Chapter 845: Disposing of Stolen Goods

"Yes, it’s a brand-new mode of collaboration," Chu Liang said.

"It’s certainly a novel idea, but I’ve never encountered anything like it before," Elder Yin replied with some difficulty. "If Young Hero Chu had asked us to merge into the Mount Shu Sect, that might’ve been acceptable. But this... this is an acquisition. We’re not a merchant guild—how does one even purchase a sect?"

Chu Liang had expected this response. After all, it wasn’t the first time he had been asked this question. Back then, both Huan Leisheng and Hong Jufeng had expressed the same confusion.

It was actually quite simple. From a profit-driven perspective, any sect—whether it was a small one like the former Talismanic Sect, a mid-sized one like the Sun and Moon Pavilion, or even a large one like Starhold Island—would gladly jump at the chance to join one of the Divine Nine.

If they had been able to join one of the Divine Nine from the start, neither the sect leaders nor their disciples would have ended up in places like this. But from the Mount Shu Sect’s perspective, there was never any need to seek them out in the first place.

As one of the Divine Nine, the resources the Mount Shu Sect provided to its disciples far exceeded those of ordinary sects. Taking in a new batch of disciples would lead to a sharp increase in resource consumption and their talent would inevitably fall short of the Divine Nine’s standards, resulting in significant waste.

Moreover, the larger the sect, the heavier the burden it had to bear. With disciples of mixed quality, problems were bound to arise. In immortal sects, quality mattered far more than quantity. An increase in numbers didn’t equate to improvement. The Heavenly Star Divine Cult was proof of this. Despite its immense power, the growing number of mouths to feed had sharply increased its resource demands, and its inability to sustain that burden became the primary reason for its eventual split.

It was with these considerations in mind that Chu Liang came up with the idea of an acquisition.

The proposal of an acquisition essentially conveyed that the sect had great potential, but there was no need for it to merge with the Mount Shu Sect. The Mount Shu Sect could offer some support upfront while the sect would simply return a portion of their profits in the future. It was a straightforward profit-sharing relationship, similar to an alliance with a superior and subordinate dynamic, while both sides remained independent entities.

Of course, when it comes to matters of critical importance, the Mount Shu Sect would definitely have to take over some control.

"So that’s how it is," Elder Yin said with a nod of understanding.

He was old but absolutely not stupid. How could the person who had once maneuvered behind the scenes in Python Belly City be stupid?

However, after giving it some thought, he asked again, "There’s still one thing I don’t understand. The Talismanic Sect can sell talismans and generate income for the Mount Shu Sect, and Starhold Island can profit from selling spirit ores. So, acquiring them does guarantee revenue. But our Sun and Moon Pavilion is a proper sect, and we don't generate much revenue."

It was just as Elder Yin said. Most immortal sects still followed the traditional way of life. They helped nearby villagers drive out evil entities in exchange for daily necessities, while cultivation resources were gathered from the wilderness or discovered in hidden realms. Occasionally, they’d have a small surplus to trade for anything else they needed.

Even the Mount Shu Sect had once followed that path, rarely engaging in external commercial ventures.

Thanks to the trend set by major forces like Taotie City, Red Cotton Peak, and the Immortals’ Square, more and more cultivators had begun taking part in commerce in recent years. However, their numbers were still limited and had yet to truly shift the overall landscape of the cultivation world.

"What era do you think this is? Still running sects like it’s the old days?" Chu Liang laughed. "Who said you don’t have any income? Didn’t the Sun and Moon Pavilion just get its hands on a huge treasure hoard?"

Elder Yin suddenly understood. "Young Hero Chu, are you suggesting... we sell the swords?"

"Exactly," Chu Liang replied. "Those swords were forged with higher-realm craftsmanship. Even the lowest-grade ones would rank within the top five hundred in the Catalog of the Mortal World’s Ten Thousand Treasures. The finest among them could even make the top thirty. You don’t have enough trustworthy disciples to wield them all. If you sell them recklessly, not only will you get a poor price, but you’ll also draw unwanted attention."

𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Elder Yin nodded. He had already been considering how to handle the swords.

The Sun and Moon Pavilion didn’t have many members, and most of them were still at low cultivation levels. Suddenly acquiring so many high-grade swords might offer a small boost in combat strength, but it wouldn’t change much overall. Selling them for other cultivation resources, on the other hand, would immediately draw attention. In a world like this, possessing a treasure was a crime in itself.

"If you agree to the acquisition, Red Cotton Peak has a well-established team that can help you manage, promote, and auction the swords as well as ensure your safety. I guarantee this batch of swords will be sold for the highest price, in the best way, and turned into real growth for your sect.

"In return, I just need your pavilion to come under my banner, and I’ll take a share of the profits. Fair enough, right? When the Mount Shu Sect reclaims its title as the foremost immortal sect, the Sun and Moon Pavilion will rise alongside it. It will even be possible for your sect to become one of the Terrestrial Ten."

Even someone as steady-hearted as Elder Yin couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement. His eyes lit up as he said, "If that’s the case, then this truly is a great opportunity."

What Chu Liang said sounded a little strange. It was as if the treasured swords had been given to the Sun and Moon Pavilion, and yet not entirely.

However, the fact that Chu Liang could’ve taken them by force yet chose to help sell them was proof enough of how kind-hearted CEO Chu was, wasn’t it?

"Young Hero Chu... from now on, I’ll just call you CEO Chu. I hope I live long enough to see the day the Mount Shu Sect and the Sun and Moon Pavilion soar together," Elder Yin said, gripping Chu Liang’s hand with emotion.

"Elder Yin, that day will surely come," Chu Liang said with a smile.

"Thinking back to when we first met in Python Belly City, I even stood against CEO Chu. I had my four good-for-nothing adopted sons challenge you to a duel," Elder Yin said with an awkward chuckle. "Funny how things turn out. Who would've thought I would end up joining the enemy's forces?"

"Come on," Chu Liang waved his hand. "If it wasn't for the fight, we wouldn't have gotten to know each other. Plus, this is a collaboration. You are not joining the enemy's forces. Talking about joining enemy forces, I have a friend who really..."

Before Chu Liang could finish, his Circle of Immortal Friends Token buzzed. He extended his divine sense to check the message.

[Du Wuhen]: "I’m outside the Grand Mountain-Protecting Formation. I need to talk to you. Let me in."

...

Chu Liang thought,

What a coincidence. Just as we were talking about the person joining the enemy's forces, Ah Du showed up.

Chu Liang chuckled, then sent word to the elder managing the Grand Mountain-Protecting Formation and had Du Wuhen brought in. He stepped forward to greet him warmly.

Chu Liang had already heard through the Circle of Immortal Friends about him and Grand Ancestor Fuyou robbing the Penglai Supreme Sect. Even if they hadn’t been friends before, that move alone was worthy of a toast.

These two brothers had outright dug up the spirit veins of the Penglai islands. This was worse than digging up the grave of someone's ancestor. Even if it was his esteemed teacher who went to the Penglai islands, she might not have been that ruthless. At this point, Chu Liang just wanted to praise them to their face and call them, "Born troublemakers!"

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Du Wuhen finally brought up the reason for his visit.

As it turned out, while Grand Ancestor Fuyou was creating a hidden realm, he took stock of the loot they had acquired. The priceless chunks of spirit vein were a given, but even the number of spirit plants was staggering. As for the valuables taken from the elders and disciples of the Penglai Supreme Sect, they were beyond counting.

Grand Ancestor Fuyou needed a vast amount of spiritual qi to restore his cultivation, and the natural treasures they had acquired fit that need perfectly. On top of that, there was still a large surplus. The excess miscellaneous treasures were useless to them, so they decided to sell them. However, neither of them could handle that part openly.

In plain terms, Du Wuhen wanted Chu Liang to handle the sale of their stolen goods.

According to Grand Ancestor Fuyou, they were willing to do a sixty-forty split with the Mount Shu Sect, with Chu Liang receiving forty percent just for helping with disposing of the stolen goods. This was in line with martial world standards. In this case, they weren’t in a hurry to get rid of the goods. If they had needed money to flee, Chu Liang could have likely taken eighty or even ninety percent.

The whole process of robbing, fleeing, and fencing the loot seemed second nature to Oldie Brodie. As for his big bro, Du Wuhen, he had picked up plenty of practical experience along the way.

"That’s easy," Chu Liang said with a radiant smile, waving his hand. "No need for that much. Our standard cut is just ten percent."

If it had been stolen from anywhere else, Red Cotton Peak wouldn’t have taken the job, no matter the price. But if the loot came from Penglai, the Mount Shu Sect wouldn’t just help sell it. They might even pay the thief for doing that to the Penglai Supreme Sect.

Du Wuhen rubbed his hands together, speaking hesitantly. "There’s one more thing..."

As it turned out, he wanted to use a large portion of the leftover resources as compensation for the Thunderbolt Stronghold. This was something that Grand Ancestor Fuyou had already approved.

Back when he betrayed the Thunderbolt Stronghold, it had nearly led to the sect’s destruction. After being saved by Huang Ling’er, he had always carried a sense of guilt. Now that he had finally struck it rich, he wanted to give something back to his former sect.

He also hoped Chu Liang could help deliver the compensation.

Under Venerable Wen Yuan’s leadership, the Mount Shu Sect had long been building strong relationships. With support from Red Cotton Peak, it had become a central hub for members of the immortal sects. Whenever conflicts arose, other sects often asked the higher-ups of the Mount Shu Sect to act as mediators.

Matters like this were not difficult, and Chu Liang agreed without hesitation.

Venerable Wen Yuan welcomed such requests. It was through handling matters like these that the sect earned its prestige and credibility. That was why the Mount Shu Sect maintained good relationships with many other sects.

Just as Chu Liang was about to ask for more details about the robbery at the Penglai Supreme Sect, two streaks of rainbow light descended from the sky. Within them stood Baize, dressed in white robes, leading an elderly man in green. The old man had a long gray beard, two fleshy horns on his forehead, and golden irises blazing in his eyes.

"Chu Liang," Baize called out, then introduced, "This is Noble Azure Dragon."