Deep within the bustling district of Black Wind Castle, an inconspicuous warehouse was brightly lit. The wooden door was tightly locked, and heavy curtains blocked all prying eyes from outside. The air was filled with the scent of incense, masking the trace of decayed wood. Ledger books and notes lay scattered on the long table, along with untouched wine glasses. Around the table sat representatives of the Trade Union, each wearing differing degrees of anxiety on their faces.
Grock stood at the end of the long table, his hands resting on the tabletop. The shadow behind him, cast by the flickering candlelight, made his short stature appear especially tall and unusual.
"Gentlen, we are in more danger than ever before."
His voice was deep and oppressive, resonating heavily in the dim room. His gaze slowly scanned the faces of the businessn present, capturing the unease and hesitation in their eyes.
"I know so of you still harbor illusions, thinking you can continue to profit peacefully under the rule of Lord Demon King, just as before," he paused, his eyes sharp as a knife, "but things have changed. Black Wind Castle is about to undergo a massive transformation. If we don't make our choice first, we will be completely left behind by the wheel of ti... You all know what I'm talking about."
The warehouse fell silent.
Those sitting here, of course, understood what he ant.
A month ago, most rchants might still have been puzzled by the events in Black Wind Castle and Demon City, but now even the drunkards in taverns had heard about the tensions between the Dragon family and the Demon King of Thunder County.
This was hardly surprising.
After all, whether it was the Maze of Thunder County or the territory of Black Wind Castle, strictly speaking, they once belonged to the Dragon family's domain, and now they were in the hands of a human nad Luo Yan.
A fat goblin rchant wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. After hesitating for a mont, he broke the silence at the eting table.
"Mr. Grock, the Demon King is after all the lord of this city. If we are too radical, will we burn ourselves?"
The businessn whispered among themselves.
This was their biggest concern.
No matter how much wealth they had, the Demon God would never support them in rebelling against their own lord.
Grock let out a cold laugh, his tone disdainful.
"Are you afraid?"
"I... I'm not afraid," the fat goblin's eyes darted around, "it's just... we must consider future matters."
"What I'm talking about are the future matters," Grock's eyes fixed on him as he continued leisurely, "He is the Demon King of Thunder County, his roots in the Great Graveyard, his domain dark and terrifying! As for Black Wind Castle, it's rely a subsidiary holding, a peripheral area! In other words, he has no understanding of this place. Although Lord Demon God wouldn't support us rebelling against our own lord, He also wouldn't let His subjects be plundered at will. And I am not asking you to rebel, I simply need your cooperation at a critical ti."
Several rchants exchanged glances, their brows furrowing with a trace of suspicion at this statent, but unable to find much flaw with it.
Grock's intention was clear; the Sawtooth Chamber of Comrce would take the lead while they wouldn't have to take too much risk.
As for why he wanted to undertake such a dangerous task, they could actually guess.
It was nothing more than Grock having found a new patron, and this patron was likely the Dragon family.
In fact, it was the Dragon family who sat here negotiating with them.
So goblin rchants showed expressions of unease, while others fell into contemplation.
Finally, soone gently coughed, bringing the question weighing on everyone's mind to light.
"... Mr. Grock, even if the Demon King's focus isn't here, we can't be complacent. Though he may be isolated, he is, after all, a lord formally enshrined by Hell." An elder goblin rchant stroked his beard cautiously, "Maybe he is indeed all alone, but if we openly oppose him, wouldn't that put us in danger?"
Grock gave a confident smile; he had been waiting for this question.
"Gentlen, what about the Dragon family? Have you forgotten their presence?"
The room fell silent.
The Dragon family was the forr rulers of Black Wind Castle, a deeply rooted noble family! Even if temporarily defeated by the Demon King, their influence still lingered heavily in Demon City, definitely not to be underestimated.
Grock's eyes were burning with intensity as he continued: "We cannot win this victory alone, but with the help of the Dragon family, it's a different story. They will never let themselves lose Black Wind Castle; they will certainly reclaim what's theirs! And us? Do we continue to pin our hopes on a Demon King whose foundation is unstable and who is isolated, or do we stand with true power?"
With that, he cast a glance around, speaking firmly.
"Though the Demon King once made the Dragon family's youngest son stumble in the arena, this ti is different; this ti, it's the entire Dragon family taking action! The Demon King of Thunder County, although a title personally enshrined by Lord Demon God, is not truly a noble, rely a human raised in the Temple..."
"I'll be blunt; he has no chance of winning! He may be lucky to win a round or two, but as long as the ga isn't over, the Dragon family can keep going against him! And all we have to do is stand with the side that is about to win!"
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