The scene was deathly silent.
Everyone’s scalp prickled.
They felt a chill down their spines.
This condition seemed easy to fulfill, but it would alter the current structure of the Gong family.
Especially Gong Qingyang.
His pupils trembled violently.
He never imagined Ao Ji would propose making Gong Jian the patriarch of the Gong family.
If Gong Jian became the patriarch, what would he, the current patriarch, do?
Moreover, he and his son had humiliated Gong Jian countless times before.
If Gong Jian became the patriarch, would he seek revenge and trouble them?
Without further thought, Gong Qingyang quickly said, "Senior Ao Ji, Gong Jian is but a young member of our Gong family."
"With us elders still alive, it might not be appropriate to hand over the position of patriarch to him."
Ao Ji let out a cold sneer. "If my memory serves me correctly, Gong Jian is Gong Qingping's eldest son."
"Gong Qingping was the patriarch of your Gong family. After his death, the position of patriarch should have passed to his eldest son."
"It should not have fallen to you, his second uncle."
Gong Qingyang nervously said, "Senior Ao Ji speaks the truth, but Gong Jian has been studying at the Sword Casting Academy and has no understanding of the family business."
"But he has returned now, hasn't he?"
Ao Ji's simple sentence left Gong Qingyang speechless.
Ao Ji continued, "Indeed, he doesn't understand your Gong family's business."
"However, I have several business talents who can teach him the ways of commerce."
"It's even possible for them to help your Gong family with their business." He then picked up his teacup and took a sip.
Gong Qingyang's face turned pale.
He was determined to support Gong Jian.
No.
If he became the new patriarch of the Gong family, he would surely retaliate.
Thinking this, Gong Qingyang took a deep breath and respectfully said, "Senior Ao Ji, I need to discuss this matter with my brothers back home."
Ao Ji smiled. "Aren't your brothers all here?"
He then stood up. "I will leave first. You can discuss it and give me your answer."
After Ao Ji left, Gong Qingyang looked at his seven brothers with a grim expression. "What do you all think of this matter?"
The others fell into silence.
They wanted to cooperate with Ao Ji. This would undoubtedly make the Gong family the foremost influential family in the Qian Kingdom.
But doing so would surely enrage Gong Qingyang.
They were brothers and knew Gong Qingyang's methods. Offending him would have dire consequences.
Their eldest brother, Gong Qingping, was a clear example.
Seeing their silence, Gong Qingyang said, "If our Gong family can become the foremost influential family, I am willing to let Gong Jian inherit the position of patriarch. After all, everything I've done is for the family."
"However, there is something I do not understand."
"Why would Senior Ao Ji let a good-for-nothing become our Gong family's patriarch?"
"Do they have any past connection?"
He then looked at Gong Jian and asked in a low voice, "Did you know each other before?"
Gong Jian shook his head.
His face showed a look of nervousness and unease.
Damn it.
He called me a good-for-nothing again.
Just you wait, old man.
When I become the patriarch of the Gong family, you and your family will be the first to suffer.
Gong Qingyang continued, "It is evident that Senior Ao Ji wants to support this good-for-nothing Gong Jian to create a puppet."
"Only a good-for-nothing like Gong Jian can be easily controlled."
"Second Brother, may I say something?" A middle-aged man named Gong Qingyuan asked, "Why would Senior Ao Ji support a puppet?"
"What is the significance of him doing this?"
Gong Qingyang did not speak.
The others were also pondering the significance of Ao Ji's actions.
"All our Gong family's assets combined are worth at most ten million high-grade immortal stones."
"Yet he possesses medicinal herbs worth fifty million high-grade immortal stones."
"I cannot fathom the significance of his actions."
He was the seventh son in the Gong family.
Although ranked seventh, he was exceptionally intelligent.
Gong Qingyang, enraged, snapped, "So, you are refuting what I said and want that good-for-nothing Gong Jian to become the Gong family's patriarch?"
Gong Qingyuan replied, "Second Brother, that is not what I meant."
"My meaning is very simple."
"Even if Senior Ao Ji wants to make Gong Jian a puppet, we can control him."
"This would be a win-win situation."
He spoke of controlling Gong Jian in front of him, completely disregarding his feelings.
Of course, they had never cared about the feelings of a good-for-nothing from a humble background.
Upon hearing this, everyone felt that Gong Qingyuan's words made sense.
"Let this matter be dropped. Gong Jian must never become the patriarch of the Gong family," Gong Qingyang huffed irritably. He had finally become the patriarch of the Gong family and was unwilling to give up this position.
At this moment, Ao Ji re-entered and said, "Since you are unwilling to accept my conditions, let us have a public competition!"
"I will announce to the public that anyone with twenty million high-grade immortal stones can become my partner."
"Someone, escort them out."
He said this expressionlessly and directly ordered them to leave.
"Young Master Jian, you need not worry about this matter. My master has his own arrangements."
"You still need to endure some humiliation for now."
Ao Ji transmitted his thoughts to Gong Jian.
Then, a ray of divine light entered Gong Jian's sleeve.
Of course, the Gong family members noticed nothing of this.
Gong Jian left with the others.
However, he found himself holding a spatial artifact.
Upon entering it with his spiritual power, he was stunned.
Inside was a mountain of high-grade immortal stones.
Although he didn't know the exact amount, it was at least ten million.
Afterward, Ao Ji announced that he was seeking a new partner, but the condition was to possess twenty million high-grade immortal stones in liquid capital.
This condition stumped many.
Twenty million high-grade immortal stones was not a small sum for any family, and it could not be accumulated in a short period.
However, at least there was a glimmer of hope!
------
"Second Brother, you missed a golden opportunity."
"Even if Ao Ji is looking for a partner, our Gong family cannot come up with twenty million high-grade immortal stones!"
On the way back to the Gong family, Gong Qingyuan sighed.
Gong Qingyang's forehead was filled with veins as he said in a low voice, "You just want that good-for-nothing Gong Jian to become the patriarch, don't you?"
"I merely want to seize this opportunity for cooperation at the smallest cost. If you choose to think otherwise, I can do nothing." Gong Qingyuan shook his head helplessly.
He then separated from the family procession and took his son to a nearby restaurant.
He was in a bad mood and needed a drink.
"Let's go home!" Gong Qingyang, with a grim face, led the Gong family towards their residence.
At the same time, Chen Nan appeared at the restaurant where Gong Qingyuan was dining.
He found the father and son and politely said, "Seventh Master Gong, my master requests your presence."
Gong Qingyuan frowned. "Who is your master?"
"Ao Ji."
Gong Qingyuan's eyes lit up.
Ao Ji was inviting him personally.
Could it be that he intended to make him the new patriarch of the Gong family?