Chapter 571: Tan Mo Makes Things Difficult
Both Hun Tong and Nei Dou approached the negotiations with genuine sincerity.
A fierce verbal battle ensued, with both sides trading arguments and shifting tactics. After over an hour of back-and-forth, an agreement was finally reached.
The final outcome was as follows:
The Justice Church would provide 12,000 gold coins in sponsorship in exchange for the Hun Tong's future support for missionary activities.
No priority preaching rights were granted, and church construction sites were restricted to designated areas on Two Eyes Island.
Yet the preservation of the diocese was secured.
In short, this was a victory for the Justice Church!
After all, Hun Tong had revealed his vulnerability, he desperately needed to weather this investigation. This external pressure had placed him in a severely passive position.
Of course, the Justice Church paid a price too.
The 12,000 gold coins they contributed were sponsorship fees, not loans. This meant—it was a gift. Hun Tong would never repay it.
After the negotiations concluded.
Guang Ke privately inquired of Nei Dou: “Lord, the total funds we brought for developing the new parish amount to only 20,000 gold coins.”
“Now that half has been given away, how much remains for missionary work?”
“Don't forget, constructing the church is also a massive expense.”
Nei Dou smiled: “Rest assured, this investment will absolutely be worth every penny.”
“With Hun Tong's inclination and support, we're certain to carve out a piece of the Wealth Parish.”
“As for funds, they are indeed insufficient.”
“But it doesn't matter. I've already devised a solution.”
“Oh? What is it?” Guang Ke inquired.
Nei Dou looked at him: “This is thanks to you. Before this, we secured the island lord's consent on Snake Rat Island and established a parish there.”
“Snake Rat Island and Two Eyes Island are quite close. Our two dioceses can be considered one entity.”
“In the future, we can raise some religious taxes from Snake Rat Island to fund the construction of the Two Eyes Island diocese.”
“Of course, funds will still be scarce. We'll endure a rather arduous pioneering period.”
“But no matter how difficult it gets, what does it matter for the cause of our Lord?”
Guang Ke's expression grew solemn: “Indeed. As long as it expands our Lord's cause, I shall always serve with utmost loyalty and wisdom. What hardship is worth mentioning?”
Nei Dou chuckled heartily, patting Guang Ke's shoulder: “Actually, there are other solutions.”
“Didn't you personally convert a mercenary commander?”
“His name was Long Fu, correct?”
“From what I understand, the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps was the most prominent force in the fishmen offensive.”
“These men have deep connections and considerable wealth. They profited from the fishmen offensive and even purchased the magic ship White Bandage when they left the island.”
“See if you can get in touch with them?”
“Have them contribute some funds?”
Guang Ke instantly recalled the dragonman youngster's appearance. He smiled faintly: "It wasn't just the fishmen offensive. Back on Snake Rat Island, we defeated Rou Zang's pirate crew together. Their performance was already exceptionally outstanding."
“In fact, without their participation in that naval battle, we would have lost!”
“Long Fu is an extraordinary young man. He joined the faith voluntarily, possesses great insight, and has his own understanding of the doctrine.”
“I believe that with proper guidance, he will become a devout believer and a capable member of our Lord's cause!”
“If they're still active nearby, I can try to contact them.”
The dragonman youngster had left a deep impression on Guang Ke.
A very favorable one.
Besides, it hadn't been long since they parted ways.
But what Guang Ke hadn't anticipated was that despite the brief separation, the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps had undergone tremendous growth and transformation during that time.
The dragonman youngster in his mind had already transformed into the fishman youngster.
Clatter, clatter, clatter.
The roar of churning seawater filled his ears.
The fishman youngster sank deeper and deeper into the ocean.
“The place…”
“I dreamt of this place again.”
He surveyed his surroundings, now quite familiar with this dreamscape.
Sea water, whirlpools.
“So I must have prayed in my sleep once more?”
Though the fishman youngster was aware of his actual situation, his thoughts moved sluggishly, far slower than usual.
“Wait, what's that?”
The fishman youngster sank to a new depth on the ocean floor, discovering a massive shadow lurking within the great whirlpool.
The shadow loomed like a mountain, and he was drifting steadily toward it.
The next moment, the fishman youngster snapped open his eyes and struggled to his feet, jolted awake from his dream.
Gasp, gasp...
He gasped for breath as his racing heart gradually calmed.
“The Surging Wave fishman bloodline... its concentration has surpassed 67%.”
The fishman youngster had anticipated this moment.
This was an extraordinary achievement!
According to the characteristics of the Surging Wave fishman bloodline, once the concentration reached 60%, one could cultivate to the saint level!
Originally, the fishman youngster's level cap was at the gold level, but now his future possibilities had expanded once more.
Though his expectations had been fulfilled, the fishman youngster felt little joy in his heart.
He couldn't help but recall that enormous, mysterious shadow lurking in the depths of the great whirlpool.
“What exactly is that?”
“According to the magic images recorded, whenever I pray in my sleep, divine spells like Spiritual Navigation are cast upon me.”
“Could it be that the immense, mysterious shadow is the true form of the Charming Blue Goddess?”
“I am steadily drawing closer to Her!”
At this thought, all joy vanished from the fishman youngster's heart. Instead, a creeping chill took its place.
Tan Mo’s gaze toward Yan Yi also grew icy.
He pondered for a long time, unable to devise a good solution. Tu Ji felt like a boulder blocking his path, severely limiting his options.
It wasn’t impossible to bypass Tu Ji, but Tan Mo wasn’t satisfied with the expected results of using such methods to extort bribes.
Just as Hun Tong perceived him, his nature was greedy, he would never be content with such meager gains.
Thus, he privately sought out Yan Yi.
“Tell me everything you know about Hun Tong.”
“You've been in charge here for years and are one of his kin. You must understand him well.”
“How much leverage do you hold over him?”
Tan Mo dropped all pretense, stating his demands directly with an overbearing tone and expression.
After all, he was a gold level, while Yan Yi was merely a bronze level.
There was no need for politeness!
Excessive courtesy, for a gold level being, was tantamount to lowering one's status and inviting humiliation.
Yan Yi looked troubled. “Lord Tan Mo, as you just mentioned, Lord Hun Tong and I are kinsmen of the same clan.”
“What use would evidence against him be to me?”
“Even if I gathered it, I couldn't possibly sell it as merchandise.”
“If I betrayed my own kin, how would those around me, my subordinates and my superiors, ever look at me again?”
“Such betrayal is something I absolutely will not do!”
Yan Yi's refusal was blunt and resolute.
“Heh heh heh.” Tan Mo let out a cold laugh, glancing out the window to gaze at the sea for a moment before turning back. “Yan Yi, you have strong principles. I admire that.”
"You're also quite resourceful. The secret agent Qing Xin, codenamed ‘Lost Return,’ was originally slated to succeed you. Yet you managed to place her within the necromancer’s inner circle. The entire process was flawless, not a single issue to be found."
“But Yan Yi, though this operation adhered perfectly to protocol, do you truly believe those above will accept it without question simply because it followed the rules?”
Yan Yi’s expression shifted.
Tan Mo's voice continued to echo in Yan Yi's ears, icy cold: “You're merely a bronze level agent, yet you've wielded immense power all this time.”
“The taste of power is so sweet, you've become utterly addicted, haven't you?”
“Perhaps it has even blinded you, making you mistakenly believe you're powerful?”
“Can you truly recognize your own situation? Can you see reality clearly?”
“Let me give you a small example.”
Tan Mo's eyes flickered with murderous intent. “I could kill you now. It wouldn't take a second!”
Yan Yi clenched his teeth, fists tight, his face drained of color.
Within a minute, cold sweat beaded on his forehead.
Seeing his stubborn resolve, a flicker of surprise crossed Tan Mo's eyes.
However, the warning had been delivered. There was no need to push further. A pause would yield better results.
"Think it over carefully. I'm a reasonable man." Tan Mo eased his grip.
Yan Yi left, his face etched with anguish.
Two or three hours later, he sought out Tan Mo of his own accord, his face grim. “I've reviewed past cases. There are indeed some areas where we could make adjustments.”
“But I don't want to hand them over directly to you.”
“Lord Tan Mo, you know I'm only a lowly bronze level agent.”
“If I give you the intelligence outright, my career would be ruined.”
“Because I not only exploited the intelligence in my hands for personal gain but also framed my own kin.”
This was the world of the strong.
The foundation of strength lay in the bloodline.
Bloodline naturally forged powerful bonds between kin and a deep sense of belonging among relatives.
Thus, betraying one's own clan was utterly despicable, a vile act despised by all.
It was perfectly natural for Yan Yi to harbor such concerns.
“You wish to employ some clever method to make me ‘discover’ this intelligence myself?” Tan Mo chuckled lightly.
He made no effort to conceal his mockery.
In his view, this was utterly pointless, like taking off one's pants to fart.
Such concealment was fundamentally useless. Those in high positions judged by actions and outcomes. Yan Yi's concealment was at best a transparent veil, likely deceiving only himself and fooling no one else.
“Fine. Let me ‘discover’ that intelligence myself.” Tan Mo nodded, deciding to play along to secure Yan Yi's cooperation.
Tan Mo had no intention of aiding Yan Yi.
Yan Yi was merely a bronze level cultivator, and the two shared no bond. Yan Yi held no value worth his aid.
Besides, if he showed sympathy and spared Yan Yi, how could Tan Mo later extort Hun Tong?
Yan Yi's face darkened as he desperately pleaded his case: “I need to serve as an intermediary to facilitate future negotiations between you and Lord Hun Tong.”
Tan Mo agreed to this arrangement, inwardly sneering: No matter how much you involve yourself or how innocent you pretend to be, it won't make a difference.