Be a lord in the world of Indian mythology

Chapter 14 Equivalent Exchange

After crossing the fence, we gradually entered the military camp. Inside, cooking fires were burning, soldiers were resting and eating, warhorses stood quietly by the fence, and the movement of elephants made the ground tremble. The military flags on the high platform fluttered in the wind.

Further in, a deafening clamor reached his ears; in the training ground, warriors were engaged in intense training and sparring.

Some people wielded Gada in a phantom fashion, creating whirlwinds around them.

With just one glance, Vijay completely lost any remaining confidence in his own fighting ability...

To the naked eye, the military camp was filled with Yoda (warriors) of the official rank and above, and even some Maha Yoda (fierce warriors) of the higher rank could be seen.

These extraordinary individuals are beyond the ordinary; wrestling with bulls and enduring soldiers' blades without injury are merely basic skills for them.

In my memory, these warriors were at least equal to five regular soldiers, and as centurions, they were the most formidable figures in the army, responsible for charging into battle.

With my current skill level, I wouldn't last three moves against a warrior like that!

And such valiant warriors were countless under Roshman's command...

Thinking about this, Vijay couldn't help but feel a little apprehensive, because if he didn't perform well, he would have no chance of survival.

Soon, they arrived at a large tent with a large flag fluttering at the top and intricate emblems adorned with gold leaf.

Twelve tall, burly soldiers stood guard at the front, holding axes and spears high, forming a menacing passage.

Was this a show of force? Vijay couldn't help but swallow.

But it's unlikely that a noble Kshatriya would make things difficult for a mere Vaishya...

Vijay hesitated only for a moment before striding through the forest of knives and into the tent under the stern gaze of the guards.

Vijay bowed low, his eyes downcast, his tone humble, and without even raising his head, he was pulled to kneel on the ground by muscle memory.

"Honorable Kshatriya ruler, Lord Mithar Vijaya of the Vaishyas greets you. May the gods protect you and keep you safe and sound."

After offering his greetings, Vijay received no response and could only remain in his current position, waiting quietly.

Silence fell inside the tent, and Vijay could then clearly hear the sounds coming from ahead—the sound of sharp teeth tearing flesh, "crack, snap!"

It was like a ferocious beast, wolfing down its spoils.

The sheer power emanating from this apex predator during its meal was enough to make Vijay's hair stand on end and his whole body tremble, yet he dared not move an inch.

"You are Mittal Vijay?" The tone was calm, yet seemed to suppress violence.

Although Vijay had his head down, he could feel a gaping maw staring at his exposed neck, its sharp teeth like blades, ready to bite down hard.

Isn't this just like lunch delivered to my door?

To avoid being devoured, one must immediately demonstrate one's value. In the face of life and death, Vijay recalled his past experiences under pressure.

In the luxurious conference room, he faced a pack of menacing wolves alone, using his silver tongue and solid business skills to secure the jobs of 100 people in the company for a whole year.

This moment is just like that moment.

"Vijay has come at your call, and is willing to offer you a continuous stream of wealth!" Vijay declared loudly.

"Gah," the tearing and devouring sound stopped, and after a moment, a voice with interest rang out, "Are you prepared to become my servant and manage my caravan?"

With just this one sentence, Vijay reaffirmed his position in Roshman's heart, or rather, the position of the Mittal family's trade route that he represented in Roshman's heart—a position of greed that wanted to devour everything, leaving not a trace.

"Indra, I have heard from my subordinates that you are unwilling to offer your loyalty to the noble Lakshman. Is this true?"

Once Roshman's request was made, the pressure was almost tangible. The tremors in the air pressed down on Vijay's body, squeezing the air in his lungs, trying to force Vijay to the ground.

He pried, his body muscles tense, and blood seeped from Vijay's gums from the excessive force. But he swallowed hard, swallowing the slightly sweet blood along with his saliva.

"My noble Lord Roshman, please forgive Vijay for not being able to serve you..."

Upon hearing this, Vijay felt an immense increase in pressure, his body almost unable to move, every muscle tense, his bones creaking. In a daze, he felt as if a tiger had already grabbed the scruff of his neck and was about to bite him.

"Vijay is willing to offer 70% of the net profits from the trade route to the King!" At this critical moment, Vijay used the last of his strength to shout out his offer.

Sure enough, after hearing those words, the pressure around him immediately dissipated.

Vijay gasped for breath, like a dried-up fish returning to water, until the slightly bloody air filled his lungs.

Whether it was the offer that satisfied him, or whether his intimidating presence piqued his interest, Roshman stopped blocking the food: "Lift your head!"

Vijay then raised his head. On the high platform directly in front of him stood General Kshatriya, his face angular and hard, his brow bones high and slanted, his eyes deep and cold like a cold pool, with a hint of ferocity at the corners. He had a high and broad nose, a taut and fierce jawline, and an old scar on his bronze face. His body was burly and strong, almost twice the size of Vijay, with bulging muscles in his arms.

On the table beside him, an unknown ferocious beast was being torn apart and devoured by him. Completely disregarding etiquette, his large hand directly grasped a large piece of beast meat, his knuckles snapping open as he brutally tore off pieces of fresh flesh. Half-cooked flesh and blood splattered everywhere, making him look savage and ferocious.

This perfectly matches Vijay's conjecture about this Kshatriya general.

"explain!"

The Venerable One need not say more, but simply give him the opportunity.

Vijay understood, of course, that this was the second test, and whether he could truly pass it depended on what he said next.

"May Indra bless you, and may you be invincible!" Vijay decisively delivered the speech he had already prepared.

"It's not that Vijay doesn't want to be the master's servant, but rather that he cannot be the master's servant in order to ensure that the general can reap a continuous stream of treasures from the East!"

As he began, Roshman continued to tear at his morning, waiting with great interest for Vijay to continue.

"The secret passage to the East requires the bloodline of the Mittal family and the blessings of the gods, but these are merely the most basic conditions..."

"When my great-grandfather was a free Vaishya merchant, he received direct divine grace and always managed to reach the East safely!"

"By the time of my grandfather, he had become a servant of the noble Kshatriyas, and the blessings of the gods had diminished, but he still had a probability of 2 successes and 1 failure."

"And my father, he was the most loyal servant of the noble Kshatriyas, the most devout citizen of Harappa... and for that very reason, he tried many times, but only succeeded once!"

"Such a story is recorded in my home, and this is precisely the crux of my misfortune in being unable to become a servant of the noble Kshatriya!"

"The 7% quota is because the noble Brahmins also need my contribution to the share of Eastern goods! And you, the humble Vaishya, wish to retain a small amount of profit."

Vijay lowered his head slightly and spoke his mind without reservation, then quietly awaited the Kshatriya's judgment.