Chapter 1694 - 1694: Territorial Concessions and Indemnities

"Spare us?"

Jiang Feng listened to Duanmu Mian's words, then looked up at the vast crowd of Duanmu family members behind him.

He saw that those people were all looking at him with bitter humiliation, each one filled with anger and despair, yet helpless.

"Jiang Feng, it's said that one should spare a life whenever possible!"

Duanmu Mian bitterly continued, "Our Duanmu family has completely realized our mistakes and admitted defeat! How about this, I'll compensate you with 300 billion. The Duanmu family's total wealth is about 300 billion, and I'll just keep some spare change to settle the family members. From now on, I promise that the Duanmu family will move out of the Capital City and find a secluded place to hide, never to meddle in worldly affairs again..."

"500 billion."

Jiang Feng thought for a moment, then coldly sneered and spoke without hesitation.

He had indeed thought about annihilating the Duanmu family completely, but considering what Duanmu Mian had done today, he could at least be counted as having taken responsibility.

Since that was the case, exterminating the entire Duanmu family of more than a thousand people held no meaning, nor any benefit. It would be better to turn waste into wealth.

Moreover, he had never been swayed by wealth before, but now he needed to expand a stable supporting force, and indeed, sufficient financial support was necessary.

"Fi...500 billion?!"

Duanmu Mian's face changed drastically!

How did Jiang Feng know the true worth of their family?

The total assets of the entire Duanmu family indeed amounted to 500 billion, but this was already the limit, and it wasn't in cash. It involved companies and properties nationwide.

If he managed to gather 500 billion for Jiang Feng, then the Duanmu family would be completely done for, not even leaving an empty shell behind, and the whole family would have to live on the northwest wind!

"Jiang Feng, you're too ruthless. I've come here with sincerity to apologize, and you can't just leave us with nothing. Do you intend to make my entire family beg on the streets?" Duanmu Mian asked, bitterly desperate.

"That's your problem."

Jiang Feng coldly smiled, "Your Duanmu family and I have unsettled accounts that can't be resolved without 500 billion. You decide for yourself whether it's worth it to buy the lives of your entire family of one to two thousand people for 500 billion. And don't pretend to be poor in front of me. A thin camel is still bigger than a horse; I know that even after you gather this 500 billion, your family won't starve. At most, your living standards will drop significantly, but that's better than losing your lives, don't you think?"

"Jiang Feng, you're going too far!!!"

Suddenly, a member of the Duanmu family couldn't hold back any longer and shouted angrily, "Our Family Head has already shown enough sincerity, what more do you want? Are you forcing us into a corner to fight desperately with you?! Let me tell you, not all of the Duanmu family lacks backbone. If you really push us, we'll perish together with you, and you might not gain anything!!"

"That's right! If you won't give us a way to survive, don't blame us for not allowing you to live either. We'll perish together!!"

Another family member shouted.

Bear in mind that they were used to living in luxury, and wherever they went, they were considered a cut above the rest.

But now, Duanmu Mian was asking the entire family to gather 300 billion, which was already painful enough for them. Jiang Feng's insatiable demand for an additional 200 billion felt like sucking their blood; how could they agree to this?!

"Shut up!!!"

Before they could finish their indignant threats, Duanmu Mian suddenly roared, cutting off all their clamor.

Then, trembling and pale, Duanmu Mian stared at Jiang Feng and said, "Jiang Feng, are you sure that only by making us give up 500 billion will you spare us?"

"As long as you're smart enough." Jiang Feng indirectly replied.

"Alright, alright!"

Duanmu Mian's aged body swayed again, nearly collapsing even while kneeling.

"You truly intend to give our Duanmu family no chance of resurgence, wanting to pull us out by the roots, leaving us to never recover..."

He closed his eyes, and muddy tears fell from the corners, "So be it, I brought this upon myself. I lost this great gamble, and I have no regrets, I accept it..."

"Family Head!!!"

The family members were about to lose their minds when they heard Duanmu Mian agree to Jiang Feng's demands!

"Family Head, how can you accept this, giving him 500 billion would really leave us with nothing but begging..."

"That would mean selling our houses and cars, possibly even liquidating everything we own?"

"More than that! We might have to sell kidneys and blood! Family Head, better death than dishonor!!!"

"I said, shut up!"

Duanmu Mian interrupted the family's agitation again and spoke calmly, "From ancient times, the victor becomes the king and the loser a bandit. Do you choose money or life?"

"We..."

The family members were suddenly stuck.

Although they couldn't swallow their pride, no one could utter the words of choosing money over life!

"If you want to live, listen to me, understand the situation now, and stop being noisy!"

Duanmu Mian coldly reprimanded, having made up his mind.

It's like a war lost in the past, sometimes you have to cede land and pay reparations. It's unwilling, but what can you do?

It's better than annihilation!

"Jiang Feng, rest assured! As the Family Head of the Duanmu family, I state here that even if I have to sell everything, I'll gather the 500 billion for you!"

Duanmu Mian turned back to Jiang Feng and said, "But you need to give me time. For such a large sum, I need at least a week to prepare. I'll transfer it to your account in a week, without fail!"

"Alright, I'll give you a week."

Jiang Feng smirked teasingly, "You're a smart man, I trust you'll do as you say."

Duanmu Mian nodded painfully, then asked with a face full of despair, "Then, from now on, are the grudges between us completely settled? Can the Duanmu family barely survive and continue on?"

"Of course." Jiang Feng nodded, "With a Family Head like you who knows when to yield, it's hard for your family to fall apart. Now, get up and go back."

Duanmu Mian, hearing this, felt as if he'd received a great pardon and finally dared to shakily stand up.

His legs had gone numb from kneeling for so long, wobbling with every step he took.

But he eventually staggered away, looking back at Jiang Feng with a deep gaze before turning.

"Master—"

Wu Feng stepped forward, wanting to say something, but Jiang Feng raised his hand to stop him.

He knew that Wu Feng and the others were worried that Duanmu Mian might play tricks.

But he was not worried in the slightest.

First, he understood the nature of the Family Heads in the top tier families of the Capital City, highly traditional and stubborn. They would absolutely keep their publicly spoken words, and the consequences of breaking them would be worse than losing that five hundred billion.

Moreover, he knew that Duanmu Mian would definitely liquidate all he could to gather the money upon returning. In that case, he needed to leave him the final shred of dignity, lest he die in despair on the way and the five hundred billion go up in smoke!