Chen Xiangrong had dared to take over the Eighteen Families Firms at this time because he had learned from the Hall Master that Imperial Remnant Manor had recently loosened its control over some outside affairs, such as the Rare Treasures Pavilion and the Eighteen Families Firms.
However, the Eighteen Families Firms were still different from the Rare Treasures Pavilion. The Rare Treasures Pavilion was staffed almost entirely by people from Imperial Remnant Manor, so it was unlikely to be seized as the Eighteen Families Firms had been.
Imperial Remnant Manor had drawn its main attention back inward, probably because the Thousand-Year Period was approaching.
Thus, he had seized the opportunity to take control of the Eighteen Families Firms, using this gap in Imperial Remnant Manor's oversight to consolidate his strength swiftly.
Of course, he had not fully succeeded yet. He still had one thing to do: use this Trading Company Alliance conference as well to make the matter an established fact.
Once it became an established fact and won recognition from the major powers of the Jianghu, Imperial Remnant Manor would have no choice but to accept it, however furious it might be.
This was also his purpose in impersonating Chen Xiangrong for more than thirty years.
Next, he had to proceed to the next step: the secret of the Eighteen Families Firms. This required Imperial Remnant Manor's cooperation; otherwise, there was no way forward.
Imperial Remnant Manor could not possibly cooperate of its own accord, and he could hardly expose his identity as a member of the Demon Hall, so he could only rely on the powers of the Jianghu.
*Huang Xiao? That brat managed to escape so many pursuers, clearly thanks to the Ten Thousand Demons Skill. But when I met him, his Ten Thousand Demons Skill was