Chapter 1041: The Ledgers
Manager Hu understood perfectly well what Qi Xuansu was really after. Though he held considerable sway in Nanyang, he was not so powerful that a man like Qi Xuansu would go out of his way to flatter him.
Qi Xuansu’s intent lay elsewhere, not in polite conversation, but in the ledger that Manager Hu held. Qi Xuansu wanted it, one way or another. So for now, he began with courtesy. But if soft persuasion failed, force would follow.
Manager Hu understood the stakes clearly. If he handed over that ledger, he would offend half of the Poluo Daoist Mansion.
The Taiping Bank and the Daoist Order were not on the same front, so even if he refused, Qi Xuansu alone posed no real threat, as he had no authority over him.
But the pressure from Sage Cihang was of another kind entirely. A figure of her stature was only one step below the Grand Master, so she could absolutely influence the Taiping Bank. To deny that would be self-deception. Moreover, Sage Donghua had personally appointed Qi Xuansu as Second Deputy Poluo Daoist Mansion Master.
Now, two of the three Daoist heirs were aligned, while the third heir was still in Fenglin.
If so, could the stance of these two Omniscient Sages represent the entire Golden Tower Council?
At that realization, cold sweat broke across Manager Hu’s back.
Everyone had been saying that the Golden Tower Council merely meant to give Poluo Daoist Mansion a light warning, removing a deputy or two to make a point. But now, it seemed the Golden Tower Council was preparing to uproot the entire foundation.
The truth was now obvious. Why would Sage Cihang pour in such effort merely to bring down a few Deputy Mansion Masters?
That was when Manager Hu realized that he had no choice but to accept this “gift.”
He could remain obstinate and complicit, or repent and align himself with the Golden Tower Council. In short, he could be their friend or their foe.