Chapter 7 Ms. Ma Wen

Chapter 7 Ms. Ma Wen

send powerstones

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In reality, there were quite a few people who wanted to recruit and nurture Yan Jin; at least, the top figures in Frostleaf City had paid some attention to her.

However, they couldn't figure out the attitude of that Soul Douluo. Did he harbor resentment towards Yan Jin for not appreciating his favor? Was he still considering taking her as a disciple? Or had he already forgotten about it altogether…

Although the last scenario was the most likely, they didn't dare to gamble. Even if that Soul Douluo wouldn't personally take action for such a trivial matter, those who sought to curry favor with him might cause trouble if he showed even a slight hint of displeasure.

Amon didn't have this concern. Firstly, he was alone, leaving few areas for him to be targeted. Secondly, he wasn't very old. If others extended an olive branch to Yan Jin, it might seem like they were trying to steal a disciple from that Soul Douluo. His actions were more akin to mutual assistance between peers.

After reaching an agreement with Yan Jin, Amon arrived in front of the most luxurious mansion in the city.

Stopping at the guardhouse, he said politely:

"My name is Amon. I'm a teaching assistant at the Icewind Junior Soul Master Academy, here to visit Madam Ma Wen."

Perhaps his pointed soft cap made him look taller, or perhaps his attire gave him an air of mystery. The guard didn't underestimate Amon because of his young age. Instead, he said respectfully:

"Do you have an appointment? If not, please wait a moment while I request instructions."

"Thank you for your trouble," Amon nodded.

Ma Wen was one of the three most powerful people in Frostleaf City.

The other two were the Hall Master of the Spirit Hall branch and the Dean of the Icewind Junior Soul Master Academy.

One had the Spirit Hall behind him, a behemoth that no one dared to provoke. The other was the strongest person in Frostleaf City, a level 48 Soul Grandmaster.

Ma Wen was a merchant who influenced all aspects of Frostleaf City with her vast wealth.

As for the city lord, Frostleaf City didn't have such a thing. In just two short years, the city had seen three different city lords.

The new city lord appointed by the empire was still on his way, reportedly having been en route for half a year already. No one knew when he would arrive.

Before long, the guard came out and led Amon to the reception room.

"Hehe, I wondered who it was. Isn't this just a child? Did Shi Guantao send you?"

Ma Wen sat in the main seat, crossed her legs, and rested her right hand on her cheek, smiling as she spoke.

Amon glanced at the young woman. She wore a tiger-skin coat, and her tanned skin looked healthy and vibrant, exuding a wild beauty.

"Not the Dean. I came to you of my own volition."

"You say you're a teaching assistant at the academy? What, do you want to jump ship and work for me? It might be a little dangerous, but the rewards are much greater."

"I'm very satisfied with my current job."

"Since you're not here to deliver a message from Shi Guantao, nor are you planning to change jobs, then what do you want from me? I don't think I have anything to talk about with a child like you. You'd better have a reasonable explanation, or I'll give you a small lesson. I doubt Shi Guantao would bother me over such a trivial matter," Ma Wen said with a hint of impatience.

"I'm here to solicit investment. Madam Ma Wen, you're a merchant and should have a good business sense. Investing in a product can bring you profits, and investing in a person can also bring you returns."

"Invest… in a person? Haha, you don't want me to invest in you, do you? Then tell me, what value do you have to offer? What kind of returns can you bring me?"

Ma Wen's gaze turned dangerous. "Don't let me believe you're just another con artist, or you'll face the consequences."

"Do you know about the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament?"

"Does this have anything to do with what we're discussing?" Ma Wen asked with a hint of doubt.

"Of course, it does. It's held every five years. I won't be able to participate in the next one, but I'm confident that I can form a team for the one after that and achieve a decent ranking. At that time, I'll promote the Ice Thorns Chamber of Commerce and work for you for three years after the tournament. What do you think?"

"Hehe, is that what you call investment? Do I look like someone foolish enough to believe anything someone tells me? To gamble real money on something as vague as the future?" Her tone carried a hint of killing intent.

"Although I'd like to say that my talent isn't bad, my current state isn't very convincing. Then do you believe in Yan Jin? Are you willing to invest in her?"

Amon didn't waver in the face of Ma Wen's killing intent. He spoke very calmly.

To facilitate sponsorships, this was also the reason Amon contacted Yan Jin. He himself was only a level 12 Soul Master, and he was already 12 years old. Others didn't know that his inner self had undergone earth-shattering changes. In the eyes of others, his talent could only be described as mediocre.

If he were to lobby on his own, the chances of failure were high, but things would be different with Yan Jin involved.

Yan Jin's talent was obvious, personally certified by a Soul Douluo. Many people would consider it.

Their biggest concern was the Douluo's attitude. As long as that influence was dispelled, the chances of getting sponsorship were high.

"Yan Jin, are you talking about that foolish kid who refused the Douluo's recruitment?"

Ma Wen's anger eased a little, and she pondered, "That kid is indeed worth investing in. The judgment of the Spirit Hall's big shots is naturally not bad.

"But she angered that master with her stubbornness. That master had already agreed to have the Spirit Hall in Frostleaf City properly take care of her gang of kids.

"Yet she was still worried about them and refused to go to Spirit City, which eventually angered the Douluo and drove him away.

"Her talent is certainly good, but it's not good enough to make a Douluo willing to bring a bunch of burdens for her sake.

"I think no one in this Frostleaf City can withstand the anger of a Douluo. Before determining that master's attitude, no one dares to recruit her."

"Not recruit, invest," Amon raised his index finger and shook it gently.

"Moreover, you're investing in me, not her. It's just that she's half my disciple, so part of your investment will be passed on to her through me. This is different from you taking Yan Jin into the Chamber of Commerce."

The other party couldn't establish too close a relationship with Yan Jin. This was the reason Amon listed Ma Wen as his primary target.

Compared to taking her as a disciple, Ma Wen's commercial investment was more suitable.

It expressed enough goodwill towards Yan Jin without making the relationship too close.

Ma Wen was somewhat tempted. Although Yan Jin often did some petty thievery, she was undoubtedly loyal, refusing the Douluo's recruitment for the sake of her companions.

What limited the Chamber of Commerce's development was the lack of support from sufficiently reliable powerhouses.

She had been planning to nurture powerful Soul Masters who were close to the Chamber of Commerce for a long time, but with little success. After all, the return cycle for such investments was too long, and it was difficult to find suitable targets.

As for directly seeking cooperation with powerful Soul Masters, it would be hard to say who would be in control then, and she would inevitably lose a lot of autonomy. She didn't want the Chamber of Commerce she had worked so hard to build to become someone else's.

She had previously considered how to directly absorb Yan Jin into the Chamber of Commerce, but gave up due to concerns about the Douluo. Amon's proposal offered another safer option.

The Douluo's attitude eight years from now could also be determined, and Amon would bear the risk during this period.

Although this method didn't directly involve Yan Jin joining the Chamber of Commerce, and the relationship with the Chamber of Commerce wasn't as close, it was safer.

"Will she be willing to go with you?" Ma Wen asked.

Amon nodded slightly.

"She has already agreed. The reason she refused that Douluo before was because her brothers and sisters were too young, so she couldn't rest assured.

"I will stay here until she graduates from the Icewind Junior Soul Master Academy. By then, the youngest of those she's worried about will be eight or nine years old, even older than she is now.

"If you're willing to take care of those children during the period we're away, what else will she have to worry about?

"Yan Jin is more outstanding than you think. Her talent is not only reflected in her soul power cultivation, but also in combat. She is also a genius in combat.

"Amazing combat intuition, self-taught soul power application skills, good cultivation speed, plus my planning and guidance, she is destined to become a powerful Soul Master.

"I will take her to join the Northern Advanced Soul Master Academy and then participate in the Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament.

"If we don't qualify for the Advanced Soul Master Academy in five years, we'll work for you and sell you the rest of our lives, how about it?"

"I have to say, your words have moved me." Ma Wen put down her crossed legs, changed to a more upright sitting position, and her dark brown pupils showed some seriousness. "So, tell me specifically how you want me to invest?"

Amon stated the plan he had prepared long ago:

"While at the Junior Soul Master Academy, give us 500 gold soul coins per year. When we go to the Advanced Soul Master Academy, give us 2000 gold soul coins per year.

"When Yan Jin and I obtain our first and second soul rings, the Ice Thorns Chamber of Commerce needs to provide assistance.

"Also, arrange for us a house next to the academy. When we leave Frostleaf City to study at the Advanced Soul Master Academy five years later, you have to take good care of Yan Jin's younger siblings.

"Of course, the return in eight years is a bit too late, so we will also give some feedback during this period.

"I remember that the Chamber of Commerce is involved in clothing. How about this, except for occasions where we have to wear school uniforms, Yan Jin's clothing will be arranged by you.

"You can print the Chamber of Commerce's logo on her clothes. In addition, the school sometimes organizes competition activities, and you can have her wear the new styles of clothes you want to promote on these occasions.

"Or, more directly, print the advertising patterns of other products on her clothes."

Amon paused, then continued: "According to Yan Jin's personality, no matter where she is, she will attract a lot of attention. As long as she is good enough, there will be no shortage of people noticing the advertisements on her clothes. Also, if this form of advertising brings good enough results, you will also need to give us extra compensation."

"A very creative idea. Just this idea alone has great value."

As a shrewd merchant, Ma Wen immediately grasped the key points. She smiled and said:

"Then it's settled. Also, bring that kid Yan Jin over to meet me tonight. Don't let anyone else know."

"Pleasant cooperation," Amon raised his right hand and pinched his monocle.

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