22. The Demonic Merchant

(1 hour later, somewhere secret in the Slums outside Golden Prosperity City)

In the dim light of a crumbling, abandoned shrine, Mo Tian sat on an old wooden crate, facing three figures cloaked in tattered robes. Their faces were young, but their eyes held the sharpness of those who had survived the worst the city had to offer. Each of them controlled a portion of the slums, ruling over the desperate, the forgotten, and the dangerous.

The tallest of the three, a boy with sharp eyes and a scar running down his cheek, leaned forward, his arms crossed.

Scarred Boy said "You've done good work moving goods for us, Tian. But now you're talking about something bigger. Why don't you just say what you really want?"

Mo Tian's expression remained calm as he met the boy's gaze.

Mo Tian explained "The war has turned the city into a battlefield, but the slums? No one's claimed them. Right now, we survive in the cracks, but if we play this right, we could control everything beneath their feet, goods, information, movement. A true network."

The second leader, a wiry boy with quick hands, scoffed.

Wiry Boy said "Big words, but how do you plan to make that happen? We barely keep what we have."

Mo Tian's fingers tapped against the crate.

Mo Tian explained "First, we take control of the abandoned houses. Use them as storage for weapons, medicine, rare goods, anything people will be desperate for. The war is choking supply lines. If we own the hidden stockpiles, we set the prices."

The third figure, a Femine looking boy with a cold stare and a missing finger, narrowed her eyes.

Cold-Eyed Femine looking boy said "Stockpiles are no good if we can't move them safely. If the guards or some greedy gang catch wind of what we're doing, we'll be dead before we profit."

Mo Tian gave a small nod.

Mo Tian explained "That's why we dig tunnels. The slums already have old ruins and collapsed cellars. We connect them, make paths that let us move unseen. Hidden routes for smuggling, safe houses for escape, even passageways into the wealthier districts. No one will know where we come from or where we disappear to."

The scarred boy exhaled sharply, running a hand through his messy hair.

Scarred Boy stated "Tunnels? That's a lot of digging. You think we have enough people for that?"

Mo Tian said "If we control the work, we control the workers. There are plenty of desperate hands in the slums, people who will do anything for a bowl of rice. We give them that, and in return, they build us a kingdom under the city."

The wiry boy clicked his tongue, skeptical.

Wiry Boy questions "And what about the city guards? If we start moving too much, someone's going to take notice."

Mo Tian's eyes glinted. Mo Tian said "That's where you come in. Misdirection, rumors, payoffs, small things that keep the right eyes looking the wrong way. If someone gets too curious, well... accidents happen in the slums every day."

A heavy silence settled over the ruined shrine as Mo Tian's words lingered in the air. The three young beggar leaders exchanged glances, weighing his proposition. The scarred boy was the first to speak, his voice low and measured.

Scarred Boy said after organizing his thoughts "So, you want us to keep the guards busy and deal with loose ends. That's manageable. But if we're running the tunnels and storing the goods, we need to know who we're selling to. You can't sell weapons if you don't know who's desperate enough to buy them."

Mo Tian nodded approvingly.

Mo Tian explained "Exactly. We start gathering information, who needs what, who's running out of supplies, who's desperate enough to pay any price. The war has left plenty of people hanging by a thread, small mercenary groups, independent cultivators, even some minor nobles trying to stay afloat. We find out what they need before they even realize it themselves, and we make sure we're their only option."

The wiry boy leaned against a broken pillar, clicking his tongue.

Wiry Boy said "Sounds good, but what about risks? It's not just about selling; it's about knowing who might turn against us. You think the city guards won't notice an underground market growing right under their feet? What about rival gangs or rogue cultivators looking to take a piece of our profit?"

Mo Tian's eyes darkened.

Mo Tian explained "That's why we also collect information on threats. We need to know if a rival group is thinking of making a move or if a city official suddenly takes too much interest in the slums. If we can predict trouble, we can either deal with it or turn it to our advantage. A hidden dagger is always deadlier than a swinging sword."

The cold-eyed Femine looking boy , who had been silent so far, finally spoke, her tone sharp.

Cold-Eyed Femine looking boy asked "And how do you plan on getting this information? It's not like people will just hand it over."

A small smirk played on Mo Tian's lips.

Mo Tian said with a sneer "People don't need to hand it over willingly. We make them. Bribery works for some. A few coins in the right hands, a well-placed favor, and suddenly, even city guards start whispering secrets. But for those who can't be bought, we use blackmail."

The scarred boy raised an eyebrow.

Scarred Boy questions "Blackmail? You think we can get dirt on the right people?"

Mo Tian leaned forward, his voice calm but firm.

Mo Tian explained "Everyone has secrets. A corrupt guard who's pocketing extra coin, a merchant with dealings in stolen goods, a noble who enjoys pleasures they shouldn't. We uncover their sins, and when the time is right, we tighten the leash. Some will fight back, but most? They'll do whatever we say just to keep their lives from crumbling."

The wiry boy let out a low whistle.

Wiry Boy deduced "So we're not just running goods. We're selling information, too."

Mo Tian nodded.

Mo Tian explained "Information is the most valuable weapon. We sell it when it profits us, use it when it protects us, and bury it when it becomes dangerous. The families are tearing each other apart. We just have to make sure we're always holding the knife, never the one bleeding."

The cold-eyed Femine looking boy crossed her arms, a slow smile forming.

Cold-Eyed Femine looking boy said with a smile: "Dangerous plan. I like it."

The scarred boy sighed, shaking his head.

Scarred Boy cautions "You're playing with fire, Tian. But… if this works, we'll be the ones controlling the flames."

Mo Tian stood up, brushing dust from his sleeves.

Mo Tian explained "Then we start immediately. Spread word through the beggars, the street rats, the drunks. Listen to every whisper. Find out who's desperate for weapons, who might be a threat, and who has skeletons in their closet. By the time the nobles and warlords realize what's happening, we'll already have our hands on their throats."

The three young leaders exchanged one last glance before nodding in agreement.

Scarred Boy said "Fine. But if this goes bad, you better be ready to clean up the mess."

Mo Tian smirked, stepping into the shadows.

Mo Tian said "Don't worry. If there's one thing I'm good at, it's making sure problems disappear."

The wiry boy grinned, shaking his head.

Wiry Boy said "You're either a genius or completely mad. Either way… let's get to work."

Mo Tian leaned back, satisfied.

Mo Tian ordered "Then we begin tonight."

Then the beggar leaders spread out, and slowly returned to their part of the slums.

…

(The next day, Somewhere inside Golden Prosperity City)

The city was a place of fear and chaos, its once-bustling streets now filled with desperate refugees, looters, and wary soldiers. Smoke from distant fires curled into the sky, mixing with the stench of blood and decay, while merchants sold what little they had at exorbitant prices under the watchful eyes of armed men. Outside the walls, the relentless drums of war echoed, a grim reminder that the battle was drawing closer. City nobles barricaded themselves in their mansions, while the back alleys became a den of lawlessness.

Mo Tian moved through the war-torn city like a shadow, his keen eyes scanning for those who had yet to pick a side. Merchants hoarding supplies, underground physicians treating both friend and foe, and independent mercenaries seeking profit over loyalty were all potential allies in his growing network. He listened carefully in the gambling dens and teahouses, where information flowed freely between whispers and wagers. In a city drowning in conflict, those who could adapt and thrive in the chaos were the ones worth doing business with.

Mo Tian had scoured the city, gathering what he could, rogue cultivators, scattered mercenary bands were useful, but not enough to tip the scales. His search led him to one final stop, a merchant known for his fair dealings, yet beneath that clean reputation lurked secrets even the city lord might be unaware of. With measured steps, he approached the merchant's estate, his mind already weaving possibilities. If this meeting went as planned, he wouldn't just find an ally, he'd find leverage.

Mo Tian stepped through the towering gate of the merchant's estate, his tattered robes drawing sneers from the two guards stationed at the entrance. One of them stepped forward, barring his path with a wooden staff.

"No beggars allowed," the guard scoffed, his gaze filled with disdain. "Get lost before we throw you out."

Mo Tian responded "I am here to meet merchant Lu. Please inform him."

The other guard scoffed "Why are you not leaving." and turned his gaze back forward.

Seeing that he was being ignored, Mo Tian couldn't be bothered to try again. His fingers tightened around the worn hilt of his blade. With a single step forward, the glint of steel flashed in the dim light. It was quick, precise, merciless. The first guard barely had time to widen his eyes before his throat split open, blood spraying across the stone pavement.

The second staggered back, his hand fumbling for his weapon, but Mo Tian was already moving. He twisted, his blade slicing through the man's gut in a clean arc. The guard let out a gurgled breath before collapsing to the ground, writhing for only a moment before going still.

Mo Tian wiped his blade clean on one of the corpses' tunics, then stepped over the bodies without hesitation. The doors to the estate loomed ahead, and with quiet confidence, he pushed them open, disappearing into the depths of the merchant's domain.

The servants exchanged uneasy glances, their instincts screaming that something was off. No beggar would dare step foot into the estate, much less walk in so boldly after passing the now-silent guards. This was no ordinary vagrant, his presence was too composed, his steps too steady.

One of the braver servants stepped forward, bowing slightly as he spoke, his tone respectful but cautious. "Honored sir, may we ask who you are here to meet?"

Mo Tian didn't hesitate. "Lu Wenhai," he said plainly, his voice devoid of arrogance or humility. "I have business with him."

The tension among the servants thickened. Business? Their master had dealings with all sorts, but a stranger waltzing in unannounced was never a good sign.

"May we inform him of your arrival?" another servant asked carefully, watching Mo Tian's expression for any hint of impatience.

Mo Tian gave a slight nod. "Do that."

The servant bowed quickly and rushed inside, leaving the others behind to watch Mo Tian with wary eyes. Some subtly inched closer to hidden weapons, prepared for trouble if necessary.

Mo Tian stood in place, unmoving, his fingers lightly tapping against the hilt of the blade at his waist. He had already painted the entrance in blood; if things didn't go smoothly, he had no issue spilling more.