The World Online

11th month, 17th day, Sanjiang Town.

10 miles north of the town was a little hill. On its three faces were three different territory stone plaques, forming a triangle. This was where the three provinces met.

Three days ago, this place had been locked up.

The Leopard Legion Corps, Chuanbei City-State Alliance Army, and Xiangnan City-State Alliance Army each guarded one side, lying in wait. How was this agreement signing? One would actually think that this was a sect battle.

On the top of the hill there was a table and three wooden chairs, one in the south and two in the north. Be it the table or the chairs, they had the simplest structures so that no one could hide anything there.

At 9 AM, three groups of people came up the hill from three different directions.

From the south, there was Ouyang Shuo, who was riding Little Green. Xu Chu rode on a Qingfu Horse and followed behind, looking rather menacing and scaring everyone away.

Further behind were the Personal Guards and the Divine Martial Guards.

When they reached the foot of the mountain, Ouyang Shuo dismounted and brought Fan Li up the hill.

At the same time, West Gate Big Official and Caiyun Zinan came from each side. Behind them each followed a Lord and an official. The Lord was arranged by the City-State in charge of internal monitoring; the official was like Fan Li, the financial official who was in charge of looking through the terms of the agreement.

Ouyang Shuo smiled and took the initiative to greet them, ”Lord West Gate, Lord Caiyun, please sit!” Following which, Ouyang Shuo sat on the chair in the south with Fan Li standing behind him.

West Gate Big Official and Caiyun Zinan both exchanged glances.

This was not the first time they saw the fellow before them, but it was the first time they had interacted with him. As expected, he was rather mighty, making it seem like they were guests here.

At this time, the two of them could not say much and greeted him rather stiffly before sitting down. The Lord and official that followed similarly stood behind them.

Ouyang Shuo’s frowned as he felt that the Lord standing behind Caiyun Zinan was extremely nervous.

’Is it because of the occasion?’ Ouyang Shuo asked himself.

He could not predict why this person was nervous and only quietly put on his guard. Regarding this agreement signing ceremony, there were many people who held bad intentions. Ouyang Shuo naturally would not let anyone break it.

”Let’s begin!”

Ouyang Shuo turned to signal for Fan Li to begin; his face did not reveal that he found anything wrong.

Fan Li understood, picking up the agreements that were already prepared, he placed them on the table.

The exchange of views on the trade agreement had already begun several days ago, and the details were already set. Fan Li emphasized on the few terms that Ouyang Shuo did not have any objections to; hence, it was set.

The two City-States did not have much bargaining power. Even with the terms set, they would still be able to gain huge profits from this deal.

Who knew how many territories in the wilderness desired to work together with Shanhai City?

Apart from the safety concerns of the north border, the other reason Ouyang Shuo decided to work with them was because of his other ambitions. Since he entered the wilderness, his poisonous bug breeding strategy had not stopped.

However, the stages were different, and there were many different types.

Be it Taiping Country or Lingnan City-State, they were allowed to grow fat by Ouyang Shuo before they were harvested.

Although the process was risky, the rewards were huge. The foundations of each prefecture were decent. After a period of time, they could all provide huge profits.

At such a stage, the poisonous insect strategy was still underway. The only change was that the target had switched to the two City-States. If their territory trade was prosperous, Shanhai City would benefit when they took them down in the future.

Growing together with the neighboring territories and eventually harvesting them when they were mature was the essence of the plan.

If not, the gap between them and Shanhai City would be too huge. Even if they took the enemy down, it would take a lot of effort to run.

This was a scheme that no plan could break.

”Do any of you have any problems with the details?” Ouyang Shuo smiled and asked.

”No.”

West Gate Big Official and Caiyun Zinan did not know what kind of trade agreements Shanhai City had with the other territories, so they could not tell what was different with theirs.

Even if they felt that it was unfair, they had no way to fight.

”That’s great; let’s sign the agreement then!

Ouyang Shuo took up the pen and was the first to sign his name.

This document was legally binding and was not a joke. If any side went against it, they would have to bear huge risks.

Such an agreement was also one that let the two City-States rest easy.

’With this, it seems like Shanhai City will not attack us.’ That was what the Lords thought.

In truth, how could it be so simple?

Ouyang Shuo was not sure how the two City-States ran, but Shanhai City had several hidden pieces in both of the City-States. To create the false impression that the other party broke the contract was just too easy.

So, even if there was a legally binding trade agreement, in the eyes of smart people, it would not be a permanent protective talisman.

This was the wilderness, so where could there be true long-term peace?

Just as Ouyang Shuo was about to sign the third agreement, an accident happened.

Ouyang Shuo suddenly felt a killing aura charge toward him. What shocked him was that it was not aimed at him. Instead, it was aimed toward Fan Li who was standing behind him.

”Not good!”

Ouyang Shuo did not even think about it; he directly stood up to block the assailant.

’Peng!’

Along with the sound of a gunshot, a bullet pierced through the air and drilled into Ouyang Shuo’s left shoulder. The current Ouyang Shuo had not totally stood up.

The bullet was incredibly close to entering his brain.

Ouyang Shuo immediately felt a piercing pain, and his entire left arm could not move immediately. He could clearly feel that the bullet had shot through his skin and ripped apart his flesh, nearly smashing the bones.

If it was not for the Yellow Emperor Cultivation Technique strengthening the toughness of his skin and the strength of his veins and bones, the gun would have immediately blasted his bones into powder.

With a ’Shua!’, Ouyang Shuo pulled out the Chixiao Sword by his waist, the cold light glistening.

”How bold!”

Looking out, he activated the Traveling Dragon Body skill from the Cloud Dragon Nine Pattern War Boots. He turned into an afterimage and appeared right in front of the attacker and held the Chixiao Sword held by his neck.

”If you move, I’ll send you to hell!” Ouyang Shuo uttered coldly.

The Lord was also a young man; he looked at the sword by his neck and did not know how to react.

Based on the plan, he was supposed to one shot Fan Li. The weapon in his hand was a specially made western gun and was a highly accurate weapon that the mastermind had spent loads of money on.

Fan Li was the Business Saint and was one of the heads of the civil servants of Shanhai City. If he was killed in such a place, Qiyue Wuyi would be furious and the agreement would definitely be called off.

An angry Qiyue Wuyi would definitely declare war on the two City-States.

Hence, the goal of the mastermind would be achieved.

This person never thought that Qiyue Wuyi’s senses would be so sharp. He was able to notice such little killing intent, saving Fan Li in the nick of time.

As for destroying one of Qiyue Wuyi’s arms, it would not achieve much.

To players, every kind of illness and injury could be cured. In their eyes, a Lord like Qiyue Wuyi definitely had substitute dolls with him.

Hence, they targeted Fan Li from the start. Who knew that it would be for nothing in the end?

”Since I have failed, there’s nothing to say.” The young Lord regained calm. Since he had accepted the mission, he was clear that no matter if he succeeded or not, there would be no place for him left in the alliance.

His way out was already planned for him by the mastermind.

...

Only after Ouyang Shuo subdued the assassin did everyone finally come to their senses.

”What are you doing, Lin Fen?!”

Caiyun Zinan was really furious, and his eyes were blazing. The reason why he was angry was not only because of the assassination but because he felt betrayed. For a person from his City-State to take such action basically caused him to lose all face.

Seeing West Gate Big Official’s gloomy expression, one would know how furious Caiyun Zinan’s ally felt.

”I know what I’m doing.” Lin Fen, the assassin, remained extremely calm.

”You!” Caiyun Zinan was furious and viciously said, ”I’ll deal with you later.”

Caiyun Zinan turned toward Ouyang Shuo and sincerely said, ”Lord Wuyi, I swear that this was his own actions and has nothing to do with Xiangnan City-State. As for how you want to deal with him, I will not interfere.”

Caiyun Zinan only wanted to clear the misunderstanding to try and save the cooperation.

Before Ouyang Shuo even spoke, the guards and Divine Martial Guards at the foot of the mountain were furious. Xu Chu did not even think and wanted to lead the men up.

Seeing that, the Alliance Army members in the other two directions prepared to move. The huge army further away slowly moved when they received the news.

If this went wrong, it would cause a huge war.

When Ouyang Shuo saw this situation, he did not bother about Caiyun Zinan and shouted down the mountain, ”Stop!”

”Monarch!” Xu Chu panicked.

Ouyang Shuo had no choice but to emphasize, ”Do not come up!”

Xu Chu gritted his teeth and nodded. He looked around in high alert; he was getting ready for a huge battle.

Caiyun Zinan and West Gate Big Official also reacted and stopped their men from rushing up, hence dissolving a potential crisis.

Just thinking about it made them feel a chill in their hearts.

If things went wrong, the outcome would be catastrophic. The one behind all of this had such ill intentions.

Ouyang Shuo’s shoulder was still bleeding, but he did not mind it. A smile appeared on his face. He said to Caiyun Zinan, ”Lord Caiyun, do not mention it. I can see through such small tricks. I hope it does not affect our cooperation.”