Three Great Merchant Associations

"That was ruthless! Over a hundred players, and they were killed just like that? Weren't those lives? Were they slaughtering pigs and dogs?"

"What a formidable force. Their numbers were about the same, yet they wiped them all out in a single clash!"

"What an overbearing lineup. This military camp is about to get exciting again!"

"Overbearing? I'd call it arrogant. Just over two hundred people, and they dared act so high and mighty?!"

"A fierce dragon does not cross the river lightly!"

"Yet even a powerful dragon cannot suppress the local snake!"

"Could these really be soldiers? They have quite the air of an iron-blooded army!"

"That's possible!"

Watching that force toss people out the gates as though throwing away trash, then shut the doors and leave everyone outside, the many players outside began discussing animatedly.

Even though these players had grown accustomed to slaughter and bloodshed over the past dozen days, they were still stunned by the decisive, ruthless manner in which the group acted.

As for the Xu Family Guild reinforcements—the burly saber-wielding man and his group—their expressions were quite colorful, but in the end, they did not have the courage to break down the gates and force their way in.

"Jian Shang, we've only just arrived. Is it really alright for us to do this?"

After settling everything, Jian Shang nodded to Jiang Sheng, signaling him to arrange the remaining matters. He dismounted and walked toward the three-story pavilion, with Gao Hong, Gao Gong, Yang Ning, and the others following behind. The moment they entered, Gao Hong asked worriedly.

"Otherworlders are different from you. They're rebellious, clever, and know when to yield, but they're also unruly, arrogant, realistic, and driven by power. Reasoning with them is useless. Only by displaying our strength and showing our methods can we keep them in line. Then no faction will dare casually provoke us in the future! Besides, we offered courtesy before force. We merely acted according to military law. We've done what should be done, and no one can find fault with us!"

Jian Shang took the lead in sitting down in the grand chair in the hall. He waved for everyone to sit, then explained with a smile.

"But... there are factions in this military camp that are stronger than us. Even this Xu Family Guild seems to have considerable power! If we fight to the death, we may suffer a loss!"

Gao Hong nodded to show that she understood, but she still replied anxiously.

"Hehe... don't worry! Otherworlders are all clever and practical. To them, there are no eternal enemies in this world, only eternal interests. In truth, this is a reflection of the whole world. If not for the Great Qin Empire's current suppression and deterrence, the entire world would be the same. It's simply more obvious in this Chaos Military Camp. There are many factions stronger than us, as numerous as the stars in the sky. But that doesn't mean they'll necessarily come after us. At the very least, before clashing with us, they'll weigh whether it's worth it. Now that we've shown them our swift, iron-blooded, merciless methods, even if some faction wants to deal with us, they'll first send someone to test the waters. They won't act rashly! I have confidence in all of you and the Black Wolf Cavalry. No matter which faction tries to move against us, we'll make them break their teeth—or at the very least, make sure the losses outweigh the gains!"

Jian Shang smiled as he looked at everyone's worried faces. Though he appeared to be explaining things to Gao Hong, he was also explaining them to them all.

"Whew... that's good, then!"

Hearing Jian Shang's confident analysis, Gao Hong let out a long sigh of relief. She smiled brightly, returning to her gentle and dignified bearing.

"Everyone, tidy up the military camp. Throw out everything that doesn't belong to us! Once it's cleaned up, I'll recruit more soldiers to fill our ranks!"

Seeing that their worries had largely eased, Jian Shang gave his next order as if nothing had happened.

"Yes!"

Though they were still somewhat worried, Jian Shang's earlier actions had indeed been immensely satisfying and greatly boosted morale. Everyone answered with renewed vigor, then departed to make the arrangements.

Once the camp had been cleaned up, huge piles of military supplies, provisions, weapons, and other goods were thrown outside. No matter what the item was, the Black Wolf Cavalry obeyed orders and tossed it out of the camp. This instead sparked a scramble among many players and became the talk of the moment.

The setting sun sank westward, dyeing the horizon crimson.

Seeing that the military camp had been tidied up and that patrols, training, defenses, and other matters had all been properly arranged, Jian Shang had Jiang Sheng, Ma Qiang, Le Yun, and the other officers remain behind to guard the camp. He then led Yang Ning, Gao Gong, Gao Hong, Shi Ji, Shi Jin, Luo Sheng, and the others out, making seven in all. They prepared to stroll through Central State City, though in truth, he wanted to find buyers for the half-cart of antiques, gold jewelry, and other valuables, turning them into funds for recruiting soldiers and buying horses.

The moment they left the camp, quite a few people began peeking at them furtively. Jian Shang paid them no mind and continued on his way. All seven of them were fairly strong. Though they could not fight a hundred alone, they were not people whom cats and dogs could scheme against. Jian Shang was not worried in the least.

Jian Shang himself had only reached his current martial strength through a fortuitous acquisition of the internal cultivation manual Cloud Dragon Nine Transformations, coupled with repeated bloody battles fought with all his might. There were certainly many players who were no weaker than him, but they definitely were not everywhere. Besides, players who could raise their martial strength to his level so quickly were by no means reckless fools.

"So this is a giant city! It really is prosperous!"

Walking through the bustling streets, alive with crowds and endless traffic, Jian Shang, Gao Gong, Shi Ji, and the others could scarcely take it all in. They were thrilled, while Shi Jin was especially energized and wanted to join in every bit of excitement he saw.

"Jian Shang!"

As a Junior Commandant, Jian Shang was naturally just as amazed and delighted, but he restrained himself from being curious about everything and running over to join every spectacle like Shi Jin. As they walked, Gao Hong suddenly called out to him.

"There's a clothing store. Shall we go have a look? You're quite the rich man!"

In Jian Shang's eyes, Gao Hong had rarely cast aside her dignified and virtuous manner. She looked at him with expectation, pointing toward a crowded shop where many exquisite garments could be seen.

"Alright! Let's take a look. Everyone can buy a few sets, and we'll get some for the brothers staying at the camp too!"

Jian Shang pondered for a moment. Not wishing to dampen Gao Hong's spirits, he nodded readily. Along the way, Gao Hong had always played the role of an elder sister—dignified, generous, gentle, and quiet. It was rare to see her reveal a young girl's nature. Perhaps it was because Jiang Yao had left.

Besides, ever since entering Forging the Sacred Court more than ten days ago, Jian Shang had worn nothing but coarse cloth, while the others had never in their lives bought fine robes and brocade garments. It was not as though they lacked money, so why be so harsh on themselves?

Only those who knew how to spend money would have greater motivation to earn it.

"Mm!"

Seeing how agreeable Jian Shang was, Gao Hong's eyes lit up. She gave him a lively smile and hurried toward the clothing store with graceful steps. If she had not cared so much about appearances and been so reserved, she likely would have bounced in with three hops and two jumps.

Hearing Jian Shang say so, everyone else perked up as well and followed her inside. After all, they came from poor families. From childhood to adulthood, they had never had the experience of going to a clothing store to choose garments. Most of their clothes had been made at home.

"Jian Shang!"

Jian Shang entered last. The moment he stepped into the shop, he heard Gao Hong call him again.

"If you like it, buy it. No need to ask my permission. We can afford the small expense of buying clothes, so don't stand on ceremony!"

Though Gao Hong was calling to him, her eyes kept drifting toward a pale green silk dress, then toward another deep purple gauze garment. Jian Shang could not help smiling as he replied.

A woman was still a woman. Upon seeing clothes she liked, she could not escape that excited, joyful feeling.

"Jian Shang, your complexion is rather fair. You'd look much fresher and more spirited in lake-blue clothing. How about this one?"

Fortunately, Gao Hong was not a thoughtless person. In the end, she helped Jian Shang, who had been standing to the side without taking the initiative to pick anything, choose several garments: a lake-blue samurai outfit, a light cyan long coat, and a dark golden robe. If Jian Shang had not stopped her, she likely would have selected quite a few more.

In the end, everyone bought twenty or thirty sets of clothing, spending more than four gold from Jian Shang's purse. Jian Shang did not mind, but Gao Hong, Shi Jin, and the others felt rather embarrassed. Only after Jian Shang saw their troubled expressions and consoled them again did they improve somewhat.

"Luo Sheng, in your opinion, are there any particularly large and reputable merchant associations?"

As they walked along the busy street, Jian Shang studied the shops on both sides but could not discern much. He could not help asking Luo Sheng.

"The most famous ones are naturally the three great merchant associations: Spring-Autumn Trading House, Nine Provinces Trading House, and Penglai Commerce Association. They are all vast merchant associations with histories spanning thousands of years, their businesses spread throughout the Divine Land. Having endured for so long, their reputations must certainly be trustworthy!"

Jian Shang had originally thought that Luo Sheng, who came from a commoner background, might not know much about such matters. Yet Luo Sheng answered without the slightest hesitation.

"Passed down for thousands of years? That's longer than a dynasty! They could have weathered three to five dynasties. If they've truly lasted that long, then their reputations are beyond question!"

Jian Shang was briefly stunned, then realized that he could not use the common sense of the real world to judge this one.