CH 167

Although the decision to build the teleportation tower was made, they still needed to wait for another day or two because the materials were not yet sufficient.

Zhang Nu was not in a hurry. Teleportation tower blueprints were rare and costly to construct.

He took advantage of the spare time to conduct further investigations.

After all, the Azure Water Federation was a map several dozen to several hundred times larger than the chaotic and wild Chaos Forest. Moreover, unlike the disorder of the Chaos Forest, the Azure Water Federation was a civilized region, which meant that the intermingling of forces was more complex, requiring more research and consideration.

Rao Jian took the initiative to report on the progress of the Dark Dragon Chamber of Commerce to the Demon King.

The merchant guild had gained some reputation, but it had not yet firmly established itself.

Rao Jian said, "Although the products from the Chaos Forest are of high quality and competitively priced, as the first commercial city of Pale Moon Kingdom, Holy Tides City is entangled with dozens, even hundreds of forces. The politics here are too complex."

"The Dark Dragon Chamber of Commerce is regarded as an outsider, and if we rush in and snatch a large portion of the market, it will certainly provoke the local powers, as well as various forces. We might even face various forms of suppression!"

"Therefore, I suggest finding a significant local force in Holy Tides City to establish deep cooperation."

"Currently, one of the four major families, the White Sands family, is the best choice."

"The hundred million gold coin deal that we are about to complete comes precisely from the White Sands family."

"..."

Zhang Nu had some doubts about the reliability of the white Sands family.

Seeing the Demon King's hesitation, Rao Jian quickly explained, "Your Majesty, there's no need to worry."

"It's actually quite fortunate for us."

"The White Sands family is one of the four major families in Holy Tides City and is a long-established merfolk tribe in the Pale Moon Kingdom. The family head has high prestige in Holy Tides City and is said to be the most favorable candidate for the next city lord."

Upon hearing this, the Demon King became even more puzzled.

Merfolk tribes were considered nobility among the aquatic races.

It was said that over 6,000 years ago, during the reign of the Azure Water Empress, she herself was a merfolk!

The status of the merfolk tribe among the marine races was comparable to that of elves among the continental races.

This race was renowned in the world for their beauty, elegance, nobility, passion, and powerful water-based magic talents.

The White Sands tribe was one of the four major families in Holy Tides City and was even the next ruling family in line. It would be good for the Dark Dragon Chamber of Commerce to form an alliance with this family, but the issue was that the other party's status seemed overly dominant.

Rao Jian continued, "About a little over a month ago..."

"The White Sands family encountered a major incident."

"The head and high-ranking members of the family were ambushed and killed during their return voyage, causing significant damage to the family's foundation!"

"This incident caused quite a stir, and it was said that the assailant behind the ambush was a tremendously powerful oceanic Demon King from the depths of the sea."

"Afterwards, the Pale Moon Kingdom swiftly mobilized its army in collaboration with the Holy Tides City's Heroes Guild to hunt down and eliminate the Demon King in the treacherous depths of the sea trench."

"At first glance, it seemed that the situation had come to a close."

"However, what unfolded afterward..."

"Here's the most intriguing part."

Rao Jian paused for a moment before continuing, "After the death of the White Sands family head, several of their elders immediately announced their separation from the family."

"Simultaneously, the White Sands family found itself besieged on multiple fronts in Holy Tides City. Their businesses, industries, and partnerships were systematically targeted and eroded by rival families, resulting in significant losses... The family's very survival now hangs in the balance."

Zhang Nu had now understood the whole situation. He realized that the merfolk family had fallen victim to a meticulously orchestrated scheme.

That would explain why they faced simultaneous attacks from multiple families.

The Holy Tides City's merchant guilds were coerced by other forces, most succumbed to the pressure, interrupting their trade with the White Sands family and even deliberately withholding their goods.

This was obviously done with the intention of completely dismantling the White Sands family's business in one fell swoop.

They wanted to make it impossible for these merfolk to survive in Holy Tides City, ultimately forcing them to relinquish all their businesses and assets and slink back to the sea in defeat.

This situation presented a golden opportunity for the Dark Dragon Chamber of Commerce.

The White Sands family was in dire need of the merchant guild's resources and assistance to regain their foothold.

Meanwhile, the Dark Dragon Chamber of Commerce sought to leverage the White Sands family's  esteemed position in Holy Tides City for their own benefit.

However, opportunities would often come with risks.

Provoking certain local powers could pose a challenge for the merfolk, who may not be able to handle it at present.

Zhang Nu could not simply dispatch a legion of draconians to assist them either. If a large-scale foreign race or army were to appear within their territory, even the loosely organized Azure Water Federation would undoubtedly become vigilant. Resolving this issue would be the next consideration.

Just then, the lizardfolk Hero, Xiao Long, approached and said, "Chieftain Shui Yao has set off and will arrive here by evening."

Rao Jian promptly introduced to the Demon King, saying, "Shui Yao is the youngest daughter of the former family head. Her father and brother have both perished, making her the new leader of the White Sands family."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Nu's curiosity was piqued. He decided to personally assess the true nature of these merfolk.

Rao Jian quickly issued orders, saying, "The Baisha Family has come to take delivery. Prepare the necessary arrangements without delay."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Nu's curiosity was piqued. He decided to personally assess the true nature of these merfolk.

Rao Jian quickly issued orders, saying, "The White Sands family has come to retrieve their goods. Prepare the necessary arrangements without delay."

Several hours later, a small fleet of six ships arrived.

A group of elite merfolk warriors disembarked from the vessels.

[White Sands Family Merfolk Guard] Level 3 elite...

[White Sands Family Merfolk Mage] Level 3 elite...

[White Sands Family Guard Captain] Level 3 lord...

[White Sands Family Chief Steward] Level 4 lord...

[White Sands Family Chieftain: Shui Yao] Level 4 lord.

......

Skills: Merfolk Form (Talent), Advanced Water Immunity (Talent), Siren's Melody (B rank), Water Elemental Summoning (B rank), Whirlpool of Death (B rank), Water Barrier (B rank), Water Healing (B rank), etc...

......

Description: Shui Yao, the legitimate successor of the White Sands family, one of the four prominent families in the Azure Water Federation's Holy Tides City. Possessing formidable psychic and water-based magical talents, she reluctantly shoulders the responsibilities of family leadership due to the recent upheavals they have faced.

Shui Yao emerged, escorted by the merfolk guards.

She possessed an appearance identical to that of a human, especially with her long and fair legs that easily caught people's attention.

Merfolk were an amphibious intelligent race, and the higher-ranking ones possessed the innate ability to transform into their mermaid-like form. In water, they could become half-human and half-fish, using gills behind their ears to breathe and residing underwater indefinitely.

When on land, they could transform into a humanoid form that was almost indistinguishable from humans in terms of appearance.

If one were to search for differences, merfolk possessed exceptionally outstanding beauty and temperament. Their serene and elegant aura was something ordinary humans lacked.

Shui Yao was relatively young among the merfolk, roughly equivalent to a human age of around sixteen or seventeen. With the sudden demise of her parents and elder brother, she was forced to step up and shoulder the responsibilities.

The deaths of her parents and brother were already significant blows, but what made Shui Yao feel even more helpless was the internal strife leading to the departure of several merfolk elders and the betrayal of the family's former partners.

Even without much experience in dealing with such matters, she could sense that this was a massive conspiracy targeting their family from start to finish!

The deaths of her parents and brother were not accidents!

All the other three major families were under suspicion, and the Holy Tides City Heroes Guild was likely directly involved.

Shui Yao was filled with anger, but she had no inclination for revenge at the moment. The immediate priority was to stabilize the situation, as the fate of the family teetered on the brink of collapse in her hands...

If she could not turn the tide, the White Sands family, consisting of hundreds of thousands of merfolk, would struggle to sustain their livelihoods.

Currently, the major guilds in Holy Tides City used various excuses, delays, or outright refusal to cooperate with the White Sands family. Fortunately, they encountered the newly arrived Dark Dragon Chamber of Commerce at this critical moment. She hoped their goods would truly be reliable.

Rao Jian quickly stepped forward and said, "Honorable Chieftain Shui Yao, it is an immense honor to have you personally visit the headquarters of the Dark Dragon Chamber of..."

Shui Yao interrupted, saying, "Chairman, there's no need for pleasantries. Where are the potions and materials we ordered?"

Rao Jian smiled and replied, "Rest assured, they are all prepared and awaiting inspection."

The draconian laborers began moving the items.

The merfolk steward activated their appraisal skill to conduct the inspection.

A look of pleasant surprise appeared on the elderly merfolk's face.

"Such exceptional quality!"

"The potions are incredibly pure!"

"Miss, this craftsmanship is truly elven!"

"It surpasses the quality of our previous purchases!"

Upon hearing these words, the merfolks rejoiced.

The quality of this batch of potions was exceptionally high, yet the prices were even cheaper than other merchants.

Great, this is excellent news. The business of the White Sands family is saved!

Shui Yao was equally overwhelmed with joy. She forcefully suppressed her emotions and expressed her gratitude, saying, "Chairman, thank you. The Dark Dragon Chamber of Commerce has been a true savior for the White Sands family, and we will always remember this act of kindness."

Rao Jian replied, "Regarding the final payment..."

"Don't worry, the White Sands family has never defaulted on debts, especially not to the Dark Dragon merchant guild, who has extended a helping hand in our time of dire need."

Shui Yao gestured, and the merfolk guards brought forth chests filled with gold.

The Dark Dragon merchant guild meticulously counted the amount, and everything was in order.

Shui Yao spoke, "In addition to requiring more potions, we are also preparing to procure a substantial quantity of equipment, ores, and medicinal herbs. I will instruct our steward to maintain constant communication with the Chairman."

Rao Jian was overjoyed. The first transaction had gone smoothly, and it amounted to a staggering one hundred million gold coins.

The White Sands family was undoubtedly financially robust.

If they were to receive several more large orders like this, would the Dark Dragon Chamber of Commerce  ever have to worry about their performance?

Under Shui Yao's leadership, the merfolk swiftly loaded the goods onto their ship.

Without delay, Shui Yao bid her farewell and departed.

[Gold discovered. Would you like to convert?]

The Demon Lord promptly converted the gold.

[Gold successfully converted. Gold +10.05 million!]

The gold that the merfolk had paid was instantly transformed into a sum of 10 million in-game gold, further enhancing their financial status.

"You've done an exceptional job!"

Zhang Nu would not let his subordinates down.

The Dark Dragon Chamber of Commerce currently held several tens of millions of mainland gold coins. A portion was allocated for the guild's daily operations, while another part was set aside as bonuses to reward the team.

Furthermore, each Dragon's Shadow Hero received a premium B-grade skill stone as a gift.

The three of them were overjoyed by these rewards.

Zhang Nu was highly pleased with the performance of the Dark Dragon merchant guild and gained even greater confidence in the market potential of the Azure Water Federation.

To think that just a local family, albeit one in decline, could easily produce such a substantial sum of money.

This place was wealthier than he had imagined.

The Dark Dragon Chamber of Commerce needed to focus on effective management and increase their investments. The future success of lifting the entire Chaos Forest out of poverty and into prosperity depended on them.

The merfolk girl possessed significant value for leverage. She was currently entangled in major troubles, presenting a golden opportunity for the Demon King.