TRWSB – Chapter 143 Tales of Lords and Tides

Qi Shaorong stayed in the inn when a knock came at the door.

Qi Shaorong opened the door, and a boy with light blue hair, a face, and a belly full of fat strode in with his hands clasped behind his back, chest puffed out.

The boy, short and plump, reminded Qi Shaorong of a balloon. Several equally balloon-like bodyguards trailed behind him.

Looking at the arrogant boy, Qi Shaorong asked, “Young master, what brings you here?”

The boy scrutinized Qi Shaorong from head to toe with disdain and said, “You’re so ugly.”

Qi Shaorong: “…” This brat’s clearly here to cause trouble.

“I heard you’re the newly appointed lord?” the boy asked.

Qi Shaorong nodded, “That’s right.”

“With your physique, it’s going to be tough holding on to that position!” The boy sneered disdainfully.

Looking at the boy’s round belly, Qi Shaorong thought to himself: If I look weak, then what about you with your freakish shape?

“No need for you to worry about that, young master,” Qi Shaorong replied.

“Your belly is way too flat, not a bit of fat on it. Most previous lords here had nice big bellies. You look so frail!” the boy said, furrowing his brows.

Qi Shaorong: “…” Brat, I already said it’s none of your business. Why are you still yapping?

One of the boy’s bodyguards coughed lightly and said, “Young master, let’s not delay. Miss Bei Xue is still waiting.”

Hearing this, the boy’s face turned a little red. Lifting his chin, he glared at Qi Shaorong and said, “Hey, I heard you deal in cosmetics. Bring me ten sets of your premium products.”

Qi Shaorong: “…” This plump ball has some nerve, demanding ten sets right off the bat.

“I do have cosmetics, but do you have money? I don’t deal with broke customers,” Qi Shaorong retorted disdainfully.

The boy puffed out his chest and snapped, “You scoundrel, how dare you look down on me!”

He waved his hand, and a pouch appeared.

Qi Shaorong peered into the pouch at the blood-red beads inside and frowned, “What’s this? Glass marbles? Just a handful of marbles, and you think you can trade for my cosmetics? Do I look like an idiot? Kid, come back when you’ve gotten money from your parents.”

The blue-haired, chubby boy turned red with anger and glared at Qi Shaorong. “You idiot! These are not glass marbles!”

“Oh? Then what are they?” Qi Shaorong challenged.

“They’re blood pearls. Deal with him,” Bi Liuyun interjected as he entered the room.

The blue-haired, chubby boy shot Bi Liuyun a few glances and huffed arrogantly, “Finally, someone with good taste!”

The boy tossed the pouch of blood pearls down, then left contentedly with an armful of cosmetics.

“Liuyun, you’re back! Did you find the workers?” Qi Shaorong asked.

Bi Liuyun nodded, “I did. They can start work tomorrow.”

“You really are efficient, Liuyun!” Qi Shaorong praised.

Picking up one of the pearls, Qi Shaorong asked, “What is this exactly? What’s it good for?”

“These are blood pearls, rare treasures produced by blood clams. They’re excellent for replenishing vitality and enhancing physical strength. Grind them into powder and mix them with water to drink,” Bi Liuyun explained.

Qi Shaorong turned the pearl over in his hand and asked, “So, they’re expensive?”

Bi Liuyun nodded, “Very. They’re not only pricey but also rare. Young master, you’re looking a bit weak, so these are perfect for you.”

Qi Shaorong: “…” This scoundrel! Since when am I weak?

“That plump ball is such a spendthrift!” Qi Shaorong muttered.

Bi Liuyun chuckled, “If my guess is correct, that plump ball isn’t human but a member of the Bei Clan. Judging by his extravagance, his status in the clan is likely high.”

Qi Shaorong thought: It feels like the sea clans are quite active on the Azure Sea Plains.

Bi Liuyun nodded, “That’s true. The sea clans are very active here. Over the years, they’ve developed numerous networks. In this area, their influence surpasses that of the human clans.”

Qi Shaorong: “…”

At the lord’s mansion site, a group of imposing sea clan workers was already assembled.

“Master Bi is here. Oh, the lord has arrived too,” Hailin greeted with a smile.

Lowering his voice, Qi Shaorong asked Bi Liuyun, “What’s going on?”

Bi Liuyun stroked his chin, “I ran into that young master again. He offered to help.”

Qi Shaorong glanced over at Hailin and whispered, “Liuyun, does that guy have a thing for you?”

Bi Liuyun shook his head firmly, “No way.”

Qi Shaorong gave him a strange look and asked, “Since when were you this insecure?”

“I’m not insecure. I’m very confident. But…” Bi Liuyun trailed off. To the royal sea clans, humans weren’t even considered the same species. Most sea clan royals viewed humans as—garbage.

Seeing that Bi Liuyun didn’t want to elaborate, Qi Shaorong didn’t press further.

Hailin walked over and asked, “Lord, are you satisfied with these workers?”

Qi Shaorong nodded, “If they’re recommended by you, Hailin, I trust they’re excellent.”

“I’m glad you’re satisfied,” Hailin replied with a smile.

Imperial Capital

Mu Tingxuan looked at Yi Fan and asked, “Have we received any messages from the young master?”

Yi Fan nodded. “Yes.”

“What did the young master say?”

“He mentioned that the seafood at Bihai Plains is excellent.”

Mu Tingxuan: “… That’s all?”

Yi Fan continued, “He also said the City Lord’s Mansion over there has been completely looted and needs to be rebuilt.”

Mu Tingxuan: “…”

“Additionally, the young master plans to develop a waterproof line of cosmetics because many nobles among the Sea Clan seem to love makeup.”

Mu Tingxuan chuckled. “The young master seems quite ambitious.”

“With his abilities, I’m sure he’ll establish himself there quickly,” Yi Fan said confidently.

“I wonder what the young master is up to now.”

The Ruins of the City Lord’s Mansion at Bihai Plains

Piles of food were delivered to the ruins of the City Lord’s Mansion. Qi Shaorong grumbled, “That sneaky Hailing! He brought over a group of gluttons. Not only do they eat a lot, but they refuse cheap food—they only want high-quality, spirit-infused ingredients.”

Bi Liuyun nodded in agreement. “Hailing is not only handsome but also cunning. He must be very popular within the Sea Clan.”

Qi Shaorong: “…” Wasn’t Bi Liuyun phrasing that wrong? Shouldn’t it be “although” handsome instead of “not only”?

Looking toward Zhuang Hao, Bi Liuyun said, “Young Master Zhuang is truly virtuous. Without him, this many Sea Clan workers brought in by Hailing would have rioted. Still, it’s a bit of a waste to have the heir of the Zhuang family cooking here.”

Qi Shaorong scratched his head in frustration. “This desolate place doesn’t even have decent chefs!”

Unable to find a chef temporarily, Zhuang Hao had to take on the role himself. While Zhuang Hao’s culinary skills weren’t exceptional, he excelled in one area: his understanding of ingredients. When he cooked, the spiritual energy of the ingredients was preserved to the fullest.

Bi Liuyun said to Qi Shaorong, “The Bihai Plains are a barbaric land after all. You can’t expect much in terms of quality.”

Qi Shaorong: “…”

At Feilong Trading Firm

Hailing returned to the trading firm, where the steward immediately greeted him. “Young Master, Miss Ariel has arrived.”

“She followed me all the way here?” Hailing frowned.

“Would you like to meet her?”

Hailing sighed. “I suppose I should. She won’t leave otherwise.”

Entering the private chamber of the trading firm, Ariel lunged toward Hailing, grabbing his arm. “Brother Ling, you’re back! I’ve been waiting for you.”

“What are you doing here?” Hailing asked irritably.

Ariel pouted. “If you can come here, why can’t I?”

“You’re a mermaid. If people find out your true form, those vicious smugglers will stop at nothing to capture you,” Hailing scolded.

Ariel waved dismissively. “Don’t worry, Brother Ling. Humans are so weak—they can’t catch me. The last City Lord who tried to capture mermaids met a gruesome end.”

Hailing glared at her. “Regardless, you should return to the Sea Clan. It’s not safe here. If something happens to you, I’ll be held accountable.”

“Brother Ling, you’re such a buzzkill. I heard you’ve taken an interest in a human lately?” Ariel questioned.

“Who told you that?”

“Never mind who told me. Brother Ling, humans are treacherous and deceitful. You shouldn’t get too close to them,” Ariel warned.

Hailing’s expression darkened. “Do you think I need you to remind me of such things?”

Ariel looked embarrassed. “I’m only worried about you, Brother Ling.”

“Mind your own business and return to the Mermaid Royal City,” Hailing snapped.

Ariel looked down. “Father and Mother keep asking when we’ll get married.”

“We’ll talk about marriage once the Sea King Pearl is found.”

In the Sea Clan, the Sea Dragon Royal Family and the Mermaid Royal Family had a tradition of intermarriage. The Sea King Pearl served as the dowry from the Sea Dragon Family, while the Mermaid Heart was the bride price from the Mermaid Family.

However, after the death of the last Mermaid King without an heir, the royal position was passed to a branch family, during which the Sea King Pearl went missing.