“What nonsense are you talking about? Why would we need to do that?” Yuan Ba scoffed at the idea, refuting the need to do so. “We do not trust you even if that story of yours holds the truth.”
“Then why would I need to do the same for you people? A few days ago, you guys were considered mere figureheads to me which commoners were complaining about how all of you were high and mighty. All tardy in their actions and reactions to everything, leaving the common people to suffer the brunt of the recent incidents. There were no consolations and reassurances for them to hear while the government gave empty promises to assist and little was done to address the grievances by the common folk.” Jin declared loudly and it stung the Zodiac Heads.
“Like the cities that were inflicted by the hordes. Sure, the minority might be demanding more than the compensation that was given but to many, their homes were upset by the entire incident that the compensation was clearly not sufficient to aid them.” Jin placed both of his hands on the table while assuming a slightly aggressive stance while he stood against the accusations.
“So why must I seal this particular deal with a pact of trust that is more binding than a personal blood pact to the people who do not have eyes to sympathise with the common folk and boots on the ground to stand with the people?”
“You speak so much as if you had helped the people. Perhaps you should do the same before you say anymore.” Shu Tiao Xiao rebutted and Jin stared at him.
“My contributions to my fellow district neighbours are well known. And besides, I had personally contributed to each of the recent major incidents, risking my life against the Banned Emperor Terrorist while the rest of the Heads were sitting in their offices watching from behind their desks. And you know I do not mean it literally.” Jin said and finally, He Fei, who felt that there was enough drama for the day, spoke up.
“Then what would suit you to prove your allegiance to the Zodiac Heads? Like you said, to us, you are a mere Dungeon Supplier who has gained some recent achievements and testimonies that prove that you are a cut above the rest. That’s all to it. You are not qualified as a Zodiac Head in our eyes and thus not our trust too.”
“Don’t you think that a blood contract should suffice?” Jin said that he had already taken out a small stack of paper from his storage ring and presented it to them. Each soon received a copy to preview and they were all the same for everyone.
Most if not all of the Zodiac Heads knew some form of contract law and had the basics covered especially since they were governing major industries and even organisations that the country could not live without. Thus, upon reading the blood contract, they understood the contract to be fair, if not weigh slightly towards their advantage instead of his.
From benefits such as the constant sharing of information to monetary and proprietary penalties if Jin had broken the code of conduct as written on the blood contract. It was well crafted that even He Fei who made his way to the top by dealing with contracts on a daily basis could not see any fault or loopholes he could possibly exploit. It meant that Jin had already foreseen this current situation and prepared the contracts in advance. Jin was leading the meeting at his own pace to the surprise of the Zodiac Heads who were staying at the sidelines to watch the situation unfold.
“What do you mean that you are able to call upon the help of the signed contractee?” Rat Head Tiao Xiao queried and Jin explained that it could not be a one way street in business.
“If you do not scratch my back, would it be fair that I scratch yours for free? After all, this meeting was supposed to be for Zodiac Heads, right? If you all treated me as a fellow ally, shouldn’t I be able to do the same at my behest?” Jin said and he was prepared to answer a few more questions until a startling sound of a pen was being used.
Zhu Tai Fang, the Head of the Royal Zodiac Pig was already signing with his blood and then placing it on the table for Jin to collect. Every one of them looked at him and were rather taken aback by his actions. “What? He made sense. In some way, he should be considered a National Hero by now with several rewards and compensations to be given to him for all the service he did for the country but instead all you guys gave him were stares of doubts and mistrust. Just because of what? That old myth of how the Panda Clan needed revenge against the other twelve clans?” Tai Fang snorted loudly and continued his snarky remarks to the rest of the Zodiac Heads.
“Please, we all know that that is the lie we had to tell people in the past and that we brought this upon ourselves. Instead of helping the Panda Clan, our ancestors took the chance to climb and steal the glory of the past Panda Clan. It is pretty dumb to bring over a feud that was centuries old and you saw how this young Panda Lord had presented himself to be forward looking by moving away from our rotten past by attempting to reunite everyone without selling himself short. So, I have to say this blood contract is nothing compared to what he had to suffer and had sacrificed to aid the public.”
The Pig Head’s words started to ring bells in the rest of the Royal Zodiac Heads and a few sighed as Tai Fang was right. By right, they had nothing against the new Panda Lord and instead should welcome him as a new stout ally in the fight against the Banned Emperor and the betterment of the country as a whole.
“The Dragons had signed the contract too.” Kong Rong had written on behalf of his father since he was transiting to be the next Head and was given permission to do so.
“The Snakes had done the same.” Se Chang Chang added and the rest slowly did the same too in an attempt to not bring unnecessary discord to the current group.
“Xie Jin, you are bold to include me in this contract signing.” Defence Minister He Fei said and Jin smiled weakly.
“If there is a big fish dangling right in front of me, pardon my phasing but I will be damned if I do not even attempt to try and catch it,” Jin said as he bowed slightly when he saw He Fei too picking up his pen and pricking his finger to sign the very same contract presented to everyone.
“I admired your boldness and as Tai Fang had said, in return for your service to the country, this is a favour I am willing to owe. Also, after the meeting come and find me. We will discuss your compensation for the services rendered officially by the government.” He Fei said and he did a short cough to convene the meeting once more.
