In the Yang family's main hall, the sudden rise of the Xiao family and the sale of the Heavenly Spirit Wine caused a storm in Fengyue City, leading to a decline in the Yang family's business, which made them pay attention.
"The Heavenly Spirit Wine of the Xiao family is indeed extraordinary, surpassing even Master Liu's second-grade Xianling Pill. Not only can it enhance cultivation, but it also has healing properties. Now, everyone in Fengyue City is crazily buying it," Yang Qing slowly said in the hall.
"How could the Xiao family possess such miraculous Heavenly Spirit Wine? Now, everyone in Fengyue City goes to the Xiao family's shop to buy it. Although they only sell 100 bottles a day, people are willing to wait rather than come to our Yang family's shop to buy pills," Yang Chongshan said, puzzled.
Madam Yang looked at the jade bottle in her hand and asked doubtfully, "Does this Heavenly Spirit Wine really have such miraculous effects?"
Yang Qing nodded and said, "Absolutely! I've tried it myself! Although it didn't greatly enhance my cultivation, it can quickly improve the cultivation of those below the Bigu (Fasting) stage. It's very miraculous!"
"The Heavenly Spirit Wine is indeed miraculous. I'm also curious about who in the Xiao family could have developed it. Although the wine isn't as potent as a third-grade pill, it is more popular than second-grade pills. It can enhance cultivation, heal injuries, and is inexpensive. So, people prefer to buy the wine rather than our pills," Liu Jiangyun said.
Yang Zhengxiong, seated in the main seat, had a solemn expression. Although he listened to everyone's conversation, he remained silent, seemingly lost in thought.
After a long while, Yang Zhengxiong finally spoke, "It seems Xiao Chen came prepared. I suspected he had another purpose when he visited our family. Now I understand, Xiao Chen is not simple; a 15-year-old boy with such a sharp mind."
Hearing this, Madam Yang's expression changed slightly, and she quickly said, "Zhengxiong, do you mean Xiao Chen had another motive when he came to our family and asked us to make a statement?"
Yang Zhengxiong nodded bitterly, his expression somewhat helpless, "Yes, dear. I warned you not to act rashly, but you didn't listen. Do you not know who Xiao Changfeng is? Like father, like son. Xiao Changfeng is straightforward but values face above all. Xiao Chen is no exception. Xiao Chen clearly holds a grudge against our family for the broken engagement and for not helping the Xiao family when they were oppressed. That's why he came to see our stance."
Pausing, Yang Zhengxiong continued, "You spoke too harshly back then. Naturally, Xiao Chen holds a grudge, leading to the severing of ties between our families. Now, with the Xiao family's Heavenly Spirit Wine causing a frenzy, no one comes to our shop. Do you think we can still cooperate with the Xiao family? If Xiao Chen were ruthless, he wouldn't have come to us for a statement."
Madam Yang didn't want to believe it, "Maybe he's afraid our family will deal with them?"
"How could a little Xiao Chen have such capability? Do you think the Heavenly Spirit Wine was also brewed by him?" Madam Yang frowned, finding it hard to believe that a young Xiao Chen could put their family at a disadvantage.
Yang Zhengxiong said, "It should be Xiao Chen! This boy is not simple. Maybe you haven't seen it, but I, Yang Zhengxiong, have met countless people. When Xiao Chen came to our family, his composure and calmness were unprecedented for someone his age."
"Family head, I've been observing these days. I found that the Xiao family disciples are very respectful to Xiao Chen. Although he's no longer considered a waste, their respect borders on worship. Even the elders of the Xiao family treat him with awe," Yang Tian said.
"I also noticed that the cultivation of everyone in the Xiao family has improved, but I can't discern Xiao Chen's cultivation level. After Xiao Chen returned, the Xiao family disappeared from Fengyue City for almost three months. If my guess is correct, the Heavenly Spirit Wine was already brewed then, and they were cultivating during that time," Yang Changfeng said, his face serious.
Yang Zhengxiong nodded, finding it reasonable, and said, "I can't see through Xiao Chen's cultivation either. Too many things have happened in Fengyue City since he returned. Master Liu was assassinated by the Wang family but secretly saved, and Meng'er's incident was also handled by someone in the shadows. It seems like they're helping us, but I think the hidden person is intensifying the conflict between our family and the Wang family."
"Family head, do you mean the hidden person is Xiao Chen?" Yang Qing asked, frowning.
Yang Zhengxiong shook his head, his face solemn, "I don't know if it's him. Xiao Chen is too mysterious. The Wang family tried to deal with us twice and failed, making our family furious and leading to our suppression of the Wang family. Now, the Wang family has declined, and the Xiao family re-emerges. Don't you find it strange?"
"The Wang family is ambitious, and everyone in Fengyue City knows it. Maybe Xiao Chen used a retreating strategy to make the Wang family target us, then helped from the shadows, allowing the Xiao family to stay safe. If all this is Xiao Chen's doing, he's terrifying!" Yang Chongshan said, finding it hard to believe that Xiao Chen had such abilities.
"A 15-year-old boy with such a sharp mind?" Yang Changfeng frowned, finding it difficult to believe.
Yang Zhengxiong said solemnly, "You'd better not underestimate Xiao Chen. Also, the Wang family will try everything to seize the formula for the Heavenly Spirit Wine. Only then can they have a chance to recover."
"Family head, the Xiao family's strength is far from the Wang family's. If the Wang family seizes the formula, our family will also be in danger," Yang Changfeng quickly said, worried about the formula falling into the Wang family's hands.
Yang Zhengxiong shook his head, "Don't worry. With Xiao Chen around, the Xiao family won't fall easily. Don't underestimate Xiao Chen's strength!"
"Zhengxiong, what should we do now? If this continues, our family will follow the Wang family's footsteps," Madam Yang said anxiously, now regretting their past decisions.
"What else can we do? Now, we can only shamelessly seek cooperation with the Xiao family. Now you regret it?" Yang Zhengxiong said bitterly. They had severed ties with the Xiao family, and now they had to swallow their pride to seek cooperation. It was a bitter pill to swallow.
"Family head, let me go. If you go personally, it may damage our family's reputation," Yang Qing said, volunteering to discuss cooperation with the Xiao family.
"Alright! Then I'll trouble the elder," Yang Zhengxiong nodded.
...
In the Xiao family's main hall, a disciple quickly entered, respectfully saying, "Family head, the Yang family's elder seeks an audience."
"Yang Qing? Why is that old guy here?" Xiao Yuntian was surprised but had a hunch.
Xiao Yunfeng also wondered, "Didn't we sever ties with them? Why is he here?"
Xiao Changfeng thought for a moment and then said, "Invite him in."
"Yes, family head!" The disciple nodded and left.
After a while, an elderly man dressed in luxurious white brocade slowly walked in, clasping his hands and smiling politely, "Hehe, family head Xiao, two elders, I hope you've been well."
"Elder, please sit," Xiao Changfeng said politely, gesturing for him to sit.
"Elder, what brings you to our family?" Xiao Changfeng asked directly, skipping the pleasantries.
"Hehe, it's nothing much. I came to thank family head Xiao for saving our family head back then," Yang Qing said with a faint smile.
"That was years ago. You're thanking me now?" Xiao Changfeng thought coldly, but smiled and said, "No need to thank me, elder. I didn't save your family head. I don't know if I was out of my mind back then, helping someone fend off a few sword strikes. But I was lucky enough not to die."
Hearing this, Yang Qing's face turned awkward. He knew what Xiao Changfeng meant. Xiao Changfeng had saved Yang Zhengxiong back then, but the Yang family didn't help when the Xiao family was in trouble. Naturally, Xiao Changfeng was displeased and thus sarcastic.
"Elder, how is the Yang family doing now?" Xiao Yuntian asked with a smile.
"Hehe, everything is fine, just some business troubles. Actually, I have another matter to discuss," Yang Qing said with an unnatural smile.
"Hmph! Finally willing to speak?" Xiao Changfeng thought coldly but smiled and asked, "What is it, elder?"
"Well… I hope to cooperate with the Xiao family to expand the sales of Heavenly Spirit Wine and increase profits," Yang Qing said awkwardly, feeling bitter about having to ask for help, especially from someone they once looked down on.
"Cooperate? How dare you? Where was the Yang family when our family was in trouble?" Xiao Kui angrily said.
"Xiao Kui! Don't be rude!" Xiao Changfeng scolded sharply. Then, looking at Yang Qing, he smiled and said, "Elder, maybe you don't know, but your Yang family has already voluntarily severed all cooperative ties with our Xiao family. This was personally heard by Chen'er from Madam Yang. Elder, you might want to go back and confirm this."
"This..." Xiao Changfeng's words made Yang Qing even more embarrassed. However, in order to seek cooperation, he continued with a thick face, "Patriarch Xiao, the Yang family is led by the Yang Patriarch, not Madam Yang. The Yang Patriarch has no intention of severing ties with the Xiao family."
"Elder Yang Qing, the good intentions of the Yang family are appreciated, but our Xiao family cannot afford to climb so high. Please leave." At this moment, a faint voice of Xiao Chen came from outside the door.