193: Chapter 193 Invitation

Ye Tianhui walked quickly into the back hall, where Ye Jing was sitting cross-legged, cultivating.

“Grandfather, the Li Family's steward, Li Zhong, has arrived. He brought a merchant association invitation,” Ye Tianhui whispered softly.

Ye Tianhui lowered his voice and spoke secretly.

Hearing that the Li Family had suddenly sent an invitation, Ye Jing opened his eyes. Acknowledging the news, he stood up, straightened his clothes, and went to meet the guest.

Li Zhong, who was sipping tea, felt a surge of thick spiritual power. He hurriedly set down his teacup and saw an old man with white hair and a youthful complexion walking out from within.

He immediately realized this was the owner of the Ye Family Spirit Medicine Shop. He couldn't discern the man's cultivation level, but concluded he hadn't reached Foundation Establishment after all.

Thus, Li Zhong felt no fear. He stood up again to salute, maintaining an air of extreme respect: “I, Li Zhong, greet Patriarch Ye. By order of my head, Patriarch Li Xiuhe, I implore Boss Ye to take time out of your busy schedule to attend the meeting and discuss cooperation!”

Having said that, he once again handed over the invitation.

Ye Jing's eyes remained indifferent as he took the letter smoothly.

He understood perfectly well that friction between the Li Family and the Ye Family was constant. This sudden invitation was surely a case of the weasel paying a New Year's visit to the chicken—up to no good.

“Steward Li is too polite. I wonder why Head of the Li Family suddenly thought to invite my Ye Family to the meeting? My Ye Family has only opened a tiny Spirit Medicine shop; I fear we are unworthy of the Li Family's high status!”

Li Zhong smiled and said, “Boss Ye must be joking. The quality of Ye Family Spirit Medicine Shop's Spirit Medicines is among the best in the entire Tiangong Market. Furthermore, your Family possesses a Genius of the younger generation who has reached Foundation Establishment.”

“This merchant association meeting brings together the Qingyun Sect, the Lingxiao Sect, and several surrounding cultivation clans and shop owners. All come to make friends through business. If the Ye Family participates, it will certainly add to the occasion's prestige.”

“Since Head of the Li Family has extended such a gracious invitation, it would seem ungrateful of me to decline,” Ye Jing spoke slowly.

“I must trouble Steward Li to convey my many thanks to Head of the Li Family for his high regard and invitation.”

“Naturally, naturally. Thank you for the honor, Boss Ye. This subordinate will certainly relay the message truthfully!”

Li Zhong cupped his hands and departed quickly.

Watching the Li Family steward leave, Ye Jing looked at the invitation in his hand, his brow furrowed.

This invitation was delivered by the Li Family's messenger, written in respectful language, inviting him, the owner of the Ye Family, to attend the Tiangong Market merchant association meeting in three days.

It claimed to be for the purpose of resolving the grievances between the two families.

Ye Tianhui stood to the side, observing his grandfather's solemn expression.

Startled, he couldn't help but ask, “Grandfather, the Li Family has always been like fire and water with us. Why would they be so kind as to invite us to some nonsense merchant association? Could they be plotting something again?”

Ye Jing set down the invitation, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. “Hui'er, you are right. Such a move by the Li Family is definitely driven by other motives.”

He had learned from other shops in the area that the Li Family was the dominant power in Tiangong Market. This invitation was nothing more than a 'Hongmen Banquet'—a trap disguised as a feast.

However, the merchant association was an event where all families of Tiangong Market participated. If he refused to attend, it would give people cause for gossip. The resulting complications would make it difficult for the Ye Family to establish a foothold, as it would be seen as an admission of cowardice.

“Grandfather, then what should we do?” Ye Tianhui asked urgently.

Ye Jing's face broke into a reassuring smile. “Don't worry, Grandfather has a plan. If the Li Family wants to set a trap for us, they'll have to see if they have the ability to pull it off!”

Three days later.

The Tiangong Market merchant association was held at the Juxian Pavilion in the center of the market.

The pavilion towered into the clouds, with faint Spiritual Qi swirling among its flying eaves and upturned corners.

On both sides of the entrance stood several Li Family Disciples dressed in tight-fitting martial attire. Their expressions were solemn, and their sharp eyes scanned every guest arriving for the meeting, secretly checking for anything unusual.

Ye Jing arrived at the meeting alone, wearing a dark blue brocade robe. His posture was upright, his face showed no trace of emotion, and his aura was perfectly restrained, making him look like an ordinary elderly cultivator.

As soon as Ye Jing reached the entrance of Juxian Pavilion, those Li Family Disciples all glanced at him before looking away.

This obvious behavior made Ye Jing raise an eyebrow as he followed the flow of guests into the pavilion.

Inside, the air was already bustling with voices and thick with spiritual mist. Dozens of low tables were arranged in the main hall on the first floor.

Seated there were Clan Chiefs, Family heads, and various shop owners. They conversed in low tones, their expressions varying.

Among them, Disciples from the Qingyun Sect and Lingxiao Sect sat upright on both sides of the high seats. Their expressions were cold and naturally authoritative; they were clearly the witnesses and balancers of this merchant association.

Ye Jing did not see the Market Master of Tiangong Market. He overheard others saying the Market Master was unwell and thus did not attend.

But for a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, the excuse of being 'unwell' was quite laughable. It was clear that Bai Qian did not wish to make an appearance at this merchant association.

In the primary seat of the hall sat a middle-aged man in a purple-gold brocade robe. His face was handsome, but his brow held a hint of arrogance and gloom. He was surrounded by the spiritual power of the Mid-stage Foundation Establishment.

That was indeed the Head of the Li Family, Patriarch Li Xiuhe. Several Li Family juniors stood beside him, each with a refined aura, looking toward Ye Jing with unfriendly expressions.

Upon Ye Jing's appearance, the chatter in the hall paused slightly, and everyone's gaze converged on him.

There was curiosity, scrutiny, and the sense of people waiting for a good show, yet no one dared to be dismissive.

Everyone knew a Genius youth had appeared in the Ye Family. What they were curious about was the deep conflict between the Li and Ye families; the fact that the Ye Family was here by the Li Family's invitation was quite surprising.

Seeing this, Patriarch Li Xiuhe immediately stood up, a hospitable smile plastered on his face. “Patriarch Ye's presence honors us! I apologize for the lack of a proper welcome. Please, take a seat of honor!”

Ye Jing smiled faintly at this and returned the salute with cupped hands. “Head of the Li Family is too kind. Having received your invitation, I naturally had to come to the appointment.”

Since the Ye Family had only recently established itself in Tiangong Market, ordinary people knew little of the Family itself, only knowing of Ye Jing's thriving Spirit Medicine shop and the Genius youth, Ye Tianhao.

Addressing Ye Jing as 'Patriarch' now carried a hint of mockery.

As soon as he finished speaking, a sneer came from a corner of the hall. A shop owner in a gray robe spoke with a disdainful tone.

“Head of the Li Family is certainly polite. Just because someone opened a Spirit Medicine shop and produced a somewhat talented brat, they're worthy of being called a Patriarch?”

These words were like lighting a fuse, and hushed murmurs of agreement immediately broke out around them.

Some whispered about the Ye Family's shallow Foundation, while others chuckled at how Patriarch Li Xiuhe was deliberately praising him while secretly insulting him. Yet, all looked at the unremarkable old man with great curiosity.

A Family capable of producing an incredibly young Foundation Establishment Cultivator was truly shocking.

The smile on Patriarch Li Xiuhe's face deepened, but there was no warmth in his eyes.

He gestured with his hand, indicating for Ye Jing to move toward a lower seat on the side. “Hahaha, Boss Wang must be joking. For Elder Ye to be able to Cultivate a Genius like young friend Tian Hao and make the Spirit Medicine shop flourish so well, it is fine to call him Patriarch.”

“It's just that the Ye Family is a newcomer, and the seating is modest. I hope Elder Ye will be magnanimous.”

That lower seat was right at the edge of the hall. On the table was only a pot of weak, plain tea without even a hint of spiritual energy—a stark contrast to the tables of other Clan Chiefs, which were piled high with spirit fruits and spirit wine.

Anyone with eyes could see that the Li Family was intentionally humiliating Ye Jing.

Several of the Li Family juniors burst into laughter.

One arrogant youth among them said loudly, “The Head is right. After all, the Ye Family doesn't even have a proper Family estate. Being able to attend a meeting at Juxian Pavilion is already thanks to our Li Family's prestige. How could they dare to be picky about seats?”

As these words were spoken, the discussions in the hall grew louder, and the gazes directed at Ye Jing became even more mocking.

Some felt a secret pity, thinking the Ye Family would surely find it hard to save face this time. Others gloated, waiting to see Ye Jing fly into a rage or retreat in disgrace.