"What should we do?"
Qi Ping faced the questions from Zhang Daniu and Han Li, then glanced down at the city known for its black market, a fierce murderous intent showing in his eyes.
After setting up a barrier to prevent eavesdropping, Qi Ping slowly opened his mouth and said:
"Don’t they just want us to fight to the death with those behind Starfall City, so they can sit back and reap the benefits?"
"But how can we let them have their way?"
"If they want me to do this, then I’ll do it!"
"It’s just that small skirmishes are meaningless. To break their setup, the only method we have now is: stir the waters! Break the sky!"
Upon hearing Qi Ping’s words, both Han Li and Zhang Daniu were suddenly shaken.
Stir the waters? Break the sky?
Han Li seemed to have grasped something, but because he was unaware of Qi Ping’s true strength, he couldn’t pinpoint the key.
"Brother, what should we do?" Both asked at the same time.
"Let’s talk about breaking the sky first, which is simple: mass slaughter of the city!"
"Following the rules set by the Cyan Origin Sect and our duties as Guardian Envoys, kill all those involved in the black market who deserve death by rules! Kill even those who might or might not deserve death!"
"Those whose hands are stained with innocent blood deserve death, no need for debate. The point is, too few people are left in the city now; we need to find a way to lure them back!"
"Only when enough people die, including some heavyweight figures within our sect involved in the black market, will it be effective!"
"And then, just the deaths aren’t enough; we must find evidence of these heavyweight figures violating sect rules and controlling the black market, and then publicly announce it in the entire Qingtian Realm, dragging down those manipulating us into a death trap under the guise of clearing out pests!"
"We aim to reach the point where if Cyan Origin Sect doesn’t kill them, it will cause a significant blow to its reputation, making countless grassroots cultivators want to leave Qingtian Realm and deterring others from joining."
The grassroots cultivators together might not harm a single Golden Core Cultivator of Cyan Origin Sect, but if the large reduction of grassroots cultivators leads to the decline of Qingtian Realm, a significant drop in income from economy, rent, and industries, it would be no small matter.
"Brother, your plan is ruthless!" Zhang Daniu exclaimed in shock after hearing Qi Ping’s plan.
"Brother Ya, this plan is a feasible path, but I have a few questions..."
Compared to Zhang Daniu, Han Li was much calmer and quickly identified some implementation methods and difficulties within the nodes.
"Determining the approximate scope of those who set us up, spreading the terror and brutality of the black market in Starfall City across the entire Qingtian Realm, these are not difficult. It just requires time for investigation and pre-arrangement. I can even compile some bone-chilling horror stories..."
"But the heavyweight figures behind Starfall City are very powerful, some even Golden Core Elders..."
"And, how do we lure those people back with Brother Ya around?"
"Additionally, the entities behind Starfall City might act quickly due to the immense loss each idle day incurs; they might not give us much time before making a move..."
At this point, Han Li paused. He had discovered another issue: the risk of this plan was exceedingly high, a slight misstep could lead to their demise!
However, by now, he couldn’t worry about that. He had long prepared to die, and now, he just wanted to fight boldly, without reservations!
Qi Ping was not surprised after hearing Han Li’s word; he had, of course, thought of countermeasures to these problems.
Rather, he admired Han Li’s meticulous and detailed thought process. With such meticulous help from Han Li and some of Han Li’s connections, the execution of this plan would be much more convenient, and some tasks could be delegated to Han Li.
"Leave the first issue to me. I’ll kill those behind Starfall City. Even if a Golden Core comes, I have a certain countermeasure! You don’t need to worry about this!"
But this casual sentence greatly shook Han Li and Zhang Daniu. They exchanged glances, seeing the shock in each other’s eyes.
But they knew, with Qi Ping’s character, he would never boast.
Since Qi Ping said so, it meant he could definitely do it!
This was what shocked them the most, the true strength of Brother Lin Ya was more unfathomable than they imagined!
However, Qi Ping did not give them too much time to think and continued to say:
"The second and third issues need to be done together. Solving this problem is actually simple, first by spreading rumors that I’m pressured and won’t intervene in any black-market matters in Starfall City..."
"Then ask Han Brother to communicate with those in Starfall City and those behind them, saying I won’t interfere with Starfall City’s affairs, but I need a portion of the benefits, and each year they must offer some people to fulfill our duties as Guardian Envoys, to avoid scrutiny and punishment from the sect, and they must not reveal any flaws during our tenure."
"In return, we won’t interfere with the black market in Starfall City, and we will even help cover up traces of the black market, acting as their shield..."
After speaking, Qi Ping looked at Han Li and said:
"Han Brother, you should be very familiar with such matters, right?"
"This... Brother Ya, this is not difficult for me. I am fully confident in handling this matter, but..." Han Li hesitated, glancing at Qi Ping with some reluctance:
"But doing this might destroy your reputation, Brother Ya..."
Because Qi Ping was evaluated by the Heart-Questioning Mirror as a pillar of strength, and he had repeatedly refused the Three Major Sects’ offers, they did not expect Qi Ping could go to such lengths.
However, to Han Li and Zhang Daniu’s surprise, Qi Ping merely smiled indifferently in response to this issue:
"I’ve never cared about reputation, and a cultivating person shouldn’t be bound by reputation. From the beginning, I was only doing what needed to be done. As long as the results are achieved, what does enduring some damage to my reputation matter?"
Qi Ping’s calm and composed plan immediately garnered Han Li and Zhang Daniu’s respect.
No wonder he was Brother Ya; his steadfast Dao Heart was admirable!
However, after saying this, Qi Ping’s expression suddenly turned serious, and he looked at the two of them and said:
"Finally, there’s the issue of this plan being extremely risky. Any mistake at any step could lead to our irrevocable demise!"
"Brother, I’m not afraid..."
But before Zhang Daniu could finish, Qi Ping interrupted him.
"Listen to me, no matter what happens then, I have more than seventy percent confidence in escaping, even leaving Qingtian Realm, so you don’t need to worry too much about my safety. You must attribute all the risky matters this time to me! You must not get involved!"
"Then I will find a safe escape route for you before the final battle starts!"
"Brother, but..."
"No buts! In this matter, you must solemnly promise me! Do you understand?" Qi Ping said resolutely.
Han Li and Zhang Daniu, hearing Qi Ping’s firm words, could only nod in agreement.
"We listen to Brother Ya!"
At this moment, Han Li and Zhang Daniu’s hearts warmed, and slowly, a determination to follow Qi Ping to the death began to form within them...