Supreme Alchemist
Chapter 2348: 2338: Uninvited Guest

Chapter 2348: Chapter 2338: Uninvited Guest

“Have we agreed to acquire the Green Pine Bamboo, then split the sales revenue equally between us in batches?”

Although Long Yan’s tone carried a hint of inquiry, he had already surmised the crux of the matter in his mind. Watching Zhang Tianmen nod affirmatively, Long Yan felt a bit surprised. If this plan were true, then earning millions in profit wouldn’t be a far-fetched idea.

“So, so Zhao Yue from the Sword Business Association wants us to have a sit-down discussion. Elder Long, what do you think?”

Looking at Long Yan, Zhang Tianmen had already made a silent decision ever since Long Yan single-handedly dealt with the Iron Hand Chamber of Commerce. From then on, he resolved to follow Long Yan unconditionally, certain that he hadn’t misjudged him. In such a brief period, Long Yan had elevated the Yanmen Commerce Association to unprecedented heights—something Zhang Tianmen hadn’t even dared to dream of before.

“Go, of course we should go.”

This lucrative opportunity was something Long Yan naturally refused to pass up. However, with two of the three major associations now allied, it was likely that the remaining Jimen Business Association wouldn’t stay idle, right?

Zhang Tianmen frowned deeply in thought. The collaboration between Yanmen and the Sword Business Association was undoubtedly bad news for the Jimen Business Association. After all, the principle of a three-legged balance was eternal.

“But it probably won’t be a major issue—after all, we have more than enough manpower now.”

Zhang Tianmen’s tone carried a hint of eagerness. It was worth noting that the Yanmen Commerce Association was not what it used to be. Recently, he had even managed to recruit three or four Divine Emperor-level Strong Ones. Even in comparison to the other two major associations, they were not inferior. Previously, when sending Long Yan to negotiate with the Iron Hand Chamber of Commerce, he had thought it was for collaboration, but it had turned out to be an ambush for Long Yan instead.

Yet now, matters between them had reached a resolution. The current Yanmen Commerce Association feared no challenge. Following Long Yan’s directive to go, Zhang Tianmen immediately dispatched personnel to prepare the carriage and arranged for their visit to the Sword Business Association.

“I must say, the Sword Business Association certainly flaunts their wealth.”

Seeing the Sword Business Association, with premises roughly twice the size of Yanmen’s, Long Yan grinned slightly. Even though it was just a branch in the Commercial City, Long Yan could confidently assert that even the Imperial Palace of the Qin Dynasty couldn’t compare.

Fortunately, Long Yan was spared from difficulties posed by guards this time. As partners in collaboration, Zhao Yue himself even stood at the gate waiting for Long Yan’s arrival. Despite feeling that Zhao Yue’s enthusiasm was slightly over the top, Long Yan chose not to comment.

“Elder Long, I’ve been eagerly awaiting your arrival, haha!”

A hearty smile spread across Zhao Yue’s face as he greeted Long Yan. Long Yan exchanged a few pleasantries with Zhao Yue.

However, a sense of puzzlement lingered in Long Yan’s mind. By convention, the Guest Elder should’ve been welcomed first. While Long Yan kept his promises, the person to extend the initial welcome should have been the Chairman.

Had Long Yan thought more carefully, he might have recalled the recent disappearance of Long Qingtu. Zhao Yue was the one secretly observing Long Yan at the Pub when he went to meet the Iron Hand Chamber of Commerce. After Long Yan left, Long Qingtu directly wiped out the entirety of the Iron Hand Chamber of Commerce, even killing Chairman Lei Mu, causing the whole association to collapse in an instant.

Of course, that was just one aspect. While Long Yan had demonstrated his strength, it wasn’t enough to merit a personal greeting from Zhao Yue. The main factor was Long Qingtu. Within the Qin Dynasty, Long Qingtu’s reputation far outshadowed what Long Yan had imagined.

“Please!”

Following Zhao Yue, Long Yan couldn’t help but find the setting curious. The exterior of the Sword Business Association appeared grandiose, yet the interior was surprisingly austere. Even the furnishings were clearly cheap, indicative of a façade of luxury concealing internal shoddiness.

“Forgive the simplicity, Elder Long.”

Zhao Yue’s observational skills far surpassed those of Lei Mu. Seeing Long Yan appraise the décor, Zhao Yue immediately caught onto his thoughts and stepped forward to explain.

“The outer architecture showcases the Sword Business Association’s capital for collaboration. However, inside, these furnishings are merely tools for generating profit. If a tool breaks, it wouldn’t be a cause for regret—it can simply be replaced, right, Elder Long?”

Zhao Yue cast a peculiar gaze toward Long Yan. His words contained layers of meaning, subtly probing Long Yan. Though outwardly warm, Zhao Yue clearly regarded the Yanmen Commerce Association as nothing more than a disposable tool.

Long Yan felt not even the slightest hint of anger. He understood it was simply Zhao Yue’s way of testing the waters. After all, it was the first collaboration between the two parties—probing was to be expected.

“Chairman Zhao, I must disagree.”

Walking leisurely, Long Yan pointed toward the auction table. Auction venues were common within the associations, so such tables were often seen.

“The items on display at the auction draw attention—who cares about the table underneath?”

This single remark left Zhao Yue momentarily stunned, before he burst into boisterous laughter.

“Indeed, no one cares about the table beneath.”

The meaning behind Long Yan’s words was clear: if the results between the two parties were fruitful, no one would care where the auctioned items were placed. Evidently, Long Yan’s response perfectly aligned with Zhao Yue’s expectations. Gesturing respectfully, Zhao Yue led Long Yan into a magnificently adorned grand hall.

A large table seated only two people, while a smaller side table was set for Niu Shan. Niu Shan sat at the smaller table while Long Yan took his place at the larger one.

“A young rising star indeed!”

Raising his wine cup and downing it in one go, Zhao Yue offered a heartfelt compliment. Initially, he had assumed Long Yan to be one of those disciples from a major sect who relied solely on martial prowess to subdue other associations. He had encountered such individuals before, whose associations were eradicated during a Commercial City gathering.

In the merchant profession, fostering enmity was taboo. One never knew when their merchant group might be ambushed—losing goods was minor, but tarnishing one’s reputation was devastating. This principle of the Cultivation World similarly applied to commerce.

This explained why Zhao Yue hadn’t initially favored Long Yan. Creating too many grudges was a flaw among merchants. But upon discovering Long Yan’s powerful backing, Zhao Yue decided to meet him and talk face-to-face.

To Zhao Yue’s surprise, Long Yan turned out to be vastly different from his expectations. Whether it was in terms of intellect or strength, Long Yan entirely eclipsed Zhao Yue’s own son. As such, Zhao Yue felt considerably reassured about pursuing collaboration with Long Yan.

While the two discussed their collaboration and exchanged pleasantries, a housekeeper-like figure hurried over to Zhao Yue’s side. Zhao Yue made a gesture asking Long Yan to wait briefly, and the housekeeper leaned in to whisper something to Zhao Yue.

Although Long Yan didn’t overhear the conversation, he guessed that someone couldn’t sit still upon hearing about the collaboration between the two associations.

“Hahaha, Chairman Zhao, I, Lei Bai, have arrived uninvited. I wonder if Chairman Zhao welcomes me?”