AgWorld Chapter 441 - 434: Beihai Chinese Merchants Association
Chapter 441 - 434: Beihai Chinese Merchants Association
Zhou Yuanjue was unaware of the curiosity from Anya and the others. He was already inside an ostentatious luxury car, speeding off in a certain direction.
Inside the car, two burly, well-dressed men in suits sat up front. In the back, Zhou Yuanjue, his appearance altered, sat next to another massive man in a suit with a buzz cut, whose frame took up nearly half the seat.
"We’ve been waiting for you, Mr. Zhou. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Huang Bin. I was once fortunate enough to receive guidance from the Chief Commissioner and spent some time training on Zixiao Mountain. I’ve admired you for a long time. In fact, I’ve watched the video of your speech many times, and your Instinct Theory has been immensely beneficial to me."
The burly man introduced himself first, then extended his hand to Zhou Yuanjue with a smile.
Despite his fierce and imposing appearance, his voice was quite gentle, and his words were polite and refined.
"A pleasure."
Zhou Yuanjue extended his hand and shook the man’s. He could feel the terrifying power contained within that massive frame.
’Although the man had East Asian features, his physique already exceeded the bounds of an ordinary person. Perhaps it was related to the Cultivation Technique he practiced, or maybe it was due to his natural Talent.’
’In any case, this man wasn’t even thirty yet, but his strength was likely at the peak for a top-tier Martial Artist, on par with the best back in Donghua. Moreover, he carried the blood-soaked aura of a seasoned warrior. He had clearly lived a life on the razor’s edge, and his understanding of life and death was probably a level deeper than most. Perhaps in the near future, he would find the opportunity to break through that final barrier. Anyone the Chief Commissioner takes an interest in is no simple character.’
"Are you always this high-profile here?"
Zhou Yuanjue glanced out the window. Everywhere their top-of-the-line luxury car went, it drew the attention of pedestrians. It couldn’t be helped; the car’s design and model were just too flashy.
According to the Data he had, Huang Bin was one of the Chief Commissioner’s assets in Beihai. Although he had a public cover, the secret nature of an asset was, by definition, sensitive. He had expected someone in such a position to be more low-key.
"You may not be aware, but things are different abroad. Back home, the philosophy is to get rich quietly. But out here, especially in a relatively chaotic place like the Black Continent, being low-key isn’t always a good thing. In fact, being high-profile can help you avoid a lot of unnecessary trouble."
Huang Bin said with a smile.
"Is that so? Ellis is supposedly the second-largest economy in the Black Continent. It’s just as chaotic here?"
Zhou Yuanjue asked.
"Of course. Even in Ellis, rebel armies frequently pop up. The major organizations wield immense influence, and to top it off, the Hunting Mark Organization is based in Xinli, right on the western border of Ellis. It’s anything but peaceful here."
Huang Bin said, shaking his head.
"One of my objectives for this trip is to make contact with the Hunting Mark Organization and see if we can establish a partnership. I’m also very interested in Dela and this organization’s Black Knights. Can you arrange an introduction for me to meet their senior leadership as soon as possible?"
Zhou Yuanjue asked. This was, after all, the purpose of his trip.
"I’m sorry, but I’m afraid I don’t have that capability."
Huang Bin replied with a wry smile.
"Oh?"
Zhou Yuanjue looked at him, slightly surprised.
"Ahem, it’s a bit embarrassing, but while my strength might be considered top-tier back home, I don’t even rank among the highest echelons here in the Black Continent. Furthermore, the Ellis Republic’s geographic location is strategically vital. The country may not be as developed as one might think, but it’s full of crouching tigers and hidden dragons."
"A lawless land has its own laws of chaos. In terms of technology, culture, economy, and politics, this region may lag behind the rest of the world. But when it comes to raw, individual power, it might just rank among the very top."
"What’s more, after the recent internal shake-up, the entire Hunting Mark Organization is on high alert. Under these circumstances, trying to contact their leadership is harder than ever."
Huang Bin explained.
"That just makes it more interesting."
Zhou Yuanjue’s eyes narrowed slightly. He then smiled at Huang Bin and said, "Since the Chief Commissioner sent you to liaise with me, you must have a plan, right?"
"Yes. I can’t, but someone else can. In fact, the trading company I run in Beihai relies on the clout of another organization to obtain high-level intelligence. The leadership of this group should have a way to contact the Black Knights in the Hunting Mark Organization."
Huang Bin nodded.
"And that would be?"
Zhou Yuanjue’s expression flickered. The Black Knights of the Hunting Mark Organization were said to have broken through the limits of the human body. To be able to contact beings like that, one would have to be on the same level.
"The Beihai Chinese Merchants Association."
Huang Bin said the name.
"The Beihai Chinese Merchants Association?"
Zhou Yuanjue repeated.
"That’s right. Donghua Merchants and Donghua Descendants wield considerable power in the Black Continent. Every year, a great number of fortune seekers cross the ocean to come here. This place is full of danger, but also full of opportunity. Some Donghua Descendants have lived in the Black Continent for a long time, building up formidable influence. To handle external threats, they banded together to form the Beihai Chinese Merchants Association."
"In fact, there are several such organizations throughout the Black Continent, and they’re not uncommon worldwide. Given the cultural background of Donghua Descendants and the discrimination they faced in the early days, it’s only natural for them to band together for mutual protection."
"However, even though they are all Donghua Descendants and are generally willing to contribute to their ancestral homeland, if you want them to help you at all costs and stand on our side, I’m afraid it will take some convincing."
Huang Bin said.
Zhou Yuanjue nodded and asked, "Are you saying there’s an expert within the Beihai Chinese Merchants Association who has broken through the limits of the human body?"
"Yes. The Beihai Chinese Merchants Association has enormous influence in Beihai. Its three most important member organizations are Jinwu Mining, Da Xiang Shipping, and Iron King Security."
"Jinwu Mining owns numerous mineral deposits in Beihai. You can imagine the kind of military might required to protect such a resource-based industry in a place like this."
"Da Xiang Shipping is likewise the largest shipping group run by Donghua Descendants in Beihai. They couldn’t have achieved that without real power."
"And finally, Iron King Security is the presidential member organization of the Beihai Chinese Merchants Association."
Huang Bin continued.
"Oh?"
Zhou Yuanjue was slightly surprised. For a security company to be at the head of such a massive association, they were clearly no simple affair.
"The only powerhouse in the Beihai Chinese Merchants Association to have broken through the limits of the human body is the man at the helm of Iron King Security, an expert known in Beihai as the ’Iron King’."
"Because you’ve come incognito this time, not even the Beihai Chinese Merchants Association knows your true identity. They just assume you’re another special envoy on a mission, same as before. That’s why their reception may seem a bit lacking. Please don’t take it to heart."
Huang Bin said.