Volume Six: What She Lost, What I Gained, Chapter 503: An Unequal Treaty (I)

A few hours ago, I entered the giant mouth of the Sea Emperor Clan (a treat for those with the Deep Sea) --

The sea was calm.

With no strong winds or waves, no hidden reefs or seaweed floating in the shallows, and bright sunshine, this is simply the perfect sea area for sailing.

This is a golden route for maritime trade. Before, when I read books about how amazing the ancient Grand Canal and major trade routes were, I didn't really grasp the significance. Now I realize how crucial good transportation routes are for commercial development.

We are now on the ship heading to Business Capital.

The conflicts on the West Saint Continent, the confrontation between the Revolutionary Army and the Divine Law Cult, and my entanglement with my nemesis's wife have finally come to an end.

This is the first time I've stayed on a continent for so long.

If I think about it, when I first transmigrated, I arrived at the East Emperor Continent, which was full of large and small countries. Then I went to the North Realm Continent, which had a lower level of civilization and amazing natural scenery. Next, I went to the Central United Academy in the Central Sea Islands. Then I went to the West Saint Continent, where politics and religion were combined in a very subtle way.

Using the process of elimination, my next destination should be the South Spirit Continent, which is the last remaining of the four landmasses and one sea. According to Little Ying and Yun Can's descriptions, it seems to be a continent with a strong ethnic minority culture and a harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. The downside is that there are too many ethnic groups and tribes, so there are often conflicts. But overall, it is still a very suitable place to retire.

The final map was skipped before it was even unlocked. Players with a completionist streak or OCD would probably go crazy, right? I was pretty much the same.

To reach the North Realm Continent, you must travel by boat.

You travel to the Central Sea Islands by boat.

The journey to the West Saint Continent is by boat.

You still have to take a boat to get to Business Capital.

I have no prejudice against sailing. There's sea breeze, beautiful scenery, dolphin-like creatures leaping out of the water, and seafood to eat. There's nothing to complain about.

The problem is,

"I'm fucking seasick... ugh... cough cough cough..."

"Cheer up Xiao Ye!"

"If you're seasick, just lie in bed and sleep!"

"No... no! I have to... stand on the deck... I can't let my presence as the main character... become even less noticeable... ugh!!"

Splash! The fish we ate for lunch turned into graffiti on the deck—colorful and messy, but not pretty at all.

"Xiao Ye is delirious and talking nonsense!"

"Stop talking nonsense and get the broom and dustpan right now!"

"Don't point fingers at me, Saki—you delinquent!"

"Who's bossing you around, Hao-- the Qipao Woman!"

"Ugh... Waaah... I... want the whole world to know... I'm... the main character... and nobody... can steal my spotlight..."

Damn, this is so annoying, so annoying, I feel like swearing all day long. So why do I have to sit in this fucking mess?

Ship? Although there are no airplanes in this world, there are at least airships! They're slower than airplanes, but faster than ships!

Rolling around. Huh?

What was stuffed into his mouth?

Small pills? Or small pouches?

"Want some seasickness medicine?"

That cold, wooden voice... What?! The Sin Annihilation?

"To eat or not to eat?"

"I... eat..."

I forced the bitter pill down, and the sour taste of the vomit went down with it. I mean, these are supposed to be taken with water, right? Is it okay for me to swallow them like this? And shouldn't motion sickness pills be taken before getting on any transportation?

"Um..."

The effect is quite good; the dizziness is not as intense, and my stomach isn't churning as much.

"Thanks, Sin Annihilation. It's rare for you to take the initiative to talk to me."

"Xiao Wu told me to interact with other people more... Is it because she thinks I'm being too clingy?"

Sin Annihilation turned her head slightly away, her long eyelashes drooping. She was always wearing a black dress with simple patterns, and a small black hat that she had gotten from somewhere, which looked a bit like mourning clothes, but suited her very well.

A slowly melting iceberg... or a killing machine gradually becoming human? Such a character is also in my favor. Let's try comforting her.

"No way, Xiao Wu... She's a bit awkward, but her awkwardness isn't like typical tsundere traits. She's an incredibly kind and gentle person, but she's not good at accepting other people's kindness or expressing her own, which is why she always has a cold and indifferent attitude. You'll get used to it."

"Oh..."

Sin Annihilation's expression hardly changed, but his silvery-white eyes seemed to brighten a bit, indicating that his mood had improved.

"Just as Xiao Wu said."

"Hmm... Ah?"

Did Xiao Wu say that?

"'Ye, that guy, is actually very good at reading the atmosphere and understanding other people's feelings and thoughts, but being able to understand doesn't mean he'll take corresponding actions that show consideration for others...'"

Wow, this girl perfectly recreated Xiao Wu's voice; it feels like she's giving me her own evaluation.

"'That's the kind of person she is. She knows she'll hurt others but pretends not to notice. Although she adheres to the bare minimum of morality, she can break it at any time for her goals. In some ways, she's even worse than Hao— the Qipao Woman. The Qipao Woman just goes against the normal values of good and evil, but that guy...sometimes he's just pure scum.'"

"..."

You can see that so clearly, Xiao Wu.

I'll remember you.

"But she also said—'Although there are many shortcomings, it cannot be denied that she is indeed a trustworthy companion, and she does have her own unique charm, attracting others like a beautiful poisonous weed... What a remarkable person...' and things like that."

Oh oh...

Well... I'm a little embarrassed to say this...

"She also said things like, 'No matter what kind of person she is, she is one of my most important companions.'"

Wow, my heart is racing! I finally understand how those girls who were turned gay by Xiao Wu are! Is this a tactic of giving her a beating first and then showering her with sweetness? Quick, I need to take notes!

"... By the way, Sin Annihilation, where were you hanging around before?"

"Take care of her."

Sin Annihilation curled his lip and pointed with his chin to the other side of his nail plate.

"I can't find it anymore... I want... a hug..."

Little Ying was hanging on the deck railing like a dead fish, with mysterious white foam oozing from the corners of her mouth, and her body was still trembling.

"..."

Suddenly I feel better. Turns out I'm not the only one who gets seasick.

Wait a minute, did this girl come along too? When did she arrive? Is she really not just a burden?

This small passenger ship was naturally provided by the Revolutionary Army —no, it's now the Blood Edge Dynasty —I am now, after all, the nominal "Guardian Goddess," and I can mobilize all their resources at will with just a word. This little ship is a piece of cake.

What I really need is their financial support, not anything else.

I still remember that my initial purpose in helping the Revolutionary Army was to gain strength. If we successfully helped them become the new rulers of the continent, we would essentially have the power of the entire continent as our backing, and the benefits would be countless.

But that goal has been shattered.

During the war, the Gray Starling Group was the largest sponsor of the Revolutionary Army.

They have been providing the Revolutionary Army with necessary material support, in exchange for the various benefits that the Revolutionary Army would bring them after it successfully took power. If Yu He and we hadn't eventually become enemies, the Gray Starling Group would probably have become the controller of the West Saint Continent market.

In short, the Blood Edge Dynasty still owes Yu He.

The "debt" here is not just about owing money; they also owe the Gray Starling Group for all sorts of benefits they promised in the past. In the face of Yu He's superpowers, "owing" is no different from "courting death."

Both Ling Ye's Notes and Givinia have mentioned that one of Yu He's abilities is to force debtors to repay their debts using "any possessions" they own. Therefore, Nid is willing but unable to send manpower to support us directly. At most, he can only secretly allocate funds to us from the savings left by the Holy See, as is the case now.

However, something is better than nothing. When dealing with Yu He, this financial Demon King, it's always good to have more money.