TPWBI Chapter 130

As representatives of the Spark Tribe and currently its highest leaders, Yang Yi and Hei Lie received the highest level of hospitality upon their arrival in the royal city.

After meeting the new king, the two were escorted by attendants to the most luxurious guest chamber within this magnificent palace.

The palace was enormous. It took them quite some time to walk from the grand hall to their quarters, during which they also learned more about the palace from the attendants’ chatter.

Including attendants, guards, and other personnel, three to four thousand people were living within the palace. It is more than enough to house a vast number of residents.

Every corner displayed the royal family’s extravagance, a testament to the tremendous effort and care put into its construction.

Just to complete this palace in such a short time, hundreds or perhaps even more laborers had died. Only through such a heavy cost had such a grand, opulent structure been built.

While recounting this, the attendants showed no sense of guilt or discomfort. Instead, they spoke proudly, as though it were something glorious.

They wanted Yang Yi and Hei Lie, these two leaders from the most prosperous and powerful tribe of the Eastern Continent, to see how exceptional their palace was.

As Yang Yi listened, he sighed inwardly. Watching the livestock wandering freely through the corridors, a complex mix of emotions welled up within him.

“After all that effort building such a palace, can’t they at least maintain it properly?!”

From the attendants’ words, they also learned that this palace wasn’t where the king and queen stayed all the time. When the palace became too filthy and foul-smelling, they would simply move to another one.

Only after this place was thoroughly cleaned would they move back in.

“These people really don’t mind the trouble, huh? Why can’t they just build a proper toilet?”

When Yang Yi first heard about it, he merely sighed in disbelief.

But when he entered his own room and finished admiring its lavish, exquisite décor, a sudden realization struck him.

“There’s no toilet here! What are we supposed to do these next few days?!”

Hei Lie chuckled calmly. “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”

“…”

Yang Yi frowned deeply. “That’s not funny.”

This was worse than being out in the wilderness! To relieve himself inside a house, he couldn’t do that even if his life depended on it!

At least for the small stuff, he could maybe sneak to a corner. That was something he’d done as a mischievous kid.

But for the big one? He’d lose his mind. At his age, even if no one cursed him for it, he still couldn’t bring himself to do something like that!

Especially in such a beautiful palace on Earth, you’d probably have to pay an outrageous amount just to enter for a tour, let alone stay here.

Doing that kind of thing in a place like this… what a terrible waste!

Hei Lie stopped teasing him and said calmly, “Find something to use as a chamber pot. For the big one, just head outside and use it as fertilizer for the plants.”

There was really no better solution. Yang Yi felt thoroughly depressed. Whatever novelty or excitement he’d felt for this place had all but vanished.

“Looks like we’ll never have to worry about selling our incense products,” he muttered.

The Spark Tribe’s range of goods had grown broader and broader. Unlike before, when most projects were personally led by Yang Yi, now many members were learning and researching on their own initiative.

After so many years, the tribe had cultivated a growing number of talented people.

Once they completed their basic education, they could freely read books in the library and pursue self-study based on their interests.

Yang Yi had purchased a large number of specialized books from the marketplace. Although learning without a teacher was difficult, as long as one was willing to study hard and think things through, it was still possible to master the knowledge.

As the tribe continued to prosper, opportunities for individual growth within it expanded as well.

Unlike in the past, when everyone had to do whatever task was assigned to them for the sake of the tribe’s survival, now people had the freedom to pursue their own paths while still contributing to its progress.

The study of incense had actually begun as a spontaneous initiative among some members of the tribe, mainly led by a beastman with a dog-type talent.

The right kind of fragrance could lift people’s moods. This person had a particularly keen sense of smell and a fondness for all sorts of floral scents. Knowing that the Western Continent had the finest aromas, he decided to start researching them.

Now, they had already developed several types of incense with stable fragrances to suit different preferences and needs. Some fresh and light, others rich and strong.

The Western Continent had always been fond of essential oils, largely because of their pleasant aromas.

Yang Yi had heard about this before. But seeing it firsthand now, he realized the truth. It was mainly to mask their own body odors.

People here weren’t as bad as those in the Middle Ages, who, due to religious reasons, could go through life barely bathing a few times. But they certainly weren’t as clean or frequent in their washing habits as the Spark Tribe members.

Just like most people from the Eastern Continent, they didn’t consider regular bathing a necessity.

However, many on the Eastern Continent didn’t mind such things. They still lived in a rather “primitive” state. Even so, thanks to the growing influence of the Spark Tribe, more and more tribes had begun to care about hygiene, becoming far cleaner than before.

The people of the Western Continent clearly displayed a distinction of class. The nobles, wanting to set themselves apart from commoners, were far more particular about their appearance and could not tolerate any unpleasant odor on their bodies.

Yet, because of their lifestyle habits, they didn’t bathe often. So they preferred to rely on “external means” instead.

“This place really does need incense,” Hei Lie agreed. He was used to roaming the wilds, where such things could easily be endured.

But that didn’t mean he had no sense of refinement. After coming to the Western Continent, he found himself feeling an even deeper fondness for his own tribe.

Their main purpose in attending the coronation ceremony, aside from sightseeing, was also to promote the Spark Tribe’s products.

With the tribe’s population now quite large, relying solely on farming could no longer sustain everyone’s basic needs. They had to expand into processing and commerce if they wanted the tribe to truly escape poverty.

“If only we could open a shop in this city,” Yang Yi said wistfully.

After exploring the royal city today, he noticed that its commerce was thriving. The business districts were filled with all kinds of shops offering a great variety of goods.

Having their own storefront would mean a stable place to sell directly to consumers, rather than through middlemen. It would earn them more profit. It is a much steadier way than relying on trading caravans ever could.

“They’ll agree to it,” Hei Lie said with certainty.

Yang Yi raised an eyebrow. “Oh? What are you planning?”

The Spark Tribe’s port city had special shops available for lease to outsiders. But no one from the Eastern Continent had ever opened a store on the Western Continent before.

Their trading caravans had only begun venturing deep inland in the past couple of years. Before that, they could only do business along the continent’s outer edges.

“Our products are our greatest bargaining chip,” Hei Lie said. “The people of the Western Continent have long been eyeing Morri’s City. Our strength is the reason behind their interest.”

Though Yang Yi constantly complained about how filthy this place was and how it didn’t even have proper toilets, he couldn’t deny that the construction here was impressive.

The beds were wonderfully soft, faintly scented, and incredibly comfortable to sleep on.

When he woke the next morning and looked around at the beautifully decorated room, it lifted his spirits.

It was something the Spark Tribe’s more practical architecture couldn’t compare to. Each had its own strengths and weaknesses.

“You even had our cooks make food?” Yang Yi said when he noticed the dishes being brought in. “You didn’t have to go through the trouble. We could’ve just followed local customs. Their food isn’t bad.”

One glance told him the food had been prepared by their own tribe.

The local fare here wasn’t nearly as diverse as what they had in the Spark Tribe. It was mostly bread, steak, or roasted lamb, and the like.

The cooking here had grown much richer under the influence of the Spark Tribe’s seasonings. The flavors were actually quite good.

For Yang Yi, it was something new and refreshing.

“It actually wasn’t something I arranged on purpose,” Hei Lie explained. “The master of this castle wanted to try the Spark Tribe’s cuisine, so I had our chefs prepare a few dishes.”

Since their own cooks had already started cooking, they might as well enjoy food with flavors they were familiar with.

They had been traveling constantly and hadn’t had a proper, satisfying meal in a long time.

The Spark Tribe’s cuisine had been mentioned several times on the Western Continent, especially since the trade caravans had brought over various seasonings that could make food far more delicious. Some people remembered those flavors.

But the two continents were far apart. That distance had kept the Western Continent’s culinary traditions largely unaffected. In fact, many people either didn’t know or didn’t believe what they’d heard.

After all, most still stubbornly clung to the old image of Eastern Continent folk as primitive, blood-eating savages. Even while they used goods brought back from the Spark Tribe every day, they continued to hold fast to their own prejudices.

Yang Yi chuckled. “They won’t get too attached to our chefs to let them leave, will they?”

As it turned out, his guess was spot-on. When the new king and queen of the Western Continent tasted the dishes prepared by the Spark Tribe’s cooks, they were utterly astonished. Even though they had already heard of the tribe’s culinary reputation, the real thing still far exceeded their expectations.

So there really was food this delicious in the world!

The Spark Tribe often traded with the Western Continent, so they were already quite familiar with local tastes.

Thus, the chefs had prepared dishes that were popular among Westerners, flavors perfectly suited to their preferences. There was no clash of taste, allowing everyone to accept the food easily and even become completely enamored by it.

“Divine Envoy, I hope your chefs can assist with the banquet for the coronation ceremony!” the new king declared decisively.

Yang Yi had no objection. “Alright.”

The new king hadn’t expected that Yang Yi, unlike the others he usually dealt with, would respond so directly and simply.

“I truly love the food your chefs prepared,” the king said earnestly. “I can’t remember the last time I’ve eaten with such joy. If possible, I’d like them to stay. I’m willing to trade anything in exchange.”

Yang Yi neither agreed nor refused. He simply said, “That depends on the chefs’ own wishes. They’re free individuals.”

Both the new king and queen were taken aback. But then, recalling the Spark Tribe’s well-known principles, they quickly understood.

“If the chefs are willing, then they may stay?” the king confirmed.

“Yes,” Yang Yi replied. “But even if they stay, they’ll still be members of the Spark Tribe. You must treat them well. Otherwise, we’ll take them back, no matter what.”

When the chef was summoned and heard the king’s question, he refused without even a moment’s hesitation.

“We can promise you better treatment—servants of your own, and great wealth,” the new king of the Western Continent tempted him.

But the chef’s attitude remained firm and composed. He showed no fear or servility, even before a Western king.

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I prefer the Spark Tribe. That’s my home.”

The new king felt a twinge of regret, yet at the same time, this confirmed what he’d heard about the Spark Tribe.

It truly was an extraordinary tribe, one without slaves or class distinctions, where the only differences lay in one’s duties.

Though many tribes on the Eastern Continent shared similar practices, the people of the West had never paid much attention to that. They had always looked down on the East and thus never cared to understand it.

But the Spark Tribe was different. It possessed strength equal to their own. That made them worthy of being regarded as equals.

“Our chefs may not stay,” Hei Lie spoke up at just the right moment, “but their cooking skills can.”

The new king brightened instantly. “I knew the Spark Tribe would be generous!”

At that, Hei Lie gave a faint smile, one that looked rather sly no matter how you saw it. “As long as you agree to one request of ours.”

The new king immediately tensed, though his expression remained composed. His tone, however, grew noticeably more guarded.

“What is it?” the king asked.

Hei Lie then revealed his intention to open a shop in the royal city dedicated to selling the Spark Tribe’s products.

“Our store will fully abide by the city’s laws and pay all required taxes,” he said.

The new king exhaled in relief. He had been considering the very same idea himself.

Though he was the king, in reality, each city lord ruled independently and was not directly under the royal city’s command.

It was only because the royal city was powerful that the others remained somewhat constrained by it.

Over the years, however, the former king’s isolationist policies and his indifference toward the Eastern Continent, especially his disregard for relations with the Spark Tribe, had greatly weakened the royal city’s strength.

The new king was well aware of this. Unfortunately, his father had been too old and stubborn to listen to reason, leaving him no choice but to watch helplessly as other cities grew rich.

To obtain goods from the Spark Tribe, they had to pay exorbitant prices. Sometimes, they still couldn’t secure any stock at all.

For the people of the royal city, who had always prided themselves on their unmatched wealth, this was a deep humiliation.

Thus, from the very moment he ascended the throne, the new king had resolved to change this situation. It was why he had so eagerly invited the Spark Tribe’s Divine Envoy and chieftain to attend his coronation ceremony.

He had originally thought they would only send a few high-ranking officials as representatives. He never expected that the Divine Envoy and the chieftain themselves would actually come!

Now that Hei Lie had taken the initiative to request permission to open a store in the royal city and sell the Spark Tribe’s products directly there, the new king couldn’t have been happier. He welcomed them with open arms.

Maintaining a composed expression, the new king said, “I can agree to your request so long as you’re willing to accept our conditions.”

Both sides began negotiating on the spot, going back and forth over the terms.

In the end, they reached an agreement: the Spark Tribe would be allowed to open a shop in the royal city. The store premises would be provided by the royal family itself, with a guarantee that it would never be reclaimed, and their safety in the royal city would also be ensured.

The taxes would be the same as those paid by other city merchants. It was already an extremely generous concession.

There were, of course, conditions. No matter what new products the Spark Tribe developed, the royal city had to be the first to receive them. Only after one month could those goods be sold to people outside the royal city or to the rest of the Western Continent.

Furthermore, they had to ensure a sufficient supply for the royal city at all times.

“The new king wants to reestablish the royal city as the Western Continent’s central trading hub,” Yang Yi said as he looked over the signed agreement that day.

The royal city’s geographical location was indeed excellent. It was one of the key reasons it had become the royal capital in the first place.

It was located at the very heart of the Western Continent’s many city-states, rich in resources and protected by surrounding mountain ranges that made it difficult to invade.

In the past, it had always been the political, cultural, and economic center of the Western Continent. But because of the old king’s conservatism and the enormous profits brought by trade with the Eastern Continent, other cities grew increasingly wealthy and powerful. They even acquired many strong Eastern slaves, while the royal city’s influence gradually weakened in comparison.

Especially after the rise of the Spark Tribe, the royal city, which had no dealings with them, saw its economic standing decline even further, losing all the advantages it once held.

“If they can’t reclaim that position, the city’s massive population pressure will eventually cause it to collapse,” Yang Yi said.

The royal city was magnificently built, but the lives of its people were harsh and miserable.

When they passed through some nearby villages, they saw that the commoners there lived almost no better than slaves. Only that they were technically free.

In fact, some lived even worse than slaves. Slaves, at least, were guaranteed food, while the poor within the city struggled to find even the most basic means to survive.

With the population growing too large and no sufficient industries to sustain it, as more people poured in every day, life in the city had become increasingly difficult.

If not for the deep foundations laid by the royal city’s past prosperity, its social order might have already collapsed.

Yang Yi fell silent in thought for a long while before finally saying:

“Actually, we don’t need to transport every product all the way from the Spark Tribe to sell here. We could open factories directly in this city and hire local workers. As long as we keep control of the core technology, production costs would drop significantly.”

“Mm, I was thinking the same thing,” Hei Lie said. “We could also start farming here, rent some land, and hire local workers. That way, it’d be easier for people to accept us.”

The immense population of the royal city had placed enormous pressure on its society, giving rise to all sorts of problems.

The crime rate had been increasing year by year, largely because so many people couldn’t find work to support themselves. To survive, they were forced to break the law or even sell themselves into slavery.

No matter how harsh the laws became, they couldn’t stop such incidents from happening again and again.

“Still, we don’t really know what kind of person this new king is,” Hei Lie added. “There’s no need to rush. Let’s open the shop first, see how he acts, and then decide our next move.”

Yang Yi agreed. It was something they needed to handle with care, especially since they were operating on someone else’s territory.

They’d never had dealings with the royal city before, so they knew nothing of how its rulers conducted themselves.

For now, it might actually be wiser to work with one of the other major cities they’d already been trading with, rather than placing their trust here too soon.

Even so, Yang Yi and Hei Lie didn’t hide their intentions. In fact, they deliberately spread word of it far and wide.

They only said they were looking for a suitable location somewhere on the Western Continent. No specific site had been decided yet.

At the coronation banquet, representatives from many cities learned about Yang Yi and Hei Lie and quickly extended offers to them.

Morri’s City’s rapid growth was, to a great extent, due to it being the main distribution hub for the Spark Tribe’s products. With its advantageous port, it controlled the flow of goods.

If the Spark Tribe were to establish a workshop in another city, it would present that city with an incredible opportunity for development.

The shrewder delegates immediately sensed the potential benefits and became very eager to win their favor.

Seeing this, the other cities followed suit, each hoping the Spark Tribe would build their factory in their own territory. They no longer fixated on their old fears of the tribe’s “encroachment” and instead focused on the tangible profits right in front of them.

The new king soon caught wind of all this and quickly reached out to Yang Yi and Hei Lie, offering extremely generous terms to attract them.

“I swear upon my soul and the crown on my head,” the new king declared, “that our desire to cooperate with you is sincere. Let the gods themselves bear witness.”

His tone was both earnest and urgent. He was clearly afraid that Yang Yi and Hei Lie might refuse, especially since the royal city’s past relations with the Spark Tribe were far less developed than those of other city-states.

Yang Yi and Hei Lie still didn’t give a direct answer. They intended to follow their original plan. To observe first and decide later.

After all, once a decision was made, the initial groundwork would consume a great deal of money and energy. If anything went wrong, it would become a serious problem.

“This region is a coal mining area,” the new king said. “The quality of the coal is excellent. If you agree to cooperate, I can grant you a five-year mining right.”

It was a hefty bait to throw out.

Yang Yi and Hei Lie exchanged a glance. In recent years, their consumption of coal has been extremely high. Though their current mines still had plenty left, enough for at least another twenty years, only having one coal deposit was far from sufficient.

As their development continued, their demand for resources would only keep increasing. They needed more.

This time, Yang Yi and Hei Lie didn’t refuse. Yang Yi decided on the spot: “Alright, deal!”

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