Chapter 492: Tantai Qing's Ploy, Fooled by Beauty and None the Wiser

The three great Noble Families also banded together tightly, controlling these mineral veins.

For a long time, the situation had remained this way, unchanged.

But if the Tantai Family were to join the Changlong Business Alliance, it would be equivalent to handing over control of these mineral resources to the Business Alliance.

This would inevitably damage the core industries of the other great families, which was tantamount to shaking their very foundations.

The other two Noble Families did not know what Tantai Qing had discussed with Jiang Lan or what benefits she had received, but they would certainly oppose such a move with all their might.

Within the Great Xia, why was the Changlong Business Alliance able to dominate? It was because it held an absolute monopoly. All sorts of rare Spiritual Items and Magical Tools, mineral veins, Celestial and Earthly Treasures, and even slaves were priced by the Changlong Business Alliance. The other smaller business associations had no way to interfere or influence things, and could only feed on the scraps left behind.

Many years ago, after the trade routes were opened, the three great Guardian Families had worried about this very thing. They had made a pact not to let the Changlong Business Alliance control any single industry. Doing business was fine, but the Alliance could forget about using it as an opportunity to suppress them.

Instantly, all the business associations on Immortal Ascension Island, large and small, began to worry.

Even for the business associations of the three great Noble Families, the Changlong Business Alliance was a behemoth.

Even some of the Tantai Family Elders were puzzled and shocked when they caught wind of the news, not understanding what Tantai Qing was up to.

However, the family’s businesses had essentially been entrusted to her care. In all these years, she had never made a wrong decision. On the contrary, their fortunes had flourished, growing more prosperous and vibrant by the day.

So, despite their confusion, the various Elders of the Tantai Family did not voice any opposition.

This was precisely the effect Tantai Qing wanted.

The Sub-Alliance Leader of the Changlong Business Alliance stationed here was also very puzzled and shaken upon hearing the news, guessing that Jiang Lan must have secretly promised the Tantai Family some benefit.

The difficulty of the matter was immense, but regardless, if the Tantai Family’s business association joined the Changlong Business Alliance, it would naturally be a good thing, bringing even more profit to the Alliance.

Jiang Lan didn’t step forward to make a statement, seemingly giving his tacit approval, which only deepened everyone’s suspicions and worries.

Meanwhile, the Four Great Dukes were busy sending people to investigate the whereabouts of the Barbarian Race and had no mind to concern themselves with this matter.

Thus, an extremely lively scene unfolded on Immortal Ascension Island. The leaders of all the various business associations, large and small, gathered at the first opportunity to jointly discuss how to resist this move. Although the business associations of the Gongsun Family and Helian Family did not step forward publicly, they were clearly supporting and fanning the flames from behind the scenes.

‘Tantai Qing certainly has some impressive methods,’ Jiang Lan thought. ‘Just by letting a few rumors slip, she’s made all the business associations jumpy and worried, forcing them all to focus on this matter.’

‘She would never be willing to hand over so many of the Tantai Family’s interests to the Prime Minister’s Mansion.’

‘She just wants to use this as a fuse to draw the other two Noble Families into the game.’

‘On the other hand, this Helian Wen doesn’t seem to have improved much. If Huangfu Hao were behind him, guiding him, I doubt he’d have let him suffer such a huge loss…’

‘It’s a shame he doesn’t even dare to host a Huangmen Banquet, only secretly inviting Tantai Qing for a meeting.’

Jiang Lan adopted the attitude of an onlooker who loves a good show. As per Tantai Qing’s request, he did not step forward to clarify anything, letting the situation develop on its own.

As a result, in the eyes of many, he and Tantai Qing had indeed grown very close over the past few days.

Tantai Qing left Wumo City, which stood guard outside the Demon Abyss, and came to the major cities. The two of them were seen together in various shops.

Tantai Qing even took him to the areas where some of the Tantai Family’s core industries were located, lingering in some of the rare mineral vein regions. The two of them were seen laughing and talking cheerfully, looking as if their negotiations were going very smoothly.

This further deepened everyone’s suspicions.

If they weren’t in deep cooperation, why would Tantai Qing personally show up, abandoning the crucial task of guarding the Demon Abyss, just to lead Jiang Lan around on a tour?

For a time, undercurrents surged, and the hidden killing intent directed at Jiang Lan began to surface.

To sabotage the cooperation between the Prime Minister’s Mansion and the Tantai Family’s business association, if one couldn’t change the Tantai Family’s decision, then the simplest method was, naturally, to make sure something happened to Jiang Lan.

In any case, the Barbarian Race could take the blame.

「At Black Horn Pier, on the lowest level of a massive cargo ship.」

With his hair disheveled and his face covered in a dense network of jagged scars, Helian Wen sat cross-legged alone on a hard wooden bed.

His aura was calm, his expression as still as an ancient well. A strange fluctuation of Magical Power seemed to emerge from his body, and faint black patterns, containing an extremely tyrannical and domineering aura, could be seen on his skin.

‘It seems Tantai Qing has caught wind of something,’ he thought. ‘She knows the seal in the Demon Abyss will break sooner or later. When that happens, the entire Immortal Ascension Island will become a Demon Realm. Forget the three great Noble Families; not even a reborn Saint could stop it.’

‘This place is bound to become a wasteland. Those mineral resources will be useless then. All the profits they’re fighting for now will turn to a pile of dirt. Heh, she just wants to use this opportunity to latch onto the Prime Minister’s Mansion, so she has an escape route when the time comes.’

‘Tantai Qing seems gentle and elegant, but in reality, she’s ruthless, calculating, and only cares about profit. Her deliberate public appearances with that Jiang Lan these past few days, getting close to him—how is that not using him for his status?’

‘I’m afraid this Jiang Lan still doesn’t know Tantai Qing’s true face. He’s been kept in the dark by her beautiful appearance.’

Helian Wen’s tightly shut eyes suddenly snapped open. His pupils were as black as ink, emitting a sinister, bone-chilling light that could make one’s heart palpitate.

He felt no sympathy for Jiang Lan whatsoever—just a fool deceived by a pretty face.

In fact, upon hearing the news these past few days that the two were traveling together and frequenting various shops and restaurants, he wished Jiang Lan would be assassinated. That way, the Tantai Family would be implicated, and Tantai Qing, especially, would be unable to escape the blame.

It was just a shame that the people who tried to assassinate Jiang Lan a few days ago had vanished without a trace.

‘It’s almost time for our appointment…’

‘It’s time to go.’

Helian Wen pushed open the hatch above him and stepped out of the cargo ship. The sea’s surface shimmered, the Moon Wheel looking as if it had fallen into the water, bobbing with the waves. The wind tonight was much lighter than usual, making the scene feel strangely serene.

He stood on the pier and took a deep breath, his eyes revealing a deep, cold hatred.

“Tantai Qing, I’m coming for you.”

With that, he transformed into a streak of black light, seeming to merge into the night as he quickly vanished.

「Immortal Ascension Island, West Coast, Wangfu Cliff.」

The wind and waves were not strong tonight, but the sound of the tide crashing against the cliffside reefs still echoed as sea spray filled the air.

On the cliff stood a squarish, cyan stone stele, half a person tall. Carved upon it was a cyan Divine Dragon, riding on rosy clouds and mist, circling above an endless deep sea as it summoned clouds and rain. It looked as if it might come to life at any moment.

The stele also seemed to exude a kind of divinity and the scent of incense, as if on some future day, the Dragon God carved upon it would truly awaken and appear.

The night was as black as ink, a full moon hanging high in the sky, casting a bright and cold moonlight.

A figure in a long, cyan, palace-style dress stood there quietly, hands clasped behind her back.

Her dark hair cascaded like a waterfall, and her face was as radiant as the moon. With eyebrows like willow leaves, eyes like gemstones, an elegant nose, and lustrous red lips, her features were as delicate as a flower. The sea breeze made her skirt flutter, revealing the outline of her long, straight legs.

Anyone who didn’t know better might have mistaken her for the legendary Merfolk God of the sea, the deity of the Merfolk race.

Legend said she was the most beautiful woman in the world, and no man could see her without becoming intoxicated by her appearance.

Tantai Qing gazed at the distant sea, seemingly lost in the magnificent and beautiful scenery.

There was no one behind her; she appeared to have brought no attendants.

‘Helian Wen insisted on meeting here, so he must be watching my every move in advance,’ she thought. ‘If I try any tricks, he’ll surely notice.’

“Since we agreed to meet here, why don’t you dare show yourself? Are you afraid I’ve set a trap?”

Suddenly, as if sensing something, Tantai Qing asked faintly.