Ye Longlin's guess was correct; Zhang Xiao had indeed been used.
At this moment, in Zhang Xiao's office, Zhang Xiao stared at the young man before him with a darkened complexion.
"The Heavenly Dragon Chamber of Commerce has impressive methods. First, they release a bit of gossip to catch my attention, then they send someone to spread rumors about me being rejected when I applied to join the Heavenly Dragon Chamber of Commerce years ago. Without me knowing your plan, you inform Mr. Ye about this matter, letting him go there himself. This is your plan!
It's rumored that the Heavenly Dragon Chamber of Commerce has a strategist whose intelligence is like a demon's, leaving no room for error. It seems you are that strategist."
Zhang Xiao narrowed his eyes, a flicker of apprehension crossing them, his vigilance rising.
Unknowingly, he had become this person's pawn!
Zhang Xiao, the richest man in Star City, a top figure, was also an old fox. Few people could outmaneuver him.
Yet today, he had become this person's pawn.
"Brother Pawn, you know quite a lot. However, Brother Pawn, you don't need to worry too much. Ye Longlin must have already guessed. Your outcome is either to remain as you are or to die. It's quite simple.
When you applied to join the Heavenly Dragon Chamber of Commerce back then, you were rejected due to some shortsighted individuals. That's why I'm inviting you to join today in the name of the Heavenly Dragon Chamber of Commerce."
Seated opposite him was a young man. The young man swayed a goose feather fan, a smile on his lips that made it seem as though he always wore it.
He exuded an aura of being in control of every situation.
Zhang Xiao gave a wry smile, "No need. The Imperial Chamber of Commerce has already become the largest chamber of commerce in Star City. What you can do, our Imperial Chamber of Commerce can also do. What you cannot do, our Imperial Chamber of Commerce can also accomplish. So why would I abandon my position as会长 (huìzhǎng - president/chairman) to become your member?"
The strategist slightly shook his head, "But you need to think clearly. Once you refuse my kind offer, you will become an enemy of the Heavenly Dragon Chamber of Commerce."
Zhang Xiao's expression turned serious. After a moment of thought, he smiled faintly, "From the moment you decided to make an enemy of Mr. Ye, your demise was already sealed."
If anyone in Star City understood Ye Longlin, it was undoubtedly Zhang Xiao. He wouldn't claim to be the one who understood him best, but he was certainly among those who knew him the most.
He was aware of Ye Longlin's methods; those who provoked him rarely ended up well.
That was Ye Longlin!
"Demise? That's not certain. I'm waiting for news from the Heavenly Dragon Chamber of Commerce. President Zhang, would you like to sit with me and watch the clouds drift by?"
The strategist chuckled softly, seeming very confident in the Heavenly Dragon Chamber of Commerce.
"You even dare to lay hands on a member of the Green Army Council. I'm curious, who is backing you?"
Zhang Xiao opened a drawer and took out a cigar. Perhaps intentionally, he activated the drawer's listening device.
"Don't you already have a guess? Or perhaps, you dare not speak their names."
The strategist smiled, standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, and murmured, "Our lineage specializes in alliances and strategies. But in this era, how many people still remember our lineage?"
"My former name was Gui Gu."
Xu Dewen, the vice-president of the Heavenly Dragon Chamber of Commerce, had held this position for many years, and had been in Star City for just as long, to the point where he almost forgot he was from the capital.
This initiative by the Heavenly Dragon Chamber of Commerce had given him hope of returning to the capital!
Although he didn't know who Ye Longlin was, anyone who stood in his way of returning to the imperial capital was a stumbling block that needed to be removed!
As the meeting concluded, Ye Longlin hadn't figured out when they would make their move.
Just then, a sudden change occurred.
The collapse of a wall revealed a shocking scene to everyone!
All the people stationed in the '回' (huí - return) shaped corridor had been dealt with; not a single one was alive. Blood stained the ground, making it seem as though it was entirely covered in blood. The smell of blood in the air and the corpses at the scene made people feel nauseous.
These were all influential figures and dignitaries. When had they ever witnessed such a scene?
One by one, they quickly removed their masks and retched.
"Don't remove your masks!"
Xu Dewen roared, but it was too late.
"General Manager Qin of Maoye Department Store!"
"Mr. Luo of Weimei Apparel!"
"Mr. Li of TianTai Pharmaceuticals!"
All the recognizable names were right there, not one of them was not a renowned figure in their circles!
"You are members of the Heavenly Dragon Chamber of Commerce!!"
Many people instinctively blurted this out, immediately feeling awkward.
"My apologies, please continue."
Yuan Gang looked at the fallen wall and scratched his head sheepishly. With his other hand, he casually crushed a martial artist and threw them to the ground, a chilling sight.
"Mr. Ye, meeting you in person is indeed an honor."
An old man appeared beside Ye Longlin at some unknown moment. He placed a hand on Ye Longlin's shoulder, his martial energy surging. With this palm strike, he intended to shatter Ye Longlin's shoulder.
Ye Longlin seemed unfazed, merely stating calmly, "Since we've met, I want to know what connection your Heavenly Dragon Chamber of Commerce has with the Heavenly Dragon Chamber of Commerce in the capital!"
The Heavenly Dragon Chamber of Commerce in the capital was more than just a chamber of commerce; it was a true financial conglomerate. Even though they didn't possess much actual money, the influence they wielded was enough to make even Cheng Kunpeng, the Minister of Commerce, wary.
"The dead have no need to know!"
The Sixth Guardian snorted, his killing intent surging. Each move he made carried an inexplicable rhythm.
The outward projection of martial energy was the mark of a Grandmaster!
Even in the imperial capital, Grandmaster level cultivators were revered figures.
Ye Longlin took a step forward. His palm strike just grazed past, but in the next moment, the Sixth Guardian's pupils dilated drastically, for before him was a palm strike!
"Youngster, you court death!"
His palm strike missing its target filled the Sixth Guardian with a sense of humiliation.
He was, after all, a renowned Grandmaster. To have his initial move fail to subdue this youngster, and even allow him the opportunity to counter, was unthinkable.
For a Grandmaster, this was utterly unbelievable.
Ye Longlin pursed his lips and placed a palm on the Sixth Guardian's chest. Martial energy erupted, and a massive force made him feel the imminent threat of death in an instant!
The Sixth Guardian was filled with shock and uncertainty. His eyes hardened, "Since that's the case, you too shall die by my hand!"
He roared and threw a punch towards Ye Longlin's head. Martial energy vibrated, spreading outwards like ripples.
This punch condensed the utmost power of a Grandmaster!
Ye Longlin looked with surprise, "Not bad."
If he had used any other move, he would have certainly died under that palm strike.
Since the Sixth Guardian chose a mutually destructive approach, Ye Longlin had no choice but to retreat.
They separated, and the Sixth Guardian looked at his chest, his lips twitching.
How many years had it been since he was injured? Now, he had suffered a setback at the hands of this youngster.
"Youngster, I see you have considerable martial talent. Become my disciple, and I guarantee you will become a force that even the capital will fear."