"Haha, interesting!"
Su Han fanned himself with a folding fan, then sat down and slowly listened to the City Lord Baili's words.
As expected!
This Baili Hanbing was a rebellious fellow, daring to secretly oppose the Holy Altar. If he were discovered, with the Baili family's influence, they would likely be wiped out.
"Mr. Su, you may not know, but if we weren't at our wits' end, we wouldn't have resorted to joining forces with you. I, the Baili family, are considered a reputable lineage, occupying the City of Spirits for tens of thousands of years. Yet, now, we can barely survive, relying on the family's old capital just to avoid bankruptcy..."
"The reason for this is the greed of those old fogeys in the Holy Altar. It started with a fifty-fifty split, then a thousand years ago, it became sixty-four. A hundred years ago, it was seventy-thirty. But do you know what they're discussing now? Heh, you might not believe it, but they're directly demanding a ninety-ten split! Ninety-ten! We get a mere ten percent, and we still have to bear the costs!"
Baili Hanbing roared. Indeed, this business was no longer sustainable. However, Su Han knew that the Baili family was far from being unprofitable.
Clearly, Baili Hanbing was exaggerating his situation. But Su Han didn't pay much attention to it at the moment. As the saying goes, the enemy of my enemy is my friend.
This Baili Hanbing clearly had issues with the Holy Altar and a significant conflict of interest. He was a potential ally to be utilized.
"Then tell me, what benefits would I get from cooperating with you?" Su Han asked.
Upon hearing this, Baili Hanbing was overjoyed. As long as Su Han didn't refuse, it meant there was a possibility of cooperation, and it was only a matter of the size of the benefits.
"Mr. Su, how about this: as long as you agree to deal with the Holy Altar with us, my Baili family will treat you as an honored guest. From now on, you will enjoy a fifty percent discount on all purchases in the City of Spirits... What do you say?"
Su Han chuckled at this.
It seemed Baili Hanbing was quite cunning. He made a promise that was like a discount voucher from a merchant, essentially trying to manipulate him.
"Heh, City Lord Baili, I think you've misunderstood. I'm not short of money. On the contrary, I have more money than I can spend. What I care about are good deals. How about this: you give me the auction house in the city center, and a ten percent stake in the Baili family. That would satisfy the conditions, wouldn't it?"
Hearing this, a flicker of anger appeared on Baili Hanbing's face!
The terms Su Han offered were exorbitant. If he agreed, the Baili family would lose a massive amount of wealth annually. That ten percent stake alone amounted to hundreds of millions of spirit coins, and he also had to give Su Han the most profitable auction house.
Combined, these two conditions meant the entire Baili family was essentially giving Su Han nearly a twenty percent stake!
It could be said that these terms were incredibly harsh.
However, Su Han knew that if the Baili family wanted to form an alliance with him, they would indeed have to pay such a price, otherwise, he wouldn't bother.
"What, Brother Baili, do you need more time to consider?" Su Han chuckled, appearing indifferent.
"Good heavens, you're so relaxed. Mr. Su, do you know how much expenditure those two percent dividends represent? That's billions in dividends annually... Tell me, if I ally with you and still have to pay some share to the Holy Altar, will the Baili family still be able to survive!"
As he spoke, Su Han curled his lips and casually said, "Heh, that depends on you. You are the patriarch of the Baili family now, and I am just a passerby. Besides, you've already received seventy percent of the shares from the Holy Altar. Didn't you say they would be discussing a ninety percent deal with you soon? Heh, aren't I letting you experience the feeling of paying ninety percent in advance, hahaha..."
As Su Han spoke, he prepared to leave. After all, the terms were laid out, and whether they agreed or not, he was going to leave.
But suddenly!
Baili Hanbing, after a moment of thought, immediately said, "Mr. Su, please wait. If I, Baili Hanbing, marry my sister to you, would you be willing to make some concessions?"
Su Han was immediately astonished. He never expected that Baili Hanbing would see him as a lecher, willing to make concessions for a woman.
Su Han decisively had Xing Tao release the several beauties inside.
As Ye Lingshan, the two sisters from the Snow Clan, and Nangong Yan appeared, it was as if the City Lord's mansion's study was instantly illuminated, as if it had been graced by their presence.
"Hiss... Such beauties, truly exquisite!"
"I never imagined Mr. Su would have such beautiful attendants. It seems Miss Baili's chances are slim..."
"Madam Baili also said she was coming over earlier. Seeing this scene, she'll likely give up on the idea!"
The guards on both sides sighed in admiration, including Jian Nu, who marveled at Su Han's good fortune with women.
Baili Hanbing, after his initial surprise, remained somewhat composed.
He chuckled and said, "Mr. Su, while these ladies of yours are beautiful, my sister is also a natural jade. If you don't go and see her in person today, you will surely regret it for the rest of your life. Moreover, my sister has a title that perhaps everyone doesn't know: on the entire Spirit Realm's Rouge Ranking, she is ranked first. Mr. Su, are you really unwilling to take a look?"
As he spoke, before Su Han could reply, Nangong Yan's eyes widened in shock!
"You mean, your sister is the top-ranked on the Rouge Ranking! I remember the top-ranked was a girl named Qin Yin. How could it be your sister?"
Baili Hanbing laughed heartily, "Indeed, that is my elder sister. Her name is Baili Qin Yin. She is a master of zither music. However, when she practices, she likes a special cultivation method. I hope you ladies won't mind..."
Just as he finished speaking, before Su Han could agree, Nangong Yan immediately chimed in, "Alright, alright, take us to see her now. Hehe, it's fine to see a beauty. If we don't agree, we won't lose anything, what do you think, Master?"
Su Han was momentarily stunned. If they went to see her and then disagreed, it would be quite hurtful. However, as Nangong Yan said, there was no harm in going to take a look. At worst, they would offend the Baili family.