Daily life of a cultivation judge-Chapter 1086 - Who are you planning on using

1086: Who are you planning on using?

1086: Who are you planning on using?

Yang Qing ironed out a few more details with Fan Mei, watching as his plans evolved from abstract thoughts into something more tangible.

Once he was satisfied that he had laid a sufficient foundation for the preliminary phase, he moved on to the crux of the matter.

His nerves got the better of him, and his insides churned slightly while his throat grew dry.

“So… how much will it cost?” Yang Qing asked hesitantly, his voice almost a whisper.

Fan Mei couldn’t help but chuckle softly at his apprehensive expression.

But she quickly composed herself, her demeanor reverting to its usual professional poise.

“That depends on how quickly you want results and the groups we’ll need to contract.

Expediency and efficiency don’t come cheap,” she explained.

“How much?” Yang Qing pressed again, his tone carrying a slight tremble.

“Between 45,000 and 60,000 should be enough to cover it,” Fan Mei replied after doing a quick mental calculation.

“Only that?” Yang Qing blurted out, surprise etched across his face.

The quoted amount was far lower than what he had anticipated.

“You think it’s too little?” Fan Mei asked, her tone layered with intrigue.

“Yes—” Yang Qing started but immediately caught himself.

“I mean, no.

The sum isn’t small, but it seems… rather low, doesn’t it?” he added hastily, as if trying to dispel any notion that he was some frivolous silk-pants noble who lacked an understanding of money’s worth.

Fan Mei twirled her quill idly before jotting something on a piece of parchment.

Yang Qing, ever the curious one, leaned in and caught sight of what she had written.

It was the number 40.

Looking up with a faint, knowing smile, Fan Mei remarked, “You only think that way because of the forty million you have access to—it’s skewed your perception.

Understandably so, considering the gap in value between 60,000 high-grade spirit stones and forty million.”

“But don’t let that fool you—60,000 is still a hefty sum.

Take your current salary and use it as a comparison.

Then tell me if you still think it’s small,” Fan Mei said, stifling a chuckle as she watched Yang Qing’s expression shift through an array of emotions: surprise, dejection, anger, aggrievement, and finally, resignation.

“Do you have a grudge against me, Sister Fan Mei?

If so, I’d like to offer my sincerest apologies,” Yang Qing said, his voice low and dispirited.

“Who knew she could be so cruel?

Truly, you can’t judge a book by its cover,” Yang Qing grumbled inwardly, feeling both slighted and humbled.

Despite the sting, Fan Mei’s words had struck right at the heart of the matter.

They helped him regain perspective—though, at the moment, it was a perspective he dearly wished he could avoid.

As an outer court palace judge, his base salary was 20,000 high-grade spirit stones.

It was a significant step up from the 5,000 he used to earn in the superior core courts.

While substantial, it still paled in comparison to 60,000.

Fan Mei was right—60,000 high-grade spirit stones was no trivial amount.

It was enough to purchase a top-tier monarch-grade treasure.

Likewise, Yang Qing’s salary was far from meager, though he was in no mood to appreciate it at the moment—especially as he realized he was about to part with three times his monthly earnings.

To put things into perspective, 20,000 high-grade spirit stones could cover the operational expenses of a rank-four sect like the Green Fog Swamp Sect for 5–7 years.

If they were particularly frugal, it might even stretch to a decade.

Yet judging by Yang Qing’s current expression, one would think he earned a single low-grade spirit stone a month.

Having long since made peace with the fact that he was an exploited low-income earner, Yang Qing quickly adjusted himself and pressed on with more questions.

“The 60,000—does it cover remuneration for all the groups involved, or is it just for one?”

“It’s all included.

I intend to split the commission evenly three ways—20,000 to the Wind Gliding Mercenary Escorts, like you suggested, and the rest will go to the two groups of my choosing,” Fan Mei explained.

Yang Qing nodded, looking slightly relieved.

With him, though, it was hard to tell if his relief came from knowing he wouldn’t be paying more than 60,000 high-grade spirit stones, or because the even split meant those groups wouldn’t be earning more than him.

They would be on par with his own earnings.

With a character like his, one could never be too sure.

“The two groups—do you already have any in mind?” Yang Qing asked, his curiosity piqued.

Fan Mei rested her chin thoughtfully on her hand.

“For one of them, I was considering going the same route as you and hiring a mercenary agency.

As for which one…

hmm, I think the Silver Frost Eagles would be a fitting choice.

What do you think?”

“The Silver Frost Eagles?” Yang Qing echoed.

“I think they’re perfect for the job,” he said, though his brow furrowed moments later.

“But will they be available?

This matter can’t afford any delays.”

The Silver Frost Eagles were a rank-three mercenary escort agency but were far more renowned than most organizations of their level.

Their fame stemmed from one exceptional fact: they had been in operation for nearly 70,000 years, making them one of the oldest mercenary agencies in existence.

Mercenary escort agencies were rarely long-lived.

The nature of their work—constant exposure to life-threatening dangers—made them prone to heavy losses.

If the dangers didn’t claim them, grudges often did.

Over the years, enemies inevitably arose from disputes, and it was only a matter of time before someone came to settle old scores.

While mercenary escorts were highly paid and could amass wealth rapidly, their average lifespan as organizations was painfully short.

To survive beyond 50,000 years was an extraordinary feat, and for the Silver Frost Eagles to last nearly 70,000 years was nothing short of remarkable.

Their longevity could be attributed to two guiding principles, though one stood out as the predominant reason.

Early in their history, during their fledgling years, one of the founders took on a commission from a desperate couple.