Hu Xue-yan - Sea Palace

[Hu Xue-yan]
A great merchant planning a new business.
Sea Palace Quest
Location: Around Shanghai

Hmm. Judging by your clothes, you must be an adventurer.
You don't seem to be in a rush, do you? Perhaps you have a moment to help me?
Hm? [Sul Hyang] sent you here?
I'm so delighted to hear from her. Very delighted! Ha ha ha.
Yes, I am [Hu Xue-yan] the merchant.
Nowadays, I am busy preparing to open up a new, exciting trading route, but there are so many things trying to stop me!
Heh. Well, it wouldn't be worth doing if there weren't some trials along the way.
~
I am trying to open up a trade route to the [Sea Palace].
However, those darn [Female Otters] have been causing a lot of trouble for me. They've been tossing the items I was going to sell into the sea!
Please, go take care of 15 of those intolerable creatures.

Ha-ha, good job.
I knew you could take care of them once and for all.
Oh! Hopefully, I can open up a new trade route as soon as all these obstacles clear out.
I'm sick and tired of doing mundane business with ordinary people.
When I found out there were contacts set up with the [Sea Palace], I was amazed to hear there wasn't a formal trade route established yet.
Once I have that route, I can purchase valuable goods from the [Sea Palace] and sell them on the ground, and vice versa...
Isn't this beneficial to both sides?
However, ever since the otters and other sea creatures have gone crazy, I have to worry about my well being more than my new trade route.

Where can I find an ideal business that is entertaining, lively, and beneficial to everyone involved?

Hold on. Before you go out to settle matters in the [Sea Palace], I have some business advice for you.
Do you carry around all the cash you've earned?
If so, that's the most dangerous thing you can do!
What if you get seriously hurt and pass out? You wouldn't even know if somebody stole your money!
~
Before you travel through dangerous areas, it is wise to store your money in a bank. That's the safest place!
Can you tell me where I suggested you keep your money?
(Please enter the correct answer choice.)
[1] Bank, [2] Market,
[3] Town Hall, [4] Hospital

If you deposit money in a bank, it will give you peace of mind. Besides, you'll need a bank account to trade on the market later.
You shouldn't get too attached to money, but it's foolish to neglect it as well.

Where can I find an ideal business that is entertaining, lively, and beneficial to everyone involved?

Do you see that old man with the strange device over there?
That old man is a scientist named [Zang Heng].
Even though he is retired, he continues inventing various devices, with the benefit of my full support.
I asked Master [Zang Heng] to invent a device that can analyze various energies, such as enchantments, spells, and others.
No matter how hard I analyze the situation, I always come to the conclusion that it has to be some sort of strange energy that made all the creatures at the [Sea Palace] go mad.
~
But, Master [Zang Heng] cannot do everything alone. Why don't you go help him out?
Come back after helping him collect materials, extract samples, and so forth.
I ask you to do it because you are the right person for the job. So, don't take this task lightly!

Just as I expected.
To my knowledge, the creatures in the [Sea Palace] have evolved along a different path from humans. Hmm...
Well, this is disappointing.
Nevertheless, the [Sea Palace] is still a place filled with possibilities!
Don't you think so?

Where can I find an ideal business that is entertaining, lively, and beneficial to everyone involved?

Fine.
Let me teach you one more thing before we continue.
It's better to study thoroughly before any major undertaking.
Do you know about the [Travel Agency]?
Most towns have one.
These agencies let you move from town to town quickly and easily.
Though it costs a little gold, you might feel it's the best option because of the time you end up saving.
~
Why don't you try making a round trip between Shanghai and Beijing using the [Travel Agency]?

(Hint: You can use [Travel Agency] in the Town Info window on the right side of the screen when you enter the town.)
(Hint: If you find the round-trip fare between Shanghai and Beijing too expensive, you can move to another town instead.)

Good. Very good.
Nicely done.
It's a useful tool, so keep it in mind.

Where can I find an ideal business that is entertaining, lively, and beneficial to everyone involved?

Not long ago, Master [Zang Heng] asked for more materials to make his machine.
He also told me that he can't proceed any further with his knowledge alone.
Hmm, indeed, it may be too hard for Master Zang by himself.
If anyone alive can help, it's Dr. [Pien Chueh].
Even though he's a little unusual, his vast knowledge should prove useful.
~
Even if he's not helping us now, that genius doctor might be helpful in many ways.
You will also need that person... Hm, do you remember who I said the genius doctor is?

(Enter the number of the correct answer.)
[1] Sima Qian,
[2] Pien Chueh
[3] Hu Xue-yan,
[4] Zang Heng

Haha. That's right. That's the name.
Anyway, I guess [Pien Chueh] knows what I'm interested in these days.
An interesting letter came just a minute ago.
What's this about [Mana Energy]?
You think this [Mana Energy Reactor], from which the [Mana Energy] flows, is installed at [Sea Palace]?
And it all comes from this [Oriharukon]?
I don't think I've ever heard that name before, but if that's the culprit, we need to do some in-depth research about Orkharukown or whatever the heck it's called. That is quite a mouthful to say, if you ask me.
So it all comes down to ancient civilizations, eh?
Now that I think about it, I've heard that there was a very powerful civilization around here a long time ago.
But at the moment, the only civilization I want to know about is the [Sea Palace].

Where can I find an ideal business that is entertaining, lively, and beneficial to everyone involved?

By the way, there's something that I wanted to tell you when you revisit me.
Maybe you've experienced some difficulties when you tried using a travel agency or consume food.
So maybe you had to wait a little bit. Am I correct?
Using a travel agency or consuming food is just a few examples.
From now on, if you don't have enough of this, it will be very difficult for you to share any information, skills, food, or to contribute.
~
Keep this in mind.
With time, this "attribute" will accumulate on its own.
What is this "attribute" called?
(Enter the number of the correct answer.)
[1] Will, [2] Might
[3] Magic, [4] Health

Yes, that's right! So you knew what I was talking about.
[Will] can be used for various actions. Therefore, it is always prudent to keep track of how much you have.
Do you understand?

Where can I find an ideal business that is entertaining, lively, and beneficial to everyone involved?

By the way, I received a funny letter just as you came back.
I knew that there were [Crab Soldiers] and [Crab Warriors], which look like blue crabs, living in the [Sea Palace].
But what I didn't know is that they could write with those massive pincers.
In short, the letter says: [You shaved apes. Do not interfere in the affairs of the Sea Palace.]
Ha-ha, bless their hearts.
Can you believe that we're being threatened by creatures that are obviously incapable of handling their own matters?
Perhaps we better gather information on these arrogant beasts.
~
Can you come back when you have at least basic information on [Crab Warriors]?
Information on these rascals can be obtained by hunting them yourself, or by receiving the information directly from those who already have it.
You can choose either of the two.
You can find a lot of them around the [Sea Palace's Main Gate].

Good, nicely done.
The information you gather will be saved in your [Monsters] log.
When you get Item information on a monster, you can easily look up what items they drop. It'll make your life a lot easier.

Where can I find an ideal business that is entertaining, lively, and beneficial to everyone involved?

They are very disgusting creatures, aren't they?
It wasn't very nice of them to compare us to shaved apes.
Oh, well. Even if they think of us in this strange manner, I guess I have to be more agreeable to do business there.
Still, we have to teach them a lesson. Otherwise, they will look down on us too much.
Find the [Sea Palace General], who leads the palace soldiers around the [Sea Palace's Main Gate].
~
If you defeat a [Sea Palace General], they'll think twice about threatening us again!
I strongly believe that you can teach them a lesson.
Can I trust you to finish this task?

Good job, I was right to hire you.
Well, I guess it will take some time before they get up the nerve to address us like that again.

Where can I find an ideal business that is entertaining, lively, and beneficial to everyone involved?

At this rate, it will take years to get to the bottom of this mystery.
Let's organize our information...
Hmm, you told me that the [Mana Energy] from [Oriharukon] drove them insane.
But we've learned nothing new since then.
Ugh, it's come to this. I see no other way. It's time we spoke with that [Zhao Gao] fellow.
He was once kidnapped and taken to the [Sea Palace].
However, he claims he was invited to the place. But judging from his appearance after the escape, it must've been a kidnapping.
~
[Zhao Gao] was always twisted, tricky and greedy. However, after he came back from the [Sea Palace], he got worse than ever.
But, since we can really use the information [Zhao Gao] has, you should go and coax any information you can out of him.
When you come back, I'll reward you handsomely.

Ha-ha, thank you for all your hard work.
I can tell that he put you through quite a lot.

Where can I find an ideal business that is entertaining, lively, and beneficial to everyone involved?

So, he wants 1 million gold, does he? Huh, so he'll spill the beans to the Sea Palace if we don't pay.
Hahaha! He sure is something.
Well, I might as well just give him the money before he complicates everything.
Since I can send it to him in the [Mail], I don't even need to go and see him personally.
~
Ah, have you ever used the [Mailbox]? You can find it in the [Community] menu.
By using it, you can send items, money and notes to a friend who is away. Even if the person you're trying to reach is not currently logged on, you can still leave messages.
Come on, try to use the [Mailbox]. Just send one or more items to anyone.

How was it? It's very useful, isn't it?
As it is safe and secure, use it any time you want.

Where can I find an ideal business that is entertaining, lively, and beneficial to everyone involved?

Our research should be yielding some results by now...
This is taking too much time.
However, maybe this is one of those cases in which no news is good news, as they say.
While we are waiting, you should go and look after your mercenaries for a little bit.
~
By now, you should easily be level 20 .
If so, you probably know that you can hire a new mercenary.
Don't you feel a lot better knowing that you can have 6 people in your party now?

(Hint: You can recruit new mercenaries from NPCs like Jang Gil San. You can also summon Vikings and Monks with summon items.)

Even though it's going to take some time to train a new mercenary, your group will be much stronger if you do so properly.
Finally, the news I've been waiting for is coming in bit by bit.
Let's take a look, then...

Where can I find an ideal business that is entertaining, lively, and beneficial to everyone involved?

After going through all the information I've got, I came to the conclusion that the situation is very serious.
In addition to the pandemonium in the [Sea Palace], there has been a rebellion.
Well, uh...
Do you think we should help them?
~
The mysterious energy has probably had a huge influence on the [Blue Dragons] in the [Sea Palace].
This time, go hunt [Blue Dragons] and [Sea Dragons], and collect 20 [Strange Scales].

Good job.
If they were to lose their minds, they would no longer be sentient beings. They would become mere animals. That's why there's nothing wrong with what we did.
These scales have lost their original color.
I'll be able to learn a lot from these.

Where can I find an ideal business that is entertaining, lively, and beneficial to everyone involved?

This situation is getting very serious. I have a lot to consider.
Let me think a while.
~
Be patient, I don't want to miscalculate.
Why don't you go out to distant [Chongqing] and speak with [Cui Li Liang]?
I'm worried, because I heard he was having some trouble with bandits. It would put me at ease if you would check up on him.

Ah, you've returned.
I've decided what we need to do next.

Where can I find an ideal business that is entertaining, lively, and beneficial to everyone involved?

Until I've investigated this strange energy thoroughly, I won't be satisfied.
I can't even imagine how dangerous Oriharukon is.
~
Here, take this scale to Master [Zang Heng] and ask him to analyze it.
Since he finally has his troublesome device up and running, I'm certain he can find something.

[Mana Energy] from [Oriharukon] and the [Mana Energy Reactor]...
In my 30 years of traveling, I thought I'd seen everything the world has to offer, but this...
It looks like there are still many things I don't know about.
Ha-ha, I hear [Zhao Gao] created a big scene because I didn't apologize to him. Is it true?
He's lost his senses. Don't listen to any of his threats. We got what we needed from him.
Even though the beings in the [Sea Palace] are simplistic, I don't think they would listen to a person like him.
And it is doubtful that his information is up to date.

Where can I find an ideal business that is entertaining, lively, and beneficial to everyone involved?

Well, there is one last task before us.
It is, of course, meeting the leader of the [Sea Palace].
While the [Sea King] himself is very powerful, the [King's Bodyguards] are nearly as strong.
Before you confront the [Sea King], you should take care of his royal guards. Otherwise, you don't know how this is going to end.
~
Can you come back after you get rid of the [King's Bodyguard]?
It is probably somewhere in the [Sea Palace Courtyard].

Nicely done.
Even though they were just puppets of the rebellion leader, they were probably very strong.
Thank you for your service!

Where can I find an ideal business that is entertaining, lively, and beneficial to everyone involved?

Alright, it's almost time to confront the rebellion leader, the current [Sea King].
Before we do that, you should increase your power...
I am almost certain that he isn't like any opponent that you've ever seen.
~
Since I have a feeling that you've all probably improved your abilities, it's time for an [Upgrade].
[Ashen Crystals] are usually used to upgrade mercenaries.
Okay, now make sure you have at least 1 mercenary of Grade 2 or higher.

Well, what do you think of your mercenaries now? Reliable allies, aren't they? It looks like their appearance has changed considerably, as well.
You must be very proud of them.

Where can I find an ideal business that is entertaining, lively, and beneficial to everyone involved?

Anyway, if we suppress the rebellion once and for all, we can get to the bottom of this.
I am guessing that the [Sea King] knows the truth behind it all, and he is probably not easily influenced by Oriharukon.
However, as [Zhao Gao] said, if he is the fake king who brought about a rebellion, there is a great probability he is insane.
~
The dwelling place of the [Sea King] is called the [Sea King's Chamber].
Pay a visit there, but be careful.
If he is the real king, try to talk to him. But if he is the fake Sea King, whatever it takes, you have to destroy him.

So. I take it the false king is dead?
After he died, Zang Feng tells me that the [Mana Energy Reactor] stopped running.
This is our chance to find the real king!
This is definitely...! This has to be the best news I've heard in my entire life!
It will be a piece of cake opening up a trade route since the [Sea King] has been saved by a land-dweller!
Anyway, there a funny thing happened while you were gone.
[Zhao Gao] became sane again!
He claims that he was possessed by the spirit of a blue dragon during this crisis.
Well... Even though his mind has returned to normal, he's still speaking nonsense. At least he will stop making threats!

Where can I find an ideal business that is entertaining, lively, and beneficial to everyone involved?

Now, all I've got to do is work on a clear business plan.
Thank you for everything.
I owe you big!
To return the favor, I will build a big, successful business!
By the way, where are you headed from here?
Oh, that's right. I almost forgot. I have some very interesting news that you don't want to miss out on.
I've been exchanging information with someone for quite some time now. He lives in Kambuja, but I haven't heard from him in a while.
~
His name is [Jayavarman].
He seems like a person of high social standing, but I don't know anything for sure.
I can't get a hold of him and I heard some bad news about [Angkor Wat], near [Phnom Penh]. Something went awfully wrong there.
I'd better let you on your way.
Farewell to you. Take care of yourself wherever you may go.

...

Where can I find an ideal business that is entertaining, lively, and beneficial to everyone involved?