Demon Sword Sect’s Undercover
Chapter 402 - 402 401 Gluttonous Feast

402: Chapter 401 Gluttonous Feast 402: Chapter 401 Gluttonous Feast Shen Yiguan introduced the cultivators around him one by one, to Bai Qingqian’s surprise, Hou Niao maintained politeness and enthusiasm throughout, extending it even to the three members of the Bai Lingzhong family whom she detested immensely, and also to the owner of the Anhe Chamber of Commerce.

She had to admit that she was far behind her husband in terms of broad-mindedness and self-cultivation; she also wondered what he had experienced in the Outer Sea over the years that had so greatly altered his temperament, enabling him to suppress his rage in public.

Shen Yiguan was exceedingly shrewd, “Fairy Bai in Mirage City is admired by everyone, a celestial being who many covertly yearn for.

I used to wonder what kind of heroic figure would be worthy of Fairy Bai’s grace, but now it seems my thoughts were shallow.

A match of talents and looks, a perfect pair, dragons and phoenixes among men, a union destined by heaven, truly, it is a joyous occasion for the commercial world of Mirage; it is just too modest, sparing even a chance to offer congratulations, which inevitably leads to some regret.”

Pointing to the dazzling treasures in the courtyard, “Like this, there are hundreds of treasures here.

Whichever Hou Niao takes a fancy to, feel free to speak up, and inform me.

Once the Treasure Appraisal Meeting concludes, I will purchase it and send it to your esteemed mansion as a congratulatory gift, also a small token of my Fengxing Chamber of Commerce’s sincerity.”

As more and more people gathered around, the reactions on their faces varied upon hearing this.

In terms of value, this congratulatory gift was significant, a treasure worth tens of thousands of Spirit Stones, not to be given unless to a very close kin; generous gifts reflect sincere intentions, a common understanding among people, but in this context, it was somewhat awkward, carrying with it a hint of another meaning?

The more lavish the gift, the more it seemed a slap in the face to both the bride and groom.

One couldn’t help but acknowledge the high emotional intelligence of Daoist Sect figures in social interactions, never speaking ill, but with smiles on their faces, they were generous without leaving any trace, managing to both take down their opponent’s face and leave them speechless.

Bai Qingqian felt her ears burning, to use her belongings as congratulatory gifts was an open insult; but concurrently, she felt a tight grip on her hand, a reminder from Hou Niao.

“In that case, thank you for your kindness, Shen.

I will surely make my choice later, and hopefully, Shen won’t be too reluctant to part with it then.”

Amidst the laughter of the crowd, each person had a hint of scorn; the general consensus was that the Daoist Sect’s power, in alliance with the Jiedu Mansion’s forces, had successfully suppressed the Demon Sect’s arrogance, exchanging the insignificant deaths of five Loose Cultivator Guest Elders for a substantial thirty percent stake in a powerful trading company, an arrangement that seemed beneficial no matter how one crunched the numbers.

This was the price of impulsiveness; to kill in public, disregarding the rules, was to invite passionate outrage.

Wouldn’t one ultimately have to back down and yield?

The key point was that this was just the beginning.

As Shen Yiguan had said, one could not write two ‘Bai’ characters with a single stroke; conflicts like this were not going to stop here but instead become more frequent, until the remaining seventy percent of the assets were seized…

They weren’t worried about causing any chaos.

The entire arrangement had been carefully designed, well-considered, and watertight, concerning only the Bai Family’s internal affairs and not external forces.

More and more people were gathering, and from the subtle power struggle between the two sides, one could discern the shifting trends; businessmen always pursued profits and would naturally follow the trend, never acting against it.

It now appeared that the Wu Sect was crafty and adaptable, gaining a decisive upper hand in this confrontation.

As for the young couple, they were still too inexperienced, knowing only brute force; they were being played and spun around without even realizing where they stand.

This much was evident just by listening to Hou Niao’s speech,

“The wedding was a hasty affair, and our failure to invite all our peers from Mirage City is indeed regrettable.

However, if there are those well-informed and enthusiastic as Shen in presenting gifts, my spouse and I will gladly accept them.

Who would mind receiving too many unparalleled treasures or too many Spirit Stones?

The Bai Family’s trading house is right there, it’s not like it doesn’t recognize visitors…”

The crowd offered congratulations, laughing it off, each one thinking: Is this person a fool?

Do they really believe everyone would buy treasures from the Treasure Appraisal Meeting to give back to them?

Of course, the treasure couldn’t be genuine; a single Spirit Stone would be too much of a slap in the face.

Just present a thousand or eight hundred Spirit Stones as a token gesture.

Merchants never cut ties completely—why bother indeed.

In this environment, Hou Niao was like a fish in water while Bai Qingqian felt like she was sitting on pins and needles.

She suddenly realized something terrifying.

Knowing her husband as she did, how could a person change so drastically in just a few short years?

If it wasn’t him, then what did that mean?

She was somewhat afraid to think about it.

Her complexion turned pale, and she reached out to grip his sleeve tightly without showing any signs, pleading in a low voice:

“Hou Lang, I’m not feeling well.

Can we go back?”

Hou Niao’s expression remained unchanged, “Go back for what?

Everyone here is a friend.

We speak our minds and enjoy ourselves to the fullest.

I actually love the atmosphere here.

In all my years, I’ve never had the pleasure of being so openly contradicted, and I’ll be honest, I’m rather enjoying it.”

Whether he truly enjoyed it or not, no one knew, but among those present, there were indeed some who lost themselves in their enjoyment, forgetting their place and getting carried away with pride.

Bai Yujiang felt an immense sense of relief in his heart.

The self-confidence that had been shattered in the company by that Sword Cultivator was being rebuilt.

What was there to fear?

No matter how divine the swordsmanship, it couldn’t withstand the overwhelming public opinion.

With the support of many elder members of the Daoist Sect, it was an inevitable trend that the Bai Family commerce would undergo a regeneration—unchangeable.

Feeling good, he wanted to express it.

When his opponent fell into a well, he wanted to throw stones—it’s human nature.

“Respected elders, hear my humble suggestion: My seventh sister is skilled in singing.

Why not ask Qingqian to sing a song?

If everyone enjoys it, perhaps the gifts will be even more generous?”

No sooner had he spoken than he himself seemed unaware of any issue, but the faces of those around him all changed.

The incident at Zhaoyang Palace was still fresh in the memories of many elders present, who still turned pale at the mention of it, and this ignorant youngster had the audacity to be so presumptuous!

Provoking this old tiger required finesse, like the indirect approaches taken by Shen Yiguan—that was the mark of a true master.

Who would directly poke at someone’s wounds?

Sure enough, Hou Niao’s eyes rolled, and he glanced over, “Is that so?

Is that what everyone wants?

To hear my wife sing?

But you all know of my wife’s singing talent, yet are unaware that her husband is also skilled in dancing, right?

How about this: my wife and I will perform a piece for everyone?

If you like what you see and hear, some matters will no longer be up to you!”

Colorful garments passing down songs, a robe carrying a sword—it was a legendary tale from Mirage.

But nobody wanted to experience it again.

Without turning his head, Shen Yiguan waved his hand and delivered a resounding slap to Bai Yujiang’s face.

Instantly, one side of his cheek swelled, half his teeth were knocked out, and his acupoints sealed; he could only whimper helplessly.

He didn’t know why he was being hit.

Without changing his expression, Shen Yiguan said, “An unruly brat who doesn’t understand manners—I’m disciplining him on behalf of both hosts.

Please, for the sake of everyone here doing business in Mirage, forgive him this once?”

Quite the character!

Hou Niao let out a sigh, “Be that as it may, Shen Dongjia’s habit of taking someone else’s pleasure is not good.

Some things are just more satisfying when you do them yourself.”