A Valuable Head . . .
Furthermore, Liu Changjun conveyed more information about the complex circumstances. "Moreover, this particular Ling-Bao Hall auction has etched a remarkable legend into the annals of auction history. Although it has garnered favor from the King of the Kingdom of Chen, the substantial sum of 70 billion provided to the Kingdom has yielded far-reaching and substantial repercussions. This financial exchange has set off an intense and protracted conflict among the three kingdoms of the Land of Han-Yang. Our actions have demonstrated unequivocal allegiance to the Kingdom of Chen, further incensing the other two realms. This substantial expenditure has enraged both of them, prompting them to dispatch assassins to swiftly terminate our lives."
He continued, "To compound matters, the generous reward bestowed upon Ling-Bao Hall by the Kingdom of Chen has placed us in an exceedingly precarious situation. The martial world has witnessed the assembly of over ten thousand superior cultivators during the capital's auction. These individuals have chosen not to depart the city for several days. Now, their numbers have swelled to encompass over thirty thousand superior cultivators, and it is apparent that more will be joining their ranks."
"Based on the official intelligence reports and our own internal network analysis, more than five thousand assassins are en route from the other two kingdoms. Furthermore, a significant influx of cultivators is drawn by the promise of a reward. In the current context, the Kingdom of Chen has become an adversary to the entire Land of Han-Yang. Ling-Bao Hall, in particular, has made enemies of virtually the entire world. As for you, my lord, you have become a highly coveted target for every individual with a desire to eliminate you."
With a hint of frustration, Liu Changjun added, "When I mentioned that everyone wishes to end your life, I assure you it was no jest. Your name, Feng Zhiling, is inextricably linked to the Feng Monarch. The Kingdom of Lanfeng and the Kingdom of Tianyu have both placed enormous bounties on the head of Feng Monarch. What further exacerbates this situation is the direct involvement of the royal families of these two kingdoms, further inflating the offered reward. The price on your head has escalated to nearly two billion, and it continues to rise by the second. In plain terms, there is a constant surge of funds pouring into this reward. In essence, every assassin currently seeks your demise."
Liu Changjun had provided a comprehensive overview of the current scenario, leaving Cha Eun Xiao astounded by the gravity of the situation. He couldn't help but wonder, "All I wanted was to make some money. How did things escalate into a world-altering conflict? How am I supposed to navigate through this chaotic mess?"
"I never anticipated my head would hold such value. I simply aimed to be a loyal citizen of the Kingdom of Chen and make a modest contribution to my homeland. Why is everyone fixated on me?" Cha Eun Xiao mused while absentmindedly massaging his head. He muttered, "That reward is substantial. Truth be told, even I am tempted to part with my own head for such a sum..."
Liu Changjun was left flabbergasted, grappling with a profound silence as he couldn't fathom an appropriate response.
In most cases, the prospect of being hunted with an exorbitant bounty on one's head would terrify or, at the very least, deeply unsettle the average person. However, in this instance, Liu Changjun observed that Feng Monarch appeared unusually unperturbed, and there was an inkling of genuine contentment in his demeanor.
[I wonder how his mind has evolved to this point. How could he remain so detached...]
"Two billion... I wonder if the fortunate assassin who succeeds in claiming my head will actually receive the reward. And if he does, how on earth would he manage to carry such a vast sum of money? Moreover, what would he even spend it on..." Cha Eun Xiao lamented in a melancholic tone, appearing to genuinely sympathize with the hypothetical individual tasked with his decapitation.
Liu Changjun remained at a loss for words.
"So, I've decided to retain possession of my head, if only to spare them the burden of that conundrum," Cha Eun Xiao declared with an air of solemnity. Though his words conveyed a degree of indifference, they belied the profound contemplation that occupied his thoughts.
As the situation had grown increasingly precarious, Cha Eun Xiao pondered how to navigate these perilous waters. The situation, unforeseen and undesirable, had rapidly devolved into chaos.
He had never imagined that the auction he had orchestrated to amass wealth would plunge him and Ling-Bao Hall into such dire straits.
However, a glimmer of realization sparked within him. Cha Eun Xiao contemplated the inexplicable attention now focused on Ling-Bao Hall. "It doesn't make sense. Firstly, Ling-Bao Hall lacks any additional supreme dan beads and, as such, lacks a noteworthy target. Secondly, following the auction, the world is well aware of the strong alliance between Ling-Bao Hall and the House of the Chaotic Storms. It is evident that Master Bai and Wan of the Clouds acted in collusion with Ling-Bao Hall, most notably to counteract the two great sects. This deliberate display of solidarity should discourage any further harassment of Ling-Bao Hall."
He paused before a sudden realization struck. "Unless..."
Cha Eun Xiao became lost in thought, his mind racing as he began to piece together the situation unfolding around him. With sudden clarity, a bitter smile curled on his lips.
"That wily Master Bai," Cha Eun Xiao mused, "he must have foreseen all of this. It's clear now, he deliberately orchestrated this entire situation. No wonder he so readily offered his assistance to me. He even maneuvered the two great sects out of the auction using his own reputation. By preventing them from obtaining any supreme dan beads, he set the stage for all that is currently happening."
Cha Eun Xiao couldn't bring himself to believe that the House of the Chaotic Storms had remained uninvolved in this complex web of intrigue. He suspected that Master Bai had likely conveyed to various factions, aside from the Sunlight Sect and Starlight Sect, that Ling-Bao Hall and the House of the Chaotic Storms were not allies. Without such a warning, it seemed implausible that anyone would dare to scrutinize Ling-Bao Hall so intensely.
"He truly is a cunning old fox, millennia in the making," Cha Eun Xiao begrudgingly acknowledged. In the realm of intricate scheming, he felt like a novice in comparison to Master Bai, who was an absolute maestro.
Yet, as he contemplated the dire circumstances surrounding him, Cha Eun Xiao pondered who might hold the key to resolving this precarious situation. He urgently sought someone with the strategic acumen and insight to navigate the turbulent waters he now faced.
"Wan Zhenghao is undoubtedly on the brink of a breakdown," Liu Changjun revealed. "With a reward of 300 million on his head, it's no surprise he's feeling immense pressure. Wan appears perpetually somber, weighed down by the gravity of the situation."
Cha Eun Xiao cleared his throat, his voice laden with concealed humor. "Sometimes, a crisis can also present an opportunity. In light of these events, Wan is bound to shed a few pounds. This ordeal might be just the thing he needs!"