A hint of nervousness and excitement flickered across Mo Qing’s face. Looking at Ling Xiao, he said, "Viscount, I’ve come. And though I’ve long found that Cui Ze disagreeable, our four families ultimately share the same interests. We prosper as one and fall as one. I have already witnessed the Viscount’s strength, but resolving this crisis will be anything but easy!"

Ling Xiao smiled faintly. "But I found you, didn’t I?"

Mo Qing gave a wry smile. "Viscount, let’s be frank with each other. The fact that I’m here tonight proves I’m tempted by your offer. But how can I be sure you haven’t approached the other three families?"

Ling Xiao smiled casually. "Of the four great noble families, I’ve done my research. And only you are worthy of having this conversation with me."

"You’re arrogant!"

Mo Qing stared directly into Ling Xiao’s eyes. "Surely you don’t think that just because you possess great strength, you can look down on everyone, do you, Viscount?"

"Heh... I wonder what it would look like if the four great noble families of Penzes City were to become just one?" Ling Xiao said, then chuckled softly. "Add to that an Earth-level Sword Skill, and a few... elixirs capable of saving your life." 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Mo Qing sucked in a sharp breath, his breathing growing ragged as a fervent light ignited in his eyes. Though he had already heard about this from the messenger, hearing it from Ling Xiao’s own lips was something else entirely. ’An Earth-level Sword Skill... Our family’s current skill is only at the Upper Tier of the Human Level. If we had an Earth-level Sword Skill, in less than twenty years, our new generation would produce a host of exceptional talents. Only then could the Mo Family... be considered truly established!’

’And life-saving elixirs... In the letter, Elder Qiu said this very youth was the one who healed him! If not for the elder’s words, even with his personal recommendation, I, Mo Qing... would never have staked my family’s entire future on a single boy!’

"But it comes back to the same question: can I trust you?"

Mo Qing’s gaze bore into the young man before him. ’Even with Elder Qiu’s letter, this all feels so surreal. I’ve traveled far and wide and seen my fair share of the world, yet I never imagined I’d be sitting here with a boy Viscount, discussing matters that could reshape the entire landscape of Penzes... and even alter the very future of the Mo Family!’

"You have no choice but to trust me." Ling Xiao gave a slight shrug. "You need to make a gamble. You can either wait until my patience runs out, at which point I’ll raid all four of your families’ warehouses, distribute the grain, and slaughter anyone who resists. Or, you can choose to trust me—trust that I will give your family a glorious future. You should understand what it means for someone my age to be made a viscount and be given a city like this as a fief... heh."

Ling Xiao’s casual smile seemed to be infectious. Mo Qing frowned. "You make a good point. It seems... I have no choice but to trust you?"

Ling Xiao smiled. "You could also choose to continue opposing me."

Mo Qing shook his head. "To be honest, I knew long ago that opposing you wouldn’t end well. I saw that much when City Lord Li Houlin left. But... sigh... Fine. I can agree, Viscount. But in return, I will need your protection!"

Ling Xiao nodded. "That’s no problem. I’ll have men protect you! Also... starting tomorrow, you are the City Lord of Penzes City!"

"What?" Mo Qing’s eyes narrowed. ’This boy... he’s just as Elder Qiu described. So decisive!’

"What? You don’t want it?" Ling Xiao asked.

"I do! Of course, I do! From this day forward, I, Mo Qing... am your man. Please, tell Elder Qiu that I thank him!" With that, Mo Qing gave Ling Xiao a deep bow, then rose and departed. The power of a Tier Six Great Sword Master was indeed formidable; in just a few bounds, his figure vanished into the vast darkness of the night.

Ling Xiao mulled it over for a moment, then muttered to himself, "Elder Qiu is a sharp judge of character. That man knows the value of forbearance, and he’s pragmatic."

"He wasn’t so full of schemes when the Old Master saved him. But people mature as they age; they have to consider their family," Uncle Fu said, stepping out from the shadows. "Young Master, I’ve already contacted the wealthy merchants. As soon as the Mo Family makes their move tomorrow, they will all cooperate with us. I’ve already had Ling Wu dispatch men to protect them!"

Early the next morning, the commoners of Penzes City who had waited all night outside the grain shops rubbed their bloodshot eyes. Dragging their weary bodies, they began to shout, demanding the shops open their doors and sell grain.

But the tightly shut doors remained like unfeeling faces, showing no expression at all.

Just then, news began to spread like wildfire: the city’s wealthy merchants were opening their granaries and selling grain! The price... had actually dropped back to two copper coins for two pounds of rice! Though still much more expensive than before the price hike, it was enough to send the commoners into a frenzy!

One piece of good news followed another. The Mo Family, one of the four great families, had lowered the prices of all essential goods, restoring them to what they were before the price hike!

Although the Mo Family wasn’t in the grain business, they had a stake in almost every other trade related to the citizens’ livelihood. This single move immediately brought stability to the turbulent Penzes City.

The wealthy merchants, who had always been looked down upon by the nobility, had finally made a name for themselves!

Beneath their humble facade lay an astonishing fortune!

The combined power of these wealthy merchants surpassed everyone’s imagination. In a single morning, they managed to force the price of rice down to two copper coins for three pounds of rice!