Chapter 1064: Chapter 15: How Much More Low-Key Can I Be?
“Have you lost your mind?”
Yang Mocheng’s eyes were bloodshot as he stared intently at the young man sitting before him.
As the current head of the Yang Family in Tianmen, after years of keeping a low profile, the family’s influence had somewhat revived to its former glory.
Even so, there weren’t many in the streets of Tianmen who had heard of Yang Mocheng’s name.
Only a few noble families or people in the upper echelons of society knew about his identity.
After painstakingly managing for decades, witnessing the changing of dynasties and the emergence of another era of prosperity, just as the Yang Family was gearing up to rise, this relative, who had just returned from overseas, almost sunk the entire Yang Family into the abyss after a mere stroll through the streets.
The phone on the desk hadn’t rung yet, but each minute of waiting was an intangible torment for Yang Mocheng.
“Didn’t I tell you to keep a low profile, to be a bit more discreet!”
“How much more discreet could I be?”
Yang Jian set down his notebook and looked at the infuriated Yang Mocheng.
“They say domestic policy is shifting, that Tianmen City is opening up and becoming inclusive. Foreigners can walk down the streets, and yet the mere act of breathing is a crime for a Yang?”
“Yes.”
Yang Mocheng said gravely, “Thanks to your family, the Yang family’s breathing is indeed a crime here. In the past, you forced the Imperial Court to execute the entire Yang Zhen Shan family, leaving only the descendant of Yang Qiming. You never cared for family ties then, so don’t blame others for wanting to obliterate the Yang surname now.”
“Of all the people to provoke, you chose to provoke the Navy?”
“If this issue doesn’t escalate, it might be fine, but if it does, everyone in my family will accompany you, this deplorable fool, to the grave!”
“Is that such a good thing?”
Yang Jian’s indifferent words instantly sent a chill down Yang Mocheng’s spine.
“What did you say?”
“No one’s called yet. It only shows that Mu Yuming is still trustworthy. The Chamber of Commerce has invested quite a lot in him over the past two years; however, as a distant concern, it’s not surprising if he harbors second thoughts.”
Yang Jian calmly continued, “As for the arranged marriage with the Cheng Family, I’m not sure why you believe they’re sincere. Cheng Shuwen, as Xu Ziwei’s top confidential secretary, hasn’t been widely known all these years, yet you aren’t afraid?”
Yang Mocheng bit his teeth, “The Cheng Family comes from a military background from the Former Dynasty. Where would they get a confidential secretary?”
As soon as he said it, he froze, a cold shiver running down his back.
The Cheng Family has a military background… then why do so many Cheng members work in the Secretary Bureau? Even Cheng Xuefei can cultivate Advisor Outer Path forms. Where did they get the secret manuals… no, where’s their talent coming from?
“I suppose you’ve lived all these years in vain, letting them go to the dogs.”
Yang Jian shook his head, “The reason you’re living so comfortably now is because you’re being raised like livestock. Why would the Cheng family’s daughter insist on marrying over? You don’t even have the freedom to breathe in Tianmen; what else do you have besides that bit of broken money at home? Does the Cheng Family not worry about the Navy’s retaliation?”
“Do you still think the Cheng Family is interested in the family’s resources? You set up this muddled political marriage, thinking the Cheng Family will eat the meat and you can drink the soup? Even confidential news about the Four Seas Commerce Guild’s return reaches you, don’t you think the government higher-ups know? Do they need to go through all this trouble to work with your family?”
“Wake up, old man. They’re the fishing hook; you’re just the bait on it! Navy? Why hasn’t Yang Qiming ended you yet? He’s killed so many Yang family members already; what’s killing a few more?”
“Are you really hypnotized, or are you clinging to a sliver of hope, deceiving yourself?”
Yang Mocheng was drenched in sweat, speechless from head to toe.
“Impossible…”
“Stop speaking nonsense!”
“You just arrived, you know nothing…”
“Shut up.”
Yang Jian lifted a finger, and Yang Mocheng’s body stiffened instantly, unable to move a single finger.
The depths of Tianmen’s waters were as expected.
Yet, they were unfathomably deep, so deep that one step submerged him completely.
For the Four Seas Commerce Guild, returning home is clearly not the best choice.
Everyone is accustomed to freedom. Who would want to come back to be constrained?
But it’s not a matter of personal willingness.
It’s about higher directives and objective realities.
Sure, it’s carefree abroad, but when the tide comes, all wealth and glory become illusory like Mirror Flower Water Moon.
No matter how wealthy you are or how advanced your cultivation, once the tide arrives, if your great-grandfather steps out and gets killed, you vanish from this timeline, powerless to resist.
When it comes to returning, Tianmen is not the best choice for the Chamber of Commerce.
Xiangjiang, as the free trade port invested and built by the Chamber, is the traditional stronghold, as solid as a fortress; going there is like returning home.
At worst, even Shanghai now flourishes with prosperity, with its cityscape and population scale surpassing Tianmen’s.
But still, it’s not about personal preference.
One must choose Tianmen, the Land of Dragon Rise for Xu Ziwei.
She wields absolute authority and control there, though it’s nominally open, it’s in truth a well-prepared prison for the Chamber of Commerce.
If you’re willing, come; if not, face death.
If the Chamber’s headquarters relocated to the south, whether Xiangjiang or Shanghai, it would be perceived as divisive or secessionist.
Xu Ziwei’s outwardly strong-willed, domineering, but inherently dark and deep within, acts with ruthless cunning.
On the other hand, our Young Master Huang seems peculiar and unpredictable on the surface but is actually soft-hearted and naive.
Frankly, Yang Jian doesn’t see how his young master can gain any advantage from that scheming President.
Challenges exist, yet unpleasant tasks still need doing.
As a senior officer of the Chamber, before Young Master Huang arrives, he must at least make some headway.
Thus he can demonstrate his value, not be like the local branch of the Yang family, foolishly dreaming of being a local tycoon, sold out, yet still helping others count the money.
Through today’s events, Yang Jian can confirm that the entire Yang family has been brainwashed, entirely oblivious to it.
Among the Twelve Laws, the Advisor Outer Path excels at discerning thoughts, enchanting words, inciting and instigating. Cheng Xuefei is already advancing as a Flower Amidst Guests of the Advisor Outer Path, yet the Yang Family takes no precautions or shows any concern.
And this is just a young girl of the Cheng Family.
Considering that even Kong Ting’s ascension to “Deluding God” caused little stir before being subdued easily,
Yang Jian has every reason to suspect that Cheng Family’s head Cheng Shuwen, has already cultivated to the highest level of the Advisor Outer Path as a “Fulu Celestial Officer!”