Headquarters Envoy

The streets and alleys buzzed with discussion.

Xiao Chen, clad in a green robe, stood with his hands behind his back in a private room on the auction house's second floor.

In the hall below, the auctioneer enthusiastically introduced each item, drawing wave after wave of bids.

Yet Xiao Chen's gaze remained fixed on the tightly shut door of the private room.

"Mr. Xiao."

The curtain lifted, and Ya Fei entered gracefully, unable to hide the delight on her face.

"The envoy from headquarters has arrived. He specifically asked to see you."

"Oh?"

Xiao Chen raised an eyebrow. "Then let's meet him."

"Mr. Xiao, this envoy is no ordinary man."

Ya Fei lowered her voice, her eyes carrying a trace of solemnity.

"He is a trusted confidant of that person at headquarters and rarely leaves their side. For him to come to Wutan City in person this time, I'm afraid... something major is happening."

"No matter."

Xiao Chen smiled. "A guest has come calling. We'll know once we meet him."

A moment later.

A sharp-featured middle-aged man in an embroidered robe entered the private room under Ya Fei's escort.

He looked Xiao Chen over, then cupped his hands in greeting. "I have long heard that Elder Xiao's alchemy is divine. Now that I have met you, your reputation is indeed well deserved!"

"You flatter me, Envoy."

Xiao Chen returned the gesture with a smile. "Xiao is merely a minor alchemist, hardly worthy of such praise."

"Elder Xiao is too modest."

The envoy smiled. "To be frank, I came here for two reasons. First, on behalf of headquarters, to form an alliance with the Xiao Clan. Second... to specially invite Elder Xiao to attend headquarters' next auction."

"A headquarters auction?"

A glint flashed through Xiao Chen's eyes. "Is the Envoy speaking the truth?"

"Of course."

The envoy said solemnly, "I have personally witnessed Elder Xiao's pills here in Wutan City. Their quality and efficacy are both first-rate! A talent such as Elder Xiao should not be confined to a small place like Wutan City. That would be far too wasteful."

"Headquarters is willing to share its trade routes with the Xiao Clan and stand with you through thick and thin. Elder Xiao, what do you think?"

Xiao Chen's heart stirred, but his expression remained unchanged.

He lifted his teacup, took a slow sip, and considered it briefly.

"I appreciate the Envoy's kindness."

After a moment, he set down the cup and said slowly, "However, the Xiao Clan's foundation is still shallow. I fear we may tarnish headquarters' name. How about... we begin with Wutan City first? Once the Xiao Clan has firmly established itself, we can discuss the rest."

"As for the headquarters auction..."

He paused, then smiled. "Once the Three-Year Agreement has been settled, Xiao will certainly pay a visit."

"The Three-Year Agreement..."

The envoy's eyes flickered as he said meaningfully, "Elder Xiao, you truly have great confidence in that young master of the Xiao Clan."

"It is not confidence, exactly."

Xiao Chen smiled faintly. "It is simply that Xiao has always liked to make things clear in advance. On the day of the Three-Year Agreement, Xiao will personally ascend Misty Cloud Mountain to lend his support to the Xiao Clan's young master."

"As for the outcome..."

He raised his teacup. "Envoy, you may as well wait and see."

The envoy froze for a moment, then clapped his hands and laughed. "Good! What a 'wait and see'! I admire Elder Xiao's courage! Then we shall proceed as Elder Xiao suggests, starting with Wutan City!"

"Ya Fei."

He turned and instructed her, "From this day forth, Mittel and the Xiao Clan shall formally form an alliance! The Xiao Clan's trade routes will immediately be opened into the central region of the Jia Ma Empire!"

"Yes!"

Joy filled Ya Fei's face as she bowed deeply.

Once the news spread, the auction house erupted in an uproar!

"The Xiao Clan... has latched onto Mittel Headquarters?!"

"That is the leader of commerce in the Jia Ma Empire! The Xiao Clan is about to soar to the heavens!"

"Terrifying! That elder of the Xiao Clan has truly kept his abilities hidden!"

"Hiss—looks like the Misty Cloud Sect may have kicked an iron plate this time!"

In another private room on the second floor, a white-haired old man slowly set down his teacup. As he looked toward Xiao Chen's private room, a sharp glint flashed through his clouded eyes.

"The Xiao Clan... Xiao Chen..."

"Interesting. Truly interesting."

"The Three-Year Agreement... it seems someone is about to stir up the waters of the Jia Ma Empire."

He quietly instructed the attendant beside him, "Go investigate this Elder Xiao's background."

"Be quick."

"Master, you mean...?" The attendant was taken aback.

"Someone who can alarm Mittel Headquarters with a single batch of pills."

The old man said calmly, "A person like that would be a true pity to miss."

Xiao Zhan was so excited that his hands trembled. Grabbing Xiao Chen, he repeatedly asked, "Elder Xiao! Is this... is this true?!"

"Of course it is."

Xiao Chen smiled. "Clan Leader, from this day onward, the Xiao Clan has truly taken root."

"Good! Good!"

Xiao Zhan said the word twice, his eyes reddening. "Our Xiao Clan has endured humiliation and hardship for so many years. At last... at last, we have waited for this day!"

"Clan Leader, this is only the beginning."

Xiao Chen patted his shoulder and smiled. "One day, the Xiao Clan will stand even higher. On the day of the Three-Year Agreement, Clan Leader, be sure to hold your head high and let the Misty Cloud Sect see clearly that the Xiao Clan is not to be trifled with!"

"Of course!"

Xiao Zhan laughed heartily, the resentment in his chest swept away.

The auction came to an end, and the Xiao Clan's prestige rose another step.

That night.

Ya Fei came to visit, her face glowing. "Mr. Xiao, I have been promoted to branch president!"

"Congratulations."

Xiao Chen raised his teacup with a smile. "Miss Ya Fei, from now on, the Xiao Clan and Mittel are one family."

"I will remember Mr. Xiao's great kindness in my heart."

Ya Fei said solemnly, "Should Mr. Xiao ever have need of me, Ya Fei would not hesitate to die ten thousand deaths!"

"You exaggerate."

Xiao Chen smiled and shook his head. "We are simply taking what we each need. It benefits us both."

"By the way."

He paused, then suddenly asked, "That envoy today had quite an impressive background, didn't he?"

Ya Fei was slightly startled, then lowered her voice. "Mr. Xiao has sharp eyes. That envoy is the trusted confidant of the chief of headquarters' commercial council. The chief is a figure whom even the imperial family treats with considerable respect."

"Oh?"

A strange glint flashed through Xiao Chen's eyes. "Then he came all the way to Wutan City merely for Xiao's pills?"

"This..."

Ya Fei pondered for a moment. "Ya Fei suspects there is likely another reason. But since the envoy did not say, it was not my place to ask."

"No matter."

Xiao Chen waved his hand. "Soldiers will come, and generals will stop them; water will come, and earth will block it. So long as they bear no ill intent, Xiao has nothing to fear."

Ya Fei came late at night, her expression grave.

"Mr. Xiao, something has happened."

"What is it?" Xiao Chen set down his teacup, his expression calm.

"My people in the central region of the Jia Ma Empire uncovered some information... the outer sect of the Misty Cloud Sect is secretly mobilizing men. Before the Three-Year Agreement, they intend to teach the Xiao Clan a lesson!"

"Where did this information come from?" Xiao Chen asked.

"It was delivered overnight by someone on behalf of a shopkeeper from a trading house in the central region."

Ya Fei said, "That shopkeeper has old ties with the Xiao Clan. After hearing the news, he did not dare delay."

"Is it reliable?"

"The information returned by our informants matches the shopkeeper's account exactly."

A cold glint flashed through Xiao Chen's eyes before he swiftly returned to calm.

"Teach the Xiao Clan a lesson?"