Chapter 371: How to Divide the Spoils
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The atmosphere in the hall was tense and oppressive. Lin Feng sat at the head of the table, his gaze sweeping over the crowd of powerhouses before him. These were the leaders of the various forces that had joined him in this campaign, each one eyeing the others with wariness and greed.
"Now that we have achieved victory, it is time to discuss how to divide the spoils," Lin Feng said calmly, his voice cutting through the murmurs like a blade.
A burly man with a scar across his face slammed his fist on the table. "The Stone Emperor and Yu Emperor's treasuries are vast! My Crimson Blood Iron Cavalry bled the most in the front lines. We should take the largest share!"
"Ridiculous!" A slender woman in white robes sneered. "Your cavalry only charged after our Tian Yan Holy Clan's formation masters had already shattered their defenses. Without us, you would have been annihilated before reaching the gates."
"Enough," Lin Feng interrupted, raising a hand. The room fell silent. "We all contributed. But let us not forget who led this assault and who bears the greatest risk if we fail to distribute fairly."
Meng Qing stood beside him, her expression cold and unreadable. She had not spoken a word since the battle ended, but her presence alone was enough to remind everyone of the power backing Lin Feng.
A wizened old man with a crooked staff chuckled. "Young Master Lin speaks wisely. Perhaps we should list the assets first before bickering like children over scraps."
Lin Feng nodded. "Very well. Let us begin with the Stone Emperor's vault. It contained three thousand mid-grade origin stones, two hundred sacred artifacts, and a collection of ancient scriptures, including a fragment of the 'Ten Thousand Calamities Indestructible Heavenly Demon Art'."
Gasps rippled through the hall. The Heavenly Demon Art was a legendary technique, sought after by countless cultivators. Even a fragment could elevate a sect's power for generations.
"The Yu Emperor's treasury," Lin Feng continued, "held five thousand origin stones, a Supreme Sacred Artifact—the Eight Treasures Sun Wheel—and a map to a hidden realm said to contain the inheritance of the Wuji Heavenly Emperor."
Now even the most stoic elders leaned forward, their eyes gleaming. The Wuji Heavenly Emperor was a figure of myth, a being who had once dominated the Nine Heavens Continent. His inheritance could reshape the balance of power.
"How do you propose we split these, Young Master Lin?" asked a tall man clad in golden armor, the leader of the Heavenly Dragon Divine Fortress's contingent.
Lin Feng smiled faintly. "I propose a merit-based system. Each force's contribution will be evaluated by a neutral panel—myself, the Prophet, and the Watcher. Shares will be allocated accordingly."
"Neutral?" The scarred man scoffed. "You are hardly neutral, Lin Feng. You stand to gain the most from this."
"Perhaps," Lin Feng replied, his tone unchanging. "But without my leadership, none of you would have breached those walls. If you object, you are free to leave with nothing."
The scarred man's face reddened, but he held his tongue. The others exchanged glances, weighing their options. In the end, greed and pragmatism won out.
"Fine," the woman in white said. "But we want the Eight Treasures Sun Wheel. Our clan specializes in fire-based techniques, and that artifact is wasted on anyone else."
"Preposterous!" The golden-armored man slammed his hand on the table, cracking the wood. "My fortress has the strongest defensive formations. The Sun Wheel would be best used to protect our territory from the Demon Emperor's incursions."
"Enough," Lin Feng said again, his voice carrying a hint of authority that silenced them all. "The Sun Wheel will be held in trust by the Fate Temple for now. It will be awarded to the force that demonstrates the greatest contribution in the coming months. We have not yet crushed the Nine Abyss Twelve Kingdoms. There will be more battles."
The hall fell into a grudging silence. Lin Feng's logic was sound, and none could argue without appearing selfish.
Meng Qing finally spoke, her voice soft but cutting. "And the Heavenly Demon Art fragment? That belongs to Lin Feng. He is the only one here capable of mastering it without being consumed by its demonic nature."
Several elders frowned, but no one dared contradict her. The fragment was dangerous, and they knew it. Letting Lin Feng take it was both a concession and a relief.
"Agreed," the wizened old man said, nodding. "Let the young master have the scripture. We will focus on the origin stones and the map."
Lin Feng inclined his head. "Then it is settled. The origin stones will be divided equally among the major forces, with a tenth set aside for the fallen soldiers' families. The map to the Wuji Heavenly Emperor's inheritance will be studied jointly. Any discoveries will be shared."
The meeting dragged on for hours, with each faction haggling over minor artifacts and territories. By the end, a fragile consensus was reached. Lin Feng had secured the most valuable prizes, but he had also ensured that no one left empty-handed.
As the leaders filed out, the Prophet approached Lin Feng. "You handled that well, young master. But be wary. Greed festers quickly. Some of these people will not hesitate to betray you for a chance at the Emperor's inheritance."
Lin Feng's eyes hardened. "Let them try. I did not rise from the Northern Wasteland to be outmaneuvered by petty lords. We will keep our allies close, and our enemies closer."
Meng Qing placed a hand on his shoulder. "I will watch your back, as always."
Lin Feng smiled, a rare warmth in his expression. "I know. Now, let us prepare for the next move. The Nine Abyss Twelve Kingdoms will not wait forever."