Ji Yuan glanced at her in surprise, and immediately understood the intention behind Qian Ni Chang's actions.
Even if they were willing to sit down and negotiate, even cede some benefits, because of the lives of hundreds of thousands of people and not wanting to bear such a heavy sin.
These people here would still not be satisfied, nor would they let them leave safely.
Because the price to satisfy these people's appetites was too high, no different from giving away everything they had.
However, Qian Ni Chang had spent an astonishing amount of money and used all her connections. How could she possibly hand over the benefits she was about to receive?
If this plan failed, let alone her own ruin, even the entire Qian family would be completely expelled from Mingxin Pavilion, and eventually devoured by the surrounding jackals.
Since she could not give up all the benefits to satisfy these people's appetites, there was no need to pretend anymore.
Qian Ni Chang's current demeanor was to control the rhythm of the situation in her own hands. Even if a fight was inevitable in the end, the initiative must be hers.
It was precisely for this reason that she changed her usual demeanor and put on an unyielding, all-or-nothing attitude.
As her words fell, everyone present indeed showed a look of confusion. In their anticipation, Qian Ni Chang should have been in a humble posture, begging them to stop.
Otherwise, once the plague in the city fully erupted, it would not only affect hundreds of thousands of civilians but also towns and villages within a radius of nearly a thousand miles.
Such a great sin, let alone a cultivator at the peak of the second realm, even a great cultivator who had formed a golden core would be burned by karmic fire on the spot. Even if they survived, their cultivation would likely be reduced to nothing.
Only those who practiced the way of demons and monsters would not be affected, and even their cultivation would advance by leaps and bounds.
"Wealth is ultimately an external possession. If you lose your life, then you truly lose everything."
A middle-aged man resembling a scholar spoke, fanning himself with a folding fan, as if trying to persuade her.
Seeing this, Ji Yuan chuckled inwardly. They had been so murderous just moments ago, and now, after a few words, they were trying to persuade Qian Ni Chang not to be impulsive.
It seemed these people were also afraid of her going all out, thus bearing a great sin for nothing and gaining nothing.
That would not be as simple as losing a sum of money; it would also cause the forces behind them to bear a heavy price, and their fortune would be stripped away by heaven and earth due to their deep sins.
If that day came, not a single person present would have a good outcome!
"That's right, Shopkeeper Qian, don't throw away your life in a fit of pique."
Another person spoke, seemingly trying to persuade her, but in reality, it was a veiled threat.
Even Li Wenqing, though his smile remained undiminished, a hint of surprise appeared deep in his eyes, as if he hadn't expected Qian Ni Chang's few words to disrupt the rhythm they had previously set.
Now, everyone still wanted to gain benefits, but they were also hesitant to push too hard, for fear that this noblewoman would truly risk everything and fight them to the death!
Ji Yuan had to admire his employer. At least in negotiations, she was truly outstanding, almost single-handedly shifting the almost predetermined situation with a few words, creating a gap.
At this moment, Qian Ni Chang heard this and immediately revealed a cold smile. She leaned back on the armrest, looking around at everyone present.
"Even the most unfair business requires both parties to profit, it's just a matter of how much."
"But you want to take all the benefits and have me hand over everything I have, with nothing left. That would be best."
"Where in the world can you do business like this? It would be more straightforward to just say you want to rob me directly."
"Why bother putting on such a flimsy fig leaf?"
She opened her red lips and spoke slowly, but her tone gradually became colder.
By the end, her expression was like frost, and a fluctuation of spiritual power emanated from her, as if she were furious.
However, the seemingly strong words subtly conveyed another message.
Since you want to do business, if there's profit, we can talk. If there's no profit, then let's just fight directly!
For a moment, most of the thirteen faction representatives at the banquet began to waver, with only a few holding onto their original ideas.
In just a few words, these people had silently been divided into two, or even three, different schools of thought.
Some insisted on the initial plan, wanting to eat until they couldn't anymore and devour all the benefits.
Some wavered, thinking that as long as there was profit, there was no need to push the other party to the brink.
There were even two or three who suddenly had a thought: if the other party could safely get through the night, perhaps they could cooperate with them in secret.
As Qian Ni Chang said, doing business means both parties profit. And as long as there's profit, what difference does it make who you cooperate with?
Sensing the subtle shift in the atmosphere, Ji Yuan looked at his employer with a touch of respect.
As expected of someone who managed the precarious Qian family and could stand firm amidst the surrounding forces in Mingxin Pavilion, still holding on and not letting the Qian family be completely defeated.
In less than half a quarter of an hour, they had silently divided the fourteen forces present!
"Since Shopkeeper Qian has said so, how much can you offer to satisfy the appetites of the thirteen forces present?"
Li Wenqing saw this and couldn't help but put away his smile, saying seriously, "If you can't even recoup your costs, what's there to talk about profit?"
This person was clearly a little anxious. While he seemed to be speaking to Qian Ni Chang, he was actually speaking to the forces present.
His meaning was obvious: the Qian family couldn't offer enough benefits to satisfy the appetites of the thirteen forces while ensuring both sides profited.
Only by joining forces with him and completely devouring Qian Ni Chang could they return with full hands, instead of not even recouping their costs.
However, his words made some people have different thoughts, and a seed was quietly planted, then quickly broke through the soil and grew vigorously.
Qian Ni Chang took in the expressions in the eyes of the thirteen faction representatives, and her worried heart finally relaxed a little.
She had been wondering how to speak to plant a seed in their hearts, but Li Wenqing had directly helped her do it.
Thus, Qian Ni Chang couldn't help but reveal a smile, which made Li Wenqing mutter inwardly, and he suddenly felt something was wrong.
"Thirteen forces, plus you Li Wenqing, that's quite a lot."
She said with a smile, "But if there are nine forces, I can guarantee they will get their capital back. If there are seven forces, they will make a small profit. If there are only five forces, although it can't be said to be overflowing with riches, it can still be considered a significant opportunity."
Everyone's heart stirred. They could naturally do the math. The fewer forces involved, the more they would naturally profit. If there were only two or three forces, they could practically eat until they burst!
Li Wenqing's eyes flashed, and he no longer had any composure. He vaguely felt that things were gradually slipping out of his control.
Glancing at the expressions of the people present, his unease spread rapidly.
"Then how does Shopkeeper Qian plan to persuade the other forces to voluntarily withdraw?"
He asked with a grim expression, a half-smile on his face.
As he spoke, he had already given the prearranged signal for everyone to prepare to act at any time.
Thirteen forces, plus the forces of his Jun Shou Fu, to encircle and kill two cultivators in the second realm, if not easy, was not too difficult.
"Lord Li is already over seventy years old this year, isn't he?"
However, Qian Ni Chang changed the subject and pointed it elsewhere meaningfully.
As soon as she said this, Li Wenqing's face immediately darkened. The matter of his lifespan had been a thorn in his side in recent years.
Even though he held a high position in the Jun Shou Fu and enjoyed countless benefits every year, with ingredients containing spiritual energy for all three meals, and consumed precious elixirs and spiritual items, he could barely maintain a youthful appearance.
But even though he had delayed the aging of his skin, it still didn't change his age. Even with more spiritual medicine, he still couldn't overcome that hurdle.
A mortal's lifespan is only a hundred and eighty years, but those who truly live to a hundred are few. Most people, after eighty, will age rapidly.
Often within a few years, they will pass away, no longer concerned with the affairs of the world.
"Although Governor Li is at the peak of the second realm, he is also one hundred and fifty years old and is still worried about his lifespan,"
Qian Ni Chang glanced at him and then said with a light smile.
These two matters seemed unrelated, but they were linked by a thread.
And this sentence struck Li Wenqing's heart directly. He knew that as long as the Governor was around, any spiritual items that could prolong life obtained by the Jun Shou Fu, no matter the cost, would not fall into his hands.
"Shopkeeper Qian, just say what you want to say."
He sighed, and as soon as he spoke, he suddenly realized that at this moment, he had unknowingly swapped positions with Qian Ni Chang.
At the beginning, it was she who wanted them to speak plainly, but now it had become him who needed to wait for her to speak.
The taste of this was somewhat poignant.
"If the merit of disaster relief falls upon you, the Governor can offset this merit with his demerits and will not be held accountable by the imperial court."
Qian Ni Chang smiled. "And my Qian family still has a Heart of Crimson Fruit, which can extend a mortal's life by ten years."
Upon hearing this, Li Wenqing's eyes lit up, and he immediately lost his composure, shattering his calm and collected demeanor.
How could he not understand what she was implying?
By gaining the Governor's satisfaction through the merit of disaster relief, he would then receive the Heart of Crimson Fruit. And by taking it privately without reporting it, he would not be held accountable or incur the Governor's displeasure.
And ten years of lifespan, not a lot, but not a little either.
"Qian Ni Chang, oh Qian Ni Chang, you will go to any lengths to break this stalemate!"
After a long while, Li Wenqing's expression suddenly became serious. "Do you really think these few words can buy you a way out?"
As his words fell, several people quietly breathed a sigh of relief, almost thinking he would truly be unable to resist the temptation and agree immediately.
If that were the case, this situation would have been broken by Qian Ni Chang, and the outcome would have been truly unpredictable.