Kai slowly descended the stairs and shouted:
- Good morning Mistress Shiho! - First of all, according to the rules of propriety, he greeted the older woman.
At this moment, the old lady raised her head and nodded back with a slight smile.
- Oh Brother Kai! Good morning, I've been waiting for you already! Let's hurry up! - It seemed like the fatty was already impatient to get his own place of trade.
- Yeah yeah, let's go, don't rush or you'll stumble, hehehe. - Kai patted him on the back as he passed by and walked forward.
- Wait, do you know where to go? - Catching up shouted Diso.
As they walked through the city Diso explained a little about the situation around them, he had learned a lot in two weeks.
As the fat man told him, basically all order in the city was controlled by a group of people who were the official structure of the city, they also had their own separate administrative building in the main square near the Tower of the Source. This structure was the Law of Law and Order, it was mainly made up of peak Cultivators and masters in the Cloud Sphere. So they were a rather overwhelming force. They represented the Head of the Border Beast City, and they reported to him specifically, no one else had any influence over them.
These people were the ones who kept the city in order at all times. Therefore, murder, robbery, and other serious crimes were unacceptable within the city walls, and the perpetrator would be instantly killed. Disputable moments were also considered by them according to law and justice, during the whole time of their existence they were never accused of corruption.
Therefore, the city was safe enough, here you could only be threatened by your stupidity, because it would be used by someone.
Also one of the fundamental laws of Border Town, was the sanctity of contracts. Any disputes or conflicts within the city were entered into a contract that was automatically linked to your identity plate. You could even enter into a dispute with the terms of a fight to the death if the other party also agreed to such.
Failure to honor the contract was also punishable by death, so no one took their words lightly in this city. But such rules had their disadvantages, as there were often forces that could provoke you into a stupid argument. Diso also told of cases when a dispute was actually forced.
This could easily be realized by large alliances. It went something like this. They could intimidate loners that when they left the city, they would be met with an accident that would result in death. Law and Order only controlled the city's territory, they were not interested in what happened outside. In fact, the city even encouraged such competition, for it was only in a fiercely competitive environment that true masters were raised, the weak simply became food for the strong.
When a loner was intimidated in such a way, he would be afraid to go out on missions and would eventually be left without means of subsistence. In general, in such a case, there were only a few options. Either to accept the dispute and losing to give what they want from you, or to join another force that will provide you with protection, but on their own terms.
In a nutshell, the weak in this city were having a hard time, in fact, they were becoming as much a resource for the development of the strong as the cultivation rooms.
- I see... Every system has its pros and cons, but for some reason it seems like this system is a win-win for the strong. Hehehe, it seems the Border Beast City is deliberately cultivating strong people in this way.'' - Said Kai.
- Yes brother, you're right. It's easier for traders here, since it's against the law to hinder trade. But that only applies to those who have their own trading post, otherwise you can also be enslaved and start working for someone else for a pittance... - Diso said thoughtfully.
- Fatty, what do I need to know about our victim? - Kai asked calmly, changing the subject.
- Hmm, I think the oldest of the brothers will be involved in the dispute. He's at the peak of Cultivator, many people underestimate him because they think he's a merchant who got to this level by buying elixirs and stimulants... But the truth is that he's a really strong master. - Diso calmly explained.
- What about his techniques and weapons? - Asked Kai.
- I haven't seen him fight since we were arguing over item identification. I got the name of the artifact wrong on purpose and he won, the merchants here have slightly different methods of conflict resolution... - Diso said.
- But I hear he wields a broad saber. I'm not sure about his techniques, but from the description they're probably related to the wind attribute. Think you can handle it? - Turning his gaze to Kai, the fat man asked.
- You've done your part, now rely on me. If he's strong that's even better, I can't wait to put my increased strength to the test in a good fight. - Kai said with a wicked grin.
It seemed that he was already looking forward to this fight and really hoped that it would not be an easy one.
Kai wanted to assess the limits of his powers at the moment if possible, he needed a strong opponent for that. It would also be good to understand what his new energy, which had gotten its own attribute, was capable of...
Thinking about it, they came to a rather busy area, which also had a small square plaza with a large fountain in the center. There were crowds of passersby walking around, and one could tell from them that they weren't newbies or aspiring beggar masters, this was definitely a fairly wealthy area of the city. A great place to trade!
This was where they were heading, this was the trading point of the brothers that Diso had purposely lost the four energy stones to.
- Brother Kai, here they are. What's the plan? - Pointing with his gaze said Diso.
- Play the capricious fool who incredibly believes in his older brother's uniqueness. - Calmly said Kai.
- Accepted. - Giggling Diso replied.
- Well fatty, let's go get you a trading post! Hehehe. - After saying that, Kai made a very pompous and proud face, pompously stepping towards the counter.
- Hey! Did you hurt my little brother?! Do you even know who I am!!! - Kai shouted loudly
Hearing this the two brothers turned around in surprise, but seeing Diso and the guy with five rhombuses on his chest beside him, they started to smirk.
- Ooh, so this is the fatty who thinks he's a good merchant? And who's that dairyman beside you, your brother? Hahah! - The older of the brothers said provokingly.
Each of them was dressed in military uniforms. One had four rhombuses, while the other had three.
"Fourth and third rank, not bad..." - Kai thought and as if insulted began to shout back.
- How dare you behave like this with me, I'll tear you to pieces! - Shouted Kai.
- Really, you? Don't make me laugh boy. Hahah! - Laughed the older of the brothers.
- And you want to bet clown? - Kai said provokingly.
- Boy, aren't you afraid of losing your tongue for saying such loud words? - Angrily replied the boy. He didn't like the fact that some youngster dared to insult him.
- Why should I be afraid of a worm like you? I'd bet with you, but I'm afraid you wouldn't be able to bear the weight of my wager. Hahaha! - Kai continued to provoke.