271: Chapter 271 Rejection!

On the contrary, by appropriately displaying his strength and bringing both sides to an equal negotiating table, it would be more beneficial to the interests of both parties.

"Elder Chen, this way, please." Pei Qingyun made a gesture of invitation.

Upon hearing this, Third Elder Chen Zexi snapped out of his slight daze.

Following the indication, he sat on a chair closest to Pei Qingyun.

He naturally understood the reason the Chen Clan had sent him there.

To pressure others with power and thereby force the Pei Clan to voluntarily concede a portion of their interests, the most crucial link was strength.

He was at the Early Stage of the Six Bowels Realm and had been immersed in this Realm for ten years; suppressing Pei Qingyun would be effortless.

Precisely because of this, he was assigned this task.

Now, it seemed that Pei Qingyun's strength was even above his.

Although he believed Pei Qingyun's strength could surpass the Chen Clan, if he still wanted to pressure them with power, the effect would be greatly diminished.

As his thoughts raced, the look in Third Elder Chen Zexi's eyes toward Pei Qingyun changed for a fleeting moment.

Afterwards, the two exchanged pleasantries again without entering the main topic.

It was only after the other members of the Chen Clan who had come with Third Elder Chen Zexi were arranged to visit elsewhere, did Third Elder Chen Zexi begin to state his purpose.

"This visit to the Pei Clan is actually because there is a matter I wish to discuss with Grandmaster Qingyun."

"If you have anything to say, Elder Chen, feel free to speak directly. If there is anything you need my cooperation with, I will naturally do my best."

Although he already knew Third Elder Chen Zexi's intention, Pei Qingyun still displayed the demeanor befitting a Great Family on the surface.

Third Elder Chen Zexi paused for a moment before slowly speaking, "Grandmaster Qingyun, you are too polite. I have come on behalf of the Chen Clan to discuss cooperation matters with the Pei Clan."

"What kind of cooperation?" Pei Qingyun feigned confusion.

Third Elder Chen Zexi took a deep breath, "It's about this. I heard that the Pei Clan is currently developing yuanhong phase ii. My Chen Clan is very optimistic about this project and is willing to invest capital for a stake. I wonder what Grandmaster Qingyun thinks?"

Pei Qingyun did not speak immediately, but his heart was as clear as a mirror.

If he hadn't released a portion of his Qi, how would Third Elder Chen Zexi have this attitude now?

Even if he didn't threaten the Pei Clan, he would have used various interests and relationships to apply pressure.

Facing the demands of a second-rate family, as long as it didn't involve the fundamentals, an ordinary top-tier third-rate family would only compromise.

Calling it cooperation sounds nice, but in reality, it is just plucking the peaches.

Unlike the Yuanhang Trade Caravan, the construction and expansion of the Yuanhong Trading Market did not need to rely on external forces; it developed entirely by relying on the Pei Clan.

The more prosperous the Pei Clan, the larger the Yuanhong Trading Market, and the more it could attract external Great Families to settle in.

The Yuanhang Trade Caravan was different; its model naturally required cooperation with Great Families.

Every local Great Family was like a local tyrant; win-win cooperation was the fastest way to open up the market.

Not to mention that at the beginning, the Pei Clan was far from being a powerful Dragon; sharing the profits was the correct choice.

After about a few breaths, Pei Qingyun said helplessly, "The Pei Clan welcomes the Chen Clan's desire to invest. Our two families have cooperated before, and I am very happy that the Chen Clan is optimistic about the Yuanhong project. However, Elder Chen, you are a step late. The capital allocation for yuanhong phase ii has already been completed by my Pei Clan. If the Chen Clan wants to invest, they will have to wait for Yuanhong Phase III."

"Refused!" Upon hearing this, Third Elder Chen Zexi's heart sank.

Although Pei Qingyun said some pretty words, how could he not understand?

In fact, before speaking, he had already lowered his expectations significantly.

With the Chen Clan's strength, the Pei Clan should have compromised and conceded a portion of their interests.

In his view, Pei Qingyun would most likely agree to the Chen Clan's investment, though the equity ratio might be very low.

They could discuss the specific amount.

But the result was that Pei Qingyun not only refused but didn't even want to share a half-percent of the profits with his Chen Clan.

Was it that he looked down on the Pei Clan too much, or did he overestimate himself too much?

A moment later, Third Elder Chen Zexi managed to squeeze out a smile, "It seems I have come too late. I didn't expect the preparation work for yuanhong phase ii to be completed so quickly. However, the advancement work might not be easy. If the Pei Clan has a capital shortfall in the future, you can come to the Chen Clan to find me; my Chen Clan will certainly arrive in time. This time, I will not disturb you any further."

Hearing this, Pei Qingyun cursed inwardly.

Third Elder Chen Zexi's implication was that the construction work of yuanhong phase ii would not go smoothly.

If the Pei Clan encounters difficulties later, don't be too late.

The irony was thick.

But Pei Qingyun still responded enthusiastically, "Elder Chen, since it was not easy for you to come to my Pei Clan, allow me to take you around Wuyang, so I can fulfill my duty as a host."

"No need, I still have some matters to attend to, so I won't delay." Third Elder Chen Zexi turned around, his face as black as an iron pot.

"Then I will see you off, Elder Chen," Pei Qingyun said.

As the Chen Clan group left, Pei Qingyun returned to the main hall.

At this moment, only Pei Qingyun and Pei Tianrong were left in the main hall.

"Old Ancestor, why did the Chen Clan suddenly visit our Pei Clan?" Pei Tianrong asked, puzzled.

Pei Qingyun said, "The Chen Clan has their eyes on the yuanhong phase ii project and came to discuss cooperation. They wanted to invest, and I refused."

"I knew it; Third Elder Chen Zexi's face looked so ugly when he left. It turns out he hit a wall with you, Old Ancestor," Pei Tianrong said.

Pei Qingyun looked at Pei Tianrong with some surprise, "Looking at your schadenfreude, you seem very happy that Third Elder Chen Zexi was snubbed by me."

"Old Ancestor, you don't know. Before you arrived, the faces of these Chen Clan people were so arrogant it was as if their eyes were on the top of their heads. If that were all, I wouldn't bother arguing with some juniors. Back when Yuanhong Phase I first opened, the Chen Clan didn't seem to care much. Now that they see Yuanhong Phase I is a success, they want to come and share a piece of the pie. Do they really think my Pei Clan is easy to bully?" Pei Tianrong said indignantly.

Seeing Pei Tianrong's indignant look, Pei Qingyun was somewhat surprised.

There is a chain of contempt among Great Families.

Many Disciples of second-rate families look down on the Disciples of third-rate families.

Even if they don't explicitly say vulgar words, their subconscious behaviors can reflect this.

Pei Qingyun was not surprised by this.

This is like the wealthy families of his previous life looking down on the nouveau riche, and many rich people looking down on the poor.

Even if there is no verbal insult on the surface, the arrogance displayed in speech and behavior undoubtedly confirms this.

This is the result even after education.

Not to mention this world.

This point is expressed even more vividly.

Human nature is just like this.

What surprised him was that Pei Tianrong could say these things.

Pei Tianrong's temperament has always been steady; in front of him, he usually does not show too much emotion.

Usually, he views things rationally.

For example, the Chen Clan is ostensibly a second-rate family, while the Pei Clan is only a third-rate family.

According to Pei Tianrong's temperament, he would mostly compromise in such matters.

Of course, this is also the choice of most heads of Great Families.

Rationality comes first.

But this does not mean that rationality is correct.

It can only be said that most of the time, rationality is correct because it is the result of a choice.

Similarly, miracles often do not happen under rationality, because miracles usually happen in non-optional items.

Pei Tianrong's performance was clearly not a rational choice, but more of an expression of his own emotions.

Pei Qingyun did not care about the good or bad of this change, but he roughly deduced the reason.

The strength of the Pei Clan had changed not only the cultivation of every member of the Pei Clan but also their temperament.

Pei Qingyun smiled, "In Jinling County, my Pei Clan fears no Family. If there are other Family Disciples like this in the future, my Pei Clan does not need to spoil them."

"Old Ancestor, mighty," Pei Tianrong said respectfully.

"Alright, stop buttering me up. You don't need to save the five viscera origin-returning pill I gave you; the Mid stage of Five Viscera Realm cultivation is still too weak. If you advance to the Six Viscera Realm earlier, I won't have to step in for everything," Pei Qingyun said.

Upon hearing this, Pei Tianrong's face fell.

Old Ancestor, are those words even human?

Was it that he didn't want to Breakthrough?

Was it that he didn't want to advance to the Six Viscera Realm?

Even some Geniuses might not have as fast an advancement speed as him.

He had already worked very hard to advance to the Late Stage of Five Viscera.