On the table lay a single piece of cloth—
Rou Guang Silk.
Jun looked at it for a moment before speaking.
"This fabric is cheaper than fine silk," he said calmly. "But the problem isn't the price."
He raised his gaze toward the court.
"To produce fine silk, it already costs us around four silver coins per bundle. Our profit is barely one silver."
A slight pause.
"And when we turn it into garments… ten pieces per bundle sell for six to seven silver coins at best."
The room remained silent.
Jun tapped the table lightly.
"But this…"
He touched the Rou Guang Silk.
"If we purchase it at three silver coins…"
"…we can sell it at six or even seven."
The implication was obvious.
Higher profit.
Lower production cost.
Greater control.
---
Before anyone could respond, Dongfang Ming spoke.
"And what guarantee do we have?"
His tone carried a hint of doubt.
"That this silk was actually created by that merchant?"
"And even if it was… how do we know he hasn't already made deals with other empires?"
The hall grew tense.
---
After a brief pause, Ling Ge stepped forward.
"With Your Majesty's permission," he said.
Jun nodded.
Ling Ge continued,
"Prince Ming raises a valid concern."
"This silk has never been seen before. Its quality is high, and the price… is unusually low."
He folded his hands behind his back.
"In my opinion, we should investigate its origin before making a decision."
---
Jun didn't hesitate.
"Approved."
Immediately, orders were issued.
Messengers were dispatched to three major intelligence networks:
Grey Jade Pavilion
Wu Ying Beggar Sect
Wu Sheng Hall
Each was tasked with gathering information on Rou Guang Silk.
---
Two hours later, the results arrived.
The three leaders stood before the court.
Their conclusions were identical.
"This type of silk has never appeared in any known market."
"No records exist."
"No similar production method has been reported."
"And at this cost…"
The leader hesitated slightly.
"…it should be impossible."
---
A faint smile appeared on Jun's face.
That answer was enough.
---
But Ming wasn't satisfied.
"Then we should negotiate," he said quickly.
"Push the price down. One silver. Maybe two."
However, this time—
Jun shook his head.
"No."
The answer was firm.
"If we push too far, we risk losing the deal entirely."
"This is not a small advantage."
"It's a turning point."
---
The hall fell silent again.
One by one, the ministers nodded.
Approval was given.
The decision was made.
---
The Deal
Soon after, Li Tian was summoned.
He entered the hall calmly, as if he had already anticipated the outcome.
Jun looked at him directly.
"We accept your terms."
Li Tian nodded slightly.
"As expected."
---
But before the meeting could conclude, Li Tian took out another box.
"This," he said, placing it on the table, "is a gift."
Jun raised an eyebrow.
"A gift?"
The box was opened.
Inside lay a piece of fabric—
Golden.
Light.
Almost unreal in texture.
The moment it was revealed, the entire hall fell silent.
Even the master craftsmen stepped closer involuntarily.
Jun picked it up slowly.
"…This isn't mulberry silk."
His voice carried a hint of disbelief.
Mulberry silk was considered the highest luxury across the world.
Yet this fabric…
Surpassed it.
Li Tian spoke calmly,
"It's spider silk."
"I created it."
A pause.
"But it's not for sale."
"This is a gift—from the Li family to the Emperor of Blaze Continent."
---
Jun didn't speak for several seconds.
His expression had completely changed.
This wasn't just impressive.
This was… extraordinary.
---
Before anyone could fully process it, Li Tian brought out one more item.
A plain-looking white fabric.
Soft.
Light.
Simple.
Jun frowned slightly.
"This is… cotton?"
Li Tian nodded.
"Yes."
Jun looked at it again, carefully this time.
His eyes widened slightly.
"…Refined?"
"Correct."
---
"Price?" Jun asked immediately.
"Eight thousand copper coins per bundle."
---
The entire court reacted.
Shock spread instantly.
Such quality—
At that price?
It was unheard of.
Common people could actually afford it.
And nobles…
Wouldn't reject it either.
---
Without hesitation, Jun spoke.
"We accept this as well."
He looked at Li Tian with a new level of seriousness.
"First order—one gold block each."
"Rou Guang Silk and cotton."
---
Li Tian gave a slight nod.
"Pleasure doing business."
---
Red Flower Garden
That evening, Li Tian walked through the Red Flower Garden.
The atmosphere was calm.
Peaceful.
A complete contrast to the intensity of the court.
As he moved along the path—
He noticed a familiar figure.
A girl in a robe.
Sitting quietly.
Eating local street food without any concern for appearance.
Li Tian stopped.
Then walked closer.
He took out something from his sleeve.
A hairpin.
The same one she had dropped earlier.
---
He held it out.
"You dropped this."
The girl looked up.
For a moment, her eyes widened slightly.
Then she quickly took the hairpin.
"…Thank you."
Her voice was soft.
Almost hurried.
Before Li Tian could say anything else—
She turned and ran.
---
Li Tian watched her leave.
Then his gaze narrowed slightly.
Her eyes.
Red.
The same as Dongfang Jun.
And beneath her robe—
For just a moment—
He had noticed the fabric.
Spider silk.
---
Two possibilities formed in his mind.
"She's either part of the imperial family…"
"…or directly connected to them."
---
He didn't pursue it further.
Not yet.
---
Departure
The next morning, Li Tian prepared to leave.
The deal was complete.
The foundation had been set.
Without delay, he began his journey back toward the Azure Flame Continent.
---
Behind him, Blaze Continent continued as usual.
But beneath the surface—
A shift had already begun.
One that would soon spread across continents.
---
To be continued…