The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace-Chapter 438 - 556: Greedy Enough to Take It, Not Fated to Spend It

Chapter 438: Chapter 556: Greedy Enough to Take It, Not Fated to Spend It

Chapter 556: Greedy Enough to Take It, Not Fated to Spend It

After returning to the Skysphere Chamber of Commerce, the enforcers began dividing the spoils.

The Wen family’s experts, as well as Xiang Kuang’s subordinates, were all Saint Realm cultivators. Even if they were not exceptionally wealthy, there was still some profit to be wrung from their remains.

Unfortunately, Xiang Kuang’s men appeared to have come prepared.

Whether by habit or design, they carried very few valuable treasures on their persons.

This was common among bandits.

They lived by plunder, and death was always a possibility. Carrying excess valuables only meant gifting them to whoever killed them. Anything truly important was either hidden elsewhere or entrusted to stronger backers.

Once everything was tallied, the bald, burly man spoke up.

"The Wen family’s assets are split evenly. Everything else—distributed according to contribution. Agreed?"

"No problem."

"Not bad. We vented some old grudges and even made a little profit on the side."

The arrangement was straightforward.

Whoever killed an enemy claimed their possessions. Joint kills were split evenly. As for the most valuable prize—the ancient beast—it would be appraised and sold directly to the Chamber of Commerce, with the proceeds divided afterward.

On the surface, it was fair.

After all, the difference between a Saint King and a Great Saint was vast. Equal distribution across the board would only breed resentment.

However, there was an unspoken truth.

This entire ambush had succeeded because of Fang Hao.

Without his precise intelligence, they would never have intercepted Seven Kings City’s forces, let alone achieved both revenge and profit.

By all rights, Fang Hao should have received an additional share.

Yet no one mentioned it.

Whether they had forgotten—or had chosen not to remember—was unclear.

In the end, Fang Hao received the least.

Simply because he was a Great Saint, the weakest among them, and had personally slain the fewest enemies.

Fang Hao’s expression remained calm, but his mind was perfectly clear.

"Thirteen people," he thought coldly. "Not a single one spoke up for me. Truly shameless."

Then, with a faint sneer buried deep in his heart:

"Greedy enough to take it—but not fated to spend it, you dogs."

During their usual gatherings, Fang Hao was often the one footing most of the bill. Everyone understood this silently and accepted it without guilt.

Yet now, when real benefit was on the table, they showed their true colors.

If not for what was to come, Fang Hao would have already cut ties with these ingrates.

But he still needed them.

Over the years, Fang Hao had poured enormous resources into planting informants within Seven Kings City. The intelligence regarding Xiang Kuang’s plan had come directly from those eyes and ears.

When he learned that Xiang Kuang, after escaping, immediately began rallying Liu Lian and others for revenge, Fang Hao felt genuine delight.

Perfect.

To give Xiang Kuang sufficient time to gather more people—to let resentment ferment—Fang Hao deliberately avoided contacting the enforcers for several days.

They did not seek him out either.

They were used to Fang Hao hosting, treating, and organizing. If there was no free wine to drink, they saw no reason to come knocking.

Fang Hao found this behavior both contemptible and useful.

Such people were easy to manipulate.

Roughly two months later, Fang Hao took the initiative once more.

"Brothers," he said with a broad smile, "I managed to get my hands on a few more jars of that aged spirit. This time, we can drink to our hearts’ content."

At once, their eyes lit up.

Last time, Fang Hao had only brought out a single jar—fourteen people sharing it left everyone unsatisfied. Such aged spiritual liquor was rare and precious, something one could encounter but not seek.

They had thought about it more than once since.

Now Fang Hao claimed to have several jars.

How could they refuse?

They immediately set aside whatever they were doing and rushed over.

"Where to this time? Moonview Tower?" someone asked.

That was where they had last gathered. Aside from Moonview Tower, few establishments served food worthy of their palates.

Fang Hao shook his head.

"Always eating in restaurants feels restrictive. I found a place with beautiful scenery—somewhere we can truly relax and drink freely."

This was no idle suggestion.

Fang Hao’s plan this time was simple and ruthless: lure these enforcers out, and let Xiang Kuang’s forces slaughter them all.

Only then would the Skysphere Chamber of Commerce be forced to retaliate.

Only then would the hatred between the two factions truly explode.

That meant they could not drink within the city, nor anywhere close to the Chamber’s protection.

They needed isolation.

No escape routes.

The bald man nodded vigorously.

"Exactly! Drinking in a private room is nothing compared to drinking amidst mountains and rivers. Fang , you really know how to enjoy life."

The others quietly agreed.

Soon after, the group followed Fang Hao out of the Chamber of Commerce, leaving the city and heading north.

Unbeknownst to them, Xiang Kuang had stationed watchers throughout Hangzhou.

The moment the enforcers left the city together, word was immediately sent.

Xiang Kuang, who had been waiting near Hangzhou for an opportunity, was overjoyed.

He had been pondering how to lure them out.

Now they had delivered themselves.

Together.

It was a once-in-a-lifetime chance.

Without hesitation, Xiang Kuang gathered his people and moved.

The northernmost region of Hangzhou was the North Sea—the same place where Fang Hao’s group had previously acted as the mantis stalking the cicada.

Last time, the battle had taken place above the sea.

This time, they arrived at one of the countless unnamed islands scattered across the North Sea archipelago.

The island was lush with greenery. Mountains and streams intertwined, birds sang among ancient trees, and the air was fresh and clear.

It was not an immortal paradise—but it was close.

Because powerful sea beasts roamed the North Sea, few dared venture here.

Only cultivators of their level would consider holding a banquet in such a place.

Fang Hao glanced around and asked, "What do you think? Not bad, right?"

This island had been chosen carefully.

If they had to die, dying in a place like this was already a mercy few cultivators ever received.

Unaware of the truth, the others nodded enthusiastically.

"Beautiful scenery, open space, and no disturbances."

"Excellent choice."

With a wave of his hand, Fang Hao summoned a large stone table and several stone stools. Next came jars of spiritual liquor, followed by fruits and dishes he had prepared in advance.

Praise came immediately.

"Fang really came prepared."

"This is how cultivators should live!"

Fang Hao gestured lightly.

"Please, take your seats."

"Good, good!"

Surrounded by fine wine, good food, and beautiful scenery, the group quickly relaxed.

Laughter echoed across the island.

None of them noticed—

The net was already tightening.