A Different Kind of Gain

Just as the Xiao Family elders had said, they began taking action that very afternoon, shamelessly running back to discuss the matter with their grandsons and granddaughters.

The outcome was naturally a mix of joy and sorrow. Some agreed, of course. Who would not be willing to do something that brought them benefits? Losing a little face did not matter. But some were unwilling, especially those Xiao Family youths who had been pampered all their lives. The one most opposed to it was Xiao Ning, who had previously had an unpleasant encounter with Yun Shenwei.

"Grandfather, I absolutely refuse to agree to this! A true man is born between heaven and earth. How can he remain beneath another for long?"

In the room, Xiao Ning said this with a flushed face. It was also the first time in all his life that he had dared to oppose his grandfather.

Slap!

A loud slap rang out. Xiao Ning clutched his face, looking deeply aggrieved.

"You foolish brat! If Grandfather tells you to curry favor with someone, then do it! Status is not important, understand? Besides, is your so-called young master status even higher than his?"

The First Elder of the Xiao Family was furious. He had doted on this grandson for so many years, but today, he felt that he might have been wrong.

"This is a world where the strong are respected. Shouldn't you carefully consider your future path and direction? Your grandfather has lived for so many years, yet I am still confined within this family. Look at Xiao Zhan. Is his seniority higher than mine? Yet he became the clan leader! Have you ever thought about why everyone supports him? Isn't it because his cultivation realm and talent are the best in the entire family? If your grandfather were a few decades younger, do you think he could still become clan leader? Is that even possible?"

The First Elder of the Xiao Family spoke with disappointment at his failure to live up to expectations. Talking about these matters now also reminded him of all the frustrations he had endured in the family over the years.

Perhaps in other people's eyes, a family's First Elder should stand below only one person and above countless others. But it was precisely that position below one person that left him restricted at every turn. After all, he was not the clan leader and had no final say!

"Grandfather..."

Xiao Ning's eyes reddened, and tears streamed down his face.

"That is why Grandfather is doing this today. It is the result of considering many things. You are still young, so do not act on impulse. Use your brain more when you do things. Do not envy, resent, or hate others. You must respect the strong. Do not think about opposing them. Rather than doing that, wouldn't it be better to honestly become their lackey? Wouldn't you gain more benefits that way? Why use an egg to strike a rock and bring suffering upon yourself?"

The First Elder of the Xiao Family rubbed his grandson's cheek and earnestly tried to persuade him.

"Grandfather, Ning'er understands! A true man can bend and stretch, capable of anything!"

Xiao Ning nodded heavily. At that moment, he decided that he would become Yun Shenwei's little follower, even if others saw him as nothing more than a dog.

"It is good that you understand. Such an opportunity comes once in a thousand years. They only came here to break off an engagement, really. Of course, it is enough that you know this. Do not tell anyone else."

The First Elder of the Xiao Family let out a long sigh...

Meanwhile, similar scenes continued to play out elsewhere in the Xiao Family.

People ultimately lived to fight for their own interests and development. Whether they flattered others falsely or sincerely, there was nothing wrong with it. Everyone fawned over the strong and invested in young geniuses merely because they wanted a better life. Yun Shenwei, the person at the center of it all, knew nothing about this. He reported the successful outcome to Deacon Ge Ye.

"Mm. You are meticulous in your thinking and have great potential for strategic planning. If you and Yanran stay together properly in the future, it will only be a matter of time before our Misty Cloud Sect grows stronger."

After Deacon Ge Ye finished speaking, he took a few sips of Sprite and tore open a bag of Spicy Stick.

Over the past few days, Ge Ye had basically had nothing to do. Aside from ensuring their basic safety, he had almost no other tasks.

Furthermore, Yun Shenwei had given him plenty of tasty snacks, allowing Deacon Ge Ye to indulge to his heart's content.

He had been in the Misty Cloud Sect for many years, always handling matters diligently and meticulously, never daring to relax in the slightest. Now that he had come out on a mission and had a chance to take it easy, he finally allowed himself to rest.

"Alright, since the matter has been settled, I will send word back later. Also, the Second Elder will still need some time to deal with his affairs. While you wait for him to return, you can stay here properly. This old man will ensure your safety."

After finishing his Spicy Stick, Ge Ye thought for a moment and said this. When he looked up, he noticed Yun Shenwei eating some delicacies he had never seen before and immediately said, "Hey, give this old man some. Come on... Don't spend every day thinking only about feeding yourself. This old man works hard protecting you too, alright?"

"Alright, alright, Deacon, you've worked hard!"

Seeing Ge Ye acting like an old child, Yun Shenwei could not help but laugh.

In the original story, Ge Ye was portrayed as sinister, cunning, and narrow-minded.

Yun Shenwei had thought so at first as well, but he later changed his view.

Good and evil were not absolute. It depended on the perspective Yun Shenwei took and the identity from which he considered such matters.

At the very least, after he arrived, Deacon Ge Ye had changed.

Moreover, there was no conflict of interest between him and Deacon Ge Ye. The Misty Cloud Sect was Yun Shenwei's home! Therefore, there was no need for Yun Shenwei to force himself into Xiao Yan's perspective from the original story. Wouldn't that be completely mismatched? "No problem. There's plenty!"

Yun Shenwei laughed heartily and shared many specialty snacks from Blue Planet with Ge Ye. Watching Ge Ye's greedy old foodie expression made him happy as well.

That evening, Yun Shenwei declined the Xiao Family's dinner invitation. Instead, he borrowed a place in the Xiao Family's kitchen and cooked several homemade dishes from the Celestial Dynasty himself.

After the dishes were ready, he called Nalan Yanran and Deacon Ge Ye over. The three of them gathered together to taste the meal.

"Wow, Shenwei Senior Brother, the Kung Pao Chicken you made is delicious! I never imagined food could be prepared like this!"

After taking a few bites of the delicacies the young man had introduced to her, Nalan Yanran could not help but praise him.

"You really have so many secrets. Speaking of which, that mysterious teacher of yours is truly impressive. He actually trained you into such an amazing all-around genius without anyone in our Misty Cloud Sect noticing."

Ge Ye took a sip of Sprite and lavished praise upon the dishes covering the table.

"It is nothing much. If possible, I hope our Misty Cloud Sect can get into the food business in the future as well."

An idea suddenly came to Yun Shenwei's mind. Before achieving success in his future career, he could perhaps try doing some business first. Maybe he would gain something different from it?