Chapter 675: The Original Intention Behind the Founding of the Eastern Trade Guild

Chapter 675: The Original Intention Behind the Founding of the Eastern Trade Guild

Ernest stubbed out his cigarette and laid out the long-buried truth to Larry: "Seventy or eighty years ago, when the Federation was first established, everything was in ruins. Infrastructure was nearly nonexistent, people's livelihoods were devastated, and the lower classes could barely keep food on the table. The first King, 'Watson,' founded the Eastern Trade Guild at that time with two core goals in mind."

"First, to rein in the supernatural Martial practitioners — the four ancient powerful families chief among them — and stop high-level combatants from meddling in civilian governance. Through the Eastern Trade Guild, 'Watson' brought these old clans fully into the fold, using massive financial incentives to get them to sign a foundational agreement pledging non-interference in civil affairs."

"Second, to drive concentrated, accelerated development through capital operations and push the Federation's modernization forward across the board."

"The four great families and various Martial practitioner factions entered mainstream society and put down roots in Aurora Citadel. Over the following decades, the Federation's economy grew exponentially, while the supernatural Martial practitioners — led by the four ancient families — naturally came to monopolize the Federation's economic lifelines."

"But this system touched too many interests and tangled up the power structure beyond all reason. Beyond the core families, it pulled in countless middle-class clans and high-ranking officials. To keep things stable, Chairman 'Watson' spent decades making concession after concession to these families and officials — turning a blind eye to anything that didn't cross a hard line. Over time, it became the deeply entrenched web of shared interests it is today — pull one thread and the whole thing moves."

After hearing all this, Larry finally had a clear picture of the underlying power dynamics in Aurora Citadel.

"And that includes your own stake in it?" Larry looked Ernest straight in the eye.

Ernest glanced at him. "What exactly do you mean by that?"

Larry kept his tone flat. "I just came from interrogating Brad in the maximum security detention block. He gave me some inside information about BlueTech Corporation's technology. He warned me that going after the Ward family would threaten the interests of countless powerful players — including the King."

Ernest's expression turned grave, and he fell into silence.

Larry didn't push. He waited.

After a long pause, Ernest let out a deep sigh. "If this cancer is left to grow, the Federation will eventually collapse into chaos with no end in sight. To cut it out at the root, I've been working to break the deadlock. This isn't just about clearing out these overgrown supernatural Martial practitioners — it's about bringing the Federation's economic sovereignty back under state control."

"So you've been working with Brad behind the scenes?" Larry pressed.

"I wouldn't call it working together." Ernest clarified. "I've had my own pieces in play for a long time — quietly building up my own core group of financial backers. Over the years, my capital network has been deeply intertwined with the major ancient families, playing along while keeping its distance."

"Are your real intentions actually as noble as you make them sound?" Larry's gaze sharpened — he was clearly keeping his guard up. "How do I know you're not trying to tear down the Eastern Trade Guild entirely, dismantle the monopoly empire 'Watson' spent a century building, and then set up a new one of your own — with yourself as the hidden hand pulling all the strings?"

"Absolutely not." Ernest said quickly. "Larry, I've never wanted that. I only want to break apart this twisted monopoly network and give the Federation a genuinely clean future."

Larry said nothing and gave no indication of where he stood.

As far as he could see, what Ernest was doing now was no different from what 'Watson' had done a century ago. He'd just come along at the wrong time and was facing far greater resistance. The biggest obstacles in his path were the very things 'Watson' had left behind — the Eastern Trade Guild and the four deeply entrenched families. Without those giants in the way, he might well have already pulled off what the Federation's founder once did.

"I'll settle this myself." Larry stood up and walked out.

Stepping out of the palace, Larry's expression was dark and his mind was heavy. The situation was far more dangerous than he'd expected. He wasn't just dealing with Marc from the "Gu raising" lineage — he also had 'Watson' to contend with, and even Ernest himself could very likely become an enemy down the road. For now, though, the King was still his ally in name, because Ernest desperately needed him as a blade to cut through the old order and clear the way for a new one.

A sharp alert from his comm broke his train of thought.

Larry glanced at the screen — an encrypted call from Frank. He picked up immediately. "You have something?"

"Yes, boss. Found it."

"Good. I'm heading back now. We'll talk in person." Larry ended the call and turned to the soldier driving. "Back to base, full speed."

"Yes, sir!" The soldier floored it, and the military vehicle roared forward. Larry leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes.

Walking into the command office, Frank immediately handed over the latest intelligence. "Boss, based on satellite data and ground-level informants, there was indeed an unidentified group that attempted to capture Melanie and her mother roughly two months ago. Fortunately, Melanie was highly alert — she seemed to sense the danger ahead of time and slipped away with her mother before they could close the net."

Larry's voice was low and direct. "Where are they now?"

Frank's expression was grim. "According to our global tracking network, she initially fled to a small border town in Western Europe. But not long ago, her safe house was compromised, and both she and her mother were forcibly taken. We're still working to identify who's behind it and pinpoint where they're being held."

Larry's eyes sharpened. He thought for a moment, then asked, "What about her stepfather, Eugene? Any trace of him?"

"Nothing yet. After BlueTech Corporation went under, Eugene cut off all ties completely. Multiple unknown factions are hunting for him, but he's vanished without a trace — no data trail whatsoever."

"Understood." Larry gave a small nod.

Frank asked steadily, "Boss, what's the next move?"

Larry weighed it briefly, then said with certainty, "I'll activate our overseas assets first for a covert joint search. If it comes to it, I'll go to Western Europe myself."

The core algorithm Eugene held was the key to unraveling everything, and Melanie mattered even more. As the daughter of a fallen comrade, Larry would not allow anything to happen to her. If the power struggle in Aurora Citadel weren't at such a critical point right now, he would have already been on a plane to Western Europe.

He picked up his encrypted terminal and contacted his elite overseas intelligence network, "Dragon Palace," first. He gave its director, Lyra, a cold, direct order: "Activate every overseas asset we have. Find Melanie's location as fast as possible — whatever it takes."

Then he called Alden, the head of the underground network "Shadow Syndicate," and pulled in the underworld's eyes for a coordinated global search.

Once the string of cross-border directives was done, Larry set down the terminal. He checked the time — he'd been running between the major families and the royal palace all day, and it was already past three in the afternoon. He hadn't eaten a thing.

"Frank, I'm guessing you haven't eaten either. Come on, let's go grab something."

Frank gave a tired smile. "Just sorting through all that cross-border data was enough to drive anyone crazy. I've been slammed — food was the last thing on my mind."

"Doesn't matter. Let's eat first." Larry stood up, threw an arm around Frank's shoulder, and headed for the door. "By the way — how are things going with you and Amelia? When are you going to make it official?"

Frank looked a little awkward. "No rush. Let's get through this mess first."

"Fair enough. The situation's too unstable right now anyway — no way the base would approve your leave. Wait until the Federation's general election wraps up in the second half of the year and the new King is in office. Then you can marry her properly." Larry gave him a pat on the shoulder.

Frank hesitated, then looked over. "Boss, what about you and Chloe...?"

Larry smiled easily. "Stable enough."

The two of them walked out of the base together, shoulders close. They found a street-side restaurant in Aurora Citadel's old district.

A few drinks in, Larry's terminal buzzed again. Abigail's name was on the screen — she was letting him know she'd arrived in Aurora Citadel.

"I'll send you Chloe's current address. Head straight there — I'll wrap up here and meet you soon." Larry ended the call and forwarded the navigation coordinates for the secluded courtyard house Chloe had bought.

"Boss, if something urgent comes up, go ahead and leave early," Frank said.

Larry gave a small wave and raised his glass. "Nothing's so urgent it can't wait until after a meal. Drink up."

"Alright, bottoms up!" Frank laughed and clinked his glass against Larry's.