The Grand Hyatt Hotel.

Dubbed a six-star luxury establishment in Shanghai, booking the entire venue for an evening suggested that Shangguan Qingyun held this quasi-Hongmen Banquet in rather high regard.

Of course, what machinations brewed beneath the surface, only Heaven knew, Earth knew, and the two men, Yang Yi and Shangguan Qingyun, clearly understood.

Only the assembled business figures, currently preoccupied with faked expressions and overtly courteous, back-slapping rhetoric, remained blissfully ignorant.

“Young Master, we’ve arrived.” Feng Shi pulled the vehicle to a stop a mere handful of meters from the entrance of the Grand Hyatt Hotel, turning to Yang Yi, “Shall I have the Black God Guards…?” “Heh heh, no need.

Tonight, we’ll stride in with our entourage in plain sight.” A wicked smirk played on Yang Yi’s lips; only the grease on his toes could guess the scheme brewing in his mind.

Hearing this, Feng Shi eased the car forward a bit.

Once the vehicle settled, Yang Yi stepped out, adjusted his hat, and the smile on his face deepened.

Beside him, Xuanyuan Bing’s objective for the evening seemed refreshingly simple: she maintained constant, quiet vigilance over Yang Yi’s every move, noting and memorizing seemingly every action he took.

For the first time, for a man, Xuanyuan Bing let a smile grace her lips—a smile that was not inherently hers.

She linked arms with Yang Yi, looking at him with obvious pleasure.

At the same moment, Yang Yi felt something shift; the familiar icy chill was gone, replaced by the warmth of normal human temperature.

He glanced at Xuanyuan Bing with surprise, then laughed, “Tonight, I’ll show you exactly what the Dragon Lord of the Black God Gang looks like.” “I shall look forward to it!” Xuanyuan Bing replied with a faint smile, a smile perhaps stiff, yet losing none of the beauty of frost blooming in sunlight.

Fatty Lin and Feng Shi exchanged a bewildered glance, saying nothing, but both understood clearly: Xuanyuan Bing’s sudden presence signaled her intent to understand Yang Yi.

And curiosity, as the saying goes, kills; how many have fallen into Yang Yi’s hands because of it? “The Black God Guards will be led by the Ten Generals.

Once inside, spread out and just keep your eyes peeled!” Yang Yi smiled faintly, fixing his gaze ahead.

“Let’s go in.” “Who goes there?” As Yang Yi and his group reached the door, the two bodyguards stationed there immediately challenged them.

What a joke; a large crowd suddenly surging toward them—were these bodyguards fools? Of course they had to ask! In their line of work, great killing skill wasn't paramount; the ability to survive and a ruthless eye were what truly mattered.

“We are guests invited by your Patriarch Shangguan.

Here is our invitation!” Feng Shi was always aloof in front of strangers.

While she didn't exude the continuous coldness of Xuanyuan Bing, she possessed her own distinct aura.

The two bodyguards glanced at the invitation and their expressions instantly softened.

Despite the large number of people accompanying the group, the invitation bore the personal seal of Patriarch Shangguan, meaning they dared not show any disrespect.

“Please enter!” A cold smirk touched Yang Yi’s lips.

Sycophants who judge by appearances, or those who speak one thing while meaning another—they were everywhere in this vast world.

The moment the entourage stepped across the threshold of the main hall, Long Yi subtly signaled the others to disperse.

Yang Yi, Xuanyuan Bing, Feng Shi, and Fatty Lin strode deeper into the hall, though six others remained closely secreted nearby.

Stepping into the vast chamber, Yang Yi felt a surge of bold ambition.

He mused inwardly, This is where it begins.

Once we enter, and emerge from this place, it will be the perfect moment for the Black God Gang to stand supreme in Shanghai.

“Patriarch, that is the Dragon Lord of the Black God Gang.

He has arrived.” An old servant’s eyes gleamed sharply.

He had never met the man in person but had seen photographs; his gaze fixed intensely on the newcomer.

“As expected, he is even more formidable than the Young Master!” “Oh?” Shangguan Qingyun set down his wine glass and looked in the direction the old servant indicated, his footsteps following suit.

“He is the Dragon Lord of the Black God Gang? He appears younger than I imagined.” “Young Master, that is Shangguan Qingyun,” Feng Shi murmured quietly behind Yang Yi.

“Hmm?” Yang Yi smiled subtly, but Xuanyuan Bing’s grip tightened involuntarily.

“Don’t worry, it’s alright, I’m here!” Yang Yi sensed her unease, understanding fully that with the annulment of their engagement so recent, this meeting between the two was bound to be tense.

Shangguan Qingyun saw Xuanyuan Bing, and his heart skipped a beat, though he revealed nothing on his face.

He approached Yang Yi, extending his hand with a smile.

“Welcome, welcome to my humble banquet, Dragon Lord of Black God Enterprises!” “Patriarch Shangguan need not be so polite!” Yang Yi raised the corner of his mouth and shook his hand.

“I have long heard of the Dragon Lord of Black God Enterprises—a hero emerging from youth.

Seeing you today confirms the rumors!” Shangguan Qingyun offered a compliment that was undeniably artificial.

Though the praise sounded exaggerated and the smile extremely insincere—after all, Shangguan Qingyun was meeting Yang Yi for the first time; how could he truly know him?—to utter words like, ‘seeing you today confirms the rumors,’ struck Yang Yi as utterly sardonic.

However, bound by decorum and the necessity of such polite falsehoods in the business world, Yang Yi could only offer a matching, cold smile inwardly while replying aloud, “Not at all! Not at all! Patriarch Shangguan greatly overestimates this young master.” “This young master?” Shangguan Qingyun suddenly felt he had been rebuffed, his expression faltering momentarily before he managed a chuckle.

“Heh heh, please lead the way!” “Very well!” Yang Yi assented, following Shangguan Qingyun toward the upper floor.

The surrounding business elites, seeing Shangguan Qingyun personally escorting and treating Yang Yi with such courtesy, were filled with confusion.

Those intending to jump in with flattery to curry favor were now left speechless, as the guest of honor was swiftly whisked upstairs.

Meanwhile, tucked away in a dark corner, a youth sipping champagne commented after a slow swallow, “I didn’t expect him to come too.

This might be the best opportunity.” “Don’t forget, the main focus of the gathering that Old Man Shangguan arranged for these business leaders is him! So his presence here shouldn't surprise you.” Beside the first youth, another young man stared intently at the receding figures of Yang Yi and Shangguan Qingyun ascending the stairs.

Unmistakably, these two youths were Tang Shen, heir to the Tang family, and Ximen Ling, heir to the Ximen family.

After watching Yang Yi disappear from his sight, Tang Shen spoke, “I wouldn’t call it the best opportunity, but tonight will not be simple.

We must proceed cautiously.” “Agreed.

I’ll call now and arrange for our people to infiltrate and make further plans,” Ximen Ling nodded.

“Knowing the right moment is also a form of intelligence,” Tang Shen drained his glass in one go, a hint of a knowing smile flickering in his eyes as he stood there.

Led by Shangguan Qingyun, Yang Yi and his party were brought into a private reception room.

Shangguan Qingyun gestured for them to sit and then addressed an attendant nearby, “Bring forth everything that has been prepared!” “Yes, Patriarch!” The old servant spared Yang Yi one last lingering look before exiting.

Yang Yi felt a chill.

He had been subtly monitoring that old man; ever since they came upstairs, the servant’s ambiguous glances made Yang Yi wonder if the man harbored decidedly queer inclinations.

Once seated, Xuanyuan Bing held fast to Yang Yi’s arm, unwilling to let go, an act that seemed both deliberately performed for show and yet utterly genuine, leaving Fatty Lin and Feng Shi profoundly puzzled.

“Now, perhaps it is time to get straight to the point?” Shangguan Qingyun asked, settling onto a sofa opposite Yang Yi.

“Heh heh, you may speak plainly.

I prefer direct people, not those who favor schemes and plots.

This young master admits to being a bit arrogant, which I trust Patriarch Shangguan understands means I expect honesty?” Yang Yi smiled, casually withdrawing his hands from Xuanyuan Bing’s grasp and instead wrapping his arms around her waist.

Feeling Yang Yi’s large hands encircle her, Xuanyuan Bing’s cheeks flushed slightly, and the corners of her mouth curved upwards.

She remained silent, allowing his embrace.

Shangguan Qingyun’s eyes flashed, and he gave a cold laugh internally.

He was no fool; he understood perfectly that Yang Yi’s every move now was undoubtedly a provocation.

A remarkably bold youth, he thought privately, before stating, “Indeed, regarding your Black God Enterprise’s expansion into all of Shanghai’s economy, and the resulting clash with our Shangguan Enterprise in the commercial sphere—which has led to today’s situation.

How do you propose we resolve this?” “How to resolve it?” Yang Yi picked up a glass of red wine, took a sip, and smiled.

“Patriarch Shangguan has invited this young master to dinner; surely you haven’t come entirely unprepared?” “Prepared? What exactly does Your Excellency mean by that?” Shangguan Qingyun felt a tremor of alarm.

In front of the patriarchs of the Eight Great Families, he had never before felt so utterly outmatched, humbled by a youth barely older than his own son.

Even though the negotiations hadn't officially started, the upper hand had already been completely seized by the other side.

“Patriarch Shangguan invited me here today for one reason only: to secure your withdrawal from the Shanghai economy, and you seek an excuse through me—a fact I believe you understand well.

However, as I stated earlier, I prefer directness.

If Patriarch Shangguan lacks any sincerity for discussion, then I believe there is no need for us to continue,” Yang Yi stated, his gaze locking onto Shangguan Qingyun’s without the slightest hint of avoidance.