Read I Can See Your Combat Power Novel

Four Hundred and One: Ransom

Over the past millennium, the martial arts world has flourished, weaving a fabric of distinguished clans. Yet, those families intent on settling scores through extreme measures often vanish to the pages of history. The surviving martial arts families have discovered that the key to long-term success lies not in battle retribution but in diplomacy and relationships.

Military power only provides the basic protection. To extend lineage longevity, the clans must balance force with flexibility.

Force signifies the uncompromising pursuit of clan interests. This is especially notable when it involves their core martial techniques, magical art forms, vital resources, and territory. Any aggression against these interests leaves no room for ambiguity. If anyone dares to reach out a hand, the clans are prepared to sever it, regardless of the domineering force behind it.

Meanwhile, flexibility implies that clans stop short of total destruction. Even when faced with sworn enemies, there is rarely an extermination among clans. For example, in Tang Clan’s task of territory expansions, many claimants are newly established young nobles striving to own their own domain. They would raise their own forces to conquer existing territories such as villages and townships.

Taking command is straightforward. It simply involves removing the current ruling class and promoting another group to their position. For bottom-tier commoners, it amounts to a change in rulers and regulations, with no significant differences in essence.

However, for the incumbent rulers, this is a matter of life and death. Over the past few millennia, very few rulers have been known to surrender without a fight or to change insignia without bloodshed.

Within the realm of warfare, nobody can claim absolute certainty of victory. Winners usually do not resort to absolute destruction. For instance, should young nobles lead soldiers and be captured after a failed assault, the victors do not immediately execute the captives. Instead, they extend a missive of surrender to captive families, offering them to negotiate a ransom.

Even for an illustrious Tang Family, upon receiving such messages, they would send representatives courteously to negotiate compensation and arrange the retrieval of captives. This is the common practice among nobility and rich clans.

or in dealings with bands of thieves, most of the time,

faces. He must protect Mi Chu’s life and admit severe defeat in this mortal combat. Tang

Mi Chu does not currently fall into Tang Luo’s hands, anyone can see that he has already lost. Not only does he falter in personal power, but he also suffers humiliation by losing control over his beast, tasting defeat. Ml Jing knows that public sentiment towards Mi Clan is currently

Tang. Please name your price.” At Mi ling’s statement, Mi Chu, whose head has been lowered since the start, shivers, clenching his fists hard without looking up. Who wouldn’t be aware of the surging hatred within

of Xiling, has now fallen to the point of needing to pay a ransom for

to roar in a blood-thirsty frenzy, boiling and burning in his organs. A suffocating sense of gloom in his chest nearly strangles his breath. He dare not lift his head, not because of fear or shame, but out of fear of the uncontrollable slaughter that could ensue. His chest feels like it’s about to

these spectators would call him incredibly weak-hearted. But they weren’t mocking. They found themselves enthralled by Tang Luo’s suggestion of “buying

masters and ladies who grew up in peace, ransom demands are things they only occasionally heard at their elders’ dining tables. As such, the unfolding events are like a story playing out right before

at least a few

million? It’s at least a billion, after

ignorant! A single beast is worth more than a billion gold. Do you think a prestigious Beast Soul Blood lineage holder would be equal to a beast? In my opinion, it should be at least

young masters, Wan Mann, who came from a large family has the best potential. At a young age, he has already started to deal

earn some pocket money today, he would have opened with ten billion

name was at the very top of the list. Now that Mi Chu has conveniently delivered himself, how