Chapter 66: Three Conditions

The Pavilion was one of the most aesthetic and beautiful sceneries in the Red Sea Shelter. Compared to the monumental buildings and eccentric architectures surrounding it, it was the most eye-catching place. There was really nothing much to compare.

Situated in the middle of a man-made river and accessible only through a wooden bridge that matched the Pavilion’s red and gold design, the place was simply breathtaking. Adding the fact that there’s a cherry blossom tree adjacent to it, one would think that the place would look really dreamy if it were springtime.

“You sure took your sweet time getting here, young man.” Shen Rong teased as he raised a glass towards me. From his smile alone, I could already tell that he was in a light-hearted mood. If I were to compare his stern face before to his face now, I wouldn’t even believe that these faces were worn by the same person.

Or maybe it’s because this was the first time I saw this side of Shen Rong.

“Greetings esteemed shelter leader. I express my gratitude for your formal invitation. I am deeply honored that I get to join you for dinner.” I cupped my hands and formally greeted the shelter leader.

Why am I getting good at sucking up to people? It’s probably because a lot of people had attempted sucking up to me when I was still at the peak of my cultivation. Who would’ve thought that those past experiences would be extremely useful now!

“You don’t have to be so tense, Yong Rui.” Shen Rong waved his hand as he directed me to a square pillow with the embroidery of a swan. “Come sit here, and you can have your girlfriend sit beside you.”

“Wha ” Wu Yan’s face went beet red in surprise as her mind overheated. She embarrassingly glanced at me before nodding towards Shen Rong. In the end, she didn’t deny that she was my girlfriend, nor did she react violently to it.

Ah, what a good sign. If only I have the time to dawdle around and spend more time with her. AARGH! I promise I will return back to this shelter as soon as I finished rescuing that Yang Mei Mei in Ziyou Shelter.

Wait, why don’t I just join Red Sea Shelter? It’s not like I’m already tied to the Tang Shelter, right? Let’s just tell Luo Zehn that I changed my mind!

But that would mean I’ll technically betray my sect! No, that can’t happen.

OH! I can just bring Wu Yan over to Tang Shelter! What a great idea!

“You seem to be in a good mood, Yong Rui.” Shen Rong commented, noticing the grin on my face. “Did something satisfactory happen to you?”

Caught by surprise, I almost fell off the heavenly cushion where my butt sunk in. The cushion where I was sitting was some good stuff! My backside doesn’t even feel the least bit uncomfortable although I’m not used to this Japanese way of sitting.

“Yong Rui, let’s get down to business.” Shen Rong clasped his hands tomorrow as he wore a serious face. It’s as if the light atmosphere that he had a split second ago completely vanished. Right now, he was a man in the middle of a negotiation. And heaven knows what would befall me if I happen to offend him.

Gulp.

Even though I’ve been to the Dao Realm before, I never thought that this amount of pressure coming out from his expression alone was this threatening.

“Please hear me out fully, Yong Rui, without letting any bias escape your mind.” Shen Rong began. “I would like to explain everything first and I’d appreciate it if you don’t interrupt me.”

I nodded. There isn’t that much of a choice here, is there?

“First of all, I want to take you under my wing. I’m not saying that I’m snatching you from Tang Shelter but I want you to be Red Sea Shelter’s ally.” Shen Rong continued as soon as I agreed to listen to him. “And in return, I will willingly guide you through your blood cultivation and bring you all the cultivation materials you need in cultivation. For every successful hunt our shelter makes, I will not hesitate to give you at least ten percent of the zombie cores we get from high-leveled zombies. And aside from that, I, Shen Rong, will always have your back. Even if you cause trouble with other shelters, I will gladly back you up. Of course, I could only go so far. I wouldn’t want to risk Red Sea Shelter being destroyed if you offended a much larger shelter.”

I stopped for a moment and slowly took everything in. The sum of everything he said was all too good to be true and there are only benefits here for me. He wouldn’t even try to tie me in his shelter and is just asking whether I’d agree to it or not. The more I see it, the more I think that this offer is just too good to pass up!

No, there’s definitely something at play here.

“I’m already an ally to the Red Sea Shelter, Shelter Leader.” I carefully addressed him so as not to accidentally offend him. “After all, I have a temporary alliance with Liu Zhi and his party. Of course, the way I see it, there are only benefits here for me. May I ask the esteemed shelter leader something?”

“Please, feel free to speak up.”

“Why would you go that far just to make me your ally?” I asked.

Shen Rong’s eyes widened as if I just caught him by surprise. On the surface, one could tell that he wasn’t expecting me to ask such a question.

“Let’s just say, you’re an important ally and a kindred.” Shen Rong calmly responded. “And as such, I want to guide you. Your strength is already formidable as it is, but with proper guidance. I’m confident that you can surpass me in the short run.”

So that’s why he offered all that, he knew that my potential far outclasses his. And that’s why he wants to take me under his wing to secure the safety of Red Sea Shelter. After all, if I didn’t have any connection with the Red Sea Shelter, then I may be a threat to them in the future. Even though they’re currently allied with the Tang Shelter, which I’m currently affiliated with according to what I told them, there might come a time when Red Sea Shelter might sever that bond between them.

If that’s the case, then there’s nothing much I can do about it, right? It’s not like I can disagree with his offer… besides, Wu Yan is here!

No, as the esteemed Sect Master of the Tang Sect, I won’t stoop that low.

“Shelter Leader, your offer is truly generous. before I agree to it, I have three conditions that I would like Shelter Leader to consider.”

Shen Rong didn’t answer, instead, he just nodded.

“First, I would like Red Sea Shelter to forever remain on good terms with Tang Shelter. I will also convince our Shelter Leader to forever be allied with Red Sea Shelter.” I began. “Second, I would like to cultivate freely. And as such, I can’t accept your offer of teaching me and also of providing me with zombie cores.”

“As long as Tang Shelter can guarantee the same thing as per your first condition, then I can consider all that. And the last condition?”

“I would like to bring Wu Yan into the Tang Shelter.” I straightforwardly spoke. “Ahaha, I’m just ki-

“Eh?!” Wu Yan exclaimed.

“Very well! As long as Wu Yan allows it, then, she’s free to be with you.” Shen Rong announced before I could even tell them that I’m just kidding.

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