Chapter 1230: Chapter 1229: Land Money Trade Association President

"It really is a major trade association, their handling of affairs is always reliable," Lu Yang believed that the association’s rules were reasonable—significant deals required such thoroughness.

It was indeed a coincidence that he had witnessed the entire course of the two accidents at the Sword Tower and the Mountain Moving and Sea Filling Sect, both were purely accidental, so it was normal for the association’s risk assessment to be inaccurate.

But modifying the rules was also beneficial, perhaps the people at the headquarters were more capable than those at the branch, and could make accurate judgments.

Soon, Man Gu and his two Senior Brothers left the association.

If this deal went well, perhaps Zhongshan County would purchase insurance annually—it was definitely an excellent business. With this in mind, the branch president did not dare to delay and promptly submitted the report directly to the Imperial City headquarters.

"Full insurance for Zhongshan County?"

As a disciple of the Dao Seeking Sect, the top scorer of Great Xia, and a specially promoted County Magistrate, Man Gu’s triple status melded together, granting him sway over both the official and martial paths; the Imperial City headquarters also paid great importance to this.

"We have a risk assessment here that requires your expertise, seven predecessors."

The head of risk assessment sought out seven cultivators, who were no ordinary members. They were originally the old veterans from the Jingzhou Branch and were transferred to the headquarters for their outstanding performance and faultless record in risk assessments.

Although they had initially slipped up in the risk assessment of the Mountain Moving and Sea Filling Sect, the subsequent investigation made it clear it was a pure accident, who could have foreseen Celestial Master Guiyuan and the Great Qian God Lord, who had disappeared for eighty thousand years, battling at the sect?

Since it was an accident, it wasn’t the fault of the seven old veterans, and their talents shouldn’t be buried for it; this decision was personally approved by the Trade Union President.

"Alright, leave this matter to us," the seven old veterans confidently announced.

After arriving at the headquarters, they also proved their skills, with each risk assessment being highly accurate.

As the seven old veterans analyzed the data for Zhongshan County en route, they hurried on their way to the county without delay.

"This time, the insurance purchaser is the newly appointed County Magistrate of Zhongshan County, Man Gu, who is also a Disciple of the Dao Seeking Sect."

"A disciple of the Dao Seeking Sect?" Initially, they had not paid much attention to Man Gu’s status, but hearing the name of the Dao Seeking Sect naturally made their teeth ache.

The leader consoled the others, "Come on, haven’t we gotten over that hang-up yet? The problem was with Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, not the Dao Seeking Sect; such a reaction is unnecessary."

Even so, with Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou being the talk of the town, it was easy to associate them with the Dao Seeking Sect whenever it was mentioned.

"By the way, is there any mention of Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou being in Zhongshan County in the materials?" one of them asked.

Their failure with the Mountain Moving and Sea Filling Sect prompted their instinctive resistance to Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, and now they ruled out these two individuals in any risk assessment.

"I went through it; they’re not mentioned."

"That’s good to know."

The seven old veterans continued to analyze the files, praising the maneuvers of Man Gu.

"This young man is quite astute, biding his time as County Magistrate, until half a month ago, seizing the opportunity to remove three former County Magistrates. His methods were aggressive but legitimate and legal, effectively signaling to the higher-ups in Wild State that he was determined to secure his position."

"This also shows that Man Gu is cautious by nature; he wouldn’t have waited until now to make a move otherwise."

"It’s normal for a cautious person to buy insurance."

"But isn’t it strange to purchase insurance as soon as he takes office?" someone still questioned.

The leader shook his head; with his seniority and rich experience, he had seen all sorts of people and had already discerned Man Gu’s motives.

"You haven’t considered one thing, the insurance for the entire county is indeed expensive, and making such seemingly unreasonable requests upon taking office is very likely a way to observe the reactions of the Zhongshan County officials, to see who supports him and who opposes him."

"Calling a deer a horse, indeed I overlooked this point."

They conversed back and forth, gradually outlining the truth.

Upon their arrival in Zhongshan County, they visited the Quyi County Government Office, subtly questioning the government officials.

"Man Gu has enlisted two distant relatives as constables, and these constables have also been promoted to the county level, but everything else is normal."

"Finding jobs for relatives is a common sentiment; I often have people asking me to use my connections to get them into the commerce association."

"And did you notice, these two relatives also participated in the apprehension of the three County Magistrates? Ordinary constables wouldn’t dare take on such a task; these are trusted relatives who have Man Gu’s confidence."

"Indeed."

After a round of investigation, the seven old veterans submitted their report to the headquarters’ head of risk assessment.

"Extremely low risk?"

The head of risk assessment at the headquarters thoroughly read their report, which was well-argued and cited extensively, with exhaustive data analysis, proving to be very persuasive.

Now only the president’s agreement was necessary.

"The president isn’t in?" The head of risk assessment was informed by the president’s secretary that the president was not present.

"It’s been several days since we’ve had contact," said the president’s secretary, who was used to the president’s frequent disappearances.

"So, is this risk assessment approved or not?"

Man Gu was waiting on their decision; this was a major client.

The president’s secretary responded calmly, "According to regulations, if the president cannot be contacted and there’s an urgent reason, the risk assessment can be approved directly, with all consequences the responsibility of the president."

...

In the Zhongshan County Prison.

The criminals captured by Lu Yang and his companion were originally held in the Quyi County Prison. Once Man Gu became the County Magistrate, Lu Yang and his companion believed that capturing these people was to Man Gu’s credit and insisted on keeping them by side, thus transferring them to the Zhongshan County Prison.

Moreover, the Zhongshan County Prison conditions were much better than those in Quyi County, hence ensuring the prisoners’ human rights.

Inside the prison, three county magistrates were detained together in one cell. Despite their different experiences, their fates were the same, giving them much in common to discuss.

"Master, I can’t believe you are the Thief King!" Fang Ning looked up to his master in admiration; he knew his master was mysterious and powerful, but he did not know he was that powerful.

The Thief King, that was a legendary figure in their Thief Sect, second only to the Thief Ancestor.

The Thief King sighed, "How have I taught you? Be calm, guard against arrogance and rashness. The reason I didn’t tell you about my identity was exactly because I feared this reaction."

"The Thief King is just one of my identities; I have another."

"What is it?" Fang Ning looked at his master with anticipation.

With a slight smile, the Thief King began to reveal, "The current president of the Land Money Trade Association."

Now that his good disciple knew about his Thief King identity, there was no longer any reason to hide the other.

"What?" Fang Ning was struck as if by lightning, how could his Thief King master possibly be the president of the Land Money Trade Association? These two identities were worlds apart.

Stretching leisurely, the Thief King found a comfortable position to lie down, finding the place indeed more comfortable than the Quyi County Prison.

"But master, now that you’re locked up here, what happens to the commerce association?" Fang Ning was anxious for his master, who still appeared so calm.

"The president isn’t as busy as you imagine. I often disappear on adventures, and the commerce association can still function normally without any issues."