Chapter 247: Ambition

Chapter 247: Ambition

"I need to find a way to inform the Old Marquis of my current situation. But I must avoid alerting outsiders. What should I do?" Ning Xiaochuan took out an Azure Jade Token from his robes, pinching it between his fingers as a smile spread across his face. "I have a plan."

The words "Jian Pavilion" were engraved on the Azure Jade Token.

This token had been given to Ning Xiaochuan by the Old Marquis, symbolizing his authority to oversee the Jian Pavilion Marquis House's 370,000 shops, allocate resources, and manage trade—effectively making him the financial ruler of the Jian Pavilion Marquis House.

Only the Old Marquis and Ning Xiaochuan knew of this arrangement.

Ning Xiaochuan resolved to begin executing his plan: establishing a Merchant Alliance under the Jian Pavilion Marquis House, building the largest Mystic Beast Ranch in the Yulan Empire, and creating a Weapon Forging Base and Weapon Trading System.

His goal was to secretly gain control over all weapons and war steeds in the Yulan Empire.

Once his plan was set in motion, the Old Marquis would undoubtedly realize it was his doing.

Ning Xiaochuan decided to start his operations in the Imperial City. That very night, he spent hours drafting strategies and preparations, eager to unleash his ambitions.

Meanwhile, Yu Ningsheng stood outside the window, concealed by the rockery beside the pond, watching Ning Xiaochuan write tirelessly under the lamplight throughout the night.

The next day, Ning Xiaochuan disguised himself and left the Jade Viewing Tower in secret.

By morning, a crowd of influential figures—esteemed Martial Artists—had gathered outside the Sword Intent Martial Academy, arriving in carriages pulled by Mystic Beasts.

Liu Wenyu, the master of Lingjian Pavilion, stepped out of his carriage. A man in his fifties dressed in golden-sleeved robes, he stared in surprise at the several shopkeepers who had already arrived. "Head of the Academy," he asked quietly, "what’s going on today? Why have you summoned everyone?"

The Sword Intent Martial Academy was the largest martial institution established by the Jian Pavilion Marquis House in the Imperial City, boasting over 3,600 disciples.

The Head of Sword Intent Martial Academy was an 80-year-old former general who had fought alongside the Old Marquis. Among the Jian Pavilion Marquis House’s collateral branches, he was considered a peerless expert.

Seated in a Grand Preceptor’s chair, the Head glanced at the sun in the sky and said, "Wait a little longer. Once everyone is here, we’ll discuss matters in detail."

Before noon, over a hundred shopkeepers and stewards had gathered outside the academy. The youngest among them were in their thirties, each managing at least one business—some ran profound medicine shops, others led auction houses, while some were weapon shop proprietors.

The more people arrived, the more uneasy the shopkeepers grew. Never before, except for the annual meetings, had all the leaders of the Jian Pavilion Marquis House’s industries been summoned together.

Was something major about to happen?

By noon, everyone had assembled. Hundreds of people filled the Sword Intent Martial Academy, murmuring among themselves, sensing that this gathering was anything but ordinary.

"Old Wang, you’re here too?"

"I came as soon as I received the Head’s invitation. I was wondering why all of you are here as well."

"I also received the Head’s summons."

All eyes turned toward the Head of Sword Intent Martial Academy, silently demanding an explanation.

The Head stood up and announced in a clear voice, "Let us welcome the Marquis House’s Special Envoy!"

Ning Xiaochuan wore a golden mask and a pristine white robe, exuding an imposing and heroic aura as he stepped forward with his hands clasped behind his back. His gaze swept over the gathered shopkeepers as he asked, "Did any of you notice being followed when you left your shops?"

"N-no..." The shopkeepers exchanged uneasy glances, unable to discern Ning Xiaochuan's true origins.

Liu Wenyu, the master of Lingjian Pavilion and a cultivator in the Transcendent Realm, scrutinized Ning Xiaochuan with sharp eyes, his suspicion evident. "You claim to be a special envoy of the Jian Pavilion Marquis House. Do you have proof?"

Ning Xiaochuan let out a cold laugh. The Dragon-Tiger Profound Qi within him surged rapidly, and the overwhelming pressure of a Martial Venerable erupted from his body, forcing the shopkeepers to stagger back. Their faces paled, and none dared to speak further.

"Could he be... a Martial Venerable?" Liu Wenyu was also startled. The full force of Ning Xiaochuan's aura bore down on him, nearly crushing him into submission.

Ning Xiaochuan gave a slight nod. The fact that Liu Wenyu hadn't knelt under the pressure of a Martial Venerable's might indicated a commendable strength of will.

Producing the Azure Jade Token, Ning Xiaochuan displayed it to the crowd and declared with authority, "From this day forward, all shops under the Jian Pavilion Marquis House will be under my control. Any objections?"

The shopkeepers were visibly shaken, their gazes toward Ning Xiaochuan shifting dramatically.

"Just who is this man?"

"If the Marquis has entrusted all the shops to him, he must be a direct descendant of the Marquis House. And his cultivation is so formidable!"

Liu Wenyu and the others quickly dropped to their knees, bowing respectfully. "We greet the Special Envoy!"

Ning Xiaochuan waved his hand, signaling them to rise. "The Marquis has placed 370,000 shops across the empire under my management, intending for me to carry out a major consolidation. As senior members of the Jian Pavilion Marquis House, I trust you are all reliable?"

"Absolutely reliable!"

"Our loyalty to the Marquis House is unwavering. We would never leak its secrets."

Ning Xiaochuan nodded. "Good. The growth of the Jian Pavilion Marquis House depends on commerce, wealth, and resources. My first task upon taking office is to consolidate all shops and establish a Merchant Alliance under the Marquis House."

"Of course, I know the challenges are great, which is why I need everyone's cooperation. We’ll start by consolidating our base in the Imperial City. Once our foundation here is solid, we’ll expand across the empire."

At the Sword Intent Martial Academy, Ning Xiaochuan delivered a solemn oath to the gathered shopkeepers. He immediately arranged for the construction of the headquarters of the "Jian Pavilion Merchant Alliance" and delved into detailed discussions about its operations, implementation, fund allocation, resource management, and more.

By the time these matters were settled, the sky had darkened.

Ning Xiaochuan then retained twenty-six of the shopkeepers for further discussions. These twenty-six specialized in the forging and trade of weapons, with shops spread throughout the Imperial City.

"Special Envoy, why have you kept us behind? Is there something else?" Liu Wenyu inquired.

Ning Xiaochuan glanced at him and smiled. "Shopkeeper Liu, please take a seat."

"I dare not. How could I presume to sit as an equal with the Envoy?" Liu Wenyu was well aware of the Envoy's Martial Arts Profound Qi cultivation and treated him with utmost reverence.

Ning Xiaochuan said, "If I tell you to sit, then sit. No need for courtesy. What I’m about to discuss with you is of great importance. If you can accomplish this task, you might one day sit as an equal with the nobility."

Liu Wenyu’s heart skipped a beat, but his expression remained composed as he cautiously took a seat opposite Ning Xiaochuan. "Envoy, whatever orders you have, please speak freely. If there’s any way I can be of service, I will spare no effort, even at the cost of my life."

Ning Xiaochuan had already investigated Liu Wenyu—he was a trusted confidant cultivated by the Old Marquis, absolutely reliable. That was precisely why Ning Xiaochuan had sought him out.

Martial Arts Profound Qi seeped from Ning Xiaochuan’s body, enveloping the entire hall as his gaze sharpened. "I want Manager Liu to help me establish the Imperial City's largest weapon marketplace. How much capital do you think it would require?"

Liu Wenyu’s face paled in shock. "The largest weapon marketplace? Envoy, how much of the Imperial City’s weapon market share do you aim to control?"

"At least half—and that’s just the initial phase. If we truly expand, I want eight out of every ten war weapons in the Imperial City to bear the Jian Pavilion Marquis House’s mark," Ning Xiaochuan declared.

Liu Wenyu’s expression turned troubled as he shook his head. "That’s impossible. The difficulty is far too great. The Jian Pavilion Marquis House currently operates seventeen weapon shops in the Imperial City. Even if we consolidate them all, our market share wouldn’t exceed 5 percent. Reaching 50 percent is as difficult as scaling the heavens. No amount of capital could achieve that."

Ning Xiaochuan lifted his teacup and took a slow sip. "Manager Liu’s ambition is still too small. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. If you lack even this much confidence, I’ll have to find someone else."

Liu Wenyu clenched his fists tightly, as if making a painful decision, and gritted his teeth. "Fine—I’ll give it my all! Envoy, how much capital are you willing to invest in building the Imperial City’s largest weapon marketplace?"

Ning Xiaochuan locked eyes with him. "Name the amount of capital you need, and I’ll provide it. Whatever manpower you require, I’ll allocate it. In six months—what level of expansion do you think we can achieve?"

Liu Wenyu kept rubbing his palms, calculating silently before finally speaking. "With sufficient funds and manpower, we could aggressively acquire other weapon shops at high prices and outcompete weaker rivals in smaller regions. In six months, we might secure 20 percent of the Imperial City’s market share."

"Not enough. In six months, we must reach at least 50 percent," Ning Xiaochuan stated.

"That’s impossible," Liu Wenyu insisted. "The Imperial City’s weapon market is fiercely contested by powerful nobles. To grow, we’d have to snatch food from their mouths—they’ll never relent. The only shops we can buy out or suppress are those without backing."

Ning Xiaochuan said, "To snatch food from a tiger's mouth, one must have great courage and not fear offending others. Even if it's the property of nobles, we must seize it."

This envoy seemed determined to take over the weapon market.

Liu Wenyu said, "In the Imperial City, the two largest forces dominating the weapon market are the Marquis Qi Tian Manor and the Kirin Prince's Manor, each holding about 20% of the market share. If we can seize their portion, we might truly monopolize the entire weapon market of the Imperial City. However..."

"However what?" Ning Xiaochuan asked.

Liu Wenyu replied, "However, the Marquis Qi Tian Manor and the Kirin Prince's Manor are both extremely powerful. They possess the largest Weapon Forging Bases and have gathered many Forging Masters, already forming a complete industrial chain. Even if we invest ten times the resources, it’s unlikely we’ll succeed in taking their market."

"There’s always a way. Leave this matter to me. For now, consolidate all the weapon shops of the Jian Pavilion Marquis House in the Imperial City into a single entity. Then, begin aggressively acquiring other weapon shops—suppress those that need suppressing and buy out those worth acquiring. First, establish a Warrior's Grand Marketplace under the Jian Pavilion Marquis House, with unified rules and regulations. Let’s name it... the Divine Sword Palace," Ning Xiaochuan declared.