Chapter 61

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Chapter 61: The Blood-Stained Stones

As the carriage crested a small hill after another ten minutes of travel, the landscape suddenly unfurled before them, revealing a scene that took Chaoyang by surprise. The area was more than just a viewpoint; it was a bustling hub of activity, complete with a viewing platform, souvenir shops, a cafeteria, and even an inn.

Chaoyang couldn’t help but compare it to the highway rest stops on Earth—compact yet equipped with all the necessities for weary travelersBut unlike the mundane rest areas he was familiar with, this place teemed with life. Hundreds of people moved about, the largest crowds gathering at the photo zone on the viewing platform and around the souvenir shops.

“Now I understand why everyone is willing to cross oceans just to visit here…” Chaoyang murmured to himself, his voice almost lost in the wind.

If Huangshan’s sea of clouds gave one the sensation of being immersed in a celestial realm, as if walking amidst the very clouds themselves, then this place offered a starkly different, yet equally breathtaking, spectacle. A towering wall of fog rose from the slope, splitting the small hillside in half. At its closest point, it was less than ten meters away from the rest area. Standing at the top of the hill felt like teetering on the brink of the world, one step away from plunging into an abyss.

The sheer magnitude of the scene overwhelmed the senses. In every direction, gray-white walls of fog pressed in, reminding anyone who looked of their own insignificance. Such a sight, if it existed on Earth, would undoubtedly draw the attention of social media influencers and becoming a hotspot causing a surge in tourism a hundredfold.

“Let’s go check out the shops nearby,” Zhu Di suggested.

Chaoyang nodded. As they walked over, he noticed a small group already descending from the summit and cautiously inching closer to the edge of the fog wall.

“My dear travelers, although the fog is indeed terrifying, there exist treasures capable of dispersing it and illuminating your path ahead—that treasure is the moonstone I hold here!” The merchant at the counter called out enthusiastically, waving a stone back and forth in his hand.

To Chaoyang’s eyes, it looked unimpressive—just a dull, blue-black rock. It lacked the vibrant brilliance of jewels or the smooth luster of jade. The stone was plain, almost disappointingly so.

Yet the price was quite steep—ten seryls for a piece no larger than a thumb.

Despite this, there were still many willing to pay. After all, they had crossed the ocean to reach the new continent, spending an additional ten silvers wasn’t considered significant for these individuals.

“If you wish to venture deeper into the interior… then these items are essential,” Dunn whispered as he leaned closer to Chaoyang. “Of course, I wouldn’t recommend buying raw moonstones directly. Instead, purchase forged spirit lamps within the city. They offer much better value that way.”

Chaoyang had no intention of buying moonstones. Instead, he seized the opportunity to approach the counter, feigning interest as he examined the displayed samples. In just a few moments,, he mentally replicated their design blueprint.

Suddenly, a loud voice cut through the murmur of the crowd. “Ladies and gentlemen! Please do not purchase moonstones! Each stone in your hands is soaked with blood!”

The marketplace fell into an uneasy silence. People exchanged confused glances, searching for the source of the voice.

“What’s she saying?”

“Bloodstained… Is it true?”

Chaoyang followed the direction of the crowd’s gaze and spotted the speaker—a young woman with striking long orange hair that curled at the ends, the kind of fashion style which trended among the affluent. Despite her youthful age, she had an impressive figure, standing nearly six feet tall, which made her stand out among the women like a crane amongst chickens.

“Every word I say is the truth! she continued, her voice carrying across the gathering. She pointed a finger at the merchant behind the counter. “These men go on expeditions across the seas to hunt wild Nepheids. It’s because the islands where Nepheids live often contain abundant blue corals, which, once dried and crushed, become moonstones you are buying! It could be legitimate trade, but let me tell you how they operate: they burn, kill, and plunder. They feed the bodies dead Nepheids to fish, while the living one are sold into slavery!”

“The issue is that Nepheids are the only one who know how to locate blue coral reefs. Cooperation would be a better choice, so why do these people resort to plundering instead? It’s because by subjugating the Nepheids and solidifying their status as slaves, this gang can conveniently monopolize the raw material trade and even make extra profits from slave trading! They’ve been doing this for nearly two hundred years! If not blood, what else could possibly stain those stones?”

The crowd erupted into a murmur, voices overlapping in animated discussion.

Sensing the shift in atmosphere, the merchant quickly intervened, his tone edged with desperation. “Miss… Are you perhaps mistaken? I’m just a humble souvenir seller; I’ve never raided anything, let alone at sea…”

The woman’s eyes narrowed, her voice cutting through the noise like a blade. “That’s right, the ones conducting raids are Schneck & Will Shipping Company, while you’re merely a parasite living off the company. There may be differences between you, but they’re minimal!”

Realizing his defense was futile, the merchant’s demeanor changed. His gaze flickered with cunning as he took another approach. “Could it be that Miss feels sympathy for wild Nepheids? Remember, they interbreed with merfolk and sea monsters. Letting them roam the seas freely would essentially create a breeding ground for pirates. Do you really want to align yourself with such beings?”

The woman’s frown deepened, but she held her ground. “I’m not sympathizing with them! These people have their own language and culture, at least making them far safer than members of cults. Moreover, they could help accelerate the development of the new continent. Their status should be reconsidered, not eradicated! What I oppose is how these shipping companies, in their greed for monopolistic profits, are willing to slaughter the Nepheids, limit the production of moonstones, all just to inflate the price of these stones you hold!”

The merchant chuckled, his smile slick and practiced. “Miss, may I ask which provision in the kingdom’s newly enacted slavery law prohibits treating wild Nepheids as slaves? In fact, if I recall this law was introduced precisely to restrict the use of slaves, wasn’t it? Since there’s no mention of Nepheids, isn’t your accusation of slave trading rather frivolous? Besides, assimilated Nepheids live across the continent, and even they haven’t protested. So why should you concern yourself?”

His words immediately elicited several agreeing voices.

“That’s right, what’s wrong with using wild ones as slaves? We’re short on manpower overseas anyway.”

“I certainly don’t want to sympathize with pirates!”

“Have you seen a Nepheid before? How do they even look?”

“They do seem somewhat like sea monsters…”

At the mention of Nepheid appearance, several women let out exaggerated gasps, as if the mere thought sent shivers down their spines.

Are Nepheids that peculiar? Chaoyang, however, recalled his own encounter with a Nepheid. Aside from their tanned skin and the intricate markings that adorned their bodies, they weren’t all that different from humans in the Glorious Fortress. If it weren’t for the many scars marring their skin, they might even be considered quite attractive.

“It’s because the laws are outdated…” The woman’s voice softened, losing some of its earlier fire. “But that’s precisely what the shipping companies rely on. By delaying the exploration of the new continent, they jeopardize the kingdom’s safety—all to protect their profits. This fact cannot be disputed!”

“Miss, you’re exaggerating too much,” the merchant countered, pressing his advantage. “These Nepheids fill crucial gaps in the mines. Without them, who would extract the multicrystals? You may not realize how harsh the conditions there are; ordinary people certainly wouldn’t volunteer. Only slaves or criminals would be forced to work in such places. These minerals are essential raw materials for wondrous constructs, and mining must never cease. We all now benefit from the conveniences these wondrous constructs provide. Are you really suggesting we shut down the mines and halt all progress?”

“I think he’s right!” one of the young men in the crowd chimed in, his voice filled with certainty.

“Indeed, the kingdom’s rapid development is inseparable from wondrous constructs. This young lady probably failed to grasp their relative importance.”

“Who is this miss?” others began to whisper among themselves, speculating on her identity.

“No idea. Judging by her clothes, she’s probably nouveau riche, but she’s clearly not skilled in debate,” someone remarked dismissively.

The woman’s gaze toward the merchant grew colder, her eyes narrowing into slits of fury.

“Young lady, let it go… It’s not worth it…” A middle-aged man, dressed as a butler, hurriedly stepped forward, positioning himself partially between her and the merchant as if to shield her from further confrontation.

“So this is what a street-side debate oration look like? I’ve never witnessed it before.” Zhu Di’s eyes sparkled with curiosity, intrigued by the unfolding scene.

“Huh?” Chaoyang raised an eyebrow in surprise.

“Debate oration,” Zhu Di explained, her enthusiasm palpable. “It’s where someone publicly presents their viewpoint to attract an audience, hoping to promote their ideas and maybe even find like-minded people. Scholars from the old continent believed that truth could be uncovered through debate, so they often held these events in parks, streets, and stations. Eventually, it spread among the nobility as well.”

“People actually do this?” Chaoyang was astounded; it seemed tailor-made for social extroverts. It seems being part of the upper class certainly didn’t appear easy.

“Indeed, and I’d bet this will definitely make it to the local newspapers. Street debates are quite rare within Glorious Fortress.”

“Well then, let’s give her a hand.”

“Huh?”

Before Zhu Di could react, Chaoyang raised his hand, his voice cutting through the growing tension. “I have a differing viewpoint!”