"Merchant family?"
Ye Cangtian seemed to have heard the name somewhere. The last time he visited Kyoto, Tang Xinwan had mentioned the Eight Great Families of Kyoto.
This Shang family seemed to be one of them!
Kyoto, being the capital, had always been the most central city in China. Families that could establish roots here were not ordinary, let alone top families.
No wonder this fellow was so arrogant. He was from one of the Eight Great Families, the young master of the Shang family!
Ye Cangtian realized with a dawning understanding, then grinned, "Shang family? Are they very powerful?"
The young master was slightly taken aback. Did this guy not even know about their Shang family?
However, he had done some research. This company was reportedly a branch of an out-of-town group. Perhaps it was understandable that they hadn't heard of the Shang family.
He cleared his throat and looked at Ye Cangtian with a cold smile. "You don't know the Shang family? It doesn't hurt to tell you. Our Shang family's businesses span across the entire Kyoto, and even the whole country. Any one of our companies under the Shang family could crush a small company like yours."
The Shang family had always been a mercantile lineage. Although various industries flourished in the market today, the Shang family remained a vast commercial empire.
Among the top hundred enterprises nationwide, the Shang family owned several companies!
Ye Cangtian listened to the other party's proud introduction and nodded. He casually asked, "So, the Shang family is indeed very powerful. As expected, the Eight Great Families are all extraordinary. But... what does that have to do with me?"
"What does it have to do with you?"
The young master laughed when he heard that, proudly saying, "Remember my name, I am Shang Tianxiang, the young master of the Shang family! Also, I am Murong Yu's fiancé. Now you should know the consequences of blocking me, right?"
Fiancé?
Ye Cangtian was a little surprised. Murong Yu actually had a fiancé? Wasn't this girl always proud and arrogant?
With Shang Tianxiang's flamboyant demeanor, could that girl possibly fancy him?
Of course, that was her private affair, and he couldn't interfere.
However, Ye Cangtian had no intention of indulging these pampered young masters. So, he smiled and shook his head, "I don't care what family's young master you are. In my company, without permission, no one is getting in!"
"You!"
Shang Tianxiang was stunned. Did this guy genuinely not understand, or did he not know the influence of the Shang family?
He was almost amused to death. Looking at Ye Cangtian, he sneered, "Kid, remember what you said today. With your shabby company, if I wish, I can make it collapse at any time."
"You can try. I can also give you a reminder. The last young master from the Eight Great Families who offended me has already gone to see God!"
Ye Cangtian's smile was brilliant. Was he afraid of threats?
"You have quite the nerve. Who do you think you are?" Shang Tianxiang laughed. Who among the young masters of the Eight Great Families dared to act against him?
However, he suddenly recalled something that happened a couple of months ago. Yuwen Hao of the Yuwen family was allegedly killed, and it was heard that he was killed right in front of all the Yuwen family members.
In an instant, Shang Tianxiang's face changed, and he frowned at the other party, "Who are you?"
"Him? He's the one who killed Yuwen Hao two months ago and managed to leave unharmed!" A voice suddenly came from nearby.
Not far away, someone had just gotten out of a taxi.
Shang Tianxiang looked at the newcomer and became somewhat wary, "Shangguan Yun!"
The person who arrived was Shangguan Yun. He walked over with a smile, patted Ye Cangtian's shoulder, and teased, "Young master of the Shang family, Yuwen Hao seemed to be quite familiar with you before. You can try to avenge him."
"Oh, right, his name is Ye Cangtian! Haven't your elders in the Shang family mentioned him to you?"
"Ye... Ye Cangtian?"
Shang Tianxiang's body trembled slightly. That name was like thunder in his ears!
It had already spread throughout the circles of Kyoto's young masters. Families like the Yuwen, Qian, and Qi families had all suffered.
Especially the Yuwen family, as one of the Eight Great Families of Kyoto, had a scion killed right before their eyes. Not only did they lose face, but they didn't even dare to seek revenge.
The Shang family was wealthy and powerful, but compared to the Yuwen family, they were still quite a bit behind.
His elders had repeatedly warned them that if they encountered Ye Cangtian, they should endure any grievance, no matter how great, and never provoke him.
Sweat began to bead on his forehead. Shang Tianxiang swallowed hard, not daring to look up at Ye Cangtian, instead turning awkwardly to Shangguan Yun.
"I... I misspoke just now. Brother Shangguan, you see, I..."
"It was just a slip of the tongue, all a misunderstanding. Ye and I are friends, and Ye won't hold it against you. You can leave if there's nothing else," Shangguan Yun said, patting his chest.
Shang Tianxiang cautiously glanced at Ye Cangtian. Seeing that he didn't seem angry, he breathed a sigh of relief.
He didn't dare to linger any longer and quickly made his escape.
Soon, the dazzling supercar sped away from the scene, even scattering the large pile of roses on its hood onto the ground.
At this moment, Shangguan Yun and Ye Cangtian were standing together.
Ye Cangtian rolled his eyes, "That arrogant attitude just now, but he ran faster than anyone when he heard my name!"
Shangguan Yun laughed heartily, "Of course. Who in Kyoto, from the major and minor families, doesn't know the great name of Ye Cangtian? Even the direct descendant of the Yuwen family died by your hand. What's a young master from a lower-tier family?"
Lower-tier families? Ye Cangtian was a little confused.
"It seems you really don't know!"
Seeing his confusion, Shangguan Yun explained, "The Eight Great Families of Kyoto are divided into the Upper Four Families and the Lower Four Families. The Murong family and the Shang family are just two commercial families among the Lower Four!"
"The other two families are the Wu family, mainly involved in government affairs, with great power in official circles, essentially holding authority. And the Zhao family, from which many generals have emerged, some of whom were even meritorious officials in the past."
The Lower Four Families: the Wu family is an official family, the Zhao family controls military power, while the Murong family and the Shang family are legitimate merchant families.
Ye Cangtian nodded, then raised an eyebrow, "What about the Upper Four Families? Your Shangguan family and the Yuwen family both belong to the Upper Four Families, right?"
"Naturally!"
Shangguan Yun said with a hint of pride and continued to explain, "The Upper Four Families, in terms of authority or commerce, cannot compare to the Lower Four Families, but the Upper Four Families are truly families with deep foundations."
"Because of the Hidden Organization?" Ye Cangtian seemed to have guessed something.
"Yes, but not entirely! I can't say much about the specifics. Our Shangguan family and the Yuwen family are actually alright, but the two families at the very front are truly formidable."
Among the Upper Four Families, the Shangguan family ranked third, and the Yuwen family ranked fourth.
The other two families were the Bai family and the Dongfang family. These two families were the ones with true strength and deep foundations.
"I haven't heard of these two family names in Kyoto. Why is that?"
Ye Cangtian had been to Kyoto twice, but he had never heard anyone mention these two families, nor had he heard of people with these surnames.
Shangguan Yun chuckled, "It's normal that you don't know. These two families are very mysterious. Even I know very little about their affairs! But if you have a chance to go to the Hidden Organization in the future, you will surely find out!"