Xiao Cheng's Dirty Trick

The Jia Lie Family and the Ao Ba Pa Family's little moves naturally could not escape Xiao Zhan's notice.

In the Xiao Clan's main hall, Xiao Zhan and the Three Elders were discussing what these little moves by the Jia Lie Family and the Ao Ba Pa Family meant.

The Third Elder lost his temper and cursed.

"Jia Lie Bi and Ao Ba Pa have coveted us for a long time. This is definitely a conspiracy against the Xiao Clan."

The others said nothing in response to the Third Elder's words and remained silent.

After a while, the Second Elder finally spoke.

"I just received word that there are fewer people in our market, though it is not a major problem. Still, I think those two old foxes joining forces are probably targeting Shop Owner Xiao."

The Second Elder's words won everyone's agreement.

At this moment, the First Elder also spoke up in support.

"I just received news from the people we planted in their two families. Jia Lie Bi and Ao Ba Pa have forbidden their people from buying pastries at Ruyi Zhai. They even said that anyone who went would be punished, possibly even killed."

"It seems they really are targeting Shop Owner Xiao. They are keeping the people in their territory from coming to the Xiao Family Market, and they are even urging those who buy goods in their territory not to buy pastries. They want to cut off Shop Owner Xiao's business."

The First Elder continued his analysis.

Xiao Zhan pondered for a moment before speaking.

"Should we give Shop Owner Xiao a reminder? After all, our Xiao Clan has also gained quite a few benefits."

Over the past two days, the Xiao Clan's overall strength had risen considerably because of Ruyi Zhai's pastries. Many clan members with merely decent talent had also improved their strength.

Thus, Xiao Zhan had been in a good mood these past few days. The Xiao Clan was gradually growing stronger, which was exactly what he wanted to see. That was why he considered reminding Xiao Cheng.

"Actually, there is no need to remind Shop Owner Xiao. Given how meticulous he is, he should already know what is happening."

The First Elder suddenly said.

"Although the little moves of the Jia Lie Family and the Ao Ba Pa Family will greatly reduce Ruyi Zhai's customer traffic, it is not much of a problem. After all, Ruyi Zhai is located in our Xiao Family Market. Besides, I have heard that the Mittel Auction House seems interested in working with Shop Owner Xiao as well."

The Second Elder spoke these words with a meaningful smile.

Then the other two elders and Xiao Zhan all smiled.

The Mittel Auction House's influence was not to be underestimated. Master Gu Ni, that Second-grade Alchemist alone, was not someone Jia Lie Bi and Ao Ba Pa could afford to offend.

Once Shop Owner Xiao became connected to the Mittel Auction House, there would be no need to worry about his shop lacking customers.

On the second floor of the Mittel Auction House, in the same room as before, Ya Fei stood by the window and looked down at the street as she listened to Gu Ni describe the little moves made by Jia Lie Bi and Ao Ba Pa.

Throughout it all, Ya Fei remained calm and indifferent, her expression tranquil without the slightest hint of emotion.

Only after Gu Ni finished did Ya Fei give a cold laugh.

"Those two families are squeezing out Xiao Cheng's Ruyi Zhai. That is why they have gone to such lengths to keep people from buying pastries from his shop or spreading the word for him. They simply do not know what these pastries represent."

Naturally, she meant the so-called "great power" behind Xiao Cheng.

Any force capable of producing pastries with such miraculous effects had to be extremely powerful. That was why Ya Fei had always treated Ruyi Zhai and Xiao Cheng with friendliness, even a measure of respect.

Though she had considered the possibility that Xiao Cheng had no one backing him, it was better to believe there was than to risk making an enemy of an unknown force.

"Miss, should we help Shop Owner Xiao?"

Gu Ni carefully asked.

"You have a point. Spread the word that Shop Owner Xiao Cheng is an honored guest of the Mittel Auction House. I believe they will understand."

Gu Ni nodded and withdrew.

At this time, Xiao Cheng was still selling pastries. There seemed to be slightly fewer customers than usual.

Some of the outside customers who had come before were no longer showing up, leaving Xiao Cheng puzzled. He had no idea what had happened or why there were fewer people.

"It has only just opened today. There is no reason for there to be this many fewer customers. Could they all be sick? That is impossible. This is the Dou Qi Continent—who gets sick?"

As Xiao Cheng lowered his head to ponder what was going on, he heard someone enter the shop. Looking up, he discovered that Xiao Ning had arrived.

"Xiao Ning, you've reached the Ninth Stage of Dou Qi?"

He was also greatly surprised. He had not expected Xiao Ning's strength to catch up to his own in just two short days. What terrifying talent.

"That is all thanks to Shop Owner Xiao's pastries. They doubled my cultivation speed, hehe."

"By the way, do you know what has happened in Wutan City recently? Why does it feel like fewer people are coming to my shop?"

Hearing Xiao Cheng ask about recent events, Xiao Ning scratched his head and thought for a while before suddenly slapping his palm.

"Shop Owner Xiao, if you had not reminded me, I would have nearly forgotten. The Jia Lie Family and the Ao Ba Pa Family seem to have said that the shops and people in their markets are not allowed to come to your shop to buy pastries. That is what happened."

Hearing that Jia Lie Bi and Ao Ba Pa were behind this, Xiao Cheng could not help but sneer.

They probably did not yet know how powerful the pastries truly were. As long as word spread that the pastries could increase dou qi and improve cultivation speed, people would certainly come to buy them.

Some principles were universal. If a hundred percent profit could not move someone, it was not because the profit was insufficient, but because it had not caught that person's attention. Value was what mattered.

And his pastries were value itself. Who did not want to cultivate well and increase their strength? Who did not want to go further? So now it was time to play his trump card.

"Xiao Ning, can you do me a favor?"

"Just say the word if you need something, Shop Owner Xiao. I will definitely help without a second thought. Go ahead."

Xiao Ning patted his chest as he assured Xiao Cheng.

"It is nothing major. Come closer, and I will tell you."

Xiao Ning leaned in, and Xiao Cheng told him about his little scheme. Xiao Ning was stunned for a moment, then began to laugh.

"Shop Owner, I never expected you to have such a devious side."

Xiao Ning said this because Xiao Cheng wanted him to serve as an example while promoting the effects of the pastries to everyone. The stronger the promotion, the better; the more obvious the results, the better.

Once the people of the Xiao Family Market enjoyed the benefits of the pastries, they would become a loyal group of Ruyi Zhai customers.

Meanwhile, the people in the territories of those two families would grow envious of the benefits brought by the pastries and begin to complain.

Nothing would be apparent in the short term, but over time, those people might not be able to hold themselves back and would come running to the Xiao Family Market.

At that point, the Xiao Clan could offer them some benefits and recruit them over, or allow them to open shops in the Xiao Family Market.

It would increase the Xiao Clan's income, raise the Xiao Clan's strength another notch, and disgust Jia Lie Bi and Ao Ba Pa at the same time. Why not?

After buying pastries, Xiao Ning hurried back to the Xiao Clan to tell his grandfather about Xiao Cheng's response.

A cold smile appeared at the corner of Xiao Cheng's mouth.

They want to cut off my customer traffic? Fine. Then just wait for this lord's revenge.

Once the time is right, I will wipe out those two families.