Chapter 375: Anbolin, the City Lord

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The Grand Duke of the Duchy of Demacia, Cang Lan, finally raised his head slowly: "Previously in court, Vice Speaker Hankula targeted my Cang family because Cang Jue failed to rescue his son, Mingji. The rights and wrongs of the matter no longer matter, but Vice Speaker Hankula's actions have gone too far. My Cang family, understanding his grief over losing his son, has always refrained from retaliation, yet the harassment has been endless. Now, he has even declared that Cang Jue will never set foot in the imperial capital again! My Cang family does not fear conflict, but we have no desire to engage in a meaningless fight to the death with such a madman... Vice Speaker Hankula is under the Fifth Prince's faction. Only the Fifth Prince can resolve this matter. I implore the Ninth Prince to speak favorably for Cang Jue before the Fifth Prince..."

Long Jing smiled. The conflict between Long Zhen and Long Xiang was like gods clashing while the court officials suffered as mere mortals. Recently, Vice Speaker Hankula had indeed been relentlessly targeting the Cang family—a fact known to all in the imperial capital. As the leader of the Nine Gods Coliseum, Vice Speaker Hankula, driven by personal vengeance over his son's death, was already a notorious madman in the Nine Gods Empire, infamous for his brutality. With the Crown Prince and the Fifth Prince locked in a stalemate, neither had the energy to deal with such lower-level disputes. While the Cang family was not afraid on the surface, how could they possibly retaliate against a man who had lost his son and was willing to fight to the death? It was simply not worth it!

Cang Jue's involvement in the affairs of Aurora City was likely partly motivated by a desire to leave the Nine Gods imperial capital and avoid Vice Speaker Hankula's wrath.

Of course, Grand Duke Cang Lan could have directly taken the five billion to plead with the Fifth Prince. However, the Cang family was aligned with the Crown Prince. Delivering such a sum to the Fifth Prince would be seen as betrayal in the Crown Prince's eyes, escalating the situation further. Moreover, the Fifth Prince might not even agree. But by leveraging Long Jing's connections to mediate, it would neither overstep boundaries nor lack influence. If this could defuse the conflict and rid them of the madman's harassment, it would be the best outcome.

"Both Grand Duke Cang Lan and Vice Speaker Hankula are pillars of the Nine Gods Empire. Resolving their conflict for the sake of the nation would be ideal." Long Jing understood the situation but still did not take the sea chart. "Besides, Cang Jue's disruption of Aurora City counts as a great merit, even avenging the Fifth Prince's grievances against the city. I can speak to the Fifth Prince about this, but the sea chart is unnecessary. After all, Vice Speaker Hankula has lost his son—my influence may not be enough."

Grand Duke Cang Lan, however, pushed the sea chart across the table with a smile. "This map is merely a token of appreciation for Your Highness. That you are willing to speak for my Cang family is already an immense favor. How could I demand a guaranteed outcome? Regardless of success, the Cang family is eternally grateful."

"Hahaha!" Long Jing laughed heartily, a glint flashing in his eyes. He said no more, simply raising his wine glass. "For the harmony of the Nine Gods court, I shall do my utmost."

"Many thanks!"

After Grand Duke Cang Lan left, Long Jing's expression turned calm as he gently traced the sea chart. What a pity—had he been informed earlier, he could have discreetly taken the stolen Leo using the treasure-grade Qiankun Bag from the Nine Gods treasury.

The losses were immeasurable. In just two or three days, Aurora City had descended into utter chaos.

The major merchant guilds could withstand losses of a hundred or two hundred million, but many private business owners had lost their entire life savings—tens or hundreds of thousands might not seem like much, but to them, it was everything. The deception had left them desperate.

The acting city lord sent by the League of Blades to stabilize Aurora City was besieged, trapped inside the city hall. The Sea People, deceived by the Golden Shell Auction House, had organized merchant guilds and small investors to blockade the exits. With the crowds outside impassable, the League had urgently dispatched over a thousand Blade Silver Guards, but the organizers were mermaid royalty—the Blade Silver Guards dared not act rashly. Their only option was to maintain order and prevent violent riots.

How to resolve this? There was no solution.

Blade City...

The headquarters of the League of Blades, located in a triangular region between the Duchy of Demacia and the Dragon Moon Duchy, spanned nearly ten thousand square kilometers—the largest city on the Nine Heavens Continent aside from the Nine Gods imperial capital. The League of Blades' ruling body, the Blade Council, was situated in the eastern district.

The council hall was magnificent and imposing, with towering white marble pillars reminiscent of Odin's palace, each twenty meters high and lined in rows of over a hundred. The entire structure was colossal, as if built for ancient giants.

At this moment, heated arguments erupted around a long table in the council hall.

"Aurora City is a vital stronghold on the southeastern coast of the League and the most important free port for trade with the Sea People! Setting aside its annual tax revenue, its geopolitical importance as a harbor alone is immense!" A bear of a man with a thick beard and a booming voice spoke aggressively. "Previously, Aurora City operated smoothly under Lady Meigan's governance for seven years. Though she lacked ambition in expansion, she maintained stability flawlessly. Yet, Elder Fu Changkong dismissed her with the excuse that 'a woman lacks drive,' replacing her with your crony, Korolev. In less than three months, he has caused such a catastrophic blunder that Aurora City is now paralyzed, costing us a crucial southeastern stronghold. Shouldn't Elder Fu give the council an explanation?!"

"Hmph! 'A woman lacks drive'—what nonsense! Lady Meigan was simply close to the Thunder family!" someone sneered. "Everyone knows Elder Fu's grudge against Thunder Dragon. Can you claim this wasn't personal? Had Korolev been competent, fine—but now, with this colossal mistake, Elder Fu must answer for it!"

Voices of agreement rose, overwhelmingly one-sided.

The speakers were clearly from the reformist faction. While disputes between conservatives and reformists were common in the council, this was the first time the reformists had united in such a fierce attack, leaving the conservatives speechless. Frankly, setting aside Aurora City's current plight, this was a rare moment of satisfaction for the reformists.

Elder Fu Changkong, his hair streaked with white, sat at the forefront of the right side of the long table. The seat at the head of the table—reserved for the Speaker—remained empty. As the League's acknowledged foremost Dragon-ranked expert, the Speaker had long absented himself from internal meetings, whether in meditation or wandering. For over a year, most of the League's decisions had been determined by council votes.

In truth, the council was not just divided between conservatives and reformists. A larger centrist faction, led by Vice Speaker Hankula, remained loyal solely to the Speaker, immune to bribes and judging matters impartially based on the League's interests. They were the balancing force between the two opposing factions.

Amid the accusations, the neutral councilors turned their gazes toward Elder Fu Changkong at the front. Yet Fu Changkong merely smiled faintly and said, "With Aurora City in turmoil and riots imminent, shouldn't the priority be restoring order rather than slandering me? Is the people's wrath more important than the League's actual interests? Or Aurora City's peace and stability?"

The accusers scoffed. The bearded man retorted, "Restoring order is vital, but accountability is equally crucial—to appease the people's wrath! Only punishing Korolev won't suffice!"

"Then should I be punished as well?"

The bearded man froze. Fu Changkong's smile deepened as his inscrutable, calculating eyes locked onto him.

"Councilor Bakar, Aurora City's situation is complex. Korolev was deceived—the mistake is already made, and he has atoned with his life. What purpose does further blame serve? The riotous mob isn't here to demand a scapegoat—they want compensation for their losses." He turned to the other councilors. "Our focus should be on restoring order..."

Bakar cut him off with a mirthless chuckle. "Pretty words won't solve anything. If Elder Fu is so capable, why not propose a solution to restore order?"

Fu Changkong smiled faintly: "Empty rhetoric—how apt! Solving any problem requires addressing the root cause. How much do we truly understand about the merchants in Aurora City? Sitting at this long table, engaging in armchair theorizing—is that really the way to solve the problem? The remedy must match the disease. I believe the Lei family has long resided in Aurora City, and former councilor Thunder Dragon holds immense prestige there. If this matter were entrusted to him, I bet within three days, the council would receive news of success."

As soon as he spoke, a buzz of whispers spread across the table. The conservative councilors wore faint smiles, the neutral ones buzzed with discussion, but the reformists were visibly fuming.

The bearded Barkel, an old acquaintance of Thunder Dragon, was no leader of the reformists, but he was a heavyweight among them. He slammed the table and roared, "Fu Changkong, what do you mean by this? Your underling caused this clusterfuck, and now you want Thunder Dragon to clean up after you? How fucking shameless are you?"

"That's going too far," Fu Changkong replied with a smile. "As fellow councilors serving the League of Blades, why make this about factions? What matters now is resolving Aurora City's crisis. Thunder Dragon has spent decades in Aurora City—his prestige, influence, capability, and understanding of the city surpass anyone in this council. He is the most suitable person to pacify the merchants there. Yet, merely because of political disagreements with me, Councilor Barkel would oppose this even if it means Aurora City descends into chaos? I doubt Thunder Dragon would wish for that. Setting aside all else, Thunder Dragon is a man of integrity who has always prioritized the League. I've always respected him. No matter the difficulties, he would never stand by and watch Aurora City fall. He would not refuse this task—all we need is an official order from the council, and Aurora City's turmoil may be swiftly resolved. I urge all councilors to reconsider."

The table erupted in debate once more. Many neutral councilors nodded in agreement, clearly swayed by his argument.

Vice Speaker Hankula, a stern fifty-something known for his uprightness, cared little about which faction stood to gain. All he wanted was a solution to Aurora City's crisis. "Very well, then. This matter—"

Seeing the decision nearly finalized, Barkel panicked and stood. "Vice Speaker Hankula, honorable councilors! Everyone knows Aurora City is a disaster. Those merchants lost real gold and silver. Even if Thunder Dragon has boundless influence, can he turn reputation into currency? This is an impossible task! Fu Changkong is clearly trying to shift blame and evade responsibility—his intentions are vile! There’s no reason his faction’s blunder should be shouldered by Thunder Dragon!"

Hankula paused. Fu Changkong’s proposal was a solution, but it made little sense in principle. Thunder Dragon was no minor figure to be dumped on by the council. Forcing this on him might backfire, especially since he had left the council and was no longer under its jurisdiction. Issuing orders to him was out of the question.

Someone interjected, "If he succeeds, all is well. Even if he fails, no one would blame Thunder Dragon. How is that shifting blame?"

"Nonsense! Then why doesn’t Elder Fu solve it himself? If success or failure doesn’t matter, no one would blame you either, Fu Changkong!"

Fu Changkong smiled faintly but didn’t respond. Compared to his status, Barkel was beneath him. The reformist leader was currently absent from Aurora City due to urgent matters, presenting a golden opportunity for the conservatives to expand their influence—hence their recent dominance in various disputes.

"Barkel! Elder Fu is too gracious to engage with you, but I won’t stand for this!" Another member pounded the table and jumped up. "When Korolev first took office, you were clawing for power, insisting only the Lei family could stabilize Aurora City, that only they had the capability to govern it. You fought for power then. But now, when a minor issue arises and their help is needed, you claim the Lei family is suddenly incapable? Which of your words are true and which are lies?"

"Is fifty billion Leo a minor issue?! And this doesn’t just involve Aurora City’s major guilds—it concerns the sea people and beastmen too! They only give a damn about money. Even the Speaker’s influence might not sway them!"

"Then propose a solution yourself!"

"You made this bed—now lie in it!"

"Bullshit! What is the League of Blades Council if not a place of unity? Drawing lines between 'you' and 'us'—Barkel, you’re blatantly fostering factionalism!"

Within moments, the long table descended into chaos.

Fu Changkong remained unruffled, eyes closed in meditation, while Hankula and several neutral leaders frowned and shook their heads.

Truth was, such quarrels between the two factions were routine—silence would be stranger. But Aurora City’s crisis needed resolution. How long would this bickering last?

Amid the uproar, urgent knocking came from the door. "A report from Aurora City!"

The chamber fell somewhat silent. Fu Changkong opened his eyes as a messenger hurried in with an urgent dispatch. With neither the Speaker nor the reformist leader present, Hankula and Fu Changkong were the highest-ranking figures in the chamber.

After a show of deference, Hankula took the report. He scanned it, paused, frowned, then finally exhaled in relief.

Placing the dispatch on the table, a slight smile crossed his face. "Aurora City’s crisis… is resolved."

Resolved?

Every councilor froze, including Fu Changkong. The problem that had plagued the council for days, with no solution yet agreed upon—how could it be resolved so abruptly? How?

The dispatch circulated quickly. It wasn’t from the League’s Silver Guards or the acting mayor but a proposal voluntarily submitted by a merchant from Aurora City.

Anbolin, vice president of the Ocean Chamber of Commerce and owner of Anhe Hall, had pledged ten billion Leo in the name of his guild to revive Aurora City’s stalled trade market project. He also persuaded the beastmen’s Landwalker Guild and the sea people’s Golden Shell Auction House to honor their prior contracts with the city, contributing another ten billion Leo each. Thirty billion in total would rebuild Aurora City’s largest trade hub.

However, the sea people and beastmen demanded autonomous control over the market in return. As compensation, they would allocate 30% of annual profits proportionally to all prior investors, mitigating losses and quelling the riots.

The chamber went dead silent.

They'd all known from the start that only money could pacify the rioters. But the council refused to pay, and neither could it handle the stubborn sea people and beastmen.

But now, someone is willing to foot the bill to resolve this, and they’ve even managed to appease the sea people and beastmen while giving an explanation to the restless small-time traders. This is undoubtedly the outcome everyone had hoped for. However, their demand is also quite clear—"autonomy over Aurora City’s trading market." What does this imply?

Such self-governing districts are not uncommon, functioning like small independent states. But so what?

Frankly, it’s a reasonable request. Given the current mess in Aurora City, the trading market’s reputation is already tarnished. Even the Council wouldn’t dare sink money into it. If someone is willing to take the risk and pour money into it, shouldn’t they be granted some concessions as encouragement? Otherwise, who would dare take on such a challenge?

The question is, how should this authority be granted? If they were to negotiate and discuss each clause one by one, it would undoubtedly drag on, conflicting with the Council’s desire for Aurora City to stabilize as quickly as possible. To cut through the red tape, there’s only one solution—directly granting them the position of city lord! Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. As long as Aurora City can swiftly return to normalcy, let them operate as they see fit within the legal framework of the League of Blades.

A beastman could never become city lord, nor could the sea people be allowed to govern Aurora City. That leaves Anbolin, one of the three major stakeholders, as the only viable candidate.

If it were just any random merchant, the councilors might hesitate or deliberate. But Anbolin of Anhe Hall is no stranger to this assembly.

His role as vice president of the Ocean Chamber of Commerce is merely his commercial identity. He is also a renowned forging master at the Holy Sanctuary’s vocational center, known for his integrity and respected both within the Holy Sanctuary and the League of Blades. More importantly, though he hasn’t openly aligned with any faction, his leanings are known to be conservative.

This is likely the only outcome everyone can accept.

Without hesitation, Vice Speaker Hankula said, "I support Anbolin’s appointment as the new city lord of Aurora City. If anyone has objections, let them be raised for discussion."

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