"Do you know what the secret of commerce is?"

As the courtyard echoed with the footsteps of Cha Huan, the scar-faced Grand Steward suddenly clapped his hands and asked an unrelated question.

No one answered him, but remembering how he had once helped him, Yue Yu, once known as Glorious First Merchant, couldn't help but say, "Exchange of goods."

"You're right, but not quite accurate," the Grand Steward smiled at Yue Yu and said, "Exchange of goods also requires knowing if the other's 'have' aligns with one's 'lack.' Instead of exchange of goods, I think a more precise summary would be—"

"Demand creation."

"It's only when there is a demand that we're willing to give up our surplus to obtain what we need more."

"Nothing in this world surpasses this. Just like our National Relief Association, without making everyone feel how wonderful Sea Wave Powder is, how could we amass wealth to such an extent?"

"Without letting everyone know Cha Huan has become an undeniable obstacle, how could we gather everyone so?"

"Creating demand is our philosophy; meeting demand is our mission. Hence, our National Relief Association has become the largest Sea Wave Powder producer in Yanjing, a reputable intermediate connector, and the best-performing cemetery sales agent."

"By the way," the Grand Steward said leisurely, "We've already prepared blue-grade graves for you all at the Taibai Plain Cemetery. Although we can't guarantee returning to the roots, at least you can experience how nurturing Yanjing soil is."

Someone couldn't help but sneer, "Well, thank you. I've heard that maintaining a blue-grade grave requires dozens of gold coins annually."

"No thanks necessary, it's expected," the Grand Steward replied casually, "Compared to blue-grade, we've prepared gold-grade graves for Cha Huan. Among gold, purple, blue, and black grades, a gold-grade grave is utterly an emperor's experience—grand funeral, red lotus paving, shaking mountains and rivers, Yanjing's mourning attire, assuredly not inferior to the last emperor's passing two years ago!"

"Our National Relief Association has no intention of being stingy, whether it's spending for Cha Huan or for you," the Grand Steward looked around, "You've heard of our Association's aftersales services. We'll customize a burial ceremony based on your hometown, profession, and lifestyle."

The victorious Brotherhood warrior 'Nu Jia' asked, "So you mean if I die, you'll make me into a mummy?"

"I originated from Skyrim too; how could I not know the Skyrim people's habits?" the Grand Steward laughed, "Armor-clad, mummy-buried, Corpse Ghost eternal, guarding the homeland... Although it can't be returned to Skyrim, Spirit Singers will chant Skyrim's Dragonborn Return at the burial, guiding your soul back to the Northern Hall of Heroes."

The Brotherhood warrior fell silent, evidently without objection.

"Then what about us Curse Hunters?" 'Thorn' asked.

"Seal the eyes, ears, nostrils, and rear with wax, fill the mouth with soil, seal the lips with iron wire, pull out all nails, break all joints, twist the neck to turn the head backward, and then wrap the body in white cloth exposing only the lips, and bury in an iron coffin," the Grand Steward replied without hesitation, "This is the curse you Curse Hunters must accomplish—never to reincarnate."

'Thorn' seemed to exhale deeply, "You seem well-informed."

"We won't skimp in this area, rest assured," the Grand Steward said, "Of course, if you relieve us of this expense, we'd be grateful."

Tap. Tap.

With barely audible sounds, many people suddenly appeared in the courtyard. Though divided into various groups, they silently watched the Grand Steward, evidently willing to follow the merchant's lead.

No encouragement, no promises, no consolation; merely through discussing matters of life and death, the man calmed all the attackers' hearts.

Yue Yu was certain that as Cha Huan walked back step by step toward the Imperial Academy, many present had become national-grade retreat masters—though quitting now was disgraceful, Cha Huan's pressure was indeed overwhelming.

Not everyone is willing to risk everything for doom.

Calming down, Yue Yu also had to admit Cha Huan's move was brilliant; knowing the attackers were an alliance, his arrogance and insolence further split the alliance—once the weakest party couldn't bear it and withdrew, the alliance would naturally collapse.

The courtyard already showed signs of such, but the Grand Steward's words dispelled everyone's haze and fear.

In truth, these desperates were prepared for death long ago; Cha Huan merely triggered their biological fear, while the Grand Steward made them consider the end result of death. Thinking there might be a chance to exploit the National Relief Association, their fear subsided.

Yue Yu recalled from the Glorious Four Guards' intel that the Grand Steward was the core of the National Relief Association. No one knew his name, but witnessing reports indicated he'd been serving the Association since a decade ago; he was crucial in the current economic group's rise.

He's the most likely to know all the Association's intel, even the identity of the mysterious 'President.' In the Four Guards' list, he's a top 'must capture' person, not to be harmed unless absolutely necessary.

Initially, Yue Yu didn't link him to the action as he didn't expect such a high-ranking official to participate—what's not pleasant about staying home eating hotpot with your wife singing songs? Why would a max-level player risk participation in a title-losing activity?

Yue Yu quickly communicated this info to Jun Zuo via 'Heart of Nethers,' to see if Glorious Four Guards could lend heavenly soldiers; Jun Zuo replied swiftly: "Cheer up!"

Damn!

Yet Yue Yu knew further assistance wasn't possible—the Four Guards vowed secrecy and anonymity; even Enlisted Flame's aid was already overstepping bounds and risk being labeled openly.

More than temporary gains, the Four Guards valued organizational survival, and proof showed their strategy worked—other faction organizations either died out or merged into their form.

"Since everyone's here, I won't name names," the Grand Steward said, "Remember our goals: Platinum Tower, Qin Le Yin, Holy Sword Radiant. Besides these, no sidetracking."

"Commence action."

With Lingxu Step, they swiftly crossed the darkness like nightingales, as black flows surged towards the Imperial Academy!

It's so simple—rush, seize, search tower; no excessive planning—why plan for an academy? Only since Qin Le Yin in the Platinum Tower seemed prepared did they have to increase personnel.

Given current setup, barring Sword Holder intervention, no one in the Academy could stop them! Especially since the Academy's hollow now, without Lou Yin Hai Zhu Yan and others!

Thus, attackers effortlessly scaled walls into the Academy, advancing the shortest map routes toward the silvery shining tower.

But upon reaching the first junction, a little surprise emerged.

A road sign appeared under the streetlamp, unseen by all.

"Left · Platinum Tower (main quest): Hard difficulty, expert mode, path of despair, are you ready for perpetual doom?"

"Right · Male Teachers' Dormitory (side quest): Easy difficulty, relaxed mode, really, are there those who skip side quests for main quest complete?"

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