CHAPTER 1030: CHAPTER 1027: WAR OF WORDS

The furtive glances between the Qian Family and the Bai Family did not escape Lin Tian’s notice; these two families indeed harbor ill intentions.

Lin Tian looked at the Bai Family and sneered, Bai Yuanhao surely understands that Qian Jin is just using the Bai Family as a pawn. Yet, Bai Yuanhao also wants to overthrow the Xiao Family and can only act as Qian Family’s tool, relying on their power.

Bai Yuanhao knows that even at its peak, the Bai Family couldn’t topple the declining Xiao Family, let alone the presently advancing Xiao Family. So Bai Yuanhao has no choice.

"Bai Yuze, you better clarify how the Xiao Family is being unfair," Miss Xiao said coldly, her gaze piercing Bai Yuze like a sword.

As a Sword Dao Ancient Martial Artist in the Postnatal Perfection Realm, Miss Xiao’s gaze was as sharp as a sword. Bai Yuze shivered under her gaze, feeling as if a sharp blade had pierced through him.

Wang Wanxi, being an Ancient Martial Artist, keenly sensed the change in Miss Xiao’s aura and couldn’t help but show an admiring smile. Both were talented female Ancient Martial Artists and felt a kindred spirit towards each other.

Moreover, Wang Wanxi looked at Miss Xiao like looking at her past self, full of spirit. Ever since being gravely injured, her realm had stagnated. Seeing Miss Xiao now, it was like watching her own progress.

Bai Yuze stepped back in fear, bumping into a chair behind him and almost falling. Once he steadied himself, he found everyone looking at him in surprise. His face flushed bright red, not from shyness but from extreme embarrassment.

A proud man, now scared by a woman’s gaze in public—Bai Yuze felt unprecedented humiliation.

His face shifted colors, and eventually, his pride overpowered his fear. His expression turned cold as he stepped forward again and said, "Miss Xiao, have you heard the saying: ’Do not exhaust your strength, do not speak exhaustively, do not enjoy fully; when things are too complete, the fate must end early.’"

Lin Tian found it familiar, and upon thinking, realized it was a line from "Storm Riders," and laughed at how this guy used it here.

Bai Yuze continued coldly, "Doing business is like being a person, you can’t do everything exhaustively. The Xiao Family monopolizes the top-notch jade resources, enjoying them alone. How are we other families expected to do business then?"

The Bai Family formally challenged the Xiao Family, silencing the room. Many were already envious of the Xiao Family’s premium jade, but they didn’t want to be the first to act. Now that someone led the charge, it suited them just fine.

Families not involved in the jade trade watched from the sidelines, curious to see how the stunning Miss Xiao would handle this crisis.

"Lin Tian, this Bai Yuze is so obnoxious. He used to pursue my sister, always fawning and acting like a gentleman. Now that he knows he has no chance, he kicks us when we’re down. What a scumbag! I’m going to make him pay," Xiao Manxuan said indignantly.

Her way to teach Bai Yuze a lesson naturally involved sending Little Zi after him. Lin Tian patted her hand to calm her down, "Second Miss, don’t worry. Someone challenging the Xiao Family in the chamber might actually be a good thing."

"How is it not a bad thing when they turn falsehood into truth to trouble the Xiao Family?" Xiao Manxuan asked, puzzled.

"Everything has two sides. Previously, the Xiao Family went unnoticed because it was weak, and no one paid heed to it. Now that the Xiao Family is being challenged, it signifies that it’s growing stronger, strong enough for them to reckon with and feel threatened by."

"This is a stage the Xiao Family must undergo in its rise. Presently, it’s a good opportunity; if the Xiao Family can safely get through this crisis, it can establish authority within the chamber. In this sense, it’s actually a good thing," Lin Tian calmly explained.

Xiao Manxuan pouted, still worried, "But my sister might be bullied."

Lin Tian found it amusing. As an Ancient Martial Artist, who present could bully Miss Xiao? Yet he reassured, "Don’t worry. Isn’t there me? Whoever dares bully Miss Xiao, I’ll spank them until they bloom."

Hearing about spanking, Ou Mengmeng glanced at Lin Tian in exasperation. Xiao Manxuan blushed, recalling Lin Tian spanking her before, both shaming and angering her upon remembrance.

"You big pervert, always so quick to spank. I can’t outdo you, but you can’t let them bully my sister," Xiao Manxuan huffed, shooting a glance at Lin Tian with a blush.

Miss Xiao swept a calm gaze over the Bai Family father and son, speaking steadily, "Nothing too exhaustive? Bai Yuze, how dare you use that phrase with me? In Xikou City, your Bai Family monopolizes the entire jade raw material supply, forcing us end-product makers to adhere to your Bai Family’s will. Why didn’t you say not to do things too exhaustively then?"

"We are..."

"What are you?" Miss Xiao sharply interrupted, giving him no chance to refute, her aura pressing, "The fact is, you sell jade raw materials to us at prices above normal, and us end merchants dare not complain or negotiate. Otherwise, your Bai Family cuts off the jade supply. Is this considered fair?"

Good, Lin Tian couldn’t help but praise secretly beneath the stage. Truly the imposing Miss Xiao, her rebuttal was powerful, leaving Bai Yuze unable to complete a sentence.

The neutral families nodded frequently. Such an imposing aura, rarely seen in men, pinpointing the crux with a few words like a Sword Dao master, sharp and overwhelming.

When they looked at Bai Yuze, their gazes changed, tinged with disdain. Challenging another family is typical in business, as profit contests are everyday occurrences.

However, as the challenging party, being rendered speechless by the other party’s few words looked incredibly weak.

Bai Yuze turned to see the scorn around him, feeling awkward, unable to stand or sit.

Bai Yuanhao slowly stood, patted Bai Yuze’s shoulder to have him sit, then faced Miss Xiao, "Miss Xiao, your wit and sophistry are unmatched; my son doesn’t compare."

"Miss Xiao, I only ask you one thing: with the prices we sell the jade materials at, do you make any profit?" Bai Yuanhao sidestepped the monopoly topic, responding with a calm question.

The Bai Family’s monopoly was a fact; Bai Yuanhao knew there was no way to justify it, so he skillfully dodged it, posing a counter-question instead.

Lin Tian silently sneered; surely, Bai Yuanhao was cunning. The question was a trap. If Miss Xiao said there was profit, Bai Yuanhao would justify it as a win-win result, that the Bai Family didn’t monopolize all the profits.