Chapter Summaries

Xu Yi and Kennard arrived in the Rulson Kingdom, where Newman and Director Witherspoon discussed the kingdom’s plans to build up its magic industry with them. As a racing carriage bore down on a little girl, Xu Yi raised a wall of wind to protect her.

• Xu Yi and Kennard spotted Newman among a large gathering of Rulson officials and initially assumed the crowd was there for other business.
• Newman recognized them, stopped their mana sedan, and warmly welcomed Xu Yi to the kingdom.
• Director Witherspoon praised the Xinfei Merchant Guild’s contributions and asked Xu Yi to cooperate in establishing a magic-industry foundation in the Rulson Kingdom.
• Witherspoon assigned Newman to arrange Xu Yi’s visit and invited Xu Yi to discuss the matter further.
• A line of horse-drawn carriages charged toward the waystation, and a little girl darted into the lead carriage’s path.
• Xu Yi summoned a wall of wind above the little girl as the lead horse’s hooves came down.

Xu Yi stopped Ambassador Hakane’s convoy after its driver nearly struck a little girl, then fought off the convoy’s guards and mage. He accepted responsibility for the clash and walked toward the Candel Empire’s convoy to face the consequences.

• Xu Yi used a Wind Wall to stop the speeding carriage and sent the little girl and young woman to safety.
• When a guard attacked Xu Yi with a whip, he blocked it with a Protective Shield and injured the guard with its recoil.
• A convoy mage attacked Xu Yi and Newman with an Explosive Flame Spell, but Xu Yi countered with a Water Shield Spell and knocked the mage off the carriage with a Blazing Flame Bullet.
• Director Witherspoon revealed that Ambassador Hakane of the Candel Empire was in the convoy and warned Xu Yi not to involve the Rulson Kingdom.
• Xu Yi assured Director Witherspoon that the incident was his personal responsibility, then walked toward the Candel Empire’s convoy.

Xu Yi confronted Ambassador Hakane and the Rulson Kingdom officials after protecting a little girl from the ambassador’s convoy. He exposed Hakane’s carriage with Wind Blades, leaving the ambassador furious and threatening him.

• Newman urged Xu Yi to flee, but Xu Yi refused to abandon the Xinfei Merchant Guild’s businesses or the Rulson Kingdom.
• Xu Yi approached the convoy and argued with Count Kulaibi, insisting that Ambassador Hakanin’s men had attacked first and endangered a little girl.
• Count Kulaibi ordered the guards to seize Xu Yi, but none dared move, and Xu Yi ignored his warning to apologize.
• Xu Yi fired Wind Blades at Ambassador Hakane’s carriage, slicing away its roof and sides.
• Ambassador Hakane sprang from the ruined carriage and threatened to imprison and torture Xu Yi.

Xu Yi deliberately confronted Ambassador Hakane to gauge King Trutz’s stance, and the king summoned them both to the palace. King Trutz resolved the dispute by paying Hakane two hundred thousand gold coins, leaving Xu Yi free but threatened by the ambassador.

• Xu Yi explained to Kennard that he had deliberately challenged Ambassador Hakane to find out where King Trutz stood.
• King Trutz received Xu Yi and Hakane together, while Hakane demanded punishment and threatened to appeal to the Candel Emperor.
• King Trutz spoke privately with Hakane, then returned with the ambassador appeased and smiling.
• Hakane threatened Xu Yi before leaving, and King Trutz revealed that he had paid him two hundred thousand gold coins in compensation.

Xu Yi met King Trutz to discuss the Xinfei Merchant Guild’s cooperation with the Rulson Kingdom, and the king demonstrated his sincerity by spending two hundred thousand gold coins to settle the dispute with Ambassador Hakane. King Trutz approved both proposed projects but asked the guild to expand its investment and share household magic machinery technology, leaving Xu Yi to consider the kingdom’s ambitious plans.

• King Trutz told Xu Yi he had paid two hundred thousand gold coins to settle Ambassador Hakane’s anger and demonstrate his sincerity toward the Xinfei Merchant Guild.
• Xu Yi recognized King Trutz’s commitment and asked him to state the Rulson Kingdom’s demands.
• King Trutz approved both cooperation projects but rejected the guild’s request to reserve Nixi City’s leased ports exclusively for its ships, offering priority docking rights instead.
• King Trutz praised the guild’s seventeen factories and 6,423 local workers, then urged Xu Yi to stop expanding cautiously in the Rulson Kingdom.
• King Trutz asked Xu Yi to provide access to household magic machinery technology and train people in the magic industry so every city could become as prosperous as Bunta City.

Xu Yi left the Royal Palace with King Trutz’s support for the Xinfei Merchant Guild’s expansion and technology-sharing plans in the Rulson Kingdom, though he remained wary of political instability. He and Kennard visited the guild’s Kuraka City shop, where a familiar voice threatened to smash the store.

• Kennard met Xu Yi outside the Royal Palace and asked whether Ambassador Hakane or King Trutz had caused him trouble.
• Xu Yi told Kennard that King Trutz had promised support, privileges, more investment, joint-venture factories, vocational academies, and eventual transfer of magic machine tool technology.
• Xu Yi reflected that support in the Rulson Kingdom could disappear with a change of ruler, but chose to pursue cooperation while keeping the guild’s vital core in his Stantin Duchy fief.
• Kennard explained that the Xinfei Merchant Guild had sold 746 mana sedans in the Rulson Kingdom, including 321 in Kuraka City, and Xu Yi observed that household magic machinery had become widespread there.
• Xu Yi and Kennard arrived at the guild’s Kuraka City sales outlet and heard a familiar person threaten to have the shop smashed.

Xu Yi defused Ambassador Hakane’s attempt to cause trouble by offering him a Mana Sedan and a large quantity of household magic machinery. When Hakane’s subordinate challenged Xu Yi to a mage’s duel over his injured brother, Xu Yi refused and offered to have the Xinfei Merchant Guild’s mages face him instead.

• Xu Yi entered the Xinfei Merchant Guild shop and greeted Ambassador Hakane, who had arrived to make trouble.
• Xu Yi offered Hakane a Mana Sedan and a hundred of each kind of household magic machine, and Hakane accepted the gifts.
• Hakane pointed out his middle-aged subordinate, who demanded justice for Xu Yi’s injury of his younger brother.
• The middle-aged man formally challenged Xu Yi to a mage’s duel, but Xu Yi refused, saying he was a merchant and being a mage was incidental.
• Xu Yi offered to arrange duels with the guild’s mages, even its two Great Mages, and the middle-aged man turned deathly pale.

Xu Yi used Ambassador Hakane’s connections to promote Xinfei products while inspecting the guild’s growing market in the Rulson Kingdom. After learning that King Trutz had ordered comprehensive cooperation, Xu Yi began by asking Newman to show him the Rulson Merchant Guild’s factories.

• Xu Yi explained to Kennard that Ambassador Hakane’s powerful sister made him a useful gateway to the Candel Empire, and that his magic machines could advertise Xinfei products there.
• Xu Yi reviewed sales figures showing that Xinfei machines had sold 370,000 units in the Rulson Kingdom, earning over five million gold coins in revenue.
• Xu Yi told Marlock Kuller to stock and promote products from other guilds in Xinfei’s outlets, as required by an agreement with those guilds.
• Newman told Xu Yi that King Trutz had ordered the Rulson Merchant Guild to discuss comprehensive cooperation with Xinfei.
• Xu Yi asked Newman to take him to the Rulson Merchant Guild’s factories, citing concerns about their magic machinery’s quality.

Xu Yi secured extensive cooperation agreements with the Rulson Kingdom, including factories, a harbor expansion, and market access for thirty-six magic machinery guilds. As he and Kennard left Kuraka City, they discussed King Eric’s moves against the Stark Family, but Xu Yi remained doubtful that Eric could truly control the Lampari Kingdom.

• Xu Yi signed agreements with the Rulson Kingdom to establish twenty household magic machinery factories and a vocational training academy, expand Nixi City's harbor, and ease tariffs for thirty-six merchant guilds.
• King Trutz approved the tariff concessions on the condition that the other thirty-five guilds establish at least two joint-venture factories each and that no additional guilds be admitted.
• Xu Yi and Kennard left Kuraka City after a banquet hosted by King Trutz, satisfied with the agreements they had secured.
• Kennard explained that King Eric had stopped Duke Stark's troops from attacking Colebo City, accepted the city's surrender, and refrained from pursuing the rebellion.
• Kennard said King Eric had begun rejecting some of Duke Stark's proposals, but Xu Yi doubted Eric could curb the Stark Family and strengthen the Lampari Kingdom.

Eric worked to reclaim royal authority by issuing a decree to review magic-industry guilds and revoke licenses from those unable to turn a profit, while Duke Stark unexpectedly agreed. Afterward, Stark spoke with Prince William and hinted at a plan to make Eric rest so the prince could spend time with him.

• Eric reviewed the Kingdom’s finances and realized the Xinfei Merchant Guild’s departure had sharply reduced tax revenue, while Stark-backed guilds concealed profits and avoided taxes.
• Eric summoned Duke Stark and presented a decree reforming the Magic Industry Administration and reviewing the qualifications of magic-industry guilds.
• Duke Stark objected that struggling guilds should receive encouragement, but Eric argued that unprofitable businesses should be allowed to fail.
• Duke Stark readily agreed to Eric’s decree, leaving Eric astonished and wondering whether he had finally established his authority as king.
• Duke Stark met Prince William in the corridor and suggested they let Eric rest so the prince could play with him.

Xu Yi returned to Bunta City to recruit graduating students from Baron Rector Magic Academy for the Xinfei Merchant Guild, but Commander Xiao Bangna arrived with City Guards and accused him of treason. As Xu Yi prepared to resist arrest, a cavalry column entered the academy, and he recognized the rider leading it.

• Xu Yi returned to Bunta City and found it stagnant, then visited Baron Rector Magic Academy to recruit students trained in magic and mechanical engineering.
• The academy's graduating students eagerly welcomed the chance to join the Xinfei Merchant Guild.
• Xiao Bangna led armed City Guards into the academy, surrounded Xu Yi, and ordered him to surrender for treason.
• Xu Yi questioned the charge and suspected the arrest was meant to sever the guild's remaining ties to the Lampari Kingdom.
• As the City Guards moved to seize Xu Yi, a cavalry column rode into the academy, and Xu Yi recognized its leader with surprise.

Princess Royal Servini rescued Xu Yi from the City Guard and fled with him as elite Kingdom Garrison troops approached. In the Black Rice Wasteland, she revealed that she wanted to leave the Sains Continent and asked Xu Yi for somewhere to stay.

• Mluoke arrived with Servini’s cavalry, and Servini drove into the Baron Rector Magic Academy and ordered the City Guard to release Xu Yi.
• Servini warned Xu Yi that more than a thousand elite Kingdom Garrison troops were coming, then took him away with her cavalry escort.
• After leaving Samara Town, Servini admitted she wished to escape the Sains Continent and asked Xu Yi about his Mana-Powered Ships.
• When Xu Yi explained that ships would not be available for several years, Servini asked him to give her somewhere to stay.

Xu Yi and Stille discussed the withdrawn Princess Royal and the vanished gnomes while relaxing at their private beach. Their conversation turned to exploring the world by sea and air, until an experimental mana airship appeared overhead and someone jumped from it.

• Xu Yi worried that Servini had remained isolated in her room for over two months, and Stille advised him to give her time to recover.
• Xu Yi admired Stille's new swimsuit and said he wished the vanished gnomes were still around to help develop magic machinery.
• Stille described a legend that the gnomes had sailed across the Endless Sea, and Xu Yi said he would organize an expedition once their ships were ready.
• Xu Yi explained that mana airships were still experimental and that Avita was testing them cautiously because a failure could be fatal.
• An experimental mana airship hovered above Xu Yi and Stille, and a figure jumped from it as they prepared to intervene.

Xu Yi invited Akali and Avita to take a day off at the beach, then asked Avita about the Mana Airship’s range and the durability of its magic arrays. He promised to address looming repair and quality problems for Xinfei Merchant Guild customers in the Lampari Kingdom, where the guild had been barred from operating.

• Akali descended from the Mana Airship, and Xu Yi persuaded Avita to come down from the sky as well.
• Xu Yi gave Akali and Avita the day off; Akali revealed her bikini swimsuit and swam away in a huff after Xu Yi said he preferred Stille’s figure.
• Avita declined to change into her swimsuit, and Xu Yi asked about the medium-sized Mana Airship’s cruising range and the possibility of extending it beyond three thousand kilometers.
• Avita warned Xu Yi that the airship’s magic arrays might wear down during long flights and that older household magic machinery was nearing the end of its service life.
• Xu Yi acknowledged the guild could not provide repairs in the Lampari Kingdom and promised to find a solution, explain the issue to customers, and compensate them as much as possible.

Xu Yi discussed improving mana airships and high-concentration magic crystals with Avita, explaining that he was delaying widespread adoption because he expected magic crystals to become a strategic resource. The afternoon ended with Akali still upset about Xu Yi’s remark, while Stille teased him about Avita’s figure.

• Xu Yi asked Avita to improve mana airship speed and range, and she described ways to enhance its power and design.
• Avita explained that refined high-concentration magic crystals were more powerful than ordinary crystals and had become stable enough for safe storage over a month.
• Avita questioned why Xu Yi had not expanded their use, and Xu Yi said he was buying magic crystal mines because future demand could make crystals scarce and spark wars.
• Xu Yi asked Avita to develop a mana airship designed around high-concentration crystals and prepare plans for broader future use.
• Akali left the beach still upset with Xu Yi, and Stille told him Avita had avoided wearing a swimsuit to spare Akali’s feelings.

Elder Lysania visited Xu Yi to discuss closer ties between the Moon Shadow Tribe and the Xinfei Merchant Guild, again urging him to mate with the elven girls in her care. Their business discussion turned to the Slu Road Roadbed-Raising Project, whose purpose was to solve the steep cliff separating the Stantin Duchy from the Rulson Kingdom.

• Elder Lysania arrived at Xu Yi’s manor after driving her mana sedan at high speed and asked where Al리아 and the other elven girls were.
• Xu Yi explained that Stille had taken the girls to watch the New Moon Song and Dance Troupe rehearse, then reiterated that he would only marry Stille.
• Elder Lysania said the girls did not need to become Xu Yi’s wives and urged him to mate with them to produce half-elf offspring.
• Xu Yi redirected the conversation to business, and Elder Lysania entered the house to discuss cooperation with the Xinfei Merchant Guild.
• Xu Yi asked whether the Moon Shadow Tribe would join the Slu Road Roadbed-Raising Project, which aimed to connect the Stantin Duchy and Rulson Kingdom across a cliff more than fifty meters high.

Xu Yi secured Elder Lysania’s cooperation for the Slu Road after agreeing to the Moon Shadow Tribe’s requests for practical assistance. Elder Lysania then offered a new plan that could save the project at least five hundred thousand gold coins and considerable time.

• Xu Yi explained why the Xinfei Merchant Guild needed the costly Slu Road instead of shipping goods through the Lampari Kingdom.
• Elder Lysania agreed to let the roadworks pass through Moon Shadow Forest but asked for compensation for the damage to her tribe’s home.
• Xu Yi agreed to investigate a water supply system for the Moon Shadow Tribe and accepted Elder Lysania’s other requests, including fertilizer machinery, help establishing a town, and a custom Mana Sedan.
• Elder Lysania praised Xu Yi’s generosity and offered a roadbed plan that would save at least five hundred thousand gold coins and considerable time.
• Xu Yi sat up and asked Elder Lysania to explain her plan.

Xu Yi tried to comfort the withdrawn Servini and learned she was ready to reveal the secret behind her distress. She asked what he would do if his older brother had killed his father, leaving Xu Yi stunned.

• Elder Lysania proposed replacing a raised roadbed with specially cultivated plants, but Xu Yi doubted they could support the road.
• Servini joined Xu Yi after he watched Elder Lysania leave, and he encouraged her to spend more time outside.
• Xu Yi admitted he was worried about Servini, who confessed she was running from a problem she could not solve.
• Servini made sure they were alone and told Xu Yi he was the only friend she could confide in.
• Servini asked Xu Yi what he would do if his older brother had killed his father, and Xu Yi's expression changed drastically.

Servini told Xu Yi that Eric had been involved in Lampari the Thirteenth’s death, but explained that she had withheld revenge to prevent civil war and protect the Lampari Kingdom. After agreeing to stay with Xu Yi while she watched Eric’s rule and considered joining an expedition to another continent, she was told that Eric had died.

• Servini revealed that Eric was responsible for Lampari the Thirteenth’s death and explained why she had chosen not to seek revenge.
• Xu Yi reassured Servini that Eric had begun resisting Duke Stark’s influence, and Servini said she hoped he could lead the kingdom to prosperity.
• Xu Yi offered to take Servini on a future voyage to explore another continent, and she agreed to consider it while she stayed with him.
• Servini thanked Xu Yi for listening and accepted his offer to treat his fief as her home.
• Mluoke rushed into the manor and told Servini and Xu Yi that King Eric had died.

After King Eric’s sudden death, Servini returned to the Lampari Kingdom with a heavily armed Private Guard, preparing to challenge Duke Stark’s control. As unrest spread through the Stantin Duchy, Xu Yi supplied military machinery to local lords and the Xinfei Merchant Guild’s profits surged.

• After hearing that King Eric had died of exhaustion, Servini left for the Lampari Kingdom to attend his funeral and investigate his suspicious death.
• Prince William inherited the throne, and Duke Stark became regent, prompting Servini to oppose Stark’s control of the kingdom.
• Xu Yi equipped Servini’s five thousand guards with Individual Military Magic Machinery and additional weapons and vehicles, though he could not intervene directly.
• In the Stantin Duchy, Lord Wellen expanded his army and territory after defeating Count Fran, alarming neighboring lords.
• The duchy’s lords ordered Military Magic Machinery and paid with resources, which the Xinfei Merchant Guild used to produce more goods and earn a monthly net profit of three million gold coins.