Chapter 90: Successfully Subduing the Yu Clan
Seeing that Niu Gao was already tempted, Ye Cheng didn't press further. Instead, he simply picked up his tea and sipped it silently, allowing the clan leader to battle with his own thoughts.
After all, everything that needed to be said had already been laid out. Now, it was up to Niu Gao to make his decision.
For a while, Niu Gao's face flickered between hesitation and resolve.
Finally, he slowly lifted his head and looked directly at Ye Cheng, his voice tinged with resentment and sadness.
"Your Excellency's offer is indeed generous. But to be honest, ever since the incident with the Clear Sky Sect, I have developed a deep seated fear of pledging allegiance to another force. When a crisis arises, subordinates like us are the first to be sacrificed. We were discarded like tools utterly heartless!"
His tone was a mix of bitterness and rage, filled with complex emotions.
Ye Cheng, having read the original story, understood Niu Gao's concerns perfectly.
Back when the Clear Sky Sect clashed with Spirit Hall, the Four Single Attribute Clans had fought valiantly on the frontlines, hoping that their sect would come to their aid.
But instead of reinforcements, they received news that the Clear Sky Sect had retreated into seclusion.
The sect they had loyally defended had abandoned them without hesitation, leaving them to face Spirit Hall's wrath alone. Their sacrifices became meaningless, their fallen brethren dying for nothing.
Had the Clear Sky Sect chosen to stand their ground, even if the Four Clans had perished, Niu Gao wouldn't have held a grudge. At least they would have died fighting together.
But instead, the sect cowered in the mountains, using the Four Clans as scapegoats to bear Spirit Hall's fury alone.
"What kind of people do that?!
The great 'Clear Sky Sect'? The so called 'Number One Sect in the World'?
Pah! What a joke!"
Hearing his grievances, Ye Cheng remained calm and spoke with unwavering confidence.
"You can rest assured, that will never happen under my leadership."
"I came here to recruit people for the construction of White Cloud City. I need capable individuals to help manage the city and expand its population. If you join me, the Yu Clan will migrate to the city and become part of its foundation."
"I can promise you this
As long as I, Ye Cheng, remain standing, White Cloud City will never fall.
And if the city is ever destroyed, it will only be because I died defending it.
I will never abandon my people the way the Clear Sky Sect abandoned you."
Boom!
These words struck Niu Gao's heart like a thunderclap.
Back then, the Clear Sky Sect had never allowed the Four Clans to live within their stronghold, treating them as outsiders.
When disaster struck, the sect retreated into safety, while the Four Clans were left alone to face annihilation.
But Ye Cheng was offering something completely different inclusion, protection, and security.
This promise moved Niu Gao deeply.
His fists clenched. His hesitation was gone.
"Damn it! Let's do it!"
Gritting his teeth, Niu Gao stood up abruptly.
Then, he dropped to his knees, bowing deeply with absolute sincerity.
"Niu Gao, at Your Excellency's command!"
Ye Cheng remained seated and accepted the bow calmly before reaching out and lifting him up.
"From today onward, you and your clan are part of White Cloud City. Just call me 'City Lord.'"
If it had been a cute maid calling him "Master," Ye Cheng might have enjoyed it.
But hearing a burly middle aged man say it? No thanks.
"Yes, City Lord!"
Niu Gao immediately adjusted his address, feeling an unexpected sense of relief and respect.
Truth be told, no one enjoys being a servant.
After being betrayed by the Clear Sky Sect, the very idea of calling someone "Master" again was deeply unsettling.
But Ye Cheng's leadership felt different.
It wasn't about subjugation it was about mutual benefit and trust.
A City Needs Wealth
Ye Cheng nodded in satisfaction, then casually tossed a golden card to Niu Gao.
"This card contains 230 million gold soul coins. Use it to construct the city's outer defensive walls and the core Palace District. Don't worry about costs just make sure the job is done right. If more funds are needed, let me know."
Holding the gold card, Niu Gao's hands trembled slightly.
"In all my years, this is the most money I've ever held…"
After a brief moment of awe, he looked back up at Ye Cheng.
"City Lord, do you have a detailed blueprint for White Cloud City's construction?"
Ye Cheng shook his head.
"I only have a rough concept."
Then, with a light touch, he pressed his finger to Niu Gao's forehead and used Dream Mirage to transfer his vision of the city directly into his mind.
Niu Gao's eyes glazed over for a moment as he processed the massive influx of information.
When he regained clarity, he frowned slightly.
"The defensive walls are manageable, but the core palace district will require intricate planning. Some adjustments will need to be made "
Ye Cheng waved his hand dismissively.
"I'm leaving the details to you. As long as the core structure remains true to my vision, you have full authority over construction."
"Understood! That makes things much easier!"
Niu Gao let out a sigh of relief.
He had dealt with too many arrogant noble clients in the past clueless fools who constantly interfered with designs.
They would demand unreasonable modifications, forcing the architects to revise the blueprint repeatedly, only to eventually revert back to the original design.
This kind of nonsensical meddling drove him insane.
But Ye Cheng?
"This man trusts us completely."
That level of respect and autonomy was rare.
Niu Gao's admiration for Ye Cheng deepened.
Recruiting the Other Clans
After handling construction matters, Ye Cheng shifted the topic.
"Now, about the other Three Clans…
White Cloud City is still in its early stages, and we need skilled people.
I know the Four Clans have always been closely linked. Why not reach out to them? See if they're willing to join us as well."
Hearing this, Niu Gao fell into deep thought.
In the past, he would have rejected the idea immediately.
But the current reality was that the Four Clans were struggling.
The Po Clan was doing slightly better due to their medicine trade.
But the Min Clan? They were in dire straits.
If the Yu Clan left, the Min Clan would have no one to rely on.
And without them, the Po Clan would also suffer.
If Ye Cheng's offer could lift all Four Clans out of hardship, wouldn't that be a win for everyone?
"This might actually be the best choice for us."
With that thought, Niu Gao's determination was set.
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 20 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/cortez10