Exploding God

Chapter 1167 The Three-Year Agreement

(4000-word chapter, Kirihara Riku's story is about to end)

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How about we talk about revenge?

When these seemingly casual words reached the ears of hundreds of Tantai people, they were like a thunderclap.

The eyes of these hundred-odd people immediately turned red.

Is this never going to end?!

Not only have a large number of high-level combatants died, but the Grand Elder is about to be made a symbol of the future. Now, they're not only killing people, they're also trying to destroy their spirit!

They all imagined what kind of expression the head of the Tantai family would have upon receiving news of a series of deaths.

They gained a more direct understanding of the seemingly gentle young man before them: a demon in human skin!

When you hit someone, hit them in the face; when you kill someone, crush their bones.

When they thought of the painful events, their bodies even began to tremble slightly, a mixture of fear and hatred.

Where is our Elder Chongjin?

As the only light for over a hundred people, when everyone saw that once hunched back, now incredibly tall and imposing, they suddenly felt a touch of warmth in their cold hearts and a sense of security on his thin shoulders.

Sure enough, only Elder Chongjin dared to look up at that demon at this moment!

……

Tantai Chongjin wasn't looking at Lu Ze, but at Song Tianhua.

After watching Lu Ze finish speaking, he actually really wanted to exchange knowledge about structural mechanics and architecture with Song Tianhua.

But because there were so many people around, and because he suffered from severe social anxiety, he couldn't utter a single word, so his face turned a little red from holding it in.

The silhouette of his chest heaving and his throat churning, as seen by his clansmen behind him, was one of intense indignation and tragic grandeur, as well as profound heartache and unwavering strength!

Tantai Chongjin silently watched Song Tianhua, who, without his knowledge, had become the light for over a hundred people.

……

The Tantai family's behavior was sympathetic, yet predictable.

Lu Ze's words inadvertently divided the crowd into three groups.

The Tantai clan consists of three major families, with Song Tianhua representing the Song family.

The three groups had no idea that their thoughts at that moment were completely different.

Aside from the Tantai clan members who were frantically pursuing their own conquest, Lu Ze's words were an undisguised threat to the other three major families.

Indeed, ruthless people are ruthless from the inside out; they are ruthless in their methods and even more ruthless in their hearts!

So everyone who had been speaking loudly to their companions shrank back.

Song Tianhua's reaction was more obvious; even the smile on his face froze.

Should we also send someone to accompany us to the summit of Bijia Mountain?

That's the core territory of the Tantai family!

One person climbs the mountain gate...

Although it sounded exciting and thrilling, Song Tianhua honestly didn't want to take the job. If he went, the Song family and the Tantai family would probably become enemies for at least three generations.

Mr. Lu did say that he only needed to send one person, but who else could be more suitable than himself?

Therefore, in Zhang Xinghuo's eyes, Elder Song's expression was the most aggrieved and interesting in the auditorium.

The most composed person was Elder Tantai Chongjin!

Zhang Xinghuo placed herself in the position of an invisible nobody, and suddenly found the various characters in the auditorium quite interesting. So, her clear eyes shone, and after taking two steps back without making a sound, she began to observe with great interest.

Just as a smile unconsciously crept onto Zhang Xinghuo's lips, she saw her master's calm gaze sweep over her, and she quickly shrank her neck, lowering her head like a little quail.

[I was warned by my master.]

As soon as Lu Ze finished speaking, he seemed to have guessed Song Tianhua's thoughts, and smiled and said, "Elder Tianhua still needs to preside over the overall situation here, so he certainly cannot leave. Just send any clansman who has been to the summit of Bijia Mountain."

"I... Mr. Lu, I..." Song Tianhua felt that his thoughts had been seen through, and his face turned red with shame.

He was indeed an honest man, but with so many people watching, his face flushed, and he began to stutter.

"Besides Elder Song, who else has been here? It would be best if someone could help identify Chief Tantai. It's just a friendly exchange, there won't be any obstacles." Lu Ze waved his hand understandingly.

"I've been to all six of the temple's guardians here, and four of the stewards also visit frequently because of our regular interactions. I wouldn't say I know everyone here, but I can recognize about 70 or 80 percent of them without any problem." Song Tianhua quickly composed himself and his speech returned to its usual smooth flow.

"Why don't we send one of the attendants to accompany Mr. Lu?"

"No need. It just so happens that Manager Xie is here, so please trouble Manager Xie." Lu Ze waved his hand with a smile and looked at Xie Zhe, who was staring wide-eyed beside him.

With his round, chubby figure and oversized gray robe, Steward Xie looked just like some kind of national treasure with his endearing, simple appearance.

He was a member of the Xie family, a vassal family of the Song family. From a young age, he studied martial arts at the school with the children of the Song family. After adulthood, he began to help manage the Song family business. He worked diligently for more than 30 years. His martial arts level had only barely broken through to the 7th star in this continent with abundant star energy. Therefore, he was usually a simple and honest person who only knew how to work and never offended anyone.

He never expected to encounter something so exciting at the age of fifty, so he looked at his elders with a blank expression.

Song Tianhua immediately straightened his face, "It's an incredible stroke of luck to be able to see the world with Mr. Lu! On the way, you must fulfill all of Mr. Lu's requests. Once we arrive, everything must be done according to Mr. Lu's wishes; do not act on your own!"

"Yes, Elder Tianhua," Steward Xie Zhe hurriedly bowed his head in response.

"Should the Tantai clan members accompany us?" Now that his own affairs were settled, Song Tianhua, being a meticulous person, asked softly.

After all, it was supposed to be an exchange trip, so bringing a Tantai person along wouldn't seem so intimidating... Well, that's just wishful thinking.

"Okay," Lu Ze readily agreed.

"Then, Brother Chongjin?" Song Tianhua looked directly at Tantai Chongjin, saying it was a question, but he was clearly referring to the other person.

After all, the fact that this person was sitting here so imposingly clearly showed his status and position. He really hadn't expected that Elder Chongjin, who was so engrossed in technical research, would have such prestige and status. He must have been overshadowed by the Grand Elder on ordinary days.

Therefore, without a doubt, Tantai Chongjin was the best choice to accompany him.

With such an influential elder accompanying us back, it will be easier to communicate with Chief Tantai!

"--No!"

Tantai Chongjin's dark face flushed red, and he suddenly uttered a single word.

Song Tianhua was stunned, his eyes widening.

He never expected that Tantai Chongjin, who had been silent for so long, would speak so decisively.

The hundred or so Tantai people behind them were also stunned, and then tears welled up in their eyes.

They would rather die than surrender.

This is the spirit of Tantai!

……

Lu Ze glanced at Tantai Chongjin a few more times, his eyes filled with admiration.

The Tantai family is not all boring; for example, Elder Chongjin is quite principled.

……

Tantai Chongjin regretted it as soon as he said that word, because he didn't stutter when he said a single word, so in his haste he said "no".

He wants to stay here!

Having just observed this military academy, I have so many thoughts I want to share with Song Tianhua. If he leaves, I won't have another chance to come back!

So we absolutely will not leave now!

But when he heard a collective gasp behind him, he knew that those damned clansmen had lifted him up again.

He was incredibly nervous, and the more nervous he became, the less he could speak. Fortunately, his dark skin provided sufficient concealment.

But now—

If he doesn't speak up soon, he'll not just be reckless, he'll be stupid.

Therefore, without hesitation, Tantai Chongjin turned around and pointed.

The man behind him with a scar across his nose froze.

"You." Tantai Chongjin still uttered a single word in a fierce tone.

To the Tantai people, this meant there was no room for doubt.

That person was Wu Riguang, one of the only two retainers of the Tantai Fangzhen at this moment.

Normally, Wu Riguang would not pay any attention to him.

However, it is clear that Tantai Chongjin has been impeccable since he took over the family's hundred-person team, and his previous extremely tough confrontation has pushed his prestige to the highest level.

Moreover, Wu Riguang also noticed that Elder Chongjin's eyes were bloodshot.

That's terrifying...

Tantai Chongjin's words were hardly an order; they were clearly a show of force, as if he were about to fight to the death with his own people.

If we don't agree to his request today, Elder Chongjin will probably make the first move.

Elder Chongjin must have more important plans!

So be it. They all sacrificed themselves for the family. Tantai Chongjin has already sacrificed so much, and I, Wu Riguang, can't be a coward either.

While thinking to himself, Wu Riguang secretly glanced ahead.

To his left was Song Tianhua, to his right was Elder Chongjin, and in the middle was a calmly observing gaze—that was… Lu Ze.

With a "glug" sound.

He swallowed hard, straightened his body from 1.8 meters to 2 meters, and forced an ugly smile onto his rough face.

"I am a respected member of the clan and am very familiar with the family. I am willing to guide Mr. Lu on this trip."

It's truly remarkable that such a burly warrior would utter such cowardly words in such a humble manner.

The hearts of hundreds of Tantai people were finally at ease. Fortunately, Wu Riguang was understanding and willing to share the burden with Elder Chongjin.

Tantai Chongjin smiled.

Woc?

Elder Chongjin smiled for the first time!

The Tantai people were deeply moved; this was the first time Elder Chongjin had smiled since leaving Bijia Mountain!

The more tense the situation, the faster the brain processes adrenaline, which is secreted in large quantities.

Therefore, the Tantai people quickly came to an irrefutable conclusion—

That smile must have a deeper meaning.

Yes, that's a smile of victory!

This was a rare diplomatic victory won under duress.

This is yet another show of force by the Tantai family against the Song family!

Everything has been sorted out...

The tribespeople gritted their teeth, suppressing their emotions in their eyes, and lowered their heads, trying their best not to cry out loud.

Elder Chongjin has sacrificed too much!

……

"Okay." Lu Ze nodded, making the final decision.

With the final selection finalized, Song Tianhua dared not delay any longer and immediately arranged for people to prepare the wooden crested crane.

Mr. Lu ultimately represents the Song family, and it is entirely foreseeable that after today, the Song family's prestige will reach its peak in this vast Wuyuan Continent!

The crowd finally began to disperse.

Before leaving, Lu Ze spoke a few words to Song Tianhua privately, finalizing the last rule for today's speech.

"It's a land grab. Within three days, how much suitable land for cultivation you can claim is up to you. If other families want to develop it, they can contribute land as equity, and you can decide the percentage of profit. However, I want 50% of all the profits the Song family gains from this."

Lu Ze calmly extended one palm.

Half the profit can be made just by talking about it, and even a quick mental calculation shows that it's an astronomical figure!

Compared to everything that had happened in the military academy, for Song Tianhua, the five fingers Lu Ze was extending at this moment were truly irrefutable.

Looking at those clean and slender fingers, Song Tianhua seemed to see a mountain range stretching across the sky, exuding supreme pressure.

If it were anyone else, their expression would probably have changed on the spot.

However, Song Tianhua bowed deeply with great emotion, saying, "The entire Song family is deeply grateful for your great kindness! We wish to build a shrine in your honor, and offer incense to you for generations to come!"

His words came from the bottom of his heart, and his face was filled with excitement.

Back in the ancient land, Song Tianhua staked his entire family's future on Lu Ze, willingly becoming his pawn.

The two sides were originally in a relationship of one side submitting to the other, but now that Lu Ze is in charge, he is willing to leave half of the profits to the Song family!

Even if the Song family contributes all their manpower, wealth, and resources, it's just a drop in the ocean compared to the final gains!

In the future, the two sides will be connected, and the influx of a large population will bring strong consumption.

A 50% profit margin would be an astronomical figure!

This place will become the Song family's super economic pillar!

Lu Ze gazed quietly at Song Tianhua, who was bowing deeply, for a moment, smiled, uttered a final sentence, and walked out the door.

"I will only take 50% of the profits for three years."

……

Song Tianhua bowed deeply, offering his hands in front of him.

With an unprecedentedly grand gesture, I paid my respects to that departing figure.

He realized that Mr. Lu was not joking.

He only took three years' worth of profits before returning everything to the Song family.

With Lu Ze's protection over the next three years, the Song family can leverage their enormous resources to build a substantial fortune.

No matter where Lu Ze is in the future, the Song family can continue this glory for another thousand years.

Song Tianhua also sensed another deeper meaning: a resolute determination to leave.

The three-year timeframe was definitely not something Lu Ze said casually.

[Regardless of what happens three years from now...]

Song Tianhua straightened up, looked up at the departing figure of the wooden-crowned crane, his eyes filled with an indescribable calm and composure.

If summoned by you, sir, the Song family will go through fire and water, even unto death.

One must be honest in one's words and upright in one's actions.

This is Song Tianhua's way of dealing with people and things!

……

When Lu Ze left, the storm that should have been calm was only just beginning!

Upon receiving the news, people from different tribes began to report to their families in their own ways.

As Lu Ze's speech was relayed, it was as if a colossal wave swept across the entire continent, from south to north, from east to west!

Whether it's a pragmatic person who seeks progress while maintaining stability, or Gu Yuanzheng, the head of Gujia Group!

Or perhaps they are ambitious individuals, such as Changsun Yonglie, the current head of the Changsun clan!

Or perhaps it is Zhao Feibai, the ruthless and cunning head of the Zhao family, who is confident that he will one day reach the pinnacle of martial arts!

After receiving news of the Grand Elder's death and Lu Ze's speech, everyone stopped what they were doing.

They were either incredulous or furious, but in the end, it all turned into a sense of urgency that time was of the essence!

—Lu Zeyuan went to the top of Bijia Mountain.

This brief gap is the only time that the major families can operate.

Regardless of what the future holds, they must focus on dealing with the immense shock of the Grand Elder's fall.

All the wise men in the clan were summoned, and even the elders of various clans who had been living in seclusion for a long time were invited out.

However, a brief incident occurred during this process.

When Changsun Yonglie sent someone to invite Changsun Xuanying to leave the pass, he was shocked to find that... Changsun Xuanying was gone.

He mysteriously disappeared in the ancestral land, which was in complete seclusion.

This infuriated Changsun Yonglie, who cursed loudly and, after sending several people out to search, urgently convened a family council.

……

A day in time.

The strongest member of the Song family, the crowned crane, traveled without stopping and finally reached the cloud-shrouded summit of Bijia Mountain!

(End of this chapter)