"What are your conditions?"
Ikasa took a sip of tea before answering. The pause gave him ti to find the best way to present his terms without affronting the City Lord.
"The price of my help is small. I just want a piece of land in the City and one favor from you. When we win, I wouldn't mind if you gave my business a 30% concession in taxes."
Putting down his cup, he waited to hear an answer to his offer.
The City Lord carefully considered every point in the offer. Though the confidence this young man radiated was infectious, he was the Lord of the City. He could appreciate the optimism but not the excessive conditions.
He could easily give away any portion of the land Ikasa wanted. It was not a problem. However, his favor was the most expensive thing the young man could've demanded.
Cautious of being misused, City Lord was unwilling to owe a stranger like Ikasa a favor.
And the concession in taxes rang another alarm in his mind. In the not-so-distant past, his cooperation with the Monstrous Fla Sect had started on similar terms. Now, he was suffering a crisis partly due to them.
Ikasa quietly watched the stoic face of the man sitting opposite him.
Once burned by hot milk, a cat blows air on even the buttermilk before drinking. And this man was a City Lord.
It is impossible to not be guarded against soone who asks for a discount on taxes. But that was the best of what he had to offer.
As a person responsible for the City, if he couldn't use the most important weapon in his arsenal responsibly, he was unfit for his post.
Ikasa awaited the answer from the City Lord. The answer of this bearded man would decide whether he would risk going all out on him or not.
Zhen Wu finally opened his mouth to speak.
"You can choose any piece of land free for occupation in the City. I will give it to you. As for the favor; It cannot be unconditional. I will refuse if you ask for sothing that is uncomfortable to ."
Ikasa accepted his compromise. He also noticed the lack of answers regarding the concession. He pressed City Lord about it.
"What about the concession?"
"We will talk about it when we win."
'An evasive reply with a wooden face. As expected but disappointing.'
Ikasa judged with regret. He decided to give the once burned man one more chance.
He slowly rose from his seat and looked down on the seated man. His cold yet calm words resounded in the silent hall.
"Lord Zhen, I do not proceed without contracts. If I say 30%, there will be no change in the number since it will say so in the contract. Therefore, either you agree to my conditions in writing, or this deal is off the table."
His words might sound threatening, but he had offered the City Lord more than favorable conditions. He had offered him a safeguard to prevent betrayal, the contract.
A contract is guaranteed by beings equivalent to the gods in this world, the Absolutes. Hence, it is binding on both parties. Punishnts for the breach are ted out according to those ntioned in the contract.
He was in need of help, but that did not an he would accept this act of impudence. No one can look down on him in his own domain.
The City lord pushed his chair back and rose from his seat.
He exerted his presence, expecting Ikasa to tremble in his boots.
"I do not appreciate the way you talked."
He spoke as he marched towards Ikasa with forceful steps.
"Do not assu I am weak because you have sothing I need."
He was right before Ikasa, looking down into his eyes. The City Lord stood a head taller than his quarry. But when he t those adamant eyes, he realized his attempt to intimidate had failed.
Not only had it failed, but his target was also thinking about sothing else even though his eyes bore down on him.
'Back then, in the slums, when I first t Feng Yan, I trembled like a leaf. Now, a man stronger than him is not even able to make feel danger.'
Ikasa reminisced as he stared back into the enraged eyes of the City Lord. His boost in confidence ca from his highest grade of techniques. A Sense realm expert couldn't threaten his safety anymore.
Still, he decided to take a step back since he was here to make an ally, not another enemy.
"I apologize if my words offended you. That does not an I am willing to accept your indefinite answer regarding the taxes. A contract can assure that neither of us can go back on their words. So, think about it."
He said without breaking eye contact. His apology was rely words, without any remorse. However, the City Lord accepted it as this was better than nothing.
He turned his back on Ikasa. A mont later, his booming voice sounded in Ikasa's ears.
"I want to et your warrior. I will test him myself before committing to anything."
Ikasa shook his head slightly at his noncommittal attitude.
'At least, this is better than jumping into water without knowing its depth.'
He reasoned. As for his veiled request, Ikasa had no reason to reject it.
"My man will be here tomorrow noon, waiting for you in the grounds of your manor."
He declared. The City Lord nodded, indicating that he heard and was okay with the arrangent. Ikasa saw himself out when he received no further response.
As he boarded his carriage, he deliberated about the eting.
Going in, he had a bad impression of the City Lord as he had invited wolves like the Monstrous Fla Sect into his house. However, this eting improved that impression slightly.
Firstly, he had not given in to the circumstances and still found a way to fight for the people of this City. If he agreed to the Sect's demands, the people would suffer from more than just the daily scuffles in the streets.
Secondly, he might lose control of his emotions, but he was capable of reigning them in when needed.
And lastly, he had beco more careful after the incident with the Monstrous Fla Sect. A little too much, in fact. Nonetheless, he was receptive to suggestions.
And since he was learning from his mistakes, Ikasa deed him worthy of being his ally.
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