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.

demanded ransom couldn’t be negotiated or in dealings with bands of thieves, most of the

Jing now faces. He must protect Mi Chu’s life and

over his beast, tasting

traditional method of negotiation into their nature, leaving no room for suspicion he plainly said, “I appreciate your understanding and reasonableness, Young Tang. Please name your price.” At Mi ling’s statement, Mi

to pay a ransom for his life.

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

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

jewels. After all, for these young masters and ladies who grew up in peace, ransom demands are things they

bet it’s at least a

million? It’s at least a billion, after all, it’s Chu we’re talking

holder would be equal to a beast? In my opinion, it should

who have the title of Celestial Being, among the other young masters, Wan Mann, who came from a large family has the best potential. At a young age, he has already started to deal with some of the family business and industry. His judgments were convincing and

if he just wanted to earn some pocket money today, he would have opened with ten

Xiling, he wrote a kill list during his shut-in phase, which included names of Mi Family’s younger generation. Mi Chu’s significant name was at the very top of the