Chapter 66: Chapter 66: You Bastard
Everyone stared blankly at the Ye family’s Patriarch.
Domineering. Utterly domineering.
The Patriarch’s authority was as potent as ever. The older generation of Cyan Mountain Town knew full well how the Patriarch of the Ye family had single-handedly built his massive enterprise in this very town.
Even now, his edge hadn’t dulled.
The Patriarch of the Ye family stood there, immovable. His fierce and commanding presence was so intense that no one could meet his gaze, as if they had been transported back to his glory days.
"So, you refuse to believe me." Steward Xuu shot to his feet, his expression hardening as his eyes narrowed. "Old Master Ye, I offered you a word of advice out of kindness. Not only did you not appreciate it, you threw my good intentions back in my face. I’d like to see how you plan to sell your medicinal herbs with the Alchemist Association working against you."
"I, Xuu Cheng, will make it clear right here and now. From this day forward, the Alchemist Association will completely blacklist the Ye family. We will refuse any and all business related to you. Anyone who dares to do business with the Ye family will be considered an enemy of the Alchemist Association."
An uproar swept through the crowd.
Steward Xuu was clearly trying to drive the Ye family to their doom. The Alchemist Association? It was one of the most fearsome behemoths in Blue Moon City. With Steward Xuu’s declaration, who would dare to work with the Ye family?
The Ye family could try to sell their herbs outside of Blue Moon City, sure, but what about transportation? Logistics? With no carriage companies or merchant guilds willing to cooperate, the Ye family’s herbs would just rot in their own warehouses.
It seemed the Ye family was truly beyond saving this time.
But just then, a harsh, furious roar suddenly echoed across the square.
"Xuu Cheng, you bastard! Who the hell gave you the authority to represent the Alchemist Association?"
The furious shout sent a stir through the crowd. The people at the front parted, and a group of men pushed their way through, their faces filled with rage.
"Master Liang!" Seeing the man in the lead, the previously arrogant and imperious Steward Xuu was instantly stunned.
SMACK!
A heavy slap struck Steward Xuu across the face, sending him flying several meters.
"You dog! Strutting around here, blacklisting the Ye family? Did you get my approval?"
"A mere steward! What fucking right do you have to blacklist the Ye family?"
"Instead of doing your job as a steward, you’re acting like a dog for the Wang family! Are you still a steward of my Alchemist Association?"
"Who gave you the guts to blacklist the Ye family? An ’enemy of the Alchemist Association’? Pah! You’re not worthy! I’m telling you right now, Xuu Cheng, you are hereby expelled from the Alchemist Association by me, Liang Fang."
"From this moment on, you are no longer a steward of the Alchemist Association, and you have no authority to make any decisions on its behalf!"
"Get out!"
Master Liang’s explosive tirade was like a landslide, a tidal wave that left everyone present dumbfounded. In an instant, their minds reeled, completely unable to process what was happening.
Steward Xuu, so imposing just moments before, was now sprawled on the ground like a dog. He clutched his face, equally stunned.
The members of the Wang, Li, and Liu families were also bewildered.
Liang Fang, Master Liang, was the head of the Alchemist Association in Cyan Mountain Town. There wasn’t a single person in the entire town who didn’t know this.
But everyone also knew that Master Liang was a recluse who rarely made public appearances. Whenever the Alchemist Association had business, it was usually Steward Xuu or Steward He who handled it.
Now, just as Steward Xuu had announced the blacklist against the Ye family, Master Liang had stormed out. What did this mean? It meant there was no unified front within the Alchemist Association.
Steward Xuu’s position in the Alchemist Association wasn’t low, but he was still just a steward. Compared to a figurehead like Master Liang, a Rank One Alchemist, the gap was immense.
CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!
Just then, the sharp sound of applause rang out across the square.
Ye Xuan leisurely strolled out from the crowd. "A good hit, a brilliant hit. Master Liang is truly worthy of being the head of Cyan Mountain Town’s Alchemist Association. Your hatred for evil is admirable, and we are all impressed. To think a mere steward would dare to represent the Alchemist Association... isn’t he afraid of becoming a laughingstock?"
"Master Liang, this Steward Xuu just announced that he wants to blacklist my Ye family. I wonder what your thoughts are on the matter?"
"Haha, Young Master Xuan jests." Liang Fang had learned Ye Xuan’s name on his way over. He glanced at Steward Xuu with contempt and said disdainfully, "Xuu Cheng? Who does he think he is? The words coming out of his mouth are pure bullshit. The Ye family’s herbs have always been the highest quality in Cyan Mountain Town. The Alchemist Association is willing to offer a five percent annual price increase... no, ten percent... no, no, twenty percent is better. We are willing to sign a ten-year procurement contract with the Ye family, with a twenty percent price increase each year."
"Furthermore, the Alchemist Association will not accept any medicinal herbs from sources other than the Ye family."
What?
Everyone thought they had misheard. Master Liang, representing the Alchemist Association, was willing to sign a ten-year procurement contract with the Ye family at a twenty percent annual price increase? This was a direct slap to Steward Xuu’s face.
Not only Steward Xuu’s face, but the faces of the Li, Liu, and Wang family alliance had also been soundly slapped by Master Liang.
The situation had reversed far too quickly.
Putting the Li and Liu families aside for a moment, who were the Wang family? Everyone knew they were one of the three great families of Blue Moon City, an undisputed hegemon.
For Master Liang to make such a decision in this situation wasn’t just about cooperating with the Ye family; it was a public challenge to the Wang family, a clear show of support for the Ye family.
He was essentially declaring a war to the death against the Wang family and their allies.
When did the Ye family form such a strong connection with Master Liang? And how did their relationship become so rock-solid?
Even the Patriarch of the Ye family and the others were stunned. They knew their relationship with the Alchemist Association better than anyone. Although they had cooperated for many years, it was merely a supplier-client relationship. They had some rapport, sure, but it was nowhere near this deep.
But Master Liang’s current actions went far beyond mere rapport. This was something only a die-hard ally would do. It left them feeling both flattered and completely baffled, even a little apprehensive.
The Wang family’s Wang Tian’s expression changed instantly. "Master Liang, isn’t what you’re doing a bit improper? Steward Xuu already signed a contract with us yesterday on behalf of the Alchemist Association. For you to publicly tear it up now is a breach of contract. I’m afraid your Alchemist Association can’t bear the consequences."
Master Liang didn’t answer. His eyes narrowed slightly as he said disdainfully, "And who are you?"
"I am Wang Tian, a steward of the Wang family." Wang Tian’s face was grim, but he replied in a cold voice.
"Oh, so just a servant of the Wang family." Master Liang’s words almost made Wang Tian cough up a mouthful of blood in rage. "It’s not a servant’s place to lecture me on how I do things. The one who signed the agreement with you was Xuu Cheng. If you want someone to bear the consequences, go find him. If the Wang family isn’t satisfied, they can have their Patriarch go to the Alchemist Association and speak with Chairman Hua. For a mere servant to strut around in front of me... what a joke."
"You... you..." Faced with someone like Master Liang, Wang Tian was at a complete loss for words. Finally, he spat out viciously, "You’ll regret this."
"What?" Master Liang’s face suddenly darkened. "Are you threatening me? You’re threatening a Rank One Alchemist of the kingdom? Say that again if you have the guts. With just those words you spoke, believe it or not, I can have your head roll."
When Master Liang erupted in anger, Wang Tian’s face changed color several times. He wished he could just slap himself.
’My stupid mouth! I have such a stupid mouth! Alchemists and Soul Refiners are all a bunch of fucking lunatics. Why did I have to argue with them? I was just asking for a tongue-lashing.’
What else could Wang Tian say at this point? This matter was far beyond what a minor steward like him could decide. He made an excuse and scurried away from the square in disgrace.
He had to report what happened here back to his family before any further decisions could be made.
"Haha, Ye Batian, Old Master Ye! It’s been a long time..."
As soon as Wang Tian and his men had scurried away, the anger on Master Liang’s face vanished. He strode forward, firmly grasped the Patriarch’s hands, and shook them vigorously. "Haha, the old master is truly as vigorous as ever, his presence just as majestic as in his prime! I remember when I, Liang Fang, first came to Cyan Mountain Town, I heard many tales of your deeds. Whenever I recall them, I’m filled with admiration, deeply moved and full of respect. Seeing you today, it’s all true!"
Old Master Ye Batian was completely bewildered as Master Liang grasped his hands.
’What in the world is going on? Deeply moved? Full of respect? Is he kidding me?!’
’You’ve been in Cyan Mountain Town for a while now, Master Liang. We haven’t spoken much, but we’ve met a few times. We never exchanged more than a few sentences. Since when were you so enthusiastic, Elder Liang?’
Seeing the Patriarch’s astonishment, Master Liang paid it no mind and said earnestly, "Ah, Brother Ye, I’ve been in Cyan Mountain Town for so long, yet we haven’t interacted much. From now on, we must talk more, communicate more."
"This must be Brother Zhanyun of your Ye family, yes? From now on, all of the Alchemist Association’s business will go through him. Your Ye family should bring the herbs from your warehouse over right away. We at the Alchemist Association are in dire need of herbs for Alchemy."
"Young Master Xuan." Finally, Master Liang came to stand before Ye Xuan. "This Xuu Cheng signed an agreement with the Wang family in private, which has also caused significant problems for our Alchemist Association. Rest assured, I won’t let him get away with it. There are some things I need to go back and handle. If you need anything, Young Master Xuan, just send someone to the Alchemist Association. If it’s within my power, I, Liang Fang, will not refuse. I won’t stay any longer today."
With matters settled, Master Liang quickly departed with the people from the Alchemist Association.
Some of the onlookers also began to disperse.
The spectacle today was supposed to be the Li family alliance’s chance to show off and crush the Ye family in front of everyone.
But who would have thought that with Master Liang’s appearance and the Alchemist Association’s intervention, it would turn into the Ye family slapping the Li family alliance in the face instead.
