“The task carries certain risks, but the rewards are substantial.”
Terra was about to continue discussing the rewards when Yang Yu interrupted him.
“I say, you should know about the Giant Umbrella Trading Company, right?”
Yang Yu’s casual question made Terra shiver. “Why ask about this suddenly? It has nothing to do with the task we’re discussing now, does it?”
What troubled Terra even more was Yang Yu’s completely nonchalant attitude.
“Just asking out of curiosity.”
Yeah, right!
A cold sweat trickled down from Terra’s white brow.
Still discussing the task, this kid wouldn’t ask such a question unless he already knew that the Giant Umbrella Trading Company was behind this task.
But how? I didn’t give away any clues. How did he figure it out?
As if seeing through Terra’s thoughts, Yang Yu asked a new question, “Do you know what the Giant Umbrella Trading Company does?”
A few years ago, the Giant Umbrella Trading Company was the leading trading company in the country, a fact well-known to many. Only in recent years had it been pushed down by the Silver Orchid Trading Company. If anyone were to guess the mastermind behind this task, it would undoubtedly be the Giant Umbrella Trading Company.
Terra was panicking inside but maintained a calm exterior. His tightly wrinkled forehead made it hard to notice any subtle changes in his expression.
“The Giant Umbrella Trading Company is a national company formed by multiple families. After taking a share of the profits, the remaining part is handed over to the state. Although the families’ share can be hefty, the convenience they bring is undeniable…”
“I’m not asking about their structure. I want to know their business scope. You get what I mean, right?”
This indirect probing made Terra stroke his beard, suppressing his surprise.
The business scope of the Giant Umbrella Trading Company largely overlaps with the Silver Orchid Trading Company. They’ve always been neck and neck. This kid has already identified the Giant Umbrella Trading Company as the mastermind.
What should I do? Should I deny it till the end?
No, no matter how much I deny it, he already has a good idea about the source of this task. It’s better to come clean.
Recalling what Andeno had told him, Terra knew that the man could predict the opponent’s actions without even seeing them, using this to induce the opponent into making wrong decisions and finally achieving victory.
This young man is far from simple.
Within a few words, he guessed that the task came from the Giant Umbrella Trading Company and saw through Terra’s connection with them. Truly terrifying.
“I understand what you mean,” Terra cleared his throat. “Rest assured, we won’t shortchange you.”
“Oh, then tell me, can I choose the skill scrolls you’re offering? I don’t want to end up with a useless skill.”
You even figured this out?
Terra’s eyes almost popped out of their sockets.
This task is highly dangerous. Only reasonable rewards can ensure adventurers’ enthusiasm. Skill scrolls that can be learned just by absorbing them are the most enticing, especially those rare skills.
This time, to make adventurers work wholeheartedly, the Giant Umbrella Trading Company is willing to offer some valuable skill scrolls as rewards.
Unexpectedly, he saw through this too.
“Don’t worry. We’ll give you a selection based on your profession. You won’t be shortchanged.”
“That’s good. I’ll trust you this time. I’ll take the task. I hope you’ll satisfy me.”
As long as he could get free skills, Yang Yu naturally wouldn’t refuse such a task. However…
This old man became evasive when I asked about the Giant Umbrella Trading Company. Could it be that the company isn’t as grand as its name suggests, but rather a small, insignificant trading company?
I don’t want to get discount vouchers only to find out they’re useless. I just wanted to know the scope of the Giant Umbrella Trading Company’s operations.
But it seems like they’re just a small trading company.
Are they looking for evidence to blackmail or directly report the Silver Orchid Trading Company to break their monopoly?
Well—what they plan to do with the evidence isn’t my concern. As an adventurer, as long as the rewards are enough, that’s all that matters.
As for the task itself, the Silver Orchid Trading Company doesn’t seem like a good entity either. If the skills aren’t good, I can treat it as eliminating a public menace.
However, after all this talk, it seems the racial essence I want isn’t among the rewards.
“One more thing, it seems the racial essence isn’t part of your rewards…”
Seeing through him again, Terra didn’t know how to respond, finally stammering the truth.
“Racial essence isn’t easy to obtain. To be honest, the Giant Umbrella Trading Company doesn’t have such an item. It’s not something you can get without special methods. But I can tell you, the Silver Orchid Trading Company has it. They likely stole it from the plant tribes of the demi-human countries. They used it to produce the currently popular resurrection potion.”
Yang Yu perked up at the mention of “resurrection potion.” “Resurrection potion? Can it really bring someone back to life?”
“That’s just a marketing ploy. But, it’s said that no matter how severe the injury, as long as there’s a breath left, using the potion can make you jump back to life instantly. It can also cure all kinds of diseases. There’s some truth to it; otherwise, the potion wouldn’t sell for such high prices,” Terra explained.
“Tsk—so it’s a scam.”
The fact that it couldn’t truly bring the dead back to life disappointed Yang Yu a bit. During his farming year, he had inquired about many things.
Resurrection seemed to be a divine miracle exclusive to gods. If a person died, not even the highest-ranking saintess could revive them.
So, in his strategy, Yang Yu couldn’t afford to sacrifice any NPC allies since their death would be permanent. If some NPCs were needed later, he’d be helpless.
After talking with Terra for a while, finalizing the rewards, action dates, and plans, Yang Yu bid farewell to Terra and went to the tavern to gather information about Bai Jin.
As the door slowly closed, Terra sighed in relief, taking out a purple crystal ball. The crystal ball quickly connected, revealing an equally old face, but one that appeared more affluent than Terra’s, with eyes showing signs of age and now anxiety.
He was the current head of the Giant Umbrella Trading Company, Carlo Joy.
As soon as the connection was made, Carlo eagerly inquired about the situation.
“So, did you find a suitable person?”
Terra was silent for a while, unsure how to begin explaining what had just happened.
“Is the task too difficult? I thought as long as the rewards were enough, we could find someone.” Carlo’s eyes dimmed. If that was the case, they might have to risk exposure and send their own people.
Terra shook his head slowly. “No. The person is found. As you requested, not too high level but with excellent judgment. Everything is perfect.”
“Then why do you look so troubled?”
“Perhaps I found an extraordinary young man to assist us.”
Carlo fell silent. It had been a long time since he heard his old friend praise a young person like this.
“If he can earn such praise from you, maybe I should meet him.”
“I think so too. Don’t forget to prepare an exit plan for them. Whether they complete the task or not, I don’t want them to fall into the hands of the Silver Orchid Trading Company.”
“That’s my intention as well.”