Legend of The Young Master

Chapter 110: Due Payment

"Your essence still carries the grace of your beauty, making it visible to those who see you," he countered.

She nodded appreciatively. "A finely crafted compliment." Then her eyes narrowed. "I noticed you touching your ear earlier. A close call?"

He sighed slightly. "It's an old—"

"Don't try to fool me. I train my disciples. I know a smacked ear when I see one," the Pavilion Mistress interjected. "A disciple, wasn't it?"

"I don't discuss my private matters," he deflected.

"You're not as nefarious as you'd like me to believe, Young Master Black," she said. Their eyes locked for a moment.

"One hundred lower-grade spirit stones per month for each of my Brotherhood units. I have three such groups at present, which you're welcome to inspect. Each group includes at least one Qi Master, at least two to three Qi Adepts serving them, and five Qi Initiates serving each Adept. Among the Initiates, there are also archers, though they are generally at a lower stage.

All are mounted and require sustenance for their steeds. That payment goes to the whole unit, not just the Qi Masters. Double pay for my Qi Master: two hundred lower-grade spirit stones for each of my three Qi Masters, and two hundred for me. Additionally, we'll require ten thousand gold liangs.

Compared to others, our prices are low because we require a few things: first, the special Lotus Dew pills the Pavilion ladies concoct, which are well-known. Besides that, ladies in your pavilion are known for crafting clothes and armors that are notable, so I would require special Black robes which allow us to infuse Qi for all our members.

We would also need Dawn Lotus root that you keep specially for your disciples. The last request is my personal one - I am a scholar myself, so I would like to study any ancient tomes or scrolls from your faction's library," he outlined all his demands, his expression relaxed.

"My men are disciplined and worth every spirit stone," he casually added.

Lady Xueyan was surprised, not from his demands but from fact that he had brought three Qi masters that served under him.She had to reevaluate this young master

"And if you eliminate the demonics tonight?" she inquired.

"Then you've struck a bargain, Lady Xueyan—only one month's pay," he replied, taking another sip of his tea.

"How do you calculate these months?" she asked.

"Ah, you're as sharp as they come. We go by the lunar calendar. The next month starts in just two weeks," he said, smiling.

"You don't come cheap," she noted, shaking her head.

"We are highly skilled, honed by years in the south. Once we take a duty, we deliver. You should have called us a year ago, but you waited for your sect, or empire, or kingdom to help, but no one cares about a few women in a corner of the world.

Let's agree that no more elders of your pavilion need to die, shall we?" He leaned forward, the weight of his Qi armour inside the treasure cloak was making him feel uncomfortable. He never wore Qi armours as all missions concluded by his subordinates; it was an uncomfortable change for him.

"I'm sure even devils can be charming," she said softly. "But if you're not paid, your concern for the elders of my pavilion will evaporate like morning mist under the sun." She offered a thin-lipped smile. "Unless, of course, you find a way to exploit my pavilion disciples' hearts and bodies. Even then, your loyalty would be short-lived unless it served your interests."

He exhaled deeply but did not respond.

"For each of my properties damaged by your men, the cost of one Brotherhood unit will be deducted," she declared. "For every one of my people injured in pointless skirmishes, or for any woman who complains about your warriors' misbehavior, the cost of a Qi Master will be deducted. If even one of my disciples is harmed or harassed by your men, your fee will be reduced. Do you agree?

Since," she added, her voice tinged with disdain, "your men are so well-disciplined?"

He pondered her words. Despite her reservations, she seemed to have a certain fondness for him. But he had not yet figured out this lady; she was as cunning as they come, that much was certain. However, he was also certain that she deeply cared about her duties and would pay any price.

He wondered if she would offer him Liwei if he demanded it. How strategic was the pavilion mistress? How far was she willing to go? Given her flirtatious nature, it seemed like she was someone who would use more than just spirit stones to entice him if necessary.

"What is the price for identifying the traitor?" he inquired.

She shook her head dismissively. "I don't believe in a so-called traitor," she said, gesturing to a leaf-shaped arrowhead on a wooden tray beside her. "You carry this deceitful item to fool the gullible. I am not one of them."

He shrugged. "Lady Xueyan, your aversion to my kind who cultivate the righteous path still gives priority to wealth over righteousness is clouding your judgment. Think about it: what reason would I have to lie? How many people were supposed to be at that location?"

She met his gaze unflinchingly. "Nine members should have been working the fields," she conceded.

"We found seven bodies, including your good elder," he retorted. "It's simple calculation. One is missing, and none could have escaped. Some of your mightiest disciples have developed ambitions beyond your righteous pavilion." He paused for effect. "Why was Elder Xingchen there? She was not a fieldworker."

She inhaled sharply. "Fine. If you can prove the existence of a traitor, you will be rewarded. You have my word."

He nodded. "Then understand this: my men have been without pay for months and are restless. While I can maintain discipline to an extent, I can't prevent every skirmish or inappropriate comment. You'll have to trust that I'll manage them as best as I can."

"Perhaps you should lead by example? Or complete the task quickly and move on?" she suggested, a hint of sweetness in her voice. "I hear the entertainment is quite appealing in Yuntop, south of the river."

He weighed the value of this deal; she hadn't balked at his high rates.

"I'll make that decision once I've seen the spirit stones," he replied.

"Spirit stones?" she questioned.

"Payment is due a month in advance, Lady Xueyan. We never engage in combat without upfront compensation."