After leaving the palace, Yi Chen didn't linger. He went straight back to Zhu Mansion.
The sisters, Zhu Zhuqing and Zhu Zhuyun, were waiting in the living room. When they saw him return safe and sound, they both breathed a sigh of relief.
Zhu Zhuqing hurried over, concern in her eyes. "Master, how did it go?"
Yi Chen sat down in a chair, picked up the tea the maid had just brewed, and took a sip. His tone was as casual as if he were commenting on the weather. "It's taken care of. The engagement is off. The Star Luo Emperor personally issued the decree. You and Dai Mubai have nothing to do with each other anymore."
Zhu Zhuqing froze.
She had known that with her master handling things, there was a good chance it would work out. But hearing the news for real still felt unreal.
The engagement that had weighed on her heart for years, the shackles that had jolted her awake from nightmares countless times, had just... come undone?
"It's really... been called off?" Zhu Zhuqing's voice trembled slightly, as if she couldn't believe it was true.
Yi Chen set down his teacup and looked at her. "What, don't you believe in your master's abilities?"
"No, no!" Zhu Zhuqing quickly shook her head, but her eyes reddened despite herself.
She lowered her head and clutched the hem of her clothes, her voice choked with emotion. "I just... I just didn't expect it to happen so quickly..."
Zhu Zhuyun stepped forward and gently put an arm around her sister's shoulders. "Silly girl, this is good news. Why are you crying?"
Zhu Zhuqing sniffed and nodded firmly, but didn't look up. She didn't want her master and sister to see her crying.
Yi Chen didn't call her out on her stubbornness. Instead, he turned to Zhu Zhuyun and asked, "Miss Zhuyun, where is your father? There's something I'd like to discuss with him."
Zhu Zhuyun paused, then promptly replied, "Father's in his study. I'll go get him."
Before long, Patriarch Zhu hurried into the living room. He had already heard from the palace about Yi Chen's audacious raid and successful intervention to break off the engagement. His awe of the young Limit Douluo had only grown.
As soon as he entered, he clasped his hands in salute. "Elder Yi Chen, thank you for standing up for my daughter today."
Yi Chen waved a hand. "There's no need for thanks, Family Head Zhu. Zhu Zhuqing is my disciple. It was my duty."
He paused, then continued, "But there's something else I wanted to discuss with you today."
"Please, Elder, go ahead."
Yi Chen lifted his teacup and took a leisurely sip. Then he set it down and looked at Patriarch Zhu calmly. "I want to give the Zhu Family the exclusive rights to operate Teamfight Tactics in the Star Luo Empire."
Patriarch Zhu froze.
Although he hadn't been among the first to encounter Teamfight Tactics, he knew full well the storm it had stirred across the continent in recent days.
Spirit Hall was promoting it with all its might, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had enthusiastically thrown its support behind it, and Poison Douluo Dugu Bo had publicly endorsed it... The game's influence was growing at an astonishing pace.
If the Zhu Family secured the exclusive rights to operate it in the Star Luo Empire, it would bring them wealth and resources beyond measure!
"Elder Yi Chen, do you really mean that?" Patriarch Zhu's voice tightened.
Yi Chen nodded. "Of course. But I have a few conditions."
"Please, Elder, tell me!"
"First, the Zhu Family must build a Golden Spatula Pavilion in Star Luo City, following the specifications of the one in Spirit City. I'll provide the building materials, but the Zhu Family will handle choosing the site and overseeing construction."
Patriarch Zhu nodded repeatedly. "Naturally, naturally!"
"Second, once the pavilion is complete, the Zhu Family will receive thirty percent of the operating profits. The remaining seventy percent will go toward promoting and establishing Golden Spatula branches throughout the continent."
Yi Chen held up three fingers. "Of course, if the Zhu Family makes additional contributions to promotion, we can adjust your share upward."
Patriarch Zhu agreed almost without hesitation. "No problem!"
"Third..." Yi Chen's gaze grew a little more serious. "The Zhu Family must select a group of talented young members to receive professional training in Golden Spatula. In the future, they'll become the backbone of Golden Spatula in the Star Luo Empire."
Patriarch Zhu drew a deep breath and clasped his hands solemnly. "Rest assured, Elder Yi Chen. The Zhu Family will do everything in its power and won't let you down!"
Yi Chen nodded with satisfaction. "Good. Then it's settled. In a few days, I'll send someone with the building materials and a detailed operating plan. You can start looking for a site in the meantime."
"Good, good!" Patriarch Zhu beamed and echoed the words again and again.
Zhu Zhuyun watched her father's delight, then looked at Yi Chen's unruffled composure. She couldn't help but feel deeply moved.
This young man, who was only a few years older than her younger sister, had first stormed the palace all by himself and forced the emperor to personally issue a decree ending the engagement.
Then, in the blink of an eye, he had placed before them a gift that could change the Zhu Family's fate.
With the strength of a Limit Douluo and the potential of Teamfight Tactics... the heights this man might reach in the future were simply unimaginable.
Her younger sister had truly been blessed beyond measure to become his disciple.
"Zhu Zhuqing," Yi Chen suddenly turned to her, a hint of amusement in his voice.
"From now on, you're the face of Golden Spatula in the Star Luo Empire. Don't let your master down."
Zhu Zhuqing looked up. The tears in her eyes had faded, replaced by a glimmer of determination. "Don't worry, Master. I won't disappoint you."
Yi Chen nodded and stood. "All right, everything's taken care of. I should head back. Those two girls, Rongrong and Xiao Wu, are probably getting impatient waiting for me in the back hills."
Zhu Zhuqing quickly said, "Master, I'll go back with you."
Yi Chen glanced at her, then at Zhu Zhuyun standing beside her, and waved a hand. "No rush. You've finally mended things with your sister. Stay a few more days. You can come back once the Star Luo Branch is up and running."
Zhu Zhuqing paused, uncertain. "But..."
"But what?" Yi Chen cut her off. "Are you going to disobey your master?"
Zhu Zhuqing opened her mouth, but in the end, she obediently nodded. "Yes, Master."
Yi Chen smiled with satisfaction and turned toward the door.
When he reached it, he suddenly remembered something and looked back. "By the way, Miss Zhuyun."
Zhu Zhuyun promptly answered, "What would you have me do, Elder?"
"You're a Zhu Family daughter too. If you're interested, you can try your hand at Golden Spatula."
The corner of Yi Chen's mouth curled into a meaningful smile. "You seem quite talented. You might even have more of a knack for it than your sister."
He didn't wait for Zhu Zhuyun to reply. He strode out of Zhu Mansion.
Zhu Zhuyun remained where she stood, watching him disappear into the distance, a complex glimmer in her eyes.
Teamfight Tactics...
Perhaps this really was an opportunity for the Zhu Family.