Murphy was not lost in the flattery. However, the fawning smugglers seemed to have fully entered their roles, even squeezing out some glistening tears.

He waved for them to stop the useless sucking up. If it went on any longer, Murphy might have gagged from the gross act.

Now that the carrot and the stick had been applied, Murphy needed to explain why the carrot wasn't poisoned.

Unlike his demon subordinates, Murphy was very aware of the true nature of these smuggling merchants. He had to provide sufficient benefits to truly bring them under his control.

"I know you're all confused about why you aren't dead. Well, let me tell you - it makes no difference."

"Commerce with demons is a capital offense punishable by public hanging in the Kingdom. I'm sure you're all clear on this. But great crimes can also lead to great profits, as I'm sure everyone here knows even better than me."

"So why can't we all share this massive cake?"

"My backer, or should I say my superior, has taken a liking to this cake. A figure of his stature will of course take the largest slice. As for the leftover crumbs, there's more than enough for us common folk to eat our fill."

"My superior has left this entire matter to me. But I'm short on manpower, so you see why you weren't killed outright?"

"From today forth, you all work for me as my trade company, reporting directly to me. You may address me as Mr. Toras."

"In fact, there's not much difference from what you did before - just transporting goods. The handover point will be at the Boundary of Barrens, I'll provide maps later."

"As for what goods...I regret to inform that you no longer have a say. I decide what you transport - you transport whatever I want."

"But let's keep an open mind. While your future earnings may be slightly less, my backer has guaranteed that none of us will hang from the gallows in the capital."

"Don't worry that I'll toss you aside after finding new manpower. Good merchants with business know-how and networks are hard to nurture. In a sense, you are indeed scarce resources."

The tension in the merchants' hearts unclenched upon hearing this. No one wanted to live each day facing the uncertainty of an execution. Now, with assurance from a powerful figure, they felt somewhat relieved, true or not.

Just as the merchants were fervently fawning over Murphy, they received another heavyweight piece of news.

"Your jobs will not last indefinitely. Once we locate the treasure trove the late Demon King left behind, neither I nor any of you will need to come to this dangerous land again."

"Each of you will receive an unimaginably vast fortune. Under my superior's protection, you'll live out your days in peace on personal estates, with past illegal deeds completely whitewashed. Everything we discussed today will cease to exist."

Silence descended upon the cavern. After a while, the merchant grabbed by the hair stammered out, "M-milord jests...does the previous Demon King's treasure truly exist?"

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Murphy stepped back, placing a hand on the werewolf's shoulder. "Of course it exists! Why else would this wolf brother and that specter over there cooperate with us? Naturally because they desire the treasure too! With no Demon King for decades, the demons have splintered apart. In ten years when the Kingdom's armies invade, the demons will be annihilated. By then the treasure will fill the King's personal coffers. We won't see a single gold coin. It would be better to act now while there's time - we split the loot and not one hair is left for the King!"

"Such god-given treasures...whoever snatches it, owns it. If you don't vie for it, neither will I, and tomorrow foreigners will haul it home!" Murphy continued his tempting words.

The merchants' expressions shifted from shock to frenzy. Hymns of praise once more echoed throughout the cavern.

Murphy removed his hand from Sean's shoulder and stepped toward the merchants, intending to pour one last bucket of oil over this blazing fire. He fished a dazzling crystal out of his pocket and slowly turned it before the merchants' gaze.

Sensing his cue, the fatso hurriedly exclaimed in faux astonishment, "Milord, what is that?"

This was precisely the opening Murphy wanted. "This is a teleportation crystal my superior granted me. Now, allow me to activate it and give you all a glimpse of what kind of figure stands behind me!"

Murphy thrust his right hand up high. The merchants stared fixedly at the crystal - such treasures weren't unheard of, but none had seen one in the flesh. Even if they pooled the fortunes of all dozen-something of them, they could barely afford a low-grade teleport crystal. And now, such a top-notch specimen was being used on them! At this point, they thoroughly believed Murphy's words and fantasized about their futures surrounded by embraces left and right on personal estates.

With the magic circle drawn by his left hand activating simultaneously as the crystal in his right hand shattered into motes, Murphy and all the merchants appeared on a barren plain, with only the merchants' empty wagons present as far as the eye could see.

Murphy took out a short blade and freed the still-stunned merchants from their bindings one by one. The smugglers returned to their wagons, minds filled with complicated emotions. Although this venture had bottomed out at a total loss, they saw a bright future ahead.

Murphy had long since prepared all this. He clapped his hands to grab everyone's attention. "Everyone quiet! I have three matters to cover before you leave."

"First, I expect you to remember - I tell you to buy, you buy precisely that. I tell you to sell, you sell just that. No ideas of your own."

"Second, everything that happened here today, and onwards - smuggling or treasure-hunting - leak it to no one, or I'll deliver you to the afterlife myself without the adults behind me take action."

"Third, I know you all lost money this time. To display my cooperative sincerity, take a look in your cargo holds. There are small gifts I've prepared. I hope we have a delightful cooperation ahead."

The merchants rushed to poke their heads into the cargo holds. Indeed, each person found a map and exquisite jewelry inside.

Murphy pointed at a crooked old tree behind him. "The tree on the map is this one. In future, just come here from your respective areas. I've hired demons who can't understand human speech to meet you, so communication is unnecessary. Unload your goods and take the reload back to sell. That completes your task."

"From this, you should also understand - goods I have you buy, I'll purchase back from you at original price. Goods I have you sell come directly from purchases from me. As for how much profit you make, that fully depends on your own networks and sales pitches."

"Regarding your capture this time..."

The fatso hurriedly interrupted Murphy, "Why, milord, what are you saying! Just a misunderstanding amongst friends getting rich together!"

Murphy smiled. "The jewelry I gave each of you can be equipped at Level 15. No need for me to elaborate on their value. With your connections, you can surely sell them at a handsome price - more than enough to pay off your loans."

Before they could carefully appraise their new jewelry, the merchants revealed looks of surprise and fawning smiles upon hearing this.

"I believe I have expressed adequate sincerity. I hope for delightful cooperation ahead. Now listen - the goods I want you to buy are raw crystals, unlimited quantity, the more the better. I'll accept all stock at listed price."

"One free piece of advice - when you come next time, do bring more money. Don't blame me for not warning you if you can't snatch up quality goods."