Winning the First Battle

"Large Merchant Guilds?" Loren smiled.

"Most Large Merchant Guilds with a certain level of strength have Nobles backing them and established partnerships. Working with them would merely be icing on the cake, with little real impact.

On the contrary, their strength might become a restraint on me.

Besides, the elders of my family taught me to treat others kindly. There is no need to provoke conflicts with other Nobles.

More importantly, the elders also intend to test me. What achievement could earn more merit than rising from humble beginnings?

Trust me, President Robert. Partnering with small merchant guilds is a choice I made after careful consideration. Otherwise, it would not be Jasmine Flower Merchant Guild's turn."

After a brief pause, he shifted the subject, his tone brimming with irresistible temptation.

"After joining the Orchid Merchant Alliance, without the burden of exorbitant taxes, Jasmine Flower Merchant Guild might expand fivefold or even tenfold in less than three years. You could employ ten thousand people and become a merchant guild with immense power.

When that time comes, if you wish, you could even pioneer the Endless Wasteland on your own, become Pioneer Lords, build a territory that belongs to you, and obtain the lofty status of Nobles."

His provocative words made many people breathe faster.

Become Nobles!

Those words echoed through their minds like a curse.

As the ruling class, becoming Nobles was practically everyone's ultimate dream.

Just as the greedy wanted wealth beyond measure and the power-hungry wanted to rise to the ranks of kings and marquises, Nobles in this world were synonymous with power. No title could make one's heart race faster.

Fiana, who had remained silent behind him, watched the atmosphere in the room change and instinctively turned to study Loren closely.

This confident and composed young man negotiating before her was practically a different person from the one who could not even speak properly in front of those Nobles yesterday.

How could someone change so drastically in such a short time?

Robert's heart was filled with complicated emotions upon hearing this.

Any Large Merchant Guild with some strength would seek the protection of a Noble. Though they had to pay those Nobles a considerable fee, they could gain protection and substantial tax reductions. Few people could remain unmoved by such an arrangement.

Jasmine Flower Merchant Guild had also sought Noble protection before, but no one had ever thought highly enough of them. Only those involved could understand the bitterness of it.

As his thoughts raced, Robert had already formed a preliminary judgment.

"Lord Loren, of course I trust you. But if we agree to join your merchant alliance, how can we ensure that our interests will not be taken by other allies?"

Loren looked at the tempted Robert, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.

"I will sign a contract with you in the name of the Orchid Family and register it at Decker City's City Hall.

Trust me, the Orchid Family's reputation is worth far more than this little bit of money.

And our first contract will only last one year. If, after a year, you find it unsuitable or your interests have been harmed, you may withdraw at any time. I will not charge any withdrawal fee.

The alliance will be loosely organized, and I will not force you to do anything.

But there is one exception. If I require certain goods, then at the same price, you must give me priority.

I hope you understand that I am forming this merchant alliance to facilitate the construction of my territory, not simply to make money."

Upon hearing that, the last trace of worry in Robert's heart quietly faded.

With a Platinum Level guardian protecting his safety, coupled with such extraordinary bearing, everything Loren displayed was nearly perfect. He fit the identity of a High Noble's descendant far too well.

Even if Robert harbored some doubts, would someone capable of commanding a Platinum expert truly go to such lengths to scheme against their tiny merchant guild?

No matter how he thought about it, it was impossible. That was a Platinum expert—why would such a person stoop so low?!

After pondering for a moment, Robert felt he could not find any reason not to cooperate with Loren.

Yet the caution in his heart kept him from agreeing immediately. He turned to look behind him, intending to hear the opinions of the Jasmine Flower Merchant Guild members.

But after looking at his subordinates, he was left utterly speechless.

At that moment, every member of Jasmine Flower Merchant Guild was more excited than the last. Loren's words had already sent their hearts soaring, and they seemed unable to wait to cooperate with him.

These stupid pigs.

Robert cursed inwardly. His teammates were unreliable, so he could only grit his teeth and handle it himself.

"Honorable Lord Loren, your terms are far too generous. If Jasmine Flower Merchant Guild belonged to me alone, I would likely agree to your conditions immediately.

But Jasmine Flower Merchant Guild is ultimately a joint venture, so I need to discuss it with the shareholders. Could we give you an answer in ten days?"

Loren raised a brow, his expression turning cold. He stood up directly and looked down at the shrewd President of Jasmine Flower Merchant Guild, his tone icy.

"You may come find me at Wanderer's Inn in the city center before nine tomorrow morning. After that time, Jasmine Flower Merchant Guild will be disqualified."

After speaking, he paused and said indifferently.

"Robert, understand one thing. Right now, I am not begging you to cooperate with me. I am granting you the opportunity to cooperate with me.

If my territory had not suffered an attack from the Bloody Polluters and I did not currently need funds, do you think you would be qualified to stand here and speak to me?

What is Jasmine Flower Merchant Guild?!"

With that, he flicked his sleeve. Without even looking at Robert's expression, he raised his head and turned to leave without hesitation.

Everyone in the room was startled. They had clearly not expected Loren, who had been so easygoing moments ago, to turn hostile so suddenly and leave them no room for further discussion.

Just as everyone was about to chase after him, Fiana, following behind Loren, turned back and gave everyone inside a cold glance.

The icy gaze made everyone's scalps tingle. They had nearly forgotten there was still a Platinum Level expert here.

After Loren's figure disappeared, the room immediately erupted in regret, but no one dared chase after him anymore.

"President, why didn't you agree to Lord Loren just now?"

"Ah, what a pity to lose such an opportunity. No, wait, we can still go tomorrow morning."

Hearing the complaints around him, Robert nearly exploded. He turned toward the crowd and roared.

"Get out, all of you! Why didn't any of you step forward just now?! That was a five-million membership fee!

Jasmine Flower Merchant Guild only makes a little over two million in profit a year. How could we dare take such a risk?!

And should we trust him without investigating his background?"

Only then did the room fall silent.

After leaving Jasmine Flower Manor, Loren immediately put away the proud, enraged expression he had worn moments ago and returned to the calmness he had displayed before arriving.

He turned with interest to glance at the open gates of Jasmine Flower Merchant Guild behind him. Though his tone was casual, it was incomparably certain.

"One down. Tomorrow morning, they'll come to us with money. We can prepare to visit the next one."

His negotiation strategy was not particularly complicated. It had only three steps. First, he used the prestigious identity of a High Noble and Fiana's strength to seize the initiative.

Second, he tempted them with benefits, making them interested through the tax exemptions and protection that came with joining a merchant alliance.

Third, he left to apply pressure. This step was meant to make them decide quickly. With such a huge benefit delivered right to their doorstep, they would naturally have doubts.

But once he withdrew without hesitation, those people would absolutely reflect on whether they had made a mistake. The clear time limit would also create immense psychological pressure.

When Jasmine Flower Merchant Guild came begging again, the initiative in his hands would only grow greater.

Step by step, each link connected to the next. If even one link had been missing, today's plan would have gone wrong.

He had countless ways to make money, but all of them required considerable time to operate. The system only gave him three days, so making use of his identity as a Noble's descendant was undoubtedly the most effortless method.

Status and background were part of one's strength to begin with. Having resources but insisting on shouting that one would rely on no one and start from scratch was simply a sign of insufficient intelligence—or the naivety of little rabbits sheltered in ivory towers who had never been beaten down by society.

This world was built on interconnected relationships. Having endured countless vicious struggles in the business world, Loren had long flushed his childishness down the toilet.

The impact on Fiana's heart was no less than that on Jasmine Flower Merchant Guild.

As she looked at Loren's back, a trace of undisguised complexity filled her blue eyes.

If his soul aura had not remained unchanged, she might have suspected that he had been possessed by an evil spirit.

She had originally thought Loren had come here to seize wealth by force and extort money.

But she had never expected this outcome.

The enormous contrast made it difficult for her to accept Loren's transformation.

How could such an almost flawless way of handling matters have been done by that timid and cowardly fellow?

After a long silence, Fiana could not suppress her curiosity any longer.

"Why not seek cooperation with those Large Merchant Guilds?

With the Orchid Family's name, I do not believe those Large Merchant Guilds would dare make things difficult for you."

Loren was slightly stunned. He turned to look at the cool and elegant girl, then smiled.

"Small merchant guilds like Jasmine Flower Merchant Guild are easier for us, who currently have nothing, to control.

If we cooperate with Large Merchant Guilds, they will likely uncover the truth about us very quickly. Cases of a tail growing too large to shake off are not rare. If they turn the tables and take control, we will have to fight internally again.

I hate trouble.

So the best approach is to bring in merchant guilds with some strength but that are easy to control. That way, their dependence on us will increase dramatically.

The bargaining chips in my hand will also become more valuable. We will not become dispensable as we might with Large Merchant Guilds.

Besides, we do not have many connections in Decker City. Having a few obedient merchant guilds handle matters for us can save a great deal of time and effort.

And once our territory grows stronger in the future, do you think these small merchant guilds will still be able to maintain their independence?"

Though his tone was calm, he made no attempt to conceal his wild ambition. He wanted far more than others imagined.

A faint weathered depth and a sharpness that saw through people's hearts filled his profound eyes. Combined with his incomparably handsome face and elegant Noble manners, Loren possessed a unique charm that made hearts race.

Fiana stared at the dazzling Loren, and for an instant, the cold and stunning beauty's face went blank.

It was as though she had met Loren for the first time. This spirited young man was filled with a deadly charm at that moment.

It made her heart tremble.