Master Song's words sounded as though he was negotiating, but Feng Bailing sensed an invisible force within them.
This was precisely what distinguished a Wenhua expert from a Wuji Expert. Wuji Masters were like iron—seemingly strong and vigorous, yet they could provoke defensiveness. Wenhua experts, on the other hand, resembled water—apparently gentle and harmless, yet they could cause unseen harm.
Master Song had noticed earlier that this person named Feng San was likely a Wuji Master, which was why he didn't directly confront Feng San. Instead, he subtly used Wen Energy to influence Feng Bailing.
At this moment, both Feng Luochen and Dongfang Yong, who were beside her, were affected by the Wen Energy, nearly blurting out their agreement.
As for Feng Bailing...
Her gaze seemed vacant, as if she subconsciously nodded.
"What you said is right. A leopard servant is indeed worth ten thousand taels."
Upon hearing this, Ouyang Chenchen almost spat blood.
"Feng San, think this through. Those are over thirty leopards."
Over 300,000 taels—that sum was no small burden for the currently struggling Phoenix Chamber of Commerce.
Bai Ling had always been clever. How could she be so confused this time?
Master Song revealed a satisfied smile, confident that the other party was no match for him.
"Since your chamber also agrees, then things are simple. As long as you compensate us and apologize, we can write off the matter with the beast servant."
Master Song appeared self-righteous in his demeanor.
This figure jolted Feng Luochen and Dongfang Yong fully awake.
"Feng San, this is what you agreed to. We're not the ones compensating."
Dongfang Yong said irritably.
Feng Bailing waved her hand to quiet them down.
"Business is about reciprocation. Since we've agreed to compensation, shouldn't you do the same?"
"You've got the nerve to talk about compensation—what losses has your chamber suffered? I've seen the scene; all my leopard servants have been killed by you. Not a single item of your merchandise was missing."
Qi Shu sneered from the side.
As a Beast Control Master, he had never experienced such a significant loss.
"I also lost a coachman. The cost of his burial and hiring someone else surely amounts to at least one thousand taels."
Feng Bailing drawled.
Using one thousand taels to get back over 300,000 taels—no matter how you looked at it, this was a profitable deal. This person called Feng San, even though he runs a trading house, is bound to fail sooner or later.
Master Song didn't hesitate and agreed immediately. Discover more novels at Nove1Fire.net
"Deducting one thousand taels and rounding off the figures, you still owe us 300,000 taels."
Unconvinced by Master Song's calculation, Feng Bailing took out an abacus and started clicking away.
"Based on a compensation of one thousand taels per person, after entering Great Chu, you passed through over a hundred villages. The villagers, their livestock, and the damage to their property losses..."
Upon hearing this, Master Song began to frown.
"Hold on, we're settling the account between the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and us. What happens in the villages along the way has nothing to do with you."
Master Song said this with a hint of guilt.
It was all because of that brat Qi Shu; he couldn't even control his leopard servants properly. The villages they passed through had no idea how many had been killed or how much damage had been inflicted.
"It may have nothing to do with her, but it does with me."
At this coincidental moment, Dugu Wu entered the scene.
The man's clear voice sounded like a shot of adrenaline, revitalizing Feng Bailing.
Dugu Wu really came at the perfect time, and today, looking at him felt particularly pleasing to the eye.
Dugu Wu, of course, was brought by Hong Xuan.
However, Feng Bailing had also prepared in advance, having already sent the clerk to secretly inform the Third Prince through the Capital Governor. It's just that the Third Prince has shorter legs and isn't as fast as Dugu Wu.
Once Dugu Wu appeared, the morale of the people from the Shannan Dynasty suddenly diminished.
Qi Shu sized up Dugu Wu and upon seeing the pair of crutches inside Dugu Wu's sleeves, a hint of disdain showed in his eyes.
General Lan had been endlessly praising Dugu Wu; he had thought Dugu Wu was very formidable. How capable could a handicapped person be?
But it was Master Song who, upon seeing Dugu Wu, had his expression turn solemn.
It was because he felt that after Dugu Wu entered, the Wen Energy on his own body inexplicably weakened substantially.
Could this guy be both literate and martial?
Dugu Wu, however, cast a glance at Feng Bailing.
This woman before his eyes looked somewhat familiar, having seen her once at the seed base.
With a calm face, Feng Bailing was very confident in the human skin mask from Gong Zhu. She made herself look even more like the real thing with adjustments to her body shape and height. Dugu Wu couldn't possibly recognize her.
Dugu Wu quickly withdrew his gaze.
"The Phoenix Chamber of Commerce is a merchant association of Great Chu, and equally the children of Great Chu. Those villagers and hamlets that were attacked by the leopard servants are also the people of Great Chu. The Shannan Dynasty is asking for compensation from the people of Great Chu, and as their prince, I naturally have to make decisions on behalf of my people."
After speaking, Dugu Wu signaled Feng Bailing to continue.
"Let's calculate properly. How much they should really compensate Great Chu."
Feng Bailing got the hint and hurriedly directed at the foolish-looking Dongfang Yong and Feng Luochen.
"What are you dawdling for? Move chairs, pour tea for Prince Wu."
She blatantly ignored Master Song and Qi Shu completely.
"Let's start with the hamlets, one hundred and eight hamlets. The losses of these hamlets..."
"There aren't that many hamlets!"
Qi Shu couldn't stand it any longer.
"From Shannan to Da Chu Country, one needs to cross over forty-three mountain ranges, sixteen rivers, and forty-seven cities. The names of those mountain ranges are..."
Under the intensive education from Dugu Wu and learning from the "Records of the Ten Kingdoms," Feng Bailing was already very familiar with the geography of the Ten Countries.
She remembered the names of all those mountains, rivers, and villages, and recited them one by one.
The more Qi Shu listened, the uglier his face became, but Master Song had a surge of alarm.
This person called Feng San was getting all the names right.
"Let's say there are a hundred hamlets. At least a dozen people were injured in each hamlet. I'll count ten people for you, a thousand people in total, each getting one thousand taels. The livestock, at least one hundred were injured, both large and small animals; on average, let's say three taels each..."
With her knowledge of modern accounting, Feng Bailing was merely putting on a show with the abacus.
Very quickly, she came up with an astonishing figure, one million and three hundred thousand taels of silver.
Master Song was dumbfounded, and so was Qi Shu.
Master Song finally understood.
Why Feng San said that a person would compensate one thousand taels.
They thought they had taken a huge advantage, not knowing that the other party was digging a hole waiting for them to jump in.
"One million and three hundred thousand taels, minus the 300,000 taels we have to compensate. You owe us 730,000 taels. Is that right, Prince?"
Feng Bailing looked at Dugu Wu with a face that sought praise.
Dugu Wu had just drunk half a cup of tea. Hearing this number, he was very calm.
"730,000 taels. Please gather this sum before the start of the Competition Among Ten Countries and formally apologize to the people of Great Chu, or else..."
Dugu Wu said, gently placing the teacup on the table.
The instant the teacup touched down, it turned into a pile of powder.