The morning of this Wednesday was overcast, with scattered rain in parts of Shanghai, and heavy downpours in the central areas..........

A cascade of reports poured from the television, captivating a middle-aged man seated in the grand hall of his villa. His expression was heavy, as if lost deep in thought.

“Master!” A sudden, hurried call broke the silence as an aged servant entered from the doorway.

The middle-aged man, undeniably the current patriarch of the Shangguan family, Shangguan Qingyun, raised his somber face and inquired, “What is the situation?”

“The Black God Enterprise has launched a full counterattack, and most of our assets are being suppressed!” the old servant reported anxiously.

“What does the data analysis show?” A sharp glint flashed in Shangguan Qingyun’s eyes. He couldn't help but respect the Black God Enterprise.

In just over a week, they had completely replaced the former Nakagawa Group and expanded their economic influence to over seventy percent. This far exceeded Shangguan Qingyun’s initial budget, which was precisely why the remaining thirty percent of the Shangguan Enterprise’s economic power in Shanghai was currently suffering such a significant impact.

“The figures have deviated significantly. If we don’t mobilize the full strength of the Shangguan family, it will be difficult to hold onto our current position. Defeat by the Black God Enterprise is only a matter of time,” the old servant stated, daring not to underestimate their rival. After all, all the current data, and the surging tide of Shanghai’s economy, were heavily favoring the Black God Enterprise. What they had left—their Shanghai economic foothold—was simply insufficient for a sustained fight.

“Alas! I truly underestimated him this time,” Shangguan Qingyun sighed softly, then asked, “Any news from the Xuanyuan family?”

“That old fox must have planned this out long ago. They sent someone here this morning to flatly reject the marriage alliance!” the old servant replied.

“Hmph. Any fool can see what schemes the old man Xuanyuan is plotting. This time, it is my miscalculation, Shangguan Qingyun,” he sneered, a chilling coldness in his eyes.

“Then, Master, what do we do now? Should we deploy the Shangguan family’s other forces to focus on dealing with the Black God Enterprise?”

“No need. A wise man doesn’t fight when the odds are against him. Doesn't that Black God Gang just want to establish a complete foothold in Shanghai? I’ll concede the ground to them this time!” Shangguan Qingyun waved his hand. In truth, he knew clearly that if he were to commit the entire Shangguan clan’s power against the Black God Enterprise now, he couldn't guarantee what insidious tricks the other side might employ. After all, the Shangguan family was a commercial entity, not a martial force.

“But, Master, even if we retreat now, it probably won’t be that simple!” the old servant seemed to realize something and asked.

“Yes, I understand what you are trying to say. Here’s what we’ll do: You will visit the Black God Enterprise at noon and inform them that I am hosting a banquet this evening at the Jingdong Grand Hotel, specifically to invite their Dragon Lord!” Shangguan Qingyun said with a strange smile.

“Yes!” Though the old servant was puzzled by Shangguan Qingyun’s sudden arrangements, he left without asking any further questions to make the necessary preparations.

Meanwhile, on another side of the city.

Shangguan Tengfei’s face was alight with increasing joy ever since he learned that the alliance between his family and the Xuanyuan family had been perfectly resolved. Shangguan Yunmeng, watching him, couldn't help but purse her lips and smile softly, asking, “Fei’er, you seem particularly happy today?”

“Heh, of course I’m happy! The marriage between the Xuanyuan and Shangguan families is settled. How could I not be happy?” Shangguan Tengfei chuckled, entirely unconcerned with the gazes of the other students. After all, it was already widely known in the school that these two were involved in an age-gap relationship. Following modern trends, such a relationship was no longer shocking, but there was still a degree of apprehension, as the judgmental looks and mental hurdles could be considerable.

“Mmm! That matter is settled, but the issue of the Shangguan family’s economic power in Shanghai doesn't seem resolved yet, does it?” Shangguan Yunmeng murmured thoughtfully.

“Hmph? That old man in our family is probably going to throw a fit over this. Not only did they lose the initiative, but they also drastically underestimated the other party earlier. Just as you said, Sister, this Black God Gang’s Dragon Lord is not someone to be trifled with,” Shangguan Tengfei remarked lightly. “Speaking of which, I really have an urge to meet this Black God Gang Dragon Lord.”

“Indeed, this Dragon Lord is extraordinary,” Shangguan Yunmeng smiled, pursing her lips. “What changes do you think will ripple through Fudan University once our family withdraws from the Shanghai economic scene?”

“That’s hard to say. Now that the rumors are circulating about the Dragon Lord’s ties to the Xuanyuan family, the situation is going to get more interesting.”

“The Nangong, Ximen, and Tang families?” Shangguan Yunmeng questioned.

“Yes. Unless the Dragon Lord has the capability to completely keep the Nangong family in check, those three families will certainly give him a major headache!”

“That’s true. But once he sorts out the Fudan situation, will we become his enemies or his friends?”

“Potentially either. If it’s not an absolute necessity, I truly don't wish to become his enemy!” Shangguan Tengfei had other plans brewing in his mind. For him to say such a thing must have its own deep reasoning.

Shangguan Yunmeng seemed to grasp some of it. She had heard many rumors about the Black God Gang’s Dragon Lord. According to the intelligence she had gathered, the sheer power of this Dragon Lord had reached a level that made even the Eight Great Families of Huaxia gasp in awe. A figure rising so high from a background in the underworld must possess sufficient strength; otherwise, he wouldn't even be operating on the national stage.

“Right now, the liveliest topic isn't our family’s economy, but the romantic entanglement of Xuanyuan Bing. After all, the Third Master Nangong has long been devoted to her. If he finds out now that Xuanyuan Bing is linked to the Black God Gang’s Dragon Lord, what will the consequences be?”

“A fit of rage for the sake of a beauty?”

“Sister, do you really like that phrase?” Shangguan Tengfei asked with a smile.

“Uh, it’s not bad!” Shangguan Yunmeng was confused by his sudden question.

“I suspect that not long from now, I might use that same phrase to drive myself forward,” Shangguan Tengfei’s eyes held a fleeting distraction. He still hadn't decided if he possessed the courage to stand against his own family. If he wanted Shangguan Yunmeng, the obstacles from their family ties, and all the associated troubles, would surely mount pressure.

A flicker of pain crossed Shangguan Yunmeng’s eyes. She understood what Shangguan Tengfei meant. She said nothing, only tightening her hand around his waist.

“Brother Yi, Shanghai’s economy is gradually consolidating under our control. It seems the Shangguan family will have to mobilize all their strength against us, otherwise…”

“They won’t. The Shangguan family aren't fools. Since they know I have connections with both the Xuanyuan and the Dongfang families, they definitely won't use their full force. After all, they aren't a martial family. If I were to launch a covert strike, they would deeply regret it,” Yang Yi calmly discussed the situation while eating with Fatty Lin in a traditional Chinese restaurant.

“Yes, it seems inevitable that the Shangguan family’s influence in Shanghai will withdraw sooner or later!” Fatty Lin nodded in agreement.

Just as Yang Yi was about to speak, two figures entered through the doorway and walked straight toward them. “Young Master! Brother Yi!”

“Ah, you’re here?” Yang Yi smiled, seeing Dongfang Shiling and Dongfang Mei’er arrive. “Come, sit down. Don’t be formalities.”

“Yes!” Dongfang Shiling complied before sitting down and saying, “Young Master, the Shangguan family will likely withdraw completely from Shanghai soon. Do you wish for me to have my…”

“Heh, not yet. Although fifty percent of the economic power is under the Black God Enterprise, and twenty percent is under your Dongfang family, the time isn't right to combine them yet,” Yang Yi said with a faint smile. He naturally knew what Dongfang Shiling intended.

It turned out that the twenty percent economic power Feng Shi had mentioned early on being in Yang Yi’s hands was actually under the Dongfang family’s name. He had long instructed Dongfang Shiling to keep an eye on the Shangguan family and secretly support the development of the Black Guard and Dragon Guard companies. Now, it couldn't be denied that Dongfang Shiling had performed commendably.

Fatty Lin, though harboring questions, ultimately refrained from asking. Everything Yang Yi was doing was hard to predict. Despite the complexity, the ultimate goal remained the same: prioritizing the development of the Black God Gang, paving the way for the unification of the national underworld, and forging an unparalleled legend within the Huaxia underground. He had endured pain, climbing step by step.

Though Yang Yi appeared dazzlingly successful on the surface, who knew the suffering and torment inside? The nature of a true powerhouse is inherent aloofness. As a ruler standing at the pinnacle, his isolation was even more profound. Superficial glory could never compensate for the loneliness and pain in Yang Yi’s heart.

“Yes, I understand,” Dongfang Shiling admitted, now forced to marvel at Yang Yi. Judging by his methods, he stood a strong chance of becoming a worthy rival to the heir of the Ye family, one of the Eight Great Families of Huaxia. To witness such rivals clash would be worth the trip—a life fulfilled!

For more novels, visit storyread.net.