In the wind and rain.
A horse-drawn carriage slowly approached along the mountain path, flanked front and back by teams of staff-wielding cultivators riding Spiritual Beasts. In the center stood a large, gilded banner emblazoned with the character "Yu," signifying the convoy’s owner.
Though it seed imposing, a closer look revealed an air of decline and decay.
The cultivators’ cultivation levels and ages varied, and they lacked the imposing presence a major power ought to possess. The Spiritual Beasts they rode were of several different kinds—many were even simple beasts of burden, clearly scraped together just to make up the numbers.
If not for the two Foundation Establishnt Cultivators leading the way, they would likely be mocked for putting on a brave front they couldn’t back up.
Inside the distinctly antiquated carriage, Lü Zhong and Yu Feng’Er sat facing each other.
The latter appeared calm, but the hand clutching the hem of her skirt betrayed her anxiety. Throughout the journey, she had repeatedly cast glances at Lü Zhong.
Today was the day the Chengde Comrce Association would choose its next Chairman.
If she failed to seize this opportunity, she would never have another chance to reclaim the Chengde Comrce Association.
"Fellow Daoist Lü, I must ask for a straight answer. What are your chances of success?" Yu Feng’er could no longer hold back.
She had already made up her mind. ’If the odds are too low, I’ll give up.’
As the head of the Yu Family, Yu Feng’Er knew the responsibility she shouldered. She couldn’t plunge her family into peril for personal reasons; otherwise, she would be a disgrace to the Yu Family.
Hearing this, Lü Zhong opened his eyes and gave her a cool, detached glance.
’So indecisive and hesitant. No wonder she lost to the Zhang father and son, ti and ti again.’
After taking the job, he had, of course, conducted a detailed investigation into the feud between the Yu Family and the Zhangs. He now had a fair understanding of how the Chengde Comrce Association had changed hands.
Interestingly, Yu Chengde had died at the hands of an Evil Cultivator.
It was precisely Yu Chengde’s mysterious death thirty years ago that led to the subsequent change of ownership of the Chengde Comrce Association.
The pri suspect, naturally, was Zhang Hai. After all, he had benefited the most, gaining direct control over a Comrce Association. It was hard not to suspect his original motives for marrying into the Yu Family.
And now, it seed this scene was repeating itself.
"Relax. I know what you’re worried about. Zhang Miao has hired an Independent Foundation Establishnt Cultivator, and though he has Late-stage Foundation Establishnt Cultivation, in my eyes, he’s nothing but a paper tiger. Dealing with him won’t be difficult."
Lü Zhong glanced at Yu Feng’Er and added, "As for you, it’s best to keep your thoughts to yourself. Leave the timing of when to act to . All you need to do is play your part and act as you normally would."
"...Alright," Yu Feng’Er nodded and fell silent.
Soon, the carriage passed through a barrier and stopped before a pavilion built on the side of a cliff.
The pavilion wasn’t large. A freshly lacquered plaque hung above, reading "Yunlu Pavilion."
Yunlu Pavilion held great significance for the Chengde Comrce Association. It was here that Yu Chengde had gathered his trusted followers and founded the Comrce Association all those years ago.
Inside the pavilion, however, there were few people.
In truth, only eighteen stewards, both major and minor, were qualified to participate in the Chairman’s election. They oversaw the Comrce Association’s various enterprises and were all currently in their respective seats.
When they saw Yu Feng’Er enter, most of them gave her a fleeting glance before quickly looking away.
It was clear to any discerning eye.
After today, the Chengde Comrce Association would have no connection to the Yu Family whatsoever.
"Why are you even here? Did you co just to be humiliated?" one of the stewards jeered openly.
"He’s right, he’s right!"
"Hahaha! Steward Chen is absolutely right."
His words were t with a wave of roaring laughter.
Not a single person stood up for Yu Feng’Er.
Watching this scene with cold eyes, Lü Zhong couldn’t help but think, ’Even if I really do help her reclaim the Comrce Association, she probably won’t be able to hold onto it. At best, she’ll just end up losing the Chengde Comrce Association in a different way.’
A series of footsteps announced the arrival of the Chief Steward, Lin Fangyun.
Lin Fangyun had the appearance of a kind-eyed, benevolent old man, always with a smile on his face.
Unlike with Yu Feng’Er, the mont he entered, many stewards went up to greet him—more than half the people in the hall. Clearly, he had a knack for winning people over, or he never would have been able to rally so many stewards to his side.
In comparison, Yu Feng’Er’s defeat was absolute.
"Niece Feng, it’s been a while!" Lin Fangyun said with a hearty laugh, giving the impression of a kindly elder.
"Feng’Er greets Uncle Lin," Yu Feng’Er replied, offering a bow.
Lin Fangyun, however, didn’t continue the conversation. His gaze swept past Yu Feng’Er’s two original guards and landed on Lü Zhong, who stood to the side with his aura concealed. "And this is?" he asked, his tone a mix of surprise and suspicion.
As he spoke, he gestured to the two Foundation Establishnt guards behind him.
The two understood and were about to step forward to test his ttle.
Seeing this, Yu Feng’Er stepped in front of Lü Zhong, her brow furrowed. "What is this? Is Uncle Lin going to interfere with bringing my own guards?"
"Hehe, not at all, not at all. He just looked a bit familiar, like an old friend of mine. But if Niece Feng forbids it, then let’s just forget it, forget it..." Lin Fangyun said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. His attitude toward Yu Feng’Er was extrely cold. After giving a flimsy excuse, he walked over to his seat at the head of the hall.
After that, the two of them were left to the side, completely ignored.
Ti passed. The sky outside grew darker, and the storm intensified. Rain hamred down on the Spiritual Shield protecting the pavilion, water cascading off it like a waterfall.
"Strange, why isn’t the Vice Chairman here yet?" soone wondered aloud.
By all rights, Zhang Miao should have arrived long ago. After all, he was the one who had nominally called for this eting.
Furthermore, failing to attend would be equivalent to automatically forfeiting his eligibility for the election. The next Chairman of the Chengde Comrce Association would then be chosen from between Lin Fangyun and Yu Feng’Er.
At the head of the hall, Lin Fangyun’s expression suddenly turned grave, as if he had realized sothing.
BANG! BANG! BANG! A series of explosive sounds echoed.
The Spiritual Shield protecting them from the rain was suddenly shattered. The downpour instantly flooded the pavilion, drenching everyone inside. At the sa ti, a group of n appeared in the storm. Their cultivation was at least Late-stage Qi Refining, and among them were seven Foundation Establishnt True Cultivators. In terms of strength, they completely overwheld everyone in the pavilion.
Then the group parted, and a man walked out from their midst. It was none other than Zhang Miao.
Lü Zhong didn’t feel much tension at the sight. ’Even if I can’t beat them, escaping won’t be difficult.’ He simply cast a aningful glance at Yu Feng’Er beside him.
Sensing his gaze, she forced an ugly smile.
The turn of events had gone completely beyond her expectations. She hastily sent him a voice transmission: "I’ll pay more! Please, fellow Daoist, just ensure my safety."
Only after seeing Lü Zhong nod did Yu Feng’Er’s nerves finally settle.
"Zhang Miao, what is the aning of this?" Lin Fangyun demanded, his voice filled with shock and suspicion.
For him to arrive at this mont with a large contingent of n... it couldn’t just be to make a scene. Recalling the mysterious death of Yu Chengde years ago, a grim suspicion surfaced in his mind.
Zhang Miao’s gaze swept over the crowd in the pavilion, and he chuckled softly. "The aning? I’ve co to take the position of Chairman, of course!"
At these words, everyone in the pavilion was stunned.
A steward with a snow-white beard and hair, relying on his seniority, walked straight out into the rain and pointed a finger in Zhang Miao’s face. "May I ask what you an by this, Vice Chairman Zhang? Are you going to disregard the Comrce Association’s rules and force your way into the Chairmanship—"
Before he could finish, several jets of blood erupted from his body.
He had been struck in several vital spots by Butterfly Flying Needles. Without even a final word, he collapsed to the ground with a THUD.
A withered old crone gave a sinister cackle and recalled all the Flying Needles.
"Hmph, old fool! Didn’t even consider the situation before daring to co out and point fingers." Zhang Miao slowly walked forward, his face contorted in a savage sneer. He stomped on the dead man’s face—whose eyes were still open in death—and crushed it with a single, forceful motion.
He had long since had enough of these stewards. They were always pulling rank, feigning obedience while secretly undermining him, and betraying the association for their own gain. Embezzlent was just the tip of the iceberg. It was because of these leeches that the Chengde Comrce Association had fallen from its forr prosperity to its current pathetic state.
He wiped the sole of his shoe clean on the floor tiles.
Flas of ambition burned in Zhang Miao’s heart. Today, he would sweep away the filth, lead the Comrce Association back onto the right path, and return it to its forr glory.
He pointed at the people in the pavilion and roared:
"Go! Kill them all!"
After today, the Chengde Comrce Association would no longer exist.
The Sanshui Comrce Association would take its place!
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