Young Master Must Have Grand Ambitions!

"How could they do this?"

Shopkeeper Liu of the Penglai Merchant Association was dumbfounded. "This is going too far!"

The way things had developed was completely beyond their expectations.

Originally, they had thought this so-called foundation was just another extravagant waste of money by Young Master Wang.

Yet after the other side unleashed a whole combination of blows, they were beaten so thoroughly they could not tell north from south!

How were they supposed to fight this?

Even the Guild Master of the opposing merchant association had personally entered the fray!

How were they supposed to play this game?

Shopkeeper Zhang of the Si Hai Merchant Association sighed and said quietly, "Let's go back first and report this to those above. We'll see what they say."

Young Master Wang's moves were swift and ruthless.

From the very beginning, this matter had not been something people of their level could take part in.

They could only wait and see how those above would respond!

The foundation's inauguration ceremony was still underway.

More and more names appeared on the Merit List.

But after the top three—

It was no longer Nalan Rongyun personally presenting the awards. Instead, the various chief managers took over.

Of course.

No one dared voice any complaint. On the contrary, they found it perfectly natural.

At the same time, it further spurred their determination to fight for a place in the top three of the Merit List.

They dispatched their disciples one after another.

With the force of an autumn wind sweeping fallen leaves, they swept through every Langya Branch across Heavenly Severing Island.

In short, they upheld one principle.

As long as their sect had not gone bankrupt, they would buy until it did!

After all, everything they bought was something they needed themselves. They could not lose out!

The ceremony came to a perfect close.

Nalan Rongyun also left Heavenly Severing Island. Before leaving, she instructed that all matters concerning the foundation were to be handed over to Wang Mu.

"Young Master!"

Ren Pingsheng brought a tall woman with an exceptionally fiery figure over to Wang Mu and said respectfully, "This is a junior of mine, and she can be considered half my disciple. She has followed me and been tempered for many years!

She is also very familiar with the internal affairs of the merchant association.

What do you think? Should I leave her by your side to lend you a hand?"

Wang Mu gave her a once-over.

The woman had long, slightly curly wine-red hair, a generous bosom, skin whiter than snow, and a tall figure. She wore a red-and-white long robe, with her slender jade legs exposed.

She walked with decisiveness and vigor, bright light concealed in her eyes.

Though she looked seductive, she gave off a powerful air of competence.

"Sure. Let her stay."

"Tingting, hurry up and thank Young Master!" Ren Pingsheng said happily, urging her on.

"Thank you, Young Master!" Nie Tingting obediently replied. There were no waves in her eyes, and no emotion could be read from her expression.

Wang Mu understood Ren Pingsheng's intentions.

Ren Pingsheng was, after all, one of the Ten Chief Managers of the merchant association, with many matters to oversee. Heavenly Severing Island was only one part of his responsibilities; he could not follow Wang Mu around all day.

Sending over a junior he had carefully cultivated could also serve as a bridge.

Though Grandmother supported him enough.

He could not run to her over every trivial little matter.

Having someone at his side who understood the merchant association's internal situation would do no harm. It could improve efficiency in many matters.

"Then, Young Master, you get busy first. I'll give her a few more instructions!"

As Ren Pingsheng spoke, he pulled Nie Tingting outside the grand hall. Frowning, he scolded her, "What is wrong with you? Why have you been pulling such a long face?"

Nie Tingting was expressionless. "Tingting would not dare!"

Ren Pingsheng bared his teeth, pointing at Nie Tingting. He wanted to scold her, yet could not quite bring himself to. "Do you think that by sending you to Young Master's side, I am harming you?"

Nie Tingting drew a deep breath, her curled lashes trembling slightly. "I lost my parents when I was young. It was you, Uncle, who raised me. Of course you would not harm me! I simply do not understand why."

Ren Pingsheng sighed. "You foolish girl, do you know how many people want to follow Young Master yet do not have such good fortune?"

Nie Tingting said firmly, "Even without such fortune, I can still live well through my own efforts! Uncle, you were not like this before. Why has your attitude toward this dandy changed so drastically all of a sudden?"

Ren Pingsheng was startled. "Keep your voice down!"

Only after making sure Wang Mu deep inside the grand hall had probably not heard did Ren Pingsheng transmit his voice to her. "My thoughts used to be exactly the same as yours. I thought Young Master knew nothing but wine, women, and extravagance!

But after what happened this time, I realized I was wrong!"

Nie Tingting did not understand. "Just because of a foundation? Is this not merely an idea that loses money to earn a reputation? What is so remarkable about it? You only need to throw money around."

"Too shallow-minded, aren't you?"

Ren Pingsheng patiently instructed her, "Throwing money around is not difficult! But look at the attitudes of those people from the sects at today's ceremony!

Originally, when they spent money at our Langya Merchant Association, they did so with a degree of fear and reluctance!

But after Young Master's series of arrangements!

Which one of them was not completely sincere, practically wishing they could empty out their entire fortune and buy every branch of our Langya Merchant Association clean?

Not only did they spend money, they would even be grateful to our Langya Merchant Association!

That was skill!"

Nie Tingting lightly bit her lip and said somewhat unwillingly, "Perhaps it was merely a coincidence?"

Ren Pingsheng put on a stern face and frightened her with his tone. "Tingting, now I must criticize you! You have followed me for so many years—do I still need to spell such things out for you? For a businessman, the greatest taboo is letting emotions dictate judgment...

Because of your past prejudice against Young Master, you have overlooked the things he truly did well. That is a grave taboo!

If Young Master were now an opponent from another merchant association, do you know how fatal such a mindset would be?"

The harsh rebuke echoed through Nie Tingting's mind.

Her eyes instantly became clear.

A trace of shame appeared on her face. "I'm sorry, Uncle. I know I was wrong!"

Ren Pingsheng said, "At today's ceremony, Young Master's arrangements were linked ring by ring, and he could be said to have grasped those people's thoughts to the utmost degree!

From this alone, I can be certain that Young Master is by no means some ignorant, incompetent dandy!

He hid his edge for more than ten years, and today he has begun to reveal his sharpness. He must have grand ambitions in his heart!

I am having you follow him not only to secure a good future for you, but also so you can watch more, learn more. Do you understand?"

"Yes!"

"Enough. I have said all there is to say. Take care of yourself! Go inside!" Ren Pingsheng lightly flicked his sleeve, sending Nie Tingting back inside. He then turned and left Heavenly Severing Island.

The grand hall was very quiet.

The sound of a brush landing on paper could be heard clearly.

Wang Mu sat alone in a high place, bent over his desk as he wrote something.

Looking at that figure and recalling Ren Pingsheng's instructions, Nie Tingting quickly composed herself. She strode over with her long jade legs.

"Young Master!" she respectfully saluted.

"Mm."

Wang Mu did not look up and continued writing with swift, vigorous strokes.

Nie Tingting waited quietly.

After a while, Wang Mu raised his head and looked at her. "Tingting, right?"

"My surname is Nie!" Nie Tingting hurriedly introduced herself.

Wang Mu nodded and beckoned. "Come here!"

Nie Tingting froze briefly, then quickly climbed the steps and stood beside Wang Mu. Following his gaze, she looked toward the sheet of paper on the desk, densely covered in writing.

"Early Development Plan for the Langya Foundation..."

Seeing those first few words, Nie Tingting's red lips pressed together slightly.

Uncle had indeed been right.

The ceremony had only just ended, and he was already pondering the foundation's subsequent development. How could this be something a dandy would do?