"Clan Leader Wang, let’s allocate this Demon Blade and those miscellaneous items to you three," Wang Shouzhe said, cupping his hands. "Please, don’t decline. The Wang Family’s fortunes changed today without any loss of personnel but yielded great gains, thanks to the awe-inspiring presence of you three Ancestors."
Ancestor Ruhong and the others exchanged glances, feeling that Shouzhe certainly knows how to deal with people.
Next, Ancestor Ruhong from the Chen Family spoke up: "Since Shouzhe cares for our allied families, we shall not decline. However, the spoils from the demon cultivator should be divided into four, with each of our four families receiving a share."
Just as Wang Shouzhe was about to speak.
Ancestor Mang said, "Enough, Shouzhe, don’t say any more. This matter benefits our three families, and if your Wang Family doesn’t take a share, we can’t show our faces."
Ancestor Ming Sheng also chimed in agreement.
"In that case, we will transfer the Wang Family’s share to Brother Zhong," Wang Shouzhe decided after a brief moment of thought. The rıghtful source is 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝⟡𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕥⟡𝕟𝕖𝕥
Being the Clan Leader and the responsible commander of this campaign, he naturally decides on post-war matters, including the distribution of spoils.
Zhong Xingwang was stunned and hurriedly declined: "Younger Brother Shouzhe, I don’t need it. I was just here to lend a hand."
"You must take it," Wang Shouzhe stated seriously. "None of this ’not taking’ business will work, lest you seem overly close to the Wang Family or overly sentimental, causing the other ancestors who received spoils discomfiture."
"There must be clear, unambiguous sharing of spoils and interests. What is owed must be taken without shying away."
So many families and allies have become estranged and finally broken apart due to spoils disputes, thus this matter must be handled clearly and plainly.
Ancestor Longyan cast a disdainful glance at Zhong Xingwang: "Since Shouzhe wants you to take it, just take it. Why all this coyness?"
"Yes, yes, the senior sister is correct, Younger Brother Shouzhe is correct," Zhong Xingwang cowed, hurriedly cupping his hands to Wang Shouzhe. "I will listen to you."
With that, the three Ancestors, including Ruhong, finally sighed in relief.
As Shouzhe said, if Zhong Xingwang didn’t want his share, how could they show their faces?
Besides, they were not like Zhong Xingwang, who lived without want— they had children and grandchildren, a whole family to support.
"Hiring an Artifact Refining Master for repairs is expected to cost one thousand to one thousand five hundred Qian Gold. If consigned for sale, since this is a demon artifact that’s hard to sell, getting it sold within one or two years would be fortunate." Zhong Xingwang, who has long overseen the black market, is exceptionally clear on pricing and market demand.
The three Ancestors hesitated before deciding to repair and consign it, given the price difference of at least two to three thousand Qian Gold. Split four ways, each could still claim several hundred Qian Gold.
This is a substantial sum for a Ninth-Grade Noble Family; never mind a year, they could easily wait two years.
Take the weakest Yingxiu Lu Family, for instance. After deducting the family’s considerable expenses, storing up five to six hundred Qian Gold in a year is commendable.
The other two families, though wealthier, face even greater expenditure.
Overall, for any Ninth-Grade, let alone Eighth-Grade family, several hundred Qian Gold is not a trifling sum.
The Ancestors even warmed to Zhong Xingwang, as they had shared the spoils as allies.
Everyone’s expression was filled with joy, completely content with the expedition, especially with Wang Shouzhe. Not only was his command precise and the battle magnificently fought, but he also handled the spoil distribution meticulously and thoughtfully.
On the side, Chen Fangjie was equally filled with admiration; Shouzhe’s techniques indeed left him in awe. Even the ancestors were managed by him effortlessly.
However, the ancestors’ reactions were quite exaggerated. Was it worth grinning so widely over each earning eight to nine thousand Qian Gold? Surely this lacks ancestral dignity.
If they knew Shouzhe secured two Celestial Spirit Pills and accompanying materials recently, they’d be wide-eyed with shock?
Of course, he dared not disclose this, needing to maintain strict secrecy, even before his own Ding Ancestor. Otherwise, if word reached Shouzhe, he’d likely have the stuffing knocked out of him.
Unknowingly, Chen Fangjie, the future brother-in-law, was filled with reverence for Wang Shouzhe, the future brother-in-law. His actions were so grand; even the ancestors listened to his direction.
Apart from Chen Fangjie, Liang Haofeng from the Westpeace Liang Family was likewise astonished. This new clan leader, Wang Shouzhe, is far more formidable than the rumors suggest. Several ancestors seemed to yield to his opinion at every turn.
Besides this, the lively profit distribution scene among Ancestor Ruhong and others also captivated Liang Haofeng, who was but a prisoner facing slaughter at any time.
Such are the consequences of taking the wrong side.
Had he known earlier about Wang Shouzhe’s prowess, he’d never have dared enter this turbulent water.
"Ancestor Haofeng," upon completing some spoil allocations, Wang Shouzhe finally turned his attention to Liang Haofeng, greeting politely with a cupped hand, "Would it not be proper for you to consider the cost you’ll pay to preserve your life?"
"Clan Leader Wang, please," Liang Haofeng’s heart was filled with anguish, and he dared not assume airs, adopting a humble posture, "indeed I, Liang Haofeng, was blinded by foolishness, and having erred, I must bear punishment. But our Liang Family is merely a Ninth-Grade Lower-Rank Noble Family, with limited assets."