Chapter 539.4: Every Possibility... Leads to Today.

Snow blanketed the New Alliance. The coldest point of winter had arrived.

Standing beneath the Alliance Tower, wrapped in a warm and expensive wool coat, Malvern stared at the tower which hadn’t been fully constructed even though it was already in use with an ashen face.

So many words filled his mind, yet he didn’t know how to speak them.

The meeting in the inner city had begun.

As the president of Boulder Town Bank, the prestigious bearer of a black card, he should never have been absent. Yet he didn’t have the courage to face those accusing glares and the angry scolding of his shareholder friends.

More importantly, he didn’t believe any consensus would be reached at the meeting. The thing that was gradually losing its power wasn’t just the chips, but also the black card he was holding.

He began to feel that he had been a useless bank president.

He had tried every method he could think of, but it was like scratching an itch through thick boots, none of it worked.

He couldn’t stop the train accelerating toward the abyss.

Perhaps... His daughter was right.

After all, it really wasn’t such a complex thing. Even some foolish children could see through it clearly... If they swapped a rag doll for a one silver coin wooden hairclip, a girl from the slums could get a new dress.

But just like he had once answered his daughter during that festival, "Is it... Is it already too late?"

Staring at the falling snowflakes, Malvern murmured to himself.

Actually...

Maybe not.

As long as the New Alliance was willing to keep its promise, allow a shipment of goods priced in silver coins to enter the great walls, rather than hesitating and stalling at the gates, everything could still be saved!

If only the New Alliance would give him a loan!

Forget those schemers and beggars. All he needed was to convince the shareholders to convert their chips into silver coins. That alone would be a huge relief!

A spark of hope reignited in Malvern’s eyes.

That man... That person who had spoken so passionately during the festival, who swore to end the Wasteland Era once and for all... He would surely understand his difficulties!

He was, after all, a truly great man!

He was the most sincere idealist!

Even the most despicable wastelanders could find care under his wing, how could someone truly capable like him not be given a chance?

A blaze of fire lit up in Malvern’s eyes.

Praise the Administrator!

He had never admired someone so deeply from the bottom of his heart!

Just then, Charlie walked out of the main entrance of the tower and said to Malvern, “Come with me. The administrator is waiting."

Heart pounding violently, Malvern forced a flattering smile onto his face, nodding and bowing. "Thank you... Thank you very much."

Charlie glanced at him with pity, but in the end, didn’t say what he wanted to.

Your thank you came too early...

Instead, he led him inside the tower.

After passing through several corridors, Malvern finally saw the man from the festival again. His mind swarmed with nervous, crawling thoughts, like thousands of ants scrambling around his brain.

Sensing his presence, Chu Guang stopped writing suddenly and he turned to Malvern at the door. "You’re here."

Malvern nodded hurriedly, his smile humble and full of flattery. "I’m here to apologize... There was a bit of an issue on our end. The city hall intercepted part of the shipment, causing some defaults in the industrial zone. We’ll urge the factories to pay the debts to your companies. I hope this unfortunate issue doesn’t affect our agreement."

Chu Guang replied calmly, "It’s fine. We understand your situation. Let’s follow the agreement as written. Private business is separate from our cooperation."

Hearing him speak so generously, Malvern breathed a sigh of relief, his smile growing even wider. "Thank you for your generosity and understanding! Could I... trouble you with one more favor?"

"What is it?"

"About that agreement to allow free exchange between chips and silver coins..." Malvern laughed awkwardly, rubbing his hands. "Due to some unavoidable circumstances, I humbly ask if we could delay implementing that part of the deal. Sorry for the trouble!"

"Why?"

"Be-Because" Seeing the amused look in Chu Guang’s eyes, Malvern began to sweat and forced a shaky smile as he continued, "We lent you so much money when you needed it most. Now that we’re facing a minor difficulty... shouldn’t you help us in return?"

Seeing no change in Chu Guang’s expression, he quickly continued, "Of course! I understand it’s a tough request... But maybe we could compromise a little, like a debt-for-silver coin exchange? You give us 500 million silver coins, and we cancel a billion chips in debt. That way, you would actually save on interest!"

500 million silver coins could buy over 50,000 thousand tons of grain, enough to feed Boulder Town for four years!

Of course, he wouldn’t use it all on food. He would spend a portion on industrial goods to improve the lives of Boulder Town’s residents. This time, he swore to truly do something, to rebuild Boulder Town’s economy and restore trade relations.

Chu Guang remained uninterested in his promises and replied casually, "A billion in debt... Just a few days ago, we prepared the principal and interest for next year, and the following year."

Malvern’s heart skipped a beat. Sweat poured down his forehead and suddenly, his legs gave out. He collapsed to the floor.

"Please... Please, show us some mercy! Three billion chips! No, we’ll clear all your debts! Just give us 500 million silver coins... No, 400 million will do!"

Chu Guang looked at him silently, then sighed, "Get up."

Malvern didn’t move as he even pressed his forehead to the floor.

Chu Guang’s patience wore thin and he snapped, "I don’t talk to people on their knees. If you keep that up, I’ll have Lu Bei throw you out."

Malvern’s shoulders trembled. He had no doubt Chu Guang would actually do it, so he struggled to his feet.

Looking at the dust on Malvern’s knees, then at his expensive coat, finally, Chu Guang stared straight into his eyes.

"Do you still think it was the New Alliance that made you who you are today?"

Malvern stayed silent.

Chu Guang could see he wanted to nod. He believed everything was the New Alliance’s fault, but he dared not speak it aloud because he still needed their help.

Chu Guang wasn’t trying to humiliate his opponent, but seeing that utterly pathetic face, he couldn’t help but sigh, "Why would you rather kneel before me, bring your coffin to my doorstep and cry, than sit down with your shareholders and residents to do a proper negotiation? You put your hopes on chips, then the black card, and now, you come running to me."

"When the Bonechewer Clan attacked, you shut your gates and didn’t send a single soldier. You even shouted about banning our goods from your settlement to stop us from earning a single chip... Did you ever think this day would come, when we would be the ones saving you?"

"Now, you even have the cheek to say that you’re helping us by forgiving our debt? We haven’t even tallied up everything you owe us!"

Regret and frustration tasted like the most bitter wine to Malvern, dulling the light in his aging pupils.

Malvern mumbled like a broken record, with his lips trembling, "Please, please... If you just help us through this crisis, we’ll buy everything from you! You can be the master of Clearspring City from now on, master of the entire River Valley Province! Whatever you say goes! We’ll listen to you! If you’re not happy with anything, we’ll change!"

He knew, deep down, that things had gone too far. Chu Guang would never use the New Alliance’s blood to save the half-dead whale that was Boulder Town.

However, he still couldn’t stop begging.

𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

At least it was better than doing nothing.

Moreover, it was the only thing he could do.

Chu Guang looked at him with pity. "I gave you a chance, but you can’t even survive a single winter. Why would you believe 500 million silver coins can save you guys? Your begging now makes me feel like I’m speaking to someone who will never understand the true meaning of your actions."

"It’s a shame. You always had the chance to slam on the brakes, to reevaluate our relationship. You could have rewritten your relationship with the wasteland."

"Unfortunately, your stupidity and naivety only showed me that your chips are worth nothing."