, totaling five million. But considering this is Qingzhou, we won't demand such a steep price. If you pay us four million combined each month, the two of us will agree to serve as your bodyguards temporarily. How about it?"
After brief consideration, Li You named his price.
"Second Brother, where would we ever get a monthly salary of two million? We only made a little over one million each! How can you open your mouth and demand over two million?"
Startled by the figure Li You quoted, Zhang Zuo hastily sent a voice transmission, accusing him of talking nonsense.
"Big Brother, he said he'd pay double, so naturally I calculated it based on double. Just leave it to me; I've had my eye on this Qin Xiao for a while. He can afford it."
Li You replied via voice transmission just as quickly, terrified that his brother would give away the game.
Qin Xiao remained silent for a moment. It wasn't because he thought their asking price was too high; rather, he felt it was too low. With such a meager rate, would they truly risk their lives to protect him? Should he add a bit more?
"Of course, if little friend Qin Xiao finds it difficult, we can lower our terms slightly-say, three million eight hundred thousand."
Seeing that Qin Xiao had not immediately answered, Li You assumed he was hesitating and obligingly shaved off two hundred thousand.
"Let's do it this way. I said I'd double it, so I'll double it. I'll give the two of you ten million combined. But let's make one thing clear: you must protect me with your lives. No slacking off, no fleeing at the first sign of danger, and absolutely no selling me out."
After pondering for a moment, Qin Xiao decided to up the ante. If he spent too little, he wouldn't feel secure. Besides, he currently possessed more Spirit Stones than he could possibly spend; he might as well pay for true peace of mind.