Dual Cultivation God Returns Chapter 1059: The power of convenience

Dawn broke for Wu Long considerably earlier, commencing with the twin suns cresting the horizon above Emerald Falls City, several hours prior to the single sun's ascent in the Dream Realm and Silver Wing City.

Accompanied by Gong Liwei and Sui Luxiao, he ambled through the city's commercial avenues, observing the bustling morning preparations and the unfurling of shop shutters.

Their previous visit had already furnished them with a foundational understanding of the city's economic framework.

They were aware of the market niches dominated by the aristocracy, the avenues through which commoner merchants achieved profitability, and the sectors meticulously controlled by the Imperial Family.

Their primary competitor in this locale was, undoubtedly, the Thousand Treasures Hall, which maintained a direct presence here—a reversal of the situation on the Soft Meadow Continent, where they had confronted a proxy trading firm while possessing their own direct branch.

Armed with this knowledge, an extensive market exploration was hardly a necessity for information gathering.

Nevertheless, while they proceeded at an unhurried pace, allowing themselves to savor the distinct ambiance of the waking marketplace—a paradox of ant-like quietude and monotonous industry in the early hours—their leisurely walk was not without a specific objective.

Their destination was a trading establishment owned by a family of commoner merchants, operating under the name Beastscale Trading House, and lacking significant noble patronage.

Until recently, this had been a moderately successful, mid-tier merchant organization, virtually unchallenged within its niche market segment for the entire city, yet simultaneously careful not to infringe upon the interests of any influential parties.

"Is their business truly so unappealing to other merchants?" Gong Liwei inquired, reasoning that where profit existed, competition would at least surface. Given their commoner status and tenuous noble backing, they possessed no apparent means to defend their market segment through other avenues.

"It is because their primary market focuses on goods for Demonic Beast hunters, a segment that is neither particularly lucrative nor widely popular within Emerald Falls City," Sui Luxiao explained. "This includes items such as stink pills, traps, specialized and general lures and baits, unique talismans, gear for dismembering beast cadavers, and the like."

"The capital city does not host a large population of Demonic Beast Hunters, particularly since the Imperial Family regularly dispatches armies to eradicate Demonic Beasts across the continent," Wu Long stated with a shrug, adding further context. "Consequently, a specialized shop like this serves only a minuscule fraction of the populace and transient visitors."

"It certainly acts as a vital resource for the local Demonic Beast Hunters who have few other options," Sui Luxiao continued, "as well as for outsiders who arrive to hunt a specific Demonic Beast within a local Sect's Spiritual Land, only to discover at the last moment that they are missing some equipment or supplies. This situation arises if their target prey has advanced in its cultivation realm or if their intelligence was slightly inaccurate, thereby saving them a return trip to a regional city. However, beyond these instances, there is genuinely little profit to be extracted from this market within this particular city," he concluded. "This enterprise does not attract substantial competition, and the major trading houses would not even consider engaging with it."

"Then how did they achieve success?" Gong Liwei's curiosity intensified, as logic suggested they would struggle to even cover costs, particularly the expense of importing their goods, if local demand was so limited. Unless they were manufacturing locally, which would entail significantly higher production expenses with presumably nonexistent exports and solely local consumption.

"For a considerable period, they did not," Wu Long revealed with a wry smile. "The Beastscale Trading House was a modest, almost unprofitable family venture that barely sustained itself, propelled more by passion for the trade, as they also employed a small contingent of Demonic Beast Hunters."

"That changed a few generations ago when they devised a strategy of offering the same goods as more popular general stores, albeit at higher prices, alongside their specialized inventory," Sui Luxiao chuckled. "These included more common cultivation staples like low-level cultivation pills, frequently used talismans, incense for aiding meditation, and even blank jade slips, among other items."

"At higher prices..." Gong Liwei mused for a moment before her eyes widened with dawning comprehension. "So, they were banking on their customers, who came seeking Demonic Beast Hunting supplies, also purchasing these other items, even at a slightly inflated price, simply for the convenience of not having to visit a separate store?"

"Precisely, and the most amusing part is that it proved effective," Wu Long chuckled. "The genius of it lies in their products being safe choices that don’t provoke competition. The quantities they sell don’t harm anyone, catering to middle and small local businesses. They procure these items in bulk from the Thousand Treasures Hall, allowing even larger businesses to make a small, almost negligible profit. Yet, this tactic dramatically boosted the Beastscale Trading House’s profits, transforming it into a stable, generational family enterprise and facilitating their expansion by acquiring neighboring properties."

"Convenience can indeed be a frighteningly effective strategy," Sui Luxiao smiled, speaking from her own experience. "Furthermore, they benefit from the fact that young heirs of noble families occasionally indulge in hunting trips outside the city—a hobby that cycles in and out of popularity periodically."

"Ah, much like the group of young nobles we encountered on our journey," Gong Liwei recalled instantly, referencing the party they had traveled with on the Beast of Burden.

"Indeed, it’s currently fashionable again. So, by simply stocking popular items among young masters and ladies of noble houses in limited quantities, even at a significantly higher price than elsewhere, they can capitalize on a young noble’s impulsive purchase as they visit for hunting gear," Sui Luxiao nodded in agreement.

"But you mentioned their success continued only until recently...", Gong Liwei trailed off, implying the rest of the thought.

"Yes, they’ve faced some difficulties in the last year or two," Sui Luxiao confirmed. "Our investigation hasn’t been extensive enough to know the precise details, however. We are aware they experienced issues importing their primary supplies, though that problem was resolved approximately six months ago."

"Six months ago was when we were in the city. If it concerned imports, the issues would have been at the Docks and Warehouses of the Harbor District... Could it have been our operation with Princess Wei Zhenhui?", Gong Liwei connected the pieces.

"Correct. It was an unforeseen consequence of Wu Long’s strategies and actions within the Harbor District that inadvertently aided them," Sui Luxiao affirmed, then shook her head. "However, their troubles did not cease then; rather, they escalated directly, with their establishment now facing harassment, while the City Watch deliberately turns a blind eye."

"The reason this particular trading company, which initially didn't draw much of our attention, became the first consideration for potential expansion areas is because it conveniently surfaced just a few hours ago during the ongoing work of Guanting’s team," Wu Long chuckled with a hint of amusement. "It surfaced through the individuals who manage the Quiet Lake Hall – the Scarlet Blade Gang."

"Are they the ones responsible for the gangs in the Harbor District?", Gong Liwei inquired, a realization dawning.

"Precisely. One of the Scarlet Blade Gang's primary roles, and the foundation of their ascent through the ranks of Emerald Falls City’s underworld to their current apex, was serving as enforcers for secret conflicts between merchants and nobles. They disrupted established, powerful competitors and deterred new entrants—essentially, hired muscle," Wu Long began to elaborate. "Their meteoric rise coincided with the sudden downfall of several influential noble houses some time ago, suggesting they were employed by another noble who profited immensely from the situation."

Continuing as they rounded a corner, he added, "In recent centuries, they rarely needed to act directly. They command an extensive network of lower-tier organizations that operate beneath them, while simultaneously branching out into controlling establishments like the Quiet Lake Hall and other more ‘sophisticated’ underworld enterprises. It was elements of these lower-tier groups that were decimated by the now-General Chen Hui, acting under the ‘orders’ of Princess Wei Zhenhui during her campaign to purge the Harbor District of detrimental gangs."

He then noticed a question forming in the eyes of both beautiful companions. Such thugs, one might assume, would have simply attempted a foolish reclamation of the Harbor District by now.

"Despite their origins, they are not an impatient group prone to thoughtless actions, as you might presume. It is their caution that has permitted their rise to the pinnacle of this city’s dark underbelly. They anticipated your line of thinking—that following the successful clearing of the docks, which brought such acclaim to the Princess, all attention, at least temporarily, would be focused on the Harbor District. If they were to reassert their influence there using low-level thugs again, the Imperial heirs, eager for accomplishments, would now vie for the opportunity to rectify the situation. Consequently, the area is off-limits, at least until the Imperial succession battle concludes. In fact, they’ve had to moderate their primary activities, as desperate Imperial heirs might disregard their connections with powerful nobles and target them directly."

"So how are they involved in the Beastscale Trading House’s case then?", Gong Liwei inquired, "If they are pressuring a merchant organization, stretching their hands out of the city’s underworld into the daylight during such a sensitive time, they must be moving on the orders of nobles..."

"That we don’t know yet", Wu Long responded with a shrug and a smile.

"Heh, I figured you would know the answer", Sui Luxiao scoffed with mild surprise and amusement, adding somewhat wistfully, "I suppose people become accustomed to good things very quickly~... I suddenly feel the sharp contrast with Silver Wing City, where we know nearly everything that’s happening."

"Hehehe, right? I asked out of instinct as well, thinking we had already looked into it," Gong Liwei nodded enthusiastically, completely echoing the sentiment.

"But it certainly sounds like they’re someone who could benefit from our assistance, wouldn’t you agree?", Wu Long chimed in, "And it’s even convenient since we’re going to take down the Scarlet Blade Gang anyway – we can even add that to the list of achievements our Princess and General couple will accomplish for the sake of the Empire."

"Whoa~, you never miss an opportunity to profit, do you?", Sui Luxiao directed a look of slight astonishment at him, "Are you absolutely sure you’ve never dabbled as a merchant?"

"Quite sure," Wu Long began to chuckle, picturing a merchant shop with a slogan like, 'Buy from the God of Slaughter, or else...' or something to that effect.

His laughter then shifted into a sudden, serious expression as he gazed into the distance, murmuring, "It appears they are fortunate we decided to pay a visit today..."

Both beauties exchanged glances, understanding that he must have perceived something unfolding at their destination.

His hands, which had been resting leisurely behind his back, extended to his sides, landing on the waists of his two companions. As they moved closer and leaned against him from either side, he embraced them tightly, and the three of them silently vanished from their exact location.

Hardly anyone noticed their abrupt departure – in fact, no one truly registered their presence in the first place, as Wu Long was now more adeptly employing Fen Baihu’s misdirection technique. Only a sudden gust of wind, which stirred up fallen leaves, alerted a few individuals. They turned confused gazes towards the empty spot, sensing that someone had been there, though they weren't entirely certain, having not been paying close attention.