102: Chapter 102 The Chamber of Commerce's Shock and Decision

Because of an impending storm, the Gu Family entered an unprecedented, low-profile state of preparation.

Meanwhile, in the outside world, the entire Baifeng City was completely... boiling over because of the earth-shattering phenomena!

A Saint descending into the world? A Dao Child arriving on Earth?

A rare treasure emerging? A powerful expert making a Breakthrough?

All sorts of imaginative speculations were spreading wildly among the major taverns and teahouses in the city.

However, all speculations ultimately pointed to the same name—a name that was currently at the height of its power in this immortal city, yet mysterious to the extreme—

The Gu Family!

For a time, "Gu Garden" at the foot of Cuiwei Mountain in the east of the city became the... eye of the storm, watched by every faction in the entire Baifeng City!

Countless gazes, filled with greed, covetousness, jealousy, and apprehension, peered day and night from every corner of the city at that massive mansion, which appeared calm but was actually already surging with undercurrents.

...

Tianyi Chamber of Commerce, headquarters pagoda, top-floor secret chamber.

The atmosphere was heavy, like water.

Inside the secret chamber, there were no luxurious decorations, only a simple pearwood round table and a few matching armchairs.

At this moment, several old men with auras as deep and imposing as mountains and seas, and eyes as profound as the ocean, were sitting around the round table.

They were the true core of the Tianyi Chamber of Commerce, the... Elder Council at the very pinnacle of the power pyramid!

Sitting in the main seat was a kind-looking fat man wearing a brocade kasaya, with a round body, a square face, and large ears, looking just like a Maitreya Buddha.

This person was the President of the Baifeng City branch of the Tianyi Chamber of Commerce, and also Jin Feiyan's father—

President Jin Yuanbao!

A true powerful expert whose cultivation had already reached the Early Golden Core Stage!

"...That is how things are."

Jin Feiyan stood in the center of the round table and gave a detailed report to the Elders present, recounting all the heavenly phenomena triggered on the day Gu Xianer was born, as well as the current reactions of the various factions in the city.

"...Currently, the three major families—the Chen Family, the Li Family, and the Wang Family—have all dispatched their most elite scouts to monitor the movements of Gu Garden day and night. The City Lord's Mansion has even dispatched the 'Silver Armored Guards' to effectively... blockade the entire Cuiwei Mountain."

"It can be said that the Gu Family is now... besieged on all sides, having become the target of public criticism."

As her voice fell, the secret chamber fell into silence.

After a long time.

An Elder with a goat beard and a gaunt face slowly spoke, his voice hoarse.

"Feiyan, what is your take on this matter?"

Hearing this, Jin Feiyan straightened her lithe body, and an unprecedented gravity appeared on her beautiful, pretty face.

"I believe this is the greatest... opportunity for our Tianyi Chamber of Commerce in a hundred years!"

"Opportunity?" Another red-faced Elder with a fiery temper slammed the table. "I think it's a huge disaster!"

"Gu Yan is of unknown origin and acts ostentatiously! Now, for unknown reasons, he has caused such a massive commotion and has become a thorn in everyone's side!"

"Our Tianyi Chamber of Commerce already took a huge risk by cooperating with him! Now, we should immediately draw a line in the sand and protect ourselves! Lest we get dragged down by this dragon crossing the river, and get burned by the fire he started!"

These words were reasonable and immediately received the... nodding approval of many Elders present.

The Tianyi Chamber of Commerce had been able to stand tall in Baifeng City for hundreds of years by relying on being "neutral" and "steady."

Offending all the local snakes in the city for an "up-and-coming stock" with an uncertain future was, in their view, undoubtedly a... losing business deal.

"I disagree!"

Jin Feiyan's voice suddenly rose, filled with unquestionable determination!

Her shrewd phoenix eyes scanned the room, without a hint of cowardice.

"You Elders only see the risk, but you fail to see the... huge reward behind this risk that could allow our Tianyi Chamber of Commerce to soar into the sky!"

"I have had several contacts with Gu Yan. My impression of this person can be summed up in four words—"

"Unfathomable!"

"You only know that he spends money like water and has immense financial power. You do not know that his Alchemy, which is enough to overturn the market, is worth far more than ten thousand gold!"

"You only know that his cultivation is high and he is an invincible existence at the Qi Refinement Stage. You do not know how... astonishing his demeanor is—calm and composed in the face of any powerful enemy, viewing the heroes of the world as nothing."

"He is mysterious, powerful, wealthy, and... highly values loyalty and affection!"

"Most importantly, he possesses infinite... potential!"

"The birth of a descendant that even the Heavenly Dao would celebrate—I think everyone here knows better than I do what that represents!"

"It means that the Luck of his Gu Family is already... soaring to the heavens!"

"For such a person, for such a Family, we can only be on good terms with them; we must never... be on bad terms!"

"Now that he is besieged on all sides, it is the best time for us to... provide help in a time of need!"

"If we choose to retreat now and choose to draw a line, we will not only lose a powerful ally who could become a giant in the future! We will also... create out of thin air a... terrifying enemy with infinite potential!"

"I ask the Elders to think carefully about which is more important!"

Jin Feiyan's words were resonant and forceful!

She analyzed the pros and cons of being on good or bad terms with the Gu Family thoroughly!

The few Elders who were still hesitant fell into deep... contemplation after hearing this.

That's right.

Risk and opportunity always coexist.

President Jin Yuanbao, who had been dozing off all this time, after listening to his daughter's brilliant analysis, finally had a flash of light like an old fox in his eyes, which were always squinted into slits.

He slowly raised his thick palm and tapped lightly on the pearwood round table.

Thud.

The sound was not loud, but it made everyone's heart tremble.

"Feiyan, well said."

His voice was very gentle, like a wealthy neighbor, yet it carried an unquestionable majesty.

"Adding flowers to embroidery is never as good as... providing help in a time of need."

"My Tianyi Chamber of Commerce opens its doors for business, seeking only to expand our wealth."

"Since this Gu Family is itself a huge treasure trove with infinite potential, what reason do we have to shut this heaven-sent God of Wealth out the door just because we fear a few vicious dogs blocking the way?"

"This friend..."

He scanned the room and made the final decision!

"Our Tianyi Chamber of Commerce is determined to make!"

"Not only must we make friends, but we must also..."

A meaningful smile appeared on his face.

"Deeply bind with them!"

"Pass down my order!"

"From today on, send all the useful array Materials from the Chamber of Commerce's inventory to the Gu Family! Tell him it is a... small token of appreciation from our Tianyi Chamber of Commerce to congratulate him on the birth of his precious daughter."

"Also..."

He cast his gaze upon his daughter, Jin Feiyan.

His eyes were filled with appreciation and... calculation.

He slowly said a sentence that shocked all the Elders present and made Jin Feiyan's pretty face instantly flush red.

"Feiyan, you... are not young anymore."

"I see that Young Master Gu, though young, is already an outstanding talent, and his future is limitless."

"You and him are... a talented man and a beautiful woman, a match made in heaven."