Chapter 116 Summer in Blackrock City and a New Card Game Blackrock...

Summer in Blackrock City is insane.

At this time of year, this city on the northern frontier should have been shrouded in the most desolate silence of the year. The streets would be deserted, shops closed, and all living things would huddle in dark corners, barely clinging to life, waiting for the first cool breeze of autumn.

But this year, everything has turned out the other way around.

Far from being desolate, the city has become the most sought-after summer resort in the entire North in an extremely bizarre yet incredibly popular manner.

"Have you heard? The Earl of Gem City has sent his most beloved youngest daughter to Blackrock City, saying that there is a magical spell here called Cool Breeze Barrier, which is even more effective than the water magician he hired at great expense."

"That's not all. My distant cousin who works at the Golden Libra Merchant Guild said that they're now trading north, and they're not going to the capital anymore. They're all scrambling to deliver goods to Blackrock City. It's like gold is everywhere there now; you can make a fortune just by trading anything there."

"The most bizarre one is that Hope No. 1 store. I heard that their menu is different every day. The ladies from the surrounding cities are practically fighting tooth and nail to get a room with a private bathroom in their store."

Every day, ornate carriages bearing the insignia of different families poured into Blackrock City from all directions, braving the scorching sun. Those carriages carried nobles and wealthy merchants who, in their daily lives, were arrogant and disdainful of even glancing at this barren land.

They abandoned their beautiful seaside estate and turned down lavish summer dances, traveling hundreds of miles with their families to this godforsaken place just to enjoy the air conditioning.

That's right, it's just about taking advantage of the air conditioning.

The "Cool Gate" at the entrance of Hope's Store, made of "Walls of Cool Breeze," has become the most magical and desirable legend in the entire Blackrock City and even the upper class of the North.

It is said that as long as you pass through that door, you can instantly go from the scorching hell to the cool paradise.

It is said that the shop not only has "ice stones" that can make people feel cold all over, but also a kind of starlight barley tea that can help people fall asleep peacefully.

It is said that the food there has the magical power to turn the rotten into the miraculous.

These rumors spread rapidly among the aristocratic circles, who were driven to the brink of madness by the sweltering heat.

Thus, Blackrock City, this long-forgotten border town, ushered in its most bustling and bizarre tourist season in history.

"My God...my God...is this...is this really Blackrock City?"

A countess, dressed in a long purple silk gown and fanning herself with a jewel-encrusted feather fan, was stunned by the massive crowd at the entrance of Hope No. 1 store as she stepped off the bumpy carriage.

The spirited civilians lined up orderly in the white-lined passageway, while guards in matching blue vests maintained order. The cement ground in front of the shops was so clean it reflected their figures…

She felt as if she had not arrived in a remote border town, but rather in a grand restaurant in the heart of the royal city.

As she carefully followed her husband through the legendary "Gate of Coolness," enveloped by the refreshing scent of delicate flowers, she couldn't help but let out a satisfied sigh.

“Honey, I feel… I’m in love with this place.”

Meanwhile, another plump woman, adorned with even more jewels, was disdainfully poking at the seemingly ordinary pine nut corn in front of her with a small silver fork.

"This is the best tavern in your Blackrock City?" she complained to the local baron sitting next to her, pouting. "It has some merits, though, being cool enough, but to serve me this kind of coarse grains that country folk eat? Not even a decent piece of roasted dragon meat."

The young baron was terrified and broke out in a cold sweat, repeatedly apologizing.

Just then, a sweet-smiling girl wearing a blue apron walked in gracefully, carrying a ceramic plate covered with a silver lid.

As soon as the silver lid was lifted, an aroma that blended rich meat, mushrooms, and a hint of cream instantly filled the entire private room.

In the center of the plate were several pieces of tenderloin from the finest snow-capped yak and rare white jade mushrooms with a natural milky aroma, all baked together in a thick sauce made from animal milk and starlight wheat flour. The beef was tender and juicy, melting in your mouth, while the white jade mushrooms were smooth and chewy, and the sauce was incredibly flavorful and rich, making it irresistible.

The plump woman took a bite, and her eyes, which had been full of criticism, instantly widened.

"Hmm...hmm...this...this is not bad..." she mumbled indistinctly, but the silver fork in her hand never stopped moving.

Such scenes are played out every day at the entrance of Hope No. 1 Store.

In the shady backyard of Hope No. 1 Store, several workers from Hope Town who had just finished unloading goods wiped their sweat as they watched another horse-drawn carriage with gold trim drive by outside.

"It's really strange," a young craftsman muttered, taking a sip of cold water. "The capital is much more prosperous than here, isn't it? Why are all these gentlemen and ladies rushing to our poor, remote place like bears that have smelled honey? Just to enjoy the cool breeze and a taste of new food?"

An older guard nearby chuckled and gestured with his chin towards the private rooms on the second floor: "Silly boy, all you see is the cool breeze and the food? Think about it, for the same price, would they be treated like royalty in the capital? Nobles are everywhere in the capital; someone with their status there wouldn't even be able to squeeze into a corner of the banquet hall, and would have to bow and scrape to the truly powerful. But here?" He lowered his voice, "They are the most honored guests, enjoying unique and rare treats. Even Young Master Ryan has to give them face. Can the capital offer that kind of respect and treatment?"

The young craftsman who spoke first nodded as if he understood but not quite.

Amu, who had been silently wiping his weapons, looked up, his gaze sweeping over the seemingly leisurely nobles outside the window, and mumbled, "Besides, do you really think they're all here to enjoy themselves?"

He gestured with his chin toward the city lord's mansion: "Auntie Leah overheard this when she delivered food the day before yesterday. Several nobles bearing the insignia of the Duke of Caslan in the west have privately requested to see Young Master Ryan several times."

The young craftsman was taken aback: "Duke Kaslan? Isn't that...?"

“Hmm,” the older guard chimed in, his voice lower, “The Duke is getting on in years, and the future Duke will either be Young Master Ryan or his brother Karl. Everyone used to think Karl had the best chance, after all, he’d been cultivating the situation for years. But what about now? Young Master Ryan has not only gradually taken control of Blackrock City and even the Duchy, accomplishing so many long-standing problems? His vision, his methods, and…” He pointed to the rapidly changing land beneath his feet, “…that tangible achievement, in what way can Karl compare? Those shrewd fellows, with their keen sense of smell, they’ve already gauged the winds and are placing their bets early, trying to undermine Young Master Ryan!”

In order to cope with this sudden surge in customers and to thoroughly penetrate the "Hope" brand into the core of high society, Lin Yue made a decisive decision to carry out a comprehensive upgrade and renovation of the second floor of the No. 1 store.

The original multi-functional area has been transformed into more than a dozen luxurious guest rooms, each with a different style but all exceptionally comfortable.

Each guest room window has been fitted with flat glass that, while still emitting a faint greenish glow, is sufficiently clear and bright. The curtains and sheets have been replaced with new ones, carefully sewn by a textile factory using the finest cotton and linen dyed in soft colors.

The furniture, of course, comes from Kelan's new woodworking workshop in Black Rock City. Each table, chair, bed, and wardrobe is full of modern design ingenuity and a refined aesthetic that blends seamlessly with nature.

What drove all the VIP guests crazy was the room with its private bathroom and ice.

Every morning, a dedicated waiter places a large, crystal-clear block of ice into a specially made "ice stone box" in the room. All they need to do is turn on the tap to enjoy the luxurious experience of washing with icy-cold water.

Breakfast is free. For lunch and dinner, you can go downstairs at any time and order from the menu board on the wall, which is updated daily.

"Baked Snow Rabbit Leg with Creamy Mushrooms", "Roasted Lamb Chops with Fragrant Pine Needles", "Stewed Wild Boar Trotters with Sauerkraut and Vermicelli"...

The dishes, whose very names are mouthwatering and full of imaginative ideas, made these nobles, who had tasted all the finest delicacies, eagerly anticipate each new menu update, much like waiting for a lottery draw.

"Today's main course is sauerkraut stewed with blood tofu and corn pancakes? What is blood tofu? It sounds a bit disgusting... Never mind, I'll have a serving to try first."

"What? Today's dessert is a limited-edition 'Ice and Fire' experience, with chilled moon jelly paired with piping hot molten chocolate sauce. It sounds exciting, I'll take it all."

The wealthy merchants and nobles who came from major cities upon hearing the news initially arrived with a sense of curiosity and scrutiny. But when they actually checked into the luxurious rooms equipped with private bathrooms and soft beds, and tasted the exotic cuisine they had never seen before, all their arrogance and prejudice were completely conquered.

They began frantically buying everything in the store—snow salt, wheat flour, ceramics, ironware, and even warm earmuffs with cute bunny ears that they wouldn't be able to wear for a long time.

Soon, being able to book a room with a private bathroom on Yihaodian became the most prestigious and status-enhancing thing in the entire Northern aristocratic circle.

Many wealthy businessmen who arrived late and couldn't book rooms even spent a lot of money to rent dilapidated houses around the shop, just to be closer to that cool and delicious food.

The city's prosperity acted like a giant magnet, attracting countless refugees who were struggling to survive under the scorching heat and oppressive government.

They flocked from all directions with their families, hoping to find a glimmer of hope in this legendary city where people could supposedly have enough to eat.

Faced with this new wave of refugees, Ryan and Lin Yue responded more calmly and efficiently than ever before.

They set up a special employment guidance center in the city lord's mansion.

All migrant workers must first register their household registration information here. Then, based on their age, physical condition, and personal wishes, they are assigned to different positions.

Those willing to exchange their labor for food and shelter will be assigned to the most suitable positions. The strong and healthy will go to the construction sites in the new district to carry bricks and build walls. The skillful and dexterous will work as female workers in textile factories. Those with farming experience will be uniformly assigned to newly reclaimed farms on the outskirts of the city.

Those who are unwilling to work and only want to live by begging and stealing will be sent away without mercy, left to fend for themselves.

With the influx of these new talents, the construction progress at the suburban construction sites and factories has once again been accelerated.

"Advisor Lin," that afternoon, Carvin, holding a thick stack of slate ledgers, excitedly reported to Lin Yue on the recent business achievements, "You haven't seen it, our canned goods and colored cotton fabrics are practically hard currency in the southern market now. The batch of goods that Boss Barry of the Clover Chamber of Commerce brought back last time sold out in less than half a month. This time he placed an even bigger order, and specifically requested a batch of the new lace-trimmed women's underwear from our textile factory."

He paused, then added, "Moreover, because of our cooperative relationship with Lord Ryan, several small merchant guilds in the city that used to be on good terms with the Iron Anchor Merchant Guild have started to actively court us, hoping to join our joint merchant guild."

Lin Yue listened calmly, but in his mind he was planning something more important.

He turned his gaze to the middle-aged businessman sitting next to him.

The merchant, named Horn, was an independent ore trader from Ironforge, a mining city in central America. He was one of the customers drawn by the rumors surrounding Blackrock City and showed great interest in the ironware and ceramics of Hopetown.

“Mr. Horn,” Lin Yue said, pushing a cup of corn coffee towards him, “I’ve heard that you travel between the human kingdom and the dwarf kingdom all year round, so you must know a lot about the situation there, right?”

Horn paused for a moment, then nodded with a wry smile: "I wouldn't say I understand, I'm just trying to make a living. Consultant Lin, you know, those trade routes are tough these days."

He took a sip of coffee, sighed, and said, "The royal family and the dwarven kingdom have long since fallen out. His Majesty the King has always wanted the dwarves to hand over their steelmaking secrets and the mining rights to several of the most important mithril veins, but as you know, the dwarves are stubborn and would rather die than submit. So, His Majesty the King ordered the most severe economic blockade against the dwarven kingdom."

“Now, grain, cloth, and salt shipped to the Mountainous Iron Kingdom are subject to heavy taxes of up to 50%. The same applies to refined metals and weapons shipped out of the Mountainous Iron Kingdom. As a result, business is simply impossible to do.”

"What about the dwarves? Are they just going to put up with it?"

"Endure? With the dwarves' temper, it's impossible for them to endure!" Horn sneered. "I heard that just last month, at the Shattered Stone Pass on the border between the two countries, a royal grain convoy clashed with a dwarven patrol. Although the fight was eventually suppressed, many people died on both sides."

He lowered his voice, "Although the dwarves have powerful weapons and equipment, and strong individual combat capabilities, they can always gain the upper hand in small-scale skirmishes. But ultimately, they are too few in number, and their supply lines are too long. The most critical problem is their lack of food. I heard that even black bread is now being rationed in the dwarven kingdom. I estimate that if this continues, they won't be able to hold out for much longer."

"Moreover," he added at the end, "I've heard that a huge division has arisen within the dwarves themselves. Some of the more enlightened young dwarves believe they should coexist peacefully with us humans, exchanging goods and resources. But another group of more stubborn elders believe humans are treacherous, greedy, and impossible to be friends with. They advocate taking advantage of the kingdom's unpreparedness to launch a preemptive strike and catch them off guard. The two factions are currently arguing fiercely in their capital. It feels like a much larger clash between the dwarves and the kingdom is inevitable soon."

"In short," Horn concluded, "the south is a giant powder keg right now, and it could explode at any moment. Those of us who run small businesses are better off staying far away."

Lin Yue listened quietly, and the string in his heart that had been subtly taut because of Shi Quan's departure was plucked once again.

Uncle Stone Fist must have heard these rumors too.

At the construction site of the Hope New District, El was directing several new workers to carefully install a huge piece of glass, which had just been transported from Hope Town, onto the window frame of a two-story building that was about to be completed.

His wife, Anna, walked over with a smile, carrying a food box.

"Honey, take a break." She opened the food box, which contained steaming hot cornbread and a bowl of fragrant mashed potatoes with meat sauce. "I just got this from the cafeteria, it's still warm."

Looking at his wife's rosy and full face, which had become radiant from a stable life, Al felt a surge of happiness and contentment.

He took the lunchbox and wolfed down his food.

“Oh, right,” Anna said, wiping the sauce from his mouth, “when I got off work at the textile factory just now, Aunt Leah told me that the mayor has transferred a batch of new spinning wheels and looms from Hope Town. He said he wants to expand our factory and hire more female workers in the future. He also said that once all the houses in our new district are built, he will give each of our worker families a house.”

"Really?!" El's eyes lit up instantly.

“Of course.” Anna’s face beamed with pride. “We are now contributing to this city as well.”

...

In the stillness of the night, Lin Yue stood alone on the open-air corridor on the second floor of the cafeteria, gazing at the city below that he was gradually changing.

He held the multi-functional tool knife that Stonefist had personally crafted for him, which Gray had returned to him after they returned from the Silvermoon Forest.

The cold touch reminded him of that grumpy old man who was tough on the outside but soft on the inside.

Ryan appeared behind him.

"Thinking about something?"

"Hmm." Lin Yue nodded. "I was thinking about a friend who has left. I was also thinking about a potentially more chaotic era that is about to come."

He turned to look at Ryan: "Young Master Ryan, do you really think what we're doing now can change anything?"

Ryan remained silent.

"I don't know. But at least we've fed some people, clothed them in warm clothes, and let them see the sun rise tomorrow. That's enough."