Mu Zhuoyun left the room, sank gloomily onto the sofa, and let out a breath.
He suddenly felt like having a cigarette, but after taking one out, he reluctantly put it down.
Just as he was considering what to do next, the steward led a young man and a middle-aged man inside.
Both were smartly dressed and wore numerous accessories. Whether those were rare ornaments or expensive Magic Tools, their appearance alone marked them as wealthy men.
Seeing them arrive, Mu Zhuoyun hurried to his feet to welcome them.
"Ah, Mr. Zhou and young Youhong. Ling, go fetch my best tea..."
"Forget this so-called best tea of yours. We're here to see how Ning Xue's injuries are doing."
The middle-aged man surnamed Zhou waved a hand and spoke indifferently.
"Ning Xue is resting right now. Please, have a seat first. I was hoping to discuss our purchases through the Imperial Capital's auction house channels with you, Mr. Zhou."
Mu Zhuoyun ushered them in with a smile.
"Shouldn't you be speaking to your own clan about that? Every auction house and Demon Beast market in the Imperial Capital bears your Mu name. What good would coming to me do?"
Mr. Zhou raised his eyebrows, feigning ignorance.
"Dad, don't say that. You know perfectly well how difficult things are for Uncle Zhuoyun right now. We should help him as much as we can."
The young man named Zhou Youhong stepped forward with a broad smile, though a crafty gleam flashed through his eyes.
"That won't do. We're neither relatives nor close friends. Our Zhou Family has some influence in the Imperial Capital, but we still have to abide by the rules of the great families."
Mr. Zhou understood perfectly well too, but put on a troubled expression as he spoke.
These two