If one were to name the most important thing in Zhongyuan, the first answer would undoubtedly be âstrength.â
In a world where martial artists worship power and shape society, nothing could be more valuable than raw might.
But was strength the only thing that mattered?
No, it wasnât.
Martial artists might revere strength, but at the end of the day, they were still human.
And aside from power, there was one more thing vital to survivalâ
âMoney.â
It was money.
Martial artists were, after all, human beings who needed money to survive.
No matter how many days they spent training, seeking enlightenment, and striving to ascend to higher realms, wealth didnât just materialize out of thin air.
Food, clothing, and shelterâbasic needs required money.
It was strange when you thought about it.
âWhere does all the money come from for people who do nothing but train all day?â
Whether they were prestigious noble families or martial sects, most of them existed solely for combat. Yet, for some reason, they were always flush with cash.
Of course, there were exceptions, like the Moyong family, which ran businesses, or the Tang Clan in Sichuan, which actively engaged in commerce.
But not all families were like that.
In fact, most didnât own trading companies or escort agencies.
So how were they able to sustain themselves?
It was the same reason why the Martial Alliance continued to operate smoothlyâ
âSponsorship.â
The true merchants scattered across Zhongyuanâthe so-called trading companiesâpoured vast amounts of money into these martial families and sects.
Their clothes.
Their swords.
Their meals.
For those who didnât earn their own money, the trading companiesâ sponsorships kept them afloat.
And the Martial Alliance was no different.
Some of the wealthiest trading companies, including the Evergarden Trading Company, supported the alliance financially.
This funding allowed the Martial Alliance and many noble families to lead luxurious lives.
But why?
Why would trading companies invest so heavily in martial artists?
The reason was surprisingly simpleâ
âTo make allies.â
This world was filled with danger, with demonic gates constantly opening and monsters threatening lives.
Martial artists might be able to survive on their own, but what about everyone else?