BUILDING MY OWN EMPIRE - My Journey from Nothing to Overwhelming Power Chapter 124 - 123 – A Deal That Might Be Completed

I closed my eyes... and smiled.

The place I was in... was filled with probing eyes.

Compared to the headquarters of the organization above the ocean... the level here was very high.

I still rember that stage of training... it might have been stage 51 or 61...

There was no enemy... just a corridor of steam.

For more than three months... every ti, I had to completely suppress my energy just to pass through.

No abilities, no tools... it was a true hell.

I could barely control my energy for a few minutes to cross.

The joy on my face was a thousand tis greater than defeating all the enemies in previous stages... just for crossing that hellish path.

After ten rounds of the sa training... it had already consud more than half a year of my life.

But... after finishing... I gained complete control over my energy. I had the skill to suppress it without needing any ability or tool.

That’s why pretending to be a second-rank master in Sunrise City was very easy... even with concealnt tools...

Which I only used as a precaution.

But now...

I didn’t need to suppress anything.

I let my energy roam freely as it wished.

If anyone wants to examine ... they’re welco.

It didn’t take long before I finished eating.

Then...

Heavy, steady footsteps.

Three people approached from behind ... one after another... until their features beca clear before .

I stood up.

One of them stepped forward... dressed entirely in a green robe... he extended his hand with a smile.

I smiled back, extending my hand and shaking his.

As we sat down... the other two masters remained standing... despite having the sa rank as him.

The man looked at ... his eyes were completely white... I could barely see his pupils.

"I apologize for the unpleasant reception..." the master said softly.

"But you understand... we are a city at war. Even if no war is visible... it exists. The arrival of an unknown fourth-rank master will naturally trigger alarm."

"No problem, I understand. Honestly, I don’t care about the war... I’m just a rchant. I want to offer my services," I said, then smiled calmly and added:

"If I entered the city without revealing my rank... finding the people I intend to sell to wouldn’t be easy at all."

"So you..." the white-eyed master murmured, lifting a cup of drink before taking a sip, then looking at again.

"You’re targeting the Sect Gathering."

"The Sect Gathering?" I whispered unconsciously.

The man laughed, then sipped his drink.

"What gathering is that?" I muttered internally.

I had no idea such a gathering even existed... the way he spoke made it sound like a secret.

"Is there a problem targeting them as potential custors?" I asked.

"No, of course not," he replied quickly. "But..." he added firmly,

"The trade you wish to conduct here... the higher authorities—and we as well—prefer that it goes through us. Naturally, it will be much easier for you if you agree."

I smiled... narrowing my eyes mockingly.

"Easier if I accept... harder if I refuse. As usual... the world hasn’t changed. But..." I said, reaching for a cup of water, drinking before continuing,

"As I said... I’m a rchant. I don’t care who I sell to... what matters is selling at the highest price.

In your case, I don’t mind... but so things will change."

"Such as?" he asked.

"You’re a city... a full governnt. Not a single master or lone fighter. So I’ll try to benefit as much as possible from this deal."

"Your reasonable conditions... will be t in good faith, leaving no room for doubt," he said, a hint of excitent appearing on his face.

"To begin with..." I murmured.

I extended my left hand.

"I will grant you..."

From nothing... I produced a small wooden box.

"Five gifts... as a gesture of goodwill."

The mont I tossed it beside ... it expanded to over two ters in length and one ter in height.

With a ntal command...

Five wooden drawers erged from its side...

They moved on their own and opened.

"These?" the fourth-rank master with white eyes asked.

"Yes," I said. "Five ancient weapons. Now I expect sothing in return... as goodwill."

The other two masters’ eyes shifted toward the weapons... inspecting them, reading their descriptions...

The man before showed signs of joy, ambition, and excitent all at once.

"What does the rchant desire?" he asked.

"A specific attribute..." I whispered, pausing slightly to give the word weight...

"A ntal-strength attribute."

"That..." the white-eyed master murmured. "What if it doesn’t exist?"

"No problem if it doesn’t. In the end... it’s just a goodwill gesture," I said, drinking my water before adding:

"But... I’d prefer we continue this discussion later... once you confirm your answer."

I smiled.

He looked at ... smiled back... then stood up with .

After a while... I left their headquarters... heading to one of the guest hotels.

I lay down on the bed...

Staring at the white ceiling.

Royal engravings decorated it.

"This is dangerous..." I whispered internally.

I didn’t expect this many fourth-rank masters.

Aside from the Sand Master... there were at least five others who watched our battle...

Then inside the base... there were three more.

In a single day... up to ten fourth-rank masters were present before .

I believe the five ancient weapons... will make those concerned think carefully before targeting .

At least... until they understand how I possess them.

I expected fourth-rank masters in the city...

But this number?

How did I miscalculate?

I compared the two cities...

More than a month in Sunrise City... I never t a single fourth-rank master.

Could this be related to my rank being suppressed to second rank?

Maybe that’s the reason. But—

{ Diiing... Diiing... Diiing }

{ ssage from Unknown }

Haaah...

{ Honored Sir... we request your presence at the Masters’ Gathering }

{ Ticket received }

What is this?

A ssage from an unknown sender... again?

Damn these abilities I don’t understand...

The mont they saw fight... they contacted so easily.

But...

Who said it’s from unknown masters?

Maybe it’s from the city’s masters I t? But... they wouldn’t send it anonymously.

I don’t think it benefits them for to et other masters...

That ans...

It’s a master who was closely watching my battle.

Things are getting complicated...

I need to be careful.

.

.

The tallic disk illuminated the sky... and the cool breeze filled the midnight air.

The city streets were still alive... the voices of the lower districts echoed with energy...

While the wealthy areas were quieter... so wrapped in silence.

In Sunset City... you can see the city’s landmarks from the highest point...

The Tower of Thunder... rising a hundred ters high.

From above it... one might see over twenty palaces in the city...

But only one...

White...

And larger than the rest.

At the top floors of that white palace...

The lights were still on.

Several people sat in a tense discussion.

The room they were in wasn’t large... nor luxurious...

A simple living room... completely contradicting the royal exterior.

Inside were sofas and chairs...

And a wooden table... behind it a decorated wooden chair—sothing you wouldn’t buy if you were trying to show wealth.

"Where did he get them?" an old man with a thick beard asked, leaning forward on his cane.

"Do you really expect to ask him that? Do you want to look like an idiot?" the white-eyed fourth-rank master scoffed.

"He’s not soone to be toyed with... he’s no fool, and those weren’t given as goodwill like he claid."

"Then what?" a calm voice ca from a young boy sitting nearby.

"He’s looking for a ntal-enhancent attribute. He offered those weapons as an exchange. If we don’t give it to him... he may withdraw from the deal," the white-eyed master replied.

"Or..." the boy whispered, "he gave everything he has... just to make you believe that."

"In that case... how do we know the truth?" the old man asked.

A quiet laugh ca from the other side.

A large man sat there... holding a yellow book... his eyes just as yellow.

All eyes turned toward him.

"This dilemma can be solved easily," he said. "Give him sothing else as a deposit. Then tell him the attribute is his... but you’re waiting for him to finalize a contract and deliver multiple batches to ensure smooth cooperation."

"Excellent idea," the old man exclaid.

"One more thing," the large man added. "Give him sothing valuable... that doesn’t increase his power. Sothing you’re sure he already has."

"What would that be?" the white-eyed master asked.

"Give him—"

A voice ca from the distance as the door opened.

Everyone turned.

The owner of the voice entered.

All the masters stood imdiately.

"Sir... what brings you here?"

"Achoo... achoo... achoo..." sneezed the man in golden robes.

"Sit down. Your concern for my health is aningless... it won’t cure the illness," he said calmly.

Step by step... he sat down.

Everyone followed, adjusting themselves to face him.

"What do you suggest, sir?" the large man asked.

The man wiped his mouth with a cloth, then said:

"Give him sothing for transportation."

"But... sir," the boy said.

"That valuable item... how?" the white-eyed master added.

The man ignored their confusion... and laughed.

"Don’t be fools," he said, sneezing again before continuing.

"Do you think he’s offering himself to us on a golden platter? He’s a fourth-rank master. He wouldn’t be this bold without a backup plan."

He reached for a drink and added:

"No doubt... he has a fast and powerful thod of escape. That’s why he gave you those weapons—he’s waiting for your answer about the ntal attribute... then he’ll escape."

His eyes narrowed as he took a small sip.

"We must not let him slip away..."

He looked at them... then whispered:

"He is... the weapon that will ensure our plan succeeds."

.