"My apologies for not welcoming Alliance Master Shangguan sooner. Your visit truly honors us."
At the top floor of the Ao'du Chamber of Commerce, a middle-aged man in a deep violet cloak received Shangguan Wei'er with practiced courtesy. His posture radiated authority; though he smiled like a businessman, his eyes gleamed with a sharp light that betrayed the bearing of someone long accustomed to power.
"President An is far too polite," Shangguan Wei'er replied, her voice smooth and honeyed. "The Ao'du Chamber of Commerce has seized control of nearly half of Radiant City's markets in less than a month. I should have come to pay my respects much earlier."
Her gaze swept up and down An Litong appraisingly, every word soft yet deliberate. He might not have reached the ninth rank, but everyone in Radiant City knew that the force backing him was not one to offend.
An Litong, for his part, was also sizing her up. The name Common Alliance was well known even among the city's elite. From nobles to commoners, their influence extended everywhere. Even during the recent upheaval in the capital, the Alliance had emerged untouched.
For Shangguan Wei'er to approach him so openly, she must have an agenda. Still, while the Ao'du Chamber had its own shadowy dealings, they rarely crossed paths with the Common Alliance—until now.
"Alliance Master Shangguan jests," he said with a light chuckle. "I'm merely a humble merchant. I would never dare trouble you to come in person."
Wei'er covered her mouth and laughed softly, clearly catching the implication in his tone. "President An need not worry. I'm here for business."
"Then please, speak freely."
"I've heard the Ao'du Chamber's intelligence network is quite… comprehensive." She tilted her head slightly, and the faint smile beneath her veil made An Litong avert his eyes almost instinctively.
"I lost a shipment near the border of the Heavenly Soul Empire," she continued smoothly. "I wonder if President An could help me locate it?"
At her words, An Litong's heart tensed. Most people knew the Ao'du Chamber had close ties with the royal family—but few knew what that really meant.
In truth, the Chamber wasn't a royal bureau at all—it was part of Emperor Xu Jing's military apparatus. It handled the sort of business the Empire could not put in official records: bandits, assassins, smuggling rings.
The fact that Shangguan Wei'er had already uncovered their ties to the border meant she had done her homework—and fast.
No wonder she's ruled the Common Alliance for decades, he thought grimly. This woman's reach is terrifying.
"And what kind of goods," he asked carefully, "does the Alliance Master seek?"
"Two Dragon Maidens."
"Dragon Maidens?" An Litong's composure slipped, his tone sharp with surprise. "Legend has it they dwell deep in the mountains and marshes, covered head to toe in scales. Only in moments of passion do those scales shed, revealing beauty unmatched—and granting their partner immense power."
"President An is indeed well-informed." Wei'er's smile deepened. "That is exactly what I'm looking for."
An Litong's mind raced. The Dragon Maidens were creatures of myth, said to bestow a trace of true dragon blood on a soul master, even causing beneficial mutations in one's martial spirit. He had never seen one himself—but that the Common Alliance would trade in such legends was beyond his expectations.
"If President An can find them," Wei'er said, stepping forward gracefully, "the Common Alliance will reward you handsomely."
Without waiting for a response, she lifted the teapot and filled his cup herself. For a woman of her status to perform such a gesture was a calculated move.
The scent of her perfume brushed his senses. Even knowing she was at least middle-aged, An Litong still felt his heart stir uncontrollably.
"And besides…" Wei'er chuckled again, lifting the veil from her face. Her features were stunning, mature yet ageless, her every glance carrying an allure that blurred the line between charm and danger. "The Common Alliance deals in a few… side trades. Now that the Ao'du Chamber controls most of Radiant City's market, perhaps President An would be interested in sharing some business with me?"
An Litong stiffened. He regained his composure a moment later, realization dawning. The matter of the Dragon Maidens was just bait—a show of power. What she truly wanted was this partnership.
"What kind of business requires your personal attention?" he asked cautiously.
"Rare metals," she said lightly.
The words sounded casual, but An Litong's expression darkened immediately.
The Sun and Moon Empire had strictly forbidden private trade in rare metals. But precisely because of that, the profits for smuggling were immense. That the Common Alliance dabbled in this didn't surprise him—what did surprise him was that Shangguan Wei'er dared bring it up so bluntly.
"There's no need for alarm, President An," she said softly. "Some things cannot be truly banned. Better to control them than to suppress them blindly, don't you think?"
Her tone was sweet as silk, yet every word carried sharp intent. Their conversation—one that few in the city would ever hear—continued behind closed doors.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the city, Lin Xiao had changed into plain clothes and entered a modest-looking building.
"Holy Envoy."
Two hooded servants bowed deeply as he passed.
"Where's Teacher?"
"The Elder is below."
Lin Xiao walked to a table, pressed a concealed switch, and descended through a hidden passage.
The narrow corridor led to a vast underground hall bathed in dim violet light. Though spacious, the air was heavy—filled with the oppressive aura of countless lingering souls.
At the far end stood Nightmare Douluo, his eyes fixed on a massive black banner suspended from the wall.
Lin Xiao raised his gaze to it as well. The faint, distorted wails woven into the fabric sent a chill down his spine. Memories from his childhood—the endless rituals, the darkness—rose unbidden.
"Teacher."
"Hmm." Nightmare Douluo turned slowly. "What is it?"
"While passing by the Ao'du Chamber of Commerce, I saw Shangguan Wei'er of the Common Alliance."
"The Common Alliance?" Nightmare Douluo snorted coldly. "Some of our disciples have also reported contact with their people lately. It seems our presence has unsettled that old woman."
Lin Xiao understood immediately. The Alliance's attempts to infiltrate the Royal Academy weren't limited to Shangguan Qing's approach—no doubt, they were probing others as well.
But it seemed those efforts had failed, only drawing the attention of the Holy Spirit Church instead.
"You entered the Royal Academy under Jing Hongchen's favor and apprenticed under Lin Jiayi," the Nightmare Douluo said. "That will certainly attract their interest. Keep an eye on those around you."
"Yes, Teacher."
Lin Xiao studied his master's expression carefully. Strangely, the Nightmare Douluo looked perfectly calm—completely unbothered by the possibility that Lin Xiao might expose the Church.
"Shall I take this opportunity to investigate the Common Alliance's movements?" Lin Xiao asked.
"They're well-trained," Nightmare Douluo mused. "Extracting information from them won't be easy. But… if you think you can manage it, try. The Common Alliance has dominated the black market long enough. It's time our Holy Church claimed its share."
Lin Xiao nodded silently. The meaning was clear—and the future already uncertain.
According to his memories, this was only the beginning. The struggle between these two underground powers would not end in peace; eventually, the Holy Spirit Church, the Common Alliance, and a third rising faction would carve the city's underworld into three equal domains.
(End of Chapter)