Chapter 89: Yunkai City

In the United States of Orlan' Western Continent, Yunkai City, the most prosperous core city in the East Sea's Six Cities Alliance and the headquarters of the Tian'ou, stands as a testament to opulence.

This city once served as the shipping hub between the United States of Orlan and the Saint Lothar nation.

Four hundred years ago, Orlan's sailors set out from here, following the continental shelf westward across the seemingly endless Eternal Green Sea. 

They braved harsh oceanic climates and monstrous sea beasts before finally reaching the Saint Lothar nation.

This theocratic nation, ruled by the Pope, officially entered the United States of Orlan' sphere of influence.

Since then, Yunkai City has been the foremost city for the United States of Orlan in relation to the Saint Lothar nation.

Whether during the initial war preparations or the subsequent centuries-long honeymoon period following the signing of the non-aggression treaty, Yunkai City has always been a stronghold created by Orlan for the Saint Lothar nation.

Although the United States of Orlan was founded on principles of technology and industry, and its people dismiss magical arts and divine techniques of the Saint Lothar nation, it hasn't impeded trade between the two nations.

After all, both magic and technology are tools for advancing human progress.

Before establishing diplomatic relations with the Saint Lothar nation, the Orlan people had already encountered the Natlan Empire, known for honing individual power to terrifying extremes, and the Liao Continent Nine Islands, capable of controlling vast natural forces to create barriers.

Therefore, having a nation that worships illusory deities like the Saint Lothar nation was not unacceptable to the United States of Orlan, as long as they did not provoke conflicts and the difference in their methods of power use did not lead to major disputes.

Three hundred years ago, when the Tian'ou officially took over all channels of communication with the Saint Lothar nation, Yunkai City gradually became the Tian'ou's headquarters.

When the Siren Disaster struck and the five major conglomerates gained control of the Zhu Hai Commercial Association, it was only natural that the Tian'ou's headquarters would be located here.

To this day, Yunkai City still boasts numerous churches.

Many believers trapped here, unable to return to the Saint Lothar nation, have settled here, hoping for the day humanity will defeat the Sirens and allow them to return to their homeland.

Thanks to the Tian'ou's presence, Yunkai City is commercially vibrant and the only city in Orlan with stores selling magical items.

Countless passenger ships and cargo vessels dock at Yunkai City's harbor, while the patrolling fleet of ship girls frequently cruises the shore and returns to port.

On the streets here, one can see ordinary Orlan citizens, handsome and cute ship girls, Liao Continent people with beast ears, Saint Lothar nation believers in long robes with halos, and even Natlan people carrying exaggerated close-combat weapons...

Oh, Natlan people wielding weapons are mostly private guards for merchants here.

The level of prosperity here far exceeds that of ordinary cities like Dongyun City.

Rumor has it that Tian'ou wants Yunkai City to rival the capital of the United States of Orlan, Huanyan City, becoming Orlan's second capital.

"I'm so pissed off! You useless bunch, listen up—if you can't find where that bastard Zhang Wei came from today, you all go to the HR department to collect your pay and get out!"

With this roar, in a Tian'ou building in Yunkai City, seven or eight employees hurriedly gathered their notebooks and left the meeting room.

In the spacious center of the meeting room sat Sun Dewang, a plump man in a blue suit, gritting his teeth.

Looking at the man with dead fish eyes on the electronic screen, he was about to gather his things and leave when an employee entered:

"Mr. Sun, the board of directors would like to see you."

Upon hearing this, Sun Dewang's movements paused slightly.

"I understand. I'll be there shortly."

After taking a few deep breaths to calm himself, Sun Dewang headed towards the elevator to the top floor.

The board of directors was located on the top floor of the building.

He had already guessed what the old board members might want to discuss with him.

Just as he stepped into the elevator, he found a young man with black-rimmed glasses and a slicked-back hairstyle already inside.

"Hey, isn't this the board heir Sun Dewang? Are you also summoned by the board?"

Seeing Sun Dewang enter the elevator, the young man, Yuan Yongle, spoke with a mocking tone.

"Yuan Yongle, you seem to be in a good mood," Sun Dewang said, showing impatience. Yuan Yongle, like him, was also an heir to the Tian'ou's board.

Yuan Yongle and he were competitors, with both equally matched in business matters.

However, several recent misfortunes had been under Sun Dewang's purview.

Thus, Sun Dewang knew that being summoned alongside Yuan Yongle by the board probably wasn't a good sign for him.

"My mood isn't that important. However, yours might not be so good soon," Yuan Yongle said, beginning to provoke Sun Dewang.

Facing his rival's taunts, Sun Dewang chose to ignore him.

After all, he didn't know what the board's intentions were. If the board decided to strip him of his heir status today, he might end up as this greasy man's subordinate.

As the elevator slowly reached the top floor, the two stepped out together.

In the corridor, an elegant brown carpet was laid on the floor, and walls were adorned with priceless decorative items. 

Dozens of young women in qipaos stood neatly on either side, slightly bowing to them.

They silently walked to the end of the corridor, standing straight before a wooden door carved with a giant seagull.

"Sun Dewang, Yuan Yongle, come in," an elderly voice called from behind the door, which slowly opened.

The two responded and entered the room.

Inside, surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows, three elderly men faced away from them, gazing out at the distant ocean.

"Sun Dewang, let me ask you, regarding Zhang Wei from Lihu County in Dongyun City, this matter falls within your jurisdiction, correct?"

The elderly man on the left slowly turned around. He was thin, having lived past seventy years, yet his gaze was unexpectedly clear, devoid of any cloudiness.

"Answering Director Su... yes," Sun Dewang replied, aware of the regret in the old man's eyes. He knew today's meeting with the board was likely a reckoning.

"You've been close to the navy and port commanders recently." 

"Although we've borne much pressure from the Commercial Association on your behalf, you haven't brought us additional commercial profits." 

"Instead, this incident has led the navy to openly announce accountability, effectively cutting off many of our commercial interactions with them."

"Now, thanks to you, Tian'ou is caught in a dilemma between the Commercial Association and the navy."

"Sun Dewang, what should be your punishment?"

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