Moreover, Wang Zhan had set a rather unfortunate precedent.

If the rule of life-and-death battles on the arena served to cultivate the fierce spirit of the Federal Martial Arts Academy, then the advent of the Underground City heralded chaos—chaos in a corner of the Federation!

Thinking of this, Wang Zhan spoke in an inexplicably somber tone, "So, if I asked you to stand with me, how would you choose?"

Ku Zhu chuckled. "Naturally, I would stand with the Young Master and let the chaos continue. The more chaotic the situation, the more advantageous it is for us."

Wang Zhan grunted in acknowledgment. "And if you were to stand with the Federation? What would you do then?"

Ku Zhu fell silent for a moment, then frowned, looking directly at Wang Zhan. "The Internal Affairs Department would have to act immediately. Not only would they blockade all major exits of the Underground City, but they would also forcibly suppress the entire city to prevent the chaos from spreading further, thereby preserving the strength of the Federation's reserve forces. Simultaneously, they would need to swiftly clarify the sequence of events, uncover the truth, and follow the clues to identify the mastermind behind it all, providing an explanation to both the Federation and the Underground City!"

Undoubtedly, Wang Zhan was the mastermind.

If actions were judged solely by their consequences, Wang Zhan was already beyond redemption; entertaining such thoughts was, in itself, a betrayal of the Federation.

However, Wang Zhan, who understood his own actions far better than Ku Zhu did, merely nodded lightly. "Very good. Let's leave it at that. Since it's Ku Zhu's mess, let him continue to bear the responsibility. Since it's his duty, he is obligated to quell it. If he can't manage it, then you will step in and make him reveal his position."

Ku Zhu's heart tightened slightly as he listened to Wang Zhan's calm words. Those words are about me too, he thought. I must do what's required of me to the best of my ability, and I must succeed. Success might bring rewards, or it might not. But failure... failure means facing Wang Zhan's wrath. Just like Tian Qi. If he couldn't control such a situation, Wang Zhan wouldn't hesitate to drag him down from his position. Even a so-called king of an Underground City is just a puppet in Wang Zhan's hands, to be toyed with as he pleases.

So, Ku Zhu quickly composed himself, focused his attention, and said respectfully, "Yes, Young Master!"

Immediately after, Ku Zhu handed Wang Zhan a summary of the diligent work he, Tian Qi, Boss Chen, and Tie Xiuqing had accomplished over the past few days. He was about to depart, as if having completed a trivial task.

But unexpectedly, Wang Zhan suddenly stopped him. "Hold on."

Ku Zhu turned back. "Young Master, is there anything else?"

At that instant, Wang Zhan abruptly looked up, his gaze profound and distant as he stared at the sun in the sky. Then, he instructed, "Go ahead and assign the first agency rights spot. I think that disheveled-looking boy isn't bad."

Huh?

Ku Zhu looked up sharply. The boy Wang Zhan referred to was an aspiring agent, still waiting anxiously in Ku Zhu's office to be summoned. He was somewhat handsome, but his expression was predominantly one of stern resolve. His calloused hands were testament to his origins as a poor boy from the slums.

But why would Wang Zhan choose him? Ku Zhu wondered. Is it because of his own past?

So, Ku Zhu gently tried to persuade him, "Young Master, perhaps we can delay distributing the agency rights a little longer. It wouldn't be too late to do so after we control seventy percent of the market share. However, if we give it to that boy... I'm not worried he won't be diligent; I'm just concerned it will bring him harm..."

"HEH HEH HEH..." Wang Zhan then chuckled, his voice low and enigmatic. "Ku Zhu, oh Ku Zhu, are you thinking that because I come from the slums, I'd have a soft spot for that boy and want to give him the agency rights?"

Ku Zhu's expression changed slightly. He quickly bowed his head and pleaded, "I wouldn't dare presume the Young Master's thoughts! Please forgive me, Young Master!"

Wang Zhan's expression cleared, and he gave a sharp, confident laugh. "I have no intention of blaming you. I only want to tell you that, in many situations, one shouldn't judge by appearances, nor assume that a superficial understanding is enough. So, do this: give him the agency rights. Then, in an hour, call me to arrange a meeting with the Quan State Governor!"

Suddenly, Ku Zhu understood completely. His expression flickered with uncertainty, yet a sense of admiration welled within him. At that moment, even though Ku Zhu was much older than Wang Zhan, he was stunned by the potential implications of the leads Wang Zhan was pursuing. If Wang Zhan's words are true, then there's no doubt: behind that resolute and handsome boy stands the highest official in Quan State City—the Quan State Governor! If this move is indeed correct, Ku Zhu realized, then all my previous caution in front of Wang Zhan has been a waste of time.

Fortunately, Wang Zhan had his own information channels, far beyond what Ku Zhu could compare to—unique, even. That was why Wang Zhan hadn't blamed him. But not blaming him didn't mean Wang Zhan wasn't willing to deflate the arrogance of a proud Martial King. My own subordinates, after all, still need a bit of knocking into shape by my own hand!

Thus, half an hour later, when the boy received the agency rights in Ku Zhu's office building, he was so overjoyed he nearly leaped into the air, cheering continuously. Even though he knew this venture was illegal and had to be kept clandestine, he couldn't contain his elation.

However, not everyone shared his good mood, especially the other merchants who had also coveted the agency rights and the chance to profit handsomely from them. They were on the verge of yelling directly at Ku Zhu.

"Do you people even know how to do business? How much can a mere kid sell for you? We came in person, and you turned us away time and again. Now you just cast us aside. Are you really treating us like nobodies?!"

"I demand an explanation today! Otherwise, let me tell you straight: you might have gotten into Quan State, but you'll never get out! A bunch of characters with no backing, daring to act so high and mighty in front of us! It's utterly ridiculous!"

"...I'm not as furious as they are. But you, a mere girl, have the gall to come up to me and tell me to control my temper and not get angry? Why shouldn't I be angry? Are you going to kneel and lick my toes? Enough of this nonsense! Get your person in charge out here! I must see him today. Even if I don't particularly care about this business, he has made me lose face and must give me a reasonable explanation…"

Those who had managed to locate Lord Ku Zhu's base of operations were all respectable people. Naturally, they wouldn't stoop to immediately troubling a newcomer, a young lad who was likely about to face despair. However, Ku Zhu was a Martial King, a fact not lost on the backers of these merchants. So, in this situation where they felt they had little recourse, their aggressive posturing was merely an attempt to probe Ku Zhu further, to see what kind of background he truly had. After all, when others back down, it's natural to press the advantage, speak more forcefully, and confidently reveal one's own strength. If it came to the point of revealing their true intentions... the weak would be disposed of, perhaps fed to a Beast Nest. But the strong? Well, with the strong, there was always room to talk and make money together.

Regrettably, Lord Ku Zhu still didn't appear.

Thus, all the curses fell upon the salespeople, who had only been there for less than two days. The young women among them were especially upset, almost to the point of tears, complaining inwardly. What does this have to do with us... It's the boss who's blind, isn't it? How could he be taken in by a little punk like that? What can we possibly do about it?...

Of course, they knew this wasn't really aimed at them, poor souls. Everyone here was from Quan State; what deep-seated hatred could there be that couldn't be resolved? The only one to blame was that Lord Ku Zhu, the Martial King, who had ignored the status and power of all of them.

But just an hour later, these salespeople, still enduring the merchants' tirades, all received the next directive from their boss via their phones.

"All personnel are dismissed, effective immediately. Each person will receive a severance payment of thirty thousand, to be distributed by the accounting supervisor. Gentlemen, it's been a pleasure. We'll meet again if fate allows!"

Once this message appeared, news of it quickly spread through the crowd still waiting.

"Skulking around, hiding! What kind of skill is that? Just a rat!" Some left in fury, preparing to consult their backers, determined to teach him a lesson. Ku Zhu might have run off, but that kid who got the agency rights couldn't. They'd follow that lead and make trouble.

"If you don't have the ability, don't come out stirring up trouble. Just you wait, I'll make him pay! Damn it!" Others made a similar choice.

"I also think this fellow has no real ability; he's just being deliberately mysterious. Who knows what kind of desperate outlaw he is, crawling out from who-knows-where, to dare make fools of all us Quan State residents! Tsk, tsk. Some nerve he's got, real nerve!…"

Some exchanged glances, not leaving so hastily or decisively. Instead, they frowned, their gazes fixed on a few female salespeople who had received the message. One spoke in a low voice, "We're all from Quan State; we won't make things difficult for you. Come with us. We'll compensate your lost time at your normal wages, but you'll have to bear with some hardship for a while."

Undoubtedly, this was a clear move to detain them under duress. After all, they were still wary of Lord Ku Zhu. A Martial King is never that simple. For him to grant the agency rights so casually and then just leave—there must be some other hidden reason. Otherwise, it wouldn't match the forceful character he projected when he first appeared in Quan State, immediately launching an aggressive promotion, completely unafraid of any trouble from Quan State officials. Not even death row convicts, however greedy for money, would dare to operate like this. This is simply courting death, acting as if he has too long to live!

So, on one hand, some were convinced that Ku Zhu was incompetent, merely putting on an air of mystery, and were already looking for a chance to retaliate for the frustrations they had endured these past days—even though all they had done was approach Ku Zhu seeking agency rights.

On the other hand, some planned to continue using a more moderate approach in their dealings with Lord Ku Zhu.

「Meanwhile, behind the scenes, in a hidden place.」

Ku Zhu, once again unfairly taking the blame for Wang Zhan, watched quietly.

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