In a private room of the restaurant.
The two elders left behind in the private room paced back and forth restlessly.
What should they do?
Learning that they had offended an equipment merchant, even they themselves didn't know how to proceed. Equipment merchants and food merchants were the most peculiar groups in the underground world. It wasn't just them, who relied on the kingdom's policies for their livelihood; even the kingdom dared not offend an equipment merchant.
Centuries ago, the downfall of a kingdom at the hands of equipment merchants was a stark reminder.
Even more terrifying was that the annihilated kingdom was not occupied by the equipment merchants but was directly abandoned. Countless factions were born in the desolate land, yet even then, all countries dared not set foot in that territory for fear of offending the equipment merchants. It was only after a hundred years that it was divided among the surrounding kingdoms.
“Great Elder, is what Liya said trustworthy?”
The Fourth Elder, whose temples were flecked with gray, knitted his brows, his face etched with solemnity.
“Our patriarch has always been prudent. He would surely not do something as offending an equipment merchant. He knows that our family’s businesses are all still in the Tatu Kingdom, and our clansmen have not yet evacuated from the kingdom.”
As the backbone of the clan, the Great Elder remained silent for a long time.
Should he believe it?
Based on his understanding of Patriarch Fu Hua, while he was decisive and his actions were often bold, and he might inadvertently offend those whose interests conflicted with the family’s, his decisiveness was by no means recklessness.
The status of equipment merchants in the underground world was self-evident.
He would not dare to offend an equipment merchant.
But—
Everything had a premise, and that was the situation of the Ailton family.
At this moment, the Ailton family was at a critical juncture. The Tatu Kingdom had abandoned the Ailton family and intended to destroy it. Coincidentally, the Batu Federation was about to go to war with the Tatu Kingdom, making defecting to the Batu Federation the best choice.
In order to allow the family to establish itself in the Batu Federation in a short period, he might truly do anything.
“Great Elder, I still don’t think it’s possible.” Seeing the Great Elder’s prolonged silence, the Fourth Elder voiced his thoughts again, “I think Liya is still unhappy with us. What he said is not difficult to interpret, but he doesn’t want to appear too greedy, so he deliberately uses this as an excuse. Perhaps he will find someone from somewhere later, pretend to be an equipment merchant, and then severely bite us. We must guard against this.”
“Let’s see.”
The Great Elder, who had been pondering for a long time, sighed softly.
“The initiative is not in our hands, so we can only passively accept and judge. Alas, it all comes down to our family’s weakness. If it were a few years ago, who would dare treat our Ailton family like this.”
Creak.
Suddenly, the door to the private room was pushed open.
The two elders standing in the room immediately turned their heads and stood at attention, their eyes fixed on the doorway.
“Liya is truly efficient.”
As Chen Yu entered the private room, he was still recalling Liya’s action of holding back Bellro. He certainly didn’t want Bellro to participate in private talks with the Ailton family.
Even if the Academy was all-knowing and omnipotent,
This negotiation might not be able to be kept secret from the mysterious Academy.
But his presence inside versus outside created entirely different impressions.
“Demon race.”
Upon seeing Chen Yu and the little demon entering the private room, the faces of the two elders from the Ailton family changed dramatically, and their hearts sank to the bottom. If only Chen Yu had come alone, perhaps Liya would have made an exorbitant demand. But now, with the involvement of the Demon race, the matter became even more unusual.
“Hiss!”
“Why does this young man look so familiar?”
However, after a moment of solemnity, the Great Elder’s expression subtly changed, and he murmured to himself.
“Great Elder, do you perhaps recognize him?” Hearing the low murmur, the Fourth Elder raised his eyebrows. The Great Elder looked again for a while and shook his head slightly, “I’m not entirely sure, I just feel he looks a bit familiar, as if I’ve seen him somewhere before.”
Little did they know, Chen Yu, upon seeing the Great Elder, also found him somewhat familiar.
However, he said nothing,
He walked straight to a seat and sat down, looking at the lavish spread of dishes on the table and shaking his head.
He assumed these were all arranged by Liya.
“Sister Ba.”
Chen Yu winked, and the little demon, understanding, raised her hand and cast a barrier before nodding at Chen Yu. Chen Yu then took his seat, quietly observing the two elders who didn’t dare to breathe too loudly.
About half a minute passed—
“Um, aren’t you going to speak? This place and the outside have been isolated by us. You two can speak your minds freely.” Chen Yu tentatively whispered, his gaze falling on the Great Elder, “Haven’t we met somewhere before? You’re the elder who has always been by Roni’s side, isn’t that right?”
“You… you are…”
The Great Elder’s expression froze. Chen Yu’s tentative whisper.
“The auction house?”
In an instant, the Great Elder remembered everything, and a smile appeared on his stiff face.
“So it’s you, Mr. Chen.”
“Great Elder, you know this person?” the Fourth Elder asked, confused. The Great Elder smiled and replied, “This is Mr. Chen, who has a very good relationship with our patriarch and young lady. The patriarch’s equipment was also provided by this gentleman.”
“So you are Mr. Chen.”
The Fourth Elder, whose face was as long as a bitter gourd, laughed upon hearing this.
“Doesn’t that mean… you are the equipment merchant Liya mentioned?”
“Perhaps,” Chen Yu nodded with a smile and said, “I’m generally aware of what’s happening on your side. Since we have an acquaintance, I won’t waste any more time. To be frank with you two, I actually returned to the Tatu Kingdom at the behest of Patriarch Fu Hua and Miss Roni to help with the relocation of the Ailton family clansmen.”
“Patriarch!”
The eyes of both elders lit up.
“Patriarch Fu Hua and Miss Roni are currently in the Tatu Kingdom and are very safe.” Chen Yu, knowing their concern for their safety, stated it directly. “As for Liya outside, the reason why I contacted you through him is rather complicated, so I won’t explain it. You only need to know that I was instructed to come here. This is the token given to me by Patriarch Fu Hua. Of course, with the Great Elder here, this token is not so important anymore.”
Chen Yu took out the token. The two elders, who had been in constant fear, finally breathed a sigh of relief after learning Chen Yu’s identity.
“Mr. Chen, it’s fortunate that you came.”
“Yes, if it were someone else, we really wouldn’t know what to do.” The Fourth Elder’s face was full of worry. Chen Yu, knowing their predicament, nodded slightly. “I am aware of your difficulties. The Ailton family has also had a very hard time in the Tatu Kingdom. Both I and your patriarch are well aware of this. Fortunately, you will all soon be liberated and can reunite with Patriarch Fu Hua and the others in a few days.”
“The problem is, how do we leave now?”
The Great Elder frowned slightly. “The Tatu Kingdom is watching us, the Ailton family, very closely. It was already the limit of what our family could do for Patriarch Fu Hua and Miss Roni to leave the royal city. To get out…”
Chen Yu smiled faintly, and suddenly a large chest landed on the ground with a clang.
“Since I’ve come, I have my ways.”