Yunlin Chamber of Commerce Founded, Muyun Escorts the Cargo

The moment those words were spoken, the entire hall erupted in an uproar.

The heads of the mid-sized families, including Qian Yue and even Long Teng, all showed a trace of astonishment.

The heads of the smaller families, meanwhile, wore complicated expressions.

Their families were already small. Would joining the chamber of commerce be a blessing or a curse?

Previously, under the black-robed man's instigation, they had briefly cooperated, and some had even broken away from the Four Great Families.

They no longer wished to remain vassals, but they had not truly severed relations.

But founding a chamber of commerce together was different. That meant completely standing on the opposite side.

"Lord Shan, what benefits would founding this chamber of commerce bring us?"

Qian Yue was the first to raise a doubt. Merchants did not rise early without profit; he would not touch a losing deal.

The moment he spoke, he gained everyone present's support, and the crowd nodded one after another.

"Benefits?" Lord Shan's black-robed voice suddenly rose, each word striking the ground with force.

"The court is in turmoil now, and Yunlin County is even more like a heap of loose sand.

The authorities do nothing, while the Four Great Families carve up the city's profits. All of you have suffered their suppression to some extent.

Are you willing to spend your whole lives as slaves beneath others?"

Those words instantly struck straight into everyone's hearts.

That was right. For so many years, the Four Great Families had wanted a share of every industry.

Though their powers seemed hostile to one another, they could still stand together at critical moments.

Who knew how many small families had become cannon fodder in their hands, vanishing into the river of time.

"Of course we are unwilling." Qian Yue took the lead in speaking. "But how can the chamber of commerce ensure that everyone works together with one heart?"

They were all businessmen, all driven by profit. Who could guarantee that no one would stab another in the back at a crucial moment?

"Ha ha ha ha ha!"

Lord Shan burst into unrestrained laughter.

"Good question, a very good question!

Why do you think I gave you Rejuvenation Pills? I trust the old geezers in your families—or perhaps you yourselves—have taken them already!"

Everyone present's expressions changed drastically. Could the pills be poisonous?

Long Teng, seated to one side, felt his scalp go numb. What exactly was this man trying to do?

Some hot-tempered martial artists had already gathered their auras, ready to strike at any moment.

How could they let their lives be controlled by another?

If there was poison, there would be an antidote.

"Put away those little thoughts of yours!" Lord Shan shouted. "If I had poisoned you, would you still be alive today?"

A powerful aura flowed from beneath the black robe. Every martial artist felt a chill rise in their hearts.

How could this man be so powerful?

And what did he mean by saying he had not poisoned them?

Lord Shan continued explaining, "The pill's effects only last twenty days. Once that time passes, you will instantly be beaten back to your original state.

Therefore, you must continue taking it in order to maintain your current condition."

After hearing the explanation, everyone's eyes flickered, especially the heads of the smaller families.

There were few martial artists in their families to begin with, and the Rejuvenation Pills had solved their urgent need.

After all, the martial artists they trusted, or the older generation, had all suffered declining qi and blood.

Just think—who would not want them to continue giving off their remaining heat?

And conversely, after experiencing the strength of their youth once more, who would willingly give it up?

After thinking it over and over, they all reached the same conclusion. They would do it. So what if they had to walk one road into darkness?

If they succeeded, their descendants would enjoy the blessings.

Very soon, the heads of the smaller families all stepped forward to speak.

"I am willing to join the chamber of commerce."

"I'll join too."

"Join! Join!"

In contrast, the six heads of the mid-sized families, including Qian Yue and Long Qian, were still locked in an internal struggle.

Naturally, they did not wish to give up the Rejuvenation Pills, but if they joined the chamber of commerce, would that not mean living beneath another?

Lord Shan—Han Shan—had long guessed that the few of them would react this way.

He had already prepared both a solution and the words to persuade them.

He lowered the hood that concealed his face, revealing his appearance to everyone present.

"The World-Saving Sect's leader!"

A family head who had dealt with the World-Saving Sect cried out in alarm.

Long Qian, Qian Yue, and the others wore expressions of shock and suspicion. They were shocked that he had exposed his appearance so openly.

What puzzled them was why the leader of the World-Saving Sect wanted to establish a chamber of commerce.

From what they knew, this sect did not seem particularly short on money!

"What I want to say is this."

Han Shan's gaze swept across everyone present, lingering especially on Qian Yue and the others before finally falling upon Long Qian.

He then slowly withdrew his gaze and continued, "I do not lack money. After this chamber of commerce is established, everyone will exchange what they have for what they lack and share resources.

This chamber will not establish a president. Major decisions will be decided through a joint vote.

Each small family will have one vote. As for Family Head Qian and Family Head Long, how about two votes each?"

Sharing resources, no president, decisions made by voting?

Every single word crashed heavily into everyone's hearts.

It seemed this sect leader truly did not lack money?

Rumor had it that he enjoyed doing good deeds. Could they be the target of his charity?

The heads of the smaller families were even more overjoyed.

What they feared most was that the chamber of commerce would become a one-man show, or that the large families would join forces to exploit them.

How would that be any different from the Four Great Families?

Now that they also had voting rights, they would not be casually manipulated.

Every family would carry weight.

As for Long Qian, Qian Yue, and the other family heads, they found the arrangement quite good, and they themselves had two votes.

The sincerity offered was considerable as well.

With the Rejuvenation Pills as assurance, they need not fear betrayal for the time being.

Most importantly, shared resources would save them a great deal of money.

Long Teng, Qian Yue, and the others exchanged glances and made their decision in an instant.

"We are willing to join," everyone said in unison.

As everyone announced their participation, the Yunlin Chamber of Commerce was officially established.

Han Shan raised his cup first and shouted, "Then let us sound the horn of our counterattack!"

"Counterattack against the Four Great Families!"

"Long live the chamber of commerce!"

Han Shan then led everyone in discussing the details and laying out a plan.

As the atmosphere rose to another climax, the Dragon Household banquet came to an end beneath the night sky.

The family heads departed one after another, their faces filled with hopes for the future.

Two days later, at the market where the Leng Household purchased medicinal herbs.

A convoy of carriages slowly entered, finally stopping within the Leng Household's station.

"Master Zhou, we've arrived."

Niu Jin's rough voice reached Zhou Muyun's ears.

Inside the carriage, Zhou Muyun, who had been sitting with his eyes tightly shut and calming his mind, slowly opened them.

They had set out from West Market in Yunlin and traveled for roughly an hour and a half.

Nothing unusual had happened along the way.

That left him deeply puzzled.

Since they were bandits, every passing convoy should have been their target.

Yet they had not appeared, which pointed to one conclusion.

The bandits had surfaced specifically to target the Leng Household.

And they knew the Leng Household's cargo transport schedule.

After all, Zhou Muyun had never seen any bandits who stayed awake for twelve hours straight, crouching by the roadside the entire time.

They were martial artists, not immortals. Everyone needed rest!

Otherwise, why rob money at all? To be nothing but workhorses squatting by the roadside, eating in the wind and sleeping in the dew?

"Is there a mole?"

Zhou Muyun recalled every member of the convoy: six martial artists and twelve workers.

If there was a mole, how had the information been passed along?

Or was there a mole within the station?

He could only take one step at a time.

Zhou Muyun shook his head, then stepped down from the carriage.

"Brother Niu, how long will loading take?"

His gaze swept over everyone in the station as he casually asked Niu Jin.

"About half an hour should be enough."

"We leave as soon as we're loaded?"

"That is how we always do it. The journey is not short, so we try to leave early and return early."

"Alright."

Niu Jin led Zhou Muyun to a nearby pavilion to rest and wait.

Zhou Muyun swept his gaze over the crowd once more, but still found nothing unusual.

Yet he began calculating in his heart.

They had departed Yunlin at the beginning of the Hour of the Dragon and arrived at the market after an hour and a half on the road.

Loading would take half an hour, which meant they could depart at the beginning of the Hour of the Snake?

Zhou Muyun's eyes shifted, and an idea instantly came to him.

If there was a mole, this move would definitely work.