I Become a Martial Arts God in the Chaotic Demon World-Chapter 176: Greed

"The lot of you seem to be having a lively discussion."

Han Zheng strode into the Council Hall, cupping his hands in greeting, "I am Han Zheng, the Demon Sweeping Captain of Smoke Wave Prefecture, appointed to take charge here."

The people present all looked at Han Zheng with a bit of surprise.

They knew Han Zheng was young, but they hadn't expected him to be this young.

Yet, it was this young man who, having just arrived at Smoke Wave Prefecture a few days ago, had already dealt with two Great Demons of the Xuan Gang Realm and had annihilated the Red Flag Thieves.

These were feats even his predecessor, Liao Hongsheng, had never accomplished.

So even though they felt Han Zheng was exceedingly young, they didn't take him lightly and all stood up to greet him.

"Greetings, Mr. Han."

Han Zheng smiled and said, "This time, I have specifically invited chefs from several restaurants within Smoke Wave Prefecture to treat you all. The dishes are all served, please enjoy."

With that, Han Zheng led everyone into the reception hall where a full table of exquisite dishes had already been laid out, many of which were familiar favorites crafted by top chefs from the prefecture's renowned restaurants. Han Zheng was indeed sincere in his hospitality this time.

After everyone was seated, the Sect Master of Breaking Extreme Sect, Tuoba Feng, furrowed his brow slightly, "Mr. Han, what is the purpose of inviting us to this banquet?"

"Don't be anxious, Sect Master Tuoba. Let's eat first, we can discuss matters after the meal."

Han Zheng, wearing a friendly smile, gestured with his hand. The guests were unclear about his intentions but proceeded to eat first.

As the Family Head Yue Qing of the Yue Family had said before, "When the soldiers come, block; when the water comes, cover."

The drinks made three rounds, and the dishes spanned five flavors.

Seeing that everyone present had more or less finished eating, Han Zheng gently tapped on the table and said, "I won't keep you in suspense. There's only one matter that has brought us together today, regarding the spiritual fields and mines surrounding Smoke Wave Prefecture."

The people present exchanged looks, each revealing a hint of a cold smile.

They knew it was about this matter.

Every Demon Sweeping Captain who had managed Smoke Wave Prefecture had tried to take back those spiritual lands and mines completely, always scheming elaborately.

Now it seemed that Han Zheng was merely repeating the old tune, albeit with a more conciliatory method.

The hot-tempered and fiery Tuoba Feng immediately retorted coldly, "We've been managing these spiritual lands and mines for so many years, what's there to discuss?"

Han Zheng didn't show any anger but simply said lightly, "Just because you've managed them for so many years, does that make them yours? When Guiyuan Sword Pavilion rose dominantly, it didn't refrain from taking its share from you."

The people present all looked a bit uncomfortable.

When Guiyuan Sword Pavilion rose, the interests around Smoke Wave Prefecture were almost completely divided among these sects.

So when Guiyuan Sword Pavilion became powerful, conflicts with them were inevitable.

Except for the Yuwen Family, the others suffered quite a few losses from Guiyuan Sword Pavilion.

Yuwen Family, being the strongest but also the wisest, didn't confront Guiyuan Sword Pavilion head-on, but instead actively offered Guiyuan Sword Pavilion a spiritual field and a mine, winning them goodwill in return.

The other families, after several disastrous battles, finally saw reason.

Han Zheng continued indifferently, "Regarding these mines and spiritual fields around Smoke Wave Prefecture, they're really old stories. It's a case of 'he said, she said.'"

From the perspective of the Demon Cleansing Bureau, it's naturally seen as you taking advantage while the bureau was weak.

But from your perspective, you took over the lands and mines left by the Black Mountain Demon, completely in accordance with the rules of the Demon Department back then.

In my view, neither side is wrong."

The people present all nodded subtly, their expressions looking somewhat better.

What Han Zheng said was reasonable.

Unlike his predecessors who had managed Smoke Wave Prefecture, he didn't start by demanding they hand over the lands and mines.

"Regarding this matter, I do have an idea. Right now, these spiritual fields and mines are not only a source of dispute between the Demon Cleansing Bureau and your forces, but there are also conflicts among yourselves, right?"

The people present nodded subtly again.

When the subordinates of the Black Mountain Demon departed, numerous forces hastily seized these spiritual fields and mines, each taking a bit more or less, also causing disputes among themselves.

So, in the end, the territories occupied by each family were a mess, with some spiritual fields even contiguous, and some Elemental Crystal Veins were mined by two powers together.

When the time came to harvest the Spiritual Medicine, the major powers would have to fight a battle, and there were quarrels regularly.

Of course, this conflict was within a controllable range; once the Demon Cleansing Bureau got involved, they were bound to unite against the Demon Cleansing Bureau.

"I think the current disputes are most unnecessary; they just deplete everyone's strength. I called you here today to resolve the various disputes between the Demon Cleansing Bureau and all of you.

Those mines and spiritual fields, we will not divide ownership; let's manage them together and develop jointly according to the strength of each power.

Mining Elemental Crystal Veins requires strong martial artists, as ordinary people cannot extract Elemental Crystals.

Our Demon Cleansing Bureau has many prisoners who can be utilized for mining, and each major power will only need to send people for unified management.

The Spiritual Medicine produced by the spiritual fields can be sent directly to the Demon Cleansing Bureau, where we have specialized alchemists.

Once we process them into Elixirs and distribute them proportional to you, it will certainly be more cost-efficient than selling the Spiritual Medicine and then buying Elixirs.

Then there will be no more conflicts; everyone can just practice in peace and gain these resources, why wouldn't we do this?"

Han Zheng looked at everyone present with a smile, as if he were a friendly businessman.

Upon hearing this, the people present were indeed somewhat tempted.

Except for a few Martial World powers, no one loved war, constantly thinking about fighting and killing.

To obtain so many benefits without paying a price, they were naturally willing.

Yue Qing, the Family Head of the Yue Family, pondered for a moment and asked, "What ratio does Mr. Han plan to distribute the profits between us and the Demon Cleansing Bureau?"

"Very simple, fifty-fifty," Han Zheng replied.

Yue Qing's expression immediately darkened, and the faces of others also looked rather unpleasant.

"Isn't Mr. Han being too fanciful? Or is there simply no sincerity?"

Yue Qing said coldly, "These spiritual fields and veins are still under our control; do you, Mr. Han, think you can just claim half with a mere word?"

Han Zheng replied indifferently, "I've already said not to fuss about whose these spiritual fields and veins truly are; it's a decades-old problem, unclear anyway.

Can't we consider these things as collectively owned? Our Demon Cleansing Bureau can provide prisoners for mining and conduct alchemy.

As long as we conclude an agreement, everyone can develop fully without conflicts. By then, wouldn't the output of both veins and spiritual fields increase? Is asking for half too much by the Demon Cleansing Bureau?"

Read latest chapters at freёweɓnovel.com Only.

Han Zheng thought his request was not excessive, but to these Martial World powers, it seemed like Han Zheng was trying to carve a piece of meat out of their mouths!

Yue Qing stood up abruptly and said coldly, "I thought Mr. Han was sincere, different from the other Demon Sweeping Captains. But now it seems the Demon Cleansing Bureau still wants to cut our flesh!"

"Then what does Yue Family Head think is appropriate?"

Yue Qing stretched out his hand and said, "At most ten percent."

"Does the Family Head see the Demon Cleansing Bureau as beggars?"

Han Zheng was almost driven to laughter.

He had now seen the greed of these local powers.

The Demon Cleansing Bureau provides prisoners for mining and also does alchemy, and in the end, they could only get ten percent, which was basically just hard-earned money, like working for these Martial World powers.

"I didn't say that, but what you ask for, Mr. Han, is too much, and I cannot comply!"

After saying this, Yue Qing turned around and left.

Tuoba Feng from the Breaking Extreme Sect laughed inexplicably and also turned to leave.

Seeing these two leave, the others quickly followed suit.

Yuwen Kang, the Family Head from the Yuwen Family, had come instead of the old patriarch.

Yuwen Kang had a gentle and scholarly demeanor, looking like a school teacher.

He was the last to stand up, bowing to Han Zheng and saying, "Mr. Han, don't mind it; getting these fellows to spit out what they've eaten is not so easy.

My Yuwen Family doesn't care; as long as you can convince them, the Yuwen Family is willing to cooperate with the Demon Cleansing Bureau."

The Yuwen Family itself did not occupy many spiritual fields and veins, so their attitude towards the Demon Cleansing Bureau had always been the most mild.

Watching everyone leave, Han Zheng still had a smile on his face, but it was tinged with a bit more coldness.