Chapter 641: First, Hold Them

Inside the marketplace.

Precious fish, precious plants, minerals, remains of demonic beasts, plants, seeds, and small creatures from all corners of the world—including edible fish—could be listed at length, attracting passing demonic beasts… fully displaying the wonders of the underwater world.

While wandering aimlessly, Liang Qu also saw a vendor selling a type of large-mouthed fish, touted as being able to clean feces and maintain cave hygiene.

Expensive, yet many great demons bought them.

"Senior Elder Yin of the Sect, isn't the strongest sea merchant not the Sea Merchant Lord?"

A Heaven-Man Master is indeed formidable, among the top tier below a Martial Saint, but not enough to freely trade across the Jianghuai region.

There are always those with boldness.

Behind the Sea Merchant Lord, there must be other demonic beasts lending support.

Long Zong Yin affirmed: "Your Excellency is correct. The main leaders among sea merchants fall into two groups: the Jiao people and the Eight-Limbed clan. The Jiao, like humans, are naturally exceptionally intelligent; the Eight-Limbed possess extraordinary Zheng Tianfu, able to speak human speech once they become spirit beasts."

Both clans have Demon Kings among them; together, they are a dominant force across the entire sea.

The Sea Merchant Lord's husband is the Eight-Limbed King of the Sea, known as the Immortal and Unkillable, the One Who Foretells Fortune and Misfortune, famed for absolute neutrality."

The Sea Merchant Lord's husband?

So she's female.

Liang Qu gazed at the pale blue octopus in the marketplace.

The Sea Merchant Lord noticed the gaze and waved her tentacles.

To be honest.

Among great demons, I've never seen one so warm and proactive.

Rare to find a demonic beast with such approachability.

Don't be fooled by Big Fat and Second Fat's usual amiability and laughter—that's only because they've become friends with the fat catfish.

With any other demonic beast, Second Frog would simply become prey, three bites per fish.

Long Zong Yin continued.

"Moreover, though demons are collectively called the Demon Race, they are not a single Zuqun like humans. For example, grass carp and black fish are utterly unrelated; the former sits atop the latter's menu."

It's merely that humans are too powerful; in daily speech, all demonic beasts are lumped together as one, though in reality, different demonic clans rarely interact.

Weak and lacking in certain skills, they need other platforms to compensate for weaknesses and exchange goods.

Gradually, everyone came to an unspoken agreement: no one would rashly attack traveling merchants; violators would be jointly opposed.

In the past, the Central Long Gong in the Jianghuai Marsh held the same authority, but the Jiaolong were weaker than the Old Dragon Lord and dared not let Demon Kings roam freely within the palace, so the exchange of goods gradually faded, leaving everyone reliant on the sea merchants who came only once every few years."

"How long does the sea merchant stay at each stop?"

"One to two days, depending on how many great demons come to trade—more demons mean a later departure, fewer mean an earlier one."

"So it's like… hmm?"

Liang Qu's robe was tugged.

The Great River Otter pointed to a gray mineral on the back of a water spider.

Nearby the dragon-person stepped forward to pay.

Puff!

Otter Otter shoved his head into the water spider's bubble, took a breath, strolled around casually without buying anything, then reemerged.

Ordinary demonic beasts could purchase sufficient supplies in regular markets; only great demons with specific needs for rare items would converse with the Sea Merchant Lord.

Evening.

The number of great demons before the Sea Merchant Lord dwindled.

Liang Qu finally found his chance and approached the Sea Merchant Lord: "Merchant Lord."

The Sea Merchant Lord, busy all day, remained enthusiastic: "What does the guest require?"

"Might the Merchant Lord be willing to trade with humans?"

"Humans…?" The Sea Merchant Lord's tentacles touched her head, her voice filled with hesitation, "We don't accept silver; we trade only by barter. Moreover, many human goods suit the Jiao and Dragon-People, but not other demonic clans. And aren't you currently at war? It's… Great Gan and Great Shun?"

Said unsuitable!

Didn't say unwilling!

Liang Qu's spirits lifted.

"The conflict between Great Gan and Great Shun is ancient history—decades old."

"Now, the Frog Clan's territory extends directly south into Pingyang Prefecture under Southern Zhili. I am the Water Inspector of Hengshui in Pingyang Prefecture. If the Merchant Lord is willing to trade, I shall personally arrange the introduction between both sides!"

The Sea Merchant Lord's tentacles touched, her mind wavering.

Underwater, passage was unimpeded; trust already existed.

On land, it was entirely different.

Should she go?

…

Stars hung high; tides surged.

Liang Qu swam ashore and stopped a river official patrolling at night.

"Where's Xu Xu Tiling? Gone fishing?"

"No, he's still upstairs."

"Thank you!"

Liang Qu looked up and stepped along the eaves straight to the study window.

Knock knock.

Xu Xu Xu Yuelong lowered his fishing rod, instinctively glancing toward the door—then immediately realized the sound came from elsewhere.

Moonlight glowed softly.

Clearly outlining a shadow.

Xu Xu Xu Yuelong recognized the figure at a glance by its posture.

"Why not use the door? Why the window?"

Liang Qu shut the window, flipped inside, ignored explanations, and immediately delivered the good news to Xu Xu Xu Yuelong.

"Sea merchants? Demon King influence?" Xu Xu Xu Yuelong rose abruptly. "Where did you find them?"

"Bai Yuan told me," Liang Qu deftly shifted blame. "I disguised myself as a Dragon-Person, risked my life infiltrating the demonic clans, spoke with the Sea Merchant Lord, and she agreed to come to the shallow waters once to observe trade prospects with the imperial court."

"When?"

"In five days!" Liang Qu reminded. "The sea merchants trade by barter—they don't accept silver or gold. They need no weapons or martial arts. But all kinds of rare items and elixirs are welcome."

"Also, I learned that during the Old Dragon Lord's reign, the sea merchants came twice a year—once in spring, once in winter."

"After the Old Dragon Lord vanished and the Jiaolong took over the Long Gong, the Jianghuai Marsh split into four parts. The sea merchants' profits plummeted, so they reduced visits to once every two or three years."

"I believe that if the sea merchants establish ties with the court, they may revert to once a year—or even twice a year—from this year onward!"

Xu Xu Xu Yuelong caught the implication.

The first experience is crucial!

Long-term connection is key.

First, hold them!

Even if we lose a little this year, it doesn't matter!

The court has always wanted to resume trade with the marsh, indirectly developing its resources. Though currently only the Western Turtle remains, the road is long—but bringing in the sea merchants is no bad thing!"

"I'll arrange it!"

Fifteen minutes later.

Ran Ran Zhongxi hurried back, putting on his robe, and the dimmed candles in the room were relit.

One and a half hours later.

Several members of the Celestial Shipping Guild arrived.

Two hours later.

Leaders of major guilds and the Weng family arrived in droves.

The room glowed brightly with heated discussion.

Dawn.

Several swift, divine steeds galloped out, racing toward surrounding prefectures.

Everyone performed their assigned duties.

The night-watch Registrar was baffled, wondering what major event had occurred.

Liang Zhai.

Long Yao opened the jar and submerged it in water.

Orange sea butterflies drifted slowly, floating on the surface.

The entire water surface scattered with specks of orange light, like floating lanterns.

The next evening.

Water demons in the marketplace grew sparse.

The sea merchant trade differed greatly from human markets.

Demonic beasts usually hoarded their needs, then burst into buying all at once when the sea merchants arrived, bought everything, and left immediately—highly purposeful, never wandering aimlessly.

The Sea Merchant Lord waved her eight limbs, no longer heading east back to the sea as in past years, but directed the entire caravan southward.

The massive caravan rose and resumed its journey.

Yet, compared to when they arrived, the sea merchant caravan now carried one extra member.

The fat catfish swayed its head and tail, mingling among the crowd, ready to report the Sea Faction Chief's itinerary to Liang Qu.

Five days passed.

The fat catfish delivered the message.

The news was passed through two hands and reached the third floor of the River Tax Office.

Xu Xu Xu Yuelong led the River Tax Office officials, standing ready in strict formation.

The river wind cut like a blade.

The tide crashed against the shore.

Two giant salamanders surfaced from the water.