Refining the Mountains and Rivers

The people sitting in the room right now were undoubtedly the most popular and welcomed group in the city. As speakers for the various caravans, they certainly had this status until the exchange of their commodities was completed.

The reason they temporarily put the trade that made them a massive amount of profits on hold was because they weren't worried that they wouldn't be able to sell later.

Of course, what was more important was that they were about to discuss whether or not that person had the qualifications for them to make such a sacrifice.

"Everyone's here and our time is precious, so I won't waste time on small talk. I'll get straight to the point." The caravan speaker who convened this gathering glanced around, "Young Master Qin's people went to the wharf and were refused by Casting Sea. I believe we should do something about this."

Just as he finished speaking, another caravan speaker bitterly smiled and said, "Casting Sea is one of the most difficult bones to gnaw on in Black City. Even if we speak up, we might not be able to do anything about it."

"That's right, Casting Sea is not easy to deal with!"

"He has made his decision. Unless Sir Qin gives an exact answer, it will be difficult to change things."

Complaints rose up from all around.

The person who convened the gathering sneered coldly, "Don't speak nonsense. Since you all came here today, you should already know what the reason is."

His pupils shrank and he revealed a look of dread, "Don't forget the fate of that scar-faced man and those other people."

The room immediately fell silent. Each caravan speaker revealed a dignified look.

This was indeed a matter they had no choice but to consider. Strictly speaking, the reason they all safely arrived at Black City was because they took advantage of Qin Yu and his party.

If they shrank back now, who knew if he would go crazy? None of them were willing to withstand the consequences of that.

The person who called the meeting saw that everyone understood the gravity of the situation. His expression relaxed a little and he said, "Returning the favor and helping Sir Qin achieve his wish is what we should do…during this trip to Black City, we lost almost nothing along the way and have already earned a profit several times higher than normal. Earning a bit less is earning a bit less. Casting Sea's bones are hard, but he isn't alone. With so many subordinates, he needs to take them into consideration."

"Hah, I hope it's like that."

"If no one has any objections, let's discuss the rules."

"Hehe, consider it as investing ahead of time. Perhaps we can leave a good impression in Sir Qin's eyes with this matter. There might be a good harvest from that."

As everyone heard this, their eyes brightened.

The discussion that happened afterwards proceeded relatively smoothly. At most there was some conversation about the loss of profits. After arguing a bit more, it was settled.

On the same day, the three caravan speakers who were elected to represent the merchants stepped onto Black City's wharf.

It was unknown what was specifically said; only Casting Sea and the other three caravan speakers knew. Soon after, a woman came to the inn where Qin Yu and the others were staying.

"The boss has agreed to let you board the ship. We will raise the anchor in three days. Don't miss the time." She coolly said. As she was about to speak, her eyes fell on Mian Ya and she hesitated a little.

Qin Yu glanced at Mian Ya. She stepped forward and smiled, "Does sister have anything to say? If you need help, feel free to speak."

"You two can talk." Qin Yu turned and walked out.

An hour later, the woman from the wharf left the room. Compared to when she first came, her face had softened a lot. When she saw Qin Yu quietly drinking tea in the cold reception room, she thought for a moment and said, "The boss is embarking on major business in entering the Cold Sea this time. He will likely go much deeper than normal, so prepare ahead of time."

Without pause, she turned and left.

The reason for why Casting Sea was entering the Cold Sea this time wasn't a secret, so she wasn't worried that Qin Yu would develop any crooked thoughts. Otherwise…hum hum, he was just bringing about his own destruction!

Venturing into the Cold Sea?

Qin Yu smiled. This couldn't be any better. He was originally thinking about how to convince the ship to travel deeper for a few more days.

When the woman left, the caravan people jointly came and gave an invitation to Qin Yu, asking him to attend a banquet.

The invite was refused. But the caravan people had already expected this so they weren't surprised.

They had already expressed their attitude in front of Sir Qin. This was enough.

Three days quickly passed.

At Black City's wharf, a large ship floated peacefully on the sea. There was no need for further description. Just 'large' was enough to encapsulate its essence.

It was truly large, like a small island. The bow and stern had sharp and thick spikes, many of which were twisted and broken. The surface was a deep and dark reddish-brown. Just glancing at the stains caused one to feel a chill dive straight into their hearts.

Casting Sea stood on deck, looking at Qin Yu. After a slight pause, he looked at King Mystery who was standing behind and kept his head down.

Several breaths of time later his pupils shrank and he looked deeper. Then he lifted an arm and shouted, "Board the ship!"

The ship was large not just because the wind and waves on the Cold Sea were larger, but because far, far too many people needed to board it.

Although Black City had a wharf, the truth was that throughout the year, there weren't many ships that were able to go out to sea. Each time a ship went out, to the brigands living in the city it was a grand occasion that could not be missed.

The reason they endured the bitter cold and lived in this place certainly wasn't because they were masochists that liked pain…the Cold Sea was terrifying, but for these brigands, it also contained endless possibilities.

Qin Yu stepped forward first. Mian Ya clung tightly to him. The burning hot looks of lascivious greed aimed at her caused her to pale.

King Mystery followed behind the two.

Old Fox waved a hand. "Young master, be careful!" He had been asked to stay behind in Black City.

Although he had no idea what the significance of staying in Black City was, Old Fox had no objections.

It was just that in his mind, he subconsciously recalled the iron box the young master had given him.

Its aura was completely blocked, so Old Fox had no idea what it was. But, he had felt a seriousness in the young master's eyes.

This was likely the reason he had been asked to stay in Black City…as long as he was alive, he wouldn't allow anyone to touch this iron box!

Shadowless Demon remained hidden in Old Fox's shadow. He watched as Qin Yu and the others boarded the ship. There was a melancholic gaze in his eyes.

Why was that little girl Mian Ya able to follow beside the young master? He should be the one boarding the ship with the young master!

After all, on a ship full of complicated relationships and unknown situations, a subordinate who was good at hiding his aura and spying on others was indispensable.

But Qin Yu didn't give any explanation. He only told him to listen to all of Old Fox's arrangements. This caused Shadowless Demon to be even sadder.

He looked at King Mystery's back, a bitter light in his eyes. If it wasn't for this old ghost, how could he have missed out on the opportunity to get closer to the young master and have his chance preempted by Old Fox and Black Astral? Now he ended up in a position where he wasn't taken seriously at all.

As King Mystery boarded the ship, his lips twitched. He thought that these people beside Qin Yu were far too insolent. As a solemn True King, did they think he wouldn't sense it?

Hum hum, in particular Shadowless Demon. If it weren't for that bastard, would a True King like him have ended up in a situation where he was serving others?

He would mark this down again. When he had a chance in the future, he would carefully settle this debt!

King Mystery coldly sneered and lifted his head. He looked at Casting Sea who was standing at the bow. Their eyes met for a moment before Casting Sea lowered his head.

Although the surrounding men looked at Mian Ya as if they could eat her up whole, no one approached her.

Ever since entering Black City, nothing had happened to their group. This was an expression of strength.

Moreover, some news that spread out from the merchant caravan caused the brigands of Black City to secretly dread them.

The brigands were people who were not afraid of death when it came to profits.

But this was just a woman. No matter how thirsty they were, they wouldn't toss away their lives for that.

The woman who went to the inn to deliver a message to Qin Yu was the only female among Casting Sea's subordinates. She arrived in front of Qin Yu. When she saw the pale Mian Ya, she couldn't help but furrow her eyebrows and give Qin Yu a cold look.

"Come with me!"

She reached out a hand and grabbed Mian Ya, leading the way. The burning hot gazes from all around rapidly faded away, not daring to release any other mood.

The woman coldly sneered and said to Mian Ya, "Men are despicable little things. When you beat them up badly enough, they naturally won't dare to have any other thoughts."

Mian Ya had an awkward expression.

Qin Yu rubbed his nose. He looked at the woman's sturdy back. For some reason he felt that there was a little innuendo in these words.

As if sensing Qin Yu's gaze, the woman turned and coldly said, "A man can't even completely protect his own woman. Such a man should just hit his head against a wall and die."

These words were terse and violent. It made one think there was another story hidden behind them.

Humph!

The woman turned her head, indifferently leading the way. Qin Yu smiled, waving his hand and indicating to Mian Ya that it was fine.

Likely because of Mian Ya's halo, Qin Yu had been assigned a relatively good dwelling in the ship.

If their view was good, they wouldn't feel suffocated. Of course, there was the ever-present cold.

The entire ship had several thousand brigands. How many commodities were there to warm up others?

If one couldn't even resist this chill, they might as well die. In any case, it was just a matter of time.

"Set sail!"

Thick rust-covered iron chains rose up from the bow and stern. With loud rustling sounds, giant anchors were pulled out from the sea.

A deep cry spread out from the center of the ship. Qin Yu's eyes sparkled, because at this moment, he seemed to hear a low roar.

This ship…could it be alive?

He looked at King Mystery. This old thing's face was without expression and he revealed no mood. It was impossible to guess what he was thinking.

Crash –