105: Winning the commission

Inside the study of the Four Seas Merchant Guild's headquarters.

President Jin Wanguan, sporting a sizable belly, paced back and forth across the expensive carpeted floor. His brow was furrowed into a knot, and his usually prosperous, ruddy face was now clouded with worry.

"Sigh... Bad luck, just bad luck!" He sighed heavily, feeling as though everything had been going wrong lately.

The guild's business had just started to pick up thanks to the cooperation with the Hundred Flowers Pavilion, but his good-for-nothing only son had been set up and swindled out of fifty thousand gold coins in one go, nearly making him faint from rage. That spendthrift brat!

Misfortunes never come singly. What was even more troublesome was a problem with the guild's main shipping route. A batch of important goods bound for Star Moon City—including exquisite porcelain, precious spices, and top-grade tea—had been hijacked at sea by a group of vicious Pirates! Aside from the escort captain, a Late-stage Grand Martial Master who managed to escape back with heavy injuries due to his swimming skills, the other dozens of guards and workers were completely wiped out, with no survivors!

The compensation for the families alone would be a massive expense.

And that wasn't all. The partner in Star Moon City was also a powerful force with a deep background. They had already sent a final ultimatum: if the goods were not delivered on time, they would not only cut off all ties but also demand the Four Seas Merchant Guild pay a huge indemnity!

"Should I really give up the sea route and switch to the land route?" Jin Wanguan muttered to himself. Taking the land route wasn't impossible, but it required bribing numerous checkpoints and factions along the way. Not only would the costs be exorbitant, but it would take at least two months, which was far too late!

But to continue by sea... that group of Pirates had clearly targeted them. According to the description from the escaped escort captain, those Pirates were exceptionally fierce, and their leader was a genuine Martial King expert! Ordinary bodyguards were useless. To hire an expert capable of confronting a Martial King—especially one at the Mid-stage Martial King level or higher to ensure safety—the guild's currently available funds were already somewhat stretched thin.

Just as Jin Wanguan was agonizing over whether to humble himself and apply for an extension from Star Moon City while preparing to endure the massive losses of the land route, the butler's voice came from outside the study:

"Master, Young Master Qin Feng of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion is here to visit."

Jin Wanguan's spirits lifted as if he had caught a life-saving straw. He hurriedly said, "Quick! Quickly invite Young Master Qin in!"

Qin Feng stepped inside, still maintaining his calm and unhurried demeanor.

"Brother Jin, we haven't met for a few days. Why the long face?" Qin Feng smiled and cupped his hands in greeting.

"Sigh, Brother Qin, you've finally come!" Jin Wanguan acted as if he had seen a close relative. He quickly invited him to sit, personally poured tea, and said with a bitter face, "Last time, thanks to your righteousness, Brother, for that hundred thousand gold coin loan. I'll keep that in mind! Next month, I'll definitely pay back the Hundred Flowers Pavilion in full with interest!"

"Brother Jin, you're too polite. Money is not an urgent matter." Qin Feng waved his hand, took a sip of tea, and cut to the chase: "I came today because I heard you've been troubled by the Pirates lately?"

"Isn't that the truth!" Jin Wanguan slapped his thigh, gritting his teeth. "Those damned beasts! Killing my workers, hijacking my goods, and cutting off my livelihood! They deserve to die a thousand deaths!"

Qin Feng set down his teacup and looked at Jin Wanguan calmly. "In that case, why don't I take on this business for you, Brother?"

Jin Wanguan was stunned and hesitated slightly. "Brother Qin is willing to take action? That would be wonderful! It's just... regarding the reward, the guild's current..."

"I don't want gold coins for the reward," Qin Feng interrupted him, getting straight to the point. "I only want that 'five spirit flower' in your guild's treasury."

Jin Wanguan's pupils constricted, and a flash of shock crossed his face, followed by a bitter smile. "Brother Qin... your information is truly well-informed. Even within the guild, those who know of this can be counted on one hand."

He pondered for a moment, his expression turning solemn. "Brother, it's not that I don't trust you. It's just that according to the intelligence, there is very likely a Martial King-level leader among those Pirates! It's exceptionally dangerous! Although your strength is extraordinary, after all... well... will Lord Su be going with you?"

He was worried that Qin Feng couldn't handle a Martial King alone; after all, there was a qualitative difference between a Grand Martial Master and a Martial King.

Qin Feng smiled faintly. The sharp aura belonging to a Sword Cultivator slightly emanated from him. Although it wasn't as vast as a Martial King's, it carried a confidence that could cut through anything. "Rest assured, Brother Jin. Although I am only a Late-stage Grand Martial Master, I have my methods. Even if I can't defeat them, I'm confident in forcing them back or making a clean escape."

He paused and added, "I can take this mission in my capacity as a Deacon of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion. If the goods are lost due to our lack of strength, the Hundred Flowers Pavilion will compensate your guild for part of the loss according to the rules."

These words were like a reassurance for Jin Wanguan. The reputation of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion was much more solid than that of his Four Seas Merchant Guild! With the Hundred Flowers Pavilion backing him, the risk was suddenly halved.

Jin Wanguan's eyes gleamed as he quickly weighed the pros and cons. Taking the land route meant huge losses and the potential loss of the long-term partnership with Star Moon City; hiring other Martial King experts was costly and not necessarily reliable; Qin Feng was quite strong and had the backing of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion, and he only wanted the five spirit flower... Although this five spirit flower was precious, it was just a dead object in the treasury. If it could be exchanged for a clear shipping route and the Star Moon City business, it was definitely worth it!

"Good!" Jin Wanguan slapped the table hard, making up his mind. "Brother Qin is a straightforward man, and I won't be hesitant either! I'll leave this commission to you!"

He walked to the desk and spread out a sea chart. "In seven days, a batch of goods also bound for Star Moon City will set sail. This time, the guild will send two experienced Late-stage Grand Martial Master guards, as well as thirty elite workers at the Martial Master and Martial Artist levels, all under your command, Brother Qin! The command of the fleet is also handed over to you!"

"The ships, the manpower, and the route are all for you to decide! I only have one requirement: you must protect the goods and annihilate those damned Pirates as much as possible!"

Qin Feng stood up and looked at the sea chart marked with the shipping route, his eyes as sharp as a blade.

"Rest assured, Brother Jin. I take your money to eliminate your troubles. This five spirit flower, I will have it. As for those Pirates... since they dare to come, I'll make sure they never return!"