Jiangcheng, Abandoned Warehouse.
Three young men arrived one after another, greeting each other warmly the moment they met.
“Brother Zhang, it’s been a while! Three months apart, and I’ve missed you dearly.”
“Brother Li, you truly are my kindred spirit. I’ve missed you just as much.”
“Same goes for me, Old Wu!”
Laughing and chatting, they acted like long-lost brothers, exchanging pleasantries for a good while.
Brother Zhang glanced around and nodded in “satisfaction.” “Not bad. The place Brother Wu found isn’t just hidden—it’s also close to our own turf. A perfect spot for negotiations.”
Brother Wu grinned foolishly, his eyes nearly disappearing from pride at the praise. Brother Li, however, wore a look of disdain.
The little voice in his head was practically cursing.
What the hell kind of place is this? Acting like some mob boss, picking a shady corner for negotiations. We’re esteemed masters of the Hundred Immortals Sect—can’t we at least have some dignity?
Ugh.
Brother Wu seemed oblivious to their mockery and contempt, instead thumping his chest proudly. “I’m nothing if not practical. Otherwise, Immortal Ya wouldn’t have personally assigned me here to assist his disciple.”
The other two instantly fell silent.
Though they jointly managed the Hundred Immortals Sect’s operations in Jiangcheng, they were merely deputies. Above them sat Immortal Ya himself, and they didn’t dare overstep.
Yet not long ago, Immortal Ya suddenly announced he was going into seclusion, leaving his disciple in charge of Jiangcheng’s affairs—and promoting Brother Wu to assist him.
Brother Wu might not have had as much authority as them, but with the backing of Immortal Ya’s disciple, many impossibilities became possible. Like this negotiation, which Brother Wu was attending as the disciple’s representative.
The earlier cheerful atmosphere vanished. The three men stared at each other, waiting for the other party to arrive.
With a clang, the door swung open, and a young man in his twenties strode in.
“Apologies for keeping you waiting.” The young man carried himself with extraordinary grace, appearing completely at ease in front of the three.
“As expected of someone chosen by Ye Qingyu. Not simple at all—and you really came alone.” The three, emboldened by their numbers, tried to seize the upper hand in presence.
“I’m a man of my word. I don’t go back on my promises. But you—” The young man paused slightly. “You agreed to come alone. Why are there three of you?”
The three exchanged glances, none speaking up.
“Ah, I see. No one could take charge, so you sent all the deputies to negotiate by committee, right?”
Brother Wu stepped forward, his aura steady. “President Liao Yu, you jest. I was supposed to handle the negotiations, but I’m new here and unfamiliar with the area, so I asked these two to accompany me. I hope you don’t mind.”
The young man, Liao Yu, smiled warmly and waved a hand dismissively. “No worries. One person, three people—it’s all the same. Let’s get to the point.”
His words carried a hint of mockery—implying they were outmatched. But Brother Zhang and Brother Li, having operated in Jiangcheng for years, knew Liao Yu wasn’t to be trifled with. Brother Wu, meanwhile, seemed content to “grin and bear it,” so no one objected.
As the lead negotiator, Brother Wu spoke first. “Then I’ll be direct. We know what the Qingyu Society wants—and what you want. As long as President Liao agrees not to interfere when the time comes—”
“Hold on.” Liao Yu cut him off. “Our president comes from the Ye family. Even if she has conflicts with them, blood is still blood. By that logic, her family is our Qingyu Society’s family. And you’re asking us to stand by while they’re attacked?”
“Those who achieve great things don’t sweat the small stuff. Why cling to meaningless ties? Especially when you’re planning to take over the Qingyu Society she worked so hard to build. And now you’re preaching honor to us?” Brother Li scoffed.
“I don’t care. The Ye family is family to all of us in the Qingyu Society—”
After a long silence, Brother Wu finally said, “Five top-grade spirit stones as well.”
“Fifty.” Liao Yu’s tone left no room for negotiation.
So much for honor—he just wants more money.
“You might as well rob us!” Brother Li snapped.
“Fine. It’s not like I need anything from you. Refusing won’t cost me a thing.” Liao Yu turned to leave.
“President Liao, fifty is impossible. But if seven—”
“No deal. The Ye family is—”
“Ten. That’s our absolute limit. Any more, and we’d be bankrupt.”
“Deal!” Liao Yu agreed cheerfully.
After Liao Yu left, Brother Li and Brother Zhang exchanged glances, their eyes filled with contempt—for Brother Wu.
“Brother Wu, where do you plan to get ten top-grade spirit stones for him? Surely you’re not planning to ask the newly appointed master?” Brother Li and Brother Zhang sneered.
“Of course not.”
“Hah! Then how—” Noticing Brother Wu’s expression, the two paused. “Wait. You’re borrowing from us?”
Brother Wu unhurriedly took out his phone, disconnected Bluetooth, and turned on speaker mode. A cool, composed woman’s voice came through:
“I’m the one borrowing. Do you two have any objections?”
The moment they heard the voice, Brother Li and Brother Zhang’s arrogance vanished. They bowed respectfully. “Of course not. It’s not even borrowing.”
Inwardly, though, they were cursing up a storm.
“Don’t worry, I’ll repay you. And if this operation succeeds, you’ll both be credited as the chief contributors.”
“…Thank you, Master.”
“One more thing. The Northern Dipper Division from Jingcheng has sent people to Jiangcheng—likely targeting us. Be on guard.”
Jingcheng? Sending people to Jiangcheng?
Were they joking? Even the local Northern Dipper forces in Jiangcheng didn’t dare touch them. What threat could a third-tier city possibly pose?
They clearly didn’t take the warning seriously.
“Don’t underestimate them. Their leader is Ye Qingyi, the Second Young Miss of the Ye family. She’s already distinguished herself multiple times—the most talented of the Northern Dipper’s new generation. Her arrival could disrupt our plans.”
“Understood.”
Though they complied verbally, they still didn’t regard Su Mo and the others as a real threat.
In their eyes, a talented, powerful young fighter might excel in combat—but when it came to power struggles between factions? Still far too green.
Hardly worth mentioning.
After leaving the abandoned warehouse, the three returned to their respective posts to prepare for the next phase. None of them took Su Mo seriously, focusing almost entirely on the Ye family affair.
Meanwhile, Su Mo and his team had just arrived in Jiangcheng—and were looking for a place to grab a bite to eat…