A Top Scholar in Everything
Chapter 236: Start of School!

Chapter 236: Chapter 236: Start of School!

The visitor was a short, lean man sporting a small mustache.

He wore a well-tailored suit, his hair was neatly styled, and his eyes were deep-set.

"I am Josh, the person in charge of Jiuda Trading Company at this shelter. Mr. Bai, I’ve heard you’ve been acquiring various materials and medicines lately?"

Josh asked with a smile.

Baiyu glanced at him and gently poured a cup of warm water, "Mr. Josh, your purpose for coming here?"

Baiyu had an impression of this Jiuda Trading Company.

It was the company where Bruce worked.

The same Bruce who was blown up by his attack.

Afterward, the Anomaly Bureau and the Armed Department investigated this company, but ultimately found nothing suspicious, and Bruce’s employment there was purely coincidental.

After all, the company had no knowledge of its employees being believers of the Evil God; it was beyond their control.

"Mr. Bai, I indeed have a business deal to discuss with you. I checked the Longteng Trading Company, and the legal representative is Ms. Qiong Jiu. I’ve heard of this predecessor; she’s a top expert, second only to a Grandmaster.

I have a big deal here.

It’s a multimillion-dollar deal, but I can’t handle it alone, so I’ve teamed up with several other companies.

If you can lend a hand, you’ll earn at least ten million from this deal."

Baiyu frowned slightly.

Ten million?

Does he take me for a toddler?

It’s obvious he’s here to test my depth.

The market is only so big, and the businesses at the shelter are limited. If new players step in, it will undoubtedly affect others’ interests.

This probing serves as a test of your company’s overall strength.

If your strength is recognized, it naturally allows entry into the market. If you appear weaker than you are, these merchants will pounce like wolves.

All sorts of underhanded tactics, small schemes, and backstabbing will follow—whatever it takes to nauseate you.

Jiuda Trading Company is clearly the leader in the materials and medicines trade at the shelter.

So, when Baiyu’s newly formed company showed intentions of entering the material trade domain, they immediately stood up with other peers to present Baiyu with a challenge.

The papers on the table were brought by Josh.

It’s a private commission from a wealthy individual, totaling fifty million, requiring the exploration of a secret location fifty miles around the Linjiang Shelter, extracting the fur and teeth of a particular type of Exotic Beast.

The Human Race’s exploration of the Spirit Realm remains minimal.

The secret locations are special places within the Spirit Realm—some contain opportunities, while others hold significant dangers.

Secret locations aren’t uncommon in the Spirit Realm.

Such commissioned explorations are also quite common, but a fifty-million-dollar task isn’t something one company can undertake alone.

"Is this a joint mission?"

Baiyu asked in return.

Josh nodded without hesitation;

"Yes, it’s a joint mission. This time, six companies will participate. They’re essentially the biggest traders in the Linjiang Shelter’s trade domain."

Baiyu furrowed his brow.

Implying all the major businesses in Linjiang Shelter are involved, if you want to prove your capability, they will naturally accept your entry into the materials market.

It’s an overt strategy. To play in this field, one must enter the commercial system led by Jiuda Trading Company and play by their rules.

Unless you have a better way to break through.

Only contemplation.

Baiyu smiled and said, "Mr. Josh, I appreciate your goodwill. But Longteng is just starting and has no plans to accept commission business. Also, we don’t prefer collaboration with others."

"Mr. Bai, won’t you reconsider? Going it alone in the shelter can be challenging." Josh’s eyes were deep-set.

Baiyu was exceptionally resolute, shaking his head, "Mr. Josh, please leave."

Seeing this, Josh put away the commission papers on the table, took a deep look at Baiyu, a faint, almost imperceptible cold smile on his face, and walked out the door.

Erin, nearby, sensed something was off about the atmosphere.

"How much in materials did you purchase these days?" Baiyu asked.

"About a little over a hundred thousand." Erin took out a small ledger, "Mostly cheap materials, those strong Martial Artists rarely trade with us. They usually go to established shops."

Baiyu nodded.

This situation was anticipated; the shelter’s materials market is already monopolized.

Outsiders wanting a piece of the pie find it incredibly tough.

However.

For Baiyu, as long as he operates shrewdly, it’s not impossible.

These materials worth a hundred thousand, sold outside, could fetch at least two hundred thousand, and if someone needed it urgently, it could sell for even more—this is indeed a windfall.

Of course.

The tax on this sector by the East Prosperity Imperial is also quite heavy.

"Yao Ji, send me information on all businesses involved in material trade at the shelter, including their usual acquaintances if possible."

Baiyu said to the communication crystal in the room.

There’s a month before the joint mission starts, giving him time to prepare.

The few large merchants genuinely intend to undertake this joint mission, and inviting Baiyu is just to use him as cannon fodder.

If this cannon fodder survives, they will let him follow behind, getting whatever is left.

If he doesn’t manage to survive.

Then, conveniently, there’s one less competitor, and no one will be vying for a share of the market.

It’s unlikely Baiyu would naively deliver himself.

This matter.

Needs careful planning.

"Erin, stop acquiring materials for now, and cancel the acquisition tasks at the Bounty Hunter Association, or someone will surely create trouble."

Baiyu decisively made his decision.

...

The following week.

Baiyu investigated both Jiuda Trading Company and the Black Stone Brotherhood simultaneously.

In the end, he discovered something interesting—the two were intricately connected.

The Black Stone Brotherhood is essentially a Bounty Hunter squad operating in gray areas.

Li Jianglong is one of them.

But this squad apparently has substantial financial support behind it, strong enough to hold a significant presence within the Bounty Hunter Association branch in Linjiang Shelter.

That’s as far as Baiyu’s investigation reached.

The Black Stone Brotherhood and Jiuda Trading Company appeared to have set their sights on him.

He’s remained inside the shelter’s inner city, coupled with the mechanical patrol summoned by Yao Ji, so his safety isn’t threatened.

Yet business progressed just as he anticipated.

The Martial Artists who dealt with Longteng Trading Company a few days ago were secretly taught a lesson; those minor Martial Artists couldn’t resist, and eventually, Baiyu’s store at the shelter saw no visitors.

Even if Erin wanted to purchase materials, there were no customers.

To break the deadlock.

He must wait for the joint mission in a month’s time.

If executed well, it might just reshuffle the Linjiang Shelter’s trade market.

However, right now.

Baiyu has an even more pressing matter at hand.

School is starting!

After he finished his college entrance exams, the Black Moon incident in Linjiang drew everyone’s attention, significantly reducing focus on the top scorer of the exams.

The overwhelming media interviews and reports that used to follow did not happen this year.

Various advertising invitations and sponsor investments were all declined by Baiyu.

He might be the most low-profile top scorer in Maple Leaf County’s history; even many outside counties have no idea who the top scorer is, and even local students are somewhat confused.

However.

This situation is exactly what Baiyu wanted to see.

Extraordinary talent, eventually, will be taught a harsh lesson by society.

September 1st.

Celestial South Martial Arts University starts.

Baiyu arrived at Zenith City through the whirlpool gate of Linjiang Shelter. This county city of Maple Leaf, one of the most prosperous in the south!