Trantor: ChibiGeneral Editor: ChibiGeneral


    “Little brother here toasts to big brother.” Shang Yi Fan stood up and bent his back while raising a cup


    of wine with a smile.


    There were splendid lights all over the hall; singing and dancing were being performed, and traditional


    music flowed to everyone’s ears. Everyone was enjoying the feast and the atmosphere was intense.


    “Good.” Shang Qiu Niu was standing on the main seat. He raised a cup of wine towards Shang Yi Fan


    and downed the wine in one gulp.


    Shang Qiu Niu’s advisor spoke, “Master Yi Fan, choosing to participate in young master Qiu Niu’s


    banquet is no doubt a sensible decision. Do not worry, my young master will not treat you unfairly.”


    “Eldest brother Qiu Niu has always been my role model. In truth, I have always been wanting to get


    closer to eldest brother and learn many things under you.” Shang Yi Fan smiled.


    Shang Qiu Niu was head of the first major faction among the current young masters and he happened


    to have deep rtion with Shang Yi Fan’s mother’s side. If Shang Xin Ci chose Shang Qiu Niu’s side,


    she was certain to be pushed aside by Shang Yi Fan.


    However, Shang Qiu Niu had already taken the initiative to send an invitation to Shang Xin Ci.


    He would definitely be happy if Shang Xin Ci came.


    Why?


    Because on Shang Xin Ci’s side were Fang and Bai, two great rank four experts.


    This was something no other young master had, and many were envious of this.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    “Young master, subordinate has inquired, that Shang Xin Ci went to …” At this moment, a Gu Master


    entered the hall and whispered to Shang Qiu Niu’s ear with his waist bent.


    Shang Qiu Niu’s gaze turned slightly gloomy when he got the information.


    Shang Yi Fan cautiously observed Shang Qiu Niu’s expression and pondered, “Looks like Shang Xin Ci


    didn’t choose eldest brother’s faction, did she go to Shang Pu Lao’s faction?”


    Shang Qiu Niu had already experienced a lot of things, thus his feelings did not show clearly on his


    face. His expression also had no change, so Shang Yi Fan could only guess without any clues.


    However, a short whileter, Shang Yi Fan also received the news. Shang Xin Ci had epted the


    invitation to participate in Shang Chao Feng’s festival banquet.


    This signified she chose Shang Chao Feng’s faction.


    Shang Yi Fan could not help but be secretly delighted immediately upon receiving the news, “Shang


    Chao Feng and Shang Fu Xi might be the third faction but they have been pressured from the start,


    how could they be Eldest Brother Qiu Niu’s match? I have now even more chance to take the young


    master position!”


    However, the old steward Zhang shook his head, his expression heavy, “Master, young master Qiu


    Niu’s faction and young master Pu Lao’s faction are locked in a fight. I am afraid the possibility of


    master borrowing the help of young master Qiu Niu to deal with Shang Xin Ci is not very big.”


    “This…”


    “At this critical moment, young master Qiu Niu cannot afford to make another enemy. Shang Xin Ci’s


    choice is clever. She has avoided the political whirlpool and managed to watch from the sidelines for


    the moment. By the time the two factions resolve their issues, thepetition for the young master


    position will already be over.”


    “Shang Xin Ci has two great rank four experts, any faction she chooses will readily ept her and


    make an alliance. Young master Shang Chao Feng will definitely help her.”


    Old steward Zhang gave an incisive analysis of the situation.


    “That is to say, even though I joined Shang Qiu Niu’s faction, I still can’t deal with Shang Xin Ci?”


    Shang Yi Fan’s expression became unsightly.


    “I can only say that we cannot borrow Shang Qiu Niu’s strength.” Old steward Zhang stroked his


    grizzled beard, ” However, Shang Xin Ci’s problem is also not small. The most important thing is that


    she stillcks capable manpower. I heard that she has been trying to recruit Zhou Quan. Hmph, how


    can that even be possible?”


    Old steward sneered and continued, “Zhou Quan was once a n leader; he is proud and arrogant,


    and his ability is ten times of mine. How would it be possible for such a man to attach himself to this


    inexperienced little girl? I have already secretly mobilized people to create all kinds of rumors and


    nders. Zhou Quan cares for his reputation very much, and the rumors have already prevented him


    from joining Shang Xin Ci. Shang Xin Ci is trying to recruit Zhou Quan secretly, but by failing to do so,


    she will lose a lot of her prestige and will have a disadvantageous beginning; she might even be a


    laughing stock. Hehehe…”


    When he reached the end of his words, steward Zhou startedughing evilly.


    Shang Chao Feng’s study was arranged in a simple fashion; there was a wide stone table and wide


    backed stone chairs which gave a boorish and strong aura.


    Just as Shang Yi Fan and old steward Zhang were talking, Shang Chao Feng, Shang Xin Ci along with


    Fang Yuan and Bai Ning Bing were also discussing something.


    This discussion had already continued on for a while.


    In truth, Shang Chao Feng was somewhat surprised at Shang Xin Ci joining his side.


    He had thought Shang Xin Ci would join Shang Qiu Niu or Shang Pu Lao. His own faction was only


    ranked third and they were currently just watching from the sidelines while umting their strength.


    In normal times, they were very low key and would choose to retreat when there were problems or


    contradictions. They had never thought they could obtain Shang Xin Ci’s interest.


    Shang Xin Ci’s cultivation was only at rank one, while her aptitude was worse and she had almost no


    foundation in Shang n city.


    However, she had Fang Yuan and Bai Ning Bing.


    These were two great rank four powers; even Shang Yan Fei when he was a young master, did not


    have such experts with him.


    To be able to have two such experts under her, there were no young masters who did not feel envious.


    Shang Chao Feng had also naturally sighed inwardly at Shang Xin Ci’s luck.


    Now, if he epted Shang Xin Ci, he could indirectly obtain Fang and Bai’s help. This was a


    temptation Shang Chao Feng could not refuse.


    The atmosphere in the study was harmonious.


    In the talk just earlier, Shang Chao Feng already sincerely expressed his intention to whole-heartedly


    support Shang Xin Ci in the young masterpetition.


    “Sister Xin Ci, you have already earned three hundred thousand primeval stones from selling Gu


    worms. We can say that you are at the top currently, but just three hundred thousand is far from


    enough. What do you n on doing next?”


    Shang Chao Feng then added, “Just say it and I will help you to the best of my abilities.”


    Shang Xin Ci nced at Fang Yuan; Fang Yuan faintly nodded his head.


    She then said honestly, “I won’t hide it from Big Brother Chao Feng, I am thinking of doing information-


    gathering business.”


    “Information-gathering business?” Shang Chao Feng could not help but raise his brows.


    “Yes.” Shang Xin Ci started to exin her n in detail.


    Who knew Shang Chao Feng’s expression would change and shake his head after hearing it, “You


    want to do information-gathering business regarding the battle stage? It is not suitable, not suitable.”


    He said ‘not suitable’ twice, expressing his clear disagreement with Shang Xin Ci’s n.


    “Ah, what could be wrong about it? Please teach me Big Brother Chao Feng,” Shang Xin Ci said in a


    sincere voice.


    “Xin Ci, I urge you to change this n. You are a neer and so you aren’t clear about it, it is


    understandable. You should not bump about with the battle stage randomly.”


    Shang Chao Feng heaved a sigh and continued, “Shang n city’s battle stage is different from other


    ns’ battle stage. Here, demonic Gu Masters can be our Shang n’s external elders. This is a


    policy exclusive to our Shang n and we have been able to obtain many talents from this. At present,


    there are five great elders in Shang n, among which three are external elders.”


    “However, this policy has both advantage and disadvantage. The greater the benefits, the higher the


    chance of malpractice. External elders are the higher ups of our Shang n, and if some trouble enters


    through it, it will be a great disaster to our Shang n. Demonic Gu Masters are after all demonic Gu


    Masters, and even if they change and be righteous, their loyalty can still be questioned. At the


    same time, besides the demonic Gu Masters, there are also those righteous path ns with


    unfathomable motives. Thus, Shang n’s battle stage is the ce which has always been attached


    with the most importance by Shang n higher-ups.”


    “There was once a young master who suddenly got an inspiration to start a betting house for the battle


    stage’s matches. The result was that he earned five hundred thousand primeval stones after just two


    days of opening the betting house. However, on the third day, the betting house was closed down and


    the young master was demoted and exiled. This is the best warning that shows that the battle stage


    cannot be touched randomly.”


    Shang Chao Feng spoke of a story only known to insiders.


    This information was something Fang Yuan, Bai Ning Bing and Shang Xin Ci did not know.


    Fang Yuan might have the memories of his previous life, but it was normal to not know of this small


    secret historical incident about the Shang n’s internal affairs, even more so when it was closed down


    so fast.


    The battle stage was a forbidden zone. That young master touched this ce and lost his young


    master position and was even exiled from the n.


    At present, Shang Xin Ci was still not a young master but had a n towards the battle stage. This


    made Shang Chao Feng realize that ignorance was truly blissful.


    “Xin Ci, your n is a new approach and you have thought of it properly. If it is done, you will definitely


    makerge amount of profits every day. However, the possibility is too low, don’t take your own future


    prospects as a joke. I am in charge of the Gu battle zone and your thirteenth brother is in charge of the


    auction sites; you can lend us a hand in this field and will be able to go head to head against Shang Yi


    Fan.” Shang Chao Feng gently persuaded.


    Shang Xin Ci was silent.


    Bai Ning Bing furrowed her brows.


    The corner of Fang Yuan’s lips curled up into a smile and he was about to speak, but after taking a


    nce at Shang Xin Ci, he changed his decision and swallowed up the words that were just about to


    come out of his throat.


    For a moment, the atmosphere in the study room had be heavy.


    After quite a while of intense pondering, Shang Xin Ci suddenly smiled: “Big Brother Chao Feng, I have


    a different viewpoint regarding the battle stage. This is well worth doing!”


    “Huh?” Shang Chao Feng frowned and fixed his gaze at Shang Xin Ci.


    Under the pressure from Shang Chao Feng’s gaze, Shang Xin Ci instead smiled and showed her


    confident look.


    She continued, “The young master before failed after opening the betting house, he was like a moth


    attracted to fire and was looking for his own doom. His punishment was only by being expelled from the


    n; this can be considered merciful from our Shang n. Why?”


    In the study, only Shang Xin Ci’s gentle voice continued to sound out.


    “Like Big Brother Chao Feng said, our Shang n’s battle stage is of the highest importance and has


    been extremely guarded by the higher ups. Opening a betting house for battle stage to earn huge


    money will likely give rise to people who will manipte the battle stage’s result from behind the


    scenes. This will greatly wreck the Shang n’s external elder policy. It looks like one can make


    enormous profits from the betting house, but to the Shang n’s battle stage, it is a veryrge vermin.


    Sacrificing Shang n’s benefits to fill oneself, such actions definitely need to be eliminated and only


    then can it let the battle stage continue to mature.”


    Shang Chao Feng continuously nodded his head; Shang Xin Ci’s words were incisive and had a type of


    aura that made people want to have faith in it.


    “But the information business I want to do has apletely different nature from the betting house. I


    know Shang n’s biggest information organization Feng Yu manor has always been investigating into


    the demonic Gu Masters at the battle stage. They must investigate properly, to know whether these


    demonic Gu Masters harbor evil intentions. However, these investigation are done in secret and never


    openly. Why?”


    “Hehe. This is because most of the demonic Gu Masters are filled with distrust, doubts and even are


    overly suspicious. They live in danger all year round in a situation where their life hangs on a thread, so


    the mental pressure on them is so great that they cannot even rx a bit. And if they were investigated


    aftering to Shang n city, they would definitely react badly and be filled with hatred. If Shang n


    wants to absorb even more and even better talents, they naturally can’t investigate openly. However,


    not investigating is even more impossible and the n cannot be at ease.”


    “In this situation, I am going to do information-gathering business. I am going to investigate every Gu


    Master’s general strength, Gu worms and battle achievements, and sell this information. At the same


    time, I will be requesting experts and authority to forecast the results of important matches and make a


    ranking. This will be very important information to the Gu Masters participating in the battle stage. Many


    Gu Masters wish to obtain an external elder’s position and they hope for more fame, and also wish to


    see their names on the rankings.”


    “These information will naturally not touch upon secret matters and will only be a summary and


    comparison of the strength showed by the Gu Masters. To demonic Gu Masters on the battle stage,


    this will be a great help. At the same time, this will allow the Shang n to strengthen their grasp more


    on the battle stage. I think my lord father will definitely be happy about this, why would he suppress


    such a thing?”


    Shang Xin Ci finished exining her reason and looked at Shang Chao Feng with a smile.


    At this moment, her eyes were burning bright with wisdom and confidence, disying unlimited


    elegance.


    Bai Ning Bing’s brows had also smoothed out.


    “This is it…” Fang Yuan inwardly smiled.


    Shang Chao Feng slightly opened his mouth, looking at Shang Xin Ci with a stupefied expression.


    After several seconds, he came back to his senses and could not help apuding and praising her,


    “Good point, your analysis is brilliant. Sister Xin Ci, you have a truly unique vision, a pure heart and


    spirit, I can’t help but admire you. I will definitely help you with all my strength for this business. You


    lack manpower now, I can give you people from my side! You can have as many as you want!”


    Shang Xin Ci shook her head, “Thank you Big Brother Chao Feng, but I have already made my choice


    regarding the manpower.”


    Shang Chao Feng looked like he wanted to help Shang Xin Ci on the surface by sending people, but


    actually, he wanted to ce his own people to control this information-gathering business and also


    strengthen his control over Shang Xin Ci.


    However, Shang Xin Ci immediately saw through it and tactfully refused.


    Not all helpes with good intentions.


    However, Shang Chao Feng was not willing to let it go; the information-gathering business he was


    avoiding so much earlier had be a rich treasure right now.


    He continued to persuade: “Sister Xin Ci, I know you have been trying to recruit Zhou Quan recently,


    but this person is very proud and contemptuous. Shang Qiu Niu had personally tried to recruit him


    before, but was refused and was even reprimanded with the words: ‘an inexperienced junior dares to


    recruit me, a hundred year old man?’.”


    Zhou Quan was now already over a hundred years old, and would not willingly submit to someone,


    especially a junior.


    Shang Chao Feng was not optimistic about Shang Xin Ci recruiting Zhou Quan.


    Zhou Quan had the ability and was also recognized for it, but he was too arrogant.


    “Let’s take a step back and say that you managed to recruit Zhou Quan. What can one man do? You


    still don’t have middle and lower level subordinates. These people also must have some ability, most


    importantly they should be loyal to you. Establishing such force requires time, a long time. With


    subordinates that you don’t feel at ease, even if you do this information-gathering business, it might


    very well be destroyed by Shang Yi Fan and he can even steal your gains.” Shang Chao Feng might


    have his own intentions but his words were very reasonable.


    Shang Xin Ci’s beautiful brows could not help but furrow when she heard it.


    “Regarding this… young master Chao Feng does not need to worry. I already have a n.” At this time,


    Fang Yuan suddenly spoke.