Inside a luxurious, extra-large private room at the Crown Holiday Hotel, 15 people sat around a table. The Long Family’s Clan Leader was among them. The other 14 were the heads of the Long Family’s various branches throughout Hexia Road, collectively known as the ’Fourteen Branches of the Long Family’.

Originally, there were 16 branches, but the Xu Family of Han Jin City and the Long Family of Guoyang had been wiped out by Ye Xiu, so the number was reduced to 14. Although they were branches of the Long Family, all 14, much like the Xu Family, had changed their surnames.

"Clan Leader, Shi Yan invites us to dinner, orders this magnificent feast, and then makes us wait from 6:00 until 11:00. What is the meaning of this?" Meng Haishan, head of the Meng Family from Yancheng, said with displeasure.

"He invites us to a meal, makes us wait for hours, and then doesn’t even have the decency to join us," Ivy Chang, the head of the Chang Family, said angrily. "He’s clearly not taking us seriously."

The heads of the other branches also began voicing their dissatisfaction. In the past, the Fourteen Branches of the Long Family consisted of business leaders who were always attended by an entourage wherever they went. Now, having been plundered by Ye Xiu, even a minor tycoon like Shi Yan dared to disregard them. It was a classic case of a mighty dragon being toyed with by shrimp in shallow waters!

"Let’s wait another five minutes. If Shi Yan still isn’t here by then, we’re leaving," the Clan Leader said, suppressing his rage. He was more anxious than any of the branch heads. Midnight was less than an hour away—the time for his daily beating. He had to get back and wait for Huang Quan.

In truth, the Clan Leader was helpless. The Long Family was now so destitute they could barely afford to eat. He had been forced to personally contact Shi Yan to arrange the sale of the companies, fixed assets, and stock holdings of the 14 branches. He never expected Shi Yan to put on such airs.

"HAHAHA, my apologies, my apologies! I’ve made you all wait so long!"

At that moment, the door to the private room opened, and a well-dressed, middle-aged man walked in, laughing apologetically. A young man with an extraordinary demeanor followed behind him.

"Is this your way of hosting guests, Mr. Shi?" the Clan Leader asked, his face cold. "You ask us to come at six, leave us to stare at a table full of food, and then you, the host, only show up at eleven. Don’t you think you’re being incredibly rude?"

"Elder Long, gentlemen, I am truly sorry," Shi Yan said apologetically, adopting a very humble posture. "The main reason I invited you all to dine was to introduce a friend. Unfortunately, his flight was delayed, so he arrived late."

Oh?

The Clan Leader and the heads of the 14 branches turned their gazes to the young man beside Shi Yan.

"Is that him?" the Clan Leader asked.

"Correct!" Shi Yan nodded. "Elder Long, gentlemen, allow me to introduce the young master of the Wang Family from Yunluo City, one of the city’s Four Young Masters, Wang Chaoyang."

The Long Family’s Clan Leader’s eyes sharpened. The Wang Family from Yunluo City? Isn’t that Long Qi’s family? Could he have been sent by Long Qi? He sized up Wang Chaoyang.

"Young Master Wang, allow me to introduce these esteemed elders to you..." Shi Yan continued, introducing the Clan Leader and the others to Wang Chaoyang.

Instead of shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries like a junior, Wang Chaoyang sat down directly beside the Clan Leader and gave him a meaningful look.

So he was sent by Long Qi... The Clan Leader frowned. When Ye Xiu had come to Guoyang seeking revenge, the Clan Leader had contacted everyone in the Long Family Alliance, begging them to come and help. In the end, only Long Ba, Du Long, and the elites of the Fire Seed Company had shown up.

"Elder Long, esteemed elders, you are all looking to sell your companies, fixed assets, and equity for cash only," Shi Yan explained with a smile, pouring wine for everyone. "I simply don’t have the capacity to handle a deal this large myself. So, I reached out to my contacts, and only the Wang Family of Yunluo City was interested in your assets. Young Master Wang is here specifically for this matter."

So they’re here to loot a burning house... The Clan Leader seethed internally.

"Mr. Shi, I’d like to speak with them alone. Please excuse yourself," Wang Chaoyang said casually, crossing his legs.

A flash of displeasure crossed Shi Yan’s mind. He was the one who brought the Wang Family such a massive deal, yet not only did Wang Chaoyang offer no reward, he dismissed him before dinner even started. His attitude was so nonchalant, as if he were ordering a servant around. Despite his inner annoyance, Shi Yan kept a smile on his face. "Of course. Please, talk amongst yourselves. Call me if you need anything."

Seeing Wang Chaoyang nod, he turned and left the room.

Only then did the Clan Leader ask in a frigid tone, "What did that old bastard Wang Yue send you here for?"

Wang Chaoyang pulled out a pack of cigarettes, lit one, and took a drag. He smiled and said, "Grandpa sent me to bring you some good news. News that will ensure the Long Family remains invincible against Ye Xiu’s revenge."

"Oh?" The Clan Leader’s interest was suddenly piqued. "What good news?"

The heads of the 14 branches leaned in, their curiosity stirred as well.

"Our family has been appointed as the chief sponsor of the Mist Chant Martial Meeting," Wang Chaoyang said with a grin.

A stir went through the room. The Clan Leader and the heads of the 14 branches shot to their feet.

"Are you serious?"

"The Mist Chant Martial Meeting is starting?"

"The Jiazi Agreement follows the Mist Chant Martial Meeting. This isn’t something to joke about!"

The Mist Chant Martial Meeting was a grand martial arts conference initiated by the three Judicator Families and held once every 60 years. It was always held just before the Jiazi Agreement was set to occur. All participants in the meeting were Totem Inheritors, and the sponsors were responsible for providing them with lodging, food, and drink.

"I wouldn’t dare joke about something like this," Wang Chaoyang chuckled.

The Clan Leader sat back down. "The Wang Family becoming the chief sponsor is a joyous occasion for you, but what does it have to do with the Long Family?"

"The three Judicator Families have granted the Wang Family the authority to form a sponsorship team," Wang Chaoyang said smugly, a cigarette dangling from his lips. "As long as the Long Family joins our team, forget Ye Xiu—even Huang Quan wouldn’t dare lay a single finger on you or anyone in your family."

The Clan Leader and the branch heads felt as if a pie had just fallen out of the sky and landed squarely in their laps. During the very first Mist Chant Martial Meeting, the three Judicator Families had established a rule: anyone who dared to make an enemy of a sponsor, either before or during the event, would be jointly eliminated by all three families. On several occasions in the past, those who ignored this rule and provoked a sponsor had vanished without a trace, along with their entire families.

"Ha! HAHAHA! Does this mean I won’t get beaten up every day anymore?" the Clan Leader roared with laughter, overcome with excitement.

Wang Chaoyang paused. "You get beaten up every day? What do you mean?"

The Clan Leader immediately recounted the story of how Huang Quan came to beat him once every day.

"Such a thing is happening?" Wang Chaoyang was shocked, but then he broke into a grin. "Elder Long, you can rest assured now. For the three Judicator Families, crushing Huang Quan is as easy as squashing an ant. He will absolutely not dare to touch you again."

The Clan Leader laughed with pure relief. "That’s right! I’m suddenly looking forward to seeing the expression on Huang Quan’s face when he finds out I’m a sponsor for the Mist Chant Martial Meeting. Wanting to hit me but not daring to... he must feel so frustrated, right?"

"HAHAHA!" Wang Chaoyang and the 14 branch heads joined in the laughter.

Just then, a chilling voice sounded from the doorway. "Who’s feeling frustrated?"

The Clan Leader, Wang Chaoyang, and the heads of the 14 branches all turned to look. They saw Ye Xiu, dressed in the Huang Quan Suit, pushing the door open and walking inside.