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.

bands of thieves, most of the time, there are few cases of fallen nobility being executed during a

must protect Mi Chu’s life and admit severe defeat in

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,

room for suspicion he plainly said, “I appreciate your understanding and reasonableness, Young Tang. Please name your price.”

now fallen to the point of needing to pay a ransom for his life. The spectators’ whispered comments seem to slap him in the

gloom in his chest nearly strangles his breath. He dare not lift his head, not because of fear or shame, but

voice, these spectators would call him incredibly weak-hearted. But they weren’t mocking. They found

life is worth as one of Mi Clan’s twin jewels. After all, for these young masters and ladies who grew up in peace,

least a few hundred

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

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 ten billion before the newly acclaimed top son of Xiling

guesses. However, most agree with the final conclusion of Wan Man, a top-ranked young man among other nobles. Besides few top metamorphosis heroes 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

money today, he would have opened with ten billion or twenty billion. Mi Jing would not even quibble. But

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 list. Now that Mi Chu has conveniently delivered himself, how could Tang Luo not seize the