Chapter 3044

But Zhao Chi's heart could not settle for a long time.

He had to admit, Zhao Quan and Zhao Tan had told him a great deal today about situations he had never understood before.

The information was a bit overwhelming.

And it didn't feel like they were talking nonsense — everything had a basis, everything held up.

He truly hadn't expected that the nobility were still carrying out the work of protecting and repairing the Wall of the World.

Their exploitation of the commoners — was it really just to have enough resources to exchange for Divine Artifact shards?

No, that wasn't right…

The nobility certainly also used these resources to strengthen their own power, but strengthening their power was also necessary. One had to be powerful to have the ability to leave Snow Plain City and go beyond the city.

Had he really misunderstood the nobility before?

Plenty of those bad deeds before were done by commoners and families backed by the nobility — they couldn't all be blamed on the nobility. That was also the truth.

But these kinds of families only acted this way because of the nobility's shelter. Thinking about it that way, it wasn't unfair to count them against the nobility.

And some of the nobility truly deserved to die — and quite a few of them. That was also the truth.

But there should also be good nobility, right?

Were there any?

Did Zhao Quan and the others count as good nobility?

They were a branch family of the noble Zhao clan — they were royalty.

Above them was the Zhao main family — they were the imperial clan.

It did sound very powerful.

Join them?

No.

Joining them would still be too passive.

It sounded good now, but once he joined them, it wouldn't be something Zhao Chi could decide on his own.

Even Zhao Quan wouldn't be able to call the shots.

If they turned against Zhao Chi, he would be completely helpless then.

This kind of thing couldn't be left to others.

He had to be his own master!

The best choice was still the current arrangement.

This was a big matter — he'd discuss it internally first.

At dawn, he'd have all those women go to the top floor and hold an internal meeting, including Li Ruanyu and Shangguan Ting — Fuyao would join too.

After the internal meeting, if there were questions, he'd ask Yao Feng.

Noble imperial clan members had returned — their strength was greater now.

This made the odds of wiping out the werewolves better.

But when fighting the nobility later, the disadvantage would also be greater.

That was also a troublesome matter.

It was like tearing down the east wall to mend the west wall — sooner or later it would be the World-Breaking Army's problem.

Did Yao Feng's side know about this?

She probably knew.

But such an important matter had to be confirmed.

He'd ask her — if she didn't know, he'd trim down what had just happened and tell Yao Feng.

He opened the system.

Zhao Chi: 【Captain, some noble elites have returned to District 1. Do you know about this?】

Yao Feng didn't reply immediately.

Once again, only after a while did she reply.

Yao Feng: 【How do you know? Where did the information come from?】

It seemed she knew.

That was good then.

Zhao Chi trimmed down what had just happened and told Yao Feng only what could be said.

Yao Feng: 【So it's Zhao Quan… actually poaching behind my back… I know about this. Don't worry, thank you for trusting me. I have some things to handle right now and can't say much — I'll contact you later.】

Zhao Chi: 【Okay】

As long as Yao Feng knew, that was fine.

Next, he had to hurry up and craft.

Not a single minute could be wasted.

"Zhuang Ya, let's continue."

Zhuang Ya nodded silently.

Zhuang Ya had heard the entire conversation Zhao Chi had just had with Zhao Quan and the others.

She was an extremely intelligent and very mature woman — she could guess quite a bit of the content.

But Zhao Chi clearly had no intention of discussing it with her, and Zhuang Ya didn't ask either, instead staying with him and focusing on forging.

However, after just one crafting cycle, Zhao Chi received a new message.

It was from an unknown sender.

It came from the Ruby Merchant Guild.

【Notice, a communication request from "Ruby Merchant Guild" has been received. Accept?】

This message is strange.

Zhao Chi never added the other party's contact information, so logically they shouldn't be able to send him a message.

But what's going on with this message?

Zhao Chi examined it carefully and found that the message's origin was connected to that special channel of the Ruby Merchant Guild.

When Zhao Chi paid Yin Shopkeeper Wanyan and the others 2 million gold coins, for safety's sake, it had been transferred through that special channel.

When they delivered supplies to Zhao Chi, it was also through that special channel.

This message was sent the same way.

Then it makes sense.

But why is the Ruby Merchant Guild looking for me?

Was it sent by Yin Shopkeeper Wanyan?

Has she already been rescued?

Coming to thank me?

Is Zhao Quan that fast at rescuing people?

But Yin Shopkeeper Wanyan has Zhao Chi's contact info — she could just reach out to him directly.

Why use the special channel?

Could it be someone else?

Let's take a look first.

Click accept!

【Hello, Mr. Zhao Chi! I am "Ruby Merchant Guild — Snowfield City Branch — Head — Song Ji." I'm contacting you through this method because I have something to discuss with you. If you agree, please add my contact information. Sorry for the abrupt intrusion, I look forward to our conversation. Thank you.】

Not Yin Shopkeeper Wanyan?

Song Ji…

Never heard of him.

But based on the voice in this message, the other party seems to be a man in his fifties.

A guild branch head is already the highest-ranking figure in Snowfield City.

What does he want with me?

Is it about Yin Shopkeeper Wanyan?

Then I'll add him and chat.

Zhao Chi doesn't have much resistance toward the Ruby Merchant Guild.

After adding him, the other party quickly sent a message.