Running a Merchant Guild Is Just a Side Hustle

"I have some high-level magic cores in my storage ring. You can take them out if you need to restore your battle qi. Of course, I can't move my body right now, so you'll have to take them yourself."

"Huh, no."

"You've taken the wrong one. That's my personal storage ring. The magic core is in another purple gemstone ring."

"Oh. There are clothes in this storage ring. Shall I get you something to wear for now?"

"Will it be easier for you to receive treatment if you're wearing clothes?"

"Not very convenient."

"Then I won't take it. Let's talk about it when you're done."

"."

Since we can't hold it all in, we might as well leave it all exposed.

Canossa's candidness made the atmosphere less awkward.

And thanks to Rein's extraordinary healing abilities, her injuries were healing steadily.

After seeing that her torn muscles could be completely repaired, the beautiful lady lost all of her previous frustration.

The common treatment method is to roughly allow the wound to heal in large areas.

However, for ruptured muscle fibers, that level of healing allows her to stand up again, but both her strength and intensity will be several levels lower than before.

This is absolutely devastating news for a top-tier Transcendent.

And Rein's miraculous healing "Gang Line" can meticulously stitch those muscles back together, restoring them to their original state in the blink of an eye.

This is what truly delighted Canossa.

However, suturing muscle fibers is a very time-consuming and energy-intensive task.

It took most of the day for Rein to begin healing.

It's only a matter of time before Canossa fully recovers from her injuries.

With the worry of being "disabled" gone, this stunningly beautiful woman's mood improved more and more.

Aside from needing to concentrate and not be disturbed when suturing muscle fibers, the two can also chat casually when Rein is resting and recovering his fighting spirit.

This encounter brought the two of them very close.

Perhaps because of their relationship, they were no longer strangers, and for the first time, Canossa opened up about many topics she had never discussed with others.

In this dark Underground Palace and temple that had been silent for countless years, their words were spoken to each other, and also to the murals and the withered bones.

Sure enough, a few hours later.

Rein had already treated almost all of Mrs. Canossa's injuries that could potentially cause future problems, and there was no longer any urgency. The rest could be stitched up one by one in order.

As they talked, the two began to discuss their experiences in Transcendent cultivation.

This conversation left Rein stunned.

"So, Madam, the reason you established the Chamber of Commerce was actually to cultivate this [Great Strength Demon God] Body Refining Secret Method?"

"Yes! As you know, this secret technique requires a lot of battle qi. Without special opportunities, you will be stuck at the threshold and your Extraordinary Rank will stagnate; moreover, the demand for battle qi increases as you progress. That's why I need a lot of money to buy magic cores and then use them to diligently cultivate the secret technique. That's how I started this side job."

"That 'Black Gold Merchant Guild' is just a side business in your eyes?"

"That's right. Business is just a means of making a living; Transcendent and the highest realm are my ultimate pursuits. The more money I need, the more I want to rack my brains to find ways to earn more. So, I've gotten involved in all sorts of industries."

"."

Only then did Rein understand why Canossa's Golden Body Realm was so high.

He had once had this idea: to use magic cores to force himself to practice.

However, the number of magic cores consumed by this method is an astronomical figure that would make even high-ranking nobles tremble with fear.

He himself took a shortcut using "Gang Line," while this lady used "money power."

The money Canossa has spent advancing to the Transcendent over the years, in her own words, is roughly equivalent to the combined revenue of the Omar and Sid treasuries over one or two decades.

Moreover, judging from his tone, it seemed like it was just a casual side business that had built such an extravagant super business empire.

After hearing Canossa's own story, Rein suddenly felt that this might be the true template for a protagonist.

But when the topic of business came up, Rein seemed to remember something and added, "Oh, Mrs. Canossa, I almost forgot to tell you. Omar has started a 'Sunflower Merchant Guild,' and it seems they've already reached an agreement with City of Radiance. In the past few months, they've almost completely squeezed out your Black Gold Merchant Guild's market share in City of Radiance."

"I knew it."

Canossa was not surprised at all when she heard this, and a look of disdain appeared on her face.

"When we encountered the 'Black Skull Phantom Thieves' attack in the wasteland, I guessed that the two great empires were going to become our rivals. But I never expected those guys to be so stupid as to think they could take over the market share by simply 'plundering' us?"

When she said this, she made no attempt to hide her contempt for that barbaric behavior, and was also full of confidence in her business acumen.

"Those Established Nobles still dream of controlling the entire market through forced monopoly? How laughable! Those high and mighty nobles probably don't even know how much a loaf of black bread costs to the common people. How could they possibly understand real business? Playing resource monopoly is one thing, but as for the rest... hehe."

"Oh."

Rein didn't quite understand the rules of business operations, but judging from Canossa's tone, he didn't seem to have much to worry about.

But the "Sunflower Merchant Guild" did bring her some trouble after all. Canossa pouted again and said, "However, this period will indeed be a bit difficult. But they won't amount to anything."

Rein asked doubtfully, "Can't it amount to anything?"

Canossa had long seen through the true nature of the "Sunflower Merchant Guild," and shrugged, saying, "Those official chambers of commerce may seem large and resourceful, but in reality, they are utterly useless except for cultivating parasites. Whether they make money or not, the 'Sunflower Merchant Guild' will eventually collapse due to unequal distribution of spoils."

Rein: "Oh?"

Canossa: "In the early stages of resource consolidation, they will quickly become a behemoth. But later on... because there are more than a few nobles controlling the guild, with so many vying for a share of the profits, they will definitely not be united. I dare say that some will abuse their positions for personal gain, which will be a huge hidden danger that will cause the guild to collapse."

The two chatted casually, and Rein roughly understood the operating model of the "Sunflower Merchant Guild".

Clearly, Mrs. Canossa possessed exceptional business acumen and intuition, and had already devised a plan.

Suddenly, he remembered something and said, "Um, Madam, I don't know much about how the Chamber of Commerce works, but I have something I'd like to ask you."

Upon hearing this, Canossa's eyes sparkled with a faint smile. "Go ahead and speak. Why are you suddenly being so polite?"

Rein said, "I have a territory under construction that will require trade. If possible, I would like to ask you to help me with a future business plan."

He used to be all alone, and he only had to feed himself.

But things are different now; suddenly, I have responsibilities.

After all, the surviving branch of the Kolman Tribe was able to establish a new settlement in the dangerous "Karatva Basin" because of his suggestion.

As for Tuster, Karl, Wudo, and those familiar Elder Kolman warriors, whether as friends or allies, he naturally cared about their safety there.

Oh, and Ymir, that ally who helped him a lot.

If that Mechanical City territory can be successfully established, then there will be many more things to consider later.

For example, trade.

But building a territory requires resources.

The resources brought by Ymir or Kolman alone are far from sufficient.

Even if a city is built, it will only be a stagnant pool.

The development of a territory requires commerce, industry, and some daily necessities.

Examples include coal, textiles, minerals, equipment, food, and daily necessities.

It is impossible for them to be self-sufficient in everything; closing themselves off from the world will only lead to further backwardness.

Commerce in circulation injects tremendous vitality into the development of a territory, while also bringing enormous wealth.

Rein was well aware of this; history from his previous life had taught him a valuable lesson.

The "Karatva Basin" contains many High-tier Demonic Beast resources, so it's foreseeable that they will have a lot of magical beast material resources in their hands in the future.

However, the value of holding a large amount of the same resources is very limited, but once they are circulated, their value will skyrocket.

It will also snowball, making the territory increasingly wealthy.

And this Mrs. Canossa in front of me is the best business partner!

Upon hearing this, Canossa raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Your territory?"

To avoid censorship, the word count is a bit short. If it gets blocked, the loss will be smaller o(╥╥)o