Chapter 997 - 993: The Struggle Sparked by Xiao Tian
On the contrary, if I can handle it properly this time and successfully gain the other party’s favor, it would be equivalent to successfully establishing a strong and powerful network centered around myself.
For instance, no matter how powerful a master is, there will always be times when they get injured and need treatment, right? No matter how rich someone is, there will always be a time when they or their family have a major or minor illness, right?
When the time comes, as long as I hint a little that I know a highly skilled Divine Doctor, how could they not come rushing to me in droves?
Sugai Yasuaki is very confident that as long as those people come to him, he is sure to bind them to his ship. Even if it is like borrowing power or influence, he could establish a personal network in a very short time.
For anyone just starting out, this is undoubtedly a tremendous help. The only thing to consider is the attitude of Xiao Tian; as long as he tacitly approves of my actions, everything will be much easier.
Thinking of this, Sugai Yasuaki’s brain began working with unprecedented efficiency, aiming to find a highly feasible plan before Xiao Tian comes out of his realization. Success or failure depends on this gamble!
...
Just when Sugai Yasuaki was thinking about how one success could save him ten years of struggle, the elders of the Mizuno Clan were urgently discussing. While using their networks to dig up information about Xiao Tian, they were also debating whether they could recruit him.
This was certainly logical. Judging from Xiao Tian’s current performance, anyone would find it worth their interest. However, it wasn’t his strength they valued, but the immeasurable potential he might unleash!
This is akin to a venture capital investment: if they bet right, the return would be dozens or even hundreds of times the investment, making it naturally attractive.
However, considering some of Xiao Tian’s previous actions, the elders of the Mizuno Clan had to ponder carefully...
"From the calamity diversion when the Celestial Demon Vine appeared to the urgent desire to move the little princess, it seems this person harbors some resentment towards our Mizuno Clan." A middle-aged man sitting in the center spoke first.
When he finished, most people nodded in agreement and questioned, "Even if there is resentment, we need to know where it stems from, right? We’ve never heard of any dealings with such a person."
After speaking, everyone looked at each other, trying to see something from the others, but all they touched were innocent and confused expressions, making it hard to dispel their doubts.
After a short while, the long-haired second-in-command of the Mizuno Clan spoke up, "I think we are complicating things!"
Suddenly, everyone’s attention was drawn to him, waiting for the person with the strongest voice at the moment to express his thoughts.
After a brief thoughtful pause, the elder habitually combed his hair back and said, "We might as well consider the previous incident with the Celestial Demon Vine as a coincidence. As for the subsequent proposal to transfer the princess, although it is quite unfavorable to us, do not forget... he is a doctor. The primary consideration for a doctor should be how to save lives in the best way."
"Besides, there should be common knowledge even without knowledge, right? What kind of highly skilled doctor would use exclusive methods in public, isn’t that smashing his own brand?"
These words instantly enlightened everyone, causing an epiphany within them.
Yes!
If interpreted in this way, everything makes sense!
As for the feasibility of this interpretation...
"It’s clear now, the person with the surname Xiao is from Huaxia. This is also his first time in Japan, entering about half a month ago, and besides Sugai Yasuaki, the only other contact he has had with our organization is Elder Sugai Kifumi and his son..."
This timely report instantly dispelled the last trace of worry among the Mizuno Clan’s high-level members. Having ruled out any possible hostility, the chance of recruiting him greatly increased.
The conduct of Sugai Kifumi and his son was well-known to those present, and they were quite familiar with it. Even if the father and son had offended the highly skilled doctor, discarding them if necessary would still be a worthwhile move!
Even if Mizuno Pengyu, the leader of the organization, were here, he wouldn’t have an opposing view.
After sorting out everything clearly, just when the Mizuno Clan elders felt hopeful about recruitment, someone raised a new issue, "But the royal family has already promised him the right to propose any reward, we are always a step too late."
As soon as these words were spoken, the previously relaxed tension began to turn again, clearly indicating that everyone took the issue seriously.
The long-haired second-in-command chuckled lightly, "No, not too late. The deal with the royal family revolves around treating the royal princess—it’s a one-time deal. Whether or not he succeeds in saving the princess, the deal will terminate immediately."
"I know what you’re thinking; the royal family certainly wouldn’t let such a talent slip away and will undoubtedly take appropriate steps to win him over."
At this point, the elder revealed a confident smile, "But it’s crucial to understand that whatever the royal family can offer, can we not match it? What they can offer, we can offer. What they can’t offer, we can offer too; under such circumstances, unless he’s a fool, he should know how to choose to gain the maximum benefit, right?"
That said, the high-level members couldn’t help but engage in discussions, proposing various assumptions and questions, solving them through collective brainstorming.
The elder, however, paid no heed to everyone’s discussions and directly set the tone, "Don’t think about all the possibilities. Focus all your energy on what he needs and likes. Make sure to recruit this person before the royal family does!"
"Furthermore, the idea of winning him over with money should be set aside. Given his medical skills, he is definitely not short of money... Or, you might ask Sugai Yasuaki, who has had contact with him before, to see what his thoughts are."
After finishing, the elder began reclining on his chair, appearing to be at peace with a demeanor of being detached from all outside concerns.
After a brief silence, the others immediately dispatched someone to summon Sugai Yasuaki, forcibly pulling him out of his thoughts, causing him to curse silently yet dare not show any dissatisfaction on his face.
In contemporary slang, to describe Sugai Yasuaki’s mindset at that moment: laughing on the surface, while inside...
...
Xiao Tian felt himself in a fog, so dense that he couldn’t see his own hands, and even his Perception Power was rendered ineffective.