His blatant lowballing was a violation of the industry's rules. If he was discovered, he would face severe punishment.
Such was the nature of an organization.
Once you rose to a high position, you had to abide by the system's rules even more strictly. The system's rules were meant to safeguard the interests of the upper echelons. Although many organizations claimed to represent the interests of the majority, it was clear that this was usually nothing more than a gimmick.
Thus, the higher one's position, the more one had to follow the rules.
In contrast, those in the middle and lower ranks could often get away with corruption.
Of course, once you reached the very top, your personal interests became tightly bound to those of the organization. Often, the organization's profit meant your own profit.
Shang Ya Zi was only a pseudo-high-level figure. As one of the ten young masters of the Shang clan, he drew a lot of attention, but his real power came from his father. Therefore, he was nothing but a rootless weed.
This also meant that when he broke the rules, the punishment he would receive would be even harsher.
After all, many people were watching him.
"Impossible! I did a thorough investigation before I came. I even spent a huge amount of primeval stones to buy their information from the Windstorm Pavilion. These two are clearly demonic path Gu Masters, wanted fugitives, homeless dogs! How could they suddenly be summoned by my father?"
Shang Ya Zi found everything utterly bewildering.
It was like a rich man bullying two beggars, when suddenly an imperial edict arrives, and the emperor personally summons those beggars!
The only reason Shang Ya Zi dared to pressure Fang Yuan was that he saw them as isolated and alone. He thought he could cover the sky with his hand, keep the matter secret, and it would be foolproof if no one knew.
Of course, there was an inherent risk. But to secure his position as young master, Shang Ya Zi had to take the gamble.
"These two clearly have no background at all! How did they get involved with my father?! Damn it! Has the world gone mad?! What do I do?! If they reveal this, my position as young master is definitely finished! Kill them? No, that's suicide. I have no chance in the Third Inner City. And now that they're under my father's attention, it's even more impossible! The worst part is that these two bastards are at the peak of Rank Three! Can't a guy catch a break?!"
In an instant, Shang Ya Zi's thoughts flashed like lightning as he desperately racked his brains for a solution.
His eyes darted around uncertainly, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead.
He had bitten off more than he could chew this time!
"Damn it! Is there a way? Is there *any* way?!" he roared inwardly in his panic.
"The Shang clan patriarch wants to see us? For what?" Fang Yuan expressed his confusion at just the right time.
Bai Ning Bing was even more confused.
What was going on?
She first suspected that Fang Yuan had pulled some strings, and cast a questioning glance at him.
But Fang Yuan's confused expression fooled her.
She couldn't help but think: she had been almost inseparable from Fang Yuan. How could he have pulled strings without her knowing?
Besides, what kind of character was the Shang clan patriarch? He stood above the world, at the peak of secular power. Even though Bai Ning Bing was proud in her heart, she had to acknowledge Shang Yan Fei's authority and strength.
"But why do I feel like something is off? Like I'm missing something?"
Wei Yang laughed and said, "Rest assured, you two. If the Shang clan intended to harm you, why would they do it in such a roundabout way? This is a friendly invitation. The patriarch is very interested in both of you."
"It is our honor to be summoned by the Shang clan patriarch. We can leave immediately." Fang Yuan put down the Go piece in his hand and stood up.
Shang Ya Zi was in a panic and hastily said, "Six hundred and fifty thousand primeval stones! It's a deal!"
Fang Yuan glanced at him and smiled faintly. "I'm sorry, but I've decided not to sell the recipe I have."
Shang Ya Zi's face instantly turned deathly pale. His mouth was dry. His gaze towards Fang Yuan carried a subtle plea. "This lowly one was rash and acted too hastily. Please do not blame me, honored guests. The price is negotiable! Please, after you two return, we can discuss it thoroughly! I mean it!"
Fang Yuan smiled faintly and said nothing.
Who would still talk with you? Still, temporarily stabilizing this guy could prevent a cornered beast from lashing out and reduce some trouble.
So Fang Yuan nodded his head. "If the young master of the Shang clan is sincere, I am also looking forward to it."
Shang Ya Zi's expression immediately relaxed, a joyful relief spreading across his face, as if a man about to fall off a cliff had suddenly grabbed hold of a tree on the cliffside.
"Good, I will wait for you," he quickly said.
"Honored guests, please." Wei Yang gestured.
"Please."
Following Wei Yang, Fang Yuan and Bai Ning Bing arrived at the Second Inner City.
Bai Ning Bing had been looking forward to luxury in the Second Inner City, but upon arriving, she was disappointed and confused.
The Second Inner City was mainly composed of stone houses, extremely simple, even inferior to the Fourth Inner City.
But she quickly understood, and her expression turned serious.
As the saying goes: it is difficult to go from luxury to frugality, but easy to go from frugality to luxury.
The Shang clan was as wealthy as a mountain, yet they adhered to a simple and austere work style. This was not stinginess, but a way to maintain the vitality of the entire clan.