The oppressive threat was so thick it was suffocating.
The two elders of the Elton family, who possessed boundless wealth and had eyes everywhere, stood in the private room, their hands and feet tied. Their chests felt as if a colossal stone was pressing down, making it impossible to breathe.
They hadn't expected Liam to be so audacious with his demands.
One-third of the entire Elton family's wealth.
And it still wasn't enough to quell his anger.
Did he even know what a colossal fortune that was? If it were converted to gold coins, it could pile up to form several mountains of gold.
And he was still unsatisfied?
This was simply too greedy.
As for the so-called "more important figures" they couldn't afford to offend, from the moment Liam had spoken, they hadn't believed him. The Elton family's business practices emphasized cooperation and mutual benefit. Perhaps in the early stages of the family's rapid development, they had indeed hindered the expansion of many other families.
But those who had fallen behind in the initial competition, how could they possibly contend with the thriving Elton family?
It was all talk!
Liam must have felt that the compensation was insufficient.
Even though they knew this in their hearts, the Elton family elders dared not speak out. The Elton family was in a terrible situation, perhaps just one step away from ruin. If they truly angered the Chief Financial Officer, the Elton family would have no chance of recovery in the Tatu Kingdom.
"Young Master Liam,"
The Great Elder, with a fawning smile, rubbed his hands together.
"We don't know who exactly we've offended. From your words, it's clear you know that esteemed person. Could you trouble yourself to plead on our family's behalf? This third of our assets should be enough to appease their anger. This third of our assets is already a considerable compensation."
Liam, leaning against his chair, fiddled with the flimsy golden paper.
The disdain in his eyes was unconcealed.
"Plead on your behalf? With just this piece of paper?" Liam chuckled and shook his head. "You're overestimating your Elton family's assets, aren't you? Do you truly believe this third of your assets is a figure anyone would be moved by? Is it that your Elton family is too arrogant and presumptuous, or is it that your Elton family's vision is too narrow, believing you are rich enough to rival a nation?"
"We absolutely do not have such thoughts," both elders said, bowing their heads hastily.
This was a statement they absolutely could not afford to make.
If such words were to reach the royal family, who already had their eyes on the Elton family, they couldn't even imagine the consequences.
"Furthermore, you both know that our Tatu Kingdom is facing war, and all the cities are in a state of chaos. How much value do these assets of yours hold? How much wealth can they bring? Or perhaps, these assets are simply those that your Elton family can no longer control, so you are offering them up to fill the quota!"
Suddenly, Liam threw the golden paper into the Great Elder's face and stood up from his chair with a huff.
"Do you really think I know nothing?"
The Elton family elders, standing stiffly, were greatly alarmed.
How was this possible?
Liam, a prodigal son who was always causing trouble in the Sky City, how could he think so deeply?
They had been seen through.
The reason they had arrived so late was that these two elders had been secretly calculating their uncontrollable assets within the family, reluctantly cutting them off to appease Liam's greed, in order to minimally damage the family's core and avoid a crippling blow.
They had never expected Liam to see through their intentions.
"Elders, don't underestimate people too much," Liam looked down at the two Elton family elders and sneered. "You want to protect your family and have some ulterior motives, I can understand that. But you can't treat people like fools. What appears to be compensation is actually an attempt to reduce your Elton family's burden. Your calculations are truly ringing loud and clear."
The elders remained silent, and Liam, with his hands behind his back, whispered.
"You don't need to be so afraid. My family has never had any grievances with yours. With my father's authority, whoever I want will be respectfully delivered to my hands. I have no need to bully you by flaunting my status."
"You were indeed invited here by someone else who wishes to see you."
"I will accept this apology gift, and I will also put in a good word for you with that person later. The prerequisite is that you must first gain that esteemed person's forgiveness."
Liam leaned over and put the golden paper away again. The two elders frowned.
"May I ask, who is it?"
"That, you should ask your clan leader what he has done?" Liam scoffed softly and said, "To revitalize your Elton family, what has your clan leader done? Don't you know?"
Seeing the two elders remain silent for a long time, Liam sighed softly again.
"It's fine, I'll just give you a couple of pointers. Your clan leader's equipment business has reached the Batu Federation, but unfortunately, he has stepped on someone else's toes. Currently, your clan leader is being treated as an honored guest in the Batu Federation, and this anger will naturally be directed at you. Fortunately, that esteemed person is a reasonable individual. As long as you apologize sincerely and kowtow to beg for forgiveness, it shouldn't be too difficult for you. I've said all I can. As for what you will do, whether you will prioritize the supreme honor of your Elton family or endure and lie low, that is beyond my purview."
The elders remained silent, their hearts growing even heavier.
An equipment merchant!
They never imagined the clan leader would provoke an equipment merchant.
Shortly after speaking, Liam walked out of the private room, leaving behind two elders who were utterly dejected. The moment he stepped out, he patted his chest and let out a long sigh.
"Hoo!"
"There should be no problem."
Liam, patting his chest, gasped for breath.
"I often see my father entertaining guests, and through observation, I've managed to learn a thing or two. Perhaps I haven't learned it deeply enough, but judging by the expressions of those two elders, it seems to have had an effect."
"I even specifically mentioned kowtowing, they should understand, right?"
Liam muttered to himself. As he was murmuring, Chen Yu and his group had already arrived at the private room.
"Sir, you've arrived." The moment Liam saw Chen Yu, he rushed forward with a face full of obsequiousness and flattery, pointing to the private room not far away and saying, "The two elders of the Elton family are in the private room."
"Elders?"
"That's right. The Elton family's clan leader and their legitimate daughter are not in the clan. Their family's relationship with our Tatu Kingdom has been strained recently. These two have defected abroad a long time ago. However, the person who has come this time is the Great Elder who holds great power within the clan. If you are not satisfied, we can consider it as claiming interest. When the Batu Federation is eventually destroyed, I will personally lead troops to capture Fuhua Elton and Roni Elton and bring them before you, to kowtow and apologize."
"You said who will be destroyed?"
Nuo Yi glared and stepped forward, ghost fire surging in his hand.
"After all, I am also from the Tatu Kingdom. I can't possibly say that the Tatu Kingdom will be destroyed, right? Are you implying... The Tatu Kingdom will be destroyed, and the Batu Federation will surely win!!!" Liam shouted with his hands raised.
"Hmph!"
After a cold snort, Nuo Yi retracted his ghost fire. Chen Yu also nodded slightly.
"Liam, Nuo Yi, you two stay outside and guard. Do not let anyone approach," Chen Yu said with a focused gaze. "I don't want anyone to overhear my dealings with the Elton family. Do you understand?"
"Brother Chen, rest assured, whoever dares to eavesdrop... Hmph!"
Nuo Yi narrowed his eyes and shot a cold glance at Liam. Feeling Nuo Yi's icy gaze, Liam quickly shook his head.
"I will absolutely not eavesdrop, nor will I allow anyone else to. With me here, Sir... you can be completely at ease." Liam patted his chest repeatedly. Chen Yu nodded with satisfaction and walked towards the private room side-by-side with the little devil.
Scholar Bellor also wanted to follow them in, but Liam grabbed him.
"Stop right there!"
"Who told you to come in? Didn't you hear Sir say that no one is allowed to eavesdrop? You are no exception."
"Come back and stand properly."
"If you dare to move, I'll break your legs!"