Chapter 152: Chapter 151: Undercurrent
"You need not worry about this, Mr. Wakatsuki. We’ve already made arrangements."
Yamada Ichirō, the head of the Neon Concession garrison, spoke, his voice as cold and hard as steel. It was unsettling, as if the speaker wasn’t a man, but a gun, or a sword.
"Oh?"
Wakatsuki Kei’s expression shifted slightly.
"The Jinmen Martial Arts Association is hardly a monolith. To put it bluntly, it’s just an aggregation of interests, formed by countless chambers of commerce and factions. Where interests are involved, people can be bought as long as the price is right. In the nearly one hundred years since the concessions were established after the East Sea War, we have not been idle."
"The Divine Land’s native Martial Dao factions are extremely difficult to win over due to their traditions. The commercial sphere, however, is another matter. In the century since the Divine Land opened its borders, countless commercial powers have relied on the Empire’s channels to flourish. They are in no position to defy our demands."
"And it just so happens that these commercial powers are precisely the ones most lacking in top-tier Martial Dao resources. With the help of the Profound Ocean Society’s masters, I’m sure they’ll be able to seize more influence within the Jinmen Martial Arts Association."
Sano Hideyuki said with a smile.
A century ago, the Six Nations forced open the gates of the Divine Land. As the closest nation to the Divine Land, the Neon Empire had been operating on its soil for many years, and its hidden influence was far greater than one might imagine.
The comprador class was a massive, undeniable force within the Divine Land’s commercial world.
"The Empire’s glory may hang over the Far East like a blazing sun, but the other Five Nations also have a presence throughout Jinmen. It won’t be so easy to sway their decisions with just this, will it?"
Wakatsuki Kei said coolly.
"What if we have already secured the support of the Five Nations?"
Sano Hideyuki smiled.
"Would they so easily abandon their interests in the Divine Land?"
Wakatsuki Kei asked.
"Quite the opposite. They are doing it to preserve their interests in the Divine Land. The situation on the Western Continent is even more tense than it is here. They lack the ability to stop our actions. Cooperating with us is their best option."
"In short, the necessary arrangements are all in place. Now, we just have to see what you, the Profound Ocean Society, are capable of."
Yamada Ichirō stated coolly.
"On this point, you two can rest assured. Perhaps the Divine Land of a thousand years ago was something to be feared, but today, they are merely lambs to the slaughter."
Wakatsuki Kei said, his expression placid.
...
...
Amidst the surging undercurrents, Zhao Xuanqi continued his journey in the Martial Arts Arena.
His battle with Wu Yin secured his promotion to the Yi Lei on a winning streak. Before his matches began, word of his participation dates was spread through Yan Shuntao’s channels.
And just as Shi Huai’an and Fan Shiyan had predicted, with the news out in advance, Zhao Xuanqi barely encountered any other skilled opponents.
Wu Yin of the Western Border Wu Family had reached the Three Qi Realm, a level equivalent to a first-class master even in the Armor Arena. Yet, he had been defeated by Zhao Xuanqi. This proved that Zhao Xuanqi’s own strength was at least on par with a first-class Armor Arena master.
First-class Armor Arena masters were few even in all of Jinmen and could be considered true experts. This type of master, upon arriving in Jinmen, would almost always advance to the Armor Arena on a winning streak. Wu Yin himself had been one such case; it was only because he chose Zhao Xuanqi as an opponent that he tasted defeat.
Therefore, within five days, Zhao Xuanqi fought the maximum of two matches per day. With his opponents deliberately avoiding him, he smoothly advanced to the Armor Arena with a perfect record.
「Five nights later, Yan Mansion.」
"Congratulations on your promotion to the Armor Arena, Mr. Zhao. Actually, you didn’t need to be in such a hurry. With your victory over the heir of the Western Border Wu Family, no one would have questioned my recommendation for you to compete for the position of Chief of the Chamber’s Martial Arts Department."
In the main hall, Yan Shuntao personally poured tea for Zhao Xuanqi, his face wreathed in smiles as he spoke.
Five steps away from him, Ning Dao’an stood ramrod straight. The keen Spirit from the Secret Transmission he cultivated seemed to allow him to sense something. His eyes were fixed on Zhao Xuanqi, looking him up and down, a trace of disbelief in his gaze.
’It’s been over a month, and this is the first time I’ve seen him again. When we first met, Zhao Xuanqi felt like a savage beast, ready to tear a man apart at any moment. Now, he feels like an insurmountable mountain.’
’A savage beast... I might have a chance to subdue it if I gave my all. But a mountain... even if I risked my life, how could I possibly move it?’
’His power... how could his progress be this fast? No wonder even the heir of the Western Border Wu Family lost to him. Just how did he do it?’
’Now, within five steps... forget protecting Yan Shuntao’s life, it’s questionable if I could even save my own, even if I gave it everything I had.’
"I’m not one to break my promises. I do what I say I’ll do."
Zhao Xuanqi said calmly.
"A promise from you is worth its weight in gold, Mr. Zhao. Truly admirable. Having your help this time is my good fortune. In one week, the members of the Chamber of Commerce will gather to select the Chief of the Martial Arts Department. I hope you’ll be ready, sir."
Yan Shuntao said with a smile.
The Zhen Nan Chamber of Commerce, too, was a consortium of interests. It was originally founded on the principle of resource sharing, fostering mutual benefit to help its directors’ businesses grow. Each director had their own distinct industries and networks.
Now, with the chaotic situation in Jinmen, the directors needed to band together to face the upheaval. The Chief of the Martial Arts Department was an extremely important position. If Yan Shuntao could place his own man in that seat, his influence within the Chamber would grow immensely.
This was why he was so attentive to Zhao Xuanqi, and not just because of the National Salvation Association connection.
Although Yang Zhongliang had called him a patriotic merchant, he was a merchant first and foremost. Only by ensuring his own prosperity would he have the luxury of being a patriot.
"Among the Martial Artists recommended by the various Chamber directors this time, are there any noteworthy individuals?"
Zhao Xuanqi asked Yan Shuntao.
"According to the news I’ve received, the Martial Artist recommended by the head director seems to have some background. His strength is extraordinary, at least at the Three Qi Realm. However, he’s already middle-aged, so his strength should not surpass that of the Western Border Wu Family’s heir. Since you were able to defeat the Wu Family heir, defeating this man shouldn’t be a problem."
"However, the situation in the Northern Territory has been chaotic recently, and all the major concessions seem to be making moves. The Zhen Nan Chamber of Commerce isn’t what it was years ago. The directors are a mixed bag now, and many have unclear relationships with the Six Countries Concession. I can’t guarantee that there won’t be some unexpected developments."
Yan Shuntao said in a low voice.
