TYMIMA Chapter 85

The Tasman envoy’s arrival caught everyone off guard, but the major guilds still arrived at the VIP lounge as agreed.

 

Over a hundred people instantly filled the lounge, with those without chairs having to stand.

 

Lance kept a low profile by the window, standing at the back of the crowd, listening to the various guilds’ chatter.

 

“I thought Tasman officials would board on bidding day. Didn’t expect it so soon—we haven’t even left Federation jurisdiction yet.”

 

“What do you think the envoy wants to see us about today? Everyone knows the bidding process. Is Tasman playing new tricks this year?”

 

“Who knows? I remember previous years, Tasman’s external procurement was always handled by Minister Chen Mingbi. That person had high standards and a stubborn temper, but was upright.”

 

“But I heard Chen Mingbi is already dead.”

 

“Huh? He was only thirty—impossible, right?”

 

“He died during the king’s disappearance period. They say years of overwork caused cardiac arrest—sudden death.”

 

“So tragic, in his prime. Hope they treat his family well.”

 

“Quite the opposite. I heard when the king returned, he severely criticized Chen Mingbi in front of everyone, saying his limited abilities and poor skills got him killed by such little work, even bringing shame to national institutions. So not only did the king not compensate his family, he expelled them from Tasman to fend for themselves.”

 

“Tsk… The king going this far is excessive. Isn’t he afraid of chilling his old subordinates’ hearts?”

 

“Who knows? Tasman people all say the king changed completely after disappearing for a year, like he was possessed. Everything he does is heartbreaking.”

 

“Mate, there’s no news outside—how do you know so much?”

 

“My wife is Tasman. She’s straightforward and led condemnation of the king, so she was expelled from the country.”

 

…

 

Lance heard the general gist of various guilds’ gossip. Indeed, everyone had true and false speculations about Tasman.

 

Tasman Pirate Nation was very special—most citizens lived in the deep sea. Without knowledgeable guides, outsiders could hardly find their exact location.

 

This led to Federation media reports on Tasman being basically delayed or even absent.

 

Therefore, even Lance knew very little about Tasman Pirate Nation.

 

High Tower Guild and Ghost Eye Guild were positioned some distance apart. Dream Witch sat bored on the sofa, playing with her nails. She first looked back at Zhan Pingchuan, who’d supposedly fallen into the sea, then at Lance by the window with wet red hair.

 

Dream Witch was even more speechless. Grown adults playing Titanic here.

 

After waiting about half an hour, just as everyone was getting impatient, a staff member finally ran in to announce: “Everyone, Minister Gudeshao has arrived!”

 

The noise died down. Soon, an Alpha in a suit walked through the bronze-gold doors.

 

He wasn’t tall—only about 1.6 meters, very rare for an Alpha. But simultaneously, his weight far exceeded the Alpha average.

 

Due to the mismatched proportions, even in a custom-tailored suit, he still appeared bloated and corpulent.

 

But more tragically, his fat willfully concentrated in his upper body, making his legs extremely thin like two wobbling chopsticks, while his belly was round, chest thick, and face wide and swollen with three or four layers of fat piled on his chin.

 

His eyes were like two acute triangular holes—called holes not because he lacked eyeballs, but because excess fat squeezed on his eyelids, forcibly pushing them out half a centimeter, burying his eyelids and lashes inside. At first glance, his eyeballs seemed deeply sunken.

 

Lance studied this person and found himself unable to describe his appearance.

 

Gudeshao had become so fat he was deformed. His features had long lost their original contours, yet he still arrogantly lifted his chin, pointing his round, bulging face toward the ceiling.

 

“Thank you all for taking time from your busy schedules to come to Phobos Bay. I represent Prince Selarl in greeting everyone.”

 

Probably because he was so fat, his voice was rough and heavy, sounding as unwelcome as his appearance.

 

The people around Lance began whispering again—

 

“Prince Selarl? Why not the king?”

 

“They haven’t married yet. Tasman’s current ruler is still King Sandro. Isn’t this envoy afraid of being disrespectful?”

 

“Maybe the king doesn’t mind. Maybe he and Selarl are in harmony and truly plan to rule Tasman together.”

 

“Then he should have said greetings from both of them. From his tone, the king seems unimportant now.”

 

…

 

Gudeshao clasped his hands behind his back, surveying the surroundings with a smug smile: “You may not know me well. I’m Gudeshao, Tasman Pirate Nation’s Finance Minister. My predecessor died in the line of duty due to insufficient capability. From now on, all commercial dealings with the guilds will be my responsibility.”

 

“I came early today mainly to let you all get familiar with me. My working style is simple—I love making friends. I trust my friends completely and enjoy doing business with them. But to become my friend requires passing certain tests.”

 

He deliberately paused here, using those two triangular holes to stare at the small guilds present.

 

“I know that based on past habits, everyone thinks this contract will likely go to a top guild. Here, I can clearly tell you—I don’t agree with Chen Mingbi’s methods!”

 

“I believe Federation’s small guilds have equal potential. Your presence on the Manxing Sea today already proves your strength. Now you need to demonstrate your determination.”

 

These words were like a meteorite crashing into a calm lake, suddenly stirring up waves.

 

A strange atmosphere spread through the lounge. Small guild members exchanged glances, seeing ambition in each other’s eyes.

 

They lowered their voices to discuss among themselves, with hints of excitement but more uncertainty in their tones.

 

“Do I understand correctly?”

 

“Heh, the bidding hasn’t even started and the envoy shows his face first. He’ll be on the same ship with us for three days—what do you think he’s waiting for?”

 

“Tsk, is he really waiting for bribes? Has Tasman become so corrupt they’d dare tamper with the king’s wedding?”

 

“He’s hinting, not saying it outright. What evidence could you catch?”

 

“Should our guild try? Forget the profits—if we could beat Ghost Eye Guild and High Tower Guild to win the contract, our guild’s reputation would be made.”

 

“Shh, let’s discuss this back in our room.”

 

…

 

After speaking, Gudeshao watched the small guilds whispering throughout the hall and smiled with satisfaction.

 

Gudeshao remembered Selarl personally saying that regarding the king, he could indulge him but must keep him on a leash.

 

He could satisfy the king’s willful demands but would never give him the very best.

 

He agreed to use a palace full of red parrot stones as betrothal gifts, but that didn’t mean he’d squander his fortune like a lapdog.

 

He wanted the king to know that his favor must be earned through obedience, his tenderness reserved only for compliant Omegas.

 

Using red parrot stones to decorate the palace was the king’s proposal. In Gudeshao’s eyes, this was the king deliberately making things difficult for Prince Selarl—a sign of disobedience.

 

But Prince Selarl was indeed wise. He didn’t refuse the king’s demand but used this bidding to damage the king’s cooperative relationships with major top guilds, giving these top guilds a warning to recognize reality—from now on, Tasman’s business would be Prince Selarl’s decision.

 

Gudeshao’s gaze wandered around the lounge and suddenly caught sight of Lance leaning by the window.

 

Lance’s hair had been dried by the wind, sunset falling on his reddish-brown hair tips as if his entire being was glowing.

 

His skin was snow-white, lips moist, nose bridge supporting silver-rimmed glasses, eyelashes slowly blinking behind the lenses—he looked particularly pure.

 

Gudeshao quickly judged that this Omega was in his most beautiful years, like an untainted flower.

 

He was Selarl’s most loyal dog, but his greatest flaw was lusting after beauty.

 

At this moment, Selarl’s instructions drifted away from Gudeshao’s mind, filled instead with desire for this fresh Omega.

 

Gudeshao’s gaze became increasingly meaningful. He brazenly admired Lance’s face and figure, developing restless thoughts.

 

Lance wore Ghost Eye Guild’s insignia. Seeing this, Gudeshao’s heart stirred and he changed his tone: “Of course, top guilds still have great advantages in competition. I just don’t want you to be too proud. I can say clearly that your future cooperation with Tasman will be more difficult than before. I hope you’ll make more effort.”

 

Gudeshao emphasized the word ‘effort.’

 

Lance felt Gudeshao’s offensive gaze. He casually adjusted his collar, fingers brushing over the sleeping Moth Rong Weng.

 

The world never lacked blind fools, but they weren’t worth anger—just kill them.

 

Of course, his desire to kill Gudeshao wasn’t just because the man was lustful, but because he heard from Gudeshao’s tone that Tasman Pirate Nation didn’t seem to want either Ghost Eye or High Tower to win this contract.

 

He’d been wrong from the start. Their opponent wasn’t Ghost Eye Guild, but Tasman’s internal regime change warning—a new official’s first show of force.

 

This wedding was destined to be a power transfer, not a grand blessing.

 

That Prince Selarl wanted all Federation top guilds to see that he had the power to choose not the best, but the obedient—this was Tasman’s new future order.

 

Lance didn’t care whether the king was love-brained or forced into this, whether red parrot crystal ore had deeper meaning. Now that orca wanted to use them as tools for intimidation—rather overestimating himself.

 

Since he didn’t want to play by the rules, he should exit the game entirely.

 

Lance was insignificant to most people in the lounge, but held extraordinary meaning for High Tower Guild and Ghost Eye Guild.

 

So when Lance had this thought, people from both guilds coincidentally shared the same idea.

 

Zhan Pingchuan’s eyes darkened as he slowly flexed his fingers, knuckles making soft popping sounds, silver light flickering at his fingertips.

 

From Gudeshao’s first words, he realized Tasman Pirate Nation was performing sword dance with ulterior motives.

 

Red parrot crystal ore’s output and quality were secondary—only attitude mattered.

 

Was that orca short-sighted, choosing a corrupt official as Finance Minister?

 

No, he was reestablishing rules.

 

Everyone was smart. After this unprecedented willfulness, all would understand the king’s era had passed—now this person ruled Tasman.

 

This person could be unreasonable, incompetent, but it was established fact. All top guilds must assess the situation and reestablish cooperative relationships with him.

 

Zhan Pingchuan didn’t like being schemed against, especially disliked Selarl treating Ghost Eye Guild as a tool for flexing.

 

He was already murderous.

 

But then Gudeshao set his sights on his little fox.

 

In that instant, all of Zhan Pingchuan’s thoughts, considerations, logic, and rationality vanished completely.

 

He nearly let his S-level pheromones surge out in rage.

 

What class of fat fish dared covet his baby—did he have his brain in his crotch?!

 

He’d just been thinking of breaking the neck and being done with it, but now he had to cut him into pieces and throw them in the sea to feed sharks!

 

Dream Witch leaned against the sofa, chin propped up, her seductive eyes growing colder. If one looked carefully, they’d see her nails had already pierced the leather armrest.

 

If not for the inappropriate setting, her fingers would have already dug into Gudeshao’s eye sockets, gouging out those covetous eyes.

 

Abaddon clenched his shot-put-sized fists, secretly gathering his strength. Lily maintained an innocent loli face while pulling a black hairpin from her blue braids, tongue lightly licking the sharpest part.

 

Ghost Eye Guild was no less ready—

 

Wu Peng and Fulunla had already begun flexing their muscles, grinding their teeth.

 

Damn it, our eldest young master hasn’t even married yet and you want to intercept?!

 

Mudeli still wore a peaceful smile, though he’d adjusted his glasses twice, a cold glint flashing across the frame’s edge.

 

Adrian was most composed. He hadn’t even changed his standing posture, only closing his eyes as if making some kind of resolution, taking a deep breath.

 

Gudeshao suggestively stroked his chin while looking at Lance: “I’m staying in suite 1901 on the nineteenth floor. If any of you have questions, feel free to ask me. Of course, for questions, it’s better to find some young people who understand thoroughly.”

 

After this pointed remark, Gudeshao clasped his hands behind his back, stuck out his belly, and left smugly.

 

Fulunla sneered: “He’s hinting at who should visit him.”

 

Wu Peng said with certainty: “He doesn’t want to live.”

 

Mudeli held two fingers to his lips, mimicking smoking, then exhaled softly: “Walls have ears—keep it down.”

 

The small guilds also caught the meaning. Behind Gudeshao’s back, they couldn’t help mocking—

 

“Heh, what questions—he’s hinting for us to name our price.”

 

“Really getting ahead of himself. Wonder why the king let him replace Chen Mingbi.”

 

“Didn’t you hear him say he represents Prince Selarl? This one’s probably connected—the king’s giving benefits to his in-laws.”

 

“Either way, at least we have a chance to compete with top guilds, right?”

 

“But he’s disrupting the market. We can’t let him do whatever he wants just because we can’t compete with top guilds.”

 

“I don’t care about disrupting markets—in business, profit is the hard truth.”

 

…

 

The other five top guilds didn’t join the discussion.

 

Their faces were grim, caught in dilemma.

 

Having them pay bribes to this wine-bag rice-sack made them feel humiliated, but if this person would be Tasman’s Finance Minister from now on, would they never earn this money again?

 

Whether to pay big money to buy off Gudeshao became their greatest concern.

 

As sunset fell, the Manxing Sea finally set sail.

 

With a long, low horn, the bow cut through the sea surface toward the deep ocean. On deck, lights lit up one by one, casting a peaceful halo around the ship’s hull.

 

Like the calm before the storm.

 

##

---

 

 (advanced chapters available on kofi)