Unfortunate Survivor

"Are there any other merchant guilds around besides the Blackwater Merchant Guild?"

Luna Bloodfeather was about to answer when she suddenly remembered something. "That's right, Master. If you want to know about the guilds, I know someone who knows more than I do."

"Then where is he?"

"I'll take you there."

"Help… Help me~."

Before he even got close, Jose heard a weak cry for help and looked towards the source of the sound. It was a peculiar bird's nest, surrounded by a fence made of sticks, with thorns wrapped around it. The only way in was through the entrance that faced the sky. It seemed to be a Harpy prison.

Jose looked inside the prison. Lying inside was a thin, dark, stick-like figure. The figure was emaciated, with its ribs clearly visible on its chest. Its dark skin was covered in drooping long hair, and two yellowish fangs protruded from its mouth. It was the one who had cried for help.

"What is that thing?!"

"Master, he's not a thing. The person I told you about is him."

The thin, dark figure spoke weakly, "Great True Dragon, I… I am Hulk, a Boarman merchant, a traveling merchant on the plains."

Jose raised an eyebrow and looked at the Boarman with a bit more sympathy. If he hadn't spoken, no one would have recognized that this skin-and-bones figure was a burly Boarman.

As for why he had become like this, it was because the Harpies had drained him dry.

Harpies were all female, and to reproduce, they needed to borrow seeds from males of other races. When they encountered a male they fancied, they would capture him alive if possible, bring the prey back to their nest, and enjoy him slowly.

Don't think this was some pleasant experience. In reality, becoming a breeding machine for Harpies was more painful than most lethal punishments.

The flesh-eating Harpies didn't know the meaning of gentleness; they only cared about their own pleasure. Most importantly, Harpies didn't come one or two at a time, but in a line.

A normal person who fell into their hands would lose their mind within a week.

"Respected True Dragon, I beg you to save me."

"Save you?" Jose asked with interest, looking at the dirty but exceptionally bright-eyed Boarman. "What's in it for me if I save you?"

"I am a traveling merchant under the Seashell Company. If you release me, and I become successful in the future, I will surely repay you handsomely."

"Interesting," Jose turned to his Familiar beside him. "How long have they had him?"

"About ten days."

Jose became even more interested in the Boarman.

It was very rare for a Boarman, known for their stupidity, to become a merchant. To be in the hands of Harpies for ten days, be drained to the bone, yet not have a mental breakdown, and instead maintain clear thought processes, was even rarer.

This Boarman's will was so firm. If the opportunity arose, he might truly achieve something.

Coincidentally, Jose could give him that opportunity.

"Luna, give him some food and water."

The Boarman merchant wolfed down the food brought by the Harpies and drank a large jar of water, regaining some vitality and becoming much more alert. From the Harpies' earlier words, he learned that the Red Dragon's arrival was not accidental but that the Harpies had actively brought him. Therefore, they must have had some request. If he could seize this opportunity to show his value, he could escape the clutches of the Harpies with the Red Dragon's help.

With this thought, Hulk struggled to stand up and performed a less-than-perfect but passable greeting.

"Thank you for the food, merciful True Dragon. Is there anything I can do for you?"

"I want to know the distribution of forces on the surrounding plains, especially the human merchant guilds. Whether it's the guild you belong to or others, and how these guilds operate."

"You have quite a few questions. Let me start with the first one."

Organizing his thoughts, Hulk continued, "Great True Dragon, in the outside world, this small grassland at the junction of three territories is called the Triangle Plains. Within the entire Triangle Plains, not counting the countless small tribes, there are only three medium-sized tribes that are noteworthy. One is the Graytail Centaur, another is the Black Crow Orc, and the last is my Stonefang Boarman Tribe."

"Each of the three tribes has its strengths. The Graytail Centaurs have strong mobility and are as swift as the wind. The Black Crow Orcs are valiant and skilled in combat, and they have a group of Goblin subordinates. As for us Stonefang Boarmen, we have a large population, and the Mount Odaru, where the main tribal base is located, is protected by the Thorn Forest."

"As for the merchant guilds," Hulk lowered his head to organize his thoughts for a moment before looking up at Jose, "near the Black Crow Orc tribe, there is a trading camp. This camp is protected by the Black Crow clan and is called the Crossroads Camp. Almost all merchants settle there. The native tribes of the entire Triangle Plains will bring their goods to the Crossroads, and sometimes, merchants will go to them to purchase goods."

"As for the disputes between merchant guilds and how they operate, it's too complicated. I can't explain it clearly in a short time."

"If you can't explain it, I'll see for myself," Jose took out a scale.

Today is truly my lucky day. Not only did I gain a Dragonkin Harpy, but I also managed to plant a spy among the Graytail Centaurs, and finally, I gained an experienced Boarman merchant as a bonus.

Whether it was from the perspective of observing the Stonefang Boarman Tribe, understanding the situation on the plains, or opening up trade routes for the Bloodtooth Tribe, Jose should take the Boarman in front of him as a Familiar.

"Don't resist."

Resist?

Impossible!

Hulk was ecstatic. Not to mention the long lifespan and greatly increased power after being transformed into a Dragonkin, just escaping his current hellish situation was enough to make him unable to refuse.

Moreover, with a True Dragon as his backer, he could now do things he previously wanted to but dared not. When the True Dragon grew stronger, the benefits he would gain would be immeasurable.

Without any surprises, Jose's fourth Familiar was born.

"Lucky fellow," Luna Bloodfeather muttered softly from the side.

"Since we're all Master's subordinates, we're family now. Let me give you a heads-up. It wasn't a coincidence that you encountered a large group of Centaurs while leading your trade caravan. Even before you set out, the Graytail Khan had already commissioned us to keep an eye on your caravan."

"Graytail Centaurs?! Blackwater Merchant Guild?!"

"So that's how it is! This is a conspiracy! A conspiracy against the Seashell Company!" Hulk clenched his fists in anger, panting heavily. After a moment, he calmed down, his eyes flickering.

Jose was somewhat interested in the grudges between the two merchant guilds but did not ask. After signing the Familiar Contract, he could access his subordinate's memories. He planned to review them thoroughly when he returned; there was no rush.

He tilted his head and looked at the setting sun on the horizon.

"Luna, send your companion back to the plains. Hmm…"

He then glanced at Hulk's emaciated and miserable appearance. "Forget it. Let him gain some fat before sending him back. It would be too embarrassing otherwise."

Thanks to Tian Meng Jun for the 496 coins, and to Book Friend 20180110005804809 and Huang Dou Yuan for the 100 coins each in rewards.