The Pastoral Life of a Cultivation Master

Chapter 2929 Clear Purpose
The group stared at each other, but no one spoke, which made Qian Ying frown.

So he gestured to Zhou Zixing, signaling him to speak up so that the discussion could continue. Otherwise, remaining silent wouldn't work.

The reason for seeking out Zhou Zixing was that, besides himself, he was the person with the most authority to speak here.

Zhou Zixing received Qian Ying's signal, feeling helpless. Recalling his discussions and arrangements with Qian Ying, he knew that he had no choice but to make that young man resent him today.

But before Zhou Zixing could speak, someone in the room spoke up.

“Elder Qian, Elder Zhou, everyone is silent, so I don’t know whether I should speak or not. However, there are some things on my mind that I can’t keep to myself, so I think it’s better to say them.” Ma Xianglong said with a bitter face, glancing at the people present. “Originally, my Ma family team had sixteen people, but after entering this valley, we didn’t find many treasures, but we lost quite a few people. In particular, my elder, Elder Ma Sanxing, also had an accident here and passed away.”

Hearing this, everyone felt a pang of unease. Each family had suffered losses in the valley and had long harbored a fear of its dangers. However, Elder Qian's suggestion was still quite good.

Therefore, everyone was supportive, but remained silent because choosing this person was truly difficult. Besides, everyone present except Ma Xianglong was preoccupied with their own agendas; how could they possibly speak first?

Ma Xianglong's ability to speak gave everyone a way out. It made things easier to discuss things later.

Ma Xianglong, of course, was unaware of this, and continued, "Now, there are only nine people left in our Ma family. This trip has resulted in a significant loss of manpower for our Ma family. Later, I intend to bring the remaining people back to the family. Since the elders of our family left, I have truly hoped that these remaining members can return to the family safely."

The Ma family also suffered significant losses during our journey. Moreover, these losses can be considered a consequence of the entire expedition. Therefore, regarding the manpower issue for this small expedition team, could you please consider the Ma family's contributions and reduce the number of members from our contributing family?

Although Ma Xianglong's words were somewhat rough, everyone nodded in agreement after hearing them. Qian Ying had actually already considered the Ma family's manpower issue; otherwise, she wouldn't have secretly asked Qian Wantong to inform Han Chengye.

“Yes, we need to consider what Xianglong said. After all, I’ve kept track of the contributions of each family during this expedition, and we will naturally distribute the treasures we obtain based on their performance.” Qian Ying nodded, expressing her support for Ma Xianglong’s words.

The others nodded in agreement.

Ouyang Nan looked at everyone's performance and his lips twitched unnaturally. He thought to himself, "These people are really all actors. They're performing really well. Let's keep watching them act!"
"Um, um, well, I'd like to say a few words too." Han Chengye smiled at Qian Ying. Although it looked somewhat obsequious, no one paid any attention to it. They all looked up at him, waiting for him to speak.

Qian Ying's eyes flickered, and she nodded slightly to Han Chengye, signaling him to speak. She couldn't help but chuckle inwardly, thinking, "I've been waiting for you to speak. I hope you can perform well, otherwise, if you waste this stage I've set up, don't blame me for causing trouble behind the scenes and making you lie here."

Han Chengye felt a chill run through his body and shivered. This place was already in a cold region, with temperatures probably tens of degrees below zero. However, for martial artists, as long as their qi and blood were sufficient, they wouldn't feel the cold. But this shiver was quite strange.

However, seeing that everyone was looking at him, he disregarded everything else, suppressed his discomfort, and continued, "After listening to Xiang Long's words, I also have a few small suggestions for forming an expedition team. They may not be very mature, but I hope they can be of some use to everyone."

“Okay, go ahead and say your suggestion. Whether it’s good or bad, we’ll listen and then discuss it with everyone to learn from each other’s strengths and weaknesses,” Qian Ying said.

"Yes, Elder Qian." Han Chengye nodded respectfully in agreement, and then continued, "Since we entered this valley, each family has suffered different losses along the way. However, these losses in manpower were all due to the expedition."

Furthermore, this expedition to the other side of the canyon is a rather dangerous mission. Therefore, to be fair, I suggest that the families that make the greatest contribution but suffer the most manpower losses send fewer people, or even none at all.

Furthermore, Elder Qian and Elder Zhou have also made significant sacrifices along the way. If it weren't for their intervention, none of us would be here today. Take the recent beast attack, for example; if the two elders hadn't covered our retreat, we might have lost many more men. Therefore, I believe that the families of the two elders don't need to contribute to this expedition.

Furthermore, there's the Ma family. Elder Ma Sanxing's passing occurred while rescuing everyone, and the Ma family also suffered significant losses. I believe the Ma family has made a great sacrifice, so they don't need to send any more personnel on this expedition.

Upon hearing this, Ma Xianglong was overjoyed and said to Han Chengye, "Thank you, thank you, Chengye."

Qian Ying and Zhou Zixing naturally nodded in agreement. Only Ouyang Nan rolled her eyes; this Han Chengye had come from her own territory. It seemed Han Chengye and Ouyang Min had joined forces. She wondered what Ouyang Min would say when they returned.

While Ouyang Nan was still pondering, Han Chengye continued, "Our Han family also suffered losses in the previous expeditions, so we only have six people left. However, for this expedition, I've decided to send one more person, so we can contribute to the mission." Ouyang Nan thought to himself, "So, according to you, it's just our Ouyang family left!"
Sure enough, Qian Ying nodded and said, "Chengye is right. If there are more people, we should provide more manpower, and if there are fewer people, we should provide less. Taking into account the contributions of each family, this is a good way to determine the manpower."

Zhou Zixing, Qian Wantong, and Ma Xianglong all nodded and then looked at Ouyang Nan.

When Ouyang Nan saw everyone's eyes on him, he felt a bitter taste in his mouth. It seemed that they had finally set their sights on him. Amo was right. He just didn't expect where Amo had heard this news from.

Qian Wantong said to Ouyang Nan, "Team Leader Ouyang, what do you think of the suggestions Han Chengye just made?"

Qian Ying and Zhou Zixing, mindful of their status, naturally couldn't directly intervene. Therefore, Qian Wantong became Han Chengye's replacement, directly revealing the truth to Ouyang Nan.

Ouyang Nan was a little unsure how to respond. Although Han Chengye had come specifically for her family, the meaning behind his words wasn't too problematic.

The two innate masters paid a heavy price along the way, and it was because of them that we suffered fewer losses. And then there's Ma Sanxing; if it weren't for this innate master, everyone might have been wiped out long ago.

As for the Han family, they suffered more losses than the Ouyang family, now only having six people left, and needing to send one more. On the other hand, the Ouyang family not only lacked any innate masters but also didn't suffer too many losses. So, it would really be unreasonable if they didn't send more people to this small expedition team.

“Very good!” Ouyang Na replied softly.

Qian Wantong nodded and continued, "Since Team Leader Ouyang also agrees, will your Ouyang family contribute more members to this expedition team?"

"I agree!" Ma Xianglong said immediately. It would be great if his own family didn't have to send anyone this time. After all, this expedition was extremely dangerous, and they might not come back. So, he naturally wholeheartedly agreed with Qian Wantong's suggestion.

The Ma family and the Ouyang family originally had a good relationship, but at this time, a good relationship couldn't put food on the table; every death was a bonus. Therefore, Ma Xianglong's enthusiastic agreement was also to get the Ouyang family to contribute, while it would be best if his own family didn't.

As for how to face the Ouyang family after returning, heh. Does that even need to be considered? We'll just face them as we see fit. Anyway, the Ma family doesn't need anything from the Ouyang family, and Ma Jia's strength is far greater than that of the Ouyang family.

Therefore, Ma Xianglong directly pushed the Ouyang family out.

"This..." Just as Ouyang Nan was about to say something, Zhou Zixing interrupted and said, "Manager Qian is right. The Ouyang family has a relatively large manpower, so I think it's okay to send a few more people."

Since things have come to this point, and the previous voice said to just let things take their course, then I'll just follow the original plan. As for whether that young man will cause trouble, we'll see.

Anyway, Zhou Zixing is now completely oblivious to the consequences. Since things have come to this point, he has to support Qian Ying. Otherwise, if that old bastard were to scheme against his family, even more family members would die.

"Well, Ouyang Nan, what's your side of the story?" Qian Ying asked casually.

What else can I say? Should I let your Qian family send more people and have my Ouyang family follow suit?

"Elder Qian, Elder Zhou, and everyone else, since we've come this far, I, Ouyang Nan, am not one to back down. But I would like to ask Elder Qian, how many people are needed to form an expedition team? Have you considered this?" Ouyang Nan asked.

"Since the expedition team is only responsible for reconnaissance, we don't need too many people, about three to five. With fewer people, it's easier to stay hidden. If danger is discovered, we can also evacuate in time," Qian Ying said.

Regarding manpower, he actually had a plan for six people, in groups of three, moving forward and backward to scout the other side of the canyon. In case of danger, those in the back could use the cover of those in front to retreat in time.

However, he couldn't be too explicit, after all, Qian Ying also had his pride.

Anyway, it's the Ouyang family members who will be sent to their deaths, so it doesn't matter how many die, as long as the message gets back.