It is often said that for an ordinary person, merely standing by and watching the supreme figures of the world engage in contests of wits and strategy is a source of pleasure, even an enjoyment, and furthermore, an exceedingly rare, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

But how many people in the current world can claim to stand as an equal to such figures? While Dongfang Shiling held such aspirations, and that was commendable, whether he could remain until the very end to witness everything was highly debatable.

Things were currently stable on Yang Yi's side; the economic lifeblood of Shanghai was largely settled. The final proclamation from the Shangguan family was merely an attempt to salvage a shred of dignity. Yang Yi had foreseen this long ago, so he hadn't launched a massive offensive, nor had he resorted to the typical methods expected of someone in the underworld to deal with the Shangguan clan.

This was because he had long predicted that under the prerequisite of preserving their own interests and ensuring minimal losses, the Shangguan family would inevitably withdraw from the entire Shanghai commercial sector. Among the figures of the Shanghai business world, those involved in any major industry knew this was undoubtedly a strategy of 'endure and retreat, retreat and find peace.'

It was only a matter of time before the Black God Enterprise dominated the economy of all Shanghai; how the Shangguan family chose to exit depended entirely on the outcome of the meeting and negotiations between Shangguan Qingyun and Yang Yi that evening.

"Let's eat first. No business talk today!" Yang Yi waved his hand, a relaxed smile gracing his lips as he spoke.

Fatty Lin glanced at Yang Yi, his thoughts inscrutable. As he picked up his chopsticks, he muttered in surprise, "It seems even I am not as important as that little girl Murong!" He recalled the day, sitting in the car, when Murong Lianxue had stated something with utter seriousness.

‘In this world, nothing my Brother Yi does can be called wrong. Because what he says is the way, and everything he does is correct. If anyone dares say my Brother Yi is wrong, I will kill them immediately.’

It was hard to fathom that such a statement, despite its slight grammatical imperfections, conveyed such an absolute meaning, especially coming from a little girl not yet nine years old. Fatty Lin couldn't quite believe those words had escaped a child's mouth. As this thought crossed his mind, a determined, almost demonic glint flashed in his eyes. He looked toward Yang Yi, who had turned to look at him, and forced a smile. "Eat!"

Meanwhile, elsewhere, Xuanyuan Bing sat gazing blankly in her classroom, her icy demeanor maintaining its cold beauty. Just then, a young man approached her from the classroom doorway, his expression heavy with gravity.

Since it was lunchtime, very few students remained in the classroom, so the onlookers were few. After all, the rumor had already spread across Fudan: Xuanyuan Bing and a certain man had publicly declared themselves a couple. Furthermore, the scene in the dining hall yesterday had led to rampant speculation. In short, Xuanyuan Bing’s casual question, "Are you free tonight? Keep me company!" had morphed into the rumor that she and a certain man had gone out yesterday and were suspected of renting a room together.

"Are you really with that person now?"

The voice trembled slightly, laced with an unmistakable disbelief. The speaker’s face was terribly mournful, as if he had suffered some profound blow, causing his entire frame to shake.

Hearing the voice, Xuanyuan Bing frowned, glanced at the newcomer, her lips moving twice, but she said nothing. The arrival, seeing this, took a deep breath, seemingly trying to quell the overwhelming sorrow in his heart, and asked again, "Bing'er, answer me!"

"Nangong San!" Hearing her address, Xuanyuan Bing's cold expression became even more chilling. She stated, "I have warned you repeatedly; please stop being so shameless. Is 'Bing'er' a name you are entitled to use?"

"Yes, Xuanyuan Bing!" The arrival was indeed Nangong San. His face was pale, and his brow was etched with too much sorrow. He asked, "Can you answer me? Everyone in school is saying you are with another man now?"

"So what if I am? So what if I’m not?" Xuanyuan Bing coldly regarded Nangong San, displaying not a hint of affection for him.

"Answer me, are you or aren't you?" Nangong San trembled all over. Though he knew that in Xuanyuan Bing’s eyes, he amounted to nothing, let alone being someone she loved, he had remained devoted to her for years. To now hear that she was with another man—how could this not make him tremble, desolate, and heartbroken?

"I already told you, even if I am, what business is it of yours?" After speaking, Xuanyuan Bing had no desire to waste any more words. She turned and walked toward the door without acknowledging him further.

Xuanyuan Bing truly felt no flicker of affection for Nangong San. Although he had once done much for her, and had been infatuated only with her since entering university, Xuanyuan Bing was acutely aware: if you don't like someone, you don't like them. A forced affection would never bring happiness.

Upon hearing Xuanyuan Bing’s final words and watching her retreating figure leave the classroom, Nangong San’s heart clenched violently. His eyes suddenly lost focus, his face turned deathly pale, and his body became instantly unsteady, on the verge of collapse. Just then, two young men who had been rushing towards the classroom entrance flashed forward, their figures appearing swiftly beside Nangong San.

"Brother Nangong, Brother Nangong!" The two youths were unmistakably Tang Shen and Ximen Ling.

"Alas, what is love in this world? It is pure torture!" Tang Shen sighed mournfully.

"Stop the nonsense. Let’s get him back to the dorm first!" Ximen Ling urged anxiously.

"Go!" Tang Shen swept an arm around Nangong San, steadying him as he helped the now-fainting man quickly leave the classroom.

"This Nangong San is truly one of the rare devoted lovers in this world, yet the Xuanyuan girl doesn't return his affection. Unrequited love is the deepest wound in matters of the heart!" At this moment, on a certain balcony of the teaching building, a young man narrowed his eyes while observing the scene below, a faint smile playing on his lips as he remarked.

"Indeed, Nangong San’s devotion in love is admirable. However, Brother Yi, I don't understand. You knew that once Nangong San found out you were with Xuanyuan Bing, he would inevitably become your enemy. Why did you proceed like this?" Unquestionably, the two youths on the balcony were Yang Yi and Fatty Lin.

"Actually, the reason I approached Xuanyuan Bing was precisely to make the Eight Great Families wary of me. And it is because of this strategic move that the Shangguan family has now abandoned using their full strength to attack our influence in Shanghai; it was a necessary step. Among the Eight Great Families of Huaxia, both the Dongfang and Xuanyuan families are now effectively working for us. Even though my connection with Xuanyuan Bing is transactional, it at least buys me considerable time when I need to handle certain matters!" Yang Yi's eyes glittered with sharp intelligence, and the smile on his lips grew wider.

"Are you already planning to lead an army south?" Fatty Lin asked with a trace of surprise.

"Heh heh, that’s just a matter of time. For now, the priority is settling Shanghai and figuring out how to establish the Black God Gang headquarters here. The southern campaign will have to wait a while longer!" Yang Yi waved his hand, glanced down at the situation below, and then turned to leave.

Fatty Lin pondered for a moment, his brow furrowed, and he looked thoughtfully at the scene unfolding beneath them, uttering a cryptic statement, "It seems Nangong San will also become one of Brother Yi's chess pieces!"

"Is that the Dragon Lord of the Black God Gang?" A youth in a corner of another classroom looked up, muttering to himself. "It seems Fudan University is getting livelier; there are certainly more troubles brewing."

"If there weren't troubles, it wouldn't be called Fudan University," an accompanying voice responded just as the youth finished speaking.

"You came looking for me?" The youth looked surprisedly at the man and woman walking towards him.

"Heh heh, Cousin! When did you pick up the habit of talking to yourself?" The newcomers were none other than Shangguan Tengfei and Shangguan Yunmeng.

"Oh, I just talk to myself when I get bored," the youth, Gongsun Ce, replied with a strangely knowing smile. "It’s rare for you two to seek me out; is there something you need?"

"Nothing specific! Just, you must have seen what just happened..." Shangguan Tengfei left the sentence unfinished, instead smiling meaningfully as he glanced toward the figures running below and the bustling students.

"This all seems irrelevant to you, doesn't it? Besides, isn't your Shangguan family choosing to withdraw from the Shanghai commercial sector and cease confrontation?" Gongsun Ce asked Shangguan Tengfei with genuine confusion.

Shangguan Tengfei understood the implication of his words and replied casually, "It might not concern us, but it concerns Fudan, and indeed, the Eight Great Families of Huaxia. Given the current relationships between these three parties, what is your assessment of that Black God Gang Dragon Lord?"

"That’s not difficult!" Gongsun Ce seemed to have seen through everything. "The Black God Gang Dragon Lord now commands the Xuanyuan and Dongfang families, and he possesses a massive underworld organization, commanding absolute authority in Country R. Moreover, I recently heard he holds some influence in Britain as well. So, how do you view him?"

"Britain?" Shangguan Tengfei frowned deeply.

"It seems you are unaware. Heh heh! Let me enlighten you then." Gongsun Ce subconsciously glanced toward the two youths descending from the opposite building. "A short while ago, that Black God Gang Dragon Lord caused quite a tidal wave in Britain. Even the members of the world's Four Great Assassin Organizations submitted to him. His current power cannot be underestimated. If things go awry, I fear the Nangong family and the other two major families might be swallowed whole by him."