"I have unique formulas. Cold Restoration Pills, among others—profitable ones, I'm sure. You must have heard of them, or you wouldn't have bothered to meet me, right?"
Zoren's lips curled into a smirk. "Our offer is simple: If you want our backing, your shop falls under Sea Garden's name. You relinquish control, hand over all formulas—including those pills—and we'll graciously provide you with twenty percent of the income."
Atem's eyes widened in shock. "That's outrageous! I'd be giving up everything for scraps! What kind of deal is that?"
Zoren shrugged. "Take it or leave it. We're not a charity. Baren, show him the contract details."
The assistant Baren fumbled with a scroll, unrolling it to reveal fine print that outlined the terms in excruciating detail—Atem would essentially become a glorified employee, his innovations property of the sect.
"This is robbery, not a deal!" Atem exclaimed. "You think I'm some fool to hand over my life's work for pennies?"
"Watch your tone, boy," Zoren looked at him with disden. "We could crush your little shop without breaking a sweat. Guards!"
The guard reappeared almost instantly, grabbing Atem's arm with an iron grip. "Time to go. Don't make this harder."
Atem shook him off roughly, storming out with the guard trailing behind to ensure he left the premises.
Looking at Atem's retreating back, the assistant muttered, "You Tide Liners always cause trouble. Learn your place next time."
Only when Atem was gone did Zoren let out a heavy sigh. He turned to Baren. "Clear the desk, boy. And fetch me some calming herbs."
Zoren slumped in his chair, staring at the sea. "Do we really have to do this? It would have been profitable if we'd given him a fair offer."
"Not everything is about money and profit," a mocking voice replied from the shadows.
A handsome young man stepped out from behind a heavy curtain draped with silk waves. He was dressed in fine silks embroidered with jade threads, his hair perfectly coiffed in a stylish wave.
Zoren frowned, standing to show respect. "What do you mean by that, Young Master?"
"Talar from Star-Eye Tower wants the pill formulas. He's managed to get the new Imperial Consulate's backing on this matter—it's not in our favor to oppose them."
Hearing this, Zoren's face turned pale as he let out a sigh of relief, wiping sweat from his brow. "That was close. Indeed, life is more important than a few extra coins. Thank you for the warning, Young Master."
Yashir chuckled, patting Zoren on the shoulder. "Good man. Now, about that other deal with the Coral Merchants..."
After leaving, Atem spat in the direction of the Sea Garden as he boarded the tram. "I didn't think the Jade Stream Sect was a bunch of cowards."
He'd already guessed they didn't want to get involved with him, hence the outrageous demand. It was a polite way to say "get lost" without outright hostility.
Cowards hiding behind their gardens and guards.
"Sigh, I hope the Golden Delta Hall isn't like them."
Next, he headed for the Golden Delta Hall, on the western edge of the Gilded Slope. The tram ride was shorter this time, depositing him at a grand plaza dominated by the Hall's towering structure: a delta-shaped building of golden stone, its entrance flanked by massive pillars.
Guards here were more welcoming than at Sea Garden, nodding politely as Atem approached.
"Welcome to Golden Delta Hall, sir. State your purpose?"
"I'd like to meet the manager. Business proposition—shop affiliation."
One of them nodded. "Understood. Follow me to the reception area. I'll have someone escort you shortly."
Before Atem could take more than a few steps, a young hostess approached him.
"Welcome to Golden Delta Hall," she said warmly. "May I ask whether you are here to trade, to wait, or to rest?"
Atem paused briefly, then replied in a calm tone, "I am here to speak with your manager, if she is available."
The hostess blinked, clearly surprised by his directness. She did not immediately refuse, but her gaze flicked briefly over his appearance, as if committing details to memory.
"Our manager is currently in a meeting," she said after a moment. "Do you happen to have an appointment?"
"I don't," Atem admitted honestly. "But the matter I wish to discuss is not one that benefits from delay."
Her lips curved slightly at that.
"You are quite confident. May I have your name, sir?"
"Atem."
This time, her reaction was more obvious. Her eyebrows rose just a fraction, and her polite smile gained a hint of curiosity.
"I see. Then please allow me to arrange a place for you to wait."
She gestured toward a seating area near the edge of the hall, positioned so that guests could observe the room without drawing attention to themselves.
"Would you care for a drink while you wait?" she asked. "We have several fine wines that are quite popular with our guests."
Atem shook his head lightly. "I'll have red tea instead."
"Tea?" she repeated, momentarily taken aback. "You don't drink wine?"
"I prefer to remember what I say and what others say to me," Atem replied with a faint smile. "Wine tends to complicate that."
The hostess paused, then laughed softly, clearly amused despite herself.
"That's an unusual answer," she said. "But a reasonable one. I'll bring you the best red tea we have."
"I appreciate that," Atem replied. "Though I hope it won't be necessary to finish it."
She tilted her head slightly. "Are you in a hurry?"
"Not particularly," he said. "But important conversations rarely benefit from long waiting times."
She smiled again, this time more genuinely.
"I'll inform the manager that you are here," she said. "Please make yourself comfortable."
Atem took a seat and observed his surroundings while waiting.
Unlike Sea Garden, no one deliberately avoided him. Servants passed by naturally, some offering polite nods. A few guests glanced in his direction with mild curiosity, but no one treated him as an inconvenience.
After some time, the hostess returned carrying a teapot and a porcelain cup.
"This is red tea from the southern hills," she said as she poured it carefully. "It's not cheap, but it's smooth on the stomach."
Atem accepted the cup and took a small sip.
"It's good," he said with a faint smile. "You didn't exaggerate."
She smiled, clearly pleased, before leaving him to attend another guest.
Not long after, a different attendant approached.
"Sir Atem, the manager will see you now."