WALKER OF THE WORLDS

2708  Losing Business

The beautiful woman looked up as she heard her attendant's words.

"A query?" Lady Kang's face showed a flicker of interest. "About what?" she asked.

"There are people looking into Lord Lin Mu's identity, background, and whereabouts," the attendant replied.

"Something tells me this isn't being done with good intentions," Lady Kang remarked, her expression turning cold.

"It's not," the attendant confirmed. "They seem to be investigating aggressively, and there are also bounty notices associated with it. We followed your standing orders and discovered that they are trying to hunt down Lord Lin Mu."

"Hah… inviting their own doom," Lady Kang scoffed. "Tell me more."

"As per your instructions to keep an ear out for any information regarding Lord Lin Mu and track his movements, we uncovered this while monitoring inquiries. The first signs appeared about two weeks ago, initially limited to the Jui World. However, it seems that they failed to gather anything substantial, so they expanded their search.

They have contacted several information brokers across the Rust Sky World, Three Aster World, and other nearby worlds. We intercepted this and ensured that no information was relayed back to them."

"Good. We can't allow anything to reach their hands," Lady Kang stated. "What prompted them to do this?"

"It appears that Lord Lin Mu has encountered some trouble," the attendant replied.

"Trouble?" Lady Kang smirked. "More like trouble has come looking for him."

"Indeed. He seems to have gotten into a conflict with a local sect in the Jui World—the River Bending Axe Sect. He appears to have harmed a few of their members," the attendant explained.

"Haha," Lady Kang let out a light chuckle, "he wouldn't have done that without reason. A mere third-rate sect dares to think they can go after Lin Mu? They're courting death." Her amusement quickly faded into a stern frown.

"What are your orders, my lady?" the attendant asked. "I can dispatch our operatives from nearby worlds and engage our subsidiary allies immediately."

"Hmm… For now, initiate an embargo against the River Bending Axe Sect and all their associates. Isolate every intelligence broker and organization that is requesting information on Lin Mu. The priority level will be rank two," Lady Kang instructed.

"Understood. It shall be done," the attendant responded promptly.

"Also…" Lady Kang continued after a moment's thought, "seize all business consignments linked to the River Bending Axe Sect and their affiliates. Inform all our partners and associates, from the most influential down to the smallest traders. I don't care if it's a street hawker selling their wares—any and all business with them must cease immediately."

"As you wish, my lady," the attendant said. "Should I also initiate a rank three trade blockade against them?"

"That's a good idea. Do it," Lady Kang agreed without hesitation.

"I'll send the orders at once," the attendant assured her.

Lady Kang leaned back in her chair, her sharp gaze darkening. "Remember, I want them to regret even considering this."

"Of course," the attendant responded with a knowing smile before bowing and exiting the chamber.

With the attendant gone, Lady Kang sat alone in the dimly lit room, her expression unreadable.

"To think trouble would come for you so soon. Let me give you some time to breathe," she murmured before picking up a brush and beginning to write a strongly worded letter.

The repercussions were swift.

Just one day later, the River Bending Axe Sect began to feel the weight of their actions.

In the grand hall of the sect, tension filled the air. The Patriarch, along with several high-ranking elders, had convened in an emergency meeting.

"They did what!?" The Patriarch's voice thundered across the chamber.

"Patriarch," an elder spoke hesitantly, "the Green Steel Merchants, the Arda Merchants, and the Dardel Merchants have all sent letters of termination."

"How!? WHY!?" the Patriarch demanded, his hands clenched into fists.

"They claim we have violated our trade agreements by sending them adulterated goods, including alchemical pills and herbs," the elder explained grimly.

"IMPOSSIBLE!" One of the high elders stood up abruptly. "I personally inspected every consignment before dispatch!"

"Are you certain, Alchemy Head?" another high elder questioned, eyes narrowing with suspicion.

"Of course I am!" the alchemist snapped, his face flushing with anger. "I've been doing this for ten thousand years. I would never allow anything impure to leave our stores. My honor as an alchemist would not permit it!"

"Enough!" The Patriarch slammed his palm onto the table, sending a powerful shockwave through the room. "I want this investigated immediately!"

"Understood, Patriarch," the elder acknowledged. He turned to leave, but before he could take a step, his communication jade slip vibrated.

He held it in his hand, and as he listened, his face paled.

"P-Patriarch…" the elder stammered, gulping in fear. "I'm afraid I have even worse news."

"What now!?" the Patriarch snapped.

"The Oak Sea Sect, Steel Mountain Sect, Luolao Sect, and ten other sects have sent official complaints demanding compensation," the elder reported, his voice shaky.

"Why!?" The elders exchanged confused looks.

"They claim we have defaulted on our shipments and failed to deliver them. They demand reparations as per our trade contracts," the elder elaborated.

"That's impossible! Those shipments left over a month ago! They should have arrived!" another high elder protested.

"They never did… and third-party logistics teams have confirmed this," the elder continued. "The complaints have already been verified and notarized by the Trade Division of the Immortal Court."

THUD! THUD! THUD!

Several elders collapsed into their chairs in shock. Even the Patriarch seemed momentarily stunned before his jaw tightened in fury.

"The Immortal Court has already notarized this? How is that possible…?" he muttered, trying to make sense of the situation.

But before he could gather his thoughts, another elder's communication jade vibrated.

The moment he read the message, his face went deathly pale.

"P-Patriarch…" he croaked. "All information brokers and intelligence organizations have severed ties with us. They refuse to conduct any further business and are returning our deposits."

Silence fell over the hall.

The River Bending Axe Sect was collapsing, and they had no idea how to stop it.

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