Shadow Trails in Azeroth

Gadgetzan is controlled by the Steamwheedle Consortium.

This is a goblin consortium rooted in the continent of Kalimdor, with its main scope of activities in the Tanaris Desert and Shining Plains. Among the goblin consortiums, Hotsand Business is not the largest.

In fact, it doesn't even rank in the top three.

But the characteristic of the Steamwheedle Consortium is neutrality.

Because this consortium started late and was weak in strength, they rarely participated in the differences and business wars among the goblin consortiums. They just guard their own Steamwheedle Port and make money at the racing track in Shining Plains.

Occasionally, he also makes a guest appearance in commercial activities transporting supplies to the Silithus Desert.

Because of the special position of the Hot Sand Port on the South China Sea trade route, the Hot Sand Consortium has made a lot of money, but the profits cannot be compared with that of Booty Bay, which monopolizes the starting point and end point of the South China Sea trade route.

Compared with the venture capital companies that are keen on risky investments, and the Bilgewater Cartel that has taken root on Kezan Island, the origin of goblin civilization, it is not worth mentioning.

To sum up, Steamwheedle Consortium has great potential.

But it is still a small force at present, and can only get a share of the golden route.

However, the trade prince of this consortium, His Excellency Rousand, is one of the few goblin merchants who makes Black feel like a breath of fresh air.

This good first impression probably came from the fact that Lord Hot Sand generously gave Black a windfall when they first met.

Well, don't get me wrong, it's not the ones Blake and his gang "earned" based on their skills.

In the most luxurious desert hut in Gadgetzan, the pirates just walked in and saw several boxes stacked together. One of them was opened and filled with yellow and orange gold coins.

That beautiful light captured Blake's cold heart, allowing him to regain the warmth of his soul in this materialistic magical world.

Any stinky woman, any Sephiel, or any Xal'atath, please step aside.

This is your own treasure.

"How embarrassing."

Blake admired the light of wealth, but he did not reach for it.

The main reason is that his status is different now, and besides, he has just received a generous expedition reward from Zul'Farrak's chieftain's treasure house, which temporarily satisfies his greed and desire for wealth.

He looked at the big businessman Hot Sand who was sitting on a gorgeous chair, wearing a goblin-style luxurious coat and a tall hat, and holding a trade prince's scepter in his hand, and said to this goblin-looking goblin:

"After all, I came here to hear the news, not to rob my dear new friend, so Lord Hot Sand can send away the two second-rate assassins beside you.

I'm worried that they will be too nervous to hold the dagger in their hands and hurt you instead. "

These words made Hot Sand embarrassed.

The master of the goblin consortium waved his hand, and two human assassins emerged from stealth.

This man and woman bore strong marks of Ravenholdt's habits, and they bowed to Black with vigilance and awe.

Of course, the big pirate doesn't demand their respect.

But they must respect it!

Otherwise, the elusive fanatics behind this only remaining assassin master, the uncrowned ones in the shadows who bear the name of creed, will be happy to "discuss" with them.

Those lunatics who have done great things several times simply regard Black Shaw as a "god" in their hearts, something that cannot be blasphemed.

Not only are they not allowed to be blasphemed by their own people, but they are also not allowed to be blasphemed by outsiders.

Nowadays, when the trial of the Uncrowned begins every two months, the assassins of other factions are all panic-stricken, fearing that guys like themselves without "creed" will become the targets of fanatical new assassins.

But what the hell!

Who knows what that damn creed means?

If you ask a hundred people, you will get a hundred different answers. There is no way to guess or pretend.

Alas, this line of work is getting more and more complicated.

I remember when Duke Ravenholdt was around, you could call yourself an assassin if you had a knife in your hand, but now that the Uncrowned One is in power, you have to take a test to become an assassin.

What the hell.

"Tell me, Lord Hotsand, the news about the Bloodsail Pirates"

Black sat on the chair behind him and said to the rich goblin in front of him:

"I suddenly remembered that my old friend, Levigaz, the rich man of Booty Bay, also gave me a reward. He urgently hopes that I can fight for him to fight against the Bloodsail Pirates.

Although it may not be useful now, a bounty is a bounty, and I must complete it to prove how much I value my old friend's friendship. "

"Well, this is really touching. A friendship with a clearly marked price. I have always wanted friends who can distinguish between public and private matters."

Hot Sand laughed, showing the goblin's iconic treacherous smile. Seeing that Blake got straight to the point, he was not polite and said:

“Not long ago, the Bloodsail Pirates, who were completely defeated in the waters of the Western Wilds, came to Kalimdor. They divided into three groups and headed to different areas.

My guess is that they are going to stay in Kalimdor permanently.

According to my information, Farrewell, the great businessman who defected from Kul Tiras, personally commanded his formidable Devil's Shark and hid in the Echo Islands with a group of corrupt sea sages.

They plan to use it as their new base.

It’s far away from my power, I’m not worried about it for now, it’s the Duke of Farreville’s.”

"He is no longer a Duke."

Blake suddenly interrupted Hot Sand's description and said seriously:

"When he defected, he was not worthy of the title given to him by Dai Lin as a joke. He was just a pirate, like me, fighting for treasures on the endless sea, and he might be buried at the bottom of the sea one day."

"Well, yes, I was negligent. Thanks for reminding me."

Hot Sand nodded seriously.

The rich man organized his words and continued:

"Farewell's son took several ships to the Azshara Peninsula further north. No one knows what he was doing there, but there are rumors that the ambitious guy planned to use the Azshara Peninsula as a temporary base. , plunder our Kozan Island.

That's the territory of the Bilgewater Cartel, and it has nothing to do with me.

The third group of Bloodsail Pirates is a force that has given me a lot of headaches recently. They are commanded by Jesse Farrewell, Farrewell's daughter, and are stationed in the bay south of Tanaris. "

"Over there at Sunset Cape?"

Black didn't need a map and accurately told the anchorage of the Blood Sail Pirates. The rich man Resha nodded and pushed up his luxuriously decorated tall hat.

He said with a sad face:

"It's right there, near the beach at the end of the world. There is news that Jesse is there to dig out the treasure left by a big pirate in the last century and help her father make a comeback.

But I feel that the plan of that ambitious, cruel and crazy woman is not just for the illusory treasure.

She is likely to set up a permanent base at Sunset Cape to maintain the influence of the Bloodsail Pirates on the Golden Route. That place is very close to the Cave of Time.

There used to be bronze dragons, so no one dared to make plans for that natural harbor, but now that the bronze dragons are gone, the Blood Sail Pirates took over there before us.

If we don't take it back soon, business in Steamwheedle Port will be horribly affected. Within the range where a group of pirates could plunder at will, no merchant dared to dock and trade here.

So, I share this news with you, Lord Seawolf, and I hope you take action immediately, just like you did with the troublesome Zul'Farrak.

A crisp and quick raid to defeat those pirates! "

Having said this, the rich man Risha rubbed his hands and said:

"I know this job is difficult, so I am willing to pay any reward. But I also know that big pirates at your level are no longer so keen on chasing money. What you need is influence.

So, I want to ask you, are you interested in participating in the management of Gadgetzan?

You may not know yet, this city is a joint-stock company, and I take the lead, but some of my outstanding employees can also get shares, and I am willing to give you fifteen shares privately."

"No, I'm not interested in a city in the desert. This is not a place where pirates should come."

Blake shook his head and said:

"You can talk to my friend Bwonsamdi about this matter. Zul'Farrak is now under his control. The troll death god is also a wonderful person. If you can impress him, you don't even need to pay a copper coin. Gain his friendship.

What I'm really interested in is Steamsand Port! "

These words made the rich man Risha's face immediately tighten. He was amazed by the greed of this pirate.

But Hotsand Port is the lifeblood of the Hotsand Consortium, and he will not give up that port so easily.

"Your expression proves that you have misunderstood my words. My new friend, let me explain to you what I think."

Black snapped his fingers, and a ball of shadow magic gathered in front of his eyes to form the general shape of the continent of Kalimdor.

The pirate pointed to the location of Hotsand Port, and then pointed to the location of Sunset Cape on the southern coastline of the Tanaris Desert.

He said:

"The Blood Sail Pirates will definitely be killed. You don't have to worry about that. I will kill them all if you don't pay, but they will be mine after sunset.

The undead fleet needs a homeport in Kalimdor, and this is a perfect place.

I can send a fleet under my command to be stationed here to protect the security of Steamwheedle Port. I know that the Steamwheedle Consortium pays a business tax to Kul Tiras every year. "

Blake rubbed his chin and said:

"You don't have to pay this year, just give it to me directly."

"this"

Hot Sand hesitated.

The matter of handing over money is the same for anyone, but the problem is that Black's words reveal an ominous meaning. The Undead Fleet is about to officially extend its hand into the South China Sea route.

This meant that he was going to officially fight Dai Lin.

At this time, mature businessmen cannot place bets in advance.

"I understand your concerns."

Blake laughed and said:

"The Northern Sea Route controlled by me can open an island to the Steam Sand Consortium and exempt you from business taxes for three years. Believe me, rich man, the North Sea is just not developed, and the resources there are no worse than the South China Sea.

And I also plan to build a permanent city on the barren red earth peninsula in the middle of the continent of Kalimdor, farther north than the Thorntooth City controlled by the Treasure Coast, and be ruled by my friends.

By the way, build another port there.

this means"

"This means that the Treasure Coast no longer has a monopoly on the end of the South China Sea route!"

There was no need for Blake to explain any more, Resha screamed with gleaming eyes:

“This means that the crystal minerals of Azshara Peninsula and the forest resources of Ashenvale will find cheaper outlets to the sea! This means that the South Sea Route will officially extend to the territorial edge of the Kaldorei Kingdom.

We can do business directly with the elves by sea instead of going through those stingy assholes in Everlook.

Booty Bay will lose an important commercial fulcrum, the South China Sea route will become more prosperous, the Bilgewater Cartel will be forced to join the competition in the South China Sea, and the Steamwheedle Consortium will not lose anything!

Just do it!

What a genius idea!

The only problem is that Booty Bay will not sit back and let this happen. Mr. Seawolf, can your friends withstand the attack of the mercenaries under the shameless Rivergaz?

He will definitely use dirty tricks outside of business. We goblins are like this, we can abandon all rules for money.

That would be a horrific attack. "

"If the mercenaries of my old friend Levigaz can defeat the combined army of tauren and orcs, then I will admit it."

Blake smiled and said:

“But I guess he can’t.

Unless he can convince the seven human nations to fight a war across the sea. However, I have inside information, and I can guarantee that within the next five years at least, human civilization will not have the motivation to launch another meaningless war. "

"very good."

Hot Sand became excited. He jumped down from his chair and spun around several times. Finally, he made up his mind and said to Blake:

"Then, one-fifth of the income from Hotsand Port will belong to you, but you won't be able to collect the annual business tax."

"Business taxes must be collected, this is the rule."

Blake shook his head and said:

"How about I promote a powerful alliance between the Steamwheedle Consortium and the Sandfury Trolls? Use this as the last bargaining chip to convince you? Also, a war is about to break out in Desolace.

The Bloodhoof tauren will win, and the centaurs will suffer their most terrible defeat in history. "

The pirate glanced at the goblin merchant and said:

"Are you interested in the slave trade? I mean, send the poor homeless centaur warriors to places where they are needed and where they can shine?

If you don't have enough boats, I can lend them to you first.

You see, the world is in chaos, my friend Hotsand, wars are about to break out in many places, and there is never enough cannon fodder. You are not doing evil business, let alone making dirty money.

You are working hard to quell the war in this world, and at the same time find a new job for the centaur barbarians who are displaced and about to starve to death.

Barbarians love plunder and war, and civilized gentlemen also need mercenaries to help them fight. We are not evil slave traders, we are just loyal servants who satisfy the desires of both parties and serve the interests of both parties.

What a noble reason.

I have been convinced by myself, what about you? "

“Oh my God, there’s a pirate saint sitting in front of me!”

The rich man Rousha praised in an exaggerated tone.

He held out his hand and said to Blake:

“Today is truly my lucky day.

I feel more lucky than my mother giving birth to me in a bar toilet in Kezan. May money bless my poor mother and may money kill my bastard father.

Finally, may money bless me and my loyal friends.

The Hot Sand Consortium will do its best to serve you. "

Holding the big and small hands together, the rich man took another look at the boxes of money piled at the door and said:

"These things are in the way. I've been wanting to clean them up. I wonder if my new friend can do this for me? Take these shiny baubles away."

I'm going to gather my business advisers and get busy. "

"Of course, I'm dedicated to my new friends."

Blake smiled even wider.

At the same time, in the southern bay of the Tanaris Desert, in a natural harbor where a simple dock had just been built, the drunken female pirate Jesse Farrewell was praying to her gods.

But today the whispers of the gods are unusually silent.

just like.

The god known as the Corruptor has given up on them as well.

this.

The petite, red-haired female pirate frowned, looked at the silent Corruptor shrine in front of her, and then glanced at the calm sea. Is this a warning that some uneasy situation is about to happen?