The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 346: I’ll Hire You!

I'll Hire You! . . .

Cha Eun Xiao sighed and addressed Ning Biluo, "Ning, even though you feel obligated to uphold your assassination ethics, you can always turn to your friends for assistance, can't you? Let's consider this: there are twenty thousand people, with five thousand among them being disabled. This includes their residence, medicine, and food expenses. It shouldn't amount to more than fifty thousand taels of silver per month. Am I correct?"

The mathematics of it didn't seem exorbitant. The cost of living in the Land of Han-Yang was relatively low. On average, a family of four would require no more than ten taels per month. That was no more than three taels per person. Cha Eun Xiao had estimated two and a half taels per person, which should be more than sufficient to support these individuals.

Ning Biluo remained silent for a moment before responding, "In essence, they lead lives similar to ordinary individuals, but many of them require special care. Some rely on medication year-round, and the costs of their medicines are already substantial. In truth, two hundred thousand taels would be barely sufficient."

"Two hundred thousand?" Cha Eun Xiao mused, "Well, it doesn't seem like an excessive amount. Two hundred thousand per month, which is approximately three million taels a year, and thirty million for a decade..." He cleared his throat, suddenly realizing that the figure might not be a significant burden for him. However, for an assassin who earned his livelihood through murder and who needed resources for cultivation, it was an enormous weight to bear.

To put it in clearer terms, one tael of silver was equivalent to a thousand copper plates. One copper plate was roughly comparable to one yuan, so one tael of silver equated to a thousand yuan. A hundred taels equated to a hundred thousand yuan, ten thousand taels amounted to ten million yuan. Two hundred thousand taels per month translated to a staggering two hundred million yuan every month.

This was the sum required to support these individuals.

It came to around three billion yuan each year.

Perhaps he could manage it for the first year, but what about the following ten years? As Ning Biluo had mentioned, carrying this burden until his death—how substantial would it be?

It was, in fact, an unmanageable responsibility for anyone. While Cha Eun Xiao might not find it financially straining to spend tens of millions for now, perhaps even billions, it was due to his recent substantial earnings from the auction. Only a few months ago, upon his rebirth, he had been anxious over a mere few taels. Times had indeed changed.

"Ning, I can help you resolve this problem. I currently have a substantial sum of money..." Cha Eun Xiao said earnestly. He genuinely wanted to assist. Ning Biluo was a good man, and even if he couldn't repay the favor, Cha Eun Xiao would be delighted to offer his support. After all, it was a virtuous deed.

Ning Biluo remained quiet, then responded, "Lord Cha, you have saved my life twice. I am already deeply indebted to you. If you assist me once more, I shall never be able to repay this kindness."

Ning Biluo offered a warm smile and responded, "A favor is always most difficult to return. I already owe them a tremendous debt. Do you truly wish for me to add more to it?"

In a contemplative tone, Cha Eun Xiao replied, "I understand the challenges of repaying a favor. However, have you ever considered the fate of those individuals after your passing? You've stated that you'll bear this responsibility until it's no longer needed. There are two aspects to your words. If you can fulfill your obligation before you pass away, that would be a splendid outcome. Yet, if you cannot, if you leave this world while the debt remains unsettled, what then? Do you intend to carry this burden into your next life?"

Ning Biluo's countenance grew somber, and he fell into silence.

Cha Eun Xiao's words were stern, but they addressed a dilemma that Ning Biluo would inevitably confront. Even the world's No. 1 Assassin would eventually meet his end. If not for Cha Eun Xiao's interventions, he would have met that fate twice already.

Ning Biluo pondered the grim reality. It was a question he had to grapple with sooner or later.

He was renowned as the No. 1 Assassin globally, without a doubt. Nevertheless, even the No. 1 Assassin was mortal. If Cha Eun Xiao hadn't intervened to save him, he might have already passed away twice.

"If I were to die, how could I fulfill the responsibility I vowed to uphold? What will become of those people?" he wondered.

The majority of them were ailing or disabled, unable to fend for themselves. In the event of his demise, what would become of them? Would they succumb to illness, starve, or meet misfortune? Regardless of the circumstances, their suffering and deaths would be inextricably linked to his own.

Cha Eun Xiao asserted, "Hence, you shouldn't refuse my offer. I don't ask for anything in return."

Ning Biluo gazed up at Cha Eun Xiao, his eyes revealing his fear that Cha Eun Xiao would never ask for anything in return.

Ning Biluo wrestled with the complex feelings welling up within him. He whispered to himself, "It will make me feel I am in debt forever. You never ask anything back in return. That is a huge burden on me. Why can't you just want something from me!"

Cha Eun Xiao, sensing Ning Biluo's distress, waved his hand and attempted to alleviate the emotional strain. He spoke with a touch of light-heartedness, "Alright, alright. Don't look at me like that. I don't like it. Look, Ning, let me hire you. I will pay you for what you will do for me. I'm hiring you to help me solve my problem now, which establishes an employment relationship between us. How does that sound?"

He chuckled ruefully and continued, "I believe you clearly understand the dire situation I'm in. We're teetering on the precipice, and I'm drawing you into this perilous venture. It's possible that you may lose your life because of it. So, consider this as a way to reciprocate the favor I've done for you."

Raising his hand to forestall Ning Biluo's impending objection, Cha Eun Xiao pressed on, "Let's collaborate to tackle this predicament. If, by some misfortune, we fail, what significance does all my wealth hold for me? Allow me to share some of it with you now, even before the outcome is determined. You can use it to care for those people on your side. At the very least, you won't need to bear that burden into your next life. Even if you opt not to shoulder it now, should our lives be claimed in this turmoil, my wealth will fall into the hands of others. It's far more preferable that you take charge of it than anyone else. Don't you agree?"

As he absorbed Cha Eun Xiao's words, Ning Biluo found the proposal to be quite reasonable. After all, he already owed Cha eun Xiao two life-saving debts, so adding another debt seemed inconsequential. If it meant he could ensure the well-being of those people who depended on him, he would willingly entrust his life to Cha Eun Xiao, regardless of the outcome. It was only fair in his view..