Chapter 96: He's Worth the Price
Chapter 96: He's Worth the Price
"100,000 Blue Star Coins? For an interview program?" Li Yuan was dumbfounded.
What kind of arrangement was this?
More importantly, according to Uncle Wan's suggestion, was this program about his own story with the Starfire Martial Hall?
There wasn't much of a story to tell!
Previously, when he bought the Vital Energy Potion, he went to the Starry Sky Martial Hall.
"You don't understand?" Wan Qinghe looked at Li Yuan's slightly confused expression and smiled, "This Song Yi at the Starry Sky Martial Hall is in charge of contract reviews and managing the hall's finances."
"Financial control?" Li Yuan asked.
"Yes," Wan Qinghe looked at Li Yuan, "You seem to understand quite a bit."
Li Yuan smiled; his uncle, Li Changzhou, had been working in construction for many years and occasionally taught him, so it was natural that he understood some of these matters.
In any organization, management essentially involves controlling three aspects: personnel, finance, and authority.
Li Yuan could deduce that Song Yi held significant power in the Starry Sky Guan Mountain Branch.
"The Martial Hall reviews each branch hall every three years," Wan Qinghe patiently explained. "The next review is coming up soon."
"The fact that you almost signed with the Starry Sky Martial Hall isn't a secret," Wan Qinghe smiled.
Wan Qinghe didn't mention that he and Xu Bo were the ones who had exposed this matter.
"If you only show potential for a B-class contract, then the impact won't be significant." Wan Qinghe smiled, "But the more impressive your performance, especially in this April exam, as you are Jiangcheng's top martial artist in practice..."
"Plus your performance at Jiangbei Martial University's invitation event... It will definitely make her feel pressured."
"The better you perform in the future, the more pressured she'll be."
"I estimate that someone in the Starry Sky Martial Hall is targeting her," Wan Qinghe smiled, "Controlling the finances of a Martial Hall is no small matter."
"Internal strife?" Li Yuan was curious.
"It's more accurate to say it's mutual supervision," Qinghe smiled, "It promotes healthy internal competition."
Li Yuan fell silent.
His uncle was indeed more experienced than him.
"So, she came to me because she wants me to state on the program that I signed with Starfire Martial Hall due to my own subjective reasons and not because of her negligence in her work?" Li Yuan pondered.
"She wants to permanently solve the problem of me by going on the program?" Li Yuan smiled, "If you can't solve the problem, then you solve the person who raised the problem?"
"Smart," Wan Qinghe smiled, "Once you appear on the program, even if she secretly promotes it, no one should be able to use this reason to attack her publicly."
"At least, she'll have a strong argument to defend herself."
"Uncle Wan, what do you think I should do?" Li Yuan asked respectfully.
In truth, Li Yuan already had his own thoughts, but he also noticed that Uncle Wan had a strong desire to express himself.
It's common for elders to appreciate being respected, having their opinions sought, and seeing their advice put into action by their juniors.
This is the essence of filial piety, friendship, and mentorship.
As Li Yuan expected, Uncle Wan was pleased.
"If you refuse, you'll offend her, but it won't affect you much. She won't target you again unless she's foolish, because you're already powerful enough to become her problem." Wan Qinghe smiled, "But it's always good to have one less direct enemy, and this little ghost is quite troublesome."
Li Yuan smiled, knowing that his strength was the key.
Why didn't Song Yi come to him earlier to resolve this issue? Didn't she want to get rid of this problem? She probably thought he wasn't worth mentioning.
If Song Yi knew that Uncle Wan called her a little ghost, she'd be furious.
"If you agree to turn enmity into friendship, she won't just pay the money, but she'll also owe you a favor," Wan Qinghe continued, "Additionally, when the program airs, if the Starfire Martial Hall's higher-ups find out, they'll value you even more."
It seemed like all benefits.
"But you'll offend the higher-ups in the Starry Sky Martial Hall who are targeting Song Yi," Li Yuan added, "But I'm not concerned about them."
"That's right," Wan Qinghe looked at Li Yuan with increasing admiration, "The decision is yours."
Li Yuan had seen through Uncle Wan's thoughts.
"Uncle Wan, I agree with you that reconciliation is better," Li Yuan said directly, "But I have my own ideas."
"Go on," Wan Qinghe said.
"Is 100,000 a bit cheap?" Li Yuan asked cautiously.
Wan Qinghe was taken aback but quickly smiled, "You're a clever one, what do you have in mind?"
"For 100,000, I'll only appear on the program and say that I've liked the Starfire Martial Hall since I was young," Li Yuan smiled, "For 200,000, I'll say that I've idolized the Eastern Grand Hall Master since childhood and aspired to join the Starfire Martial Hall."
"For 300,000, in addition to the above, I'll add that my family and the 'Zhong Cheng' family from the Starry Sky Martial Hall are friends. Therefore, Hall Master Song Yi privately made many promises to me and even prepared to apply for a B-class contract for me in advance. However, despite such temptation, I remained steadfast in my choice to join the Starfire Martial Hall." Li Yuan said in one breath.
Wan Qinghe's gaze at Li Yuan completely changed.
Three plans: Basic, Premium, and Ultimate?
If they went with the last plan, Song Yi wouldn't be at fault and, in a sense, would have done her best and fulfilled her duties.
Not only would she avoid a deduction in points, but she might even earn some.
"Uncle Wan, my idea may not be mature, but I respect your opinion," Li Yuan showed great respect for his elder's thoughts.
"We can go with the last plan," Hall Master Wan considered, "But did you really lean towards joining the Starfire Martial Hall?"
"Yes!"
"Although it's not as exaggerated as the third plan, I did prefer the Starfire Martial Hall," Li Yuan stated firmly, "I dare not deceive you, Uncle Wan. Since childhood, I've deeply admired the Eastern Grand Hall Master. One of the walls in my room is adorned with his words, 'Martial Arts is Me.'"
"When I was young, I wrote more than once, 'I most admire the Eastern Grand Hall Master.'"
"Also, my classmates know that my idol is the Eastern Grand Hall Master," Li Yuan quickly provided the 'material' needed for a program.
However, Li Yuan's words were a way to downplay the situation.
Yes, Li Yuan admired Dong Fangji, but he never yearned to join the Starfire Martial Hall to that extent.
Three parts truth, seven parts exaggeration.
But who could tell? No one had mind-reading abilities.
"That's good." Wan Qinghe believed Li Yuan.
Suddenly, Wan Qinghe remembered something and couldn't help but sigh, "In the beginning, your teacher told me that your uncle and aunt didn't agree with you accepting the B-class contract with us at Starfire immediately. It was you who insisted on accepting it right away."
"I always felt that your teacher was tricking me, but now? I believe it." Wan Qinghe smiled.
Li Yuan maintained a smile on his face.
Teacher Xu had indeed optimized his process significantly back then.
"Okay."
"Then let's go with the third plan. I'll communicate with Song Yi, leave it to me."
"3 million might not be guaranteed, but at least 2 million is possible. I'll do my best to help you negotiate." Wan Qinghe smiled, "After the show airs and if it gains traction, the higher-ups at the Martial Hall will also have a better impression of you."
"Thank you, Uncle Wan." Li Yuan said sincerely, "Also, Uncle Wan, I've been thinking, if I can pass the Meteor 300 points and improve my ranking on the Blue Star Youth Talents Chart, won't that increase my bargaining power?"
"Meteor 300 points? Are you confident?" Wan Qinghe's eyes lit up.
Meteor 300 points was a minor watershed for fourth-stage skills.
"Yes." Li Yuan affirmed, "I've already reached 242 points in Meteor, and that was a week ago."
"If I spend more time, I should be able to break through in the next day or two."
"Haha, great! If you can achieve that, I'll make her offer at least 3 million." Wan Qinghe laughed, "Go ahead and continue your cultivation."
"Yes."
...
"Uncle Wan's power is mysterious and unpredictable, which means he must have an extreme control over his entire body strength." Li Yuan pondered alone in the Martial Hall.
"Body control."
"Unify and refine." Li Yuan started practicing the gun technique again, moving slowly.
He consciously sensed and mobilized the deeper layers of his body's power.
Li Yuan didn't pay much attention to Song Yi.
Money? 2 or 3 million would be great, but it's not a big deal if I don't get it.
Ten minutes later.
"Powerful."
"As long as I'm strong enough." Li Yuan's spear howled in his hand, its shadow shifting unpredictably, "Whoever troubles me, I'll be their trouble."
"Boom!"
Suddenly, a spear thrust out, like a streak of light, and a startling boom echoed within the Martial Arts Room.
[Your gun technique has reached the fourth stage, 26%.]
...
At the 12th floor of the Martial Hall, the Academy Head's office.
"Dean Song." Wan Qinghe smiled at the elegant woman projected on the light screen, "Sorry to keep you waiting."
"How is it?" Song Yi asked, "Will Li Yuan agree?"
"Li Yuan is very polite and willing to attend the show." Wan Qinghe replied.
Song Yi's heart was filled with joy.
"However," Wan Qinghe's tone shifted, his expression turning slightly cold, "If Li Yuan is willing to help Dean Song, shouldn't Dean Song also be more considerate?"
Song Yi understood what he meant and said directly, "Academy Head Wan, let's cut to the chase. What's your price?"
"10 million!" Wan Qinghe said calmly.
"What?" Song Yi's face changed slightly, but with her wealth, she could afford this price.
But it was too much.
"He's worth that much." Wan Qinghe said indifferently, "Let me explain the details to you."
Wan Qinghe then proceeded to tell Song Yi about the three plans.
Song Yi's face was filled with surprise.
"Additionally," Wan Qinghe's face showed a mysterious smile, "I'd like to remind Dean Song that I can also produce another show, where Li Yuan can talk about how I discovered his potential and the 'true process' of him joining my Starfire Martial Hall."
Song Yi's face turned extremely gloomy.
"Academy Head Wan, you're overestimating Li Yuan's importance." Song Yi gritted her teeth, "In my assessment, he only accounts for a small portion, maybe 2 or 3 points out of 100."
"You're just a few points away from passing the assessment yourself." Wan Qinghe didn't hold back either.
"Also, I'd like to remind you."
"Tonight or tomorrow, Li Yuan will surpass the Meteor 300 points on the Starfield Combat Network."
"By then, this price will no longer be valid." Wan Qinghe said coldly.
Song Yi's face changed again.
"10 million is too much. I can offer 6 million at most, and if not, I'll give up this position." Song Yi said in a low voice.
She had her own bottom line.
"Alright, deal." Wan Qinghe nodded, "But you'll have to pay all the taxes."
Action:
"The taxes? What taxes?" Song Yi's mind raced with unease.
"You'll donate the money to the 'Guanshan Red River Street Martial Genius Development Fund Association' through official channels." Wan Qinghe explained, "The rest is not your concern."
Donation?
Song Yi was stunned for a moment. What kind of association was this? She hadn't heard of it before.
In the end, Song Yi was forced to agree.
"The money will be transferred within two hours. Remember, don't use your own account." Wan Qinghe reminded her, "You'll be on the show tomorrow."
"You'll have three days to promote it."
After hanging up on Song Yi, Wan Qinghe made another V-Communication call, and soon, a deep voice answered.
"Big Brother."
"Lao Liu, I asked you to set up an association in Guanshan, right? Today, a sum of money will be transferred, and after taxes, it should be around 6 million." Wan Qinghe said.
"Prepare the accounts."
"In a week, a show will be aired, and you can use the reason of supporting impoverished and aspiring martial geniuses to award it to a student named 'Li Yuan' from Class 2, Grade 3 of Guanshan First High School."
"How much will we keep?"
"I'll cover the intermediate expenses."
"Understood."
...
An hour later.
"Li Yuan, Song Yi was initially only willing to offer 2 million, but I negotiated on your behalf. After half a day of talks, she finally agreed to pay 6 million." Wan Qinghe sent a V-Communication message to Li Yuan.
(End of Chapter)
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