Across the vast land, the green tents were hardly conspicuous on their own. But when hundreds, even thousands of them were arranged side by side in a huge circle, they stood out even against the green grassland.
Ten tall pillars stood evenly spaced around the circle. Two sentries stood atop each one, keeping a close eye on their surroundings while the soldiers below rested.
"Whoosh!" Suddenly, an arrow rapidly grew larger in Ye Luo's field of vision...
"Boom..." Two seconds later, the image, which had lasted less than five seconds, vanished from Ye Luo's mind. He didn't need to ask the Mother Nest to know that this Overlord had been taken down by the magic archer beside Yarman...
"He's like a sniper from another world!" The staggering distance and force of the attack left Ye Luo marveling.
"My Emperor, if you're interested in that human, I'll capture him alive for you!" Ye You immediately piped up beside Ye Luo, looking eager to please.
Ye Luo glanced at him. "You always have to get involved!"
Then he turned to Ye Meng. "Ye Meng, is the army ready?"
Ye Meng nodded at once. "My Emperor, the entire army has assembled ten miles south of the city!"
Ye Luo looked at the red sunset slanting in through the window. Its light was beginning to fade, but it still draped the rooftops of Morton in a layer of golden sand...
"It's time to strike!"
With Ye You, Ye Meng, and the others guarding him, Ye Luo didn't notify Robert. He rode straight toward the south gate of Morton's main city... As before, Ye Luo planned to command the battle himself!
The warhorse Robert had carefully selected for him pounded down the streets of southern Morton with powerful strides. Ye Luo's sudden appearance prompted many who had never seen him before to respectfully move aside, while sneaking curious glances at him.
Riding behind Ye Luo, Ye You chattered nonstop. "My Emperor, Ye Yan has already infiltrated the enemy with his Mimic guards. Tonight's battle will be nothing but a harvest. There's really no need for you to take part in person. You're the ruler of our race. All you have to do is give an order, and we'll carry out your will perfectly..."
Ye Luo rolled his eyes in exasperation. "Ye You, now I finally understand why even the taciturn Zerglings and tiny Flying Ants have vocal systems, but Larvae can't make a sound at all..."
Ye You perked up, full of curiosity. "My Emperor, why is that?"
"Because... they've all lent you their mouths..." Ye Luo glared at him irritably, squeezed his legs against the horse's flanks, and sent it speeding up.
Watching Ye Luo ride farther away, Ye You scratched his head in confusion. "Um, what did My Emperor mean by that?"
Passing by Ye You, Ye Meng heard him muttering and quietly said, "My Emperor was praising you!"
"Really?"
"...Really..."
"Heh, I get it now..." Ye You's mood instantly brightened. Ye Meng shook his head helplessly, then urged his own horse onward, choosing to put some distance between himself and Ye You.
When word spread that Ye Luo was heading out, the pedestrians on the main street in the southern part of the city moved aside of their own accord, allowing him to reach the gate quickly. But just as he was about to arrive, Ye Luo frowned. A large number of carriages were jammed together in the direction of the gate, completely blocking the way!
Several familiar faces stood near the carriages!
"Alina, don't make trouble for yourself. The Barute Chamber of Commerce is now a chamber personally backed by His Majesty Ye Luo. The business territories our chambers agreed on before became irrelevant the moment His Majesty arrived. Now, how much each chamber earns is up to its own abilities!" Adolph said mercilessly, a mocking look on his face as he regarded the flushed woman before him.
Alina trembled with anger. Through gritted teeth, she said, "His Majesty Ye Luo backed you so you could earn Demon Cores for him. Are you encroaching on Crimson Rose's raw-materials trade to earn Demon Cores too? You're clearly using the authority His Majesty gave you to line your own chamber's pockets!"
Adolph shook his head and spoke softly. "Alina, Alina, you really should learn from us. 'Lining our own pockets'? That's quite an accusation. By all means, go complain to His Majesty Ye Luo and see whose side he takes! His Majesty is the most shrewd merchant I've ever met. He understands the power of multiplying capital. Why did he make several of the chambers offer bids to earn Demon Cores? Do you think we were only competing for support from the taxes of Morton's main city at that banquet? No!"
Adolph circled Alina, freely sharing his experience with her like a victor lecturing the defeated. "Monopolies are what bring the greatest returns. His Majesty understands this, which is why he chose to support one of our chambers. The chosen chamber will gradually replace all the others and become the only chamber in Morton—and His Majesty Ye Luo's private chamber. So don't think we'll stop at encroaching on your business. Even the Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce won't escape our grasp!"
"No! I won't stand by and let you squeeze Crimson Rose out and swallow it up!" Alina declared firmly.
Adolph spread his hands, his face full of amusement. "Unfortunately, this is the inevitable trend. You can't stop it, and neither can Adonis. No one can keep you from being swallowed up..."
"If he can't stop you, what about me?" Suddenly, a warhorse galloped over and came to an abrupt halt in front of Adolph!
"Neigh!" Ye Luo yanked hard on the reins. His horse reared up, letting out a deafening whinny!
"H-His Majesty Ye Luo!" Adolph hadn't expected Ye Luo to appear before him so suddenly.
By then, Ye You, Ye Meng, and the others were only just catching up. As members of the Zerg, they still needed more practice riding horses.
Ye Luo looked at Alina's pitiful expression, then turned to Adolph. "Adolph, I heard some of what you said just now. Very good. You've proven with your own intelligence that my trust in you wasn't misplaced..."
Ye Luo's words instantly brought a delighted smile to Adolph's face, while Alina turned pale and staggered back a couple of steps...
"Only a monopoly can bring the greatest profit at the lowest cost, earning me the most Demon Cores. Without malicious competition from within or attacks from outside, you can consolidate the commercial strengths of all Morton and launch an offensive beyond the city. But I have one more order for you: I don't care about the other chambers, but under no circumstances are you to touch Crimson Rose!"
"Huh?" Adolph and Alina stared at him in bewilderment.
Adolph hurried to speak. "But, His Majesty Ye Luo, you're the best merchant I've ever met. You must know that keeping a small chamber within my sphere of influence will cause me a great deal of trouble..."
Ye Luo thought back to the wildness of the previous night and sighed. His expression gradually turned stern as he looked at Adolph. "Adolph, when everyone else fears us because we're Demon Beasts, you were able to treat me as a human merchant, and I'm glad. But I must remind you: when you regard me as a merchant, you also need to remember that I'm a Demon Beast first and foremost. So... do you have any other questions?"
"..." Adolph knelt to the ground, his eyes vacant. "As you command, great His Majesty Ye Luo..."
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