Chapter 614: Partnership
Hao staggered backward, clutching his chest as though Northern's words had physically struck him.
His breath came in short, shallow bursts, and for a moment, he felt as if the ground beneath his feet had disappeared entirely.
He turned his gaze back to the crimson terrain surrounding them, his eyes darting wildly between the towering red-crystal mountains.
The metallic clanging reverberating through the air now felt deafening, like the heartbeat of some ancient, omnipotent force.
"No... No. This-this isn't real," Hao muttered under his breath, shaking his head furiously. "This can't be real. A place that grows and cultivates rift resources? Boy, you're not just talking about trade routes anymore. This... this is something else entirely. This is revolutionary!"
His hand trembled as his voice also did.
"Being the richest is an understatement. With this, we would be revolutionizing the market of the Central Plains; we will be owning it. All we need to do is find a trustworthy alchemist. This won't be about selling anymore; this will be about reshaping the economy, turning the Central Plains into our market!"
Northern looked at the old man, lingered for a second or two, before saying, "Follow me."
Hao slowly raised his head and watched Northern walk forward. He got up in haste and followed.
A few steps later, they were already at the close base of the red mountain mine. The incessant clangor of several irons had gotten more audible and was ear-splitting.
But some sort of comfort lay in the fact that Hao's eyes could now see the source of the sound.
His eyes widened and shook at what he saw.
Monsters. So many of them!
And they were all wielding axes and mining the hill of red crystals beneath them.
Trembling subtly, Hao walked forward a few steps, slowly bent down, and picked up one of the red crystals.
He brought it up close to his face and carefully inspected it.
"This is different. I have never seen anything like this before."
Northern crossed his arms, his piercing gaze fixed on the trader.
"These resources are only the beginning. This place isn't limited to the red mines. There are other domains-other regions within this space that cultivate entirely different resources. Resources that the world hasn't even imagined yet."
Hao's head snapped up, his expression a mixture of desperation and greed. "How many?"
Northern smirked. "Enough to create an empire. And more than enough to destroy one." Hao's hands trembled as he set the red crystal down and stood up shakily. His lips parted, but no words came out.
He inhaled sharply, pressing his palm against his face as he tried to process everything.
"My whole life... my entire career... I thought I knew the heights of wealth and power," Hao muttered.
His gaze met Northern's, a strange gleam of mania in his eyes. "But this? This isn't just wealth. This is... divinity. One would not just be a trader; this could plunge you into the realm of monarchs!"
Northern's expression darkened. "Careful, Hao. I don't have any plans to become a king or anything like that."
"A king? No! No, no, no! That's not what I am talking about."
Northern frowned in confusion. What else means a monarch that is not a monarch?
"In the world of merchants, there are seven powers that are recognized not just within the Central Plains but across all continents. These powers are recognized not because of powers as a drifter but because of the power of their resources. They are called the Monarchs."
Northern's frown deepened, his gaze narrowing as he regarded the trembling trader. "Monarchs, you say? Seven powers that govern trade across the continents? Tell me more." Hao straightened his posture, a flicker of composure returning to his features as he realized the depth of what he was explaining.
"The Monarchs aren't kings in the traditional sense. They're something far more influential. They control the flow of resources-the lifeblood of nations. Gold, rare metals, soul essence ores, ancient relics, and even food supplies. Monarchs decide who thrives and who falls." His voice gained momentum, his earlier doubt and fear fading into excitement. "These Monarchs don't answer to any kingdom or clans. In fact, some kings and clan leaders are actually monarchs. The popularly known Monarch of Wood is the King of Sassex. Monarchs are not bound by borders. They shape economies, forge alliances, and spark wars, all with a signature or the withholding of a single shipment."
Northern remained silent, his expression unreadable. He remembered very well that Sassex was very prominent with their strange and living wood.
A resource like that was bound to be revolutionary and tremendously affect the impact of living and civilization.
Northern narrowed his eyes and gestured for Hao to continue.
Hao gestured toward the red crystals.
"With what you've discovered here, this could place you-not as a mere competitor-but as a contender for the Eighth Monarch. Do you understand what that means? You wouldn't just have influence over the Central Plains; you would disrupt the balance of the entire world
economy!"
Northern's eyes flickered, his tone calm yet tinged with cold amusement.
"And what makes you think I have any interest in joining this game of Monarchs? Wealth, influence, power-it's always a trap. One false move, and it all crumbles."
Hao took a cautious step forward, his voice dropping to an almost reverent whisper.
"It's not just about wealth or power, boy. It's about freedom. A Monarch doesn't bow to anyone. Not to any clan leader or King, not even to the rifts that plague this world.
I'm talking about enough
ority and power to own your own territ ies, purchase rifts even, because you have the power of resources-resources that the world has never seen. With this, you could carve your own destiny. Isn't this what you have always wanted?"
Northern's gaze darkened, his piercing eyes locking onto Hao's. "Freedom has always come at
a cost, old man. The question is whether it's worth the price."
Hao faltered under Northern's unyielding stare but quickly recovered, determination blazing
in his expression.
"With what you've shown me, the price would be nothing compared to the reward."
Northern turned away from Hao and stared at the mountain, his mind churning with thoughts he didn't care to share.
He had not expected things to take a turn like this; he had never even heard about such an existence. It seemed like something only intercontinental traders like Hao would know.
He even knew the identity of one of them, so Northern believed Hao knew what he was saying.
But that did not mean everything from that point would mean ease all the way. Moreover, it's a system that already existed; just diving into it was a messy and careless thing to do.
Not especially when he has so much to hide already.
The clanging of metal on stone echoed louder, the sound carrying the weight of untapped
potential and dangerous ambition.
"I'm not interested in playing their game," Northern said finally, his voice cold and resolute. "But that doesn't mean I won't create my own."
Hao blinked, taken aback. "Your own...?"
"Instead of me doing all that, why don't you become the Monarch instead."
Northern touched Hao's shoulder with a smile.
The old trader's eyes trembled. "Wha-what?"
He had never thought he would hear such a thing in his entire life.
A low-born trader like him, who had worked his ass off to become sufficient and well-known to an extent, becoming a monarch?
Hao had first discovered the Monarchs during his younger years as a trader. They owned and monopolized trade routes; each one of them collected taxes from merchants that used their trade routes. So, one way or another, a prominent trader was bound to know of their existence, while mundane humans did not.
He had never once in his entire life dreamt of becoming a Monarch. It was something inconceivable; it was like how a lowly commoner should never dream of becoming a king.
To Hao, the Monarchs were untouchable titans, beings whose influence and power extended far beyond the grasp of ordinary mortals.
His lips quivered, and his voice came out as a rasping whisper. "You... you're joking, right? A Monarch? Me? I can't-"
Northern's gaze was unwavering, his tone resolute. "You can. And you will."
Hao shook his head violently, stepping back. "Boy, you don't understand what you're saying. The Monarchs... they don't just rise. They're born into their power or seize it through impossible means. To even challenge their dominion is to court death. That is not a realm someone like me belongs to... I can't do it."
"Don't be a coward. I'm sure no one deserves this more than you do. I can't trust you, of course, but if there is anyone rather deserving of an opportunity to sit atop this throne of importance that you speak of, with my resources... it should be you. After all, you are the one spearheading this deal. We will do it with a clear vision of you becoming a Monarch."
Hao's mind raced as he tried to grasp the enormity of Northern's words. "Even if I were to try... what then? The other Monarchs won't just sit idle. They'll see me as a
threat. I'll be crushed before I even begin; everything might be stolen from us... if it was to be you can protect yourself with the power you have... but I am just an old man, Northern." Northern smirked faintly. "That's why you have me. You think I'd let something like that happen? No, Hao. I'll be the power backing you. While you take the fame and everything, I'll
be needing the rights and privileges to make life easier for myself."
Northern's smirk widened.
"So what do you say to this even greater magnitude of partnership?"