Capital City Undercurrents: Dragon Soaring

The entire secret chamber was immersed in a festive atmosphere. Everyone knew the value of this Flawless Jade. Since learning of my identity, they had all silently aligned themselves with me. They all understood that without sufficient funds, it would be impossible to achieve results that would make the Zhang Family take notice. The Four Great Families, which of them didn't have assets exceeding ten billion taels of silver? Ten billion taels of silver, that was more money than the national treasury!

But with this legendary Flawless Jade, things would be different. This Flawless Jade could not only earn a lot of money for Zhang Xingfeng, the Third Young Master, but it would also build Zhang Xingfeng's reputation, letting others know that even after leaving the Zhang Family, Zhang Xingfeng was still an extraordinary figure!

Looking at everyone's smiling faces, I said, "I believe everyone knows how I left the Zhang Family. Now I will prove myself. But it's not just for that. I want the entire Azure Dragon Continent to remember us forever, so I will establish... the Star Peak Family!"

Everyone in the secret chamber was shocked. To establish the Star Peak Family! Every established family had accumulated wealth over hundreds, even thousands of years, to become commercial empires – families. Now, someone wanted to establish a family without any major backing. Wasn't that a huge joke?

But in an instant, everyone recalled my actions over the past few days. Which of them wasn't earth-shattering? Which of them wasn't something others wouldn't even dare to imagine? Everyone looked at me with determined eyes. They believed in me. They firmly believed that by following me, they would definitely succeed.

"Young Master, in life, what we seek is to live a life of grandeur. As long as we all work together, even if we fail, we will have no regrets. History will record our names. If we succeed, ha, ha, then there's nothing more to say, we will be famous for eternity. Moreover, with Young Master leading us, what can't be accomplished as long as Young Master takes action!" Brother Wang was unusually full of heroic spirit. Everyone was also stirred up. Yes, in life, what we want is to be famous for eternity, let alone fighting together with the miraculous Zhang Xingfeng!

"Good, Master, we support you, we believe in you. When we become famous, I'll tell everyone I meet that I'm the eldest disciple of the Star Peak Family's patriarch. It'll be quite impressive!" Just by the sound of the voice, I knew it was my eldest disciple, Li Da.

"Second Brother, I support you. No matter what you do, I will support you!"

I looked at everyone who supported me, and I didn't know what to say. To be honest, I was very moved. I had also considered keeping my goals to myself, fearing that people would laugh at me if I spoke them aloud. But now that I had spoken them, not a single person laughed at me. Instead, they were extremely supportive, encouraging, and helping me achieve my goals.

I saw everyone quiet down, looking at me with smiles. I felt a surge of emotion, almost to the point of tears. I lowered my head slightly, using my True Primordial Energy to evaporate the tears that were welling up in my eyes.

I suddenly looked up and smiled, clenching my fist and raising it high, saying loudly, "Good, from now on, let's all work hard together!"

"Work hard!" "Work hard!" ...

Everyone raised their fists high and shouted loudly, as if to express their determination.

"Good, good. Nephew, bring the jade." Uncle Zhang said to me loudly, his face flushed red.

I knew that jade carving was an art that required inspiration. At this moment, Uncle Zhang clearly had inspiration. I immediately handed the Flawless Jade to Uncle Zhang.

Uncle Zhang held the Flawless Jade with his left hand, and a small carving knife instantly appeared in his right hand. A gleam flashed across the blade – it was an exquisite treasure knife! The carving knife spun between Uncle Zhang's fingers, and countless fragments of jade flew out from the Flawless Jade. We could no longer see what the Flawless Jade had become, because it was surrounded by countless jade fragments and a net-like shadow of the knife...

With a "ding," the knife shadow vanished. Everyone didn't know where the carving knife had gone. Only I clearly saw that when the "ding" sounded, the carving knife had lightning-fastly inserted itself into a pale yellow scabbard within Uncle Zhang's sleeve.

The jade fragments slowly drifted down. We all watched with wide eyes. Uncle Zhang blew a breath onto the Flawless Jade, which had now become a sculpture, and its true form was revealed before us.

"Ah!" "Heavens!" ...

Exclamations of astonishment rose one after another. Even I couldn't help but exclaim when I saw it. It was truly... so lifelike!

A green jade dragon writhed among the clouds. The patterns on the dragon's body were clearly visible, almost as if they could be magnified. Its whiskers, its claws... The most shocking aspect was the dragon's eyes, filled with dominance, as if looking down upon the insignificant people of the world...

"Dragon Soaring Through the Nine Heavens, what a lifelike Green Dragon. It shall be called Dragon Soaring!" Looking at this rare and exquisite jade carving, I felt it was not only made of unparalleled material but also that the craftsmanship was second to none in the world!

"Dragon Soaring, Dragon Soaring, a good name, a good name!" Uncle Zhang laughed heartily, his laughter resounding, showing how happy he was at that moment. Of course, how could he not be happy, excited, and proud after creating such an unprecedented work with his own hands!

"Uncle Zhang, I, Li Da, have never thought highly of your profession as a jade carver. From now on, you are also one of the people I, Li Da, admire. I don't admire many people!" Li Da said with a grin.

Suddenly, the entire secret chamber erupted in laughter...

"You rascal, hehe..." Uncle Zhang playfully scolded Li Da. Uncle Zhang was in a very good mood today and didn't want to argue with this loose-lipped fellow.

"Alright everyone, please listen to me. Since our peerless work has now been created, let's begin my first plan."

When everyone heard me mention the first plan, they immediately quieted down. They all knew that this was my first step in establishing the Star Peak Family, and it absolutely could not fail.

I looked at everyone who was quietly watching me and smiled. "The first step is to establish our first business – opening a jade shop!"

Everyone immediately started discussing amongst themselves, and the entire secret chamber returned to its noisy state...

"I support my nephew opening a jade shop. Back then, Baoyuxiang experienced internal strife, and several skilled jade carvers left in disappointment. They all had good relationships with me, and as long as I write a few letters, I can invite them over. With such a group of skilled jade carvers, we just need to acquire a jade mine. We can manufacture jade wares ourselves, which will yield huge profits. Jade can be sourced by acquiring jade mines, or by directly purchasing already mined jade from others. Opening a jade shop is indeed our best option at the moment, and it's the project we are most confident about," Uncle Zhang said eloquently. He was an authority on jade and had the most say in this matter.

Everyone felt that what he said made a lot of sense. If they opened a jade shop, it would indeed be very easy, with little risk. With Uncle Zhang and his friends in charge, it would be easy to stand out in this industry. Moreover, their opponents would not be family-level enemies, making them not difficult to deal with.

"Good, Uncle Zhang, what you said makes a lot of sense," Brother Wang said with a smile, indicating his strong agreement with the idea.

"Uncle Zhang, I didn't realize you had some capabilities!" Li Da started his usual banter again.

"Uncle Zhang, what you said is very good, but I'd like to add a few points. For our jade shop, we need a town's treasure, and that goes without saying – it will be Uncle Zhang's peerless masterpiece, Dragon Soaring. We also need to do a thorough job in publicity, which will involve utilizing the upcoming Lunar New Year's annual auction in the Capital City. This auction is the Capital City Auction House's biggest event of the year. We will auction off the Blood Phoenix at this auction and use the occasion to publicize the upcoming opening of our jade shop. Most importantly, we will announce that Dragon Soaring, carved from Flawless Jade, will be displayed for one day at the opening ceremony. Of course, on that day, I will appear as Sword God Sui Yu to protect Dragon Soaring from being stolen. I will punish those who have ill intentions!" I smiled, a sinister smile. Anyone who obstructed my plan, I would kill gods and buddhas alike.

Seeing my murderous demeanor, everyone knew that it was impossible to establish a family within a century without employing some less-than-honorable methods. As long as you don't provoke us, we will treat you like brothers. But if you hinder our progress, you can't blame us for being ruthless. Everyone thought this silently.

"Feng'er, do you remember what the people around you were like when you took me out to seek medical treatment? Remember, when you are doing well yourself and have the ability, it's fine to show your kindness. But if it affects your own interests, why bother with others! You should know that the world is cold!" Lang Feng's mother said to him immediately when she saw Lang Feng hesitating. If she didn't say it now, Lang Feng would suffer later.

I knew my elder brother was not old and didn't fully understand the sinister nature of people in the world. I was a bit worried about him.

When Lang Feng heard his mother's words, he recalled how people around him had treated him during those times... No, I will never let the same thing happen to my family and friends, never! Anyone who dares to harm my family and friends, I, Lang Feng, will kill them like beasts!

Lang Feng had always possessed a strong killing intent. Having grown up in the mountains, killing wild beasts was commonplace. Once he understood this, his attitude towards enemies immediately changed.

"Good, everyone, let's begin our plan now. Today, we must first improve our abilities and cultivate martial arts," I said loudly.

Li Da, Li Er, and Brother Wang will cultivate the Mysterious Yang Art. Zhang Yu and Uncle Zhang will cultivate the Mysterious Yin Art. First Wife, Sister Yu, and Lang Feng will cultivate the Taiji Yin Yang Art. Only by cultivating your own martial arts well can I dare to let you undertake great tasks. These are the secret manuals. Cultivate them yourselves, and I will guard you." I took out the secret manuals I had prepared long ago from my embrace and placed them on the table, then sat down in a chair and closed my eyes to meditate.

Everyone looked at each other, smiled, and then picked up the secret manuals to begin cultivating. No one made a sound, not even the usually talkative eldest disciple, Li Da.

I slightly opened my eyes and saw everyone cultivating so diligently. I smiled and closed my eyes again.

.