Sang Jinghe returned soon afterward with news that Fu Chaosheng was expected to reach Divine Origin City before long, though no one knew exactly when. Before leaving the Northern Sea, the man still had to settle the many affairs under his authority, particularly the new arrangements involving the righteous and devilish forces. Fu Chaosheng's role in ending their war had gone far beyond persuading both sides to attend the peace conference. The agreement also established extensive cooperation between the two sides and the Heaven Origin Trade Alliance, which left him with countless details that required his personal attention.

The situation revealed plenty about the trade alliance's internal hierarchy. Although four elders nominally governed its Northern Sea operations together, Shen Wandou clearly stood above the others. While he remained comfortably at the headquarters and oversaw affairs from the city, Fu Chaosheng and the other two elders were constantly sent from place to place to handle matters.

The reason for this disparity was not...