It's not that foreign races don't possess unique skills, but their techniques lack the diversity of the human race. Even more so, humans are adept at blending different techniques together to create novel and incredible inventions—something most non-human races never bother to explore.
Most foreign races either lack the mindset or simply don't have the means to pursue such things. In chaotic times, survival is everything—who has the luxury of researching innovations when life itself is at stake?
That is precisely the human race's greatest advantage.
The demand among non-human races for human-made goods gives true value to the establishment of trade markets. Humans covet the treasures held by the foreign races, while those races are obsessed with human craftsmanship. This mutual attraction makes trade feasible. Once proposed, such an idea was immediately met with widespread enthusiasm from the foreign tribes.
At the same time, a network of teleportation arrays was established beyond the Iron-Blood Great Wall. Even tribes outside the Great Yi's borders could use these arrays to travel to Nameless City and participate in the trade market, then leave the same way. Every possible factor for enabling the mutual market had been considered in advance.
"By imperial decree, Heshen is appointed as the Lord of Nameless City, entrusted with full authority over the opening and management of the mutual trade market."
This declaration caused an uproar across the Great Yi Dynasty.
"Heshen? That Heshen? The infamous corrupt official from history? You're appointing him to oversee a massive trade hub? That's like throwing a rat into a rice jar!"
Many citizens wailed in disbelief.
It was obvious to all that the mutual market would become a hub of unimaginable wealth. With daily commercial activity on an astronomical scale, if Heshen ever felt the urge to embezzle again, he could easily skim fortunes off the top without anyone noticing. In the realm of corruption, his skills were practically divine.
People couldn't believe what they were hearing. Was the emperor truly appointing the greatest known corrupt official to manage the most lucrative trade center?
"What is His Majesty thinking? Is he trying to test how far Heshen's greed can go?"
Suspicion spread through the crowd. Those familiar with Heshen's past couldn't fathom why Emperor Yi Tianxing would entrust such a sensitive position to someone like him—unless there was a deeper reason.
Inside the Imperial Palace
Cai Yan chuckled and said to Yi Tianxing, "Husband, I fear many in Great Yi now think you've lost your mind."
Yi Tianxing replied with a calm smile, "Heshen was indeed a great corrupt official—but people can change. And even if his nature remains the same, placing him in charge of Nameless City is, in fact, the most suitable choice. If he can extract profits from the foreign races, that's a skill worth using. So long as the city remains in order, I don't care. That place was always destined to be a realm of half-light and half-shadow. Only someone like Heshen—cunning, experienced, and sly—can maintain control over such a complex domain."
The title of city lord may seem prestigious, but it requires far more than mere status—it demands talent.
Say what you will about Heshen's greed, but none could deny his cunning. You don't rise to such heights without exceptional skill. His talent in reading imperial favor, appeasing superiors, and manipulating people was second to none in history. Who better to manage the volatile and shadowy Nameless (Wuming) City?
And Yi Tianxing had no fear of Heshen overstepping his bounds. What is given, Heshen may use; what is not, he dares not touch. The laws of Great Yi are not to be taken lightly—and there's always room in the Heavenly Prison.
Cai Yan mentioned, "I heard Mao Sui has already reached out to many foreign tribes, some of which are quite exotic. Once the trade market opens, would you like to attend with us?"
Yi Tianxing nodded. "Very well. There's still time before the market opens. But we mustn't grow lax. Cultivation must remain our priority. This world has never known true peace, and the coming disasters will be fierce. Only true strength is our ultimate reliance."
Even after reaching the Law Manifestation Realm, Yi Tianxing continued to train without pause, cultivating the Heavenly Emperor Dragon Manual, refining his Heavenly Emperor Physique, and condensing his Fate Diagram. With the empire's luck and abundant resources, his strength was growing visibly by the day.
The women nodded in agreement. No one dared grow complacent in such dangerous times.
Elsewhere in the Capital
In a small manor, the short and plump Heshen squinted with his beady eyes, a confident and determined smile on his face.
"So the King has finally decided to use me. No matter what, I must carry out this task flawlessly. I'll prove to all of Great Yi that I, Heshen, am not just a greedy official."
Appointed as the Lord of Nameless City, Heshen wasn't sure if it was a test—but it was a long-awaited opportunity. He knew exactly what Nameless City could become: a veritable gold mine, a place that could transform his status in Great Yi.
"If I make Nameless City a fountain of wealth, then my position in this dynasty will soar. Even the King will take note. Only a fool would trade such a future for a few coins. No, if I want to stand beside the King, to make my mark on history—I must use this city as my stepping stone."
Though infamous for corruption, Heshen was a shrewd tactician—a man who knew how the world worked.
Nameless City was currently only open during mutual trade periods. Afterward, it became an empty shell. That was unacceptable to Heshen.
"The city's importance can't be limited to just the mutual market. No—I must propose a new plan to the King."
That very day, he drafted a memorial and sent it directly to the palace.
Yi Tianxing was walking in the imperial gardens with Cai Yan and others when he received the letter. Upon reading it, a faint smile appeared on his lips.
"Now this is interesting. Looks like Heshen really does see Nameless City as his chance to rise."
Cai Yan took the letter and glanced through it, her brows lifting in surprise. "He wants to turn Nameless City into a black market?"
What Is a Black Market?
A black market is a place where illicit or unofficial trades occur. Though not recognized by official powers, it meets real demand. Civilization may divide behavior into right and wrong, into legal and illegal, but demand doesn't disappear just because it's banned—it merely goes underground.
Many things cannot be bought or sold in official markets. But in a black market, no one asks about origins or legality—only about price. It provides anonymity, draws no identity restrictions, and allows trades in everything from intelligence to assassination contracts.
In contrast to the mutual market, which only admits friendly or neutral tribes, a black market would attract even hostile forces. Anyone could come and go, including races with animosity toward humanity. And items of unknown origin and great danger would surely appear there too.
It would be high-risk, high-reward. But it would also generate staggering wealth.
Yao Yue frowned slightly. "His ambition is quite something."
Yi Tianxing remained calm. "It's fine. His proposal has merit. If Nameless City only operates during the mutual market, it's a waste. If it functions as a black market the rest of the time, it could become immensely profitable."
"But dealing with hostile races—wouldn't that be aiding the enemy?" Cai Yan asked.
Yi Tianxing shook his head. "You really think hostile races can't get their hands on these goods anyway? Once a market is open, goods flow. Whether through a middleman or directly, these items will end up with the enemy either way. The real issue is controlling the scale and degree."