Almost every Martial Dao family in Jiangbei harbored this thought. Having been suppressed for so long, they were desperate to control their own destinies.

However, none of the prominent families acted on their own. After all, who knew if the Lin Family had truly disappeared or was just hiding in some corner? What if they reemerged? How awkward would that be? Besides, the Lin Family had a member at the Divine Gate Realm—a formidable warrior who had fought in Chang'an City in his early years, with combat power so immense he could look down upon all of Hua Country. Without concrete information, no one dared to make a rash move.

In fact, it wasn't just Jiangbei. The great families of Jiangnan had also caught wind of the news, yet not a single one spoke up, their silence a testament to an unspoken agreement. This unnerving calm was oppressive, carrying the tension of a storm about to break. Every Family Head and person in power knew it in their bones: Jiangbei was about to undergo a seismic shift. The day an old emperor falls is the day a new one ascends the throne.

But compared to the confusion of the major families, the common folk seemed far more creative, with all sorts of rumors circulating among them:

"The Lin Family committed a heinous crime and was secretly executed by the nation's mysterious forces."

"Nonsense! The entire Lin Family moved abroad. They made enough money and went to enjoy life overseas. My girlfriend is a flight attendant; she saw it with her own eyes."

...

In just one day and night, dozens of different versions of the story had sprung up, each one told with such convincing detail that it sounded like the truth. This just went to show how abruptly the news of the Lin Family's evaporation had struck the people of Jiangnan and Jiangbei.

However, none of this had much to do with Xu Lai, nor did it involve Ruan Tang. The couple had spent a delightful weekend with their daughter.

When Monday arrived and it was time for work at the school, Liu Nanwei mysteriously brought up the "disappearance of the Lin Family." Although the Liu Family was a family of traditional Chinese medicine, they were still considered a major family in Hangcheng and were thus very well-informed.

Before Xu Lai could respond, Su Daiyi and Old Jiang Ba also arrived at the school infirmary, their faces a mixture of surprise and joy.

"Mr. Xu, is this a good time?" Su Daiyi asked hesitantly. "We have something we'd like to discuss with you."

"I'll go use the restroom," Liu Nanwei said tactfully, getting up to leave. Zhou Feng was not in the infirmary; he was at the Go club.

"It's about the Lin Family, isn't it?" Xu Lai said calmly.

"Mr. Xu, you have the gift of foresight!"

Su Daiyi and Old Jiang Ba looked shocked. Since learning of the Lin Family's disappearance, they had spent the last few nights tossing and turning. After much hesitation, they decided to seek out Xu Lai for his opinion. After all, this was a golden opportunity to absorb the Lin Family's enterprises.

Moreover, the two of them had discussed it privately and suspected that Xu Lai might have had something to do with it. First, the Jiang Family, the Su Family, and Xu Lai had not paid their respects to the Jiangbei Lin Family this year. Second, the profits from Sea Temple Island had not been shared with the Lin Family. Given the Lin Family's vindictive nature, they would never have let such a slight go unanswered.

Old Jiang Ba probed, "Mr. Xu, about the Lin Family's sudden disappearance..."

"They didn't disappear. I annihilated them."

Xu Lai's tone was casual, but his words made both Su Daiyi and Old Jiang Ba's eyes twitch violently. Once the initial shock wore off, their hearts were gradually filled with ecstatic joy. They had chosen the right side. With the Lin Family gone, who in Jiangnan and Jiangbei could possibly be a match for Xu Lai?

Su Daiyi's eyes shone with a peculiar light. "Mr. Xu, if the Lin Family has been wiped out, we won't touch their public assets, but as for their hidden assets—"

"Help yourselves," Xu Lai said in a measured tone. "If any problems arise, come to me."

Su Daiyi and Old Jiang Ba exchanged a look, their hearts beginning to pound. They had originally been worried that the Lin Family's fall would destabilize the Jiangnan region. They never imagined it would instead be an opportunity to feast on a massive cake.

If we could get just half of their hidden assets... no, even a fifth... it would be a colossal fortune! Su Daiyi quickly calculated in her head.

Xu Lai sipped his tea, a faint, unreadable smile on his face. He had once promised to grant the Su Family a swift rise to power. The Lin Family's assets were nothing more than a minor appetizer.

"By the way, Mr. Xu, will you be attending the annual Longyun Tea Party?" Old Jiang Ba asked respectfully.

The Longyun Tea Party was also known as the Longyun Charity Auction. All the influential families from the thirteen cities of Jiangnan would attend. The auction items were treasures contributed by each of the thirteen cities' Leading Families, and all proceeds were used to sponsor children in poverty.

Of course, the real main event happened after the auction. Daoist masters from Harbour City, proficient in geomancy and the Five Elements Formation, would sell some of their self-made Magic Artifacts. For the past ten years, the Wan Family of East Sea had hosted the event. Starting this year, however, it would be jointly hosted by the Su Family of Hangcheng and the Jiang Family of Liu City, as hosting rights were granted to the victors of the Sea Temple Festival.

"I'm not going." After a brief explanation, Xu Lai refused outright. He had zero interest in things like auctions. As for the main event that Su Daiyi and Old Jiang Ba held in such high regard, he was even more disdainful.

"Mr. Xu, the Daoist master coming this time is Dongfang Xun. A single Magic Artifact can cost twenty to thirty million. Please, come with us," Old Jiang Ba urged. "Although those Daoists from Harbour City are notoriously arrogant, their abilities are unfathomable. It's well worth it to buy a Magic Artifact or two for Yiyi and your wife to bring good fortune and ward off disaster."

"Yes, Mr. Xu," Su Daiyi nodded repeatedly. "Eighth Master and I will cover the cost. You should just come along for a look." Even before they arrived, she had planned to make this offer. After learning that Xu Lai was the one who had destroyed the Lin Family, she felt it was money that absolutely had to be spent.

Xu Lai, however, drew in a sharp breath. "How much did you say... one Magic Artifact costs?"

"Twenty to thirty million," Old Jiang Ba replied respectfully. "There are more expensive ones. Last year, the Wan Family spent fifty million on a Jade Pendant said to prolong one's life."

At this, Old Jiang Ba sighed with deep regret. He hadn't had that much cash on hand last year; otherwise, he would have fought for that Jade Pendant. According to the master, it could extend one's life by at least ten years. When you break it down, that's only five million per year of life. The old man from the Wan Family got an incredible bargain.

"..."

Xu Lai fell silent. He suddenly realized that earning money seemed quite simple. Why had he never thought of selling Spiritual Artifacts before?

He nodded. "Fine. I'll go with you and have a look."

I should check the market price. I can't sell them for too much, but I can't sell them for too little either. Five hundred million for the betrothal gift... It doesn't seem that hard after all. Just a matter of selling twenty or thirty Spiritual Artifacts.

"It's tomorrow night!" Old Jiang Ba said, thrilled. "I'll come to pick you up then."

"Okay." Xu Lai nodded.

Su Daiyi and Old Jiang Ba then turned and left to begin preparations for the upcoming grand event.

Less than two days remained before the Longyun Tea Party. The invitations were sent out one by one. When they saw the venue, the invited families were all stunned. It wasn't being held in Hangcheng or Liu City, but in...

East Sea City

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