57 Strike

After having dinner, Nie Li headed to the meeting place at the Phoenix restaurant. There at their usual meeting place, his clansmen were waiting. This time he came a bit earlier so not everyone arrived yet.

"Hi to everyone."

His clansmen also greeted him. Nie Li sat down near Nie Wen so that they would be able to talk about some things privately.

Nie Wen gave him information about the older students from their clan who wanted to join their group.

There were even two Silver rank fighters among them. It wasn't very impressive considering they were already 17 years old. If they were demon spiritualists it would have been a bit better. But they weren't asking for much, 3 thousand a month.

And Nie Li can turn them into Silver rank demon spiritualists in one month without spending too many resources. He needed some guards for his properties asap. But the loyalty was a must. Not to the clan, but to him. He had to look at those candidates himself.

The rest of the candidates were bronze ranks and below, so Nie Wen can take care of them for now.

While they were talking the rest of the group also appeared. Among them were Nie Ruogang, an antagonist from their first meeting and his childhood bully, and an older boy about 16-17 years old.

Nie Wen wanted to confront them about their purpose, but Nie Li stopped him. Nie Li could understand where it was going and it was a good test of loyalty for his employees.

Everyone sat down. The older kid and Nie Ruogang demonstratively sat on the other side of the table directly opposite him. Waiters served the table and left. Private talks weren't for their ears.

Some of the kids recognized the older boy and the atmosphere started to become awkward. Even though Nie Li didn't recognize him, it didn't matter to him. It was actually more interesting this way.

"Thank you all for coming here." Nie Li started his speech. "It has been almost a month since we started working together. And our cooperation has been fruitful for all of us. And I want to thank you all." Nie Li took a glass of wine poured earlier by the waiters. "To the brave and hardworking warriors of the Heavenly Marks family. To their undoubtedly bright future." He toasted. Even though toasting with a glass of wine wasn't common here his employees cheered. Everyone loved free wine and being praised.

Only Nie Ruogang and his companion were silent. They didn't take the wine either. The old kid impatiently cleared his throat, "Khm."

"Khm, yes," one of the Nie Ruogang's followers named Nie Mu, that previously joined the group started. It looks like they came prepared. "I wanted to talk about that. Boss, umm, I mean Nie Li" he said surreptitiously looking at Nie Ruogang. "You asked us to buy Purple Haze Grass. We have done as you asked without asking a question."

"We didn't ask you why would you need it and you have kept it secret from us. You tell us that we are clansmen even if you have kept secrets from us." He paused and looked at other clansmen.

Nie Li nodded at him encouragingly.

"Everyone here can tell you how hard we worked. We have gone through every single shop to buy Purple Haze Grass. They can confirm it," he said looking at his colleagues expecting vocal support. But they were silent and didn't say anything.

"So, umm," he looked towards his 'moral support', and gathering his courage continued, "I think you're being unfair to us. You have made millions while paying a pittance to us."

Nie Li nodded and asked, "So, how much do you think you deserve?"

"Uh," the kid didn't know what to say. He had expected that the others would join him and make demands, but they were leaving him alone.

"Million each, or a fair share of the Purple Haze Grass," joined the conversation their oldest guest. He was impatient with how the talks were going. He will make all these cowardly b****es pay him half their share when he beats it out of that idiot kid.

"And you are?" Nie Li asked.

"I am Ming Yahui, the future grandson-in-law of the grand elder Nie Wei. And these are my future clansmen." he motioned towards the silent spectators. "And I won't allow anyone to take advantage of them. Even if you are from the same clan."

Now Nie Li recognized him. A commoner kid from a former aristocratic family. He was brought into the clan by the Grand Elder a year ago. He heard enough rumors about a genius future grandson-in-law of the grand elder. 16-year-old 4-star Bronze rank Demon Spiritualist.

In Nie Li's previous life, this kid was slated to have a bright future among the clan's elites but died ignominiously during a hunt two years later. Some rumors even claimed that the grand elder personally dealt with him because he wanted to leave their clan to join another.

Seeing the guy's ambitious nature Nie Li was inclined to believe those rumors. It was not easy for a commoner to rise in ranks. He must have jumped over many heads to get where he was now. So if he had a chance he wouldn't hesitate to leave for greener pastures. And grand elder Nie Wei wasn't a merciful person. All the whippings Nie Li got from him could attest to that.

While Nie Li was reminiscing, Nie Wen was enraged by Ming Yahui's words. "Choose your words carefully," he growled. He wanted to continue but Nie Li stopped him.

"Wait," he said to Nie Wen and turned to the rest of his employees and asked, "What do others think about it? Tell us your opinions. Don't hesitate."

He looked at his followers' eyes one by one urging them to answer.

"Well, I am okay I guess. I mean I am satisfied with my salary." One of them spoke up bursting the dam.

"We don't do much anyway. A couple of hours a day, three days a week." another joined.

"Yes, and the salary isn't our only source of income. I have made 2000 in this month alone with the help of brother Li."

"Lucky bastard, I made only 1000. But I too am not going to break our agreement."

"Me too, Me too…" everyone voiced their support for Nie Li.

Their opinion might not have been so uniform without Nie Wen. They could see that Nie Wen was loyal to Nie Li, so they followed him easily. Although, they would have hesitated to go up against Nie Li even without that. Anyone who could throw hundreds of thousands and millions of spirit coins around could not be simple.

Also, he kept to their agreement, paying them well, and even allowing them to make money on the side. So, they did not want to alienate Nie Li. Especially siding with an outsider against their own clansman.

"You cowardly idiots! Can't you see he is using you?!" shouted Nie Ruogang angering those around the table. Ming Yahui lifted his hand silencing Nie Ruogang. This way they were a mirror image of Nie Li and Nie Wen. Nie Li didn't know if the guy was copying him or if it was a coincidence.

"You don't have to worry about anything. I will protect you from any attack from anyone. Just imagine what you could do with a million on hand. You don't have to work for anyone anymore." Ming Yahui decided to go with the method of enticing.

But instead, it infuriated his clansmen even more. Who does he think they are? Children? Trying to manipulate them with cheap tricks.

"We don't need an outsider to tell us what to do," one of the most belligerent ones couldn't keep his temper in check.

Ming Yahui flinched. It had been almost a year since he joined the Heavenly Marks family, but he was still regarded as an outsider. He hoped, by enticing them with money, he could sway them to his side, but these idiots were very short-sighted.

"Let's not insult each other. We are from one family after all." Nie Li said good-naturedly. He felt like Palpatine trying to convince the Jedi council to accept Anakin as a member. Acting benevolent to get the opposite result.

Truthfully he felt bad for the guy. He must have sacrificed much to get here. But, too much ambition and greed aren't good traits to have if you want to go far.

"So, you are the only one, who is not satisfied with his salary?" Nie Li asked his rebellious employee, returning to the main matter at hand.

"Others are too cowardly to admit!" shouted Nie Ruogang angering others even more, "But don't think we will allow you to cheat my friend too."

"I do not cheat," replied Nie Li seriously. "Did he get his salary?" he asked Nie Wen.

"Only the first half."

"Pay him the rest." Nie Li ordered. Nie Wen worldlessly took out 250 yaolinbi (spirit coins) and slid them towards the ashen-faced 'dissident'.

"Nie Li, did you hear what I told you?" again shouted Nie Ruogang, but Ming Yahui stopped him from further shouting. He watched the proceedings with solemnity as if he was the final judge here.

Nie Li didn't pay attention to his posturing and continued, "I wanted to announce today that your trial period ended and your salaries are going to rise. No matter what, I still think that you deserve to be paid." Nie Li took out an envelope from his interspatial ring and took one 500 yaolinbi from it and slid them towards the 'rebel'. He passed the envelope to Nie Wen, saying that it was others' salaries.

He took out another 1000 yaolinbi "This is your severance payment. I am sure you will find a better, higher-paying job in the future." Nie Li added passing the money to him.