Chapter 115: Plan, On-Site

(Thanks to the book friend [Sai Clan’s Little Fish] for being promoted to Sect Leader, an extra Chapter as a token of gratitude!)

That Victoria from ’Rose’ has yet to show up, but it seems like she’s behind all the planning. Li Yan was somewhat surprised by how quickly she made her decision. Obviously, she is someone who can advance and retreat with ease.

"Encountering obstacles during the operation, yet can immediately adapt to changes... Victoria is truly a calm person," Li Yan remarked, as he handed the newly received account information to Sonia.

Sonia felt a bit uneasy as she took the account details. This means having to pay the price of 1.5 million International Coins before the risks have passed and before the antique is even in hand. But recalling Victoria’s recent words, ’A task worth 1.5 million International Coins is not a big deal for King. He’s doing this as a balance, not wanting to offend other parties. It’s a friendship price, and if we don’t accept it, we’ll be pushing him to the enemy’s side!’ This thought calmed her a bit, understanding that half the plan was already doomed to failure.

She swiftly said to Li Yan, "I’ve already given the account to Victoria. She’ll have her finance person make the transfer. Although online operations don’t take long, the formalities are tedious, so it will probably take at least half an hour. If you can trust us, perhaps we can start."

She pointed to the clock on the wall.

"No problem. We should have some time; I’ll make a call first. Then, you can tell me about your operation and, if there’s time, we can discuss those six forces." Li Yan picked up the phone and gestured toward the restroom.

Sonia stood up, "Sorry for the trouble."

"You can also make some calls, let others know. If we take too much, it could be deadly. And, if I don’t get a notification that the money has come through by the time we start, there may be another outcome."

This was a threat! Sonia’s face changed slightly. This wasn’t something prepared in advance, and even the quickest operation might not succeed immediately. If there was any delay... However, she understood that everyone operated on interests, and betrayal without funds was normal. Arguing wouldn’t help; urging would.

After she went into the restroom, Li Yan dialed Zheng Yixuan’s number from a corner of the room.

"Any changes?" Zheng Yixuan was about to head to the site and immediately asked upon receiving Li Yan’s call.

"Third Brother, I couldn’t negotiate their total abandonment; personally, I can’t make them give up everything. Half of it—what do you think?" Li Yan proposed a condition.

"What do you mean? Let them take half and Old Ten take the other half?"

"That’s the number I can suppress."

"Impossible! As long as you hold them off, Old Ten can take it all. If you do your best, it’s achievable!" Zheng Yixuan clearly wasn’t satisfied with just half.

"What if I’m not there?" Li Yan retorted.

"What do you mean?"

"You’re assuming that with all-out conflict, Old Ten could take advantage. What if I’m not involved this time? Let Old Ten face them head-on; how much do you think he can get? Even if I fought them, even if I killed all the onsite assassins, could Old Ten really safely transport everything away? Killing is their forte; they could create large-scale explosions onsite, arrange for assassinations nearby, resulting in mutual destruction!"

Li Yan calmly laid out potential worst-case scenarios. Some subtexts remained unsaid: if pushed to murder, besides the explosions, there might be many innocent guests assassinated.

Zheng Yixuan would be one of the guests.

"So you decided to negotiate a half-and-half agreement?"

"That’s the best balance I can achieve. I’m consulting with you; if you think I’m overstepping, you can make different arrangements. For instance, you can ask me to hold them off to the death, or tell me to leave the site and not get involved, and I’d respect your wishes and follow your arrangements."

Listening to Li Yan, Zheng Yixuan pondered a moment, then laughed: "Old Seven, don’t take it to heart. I’m not saying you’re overstepping; this time is about leveraging your influence. Originally, we let Old Ten arrange this batch. Those assassins barged in later; if you hadn’t intervened, we’d be in trouble and have to make other arrangements. Not informing you in advance was not to exploit you but because, as brothers, less said is better; a timely notice suffices.

Now that the situation benefits our trajectory... I won’t have you hold them off to the death. People are our most valuable asset; we don’t need to make senseless sacrifices for minor gains. Since you managed to make them yield half with your influence, I’ll also have Old Ten take only half when they act. It’s decided, no problem."

Li Yan was silent for a moment, then whispered, "Sorry, Third Brother. I didn’t mind; it’s just... if they were ordinary assassins, I’d eliminate them without concern. This time they’re prepared, and while I could wipe them out, it could cost a lot."