Bitter Realm: My Feet Step Through the Flames of War

Mandarin duck tiles, tortoiseshell beams.

The terrain stretches for thousands of miles, winding and overlapping, like a maze.

Upon arriving at the main hall, one finds various Western clocks, mirrors, lamps, and furniture, a stark contrast to the customs and traditions of the region.

"The red dust on the road, the white waves on the river, let the hundred cities to the south be forgotten; the bright moon among the flowers, the cool breeze under the pines, can not compare to my pillow by the north window."

Accompanied by a melodious poem, a king wearing a golden crown and a golden dragon robe, accompanied by his courtiers, slowly stepped into the hall.

The king's sharp gaze swept over Cui Luohan and her brother, and then fixed on Huang Quan.

Huang Quan bowed respectfully, saying, "Huang Quan of Tiandu, along with the young lady and young master of Wanyi Merchant Castle, pays respects to Prince Heng and also conveys my lord's greetings."

"It is an honor for our dynasty to have such an distinguished guest. Please take a seat."

King Heng was a merchant. After they sat down, he began to speak:

"Gentlemen, time is money. To expedite the transaction decision-making process, I will be frank: what I need is the Fengdu Death Ring from the Monster Market. I'm sure Shaogancheng has already explained the conditions."

Speaking from a business perspective, Huang Quan calmly replied, "But we know nothing about this death penalty mask and cannot give it lightly."

King Heng seemed to have anticipated this, and retorted: "First, you have been to the Strange Merchant Market, and I believe in your abilities; second, the Heavenly Capital is full of hidden talents, how could there be items that you cannot obtain?"

“King Heng, since you consider yourself a merchant, you should understand that the Fengdu Death Ring is what you seek, but the glazed gold in the trade is not what we seek.”

"Oh, what do you want?"

After both sides had finished their probing, Huang Quan stopped beating around the bush.

"I intend to purchase a property in your country to establish the Tiandu branch."

"Jin'ou Celestial Empire is a free commercial city, and anyone is welcome to come and purchase property."

"Once the Tiandu branch is established, all trade between the Jin'ou Heavenly Dynasty and the Bitter Realm will be handled by Tiandu. The Jin'ou Heavenly Dynasty will no longer be allowed to trade with other organizations in the Bitter Realm, including Wanyi Merchant Castle."

"What did you say?"

"What I mean is that the Heavenly Capital has monopolized all trade between the Bitter Realm and the outside world."

King Heng looked at Huang Quan with suspicion and uncertainty: "The Bitter Realm is so vast, how can you, Master Huang Quan, guarantee that you can monopolize all the businesses?"

"Therefore, Tian Du will establish a branch in the Golden Ou Heavenly Dynasty, with my wife and I stationed there to see which force dares to steal our business."

They both presented each other with difficult problems.

"This matter is of great importance. I need to discuss it with my ministers. Gan Cheng, escort the three distinguished guests to the cemetery."

"We await news from Prince Heng. We take our leave."

Shao Gancheng escorted Huang Quan and the other two to the funeral home, then hurriedly left.

After he left, Huang Quan took his wife for a walk in the city, observing the crowds and looking for a suitable spot.

As expected of a commercial city, the entire street was brightly lit, teeming with tourists, most shops were still open, and calls to friends and family echoed everywhere.

Several brothels and pleasure quarters hung with large red lanterns, emitting decadent music.

Cui Luohan was a little worried: "Aren't you afraid that Prince Heng will turn against us? There are only two of us, and we also have to take care of our younger brother. If a fight breaks out, we will be at a disadvantage."

Huang Quan looked up at the starry sky above and sneered, "If Old Man Jin dares to attack us, the Giant Demon God can wipe out half a city."

Suddenly, a vast expanse of waves surged on the sea, and a fierce wind gathered, forming several huge whirlpools, as if some monster in the sea was about to be born.

Chapibolo carried a long Bodhi table on his back and rowed a small boat alone across the vast sea.

The gale gathered because of him, the whirlpool was born because of him, and the huge shadow in the deep sea followed closely behind his small boat.

Ignoring this terrifying ocean phenomenon, Chapipa used his profound Buddhist power to propel the ship, continuously breaking through the waves.

"This is the scent of death. What is there to fear for those who have experienced death?"

In the battle between Hongmian Biancheng and Empress Wu of Tiandu, at the critical moment of death, Bodhi Changji appeared from the sky and used a huge and familiar power to take Xia Biboluo to the seaside.

"Go, go to the Monster Market, go to the Emperor's Mausoleum, there you will find everything you are looking for."

Facing the unknown abyss, Chapiboluo softly recited:

"Stars are arrayed in the deep night, a lone lamp shines on the rock, the moon has not yet set. Its perfect radiance is undimmed, hanging in the blue sky is my heart."

Chapter 305 May all couples in the world not end up together.

The goods brought by Huang Quan from Tiandu were indeed very popular, especially the elixirs for healing and the talismans for exorcising ghosts and warding off evil spirits.

Sales of swords and knives were not as good as those of elixirs and talismans. The Golden Ou Heavenly Dynasty was originally a trading capital, with few martial artists. Only the guards of the passing caravans had a need for weapons.

The weapons of the Celestial Empire's army are all supplied by the Purple Universe Crystal Abyss, so there is no need to purchase them from outside.

Two days later, Huang Quan and Cui Luohan had chosen their spots, and the summons from King Heng was delivered to the ceremonial hall.

It is unknown how King Heng found out about the current situation in the Bitter Realm, but his attitude towards Huang Quan is much more respectful than last time.

“Mr. Huang Quan, I can grant your request. However, if any other organization in the Bitter Realm raises objections, you two must resolve the matter yourselves. I will not favor either side.”

"That's natural."

"Have you found a suitable location yet?"

"The transaction has been completed."

Huang Quan produced a land deed. This place was located on the most prosperous West Market Street in the capital, covering an area of ​​about 100 acres. It was surrounded by mountains and water, and the back door led directly to the harbor.

Left Assistant Lan Dengzi took the land deed, glanced at it, and asked in surprise, "Number One in the Heavenly Class? I remember this place should belong to Ruifeng Trading Company."

“Ruifeng Trading Company has been sold to Tiandu, and I have renamed it Tianzi No. 1, because this is Tiandu’s first overseas property.”

Lan Dengzi's eyes flashed with wariness: "Ruifeng Trading Company is one of the top three trading companies in our dynasty, second only to Wanyi Trading Company and Lance Fleet. I didn't expect Tiandu to have such strength."

"Thank you for your approval, Lord Zuo Fu."

There must be something fishy going on here, but with everything written down in black and white, Lan Dengzi has no reason to interfere.

King Heng reiterated his previous request: "When can you deliver the Fengdu Death Binding that I demand?"

"We will depart in three days, but before that, we must sign a trade agreement between Tiandu and Tianchao. Once the agreement is signed, Jin'ou Tianchao will no longer be able to trade with other forces in Kujing, otherwise they will face a penalty of ten times the total amount of the transaction."

"ten times!"

A chorus of indignant discussion erupted in the imperial palace.

Lan Dengzi was about to speak again, but was stopped by Prince Heng: "I have given my permission. Shao Gancheng, you will prepare for the signing ceremony."

"The minister obeys the order."

Not long after Huang Quan and Cui Luohan returned, the city guard leader stumbled in to report that a huge monster had landed at Ruifeng Trading Company.

"Your Majesty, the wind stirred up by that monster caused the waves to rise three feet suddenly, capsizing many ships. When the monster landed, all the buildings of Ruifeng Trading Company collapsed. We do not know the extent of the casualties."

King Heng sighed: "That monster was brought by the people of Tiandu, so we don't need to worry about it."

Lan Dengzi asked in surprise, "How did Your Majesty know that Tiandu was carrying demonic beasts?"

Right Assistant Feng Jiuye fanned himself with a smug look and said, "Naturally, it was this humble servant who found out. This humble servant slipped some gold coins to the two shopkeepers at Wanyi Merchant Fort, and they told us everything. Fortunately, we didn't act rashly, otherwise this beast would have landed in the palace..."

"The Heavenly Capital has gone too far!"

"The Left Assistant is mistaken. Tiandu is powerful. Rather than becoming an enemy, it is better to become an ally."

"The monopoly of trade by the capital is like strangling the lifeline of the Celestial Empire, leaving us at the mercy of others."

The Left and Right Assistants have always been at odds. When King Heng saw the two arguing again, he hurriedly said, "Both of you are right. It's not too late to talk about it when new forces join the Bitter Realm. Right now, I only want to get the Fengdu Death Ring. Let's adjourn the court."

When the overseas branch of Tiandu was successfully established, Luo Hou and Cang left Tiandu to attend a grand banquet of stringed instruments at Yunmengtai.

Cang was invited by the organizers, and Luo Hou expressed his curiosity, so the two went together.

This is a display of string skills, with participants who are all top-notch. At this moment, the courtyard is deep and the green waves are vast, and the strong gather together.

"String Master, aren't you going to participate in the competition for the title of Qin Master?"

Cang smiled faintly: "Although I have been invited, I have only just begun to understand the ways of the zither."

"Xian Shou is being modest."

Suddenly, all the lights went out, and a magnificent melody of a piano filled the air.

Then a voice rang out: "The first trial of the Supreme Banquet of Qin Strings will be performed by Mr. Qin Que, who will play the Three Songs of the White Horse."

Soon, a man in a white robe and red shirt walked to the front desk, and the lights came on, illuminating his handsome face.

The man let out a long shout: "Ha! It's you, sir, who's here to take my life!"

The sound was like a jade bottle suddenly shattering, indescribably mournful, yet also indescribably affectionate.

Then, the person flipped in mid-air, his long sleeves fluttering like butterflies, and continued singing: "One string of longing, two strings of longing, three or four rhythms dance like a literary dance, each string plucked breaks the longing, ah~ it's my love coming to claim my life!"

When the music ended, enthusiastic cheers erupted from the audience.

"String Master, what do you think of this Mr. Qin Que?"

"Very wonderful."

The lights went out again, and a deep, resonant sound came from mid-air, like water droplets falling into a vast ocean, creating ripples.

Each sound, each thought, is like water splashed against a rock, and in an instant, it stirs up the deepest dreams within.

"The greatest separation is like the flowing waters of the east and west, which eventually meet again. Though shallow affection may seem like drifting clouds, it still reaches my dreams. Alas, human feelings are as thin as clouds and water, and such a joyous reunion is even more difficult to repeat. Thinking back on all my past experiences, there have been many heart-wrenching moments, but none are quite like this one."

Just as the person on stage was singing softly, Cang held his head and hummed softly.

Luo Hou gently placed his hand on Cang's shoulder, and the dream shattered instantly, leaving no trace of the past.

"Thank you, Wu Jun. This nun's voice waves penetrate deep into one's heart, stirring up memories of the past. I didn't expect you to be completely unaffected."

"Perhaps my heart is too hard."

As the music ended, the nun said, "I hope that all lovers in the world will eventually be united."

The lights went out again, and then the bells rang out, accompanied by the urgent sound of a pipa.

A sudden downpour descended on the stage, scattering the pearls of music; the wind and rain created a chaotic cacophony.

This is a duet performance by a man and a woman: "The pipa plays in succession, embracing the sounds of yin and yang."

After three performances, when the lights came on again, a huge boat-shaped harp appeared on the stage, resembling both a zither and a konghou.

The woman playing the zither was beautiful, but somewhat pale, likely due to her injuries from the battle with Qing Haichao.