Chapter 1210: Compromise
As soon as the array diagram of the Spirit Gathering Town was mentioned, everyone’s gaze fell upon Lin Tian.
Their expressions were serious, and their eyes possessed a desire with strong aggressiveness, like a pack of hungry wolves. No, to be precise, these old folks were wolves with eyes that glowed green.
All the ancient martial families were starved due to the scarcity of resources. If this situation continued, it would be fine, but the emergence of Lin Tian sparked their desire.
Driven by desire, the actions they might take would seem only natural.
Lin Tian didn’t hastily agree. He sat on a high stool, his fingers interlaced on the table, his gaze lost focus as he sank into deep thought.
The breath of everyone in the hall became hurried, waiting for Lin Tian’s answer.
Bang!
Lin Tian slapped the table and said loudly, "Fine! I can give you the array diagram. Send someone to collect it after noon tomorrow. After all, drawing the diagram takes time."
Upon hearing Lin Tian’s definite response, everyone let out a sigh of relief.
They had all come, and they were the top members of each major family, to pressure Lin Tian, fearing he wouldn’t hand it over. After all, they had reason on their side this time, considering Lin Tian’s Spirit Gathering Town disturbed so many medicinal herbs. Frankly, they were also pained by it.
Suddenly, two words slipped from Lin Tian’s mouth: "However..."
Upon hearing these words, some almost jumped up and cursed. They knew this kid wasn’t going to give in so easily; after ’however’, conditions would come!
Sure enough, Lin Tian smiled maliciously and said, "I also need two sets of materials for the Spirit Gathering Town, and I might need everyone’s help."
Once the diagram is handed to those old guys, the materials will become incredibly precious, and obtaining them would be costly. Better to ask for some now. Although two sets aren’t much, it’s already the maximum they could afford. Lin Tian feared asking for more, those people would simply refuse.
Someone showed a troubled face and said, "Lin Tian elder, these materials were already exchanged for a set with your elixirs a couple of days ago. We don’t have much left now, asking for two more is really too much."
"Hehe, I disagree with what this senior said." Lin Tian shook his head and smiled, "Who doesn’t know that your homes are filled with various rare treasures, just two sets of materials for Spirit Gathering Town, with eleven major families contributing, isn’t it just like picking a speck from a pile, a mere trifle? You think I’m young and easy to deceive?"
These various rare materials, whenever usable, these people would certainly hide them in their homes for eventual use, so Lin Tian’s demand isn’t much at all.
Bang!
Someone slammed the table and stood up. It was a middle-aged man dressed in a white feather-embroidered robe, indicating he was from the Yue Family.
"You constructed a Spirit Gathering Town, draining half of Luoyan Dock’s Spiritual Qi, killing so many medicinal herbs, is that not enough? We won’t provide those materials! However, the array diagram must be given to us as compensation!" The middle-aged man’s voice was ethereal but full of anger.
Lin Tian wasn’t angry at all, he just looked at him with a smile and asked, "Are you from the Yue Family?"
The middle-aged man cupped his hands and said, "Yue Family, Yue Kang."
"Hehe, nice to meet you, Senior Yue Kang." Lin Tian cupped his hand and asked, "Is this the opinion of the Yue Family, or does it represent everyone’s stance?"
Upon hearing this, apart from the Yue Family, others observed their noses and hearts as if not hearing a word. Cunning like a fox, they wouldn’t easily reveal their attitude, as the first to step forward always gets hit. Better to watch the Yue Family become a laughing stock.
"Of course it’s everyone’s." Yue Kang said righteously, but when he turned around, he found these old people either closing their eyes to rest or concentrating on sipping tea.
Yue Kang almost pointed at their noses and cursed them out loud.
Tea-sipping? What flavor could these broken leaves possibly have?!
What happened to the unity against an enemy?! What about sharing a common enemy?!
"Enough! Sit down and don’t embarrass us anymore!" Finally, someone spoke, and it was the Patriarch of the Yue Family, Yue Yongnan. This old thing was quite good at acting, with eyes glaring and his beard almost bristling.
"Yes." Yue Kang sighed lightly, then sat down, seeing others smirking around him, he nearly exploded inside. It felt like being sold out!
Yue Yongnan cupped his hands to Lin Tian and said, "Elder Lin Tian, just a moment ago it was an unintended mistake by a younger generation, please don’t mind it."
"Hmm." Lin Tian waved his hand and said, "It’s fine, you can take him home and discipline him properly later."
"Pfft~" Tieguai Li, who was ’concentrating’ on his tea, burst into laughter upon hearing this. This brat’s mouth sure is venomous! The guy’s senior enough to be your father, and you want to discipline him?
Yue Yongnan and Yue Kang were also left helpless and frustrated, but what could they say? They had no choice but to swallow the loss quietly.
Lin Tian stood up again, cleared his throat, and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, I’ve stated my conditions, accepting them is up to you. Of course, you can choose not to take the array diagram or provide materials. If you wish to have me compensate for your lost herbs, take me on a tour of your back gardens’ herbal fields, I’ll compensate thoroughly, even offer more. How about it, everyone?"
When these words came out, it was like a final ultimatum, giving them just two paths to choose from.
Suddenly, everyone began exchanging eye contact and whispering to each other. Lin Tian showed no interest in listening, instead, he returned to his chair, closing his eyes to rest.
Before long, the discussion’s conclusion emerged. Yue Yongnan stood up as a representative and said to Lin Tian, "Alright, it’s settled."
"Very well, after noon tomorrow, when you send someone to collect the array diagram, bring the materials along too. I’ll make a list for you shortly, how to distribute it is up to you. We’ll do the exchange fair and square."
"Okay!"
Neither side had objections, so Lin Tian had someone fetch paper and pencil and began writing in exuberant strokes, composing a line swiftly.
He didn’t write much, in business, everything is straightforward without embellishment; these old folks aren’t easy to deal with if you blur the lines.
After receiving the materials list, everyone rose to their feet, preparing to head back.
Unexpectedly, Lin Tian called out to them again with a smile, "Wouldn’t anyone want to know, why did I create the Spirit Gathering Town here in this courtyard today?"