The next day, the snow stopped. Every corner of the city was covered with snow, including the roofs and streets. The entire city had a layer of white coating it.At the largest combat arena in Nanli City, countless people had gathered, waiting for an important match to commence. S~ᴇaʀᴄh the Nʘvᴇl(F)ire.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.
The two most powerful chambers of commerce in Nanli City were having a match today!
The winner would have the chance to control Nanli City, while the loser would leave the city!
Everyone in the audience could not wait to watch this historical match as they chatted and gossiped among themselves.
“Hey! Who do you think will win? The Qi or the Jiang family?”
“I think the Jiang family will win!”
“Sigh. If the Jiang family wins, they will continue to control Nanli City!”
“The Jiang family has been constantly raising the prices of their unique Body Tempering Fluid. Now, it's incredibly expensive!”
“The Jiang family keeps lowering the princes on the materials of the monster beasts!”
“If the Jiang family takes over the entire city's commercial activities, how can we survive?”
“Each day, we risk our lives hunting monster beasts in the Monster Domain Forest, but we only make a measly sum!”
“The Qi family must win!”
Among the crowd, the majority hoped that the Qi family would triumph.
This was not only a battle about the families in question, but it also affected the future of many cultivators in Nanli City.
Thanks to their power, the Jiang family feared no one. They kept buying materials and heavenly herbs at cut-throat prices and selling the finished products at sky-high prices. Countless people were dissatisfied by their actions, but no one dared to resist.
Only the Qi family was able to oppose them by trading at honest prices.
If the Qi family fell, then the future days of the city residents would become incredibly hard!
Even then, many people were not very confident about the Qi family’s odds of winning.
“It’s highly unlikely for the Qi family to beat the Jiang family!”
“I heard that a powerful force protects the Jiang family, and they even sent a formidable elder to help them!”
“Word has it that the elder is at the Human Immortal realm!”
“The Human Immortal realm! Heavens! What’s the point of the Qi family fighting?”
“Even if the Qi family sells everything they own, they won't be able to hire someone of that level to fight, right?”
“Alas…”
As the crowd sighed, the Qi family came into sight first.
The family head was a man in his sixties, Qi Rongchang. He, Qi Yuan, members of the Qi family, and a group of the family staff slowly approached the stage.
The Qi family had been in Nanli City for nearly a century, so they were considered an old brand in the city. Since they ran an honest business, they earned a lot of praise.
The moment the Qi family appeared, many people rooted for them.
“Old Qi, good luck!”
“Old Qi, you mustn’t lose.”
“I have my money on the Qi family, so you can't lose, Old Qi!”
Hearing the crowd's support and well wishes, Qi Rongchang smiled and nodded to them.
Under everyone’s support, Qi Rongchang walked over to Luo Ruying and Ning Yechen, who had arrived earlier.
It was Qi Rongchang’s first time seeing the family of three, and a look of astonishment and respect emerged in his eyes.
Since Qi Yuan returned to the Qi family, he had been hearing his granddaughter talk about Luo Ruying and Ning Yechen every day.
She had nothing but praise for them.
At first, he did not take his granddaughter's words to heart until he learned that Luo Ruying had slain dozens of cultivators at the Spiritual Energy Martial realm in one blow.
Then Ning Yechen had treated Qi Yuan’s meridians and gave the precious prescription for the Meridian Recovery Medicine.
Qi Rongchang was certain that the Qi family had encountered a noble figure who could help turn the tides for the family!
He had always wanted to find an opportunity to visit them and thank them in person, but after hearing from Qi Yuan that they valued their privacy, he could only drop the plan.
Now that Qi Rongchang finally met them in person, he was even more certain of his speculation.
He had been trading all his life, so he had an eye for people.
The woman had a stunning appearance and an extraordinary demeanor, so he could sense right away that she was no ordinary woman.
Even though the man only seemed to be good-looking and elegant, he could treat Qi Yuan's meridians and casually give a precious prescription. No ordinary man could pull this off!
This husband and wife were undoubtedly extraordinary.
“I am the head of the Qi family, Qi Rongchang. It is an honor to meet you. I am deeply grateful for your help,” Qi Rongchang respectfully thanked Luo Ruying and Ning Yechen.
“Family Head Qi, you are too polite. I’m simply helping the Qi family due to my agreement with Miss Qi,” Luo Ruying said calmly while carrying Luo Hongye.
“I understand. Our family will remember your kindness. No matter the outcome, as long as you need us, we will be there for you.”
Qi Rongchang was not a fool. Just a residence worth two million taels was not enough to pay Luo Ruying to aid the Qi family.
Luo Ruying was most likely helping the Qi family because she saw them in trouble and couldn’t stand what the Jiang family was doing.
The Qi family should naturally be grateful to her.
As they chatted, the Jiang family arrived.
The moment Jiang Zhen and his entourage arrived, the surrounding crowd automatically parted down the middle and gave way, going as far as they could. It was completely different from when the Qi family arrived.
Jiang Zhen disregarded the crowd and strode over to the Qi family.
Behind him were the members of the Jiang family and a pale feminine-looking man dressed in a robe with white lotus patterns on it.
Although Jiang Li had lost his three legs, he had regained consciousness through days of treatment. Now, he had shown up pushed over in a wheelchair.
The moment Jiang Zhen saw the Qi family, he sneered, walked over to them, and said mockingly, “Old Qi, I see you're still around. I'm glad to see you’re in good health.”
Qi Rongchang naturally detected his underlying meaning. He glared at Jiang Zhen and retorted, “I’m feeling great! Even if you die, I will still be around.”
When the Jiang family first arrived in Nanli City, they had started as a small business and nearly went bankrupt several times.
The Qi family had bought over their business out of goodwill and supported the Jiang family.
With the Qi family’s help, the Jiang family was able to stand on their feet and grow to its current state.
Unexpectedly, after the Jiang family developed and set up their own chamber of commerce, they forgot about the kindness the Qi family had shown them and instead swallowed the Qi family's businesses and territories and even wanted to force them out of Nanli City!
Seeing the Jiang family, Qi Rongchang regretted helping such ingrates. “Hmph!”
Jiang Zhen felt annoyed, but he snorted coldly disdainfully and continued, “I haven’t seen you for many years, Old Qi, but your tongue is still as sharp as ever! On account of our history, I suggest you give up. Today, your family is destined to lose! If you voluntarily admit defeat now and hand over the commercial streets under your control, considering your wealth, you still have the chance to retire comfortably. Why bet everything you have on this?”
“Hmph. The match has yet to start. What makes you think we will lose? Don’t tell me you're afraid,” Qi Rongzhang said confidently, his face filled with determination.
Even if the Qi family lost everything, he would not give up!
Seeing the Jiang family’s arrogance, Qi Yuan said, “If you want to swallow our business, you have to win first!”