King of Creation Chapter 1658 - 1643: Personally Dealt With

Stepping into the central hall at Sky Wing Trading Company headquarters, a lengthy conference table akin to a military command desk sits there, laden with tea, refreshments, numerous jade scrolls, and various papers.

Clearly, Senior Sister Liao Feibai, Gai Jun, and Chu Zhao had been in this spot before, engaged in talks—or more precisely, bargaining—with Manager Zong.

No questions needed about the current state; Ye Zhen grasped it instantly from the looks in their eyes.

Even though Chu Zhao, the ancestor from Seven Surnamed Dulong Island, fell under Ye Zhen's command and would surely back Senior Sister Liao Feibai's choices without question.

Still, given Senior Sister Liao Feibai's reputation for bold and merciless decisions across True Profound Continent, she seldom yielded ground.

But today, her act of bringing in Chu Zhao, the ancestor of Seven Surnamed Dulong Island, to steady things showed just how dire the crisis at Dulong Island's Ruins Market had grown.

Glancing at those trailing Manager Zong, Ye Zhen eased into a seat, rested his hands on the table, and declared, "Manager Zong, speak freely on any demands or issues you want to raise.

With me present today, we can negotiate everything. On any deal we settle, I'll deliver the ultimate say!"

"Excellent!"

Manager Zong's gaze sharpened as he took the seat opposite Ye Zhen. With a swift hand motion, he neatly arranged the scattered jade scrolls and papers before sliding them toward Ye Zhen.

"Lord Di, our Five Immortals Hall branch has partnered with your Dulong Island Ruins Market for eight months, pouring in vast manpower and resources. We've not only drawn massive crowds and business to your Dulong Island Ruins Market.

In merely eight months, transactions at Dulong Island Ruins Market have surged over ten times, with daily visitors now matching what used to be a full month's flow.

Thanks to our joint efforts, Dulong Island Ruins Market entered explosive growth.

The horde of powerhouses we supplied patched the weaknesses in your Dulong Island Ruins Market and warded off hordes of foes eyeing it hungrily.

Plus, Chaotic Sky Island, infamous and neighboring Dulong Island in the North Sea, dispatched scouts and troublemakers repeatedly.

But we repelled every one, both openly and in shadows, costing two elite from our Five Immortals Hall branch their lives.

Doesn't that prove our commitment and solid performance? Isn't this true partnership?" Manager Zong challenged Ye Zhen pointedly.

Ye Zhen nodded without emotion at these words, "Yes, there's real commitment, yes, a partnership with heart."

At Ye Zhen's admission, Manager Zong's face twisted as he pounded the table and bellowed, "But what about you lot?"

"We've sacrificed heaps, but your Sky Wing Trading Company? What have you offered? You've just reaped the gains while dodging our fair asks for months.

Tell me, where's Sky Wing Trading Company's loyalty in this alliance? Without proof of your side, our Five Immortals Hall branch pulls out of Dulong Island Ruins Market entirely—that's the mildest fallout."

This marked the second occasion Manager Zong issued such a warning.

Ye Zhen couldn't fathom Manager Zong's source of boldness in repeatedly threatening withdrawal from Dulong Island Ruins Market.

Yet Ye Zhen held back from snapping; as partners, he needed to review their asks. If reasonable and he kept delaying, it'd disrespect Mountain God Yi Xun outright.

"Tell me your fair demands," Ye Zhen inquired.

Manager Zong slid a paper and jade scroll before Ye Zhen, "This paper lists the exact clauses and terms of our fair requests.

That jade scroll details justifications for each, full alliance clauses, breakdowns, and outlook ahead."

"Impressive prep work," Ye Zhen praised, grabbing the paper.

Manager Zong straightened at the words.

Five Immortals Hall stood as one of heaven's top trade outfits, masters at such maneuvers.

The very first item among the fair demands creased Ye Zhen's brow, his face chilling abruptly.

This qualified as fair?

This went beyond a bird stealing a nest; it was outright power grab dressed as legit; accepting and enacting these would hand Dulong Island Ruins Market's true reins to Five Immortals Hall branch in years.

Then, Sky Wing Trading Company, after all the toil building Dulong Island Ruins Market, would merely check books, run ops, and grab yearly payouts.

For example, the top demand swapped the Dulong Island Ruins Market patrol leader from Dulong Island Nine Surnames Elder Chu Jin to a Five Immortals Hall Realm King handling all patrol ops.

From assignments, growth, to drills, the patrol boss called every shot.

Of course, Manager Zong tossed in a cover, claiming the new leader would heed both Liao Feibai and the Five Immortals Hall branch manager.

Meantime, patrols split into squads, with old Dulong Island Ruins Market patrol head Chu Jin demoted to one squad's captain.

The excuse rang logical: most powerhouses hailed from Five Immortals Hall, tough to wrangle in pinches.

The setup seemed balanced, both sides issuing commands.

But any sharp mind saw clear: agreeing meant Liao Feibai couldn't sway the Five Immortals Hall patrol boss in crises.

Flip this to a country scenario, it'd mirror yielding national guard to foreigners.

Scarce from outright treason to colony status.

Even this lone first demand would've been too much for Liao Feibai.

The second demand, less wild than the first, still screamed shakedown.

Sky Wing Trading Company gripped all planning, building, and renting of structures in Dulong Island Ruins Market.

Beyond their direct earnings, this land profit made up thirty to forty percent of market totals.

Now, blasting shoddy layouts, Five Immortals Hall branch demanded a fresh planning crew for Dulong Island Ruins Market. Plus, every shop and property deal inside went through their auction house.

Greenlighting this left Sky Wing Trading Company as mere builders.

Liao Feibai offered middle ground: let Five Immortals Hall branch name a deacon for lease oversight, with their pro designers steering new zone plans and brands.

But Manager Zong rejected tweaks to his ironclad terms.

Next, the third demand filled chief deacon and key dock roles around Dulong Island Ruins Market with Five Immortals Hall branch picks.

Plainly, they sought major dock control.

Beyond that, they craved input or dominance in taxes at Dulong Island Ruins Market, nearby island growth, and ties to big trade names and markets.

They claimed superior networks and know-how.

Sounded fairish, but yielding turned Ye Zhen's hard-won Dulong Island Ruins Market into others' turf.

The whole point of teaming with Five Immortals Hall was fending mighty foes, starting with just ten percent shares to Mountain God Yi Xun.

Never dreamed it'd wolf in sheep's clothing now.

Ye Zhen still puzzled if this stemmed from Mountain God Yi Xun or rogue subordinate moves.

He figured Yi Xun's stance toward him made such betrayal unlikely.

Due to Five Immortals Hall bearing Mountain God Yi Xun's name, Ye Zhen couldn't flip out and slay instantly; he owed Yi Xun that nod.

"That's all, or more?" Ye Zhen eyed Manager Zong blankly after scanning it all.

Manager Zong lit up, "Lord Di, you consent?"

"I asked if there's more," Ye Zhen pressed.

"Nothing else now. Future adds, we haggle yearly; build up gradually," Manager Zong replied.

Ye Zhen smirked inwardly; even now, yearly extras aimed to swallow his Dulong Island Ruins Market whole.

Behind Ye Zhen, Liao Feibai, Gai Jun, and crew stayed mute. They knew Ye Zhen clocked the fallout better; no idiot would sign off.

They itched to see his play.

Straight no?

Or slaughter right there?

Ye Zhen's move stunned all.

Amid Manager Zong's eager stare, Ye Zhen pulled an Array Plate, slotted a High Grade Spiritual Stone in deftly.

"A minor Communication Transfer Formation? What's the trick?" Manager Zong frowned.

Ye Zhen ignored, penned a brief note before all: "Extremely urgent, prompt response required," and fed it to the Small Communication Transfer Formation.

Manager Zong scoffed, "Lord Di, pulling favors? Five Immortals Hall runs by rules. Strings won't sway us."

Ye Zhen stayed silent, just eyed the glowing Small Communication Transfer Formation, awaiting reply.

On Five Immortals Island, Mountain God Yi Xun met with droves of deacons and stewards. Four months till the yearly Five Immortals Island auction, preps for the trade bash underway.

But mid-core talk, a Talisman Communication hit Mountain God Yi Xun's grip. One peek, and his face drained.

The message from his Teleportation Child noted Type A No. 8 Small Communication Transfer Formation got mail: just six words, "Extremely urgent, prompt response required!"

Teleportation Child ignored the sender of Type A No. 8 Small Communication Transfer Formation, but Mountain God Yi Xun knew: Ye Zhen!

Ten Arena Champions, Earl of North Sea, Ye Zhen.

The top prized figure now, cherished by Venerable too.

Ye Zhen's short note screamed big trouble.

Per Venerable's orders, top priority: earn Ye Zhen's faith, genuinely.

If Ye Zhen faced peril, Tianyun Hall must rush aid full throttle to prove heart and lock trust.

When Blue-scaled Dragon King plotted Ye Zhen hit, he dashed in, Venerable-directed.

Venerable's read: Ye Zhen prized loyalty, justice. Repeat aids a few times, Five Immortals Heavenly Destiny Hall seals his faith.

He dreaded Ye Zhen shunning aid most.

Mountain God Yi Xun raced to his mansion's vast underground array vault.

As Tianyun Hall Great Deacon, daily calls demanded it: huge chamber with hundreds Small Communication Transfer Formations. Lit ones got Teleportation Child alerts stat.

"Count Ye, got your note. What's the issue?"

Under a minute, Ye Zhen's Small Communication Transfer Formation flared, dropping Mountain God Yi Xun's reply.

Post-read, Ye Zhen shot baffled Manager Zong a look, tossed the fresh file and Jade Scroll from Manager Zong onto the Small Transfer Formation Disk.

Then Ye Zhen scripted anew, "Elder Yi, your wish? If yes, I'll follow through!"

Spirit flash, docs, Jade Scroll, note vanished.

Other end, Mountain God Yi Xun paled at Ye Zhen's words, skimmed Jade Scroll and paper fast.

One look, sweat beaded his brow cold.

Whose idiot scheme to sabotage him!

Forcing those terms wrecked past work, flipped Ye Zhen foe not friend.

Screw up Venerable's key charge, how face master?

Instant rage boiled to murder!

"Who cooked these terms? Ship Jade Talisman with Divine Soul Imprint." Not enough, "Scratch, I'm coming now."

"Four days max, nonstop flight!"

Jade Scroll sent, Mountain God Yi Xun ditched rest, barked orders, boarded Spirit Boat with aides, blazed to Dulong Island Market.

Never foresaw his key tie-builder with Ye Zhen and Dulong Island Market twisting so foul.

Faster he sped, deeper the worry gnawed.

The Dulong Island Market shopkeeper came subordinate-picked by merit, top past record.

He'd coached them personal on Dulong Island Market collab terms, yet snag hit.

Those asks weren't collab; highway robbery broad day.

Mountain God Yi Xun saw Ye Zhen's no-kill as face-saving grace.

"Too slow, four days. Any flare in interim turns Count Ye hostile, not snag—alliance crumbles for real."

Mind flicked, he scanned recent patrol dispatches' spots.

Soon, eyes sparked, "Ah, Hu Hai's patrol orbits near Dulong Island Market now."

"Contact Steward Hu Hai now!" Mountain God Yi Xun ordered sharp.

Meanwhile, Dulong Island Market tension spiked.

"Four days' wait brings your answer," Ye Zhen told Manager Zong.

Manager Zong's brows shot up, firm, "No way!"

"No four days, not half-day even! Your Sky Wing Trading Company stalled eight months; our tolerance snapped.

No answer in one hour, Five Immortals Hall branch yanks from Dulong Island Market.

Plus, Five Immortals Hall broadcasts global cut-off from Sky Wing Trading Company ties.

Dulong Island Market severs from our Five Immortals Hall branch clean!" Pride burned in Manager Zong's stare.

He'd pinned Sky Wing Trading Company's weak spot; today's sure win, their back against wall under threat.

Ye Zhen's face hardened, sneer curling, "I’m very curious, who gave you t