Zhao Chen rested his hand on his saber hilt, his expression dark.
"A boycott?"
"Who do you think you are?"
The Brocade-Robed Shopkeeper paled, but still forced himself to say, "Guard Zhao, we have no intention of making an enemy of the Exchange Tower."
"But trade has its own rules."
"If the Exchange Tower wants to monopolize the market, we can only join forces to protect ourselves."
Ren had yet to speak.
A hoarse voice suddenly came from behind them.
"Since when did Chaotic Star City have so many rules?"
Holding his wine gourd, Elder Zhong descended the stairs one step at a time.
He still wore that old robe washed pale with age, his hair a tangled mess, looking like an ordinary drunk.
But when he reached the center of the hall, a heavy presence bore down.
Silver treasure light faintly emerged.
The pressure of a Quasi-Transcendent!
Several shopkeepers' legs instantly went weak.
"E-Elder Zhong..."
"I remember."
Elder Zhong looked at them, his voice quiet.
"When the Exchange Tower first opened, you thought nothing of it."
"Now that business is good, you think it's getting in the way of your profits."
"What?"
"Are you the only ones allowed to make money in Chaotic Star City? No one else can open their doors for business?"
Cold sweat broke out on the Brocade-Robed Shopkeeper's forehead.
"Elder Zhong, we mean no offense whatsoever."
"It's just that the Exchange Tower's approach is far too aggressive."
Elder Zhong took a step forward.
The stone tiles gave a faint crack.
"Then how aggressive do you intend to be?"
"Smash up the shop?"
"Steal the goods?"
"Or are you planning to take advantage of my grave injuries to see whether these old bones can still kill?"
Not a single person in the hall dared speak.
All