With the Jingmao Warehouse annihilated and many of the Jingmao Trading Company's Cross-Training experts dead, the company had completely withdrawn from the Upper River District. The Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall even seized the opportunity to expand, taking over a good portion of the business that had once belonged to Jingmao Trading Company.
Overall, the situation in the Upper River District had stabilized. The other two major martial arts halls, however, were still embroiled in disputes with two other trading companies. They had expressed interest in seeking aid from the Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall, but the price they offered wasn't right, so Weng Xiaolin hadn't agreed to help for the time being.
After all, the three great martial arts halls were, in theory, competitors. Although the Jili Empire was a common enemy, the fee for their services was non-negotiable, and the division of interests involved was extremely complex.
