Chapter 581: Chapter 333: The City Lord’s Devastating Defeat, The Lady’s Peerless Grace, Five Swords Encircle the Lake, Dense Chiming of Bells (Part 2)

Wen Caishang lightly patted her skirt, shaking off some dust, and said faintly: "I was just curious. On my way here, I saw a place where corpses are stored, with tens of thousands of Corpse Soldiers inside, nourished by dark blood, ready and waiting. Like going to battle, their ferocious power is overwhelming, unstoppable, and quite remarkable."

He Wentian’s kind face turned cold, thinking: "Now that things have come to this, whatever the cost in troops or resources, I must leave this woman here. Otherwise, if deeds are exposed, I will face endless disasters. Yet this woman... is extremely mysterious. If it comes to a fight, am I truly her match? Perhaps I should first use words to soothe and deceive her, then covertly inflict harm?" His expression was unpleasant as he pondered continuously.

Wen Caishang smiled and said: "City Lord He, there’s no need to be tense. I harbor no malice toward you, whether you choose to be king or seek dominance, as long as you trouble the Great Wu Dynasty, it doesn’t harm me. To be frank, I am here to assist you."

He Wentian said: "If that’s the case, I ask Madam to be candid, at least reveal your name." Wen Caishang offered a graceful bow and said: "I apologize for previously concealing my name; my surname is Wen, first name Caishang. Cai Shang greets City Lord He."

He Wentian’s heart fluttered, he returned the greeting: "He Wentian from Flying Dragon City, greets Madam Wen." He immediately probed: "Just now, Madam Wen mentioned coming here to aid me. Do you also harbor ambitions of dominance? Do you wish to join forces and collaborate with me?"

Wen Caishang replied: "I’m not willing to sacrifice blood essence to help you nourish Corpse Soldiers." He Wentian chuckled awkwardly: "If Madam Wen is willing to assist, I will surely offer generous gifts, not treat you in such a manner."

Wen Caishang said, with deep meaning: "I think not necessarily." He Wentian replied: "If Madam doesn’t believe, Wentian swears here."

Wen Caishang said: "Swearing is unnecessary. You, ah, have cunning but no grand strategy. When Fu Haoran was at Cui Zhu Residence, I already saw the signs. Do you know you hold a great treasure yet are oblivious to it?"

He Wentian nodded, flattering: "Madam’s teachings are correct, Madam’s teachings are correct. According to Madam’s ideas... could it be that this grave and Corpse Soldiers are not the most important treasure?"

Wen Caishang nodded: "Naturally. Merely Corpse Soldiers, nothing but vassals. Not even worth mentioning, yet you regard them as treasures."

He Wentian felt more thankful, yet slightly suspicious, hurriedly asking: "Madam... your words are true? But... but I’ve set foot in most parts of this grave. Although there are perilous places, not easily tread, I’ve never seen any significant treasures. Even if there are treasures... wouldn’t they overshadow tens of thousands of Corpse Soldiers, rendering them insignificant?"

Wen Caishang said: "In this Nine Orifice Dragon Heart Acupoint, there’s a tomb, do you know who’s buried? Do you know where the bones are? Without knowing these two points, how dare you claim you’ve explored most of the grave?" He Wentian was speechless, asking for guidance: "Madam’s knowledge is profound, I ask for an explanation."

Wen Caishang smiled: "That’s why you need to cooperate with me. What’s buried here is ’Nan Kui King·Du Gu Boyuan’. During the Nanyang Period, the situation was chaotic, small kingdoms rose, this Nan Kui King·Du Gu Boyuan was the last ruler of a small southern kingdom. Speaking of Du Gu Boyuan..."

He Wentian listened intently, not daring to let a single sentence go to waste. Wen Caishang waved her hand and smiled: "Enough, enough, I imagine you’re not interested in these things." She truly had no patience to detail.

If Li Xian were by her side, she could whisper about these topics at length.

He Wentian hurriedly said: "Madam Wen, I, He Wentian, am learning and am very interested, I beg you to explain thoroughly." Wen Caishang said: "You, as the lord of a city, can search books yourself. Why ask me? A fine man should be independent and strong. Constantly asking this weak woman for guidance, what kind of proper behavior is that?"

He Wentian wiped sweat from his brow, awkwardly saying: "Ashamed, ashamed." Wen Caishang said: "I allow you a day to research and verify the truth of my words, then decide whether to collaborate with me."

He Wentian said: "Good, good, Madam please rest." Yet he didn’t leave Wen Caishang’s side, sent people to search historical records to find snippets about ’Nan Kui King·Du Gu Boyuan’. Finding evidence verifying his existence made him even more convinced.

Wen Caishang said: "How is it?" He Wentian already lost his rhythm, "Madam’s words are indeed true. Only... only how should we cooperate?"

Wen Caishang smiled: "Before cooperation, there’s one matter to discuss first." He Wentian said: "Please go ahead, Madam."

Wen Caishang said: "I require fifty percent of the profit." He Wentian thought: "Since it’s about profit, there’s an agenda, that’s easy to discuss. But fifty percent is too large. I’ve guarded this grave in Flying Dragon City for many years, and this woman wants to take fifty percent just by mere words..." Hesitating to decide.

Suddenly thought: "Dividing profit is still a trivial affair. First stabilize this woman, then talk about other matters. Plus... this woman is knowledgeable and well-informed, her talents are unheard of, if I take the opportunity to win her over and have her help in my quest for power, it would be a most wonderful thing!"

Heart constantly swayed.

Wen Caishang calmly said: "City Lord He, have you decided?" He Wentian laughed heartily: "Madam Wen’s words have reason, we shall split fifty-fifty, jointly pursue a grand undertaking, and cooperate for mutual benefit. Wentian feels greatly honored!"

He added: "Madam Wen, please speak directly on how we should cooperate, Wentian will comply with your command."

Wen Caishang smiled: "This matter... requires City Lord He to provide manpower and effort. The main hall is difficult to find because it is hidden within the heart chamber. When the heart chamber is closed, it’s like being wrapped by thick walls. Only by activating the Nine Orifice Dragon Heart Acupoint, opening the heart chamber, can the true treasures of the tomb see the light of day."

He Wentian marveled: "So it is, so it is, no wonder... no wonder Madam Wen said I hold great treasures yet am unaware."

Wen Caishang said: "This tomb is arranged according to the Imperial Palace. These Equal Corpses Soldiers belong to the City Defense Army. If you only see the Imperial Palace, only guarding the City Defense Army, wouldn’t speaking of this invite laughter?"