The Bilgewater Cartel Goblin Magnate

On the deck outside the ship, under the cover of hidden gazes, Zul'ra used hex magic to transform Mardi into a raven on the spot. Watching him flap his wings and fly away, he clapped his hands and returned to the cabin, though he felt he might have underestimated the importance Jastor Gallywix placed on this matter.

As darkness fell, a group of Goblins paid a visit to the ship. They were a heavily armed bunch, mostly clad in leather, sporting mohawks, ponytails, and spiked hairstyles. They carried muskets and various vials, and some operated rumbling mechanical devices. Because of their aggressive approach, they were intercepted by the Trolls before they could board, and Zul'ra came out upon hearing the news.

"Who is your leader?" Zul'ra looked at the fierce Goblins before him, sweeping his gaze over them until it landed on one particular Goblin. This one stood out, primarily because he wore a top hat, his chin had several layers of fat, two mounds of chest flesh sagged over his rotund belly, and he was chomping on a cigar.

"You know who I am, don't you, big guy?" The Goblin looked up at the towering Troll, asking in a gruff voice with the cigar still in his mouth.

"Gallywix?" Zul'ra raised an eyebrow as he looked at the sleazy character.

"Yes, Gallywix, that's me. I am Gallywix. Come, bring a gift for our guest." Gallywix bit down on his cigar, exhaled a cloud of smoke, and introduced himself in a comical tone. He waved his thick right hand, which was covered in gold rings, signaling a Goblin to step forward with a box.

"What do you want?" Zul'ra looked at the Goblin approaching with the box and held up a hand to stop him. Mardi was in a desperate situation and had sent gifts because he needed help, but gifts from Goblins of unknown origin were not to be accepted; heaven knew if there was a bomb inside.

"Tell me, where did Mardi go?" The eyes beneath Gallywix's cigar smoke narrowed.

"He said he went to find Baron Gazlowe," Zul'ra replied, truthfully relaying the situation while looking at the smoke-shrouded Goblin.

"How could he..." The expression beneath Gallywix's smoke faltered slightly.

"Because I told him to. I didn't want him lingering here, giving you the chance to blow up my ships." Zul'ra spread his hands. Cunning is no match for blunt honesty; the highest level of deception is telling the truth.

"A clever move, but big guy, how do you know I wouldn't blow up your ships even without him here?" Gallywix couldn't help but laugh. This Troll was truly interesting—five fingers, no hunchback, no bowlegs; he seemed to be one of the legendary Zandalari Trolls!

"Many things in this world are unavoidable. With Mardi here, I felt a bit guilty, but without him, if my ships were blown up, I wouldn't have any psychological barriers to my retaliation." Zul'ra curled his tusks, a faint smile appearing on his face. Many things in this world are unavoidable, not just for others, but for oneself as well.

"You're really interesting. You're the most interesting Troll I've ever seen. Take it away, take it away." Gallywix looked at the smiling figure, bit his cigar, and waved his hands repeatedly. The Goblin holding the box hurriedly retreated to the side.

"You're an interesting person. I, Jastor Gallywix, Trade Prince of the Bilgewater Cartel, have decided to make you my friend. I miss my friends in the Horde and hope we can do business in the future. I'll give you a discount." Gallywix spat his cigar aside, took off his top hat to reveal pointed ears adorned with gold rings, and performed an exaggerated bow.

"My name is Zul'ra, from Zul'Aman, Trade Prince Gallywix." Zul'ra looked at the sleazy Goblin tycoon and gave a slight nod to state his name.

"Haha, then goodbye, goodbye, Trade Prince Gallywix. I like that title." The Goblin tycoon let out an exaggerated laugh. While bidding farewell to Zul'ra, he signaled his subordinates, who were operating their machines, to rumble away.

Watching the departing Goblin tycoon, Zul'ra frowned slightly. This guy was not someone to be trifled with; Mardi's little tricks were no match for him. Fortunately, he hadn't been counting on that guy to do anything, but he would have to be careful when dealing with Goblins in the future!

After Gallywix left, Zul'ra carefully inspected the ship once more. It wasn't until dawn that he and the others finally departed. The ship first sailed south, rounding the cape of Stranglethorn Vale, then headed north along the continental coast of the Forbidden Sea.

After several days of sailing, the coastal mountains rose and fell, and the ship finally returned safely to the straits of the Thalas Mountains. Zul'ra, Malacrass, and the eighty-two other Trolls stepped onto the soil of Zul'Aman once again after two years and four months.

For Zul'ra and the others returning from their studies, Zul'Aman held no grand welcoming ceremony. The ancient, moss-covered Troll city remained as decadent as ever; only Trolls like Haimuxi felt immense joy at reuniting with their families.

There were no flower ceremonies. Zul'ra and Malacrass first went to the Altar of Deities to meet Zul'jin, who was waiting there. Although the Alliance and the Horde were still fighting outside, Zul'Aman was no longer in a position to participate.

Elves and humans had jointly blockaded the Thalas Mountains and the Darkwood. Zul'Aman was now completely ignorant of the outside world and lacked the capability to participate in the conflicts beyond. The major tribes of the Forest Trolls had been separated, and Zul'jin was extremely agitated, desperately seeking a way out of the predicament.

"Zul'jin, we have no good solutions for these difficulties, and I don't even recommend expanding outward in the short term." Zul'ra looked at the desperate Zul'jin, glanced at the helpless Malacrass, and shook his head at the one-armed, one-eyed Amani chieftain.

"What we should be doing right now is using our existing knowledge to carry out a deeper, comprehensive reform of Zul'Aman. We must improve the forging of weapons and armor, clear farmland, train warriors and Witch Doctors, and then seek allies. By organizing our internal affairs and achieving these goals, we will have the qualifications to gradually oppose the Alliance. As we are now, we are simply no match for them."

"Zul'jin, I agree with Zul'ra." Malacrass listened to Zul'ra's suggestion and nodded in agreement. Although he had had unpleasantries with him, he had learned from Mardi in Booty Bay that the Alliance was counterattacking the other side of the Dark Portal. He was terrified—if the Alliance focused all its strength on attacking Zul'Aman, could it survive?

"I understand what you're saying. If that's the case, then do it! Zul'ra, from today on, I appoint you as the Exarch of Zul'Aman, responsible for reforming the city. Malacrass, you will be Zul'ra's deputy, assisting him in the reforms." Zul'jin looked at Malacrass and the now-transformed, increasingly imposing Zul'ra. Though he felt a sense of resentment, he had no choice but to agree.

"Thank you for your recognition, Zul'jin." Zul'ra bowed slightly to Zul'jin with a blank expression, while Malacrass, standing to the side, wore an unreadable look but had to nod as well, indicating he would assist in the reforms with all his heart.