Chapter 99: A Bargain is the Soul of Trade

Although he couldn’t argue with Qian Ye, William still had to do business. He tugged at his hair, a pained expression on his face, wondering how to convince Qian Ye.

Seeing his clumsy demeanor, Qian Ye suddenly recalled the night they first met on the Evernight Continent. The contrast between William’s first impression and his current familiarity was stark, like two different wolves. Qian Ye then remembered someone mentioning that William was actually underage or just barely an adult.

Feeling a bit guilty for potentially bullying a younger wolf, Qian Ye decided to ease up. “What kind of equipment does your workshop produce? If you want to sell me something, you need to bring samples, right?”

This reminded William, who flipped his hand and laid out several pieces of equipment in front of Qian Ye. These included a set of light armor, a set of heavy armor, a few melee weapons, and a rough-looking origin gun.

Out of professional habit, Qian Ye picked up the origin gun and examined it carefully. This origin gun was quite primitive, using a double-barrel rear-loading design, similar to a standard shotgun. It used shotgun shells, but the internal structure was distinctly different from an ordinary shotgun.

Qian Ye tried flipping a switch, and the mechanism turned, revealing another side with a different origin array.

After studying it for a while, Qian Ye still couldn’t figure out the werewolf origin array’s construction, so he directly asked William.

William explained, “These two origin arrays serve different purposes. One narrows the spread, making it more effective at longer ranges. The other widens the spread, making it extremely powerful at close range.”

With this explanation, Qian Ye understood. It was like combining a long-barreled and a sawed-off shotgun, a decent idea. William then went over its specifications, and Qian Ye silently converted them to Imperial standards. He found that the gun’s power was nearly at the third level, but usable at the first level, indicating it was specially enhanced for power.

Its drawbacks were also clear: it was heavy and not very accurate. However, given the werewolves’ preference for close combat, accuracy wasn’t a major concern.

Qian Ye then looked at the other equipment. The battle armor was designed to fit werewolf bodies, highly adjustable, and accommodated transformation into wolf form. The design was clearly tailored for werewolves, and the craftsmanship was solid, making it a good piece of individual armor.

The other weapons were also popular among werewolves, including a set of claw extensions. When worn, these extended their natural claws by half a meter. To Qian Ye, this seemed unnecessary.

After reviewing the items, Qian Ye said, “These are good.”

William beamed, about to boast, but Qian Ye added, “If this came from a small, ordinary workshop, it would be impressive. But for Peak of All Clans, it falls short. Any second-rate Imperial workshop would produce better quality.”

“It’s the design! They aren’t werewolves, so they can’t design equipment this suitable for us.”

Ignoring William, Qian Ye asked, “What about the price?”

William, dejected, rattled off the prices. Afterward, he sighed and shook his head, preparing to put the equipment away, but Qian Ye stopped him.

“I’ll take all the equipment. Let’s start with… two hundred thousand sets. But I only have ore.”

Qian Ye’s voice sounded like music to William’s ears. “Two hundred thousand sets? Oh, we might not have enough stock. But no problem, I’ll find a way! Ore is perfect, I want the ore!”

Seeing William’s elation, Qian Ye shook his head. He was probably the worst businessman, despite his previous composure and wisdom as a Dark Earl, handling disputes within the werewolf tribes and competing with the Blood Race.

Qian Ye’s thoughts wandered. Could it be that the more powerful a regressed werewolf became, the more childlike they became?

William, undeterred by Qian Ye’s odd look, didn’t care why Qian Ye decided to buy so many sets. The main reason was that William’s prices were half of what the Empire charged for similar quality.

William, clearly having more on his mind, asked, “Can I see the city and the camp?”

Qian Ye, puzzled, replied, “With your abilities, who could stop you?”

“I want you to show me,” William insisted.

Unable to understand, Qian Ye said, “Follow me, then.”

They moved swiftly, Qian Ye using Void Blink, while William transformed into a giant wolf and soared through the air. In moments, they arrived in the City of Emerald Waves. After touring the city, they reappeared in the central encampment outside the city. Qian Ye showed William around, introducing him to various facilities.

William was uninterested in traditional strongpoints like turrets and ammunition depots but scrutinized the tents, dining halls, and even the bathrooms.

He inquired about the military merit system, and Qian Ye, unreserved, had someone bring a manual and handed it to him.

After reading it, William sighed, “Clear rewards and punishments, structured promotions. In the army, our werewolves aren’t treated any differently than humans or neutral mercenaries. How did you achieve this?”

“Isn’t it straightforward?” Qian Ye was confused.

“You used to be ruthless against dark races, including us werewolves,” William pouted. “Even me, your friend!”

Qian Ye blinked innocently. For a long time, William’s strength had overwhelmed him, and holding back would have been futile. After the factional wars began, the lines were clear.

William, however, didn’t really want an explanation. “How did you suddenly accept werewolves?”

Qian Ye thought seriously, “These werewolves are suffering, and they genuinely surrendered. I couldn’t kill a million loyal werewolves; that would be a massacre, not warfare.”

William patted Qian Ye’s shoulder, “Regardless, I’ve seen how your werewolves live. Come, I’ll introduce you to someone.”

“Who?”

“You’ll see.”

Trusting William, Qian Ye followed.

Both now highly capable, they moved quickly. Qian Ye’s Void Blink and William’s aerial stride, seemingly slow but actually fast, brought them to the edge of the Emerald Sea in half a day.

Qian Ye stopped, “Beyond here is Galewind Territory. I have an agreement with Duke Galewind; neither of us will interfere with the other’s conflicts.”

William pointed down. Qian Ye focused and his expression changed.

Below, a tribe’s camp lay in ruins, burnt to the ground. Worse, around the camp, many sharpened stakes held impaled werewolves, some still alive when set on fire.

Some of the impaled werewolves were children.

Sighing, Qian Ye said, “Can’t handle it?”

William shook his head, “These werewolves are still in a primitive state. To us at Peak of All Clans, they are barbaric and savage, unaware of the distinction between intelligent beings and prey. They aren’t truly our kin. If a human fell into their hands, they’d likely be eaten alive. This hatred fuels their actions, but seeing this, I still feel troubled.”

Qian Ye didn’t know how to comfort him. This was the werewolves’ dilemma: ancient and modern, ignorant and wise.

William continued, “Peak of All Clans has always been non-interfering and non-recognizing of the Ancestor Sect. I thought there was no better way, but you’ve shown me a path.”

“What path?” Qian Ye still didn’t understand.

“A path to free them from the Ancestor Sect and embrace reason and wisdom.”

William didn’t elaborate further. Instead, he transformed into a giant wolf and let out a howl, channeling his origin power. Qian Ye heard a low, drum-like sound, inaudible to most, but carrying farther.

Moments later, a distant howl responded, followed by a closer one. Soon, a tall, white-haired elder appeared before them.

“Duke Galewind!” Qian Ye instantly gathered his origin power, his wings of light spreading, ready for full combat.

Qian Ye was now officially a Vice Duke, confident he could defeat Duke Galewind. However, Duke Galewind was fast and powerful, and a mistake could turn the tide. Qian Ye, experienced in using Void Blink and the Primordial Gun, wouldn’t make such errors.

Duke Galewind was shocked to see Qian Ye, retreating and drawing blades, shouting, “You broke your promise!”

“I called him,” William, now human, said while dressing.

Duke Galewind remained wary, “I know you, William, the new genius of Peak of All Clans, a potential successor. But you’ve always looked down on us. Why are you here on this barren continent?”

William, his gray-blue eyes fixed on Duke Galewind, said bluntly, “I want you to acknowledge that Qian Ye is the true Child of Darkness.”

“Impossible!” Duke Galewind’s voice rose.

Acknowledging Qian Ye as the Child of Darkness meant giving up Galewind Territory. Duke Galewind, used to arrogance, couldn’t accept this. Moreover, Qian Ye was only a Vice Duke. Although Qian Ye had once forced Duke Galewind to back down, on paper, Duke Galewind was still stronger. Submission to Qian Ye would be a blow to his pride.

William, expecting this, smiled coldly, “How do the werewolves under your rule live? They lack even a basic growth period! You’ve impersonated the Child of Darkness for too long. If you don’t surrender, you won’t be returning today.”

Duke Galewind laughed, “Just the two of you? William, you are strong, but you’re still only an Earl. Do you think you can defeat me? Without the Ancestors’ protection, have you both gone mad?”

William didn’t respond, transforming into a giant wolf and letting out a piercing howl!

Duke Galewind’s face changed. Under William’s howl, his aura dropped, falling to the level of a Vice Duke in moments!