In the crowd, Long Shan hesitated for a moment, but eventually gathered the courage to step forward.
From his seat, Yuan Ming cupped his hands in salute, his voice carrying a touch of sincerity and helplessness: "City Lord Yuan, I have something to report to you. We do not covet private gain; in fact, we are forced by the powers behind us. Every year, a large portion of the city's income has to be tribute to the Upper Sect as a cost of protection. Otherwise, the Upper Sect can send someone to replace us at any time."
Upon hearing this, Yuan Ming's brows slightly furrowed, and he gazed intensely at Long Shan: "Tribute? To whom do you have to pay tribute?"
"We city lords appear to have infinite glory, but in fact, we are puppets of those major forces. Almost all the profits from the city's revenue every year have to be completely tributed to the Upper Sect. It is the price we must pay for protection," Long Shan took a deep breath and said slowly.
