"Oh? Su Bai is making moves like this?"
In the Jade Chamber, Ningguang's fragrant lips parted slightly as she exhaled a faint wisp of smoke.
"Three million kilograms... The Grain Merchants Association can't handle that. Fan Lao'er is quite interesting, though. We know nothing about what they discussed today?"
"At that time, they went to the second floor, seemingly intentionally avoiding me. But by the time they came down, they had already signed this personal trade agreement." Baixiao had no way around it. Even though the second floor wasn't soundproofed, from her position at the first-floor counter, all she could hear was indistinct chatter. Apart from the final words 'deal concluded,' she couldn't make out anything clearly.
"Hmm, you've had a difficult time." Ningguang didn't blame her. Su Bai's intentions were clear from Baixiao's earlier report about the promotion, or rather, from the casual attitude he displayed upon returning yesterday, which already foreshadowed today's outcome.
"Since he's entrusted the shop to you to manage, do your best to help for now, treat it as your own business. By the way, the Yuheng Star will visit recently. Make sure to receive her properly."
"Lady Yuheng?" Baixiao frowned slightly, feeling not much fondness for her. After all, that one had never been on good terms with Ningguang.
"I understand, Lady Ningguang. I shall take my leave then."
"Mm, go ahead." Ningguang nodded, a subtle smile playing at the corner of her mouth. "This little friend is becoming more and more intriguing. His attitude is elusive. Even the Lord of Geo specially decreed today to increase trade efforts."
The room seemed empty, with only Ningguang speaking to herself. But as her words faded, a figure adorned with water-blue jewels emerged from behind the screen.
"Speaking like this, Lady Tianquan, wouldn't be good if overheard by outsiders."
"So, any progress?" Ningguang asked, as if she hadn't heard.
"He went to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, then the Northland Bank. After parting with Baixiao near Wanmin Restaurant, I lost him."
"Ah? Hehehe..." Ningguang couldn't help but chuckle softly upon hearing this, teasingly patting Yelan's shoulder and leaning close to her ear. "What's the matter? Were those potions a bit too... satisfying for you?"
"Hmph, Lady Tianquan should also mind her words." Yelan's eyes flickered. She didn't deny it, nor did she feel particularly bothered by it. "He might have spotted me, or perhaps his counter-surveillance skills are just inherently high. By the time I realized, I couldn't find any trace of him even with stealthy searching. It was as if he vanished into thin air."
After the joke, Yelan seriously described the scene at the time. "It could also be his own capability. There were no traces of elemental power being used."
"Also, I won't be accompanying you further. In a couple of days, I need to make a trip to Inazuma."
Ningguang responded with a soft hum. With Inazuma about to enact its Sakoku Decree, Yelan absolutely had to go there to handle matters with local informants and merchant teams.
"Alright, you decide for yourself."
The night sky of Teyvat cast its glow upon the land. Under the cover of darkness, on Mt. Tianheng, the shadows of a few monsters occasionally swayed, and the snores of Hilichurls were carried by the wind from time to time.
In a sheltered part of the mountain, Su Bai sat quietly on a square wooden step. Next to him was a small table made of a fence and a pressure plate. The steady glow of a campfire flickered, completely unaffected by the night breeze.
Across the campfire was another wooden step with a matching tea table, but it remained empty for now, awaiting no guest.
Su Bai busied himself alone, boiling water, brewing tea, changing cups, and sipping.
Until a person approached from afar, carrying a lantern.
Under a black hood, their face was concealed by a scarf. Four attendants flanked them in two columns, each armed with swords.
"You're here. Please, take a seat for now. I assume we both have a clear idea about the cooperation. Have a cup of hot tea to warm up first." Su Bai raised his hand, inviting the newcomer to sit and talk.
The person remained silent, quietly taking a seat. But they only moved closer to the fire, not touching the tea. Clearly, their guard was high.
"The agreement is right beside you. It doesn't constitute a contract bound by divine authority, relying purely on both parties' conscious adherence. But bear the consequences of violation yourself. See for yourself."
Seeing him like this, Su Bai couldn't be bothered with further talk. The fact that he came tonight was just to show his face. The agreement must be settled, whether finalized or not. He had the confidence for that!
Moreover, the visitor knew he had such confidence.
"If you find it unsatisfactory, I do have a Contract here. Would you like to see it?" Su Bai looked at him with a smile. Even though the face was unclear, he could see the shock in those eyes.
Will you look at it?
This was a question, but also a forced stance. If he didn't look, he would sign the agreement. If he looked, the agreement would be void.
As for what was on the Contract? Only Su Bai knew.
In other words, did he dare to gamble? Gamble that the Contract's terms were better than the agreement's.
Gulp.
The black-clothed person swallowed, understanding the crux of the matter. By the time he processed it, a cold sweat had unknowingly broken out on his back.
Whether it was this brutally strict agreement or the unknown Contract, in his heart, both seemed like they came from the hand of a demon! Playing with people's hearts, utterly merciless!
And yet, that shockingly tempting, enormous profit made his long-brewing ambition blaze anew. His mind couldn't conjure any thought of refusal.
On one side, a deep pit, a cliff. One step into it meant certain death.
On the other side, a soaring peak. One step onto it meant rising to the zenith.
It seemed like a choice, but in reality, he had only one path.
"How excessive. An entire alliance, just crumbling like this." The black-clothed person, after holding back for a long time, finally let out a self-mocking sigh. Raising his hand, he signed his name on the agreement.
As for the Contract, he acted as if he hadn't heard it. In the psychological game, he had already lost.
Those who are timid and indecisive only deserve to be led by the nose. He could still accept his losses gracefully.
"If we're talking about excess, I'm not as bad as you lot." Su Bai spread his hands, then kicked out a skull, still wearing a hat, though now tattered and ruined.
"If I didn't have such resources, by now, I'd probably be like this poor fellow here, dead for some unknown reason at the foot of Mt. Tianheng, with no one to care, right?"
The black-clothed person had nothing to say.
Su Bai kicked the skull into a nearby pit, then turned to the man. "I gave Fan Lao'er a total of two million kilograms for 350 Mora each. You're lucky; you chose the agreement. Next, clear out your warehouses and prepare the receipts. The first batch of three million kilograms can arrive at any time."
"After this, the price will no longer concern you."
"And next…"
"Mr. Su, such methods, such resources. I am impressed!"
A moment later, after listening to Su Bai's instructions, the black-clothed person respectfully bowed, bending deeply towards Su Bai.
"To have crossed hands with you, Sir, I, Mu, have lost, but not unjustly!"
"From now on, my bank is at your disposal! I dare not ask for more, only seeking to protect myself."
His words fell, but no one responded.
When he looked up again, only an empty set of chairs remained, along with the campfire, unaffected by the night wind, its flames flickering, reflecting in his resigned and fearful eyes.
A gemstone shimmering with a blood-red luster lay quietly on the chair, pressing down on a signed agreement. Although the words all spoke of aid, assistance, obligation, responsibility…
Upon closer look, between the lines, it was filled entirely with one phrase:
Capital crushing human will.
Seeing this, the man's heart held a myriad of words, leaving only one lament.
Fighting spirit soaring, striving and resisting?
Heh. That's only when the situation you're facing isn't desperate enough!
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100 powerstones = 1 chapter
200 powerstones = 3 chapters
300 powerstones = 5 chapters
After a brain dead convo with a person, im posting this notice, "Please before you review my translation, read the synopsis and tags, as to not look like a fool" Thank you