Chapter 1167: Monopolizing the Business

The effect of Imperial Dewdrop is much more significant on monsters than on humans, even having the power to awaken their intelligence. Many wild beasts, once enlightened by it, suddenly gain sentience and transform into demon creatures—what Fu Liushan referred to as "new demons" or "young demons."

However, these newly formed demons have no understanding of human rules and cannot control their beastly natures. Consequently, incidents of monsters harming people often occur after a rain of Imperial Dewdrop.

When He Lingchuan served as a patrol officer on the Chifa Plateau, he dealt with—or rather, executed—dozens of these new, man-eating demons.

The sudden change in temperament of the demons on White Head Ridge is very likely due to this.

He Lingchuan then focused on a specific question: "Why didn't Three-Tails allow the fox demons to eat people from Yao in the past?"

"How would I know?" Fu Liushan chuckled. "I can only guess that it didn't want to stir up trouble."

Dong Rui interjected, "We've also heard that the State of Yao is very powerful."

Compared to other nations on the Glimmering Gold Plains.

Fu Liushan hummed in agreement. "It's the most stable country with the most prosperous populace, almost unlike a nation on the Glimmering Gold Plains. Moreover, it can easily overpower its neighbors with its strength alone. But the State of Yao... well, it's hard to explain."

"How so?"

"It always likes to stir up trouble everywhere. We don't like it, nobody likes it. Out of ten problems on the Glimmering Gold Plains, at least five or six are related to Yao." At this point, Fu Liushan changed the subject. "By the way, your horses look pretty ordinary."

After two hours of travel, He Lingchuan's mount nearly stumbled twice.

They had bought the horses casually at the previous town; the price wasn't low, but the quality was poor.

"We'll pass by Red Valley soon, you can get two good horses there!" Fu Liushan said with a smile. "They're not expensive!"

Half an hour later, they arrived at Red Valley.

The place was named for its abundant ochre sandstone on the surface, but it actually boasted lush pastures and a long, wide valley.

He Lingchuan had been a stable master for over half a year himself, and he immediately recognized it as excellent grazing land, producing strong, well-fed horses with sleek, glossy coats.

Fu Liushan hadn't exaggerated; he led them to the valley floor.

There were over a hundred low houses, clearly a human settlement.

Fu Liushan seemed well-acquainted with the locals. When he mentioned buying horses, a boy of about seventeen or eighteen approached and led He Lingchuan and Dong Rui to pick out their mounts.

Wildflowers bloomed across the hillsides, and horses grazed freely by the water.

He Lingchuan effortlessly selected two horses, one black and one dappled. Both were large, tall-headed, long-legged steeds with prominent veins and small, bamboo-like ears.

Though not of the *bo* beast lineage, these two were indeed excellent.

The somewhat shy herdsman boy immediately gave him a thumbs-up. "You're very good at choosing horses."

Good horses, of course, were not cheap.

He Lingchuan paid readily. As he watched the boy saddle the horses, he asked, "Your horses here are all very good. Do you have over a thousand?"

"Yes, we do."

"Would you be willing to sell in bulk? I'd need them every year." The Yangshan Archipelago required cavalry and good horses, a matter He Lingchuan frequently pondered. "It's not too far to transport them from here to Julu Port either."

The boy was surprised by the request and paused before shaking his head. "It's fine if you buy a few occasionally, but not in large quantities."

"Why not?"

"All the large batches of fine horses here must be sold to the State of Yao," the boy explained, looking towards the hillside. "Yao sends people regularly to collect them. If we sell them to anyone else without permission, we'll be in big trouble."

Fu Liushan, who was nearby, added, "Their horses can only be sold to the State of Yao, which then resells them."

Dong Rui let out an "Oh!" of surprise. "The State of Yao is quite domineering, isn't it?"

Isn't that a monopoly? It has a touch of the Beiga Empire's flavor.

"I see." He Lingchuan had only asked out of curiosity and didn't press the matter.

Yao's monopoly on the surrounding horse trade offered several obvious benefits:

Most directly, by reselling at a higher price, money would flow in.

This was the profit of a monopoly: more money with less effort.

Secondly, the horses from Red Valley were clearly suitable as warhorses, with strong bones, long legs, and explosive power. Common folk generally didn't use such horses for plowing or hauling goods; they were too expensive and impractical for such tasks, with more ordinary draft horses being more suitable.

Therefore, those who purchased Red Valley horses in large quantities were usually various powers and factions.

By controlling the warhorse trade, Yao effectively restrained the military strength of other nations to a certain extent. This was a pragmatic strategic consideration.

Most importantly, the State of Yao was capable of enforcing this.

This was not a simple nation.

He Lingchuan and Dong Rui, having bought their horses, rode off. The boy watched their retreating figures for a while before turning back.

Fu Liushan smiled and asked He Lingchuan, "Are you in the horse business too?"

"As long as it's business, we're willing to try it," He Lingchuan replied, not mincing words. A shrewd merchant should always be observant and seize opportunities, not letting them slip away. "Who knows which venture might blossom and bring wealth?"

After traveling a few more miles, the flatland ended. The three saw the mountains around them rising like winding dragons, growing taller, and the trees becoming increasingly dense.

They had entered the mountains.

Up ahead, at a fork in the road, Fu Liushan was to part ways with them.

"We've had such a good talk along the way; I regret not meeting you sooner..."

Before he could finish speaking, two figures suddenly burst out from the green woods ahead.

The ghost ape perched on Dong Rui's shoulder was eating apricots, already having collected two pits in its hand. If these two dared to rob them, it would embed the apricot pits into their skulls.

However, just as the two reached the mountain path, one of them fell flat on his face.

They were full of panic, didn't greet He Lingchuan or the others, and certainly didn't pull out blades to threaten them. Instead, they ran away without looking back, as if being chased by a ghost.

Dong Rui called out "Hey! Hey!" twice, but they paid no attention and quickly disappeared behind the mountain hollow.

"What was that all about?"

"They were probably being chased by ghosts," Fu Liushan said, seemingly unperturbed. "There are plenty of demons and ghosts in these mountains."

He then continued what he had been saying: "Gentlemen, may we meet again if fate allows."

They had met by chance, and even if they got along well, they would eventually forget each other, like strangers in a vast world. Why worry about not finding companions on the road ahead?

Seeing his straightforwardness, He Lingchuan and Dong Rui clasped their hands in farewell. "Until next time!"

With the clip-clop of hooves, Fu Liushan quickly disappeared around the bend in the mountain path.

He headed southeast.

Dong Rui exclaimed, "Is he going to Jingshan Mountain?"

"Yes." Fu Liushan had warned them not to mistakenly enter Jingshan, yet he himself had gone straight there.

"Is he also looking for the Roshen Armor?" Dong Rui wondered aloud. "Fu Liushan himself said just last night that entering the mountain to find the armor was a futile hope. Did he warn us not to go just to eliminate competitors?"

"Even if the precious armor is here, it probably won't be easy to obtain," He Lingchuan said, pointing towards the hollow. "Didn't those two just flee in a panic?"

If the Roshen Armor was truly that malevolent, escaping from it would be considered good luck.

Dong Rui rubbed his hands together excitedly. "Shall we go take a look too?"

Digging graves and searching for treasures were his specialties.

"Let's finish our current task first, and come back later." If the Roshen Armor really was here and so many people before them hadn't taken it, what was there to worry about?

"Alright."

Their next stop was White Head Ridge.