Orders emanated from the Eastern Manor.
In today's Eastern Domain, Wenlan City was a sacred land, and the Eastern Manor was the sacred land of sacred lands.
As an order was issued from the Eastern Manor, all forces belonging to Wenlan City simultaneously launched a commercial war.
The Wenmos Family.
Ashdai today was incomparable to her past self.
At this moment, though still possessing a maiden's appearance, her every move exuded the demeanor of a superior.
The Wenmos Family had not convened such a grand meeting in a long time, with all key figures gathered at the Wenmos Manor.
"Everyone."
Ashdai sat at the head, her gaze sweeping over nearly a hundred faces below. Her tone was grave, "Our opportunity has arrived. Currently, the East, North, and South have joined forces to encroach upon the Western Domain. Our Wenmos Family, as the most steadfast supporters of the City Lord, shall, in the City Lord's name, initiate this commercial war."
"Our Wenmos Family, built on finance, will now have all companies set aside their current affairs. We have but one objective: I want the financial system of the Western Domain to collapse instantly."
This was the command of a Financial Queen.
"Yes."
The hundred people below responded in unison.
Ashdai did not move, continuing, "In short, spare no expense."
No one dared to object.
The Wenmos Family held a significant position across the entire Damelia Continent today.
They had long since hitched their wagon to the City Lord's chariot.
If they won, all current losses would be repaid manifold, even exponentially.
If they lost, any remaining wealth would simply become someone else's spoils.
Therefore, the Wenmos Family would commit their full strength to this battle.
...
The Lanting Family.
In the Lanting Family today, Lan Kuang's father remained the head of the family and nominally held the position of City Lord of Wenlan City.
However, everyone knew that Lan Kuang was the true decision-maker in the Lanting Family.
Lan Kuang was by the City Lord's side; that alone was enough.
Furthermore, it was rumored that Lan Kuang had long since become a God-level expert.
He had been personally promoted by the City Lord.
Lan Kuang convened a family meeting. There were no grand pronouncements, only a command: "All banks, railways, and department stores controlled by the Lanting Family are to be closed. Gather all funds and invade the Western Domain. I will turn the Western Domain into a living hell."
"Yes."
There was no dissent.
Everyone immediately set to work.
"Kuang'er."
His father's voice echoed from behind him.
"What is it, Father?" Lan Kuang turned to face his somewhat troubled father.
"Kuang'er."
Father Lan hesitated, but finally spoke, "Are we truly going all in, leaving no room for retreat?"
"What does Father mean? Your son does not understand." Lan Kuang's expression was calm, betraying no emotion.
"Sigh."
Father Lan sighed. "Kuang'er, I think... perhaps the Lanting Family could take a step back. The outcome of this war is uncertain. At least we should leave some room for the family, so that if we lose, we can still make a comeback."
Lan Kuang looked at his father, remaining silent.
Facing his son's gaze, Father Lan felt immense pressure.
Lan Kuang was no longer the son he once knew.
"Mm."
After a long pause, Lan Kuang nodded. "Father's words have merit."
"Phew."
Father Lan breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, his son was still the same son, still mindful of his father, not disregarding him.
Lan Kuang spoke, "Father's words are very reasonable. In that case, Father, you take your newlywed three wives, Second Uncle's family, and Fourth Uncle's family, and return to live in the leased land. It's a place of carefree living. If we lose, you can still enjoy your twilight years."
Father Lan's face instantly turned ashen.
Lan Kuang's words were tantamount to completely stripping him of all authority.
And the names Lan Kuang had listed were all those in the Lanting Family who favored complacency.
They enjoyed everything the Lanting Family had to offer but only thought of indulgence, never contributing anything to Wenlan City.
"Kuang'er..."
Father Lan became anxious.
If things unfolded as Lan Kuang proposed, he would have nothing left but the title of Lan Kuang's father. "You cannot treat me like this. I am your father, and I am doing this for the good of the Lanting Family."
"Sigh."
Lan Kuang sighed.
His gaze towards his father was filled with disappointment. "The Dark Church has approached you, haven't they?"
"No..."
"I already know."
Lan Kuang interrupted his father, unwilling to listen to useless denials. He shook his head. "You are my father, and I respect you. This matter is known only to me, so, Father... you say you are doing all this for the Lanting Family."
"In that case, you should take them and go into seclusion. Because if this matter gets out, the City Lord might not blame you, but other families eager for advancement will surely seize this opportunity."
The commercial world was like a battlefield.
People would resort to any means to ascend.
If those jackals discovered this, they would undoubtedly attack in full force.
It wouldn't matter even if the City Lord didn't blame him; traitors never met a good end, and this was a consensus among all.
Father Lan's expression finally changed, turning ashen. He stumbled and fell to the ground.
Lan Kuang helped his father up, his gaze dimming as he looked at the white hair on his father's head.
Perhaps Father truly had good intentions.
But those good intentions would lead the Lanting Family to utter ruin.
"Father, let's go."
Lan Kuang almost pleaded.
His father's love was solely for him, his only son.
Lan Kuang knew this well.
He didn't feel good making such a decision, but he had to.
This way, if the matter were to leak out later, he would have an explanation and could preserve the Lanting Family.
Seeing the sorrow in his son's eyes, Father Lan finally realized what a foolish thing he had done.
"Kuang'er, I'm sorry, I..."
"Father, you have nothing to apologize to me for."
Lan Kuang did not want to hear his father's apology. "I am a God-level expert now. Your son can handle minor matters."
"I..."
Father Lan wanted to say more, but in the end, it only turned into a sigh of dejection.
From then on, Father Lan resigned his position as City Lord and, taking a few close family members, completely withdrew from the glorious stage, returning to the leased land to live a pastoral life.
His days of grandeur ended, and he returned to an ordinary existence.
...
Nine days remained until the Space Gate opened.
Across the entire Western Domain, a cataclysmic panic struck.
Stocks plummeted, all banks closed, food became scarce, and the economy instantly plunged into depression.
All of this was, naturally, the result of the three parties' joint efforts.
The Western Domain had long anticipated this and, in response, chose to retaliate, barely stabilizing the collapsing situation.
However, it was merely a drop in the ocean.
At best, this situation could be stabilized for three more days.
After three days, when everything crumbled, the Western Domain would be utterly finished.
Except for those high above, the common people would no longer be ruled by the Dark Church, and they would be completely separated.
And this was only the first step.