Rise of The Demon General-Chapter 418. Meeting the Mistress

"The Mistress of Information?" Amon uttered with amusement. "With that kind of a title, I believe she will be useful to us. That is, if she lives up to her title."

Huang San brought Amon to an elite business district. All the stores and restaurants here catered to the people of high standing. They arrived before a large store that sold luxury cloths. Huang San entered the store and went directly to the back of the room. He approached someone manning a counter.

"Have my order from Sunlit Mill arrive?" He asked the person.

"They have, but it is not of good quality," The man behind the counter replied.

"Well, I must see it myself," Huang San replied.

The man made a silent chuckle. He opened the door next to his counter and said, "Don’t say I don’t warn you."

"Code words?" Amon asked as they entered the door.

"I never understood why people with secrets love code words," Huang San responded.

Passing through the door, the two found that the inside was dark.

"Damnit. I also could never understand why they like to give their place such a shady vibe," Huang San complained.

"Come on. This room only leads one way," Amon said. He grabbed Huang San and led the way.

"You can see in this dark? Did you consume a cat-eye pill when I’m not looking?" Huang San asked.

Amon didn’t bother explaining. His eyes now had the natural ability to see in the dark. When he passed into the next room, there were dim lights from candles. So, Huang San could see his way. This next room had several exits. When Amon was about to ask Huang San which way to go, he heard a loud female voice.

"Don’t ever let me see your face in this place again!"

Promptly, someone was thrown out from one of the exits. This someone fell miserably on the floor. He quickly stood back up and scurried out with a weird expression. Huang San and Amon watched the guy leave pathetically before heading to the exit he was thrown out of.

"I was told by your doorman that you are not in good quality, uh, I mean, not in good mood. I see he is not kidding," Huang San said as he entered.

The room they came into was small. There was only one table with one person sitting behind it. Amon knew this person. She was Zong Hua, the leader of the Astute Faction two generations before Amon. She was the senior leader when Amon was still in the Freshman Class. She was smoking a tobacco pipe with an unusually long mouthpiece.

"Prince Huang San, it is a surprise to meet you again," Zong Hua greeted. "Hm... You look fresh. The report I got from you is that you always look drunk lately."

Huang San chuckled. "Let’s say I have had an awakening," he said while taking a seat opposite Zong Hua.

"Sure, sit down," Zong Hua said with a sarcastic tone.

"This is...," Zong Hua stared at Amon, who sat beside Huang San. She felt like she recognized him but could not truly tell.

She couldn’t be blamed. Amon’s appearance had changed drastically since she last saw him. She graduated from the Royal Academy when Amon entered the Junior Class. Since then, Amon had removed all the hair on his head. He was paler and taller. His eyes were two black orbs. Zong Hua was like seeing a completely different person.

"He is Amon, or maybe you remember him as Lin Mo," Huang San said.

"Lin Mo...? My goodness. I did hear about you showing up in the capital, but I won’t recognize you even if I walk past you in the street," Zong Hua said.

"I could say the same about you," Amon said.

"Do you want to say you can’t recognize me because I am older?" Zong Hua asked.

"You look more mature and wiser," Amon replied.

"So, older. I am not in a good mood, but I will let that slide because I like you."

"Aren’t your clan the famous merchant clan?" Amon asked. "I thought you return to your clan to become a great merchant after graduating."

"I did. Don’t you see the shop outside? It is owned by my clan," Zong Hua replied.

"Except being a merchant is not your true profession," Huang San said.

"No, this shop is just a cover. It still operates the regular trading of goods, and the profits are handed to the clan. I, however, use it as a base for my real operation. Since I graduated from the Royal Academy, I used the connections I’ve built with many young generations from different clans to expand my network. But instead of using the network to trade goods, I used it as a foundation to collect better merchandise."

"Information," Amon said.

Zong Hua smiled. "For the right person, a particular piece of information can be worth a great deal."

"You are doing great. I have seen this expertise in you since I first met you. Hadn’t I told you that?" Huang San said.

"You had, but I know you are not here to reminisce. Okay, out with it. What can I do for you, gentlemen?"

"I am here to reaffirm the promise I made to you years ago," Huang San answered.

"About my position in the court once you become the king?" Zong Hua asked.

Huang San nodded.

"But can you truly become one? You have not exactly made any progress these past few years. You are even worse off than you were when we talked about it at the Royal Academy. I can’t see how you deliver on your promise to wipe out the rebels to get a place in the trial."

"You live up to your title," Amon praised. "That meeting happened just a few hours ago inside the palace."

Zong Hua shrugged. "A big meeting where all the princes, princesses, and high officials from both the civil and military are gathered. Someone like me can’t afford to miss what was discussed there."

"So, are you still interested in that position?" Huang San asked.

"Of course I am. The question is, why do I still have to root for you? When we were at the Royal Academy, I was a newbie with no accomplishments. You are the underdog of the crown. We are both pretty much nobody then, so we have that in common. We make a pledge to work together to achieve something. I think we can both agree it is an understandable arrangement. However, look at it now. I have built an empire of information-collecting networks on my own. I cannot say I am at the top of my game, but I have achieved something. Meanwhile, you are still the underdog of the throne. In other words, I am now a somebody while you are still a nobody."

"Ouch," Huang San uttered. "You are probably the first to call a prince a nobody."

"Anyway, my question is, why do I need to throw myself under your roof when you have so little chance to make it to the throne?" Zong Hua asked.

Before Huang San could answer, Amon spoke first.

"Did any of the big hitters from the palace approach you yet?"

"Well... I’ve sold them some information, if that’s what you are asking," Zong Hua answered.

"But none of them ever offered you any real place in their circle," Amon said.

Zong Hua was silent at the statement.

"Because all you are to them is a nobody, just like you were when you were still at the Royal Academy," Amon said. "You might be an accomplished nobody, but still a nobody in their eyes. You can be useful, but all they are willing to do is pay you for your services. They didn’t want you anywhere near them. We offer you something different. We can give you the respect you yearn for."

"Tough speech," Zong Hua said. "I can see how you built a faction from nothing that beat all the old factions. Still, my question remains. You have too little chance. Why should I involve myself with you? Doing that will make me the enemy of the candidates with better chances. If you lose, and they know I help you. I can bid goodbye to my operation. It will be difficult to flourish when the ruler of this country dislikes you. So, you can see that this is a big risk for me."

"Big reward can only be attained by embracing big risk," Amon said. "Otherwise, this is the best you will achieve. Selling information in a dark room inside a lowly fabric shop. Is this the extent of the legacy you wish for?"

Zong Hua didn’t answer. She just sat in her chair, staring at the two with contemplative thoughts.

She suddenly thrust her tobacco pipe in Amon’s direction. She was a Beginning Mystic Stage cultivator. The pipe was enhanced by her energy, and it headed straight for Amon’s head.