Chapter 530: Chapter 317: Look at with New Eyes
The Dragon-man youth looked toward the City Lord of Snowbird Port, thinking that this negotiation had indeed been very effective!
During their last conversation, the Dragon-man youth and the City Lord of Snowbird Port had a pleasant talk and reached a significant deal.
However, it was their first meeting, and the extent of cooperation between the City Lord of Snowbird Port and Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps was limited.
Now, being pressed by the Dragon-man youth with the threat of leaving the port, the City Lord had no choice but to offer greater sincerity.
From this perspective, the mysterious assassin’s attack on the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps turned out to be a good thing that brought more advantages than disadvantages for the Dragon-man youth and the survivors.
Without such an unexpected event spurring them on, their cooperation with the City Lord of Snowbird Port would never have advanced to this depth.
The Dragon-man youth spoke up, “My corps needs many Alchemy Mages. At least three Silver Level Alchemists and one Golden Level alchemy master are needed.”
Upon hearing this, the City Lord of Snowbird Port hastily raised his hand, “Wait a moment! A Golden Level alchemy master is completely out of the question.”
“Golden Level fighters are extremely rare, and even a single fighter is strictly controlled by the kingdom.”
“An alchemy master, even more so. He represents not just a Spellcaster but also a production force that can continually create various Alchemy Items—a source of long-term and vast profits.”
“A Golden Level alchemy master slave would almost always rot in the hands of their first master, and it’s rare for them to be put on the market unless there’s no other choice due to special circumstances.”
“In fact, such talented individuals, even if they become slaves, would quickly improve their own treatment and strength because of their contributions, which often leads to them shedding their slave status.”
The Dragon-man youth fell silent.
He had known about this all along and only made such a statement as a trial.
Now, being summarily rejected by the City Lord of Snowbird Port was also within the expectations of the Dragon-man youth.
The City Lord continued, “I can at most provide several Silver Level Alchemists.”
“And the specific number will also depend on the situation after I make some contacts.”
“At least I currently don’t have such resources at my disposal.”
“However, I can offer your corps a large number of Alchemist Apprentices and some Alchemists.”
“Your corps want to sell military arms on a large scale in Snowbird Port, and even throughout the entire Ice Sculpture Kingdom, and constructing a corresponding Alchemy Factory is also in your plans, right?”
“When the time comes, these Alchemist Apprentices and Alchemists will find their place.”
The Dragon-man youth once again met this with silence.
Such a significant investment was not yet part of the survivors’ plans.
But if the situation were to develop like this, and successfully so, building an Alchemy Factory in the Ice Sculpture Kingdom would naturally follow.
Because the cost of transporting military arms across the vast ocean was very high.
Especially now, with pirates rampant, the transportation risks had increased by many folds compared to before.
Building a military arms factory in the Ice Sculpture Kingdom had many benefits.
On one hand, it saved transportation costs and reduced transportation risks significantly.
On the other hand, the Ice Sculpture Kingdom had rich alchemy resources, making it very convenient to build an Alchemy Factory. In the entire region, the Ice Sculpture Kingdom boasted the best environment for factory construction.
The City Lord’s proposal made the Dragon-man youth think of a more distant future.
They had not overlooked this aspect.
But the truth was—the current situation of the survivors was rather complex.
Their specific progress in atoning to the Holy Bright Empire was tied to their survival status.
Often, they had to take it one step at a time, clarifying the situation before taking action.
Rashly making large-scale investments, and if the secrets of Mysterious Monster Island were discovered without any progress in atonement, they would have to flee and live in exile. Then, all their previous investments would be in vain.
Of course, the City Lord of Snowbird Port was not aware of the complex situation that the Dragon-man youth was in.
Seeing the Dragon-man youth’s silent response, he thought he had touched on the latter’s plans and ideas.
The City Lord became more confident.
Among the difficult items the Dragon-man youth listed, he managed to amend three of them through his negotiations, and both parties reached an agreement smoothly.
In the end, he even took the initiative to add the option of trading for Alchemist Apprentices and Alchemists to the deal.
Observing the disposition of the Dragon-man youth, the City Lord judged that the chances of a successful negotiation were very high!
It was at this moment, however, that the Dragon-man youth changed his approach.
He first expressed his gratitude to the City Lord of Snowbird Port.
Then he bluntly stated that in terms of sincerity for cooperation, the City Lord still had not shown enough!
Such a statement surprised the City Lord of Snowbird Port, and unavoidably sparked anger within him.
He firmly believed that he had shown ample sincerity and made significant concessions, but Squad Leader Long Fu still demanded too much, which seemed exceedingly greedy.
For a moment, the City Lord of Snowbird Port did not question but stared at the Dragon-man youth, his gaze carrying a silent challenge.
The Dragon-man youth showed no fear, meeting the gaze directly with honest and sincere eyes.
He slowly said, “City Lord, transactions take time.”
“Don’t forget, we still have two deliveries to complete from the deal we reached before.”
“This transaction is void until it’s thoroughly completed.”
“And time is precisely the key.”
“Now, our group has been attacked by a mysterious assassin, resulting in the death of two important members!”
“It can be said that for everyone in our group, every minute and every second thereafter is fraught with danger since we cannot guard against another attack by the mysterious assassin.”
“There’s evidence to suggest that this mysterious assassin is likely Hua Tang!”
“So, before we proceed with the transaction, you need to show enough sincerity first. Make us believe that you truly wish to cooperate with us.”
The City Lord of Snowbird Port couldn’t help but laugh angrily.
Trade was a condition for cooperation, but the City Lord had never expected that the Dragon-man youth would have conditions before his conditions.
That was rather overreaching!
The City Lord took a deep breath, slowly turned around, walked a few steps, and then sat back in his original seat.
He tilted his head slightly, looking at the Dragon-man youth with a condescending gaze as his voice took on a chilly undertone, “Go on, tell me. I might not agree.”
The Dragon-man youth could sense the City Lord’s anger, but in such a situation, he appeared even more assertive.
He leaned back in his chair, slowly shaking his head with determined eyes and an absolute tone, “This is a preliminary requirement. If the City Lord cannot meet this, then a cooperation between us simply cannot be reached.”
“What we talked about just now would become null and void!”
“We will leave the port tonight, even if it means forcing our way through.”
Seeing the Dragon-man youth’s assertiveness, the City Lord of Snowbird Port felt a stir in his heart, and the cold expression on his face slightly softened.
He squinted his eyes, scrutinizing the squad leader of Long Fu before him.
At that moment, the City Lord suddenly realized that the earlier claim of Long Fu to leave the port was not just a negotiating tactic. They seemed genuinely ready to do it, resolved to go through with it!
The City Lord of Snowbird Port weighed his words, “Long Fu squad leader, relax a little, I’m not your enemy.”
“We can cooperate, and we have already started to cooperate.”
“We’ve completed the first handover of our previous deal, whether this negotiation is successful or not. The next two handovers will still be carried out by my side because I keep my promises!”
“Please, let’s hear it, what are the specific conditions?”
The Dragon-man youth said, “Our group currently faces a significant survival crisis. Hence, the mysterious assassin must be eliminated! Only then can we be confident in cooperating with you, City Lord, to take on the Saber Gang.”
“Only without such concerns can we focus our energy on external enemies instead of living in fear every day and night.”
The City Lord of Snowbird Port spread his hands helplessly, “Long Fu squad leader, you must understand, you’re asking the impossible!”
“Not long ago, you came seeking assistance, and I took you into such a critical place as the Mage Tower. You witnessed firsthand our investigative results.”
“Not to mention eliminating the mysterious assassin; we are having a great deal of difficulty even finding him. The hope of getting rid of him is very slim!”
The Dragon-man youth displayed a broad smile at this moment.
First, he took a sip of tea, then he looked directly at the City Lord of Snowbird Port with a calm voice, “Concerning the killer’s exact location, we have already obtained it.”
The City Lord of Snowbird Port: “???”
He was stunned for several seconds after hearing the Dragon-man youth’s words, his face a picture of astonishment.
After that, his face showed a look of surprise.
The emotion was so intense that it made him involuntarily stand up, his gaze fiercely fixed on the Dragon-man youth before him.
As if seeing him for the first time!
And as if to exclaim—never would have thought the squad leader of Long Fu, with your bushy eyebrows and large eyes, would possess such depth and cunning!
In those few seconds, the City Lord of Snowbird Port suddenly realized: all of this was part of the Long Fu squad leader’s plan and arrangement!
He initially pretended to seek help.
Then, in the Mage Tower, he learned that our side could not track the mysterious killer.
If the City Lord hadn’t taken the initiative to come to the dock, believing the Long Fu squad leader would have invited him for this negotiation afterward.
“The Dragon Lion Mercenary Corp had already apprehended the murderer’s location.”
“But they didn’t want to take him down themselves!”
“Because the killer is of the Golden Level, he acts mysteriously and strikes venomously, and dealing with him carries high risks.”
“Using the power of the City Lord’s residence to catch the assassin would be the least risky and most beneficial for the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corp.”
“Who else manages this city but me? Who else has repeatedly indicated a willingness to cooperate with the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps against the Saber Gang!”
Once he figured these things out, the City Lord of Snowbird Port’s attitude towards the Dragon-man youth changed subtly again.
He sighed deeply, full of emotion, “Long Fu squad leader, you have truly made me see you in a new light!”
“No wonder you were entrusted with such an important role, becoming the squad leader of the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps, venturing into the Ice Sculpture Kingdom to explore the market.”
“I underestimated you. In fact, the Saber Gang underestimated you, and almost everyone in Snowbird Port underestimated you!”
“Compared to your combat ability, your strategy and intellect are even more superior.”
“But this is a matter of great importance,” the City Lord confirmed with the Dragon-man youth once more, “Can your corps truly determine the killer’s location?”
“Of course!” Longlong youth replied very crisply and confidently.