Upon hearing this, Corbin and Tristan’s faces turned cold. They could sense the underlying threat in Braiden’s words and were not pleased.
Braiden’s implication was clear – if they won, they could stay in Niarak; if they lost, they had to leave for Tregaron. Corbin and Tristan had come to Niarak with the intention of fostering good relations but now found themselves being challenged to a competition.
If the two sides were friends, then a competition would be harmless. But as enemies, it felt uncomfortable.
Moreover, Braiden seemed to carry an air of superiority in his words and actions. While Tristan was just a small-time merchant from Tregaron State, Corbin was one of the biggest suppliers there with considerable wealth. Naturally he felt unhappy about being looked down upon by Braiden.
“Mr. Swanson,” said Corbin with a smile as he declined Braiden’s challenge. “Let us just have some tea and chat instead.” He didn’t need this competition when he already had the Spencer family supporting him.
Tristan also brushed off the suggestion. “The use of witchcraft is too taboo for today’s occasion,” he said dismissively.
Their refusal angered Braiden who immediately became sullen, “Are you two not showing me respect?”
“I heard that Mr. Calder, when you weren’t kicked out of Shipmeda by Gunner, had a very hot temper and never submitted to others. What happened today? Did you just admit that you’re incapable now?”
“Could it be that Gunner left you with psychological trauma?”
This statement directly triggered Corbin’s temper, and he retorted angrily, “Mr. Swanson, did you invite me here just to embarrass me?”
Corbin’s temper was already fiery, and he had been holding back his anger just now.
Now, Braiden was bringing up old wounds, and it was like rubbing salt in the wound. Being expelled from Shipmeda by Gunner was the biggest humiliation in his life. The market that the Calder family had built over two generations in Shipmeda was destroyed in an instant. They fled in a panic, and it was a humiliating experience.
No matter how well Corbin had developed in the Jungles of Haralu, he was still a failure in Shipmeda. The resentment in his heart could be imagined.
Tristan was also very displeased. “Mr. Swanson, we are friends of Mr. Spencer. Trust me, you can’t do anything to us!”
Braiden sneered, “Of course, I can’t do anything to you, but walking on a dark road might encounter ghosts. Niarak is not very peaceful.”
“In case something unexpected happens, like a car accident, or a sudden death at home, or hanging oneself, and Mr. Spencer can’t find evidence, I’m afraid we can only send a funeral wreath to resolve the matter.”
Corbin and Tristan clenched their fists upon hearing these words.
It was a threat!
An outright threat!
Braiden was extremely arrogant!
If the Spencer family really wanted to move against the Swanson family, it would be effortless.
But the Swanson family, allied with the Woods family and the Hussain family, had a profound foundation and substantial influence. Plus, they had Layla, a formidable force.
If something happened to the two of them, the Spencer family might avenge them in the end, but the three families would be severely damaged.
However, if Corbin and Tristan were already dead, what good would the revenge be?
Moreover, the Spencer family had the Governor, and he wouldn’t allow Barney to bankrupt the Swanson and Hussain families, as it would severely impact Shipmeda’s economy and employment. These two families and their affiliated luxury houses employed nearly two hundred thousand employees!
Corbin and Tristan didn’t dare to gamble.
Withdraw from Niarak?
Corbin was the first to refuse; Barney had already agreed to help him regain control of Shipmeda as long as he supplied Rose. This was his opportunity to return to Shipmeda , a chance to regain face!
Take a risk: Win, and he’d have Shipmeda and Tregarone’s two major markets. Lose, and he could always retreat to Tregaron!
After all, he was using Rose’s Bloodwort as the bet; he wouldn’t lose much!
Besides, he already harbored resentment towards Rose.
If the Sharp family hadn’t helped Gunner back then, he wouldn’t have become the laughingstock of Shipmeda’s suppliers. If it weren’t for Barney’s promise, he wouldn’t have helped Rose!
“All right! Let Camden have a match with your friend!” Corbin nodded to the man behind him.
After being expelled from Shipmeda by Gunner, Corbin went to Tregaron State and settled there.
It was there that he met the master of Through-the-Back Fist, Camden.
With Camden’s protection, Corbin quickly established himself in Tregaron. It can be said that without Camden, Corbin wouldn’t have achieved everything he had in Tregaron.
Corbin was confident that Camden had a chance of winning. After all, Camden was also a master of internal strength, and his martial arts were unparalleled, with over a hundred disciples.
“Great! We’ll have a show later!” Tristan’s thoughts were the same as Corbin’s; they could only accept the match to determine their fate. Having studied under the master of Poisonous Magic, Archer Caligari, for seven or eight years, Tristan believed he was not inferior.
Braiden chuckled, “That’s the spirit! Throughout history, there has always been a tradition of making friends through martial arts competitions. We’re just exchanging pointers. If you win, you stay in Niarak; if you lose, you can return to Tregaron.”
Rose’s expression turned cold.
She never expected Braiden to resort to such despicable tactics to threaten them, especially using the raw materials for the Bone-Cleansing Pill as a wager.
But now, they were in a difficult position. The competition offered a glimmer of hope, and without it, Corbin and Tristan would definitely not dare to help Energence Pharmaceuticals.
Without both channel partners and suppliers, what use was keeping the Bloodwort?
However, just as Rose hesitated, Flynn calmly said, “You can have the competition, but you can’t use Bloodwort as the wager.”
He didn’t care about whether Corbin and Tristan stayed or left.
Knowing the largest herb supplier in Ostrad, the McGuire family, Flynn thought it would be a simple matter to ask for their help. Moreover, with four masters in the McGuire family, they had no fear of Braiden’s threats.
Flynn also knew several channel partners with comparable strength. A single phone call, and they would come rushing to help. Why risk the Bone-Cleansing Pill’s raw materials against this group of ants?
Flynn had wanted to make a call after beating Gunner. However, Barney had intervened. If he had known it would be this troublesome, he would have refused on Rose’s behalf that day.
“This guy is at it again! Doesn’t he know his place?”
“If I were Rose, I would have shut him up. A stinky bodyguard, a dead puppet – what business does he have here?”
Braiden’s suppliers were furious, feeling Flynn had no sense of propriety. What right did a subordinate have to speak at such an occasion?
Andrew was also infuriated, slamming the table and cursing, “You bastard! We haven’t settled the matter from the auction yet, and you dare to jump out and bark? Just wait, I’ll deal with you after the competition!”
Flynn, with a cold expression, retorted, “If we’re talking about barking, no one can match your grandfather. The old man had quite a show at the auction; I felt embarrassed for him!”
Garrett, hearing this, was incensed. He had indeed lost control at the auction, begging Flynn in a low voice to give him the Bloodwort and losing face in the process. But all this was not Flynn’s fault.
Thinking about it, Garrett’s eyes flashed with anger. After dealing with the current situation, he vowed to make Flynn pay.
Andrew was about to unleash another round of verbal abuse, but Braiden stopped him, turning to Rose, “I don’t care how he acts in front of you, but with so many bosses gathered now, shouldn’t you tighten the reins a bit?”
Corbin frowned and turned to Rose, “Ms. Sharp, your bodyguard has been so outspoken. Doesn’t he understand respect?”
“Fynn, the competition is imminent. Agree to their terms!” Rose turned to Flynn and urged, “Now we’re only missing channel partners and suppliers. If we don’t resolve this, Energence Pharmaceuticals won’t be able to operate, and keeping the Bloodwort will be useless.”
Flynn replied coolly, “Fortune favors the bold. If Mr. Calder and Mr. Howe are afraid of trash like Braiden, I think they are not suitable to be partners for Energence Pharmaceuticals. Besides, you mentioned on the way here that Mr. Calder demands herb prices for you to be ten percent higher than the market price. Mr. Howe also requires the wholesale price of the Bone-Cleansing Pill to be ten percent lower than your set price. There’s an obvious suspicion of opportunism. So, there’s no need to risk the Bloodwort for them.”
“If they are willing to cooperate, then let’s cooperate. If not, I’ll help you find other suppliers. These gatherings are quite boring. Let’s go!” Flynn’s words not only angered Braiden’s side but also prompted Corbin and Tristan to stand up and slam the table in response.