Meeting Shangguan Hong, Seeking Langya Pavilion

He handed the Black Gold Card to Yuan Tiangang. "Keep it. A fifty-percent discount—no point letting it go to waste."

"It'll save us quite a few Spirit Stones. They may come in handy later."

"Since they're extending goodwill, there's no need for us to shut them out from a thousand miles away."

"When we act in the Eastern Region in the future, having one more force we can exchange information with is always a good thing."

Yuan Tiangang accepted the card and put it away, nodding. "The Lord is right. The Black Market has operated in the Eastern Region for many years, with connections everywhere. If we can use their channels to pass along information, we'll achieve twice the result with half the effort."

Ye Junlin picked up his jade chopsticks again and took a piece of Crispy Glaze. "Shangguan Hong should be here soon. Let's set this aside for now and see what he wants after we meet him."

The private room returned to silence, with only the fragrance of wine and tea intertwining.

Meanwhile, in another elegant room on the top floor, Xingluo Yao had also finished hearing the manager's report, a hint of anticipation in her eyes.

At this moment, downstairs at Wenxian Tower, Shangguan Hong arrived at the entrance and was just about to speak—

A waiter stepped forward and said to him, "Esteemed guest, the guests you are waiting for have been awaiting you on the top floor for quite some time. They specifically sent me to invite you upstairs."

"What? They're already here?" Shangguan Hong's face showed startled disbelief. After all, there was still an Incense Stick's worth of time before their appointed meeting.

He truly had not expected Ye Junlin to come to Wenxian Tower early simply to sample its delicacies.

Soon after, Shangguan Hong followed the waiter toward the top floor. Given his status, he ordinarily had no right to enter it. If he were the Shangguan Family Patriarch, he might have been able to give it a try.

He pondered inwardly, Hmm, it seems Misty Rain Tower truly is extraordinary. Even Wenxian Tower values them so highly that it has offered them a private room on the top floor. I've never been to the top floor before—today has truly opened my eyes.

Before long, he arrived at the private room where Ye Junlin and Yuan Tiangang were.

The door to the private room suddenly opened, and a dignified, icy voice came from within. "Come in!"

Shangguan Hong entered in response and saw Ye Junlin and Yuan Tiangang.

"Greetings, Young Master. Greetings, sir." Feeling the terrifying aura emanating from Yuan Tiangang, Shangguan Hong immediately bowed to the two of them.

Ye Junlin did not respond, merely continuing to drink his tea. Before Shangguan Hong arrived, he had already instructed Yuan Tiangang to speak with him.

"Mm."

Yuan Tiangang spoke in a deep voice.

"This is my Young Master."

Yuan Tiangang did not reveal Ye Junlin's identity. Before leaving, Ye Junlin had instructed him that outside, he only needed to address him as "Young Master"!

Those words, "my Young Master," also made Shangguan Hong realize who the key figure in this negotiation was.

"Enough. Now tell us why you came looking for us."

"Yes, sir. First, allow me to introduce myself. The two of you already know that I am the Pavilion Master of Langya Pavilion in the Black Market."

"Actually, I have another identity. I am the third son of the Shangguan Family Patriarch, one of the Great Western Families of the Great Gan Dynasty."

"I came this time in hopes of gaining your faction's support to help me seize the Shangguan Family Patriarch Position."

The fragrance of tea curled through the private room as Shangguan Hong stood with his hands lowered, his expression carrying a measure of tension and expectation.

He could sense the faint yet palpable pressure of the Heavenly Human Realm emanating from Yuan Tiangang.

He understood even more clearly that although this "Young Master" appeared young, he was the true decision-maker.

Yuan Tiangang set down his teacup, his gaze settling on Shangguan Hong. His tone was calm, yet carried an authority that brooked no doubt. "You want Misty Rain Tower to help you seize the Shangguan Family Patriarch Position, but have you considered whether Misty Rain Tower has that kind of strength?"

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Hong hurriedly raised his head, his tone resolute. "This junior firmly believes so! In last month's battle against the Qingyun Sect, your faction defeated the strong while weak, forcing the Qingyun Sect's Old Ancestor to take action. That alone proves the depth of your foundation."

"Especially with an eminent expert such as yourself presiding here—across the Eastern Region, there are very few factions capable of standing against you."

"As long as your faction is willing to act, the Shangguan Family's petty disputes are nothing to fear."

His words both flattered Misty Rain Tower and pointed out Yuan Tiangang's strength. Clearly, he had done his homework.

Yuan Tiangang neither confirmed nor denied it, continuing to ask, "Even if Misty Rain Tower possesses that capability, what can you offer to make us willing to exert ourselves for you?"

Shangguan Hong had long been prepared. Taking a deep breath, he said, "This junior is willing to offer all the proceeds from my years of running Langya Pavilion: ten million Low-grade Spirit Stones and fifty century-old Spiritual Medicines, as a deposit."

He paused, his tone growing even more earnest. "If I successfully obtain the Patriarch Position, this junior is willing to offer one-third of the Shangguan Family's treasure vault as a reward."

Those terms could not be called anything less than generous. The promise of one-third of the treasure vault in particular was enough to tempt many factions.

Ye Junlin remained silent throughout, his fingertips lightly tapping the tabletop as though deep in thought.

Shangguan Hong's gaze occasionally flickered toward him, yet he did not dare meet his eyes directly. He could only place his hopes on Yuan Tiangang.

Yuan Tiangang listened, then shook his head. "This is still not enough."

Shangguan Hong's heart tightened. "Then... then what else does Lord Yuan require? So long as the Shangguan Family has it, this junior will not begrudge it!"

Yuan Tiangang raised his eyes, a sharp glint flashing within them. "Langya Pavilion."

"What did you say?" Shangguan Hong was stunned, as though he had not heard clearly.

"Langya Pavilion must belong to my Misty Rain Tower," Yuan Tiangang said, enunciating each word.

"If you want us to act, control of Langya Pavilion must be handed over."