The story's first abduction attempt!

Logistics. That's all what matters in a war. You may know yourself and know the enemy but without good logistics you will still loose in the end. How do you secure good logistics? By planning in advance. By securing what has yet to come. By using the concept of 'speculation'.

Of course there is no Wall Street here especially with no street names used at all. So how can one speculate without stocks? Simple, by buying the harvest of the next twenty years. Wang Wei even has the law on his side by putting everything on paper and approved by the Judgement Hall. 'Law don't protect stupid people'. He may have been mocked for overpaying and buying something that has yet to exist but sooner they will regret leaving him the monopoly over their products of primary necessity. He has now a secure supply of raw materials for a long duration. Assets is what's really important not liquidity.

But what's the point of forbidding the sale of the pills to the most richest family? That's stupid considering that there's the targeted customers for those pills. How can one pass upon this opportunity? No one can. So what's the solution? Actually it's pretty simple : black market. If one can 'relatively' control the influx, one can profit largely from it. Depriving the powerful families from those resources will ultimately lead to an open conflict but having them have access to it overpriced in the black market will delay the inevitable clash. Hopefully it will delay it long enough that using some underhanded tactics would no longer be necessary.

This is after all a barbaric world where strength represents power and overwhelming strength can get all tactics and schemes meaningless.

It had already been 2 weeks since the start of this economic war and after his lecture Wang Wei was too busy to attend class. There is supposed to be a one week vacation in two more weeks. During this vacation Chen Linjian would lead his expedition toward the Ancient Orchid City Ruins.

Wang Wei had to verify those informations because they weren't in accordance to what was mentioned in the story. The test of strength and soul power was after 6 months of the story's supposed start, not 2 months. Don't even start with people's cultivation rank. Shen Hong is supposed to be at the Black Gold peak's Rank while Ye Zong was still at 4 stars. Why was there so many differences from the original story? Wang Wei isn't completely sure about it but he is slowly figuring out the 'truth'.

So, Chen Linjian must be stopped. The treasures that he could bring can alleviate the economic pressure that Wang Wei has put on the Divine family and he cannot afford to let it happen and the solution is really simple : get everything before the others.

The thought of monopolizing all the treasures for himself got his blood boil. God, was he turning into a materialistic bastard? No that shouldn't be the case, he is very rich, probably the richest in the city but he don't care. Having his first million was nice, his tenth was great but after it was just a number. In Glory City money was just ... money. That's why it was 'easy' to disrupt the market. It didn't have any real value but it's a different story in the Draconic Ruins Realm. There, their currency was a cultivation's resource and has value in itself. Wang Wei still found the use of spiritual stone as currency stupid but it's still better than Demon Spirit Coins. They should have used real demon spirits as currency, that would have been more logical.

The problem wasn't getting to the ruins, he has a map that he commissioned from the warrior and spiritualist associations although they needed a lesson about using a scale. His generosity was once again wasted with the introduction of the metric system not being fully appreciated.

The problem wasn't the beasts either. He could decimate an army of black gold beasts with the scrolls in his possession and unfortunately he didn't had ingredients for more powerful ones.

The problem was who to take on with him in this trip. Wang Wei never was and never will be a lone wolf and adventures are the perfect opportunity for bonding and sharing memories. Those kind of adventures must be done in a small group so that it can be as intimate as possible. He can only bring one person with him to maximize his chances but who?

Yang Xin is the most busy with what's going on and her disappearing for a few days can lead to a bad outcome in this war.

Shen Xiu was giving lectures and can't miss them.

Huyan Lanruo was Chen Linjian's friend and since she probably know about the expedition, don't want her in a tricky position where she would have to pick a side. He couldn't be picked over her long time friend, not yet.

Xiao Xue was an absolute NO. She may be very pretty but she had the only 'true' love story in TDG. Too bad that in the story it was kind of one-sided true love, Lu Piao never seeming invested or caring in Wang Wei's opinion. That was the reason why Wang Wei was 'taking care' of Lu Piao, he hoped to let their love story blossom and if it didn't he has 2 shovels that can be really practical.

There were only two remaining candidates. What about the others stars shining like diamonds in the sky? They may be gorgeous but they have no personality and probably no soul, they were the inflatable dolls of this world.

Wang Wei's choice finally was made on Ziyun. They were pretty friendly and he was laying off the road for a future possible romantic relationship. She may have said that she loved him but who is she kidding?

Can one really fall in love at 12? Wang Wei wasn't convinced by it. Did she really loved him? Probably. It may be love but that wasn't true love. It was more of a love for someone like a friend or family but not the one Wang Wei was aiming for. He was already stuck in the 'little brother zone' with so many people and was still trying to get out of it, he didn't need another jailor.

He was now waiting stealthily for the class's end before the institute. He was warring the most 10 powerful families and being discrete wouldn't harm. He even discarded his 'evil costume' turned now 'work costume'. A 'grown' man hiding and waiting to speak privately with a little girl, if there was a closed door nearby he would probably be nervous.

His victim soon made her appearance but she wasn't alone. She was accompanied by her friend, Wang Wei's other futur victim.

Two people seem to follow them. Wang Wei couldn't help being disappointed. This is truly a barbaric world where two boys are tailing and stalking the girls. Have they no shame?

Ziyun was now alone. As alone as one can be while being followed by 2 shameless boys, her guarding detail and Wang Wei. Everything went fast as the guard pounced on 2 boys that had appeared by now trying to get a word with the girl but got stopped and Wang Wei who saved heroically the damsel in distress and led her to safety far away from them to an empty alley.

'' Hello Ziyun, you seem to have many admirers. ''

'' You scared me WeiWei. I thought I was being abducted. ''

'' Who said you aren't? "

And there was the usual feet stomp.

'' You're a coward, you wouldn't dare. ''

'' How can a coward declare war on all the powerful families?"

'' I mean it in the way that you won't be able to assume and take responsibility if you decide to abduct me. You're a coward when it comes to relationships. ''

'' Someone has once again got some advices from her precious auntie!"

Ziyun was shocked. This was one of her deepest secrets. Her meetings and long talks with Xue Yin were even a secret to her father who wants her to turn to her second mother if she ever needs help. Wang Wei continued.

'' I am part of the Inscription Association's. Did you never suspect where your dear aunt heard stories like 'Little Red Riding Hood' from? I have a pretty good relationship with her. Even if we couldn't meet due to sad circumstances I still got a way to get updates on you while supplying short stories through your aunt. ''

This made all doubts vanish in Ziyun's heart. She pounced on Wang Wei and initiated for her first time a bone crushing hug. She met Wang Wei shortly after loosing her mother. That loss left a deep scar and his appearance and interactions healed it until it was just a small mark. She would never burden him by telling that him abandoning her after his parent's loss made the scar even bigger. She always unconsciously blamed him for it even when understanding his reasons and now knowing that he didn't really did it, that he still cared and still helped by providing those stories made her feelings grew. She always suspected the origin of her aunt's stories but she just assumed that Wang Wei published them, she didn't dare to hope that it was only meant for her like Wang Wei had done in the past refusing to recount his stories when there was a third party present. He would tell his story when they were alone. Not completely alone since Ning'er was always present but that's not pertinent. He always cared for her, he always did and it seems it never stopped.

'' Can we start kissing now? "

" WeiWei!!! Who do you take me for? It would take you a lot of achievements to have a chance with me. ''

'' Ziyun, you shouldn't take love advices from your aunt. A person having a loveless marriage and life can't advice others. ''

'' So how do you know what love is? Are you in love? Is it Ning'er? Why is it her? "

'' Ziyun, calm down. What I am saying is for your own good. What you're feeling now isn't love. You think that this is love now but one day you will wake up one day and realize it was something else and you will blame yourself and me for it. We are still young, you can still figure out what you feel for me in due time. ''

'' We only have one year before... ''

'' We have all the time. Do you really think I would let one of my most important person be sold off to maintain peace and a status quo between families? This city will burn to ashes before happening so take your time. For example what do you think about those 2 boys that were about to abduct you? "

" Shen Yue and Nie Li? They're annoying! How can they have the face to proclaim that I will 'fall' for them? How can they be sure that I will end up loving them? They are only a bunch of stalkers that think with the little amount of money and knowledge they have can impress me. ''

'' I confirm. One needs a tremendous amount of both to get your heart.''

Ziyun stood up, breaking the hug and kicked him in the stomach.

'' Don't get too full of yourself WeiWei, I may fall to the charms of another man. ''

'' It's all about charm then, too bad I'm ugly. ''

'' You're not, stop saying that. Your face is just ... a little malefic and devilish. But it's totally not ugly at all!!! "

'' Can you say 'I fell in love with the devil and now I am in trouble'?"

" Is this a song? You promised to share a few with me. ''

'' How about a deal? I plan to go on an adventure and I need company. You payement will be 1 song for the way to and 1 for the way back, 2 beautiful songs in exchange for a few days of adventure, isn't that a fair price? "

" 10 songs! "

'' 2.''

'' 8.''

'' 1.''

'' No please WeiWei. How about 3? Don't you love the number 3?"

'' I prefer 24 now but you got your 3 songs. We'll meet in a week before class. Don't forget to bring extra clothes and all 'female' products that you may need. Most importantly, keep it a secret.''

'' Ok! I can't wait. My first outing. Just the two of us. Thanks for the opportunity. ''

'' Thank you for accompanying me. It would have been boring alone. Goodbye Ziyun, see you in a week. ''

'' Take care WeiWei, see you soon and be lenient on my father's. ''

'' Can't promise, see you. ''