Lin Mu thought a bit more about the Fen Clan's situation and got more confused.
'Rather than searching like this, why don't they go to actual ancient clans that still exist or even the cultivation sects that are far more likely to have a solution?' Lin Mu thought.
"You're forgetting something," Xukong suddenly spoke in Lin Mu's mind.
"What is it, senior?" Lin Mu asked.
"Do you think they can afford that? Or whether those ancient clans or the cultivation sects will entertain them?" Xukong replied.
Lin Mu heard senior Xukong's word and came to a realization.
"Of course… how did I miss that…" Lin Mu muttered.
"Often there are solutions to problems that one knows about, but those solutions are unreachable. And sometimes pursuing them can lead to further trouble. Thus, rather than doing that, people prefer to toil in the pursuit of another solution that is hard to find but still could be possible." Xukong stated.
"I understand, senior…" Lin Mu replied.
The situation of the Fen Clan was similar to a poor person that was sick. They knew that they could get cured rather quickly as long as they went to a physician. But doing that cost a lot more money than they could afford.
Thus, rather than doing that, they would try other solutions like home remedies, alternative medicine, herbs, prayer, exorcism, and other superstitious things like that. All they wanted was relief from their pain. They didn't care what solution led to that.
Having learned this, Lin Mu gained a different perspective on life and people.
"Hmm, so that is why…" Jingming Shang spoke.
"Still, even if you think of that Miss Fen, it might not be viable. You have no surety that you will be able to find a solution in the Mu clan and whether they would even be willing to give it to you.
After all, despite them being in debt, they have not sold the heirlooms and fortune that they had amassed over the years." Shantung said.
Miss Fen couldn't help but nod after hearing this. This was something that she had known already, but after hearing from the lips of others, it just became too real and painful as well.
"Though… if we do as our backer says, the Mu Clan might be eliminated and Miss Fen might be able to get access to the ancient records of the Mu Clan.
Also… if my backer is pleased, they might even be willing to search for a solution as they are far more powerful than us." Shantung spoke in a calm tone, as if devil voicing his wares into the ears of a desperate person.
As soon as Miss Fen heard this, her ears perked up and a new drive appeared in her eyes.
"Can you assure that I'll be able to get the records from the Mu clan?" Miss Fen asked directly.
"If Miss Fen supports us, then I assure you that you and only will get the records of the Mu clan." Shantung stated his deal.
Miss Fen thought for about a minute before making up her mind.
"I accept." She stated.
And just like that, another person was roped into the fold of Shantung.
"Will we get the resources from the Mu clan as well?" The remaining members that were not yet in the party of Shantung questioned.
"Of course, all those who take part will get a section of spoils to their names. Either they can get the resources that they want, or an equivalent value in coins." Shantung said with a smile.
The neutral members looked at each other before nodding their heads.
"We agree to it as well then," they spoke.
Lin Mu furrowed his brows upon hearing all this.
'In just a few minutes, they doomed a clan to extinction…' Lin Mu thought to himself, not finding it to be right.
He looked at Jingming Shang, wanting to know what the man would decide.
"And what about you Jingming Shang? Everyone else has joined and only you are left." Shantung questioned.
"Hmm… I think I'll pass on this. You all can split the spoil amongst yourself." Jingming Shang stated, causing Shantung and a few of the council members to furrow their brows. "But fear not… I won't interfere in your plan either and will stay a neutral party. After all… this brings me no benefit." He added.
Hearing his answer, the council members finally felt at ease and nodded their heads.
"That is fine, then. As long as you don't interfere, no problems will come your way." Shantung replied.
"Mmmhmm." Jingming Shang hummed in response and stood up from his seat. "I guess this meeting is coming to an end, then. I'll take my leave, I have places to be." Jingming Shang said and left the room.
Shantung and the rest of the members didn't care about him leaving and talked amongst themselves for a couple of minutes before splitting up as well.
"I'll talk with our backer tonight and inform him of our decision. Once that is done, I'll call another meeting to discuss the details." Shantung said.
"That is fine."
"Acceptable."
"We shall take our leave as well then."
The different council members spoke and left the council's building. Once they were gone, Lin Mu furrowed his brows and rose up to the roof of the building. From there he looked around and spread his spirit sense, searching for someone.
After searching for a few seconds, Lin Mu found his target.
"There he is…" Lin Mu said as he Blinked away to a different roof top.
He moved from roof top to roof top, hidden from the sights of people. He followed his target and waited for him to reach a suitable location that was secluded than the others. It took Lin Mu about two minutes of following, before the target reached a suitable place.
It was a street filled with relatively empty shops and few people going about their way. Another difference was that there were no cultivators here, just commoners. Once he was here, Lin Mu blinked next to the man and put his hand around his mouth and another around his chest, before flying away.