The Red Fish Merchant Guild's Secret

Translator: AnubisTL

An invitation from the City Lord's Manor?

At first, Koloda was stunned. Then, he opened his mouth and said, "Yes, there is such a thing."

Why would he suddenly ask about this? Could it be that this guy's target was the City Lord's Manor? What audacity!

Koloda's heart surged with waves of shock. After all these years, someone was finally daring to challenge the City Lord's Manor, which had ruled Giant Rock City for so long.

No wonder he had become an Inner Strength expert but remained hidden, content to lurk in the city's underbelly, patiently waiting for his opportunity.

Li Qing, of course, had no idea what Koloda was thinking. He said, "When you attend the banquet, I'll disguise myself as one of your gang members and accompany you."

"Alright, no problem!" As he spoke, a bead of sweat trickled down Koloda's forehead.

He agreed without hesitation. There was no choice. The situation was stacked against him, and the other man's fist was right there. He had to comply.

Seeing the Sand Crocodile's cooperation, Li Qing smiled again. "Tell me everything you know about the Red Fish Merchant Guild."

Are they planning to take down the Red Fish Merchant Guild too? That's quite an ambition.

Though these thoughts raced through his mind, Koloda answered honestly:

"As far as I know, the Red Fish Merchant Guild controls the entire city's economic lifeline. Their relationship with the City Lord's Manor has always been quite good. The Money Crystals of Giant Rock City were jointly developed by the City Lord's Manor and the Red Fish Merchant Guild."

"The Red Fish Merchant Guild has an Inner Strength expert named Ge Wen who practices External Martial Arts and is skilled with a sword. He's not much younger than City Lord Qin Xiu, but how much of his strength he's retained is unknown."

"That's about all I know."

Li Qing listened intently, a thoughtful expression on his face. He habitually stroked his chin.

After a long moment of contemplation, Li Qing continued, "Tell me your thoughts on the Red Fish Merchant Guild. For example, the Armored Pigs they sell and the so-called Vital Blood Pills. What do you make of them?"

Koloda's eyes flickered slightly at this question before he replied, "About seven years after the sun disappeared—though that's just an estimate based on the bone age of some children."

"By that time, Qin Xiu had only been in charge of Giant Rock City for two years, but a new order had already begun to take shape."

"Meat was incredibly scarce in the city. You couldn't even find a single rat!"

"It was around this time that the Red Fish Merchant Guild suddenly began selling Armored Pigs. At first, they only supplied a small amount to the higher-ranking members of our gangs. But the quantities gradually increased until today, when even ordinary citizens can occasionally enjoy a meat dish."

The Armored Pigs first appeared seven years after the sun vanished.

Li Qing silently noted this in his mind and then asked, "Did anything unusual happen at the Red Fish Merchant Guild around that time? Like, did any important new figures join?"

Koloda recalled the events, unconsciously shaking his head.

Suddenly, he looked up sharply and said, "Wait, I remember someone witnessed Ge Wen being injured that year. It was a serious wound, and he had to go into seclusion for a long time before he reappeared in public as if nothing had happened."

As a Martial Artist, Koloda had a remarkable memory, allowing him to recall these details from so long ago.

As expected!

The origin of the Armored Pigs, the Red Fish Merchant Guild's subsequent acquisition of Sunlight Era beasts, and the miraculous Vital Blood Pills—it all likely began that year!

Ge Wen practiced External Martial Arts. By then, he was already an Inner Strength expert in his prime. As the Guild Master of the Red Fish Merchant Guild, he certainly wouldn't have lacked for meat.

Who could possibly have injured a peak-condition Inner Strength expert back then?

Given the relationship between the City Lord's Manor and the Red Fish Merchant Guild, it couldn't have been City Lord Qin Xiu. They jointly ruled Giant Rock City; there was no need for violence.

Ge Wen must have encountered a Mysterious Person—someone capable of cultivating Armored Pigs, concocting the strange Vital Blood Pills, and injuring a peak-level Inner Strength expert.

Li Qing's mind raced, his breathing quickening.

"Hah!"

Finally, he exhaled deeply, suppressing his speculations about the Red Fish Merchant Guild.

"I'll come find you before the City Lord's birthday banquet."

"And about what happened today..."

Before Li Qing could finish speaking, Koloda immediately assured him, "Rest assured, I'll keep my mouth shut. I guarantee there won't be any leaks, and I'll keep the gang in line too."

He knew better than to offend an Inner Strength expert; he wouldn't even know when he'd die!

"Remember your words," Li Qing said, glancing at the Sand Crocodile before turning to leave.

Before stepping out, he glanced back. The four men who had been slapping each other were now sprawled on the ground, their cheeks swollen and cracked, blood and snot streaming from their noses and mouths.

They were all thugs who preyed on the weak and oppressed women. They deserved what they got.

Li Qing turned away, his feet moving in the Shadow-Seeking Footwork. With a few nimble steps and flashes of movement, his figure vanished.

After Li Qing left, Crocodile Koloda roared, "Get in here, all of you!"

Anyone could see that City Lord Qin Xiu's birthday banquet was meant to be a peace offering. After all, the City Lord's Manor hadn't held a special birthday banquet in years. Doing so now made its intentions crystal clear.

Qin Xiu was, after all, the most powerful figure in Giant Rock City. He deserved some respect.

As a result, the gunpowder-like tension that had been steadily rising in the city suddenly dissipated. Gangs that had been on the brink of conflict and open warfare quickly laid down their arms.

Giant Rock City, Northern District.

Since the news of the City Lord's Birthday Banquet had spread, a steady stream of figures from all walks of life had been entering and exiting the magnificent City Lord's Manor.

Finally, the day of the banquet arrived. Every prominent figure in the city had gathered here.

The True Martial Gang, having acquired a Vital Blood Pill, had gained another External Strength Expert, and their morale had soared in recent days.

"Kong Fei of the True Martial Gang wishes City Lord Qin eternal longevity!"

The hearty congratulations rang out with full vigor, steady and powerful!

Soon, other voices joined in.

"Jia Dachun of the Great River Gang wishes City Lord Qin a life as long as the heavens!"

"Fist Mountain Gang..."

Nearly every Gang Leader in the city had come, including Koloda of the Sand Crocodile Gang.

Each Gang Leader who received an invitation was allowed to bring two guests. No more were permitted.

Li Qing maintained a calm expression, silently following Koloda as they approached the imposing City Lord's Manor.

For the first time in his life, the Sand Crocodile Gang Leader felt deeply uncomfortable.

Koloda glanced back at Li Qing, then called out in a deep voice, "Koloda of the Sand Crocodile Gang wishes City Lord Qin both fortune and longevity!"

(End of the Chapter)

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