“ méi jiǔ le ？”
“没酒了？”
"Out of wine?"
zhè yī rì ， zhèng yù lā zhe duì fāng zài dù chàng yǐn de lǐ fán ， què shì dé dào le zhè me yí gè dá fù 。
这一日，正欲拉着对方再度畅饮的李凡，却是得到了这么一个答复。
On this day, Li Fan was about to pull out his companion for another round ofunrestricted drinking (free-flowing drinking), but instead received this response.
yú shì mǎn liǎn cuò è 。
于是满脸错愕。
Thus, he looked bewildered.
sī mǎ cháng kōng liǎn sè wēi hóng ， yù yán yòu zhǐ 。
司马长空脸色微红，欲言又止。
Masaka Changkong's face turned slightly red as he hesitated before speaking.
bù guò zuì zhōng hái shì mō le mō hòu nǎo sháo ， yǒu xiē gān gà de shuō dào ：“ zài zhè cóng yún hǎi ， wǒ jiāo hǎo zhī rén bù duō ， suǒ yǐ yě méi yǒu zhǔn bèi duō shǎo 。”
不过最终还是摸了摸后脑勺，有些尴尬的说道：“在这丛云海，我交好之人不多，所以也没有准备多少。”
However, in the end, he scratched his head and awkwardly said, "In this Cunyun Sea, I don't have many good friends, so I didn't prepare much."
“ lǐ xiōng yě lái zuò kè yǒu xiē shí rì le ……”
“李兄也来做客有些时日了……”
"Brother Li has been a guest here for some time..."
lǐ fán qiā zhǐ yī suàn ， yà rán dào ：“ bù xiǎng shí rì guò de zhè me kuài ， zhuǎn yǎn jìng rán yī nián dōu guò qù le 。”
李凡掐指一算，讶然道：“不想时日过的这么快，转眼竟然一年都过去了。”
Li Fan calculated with his fingers and exclaimed in surprise, "I never thought that time would pass so quickly. Before you know it, a whole year has gone by."
tā yǒu xiē qiàn yì dì shuō dào ：“ jì rán sī mǎ xiōng xián wǒ tāo rǎo ， nà wǒ yě shì shí hòu gāi lí qù le 。”
他有些歉意地说道：“既然司马兄嫌我叨扰，那我也是时候该离去了。”
He said apologetically, "Since Brother Masaka thinks I'm a bother, perhaps it's time for me to leave."
“ bù guò zài cǐ zhī qián ， hái qǐng bǎ niàng zhì nà jiǔ de yuán cái liào gào zhī yú wǒ 。 wǒ qù wèi xiōng cǎi yī xiē lái ……”
“不过在此之前，还请把酿制那酒的原材料告之于我。我去为兄采一些来……”
"But before that, could you tell me the ingredients used to make that wine? I'll go and gather some..."
huà wèi shuō wán ， sī mǎ cháng kōng biàn zhǎng de mǎn liǎn tōng hóng ， lián máng bǎi le bǎi shǒu ：“ lǐ xiōng nǎ lǐ de huà ， fēi shì wǒ bào yuàn ， shí nǎi ……”
话未说完，司马长空便涨的满脸通红，连忙摆了摆手：“李兄哪里的话，非是我抱怨，实乃……”
Before he could finish speaking, Masaka Changkong turned red and quickly waved his hands. "Brother Li, where are you coming from? It's not because I'm complaining—it's just..."
sī mǎ cháng kōng yù jiě shì ， kě bù zhī wèi hé ， què shì yáo yáo tóu 、 tuí rán fàng qì le 。
司马长空欲解释，可不知为何，却是摇摇头、颓然放弃了。
Masaka Changkong wanted to explain but for some reason, shook his head and gave up.
“ bà le ， lǐ xiōng qiě zài jiā lǐ děng wǒ shù rì 。 wǒ qù qù jiù huí ！”
“罢了，李兄且在家里等我数日。我去去就回！”
"Alright then, Brother Li, wait at home for a few days. I'll be back soon!"
huà bì ， yě bù děng lǐ fán yǒu suǒ huí yìng ， biàn jí cōng cōng de lí qù le 。
话毕，也不等李凡有所回应，便急匆匆的离去了。
With that said, he left without waiting for Li Fan's response.
“ zhè sī mǎ cháng kōng ， dào yě shì gè miào rén 。” lǐ fán kàn zhe sī mǎ cháng kōng de bèi yǐng ， shěn xiào dào 。
“这司马长空，倒也是个妙人。”李凡看着司马长空的背影，哂笑道。
"This Masaka Changkong is quite the clever fellow," Li Fan said with a smile as he watched Masaka Changkong leave.
zhè yī nián lǐ ， suī rán cóng wèi wài chū ， dàn duì yú wài jiè fā shēng zhī shì ， lǐ fán què bìng bú shì yī wú suǒ zhī 。
这一年里，虽然从未外出，但对于外界发生之事，李凡却并不是一无所知。
Although he had not left this year, Li Fan was well-informed about external events.
fēn shēn zhōu qīng áng nà biān ， máng de shì jiāo tóu làn é 。
分身周青昂那边，忙的是焦头烂额。
At Zhou Qingang’s side, there were many pressing matters to attend to. However, the most urgent task was the monthly list of [Summoned Cultivators].
zhū duō zá shì zàn qiě bù tí ， zuì wèi yào jǐn de shì ， měi yuè de 【 zhēng diào xiū shì míng dān 】。
诸多杂事暂且不提，最为要紧的是，每月的【征调修士名单】。
Indeed, even though the Cunyun Sea's strength was already weak, the Immortal Alliance headquarters still issued summoning orders.
méi cuò ， jí biàn cóng yún hǎi shí lì yǐ jīng léi ruò bù kān ， xiān méng zǒng bù réng rán xià dá le zhēng diào lìng 。
没错，即便丛云海实力已经羸弱不堪，仙盟总部仍然下达了征调令。
Fortunately, considering the actual situation in the Cunyun Sea, most summoned cultivators did not have to go fight on the front lines. They mostly participated in logistical and operational work.
bù guò hǎo zài kǎo lǜ dào cóng yún hǎi de shí jì qíng kuàng ， bèi zhēng diào xiū shì dà duō bù yòng qīn shàng zhàn chǎng 。
不过好在考虑到丛云海的实际情况，被征调修士大多不用亲上战场。
Nevertheless, no one could guarantee that the scale of war might suddenly expand again, affecting those left behind.
jī běn dōu shì cān yù jìn hòu qín 、 yùn zhuàn gōng zuò 。
基本都是参与进后勤、运转工作。
Thus, no one was willing to be sent to Tianling Prefecture.
huà suī rú cǐ ， shuí yě bù néng bǎo zhèng ， zhàn zhēng de guī mó huì bú huì zài dù tū rán kuò dà ， rán hòu bèi yāng jí chí yú 。
话虽如此，谁也不能保证，战争的规模会不会再度突然扩大，然后被殃及池鱼。
Arranging this list became a difficult task.
suǒ yǐ ， méi yǒu shuí yuàn yì bèi zhēng diào wǎng tiān líng zhōu qù 。
所以，没有谁愿意被征调往天灵州去。
Originally, Li Fan, as the Secret Messenger, should have made the final decision.
ān pái zhè ge míng dān de gōng zuò ， zì rán yě jiù chéng wéi le yī jiàn jí shǒu de chāi shì 。
安排这个名单的工作，自然也就成为了一件棘手的差事。
Since he was "sequestered," theoretically, it should have been decided by his trusted confidants such as He Zhenghao and Gao Yuan.
běn lái zhè jiàn shì ， yīng gāi shì yóu lǐ fán zhè ge mì zì shǐ pāi bǎn de 。
本来这件事，应该是由李凡这个秘字使拍板的。
However, He Zhenghao was known for being accommodating, while Gao Yuan was skilled at balancing interests.
lǐ fán “ bì guān dùn ” le ， lǐ lùn shàng lái jiǎng ， jiù yīng dāng yóu hé zhèng hào 、 gāo yuǎn děng yǒu lǐ fán shòu quán de xīn fù gòng tóng shāng yì zuò jué dìng 。
李凡“闭关遁”了，理论上来讲，就应当由何正浩、高远等有李凡授权的心腹共同商议做决定。
Both were unwilling to do something that might offend others.
dàn hé zhèng hào kě shì lǎo hǎo rén rén shè ， gāo yuǎn zé shì jiǎng jiū zuǒ yòu féng yuán 、 bā miàn líng lóng 。
但何正浩可是老好人人设，高远则是讲究左右逢源、八面玲珑。
If the opponents died in battle, that would be fine. But if they survived and returned with military achievements, wouldn’t it create unnecessary enmity?
liǎng rén dōu bù yuàn yì zuò zhè zhǒng dé zuì rén de shì qíng 。
两人都不愿意做这种得罪人的事情。
Thus, they privately approached "Zhou Qingang," asking him for help.
ruò shì duì fāng sǐ zài zhàn chǎng shàng yě jiù bà le ， ruò shì méi sǐ 、 zuì hòu fǎn ér xié dài jūn gōng fǎn huí ， nà bú shì píng bái wú gù gēn rén jié xià sǐ chóu ？
若是对方死在战场上也就罢了，若是没死、最后反而携带军功返回，那不是平白无故跟人结下死仇？
Of course, Zhou Qingang declined outright.
yú shì liǎng rén sī xià zhǎo dào le xiāng duì bǐ jiào gū pì de “ zhōu qīng áng ”， qǐng tā bāng máng 。
于是两人私下找到了相对比较孤僻的“周青昂”，请他帮忙。
He had no reason to take on this task.
“ zhōu qīng áng ” dāng rán shì yī kǒu huí jué le 。
“周青昂”当然是一口回绝了。
But soon, He Zhenghao revealed his trump card.
tā méi dào lǐ lǎn xià zhè lán zi chāi shì 。
他没道理揽下这篮子差事。
"Friend Zhou, please look here." He secretly took out a scroll and unfolded it in front of "Zhou Qingang."
bù guò hěn kuài ， hé zhèng hào jiù ná chū le shā shǒu jiǎn 。
不过很快，何正浩就拿出了杀手锏。
"Liu Yihang, one million contribution points."
“ zhōu dào yǒu qiě kàn zhè lǐ 。” tā shén shén mì mì dì qǔ chū le yí gè juàn zhóu ， zài “ zhōu qīng áng ” miàn qián zhǎn kāi 。
“周道友且看这里。”他神神秘秘地取出了一个卷轴，在“周青昂”面前展开。
"Zhou Peng, eighty thousand contribution points."
“ liǔ yī háng ， yī qiān wàn gòng xiàn dù 。”
“柳一航，一千万贡献度。”
"Sikong Yi, thirty thousand contribution points."
“ zhōu péng ， bā shí wàn gòng xiàn dù 。”
“周鹏，八十万贡献度。”
...
“ sī kōng yí ， sān shí wàn gòng xiàn dù 。”
“司空宜，三十万贡献度。”
Li Fan scanned through the familiar names on the scrolls and paused. He asked knowingly, "What is this?"
……
……
He Zhenghao coughed lightly, "This is last year's list of contributors to my fundraising plan."
lǐ fán sǎo guò jǐ gè juàn zhóu shàng shú xī de míng zì ， lèng le lèng ， míng zhī gù wèn dào ：“ zhè shì shén me ？”
李凡扫过几个卷轴上熟悉的名字，愣了愣，明知故问道：“这是什么？”
"One year has passed, so it’s time to return the principal plus interest. With the guidance from the Secret Messenger, I sold off all the accumulated resources when their prices had risen by more than three times."
hé zhèng hào qīng ké le yī shēng ：“ zhè shì qù nián ， wǒ mù jí jì huà de gòng xiàn dù míng lù 。”
何正浩轻咳了一声：“这是去年，我募集计划的贡献度名录。”
"Ultimately, they were sold for approximately..."
“ yī nián zhī qī yǐ dào ， rú jīn yě gāi dào jiāng běn xī fǎn huí de shí hòu le 。 xìng yǒu mì shǐ dà rén zhǐ diǎn ， wǒ zài tún jī wù zī jià gé zhǎng dào yuán lái sān bèi duō de shí hòu ， lù xù jiāng tā men quán dōu tuō shǒu 。”
“一年之期已到，如今也该到将本息返回的时候了。幸有秘使大人指点，我在囤积物资价格涨到原来三倍多的时候，陆续将它们全都脱手。”
He Zhenghao paused, his face revealing a hint of satisfaction: "Thirty-one million four hundred and fifty-seven thousand contribution points."
“ zuì zhōng quán mài le dà gài ……”
“最终全卖了大概……”
Li Fan drew in a sharp breath. "That's such a large sum? I only heard that battlefield supplies are in short supply, but didn't realize the prices had become so exorbitant. Shouldn’t the Immortal Alliance regulate this?"
hé zhèng hào dùn le dùn ， liǎn shàng lù chū nán yǐ yǎn shì de dé sè ：“ sān yì yī qiān sì bǎi wǔ shí qī wàn gòng xiàn dù 。”
何正浩顿了顿，脸上露出难以掩饰的得色：“三亿一千四百五十七万贡献度。”
"Regulate it? How can they? It’s a matter of voluntary trade. If you don’t want to buy, there will always be someone else who does! More preparation means more chances in battle!" He Zhenghao's reaction was quite different from his previous state of worry. He dismissed the matter with a shrug.
lǐ fán shí fēn pèi hé de dào xī yī kǒu liáng qì ， dào ：“ jìng rán rú cǐ zhī duō ？ wǒ zhǐ tīng shuō zhàn chǎng yòng wù zī quán dōu gōng bù yìng qiú ， què méi xiǎng dào jià gé yǐ jīng biàn dé rú cǐ lí pǔ 。 wàn xiān méng bù guǎn yī guǎn ma ？”
李凡十分配合的倒吸一口凉气，道：“竟然如此之多？我只听说战场用物资全都供不应求，却没想到价格已经变得如此离谱。万仙盟不管一管嘛？”
Li Fan merely shook his head and did not comment further.
“ guǎn ？ zěn me guǎn ？ mǎi mài yī dào ， nǐ qíng wǒ yuàn 。 nǐ bù yuàn yì ， kě yǐ bù mǎi ma ！ fǎn zhèng duō yī fēn zhǔn bèi ， zài zhàn chǎng shàng jiù duō yī fēn shēng jī 。 nǐ bù mǎi ， yǒu de shì rén mǎi ！” gēn yī nián qián huì gǎn dào yǒu xiē huáng kǒng mú yàng jié rán bù tóng ， hé zhèng hào duì yú “ zhōu qīng áng ” de fǎn yìng shí fēn bù yǐ wéi rán ， mǎn bù zài hū dào 。
“管？怎么管？买卖一道，你情我愿。你不愿意，可以不买嘛！反正多一分准备，在战场上就多一分生机。你不买，有的是人买！”跟一年前会感到有些惶恐模样截然不同，何正浩对于“周青昂”的反应十分不以为然，满不在乎道。
"So? What is Brother He showing me this for?" Li Fan examined the scroll again, feigning confusion as he asked.
lǐ fán zhǐ shì wēi wēi yáo tóu ， bù zài duì cǐ shì duō zuò píng jià 。
李凡只是微微摇头，不再对此事多做评价。
He Zhenghao and Gao Yuan exchanged glances, then surveyed their surroundings before setting up a concealment array.
“ suǒ yǐ ne ？ hé dào yǒu gěi wǒ kàn zhè ge shì shén me yì si ？” yòu dǎ liàng le yī yǎn juàn zhóu ， lǐ fán zhuāng zuò yī fù mò míng qí miào de yàng zi ， wèn dào 。
“所以呢？何道友给我看这个是什么意思？”又打量了一眼卷轴，李凡装作一副莫名其妙的样子，问道。
Only then did they feel at ease.
hé zhèng hào yǔ gāo yuǎn duì shì le yī yǎn ， yòu dǎ liàng sì zhōu ， suí shǒu bù xià le yí gè yǐn nì fǎ zhèn 。
何正浩与高远对视了一眼，又打量四周，随手布下了一个隐匿法阵。
He Zhenghao took out a pen and circled five names on the scroll, then drew a heavy line through each of them.
zhè cái fàng xià xīn lái 。
这才放下心来。
Li Fan looked as if he had just realized something and exclaimed, "These cultivators have fallen in battle in Tianling Prefecture!"
tā qǔ chū yī zhī bǐ ， zài juàn zhóu shàng de quān chū le wǔ gè míng zì 。
他取出一只笔，在卷轴上的圈出了五个名字。
"Shush! Shush!" He Zhenghao was startled and hurriedly stopped Li Fan from shouting.
rán hòu fēn bié zài zhè wǔ gè míng zì shàng ， chóng chóng dì huà le yī piē 。
然后分别在这五个名字上，重重地划了一撇。
"This matter must not be made public. I only told you because you're one of us," he said with a hint of reproach.
lǐ fán yú shì zuò huǎng rán dà wù yàng ， jīng hū dào ：“ zhè xiē xiū shì ， zài tiān líng zhōu zhī zhàn zhōng yǔn luò le ！？”
李凡于是作恍然大悟样，惊呼道：“这些修士，在天灵州之战中陨落了！？”
Li Fan nodded repeatedly, indicating his understanding.
“ xiǎo shēng diǎn ， xiǎo shēng diǎn ！” hé zhèng hào xià le yī tiào ， lián máng lán zhù le dà hū xiǎo jiào de lǐ fán 。
“小声点，小声点！”何正浩吓了一跳，连忙拦住了大呼小叫的李凡。
"So these people's principal is now unclaimed?" he whispered.
“ zhè shì kě shēng zhāng bù dé ， wǒ yě shì kàn zhōu dào yǒu nǐ shì zì jǐ rén ， zhè cái gào zhī yú nǐ de 。” tā yǒu xiē mán yuàn de shuō dào 。
“这事可声张不得，我也是看周道友伱是自己人，这才告之于你的。”他有些埋怨的说道。
He Zhenghao spoke with excitement in his voice: "Indeed. I secretly investigated and found that the five people circled did indeed fall in battle at Tianling Prefecture."
lǐ fán lián lián diǎn tóu ， biǎo shì zì jǐ shěng de 。
李凡连连点头，表示自己省得。
"Moreover, they left no wills behind."
“ yě jiù shì shuō ， zhè jǐ rén de běn jīn ， rú jīn wú rén rèn lǐng le ？” tā qiǎo shēng wèn dào 。
“也就是说，这几人的本金，如今无人认领了？”他悄声问道。
"The total principal of the five was thirty-three thousand contribution points, plus a thirty-three thousand contribution point share..."
hé zhèng hào yǔ qì zhōng tòu chū yī sī xīng fèn ：“ bù cuò 。 wǒ àn zhōng dǎ tīng guò lái ， wǒ quān chū lái de zhè jǐ rén ， què shí yǔn luò zài tiān líng zhōu zhàn chǎng shàng wú yí 。”
何正浩语气中透出一丝兴奋：“不错。我暗中打听过来，我圈出来的这几人，确实陨落在天灵州战场上无疑。”
Li Fan interrupted him, "Didn't it increase by three times? Why is only thirty thousand being distributed?"
“ ér qiě ， tā men yě méi yǒu liú yǒu shén me yí zhǔ 。”
“而且，他们也没有留有什么遗嘱。”
He Zhenghao snorted. "Thirty thousand is due to the Secret Messenger's benevolence; he adjusted the distribution ratio."
“ wǔ rén běn jīn zǒng jì sān shí sān wàn gòng xiàn dù ， jiā shàng yīng dé de sān shí sān wàn fēn hóng ……”
“五人本金总计三十三万贡献度，加上应得的三十三万分红……”
"Originally, we were supposed to give a fifty percent profit on the principal each year."
lǐ fán lián máng jiāng tā de huà dǎ duàn ：“ bú shì zhǎng le sān bèi ma ， zěn me cái fèn sān shí wàn ？”
李凡连忙将他的话打断：“不是涨了三倍嘛，怎么才分三十万？”
"But since the Secret Messenger was kind, I didn't have much to say."
hé zhèng hào hēng le yī shēng ：“ sān shí wàn hái shì mì shǐ dà rén fā shàn xīn ， tiáo zhěng le fēn hóng bǐ lì ， cái yǒu zhè me duō de 。”
何正浩哼了一声：“三十万还是秘使大人发善心，调整了分红比例，才有这么多的。”
"In any case, these sixty-six contribution points are now ownerless."
“ àn zhào yuán xiān de yuē dìng ， měi nián zhǐ xū yào gěi bǎi fēn zhī wǔ shí běn jīn de lì rùn jí kě 。”
“按照原先的约定，每年只需要给百分之五十本金的利润即可。”
"If Brother He helps me resolve this matter, it will be yours," He Zhenghao said enticingly.
“ bù guò dà rén tā cí bēi ， wǒ yě bù hǎo duō shuō shén me 。”
“不过大人他慈悲，我也不好多说什么。”
Zhou Qingang seemed tempted but still hesitated. "Won’t anyone notice? Greedily taking someone else’s money is a bit taboo."
“ zǒng zhī ， zhè liù shí liù gòng xiàn dù ， rú jīn yǐ jīng shì wú zhǔ zhī wù le 。”
“总之，这六十六贡献度，如今已经是无主之物了。”
"And does the Secret Messenger know about this?" Li Fan asked deliberately.
“ zhǐ yào dào yǒu chū miàn bāng máng jiě jué cǐ shì ， tā jiù guī nǐ le 。” hé zhèng hào yǔ qì zhōng mǎn shì yòu huò dào 。
“只要道友出面帮忙解决此事，它就归你了。”何正浩语气中满是诱惑道。
He Zhenghao's eyes flickered as he assured him, "Friend Zhou, rest assured. The list of those who contributed is top secret; only we know. It will not be leaked."
“ zhōu qīng áng ” míng xiǎn xīn dòng le 。
“周青昂”明显心动了。
"I also asked the Secret Messenger, and he said I could handle it myself," He Zhenghao said confidently.
bù guò ， tā biǎo xiàn de hái shì yǒu diǎn yóu yù 。
不过，他表现的还是有点犹豫。
"Is that so..." Li Fan stared at He Zhenghao for a long time until the latter felt uncomfortable.
“ bú huì bèi rén fā xiàn ba ？ tān sǐ rén qián ， yǒu diǎn fàn jì huì 。”
“不会被人发现吧？贪死人钱，有点犯忌讳。”
Only then did he look away.
“ ér qiě ， mì shǐ dà rén tā zhī dào cǐ shì ma ？” lǐ fán gù yì wèn dào 。
“而且，秘使大人他知道此事嘛？”李凡故意问道。
"Since that's the case, let me take care of this matter," Li Fan agreed.
hé zhèng hào mù guāng shǎn shuò ， pāi zhe xiōng pú bǎo zhèng dào ：“ zhōu dào yǒu fàng xīn ， cān yù mù zī rén yuán de míng lù nǎi shì jué mì ， zhǐ yǒu wǒ men jǐ gè zhī dào 。 jué duì bú huì xiè lòu chū qù 。”
何正浩目光闪烁，拍着胸脯保证道：“周道友放心，参与募资人员的名录乃是绝密，只有我们几个知道。绝对不会泄露出去。”
He Zhenghao and Gao Yuan exchanged glances, their faces lighting up.
“ ér qiě wǒ yě wèn guò mì shǐ dà rén le ， tā shuō wǒ zì xíng chǔ lǐ cǐ shì jí kě 。” hé zhèng hào yán zhī záo záo dào 。
“而且我也问过秘使大人了，他说我自行处理此事即可。”何正浩言之凿凿道。
(End of chapter)
"Out of wine?"
On this day, Li Fan was about to pull out his companion for another round ofunrestricted drinking (free-flowing drinking), but instead received this response.
Thus, he looked bewildered.
Masaka Changkong's face turned slightly red as he hesitated before speaking.
However, in the end, he scratched his head and awkwardly said, "In this Cunyun Sea, I don't have many good friends, so I didn't prepare much."
"Brother Li has been a guest here for some time..."
Li Fan calculated with his fingers and exclaimed in surprise, "I never thought that time would pass so quickly. Before you know it, a whole year has gone by."
He said apologetically, "Since Brother Masaka thinks I'm a bother, perhaps it's time for me to leave."
"But before that, could you tell me the ingredients used to make that wine? I'll go and gather some..."
Before he could finish speaking, Masaka Changkong turned red and quickly waved his hands. "Brother Li, where are you coming from? It's not because I'm complaining—it's just..."
Masaka Changkong wanted to explain but for some reason, shook his head and gave up.
"Alright then, Brother Li, wait at home for a few days. I'll be back soon!"
With that said, he left without waiting for Li Fan's response.
"This Masaka Changkong is quite the clever fellow," Li Fan said with a smile as he watched Masaka Changkong leave.
Although he had not left this year, Li Fan was well-informed about external events.
At Zhou Qingang’s side, there were many pressing matters to attend to. However, the most urgent task was the monthly list of [Summoned Cultivators].
Indeed, even though the Cunyun Sea's strength was already weak, the Immortal Alliance headquarters still issued summoning orders.
Fortunately, considering the actual situation in the Cunyun Sea, most summoned cultivators did not have to go fight on the front lines. They mostly participated in logistical and operational work.
Nevertheless, no one could guarantee that the scale of war might suddenly expand again, affecting those left behind.
Thus, no one was willing to be sent to Tianling Prefecture.
Arranging this list became a difficult task.
Originally, Li Fan, as the Secret Messenger, should have made the final decision.
Since he was "sequestered," theoretically, it should have been decided by his trusted confidants such as He Zhenghao and Gao Yuan.
However, He Zhenghao was known for being accommodating, while Gao Yuan was skilled at balancing interests.
Both were unwilling to do something that might offend others.
If the opponents died in battle, that would be fine. But if they survived and returned with military achievements, wouldn’t it create unnecessary enmity?
Thus, they privately approached "Zhou Qingang," asking him for help.
Of course, Zhou Qingang declined outright.
He had no reason to take on this task.
But soon, He Zhenghao revealed his trump card.
"Friend Zhou, please look here." He secretly took out a scroll and unfolded it in front of "Zhou Qingang."
"Liu Yihang, one million contribution points."
"Zhou Peng, eighty thousand contribution points."
"Sikong Yi, thirty thousand contribution points."
...
Li Fan scanned through the familiar names on the scrolls and paused. He asked knowingly, "What is this?"
He Zhenghao coughed lightly, "This is last year's list of contributors to my fundraising plan."
"One year has passed, so it’s time to return the principal plus interest. With the guidance from the Secret Messenger, I sold off all the accumulated resources when their prices had risen by more than three times."
"Ultimately, they were sold for approximately..."
He Zhenghao paused, his face revealing a hint of satisfaction: "Thirty-one million four hundred and fifty-seven thousand contribution points."
Li Fan drew in a sharp breath. "That's such a large sum? I only heard that battlefield supplies are in short supply, but didn't realize the prices had become so exorbitant. Shouldn’t the Immortal Alliance regulate this?"
"Regulate it? How can they? It’s a matter of voluntary trade. If you don’t want to buy, there will always be someone else who does! More preparation means more chances in battle!" He Zhenghao's reaction was quite different from his previous state of worry. He dismissed the matter with a shrug.
Li Fan merely shook his head and did not comment further.
"So? What is Brother He showing me this for?" Li Fan examined the scroll again, feigning confusion as he asked.
He Zhenghao and Gao Yuan exchanged glances, then surveyed their surroundings before setting up a concealment array.
Only then did they feel at ease.
He Zhenghao took out a pen and circled five names on the scroll, then drew a heavy line through each of them.
Li Fan looked as if he had just realized something and exclaimed, "These cultivators have fallen in battle in Tianling Prefecture!"
"Shush! Shush!" He Zhenghao was startled and hurriedly stopped Li Fan from shouting.
"This matter must not be made public. I only told you because you're one of us," he said with a hint of reproach.
Li Fan nodded repeatedly, indicating his understanding.
"So these people's principal is now unclaimed?" he whispered.
He Zhenghao spoke with excitement in his voice: "Indeed. I secretly investigated and found that the five people circled did indeed fall in battle at Tianling Prefecture."
"Moreover, they left no wills behind."
"The total principal of the five was thirty-three thousand contribution points, plus a thirty-three thousand contribution point share..."
Li Fan interrupted him, "Didn't it increase by three times? Why is only thirty thousand being distributed?"
He Zhenghao snorted. "Thirty thousand is due to the Secret Messenger's benevolence; he adjusted the distribution ratio."
"Originally, we were supposed to give a fifty percent profit on the principal each year."
"But since the Secret Messenger was kind, I didn't have much to say."
"In any case, these sixty-six contribution points are now ownerless."
"If Brother He helps me resolve this matter, it will be yours," He Zhenghao said enticingly.
Zhou Qingang seemed tempted but still hesitated. "Won’t anyone notice? Greedily taking someone else’s money is a bit taboo."
"And does the Secret Messenger know about this?" Li Fan asked deliberately.
He Zhenghao's eyes flickered as he assured him, "Friend Zhou, rest assured. The list of those who contributed is top secret; only we know. It will not be leaked."
"I also asked the Secret Messenger, and he said I could handle it myself," He Zhenghao said confidently.
"Is that so..." Li Fan stared at He Zhenghao for a long time until the latter felt uncomfortable.
Only then did he look away.
"Since that's the case, let me take care of this matter," Li Fan agreed.
He Zhenghao and Gao Yuan exchanged glances, their faces lighting up.
(End of chapter)