Every Chamber of Commerce president was a major merchant in their own right, usually with their eyes up on their foreheads, but at this moment, they were so choked up that they couldnât speak, their faces flushed with shame, and they bowed their heads so low that one could hardly see their faces, only the beads of sweat dripping down their foreheads.
Ye Fengyunâs face was also flushing red, so annoyed that he wanted to slap himself hard. How had he bragged without thinking and let this slip? Heâd come here to embarrass Nanyan Chamber of Commerce, and now wasnât he just making others look good?
"Regardless, this one is the real Ice Mist Flame Heart Flower, and you all just lack the eye power," Ye Fengyun said in annoyance and embarrassment. Right now, the actual right and wrong didnât seem to matter. What mattered was restoring some pride.
"No, youâre wrong, this one is the real Ice Mist Flame Heart Flower," Mu Hanyan asserted confidently.
"Mu Hanyan, youâre clearly just being obstinate. All the major Chambers of Commerce had their Old Tributors personally assess it. You canât possibly be better than every single one of them," Ye Fengyun said frantically. After all, heâd already let something slip and couldnât be bothered to hide it any longer.
"Fine then, if you say weâre wrong, then weâre wrong. You win, okay? You can just go back and ask Senior Wenren to take a look, and thatâll clear everything up," Mu Hanyan said, not wanting to argue with Ye Fengyun. After all, between Ye Fengyunâs slip of the tongue, which had already made them look good, and the actual minor discrepancies in both "Ice Mist Flame Heart Flowers," why bother with further entanglement? Arguing back and forth wasnât going to lead to any results.
"You..." Ye Fengyun was so choked up he could hardly speak. Heâd been ready to argue with Mu Hanyan to the end, but when Mu Hanyan conceded, arguing further just made him seem petty. In fact, as Mu Hanyan spoke with an air of "Itâs as if I canât be bothered to argue with you, so Iâll just let you win, whatâs it to me," it already made Ye Fengyun look petty.
Ye Fengyun, being a direct disciple of the Holy Dragon Master and holding a status far above other disciples at Longyan Academy, perhaps not much less than some lower-tier masters, was choked into silence by Mu Hanyan. One could only imagine the frustration in his heart.
"No, I must settle this with you today, which one is the real Ice Mist Flame Heart Flower," Ye Fengyun grew more frustrated as he thought about it, his obsessive tendencies flaring up again.
"No need to argue further. Young Master Mu is correct; that is the real Ice Mist Flame Heart Flower," Wenren Qingqiuâs voice sounded from outside at this moment.
"Master," Ye Fengyun was greatly surprised and quickly bowed in respect.
"Greetings to Senior Wenren," Mu Hanyan and the others hadnât expected Wenren Qingqiu to come and also hurried to stand up and bow.
"Greetings to Senior Wenren, greetings to Senior Wenren," the Chamber of Commerce presidents and the merchants and customers gathered by the wall also bowed in unison.
Wenren Qingqiu waved his hand to signal they need not be so formal and then began to collect the medicinal herbs from the table. Only after that did he say to Ye Fengyun, "Although the Chambers of Commerce had called upon their Old Tributors in seclusion for many years, they indeed misjudged. This one, this is the true Ice Mist Flame Heart Grass."
"Yes, Master, I understand," Ye Fengyun obviously dared not doubt Wenren Qingqiuâs judgment. How could he argue with Mu Hanyan any longer? Yet he felt such intense shame that he almost wished he could bury his head in the ground.
"Furthermore, when will you change this unyielding and competitive nature of yours?" Wenren Qingqiuâs expression suddenly became severe as he spoke sternly, chastising, "I sent you to Nanyan Chamber of Commerce to purchase medicinal materials, and yet you used that as an excuse to create difficulties for Nanyan Chamber of Commerce, misusing your privileges. Tell me, are you deliberately trying to oppose me?"
Wenren Qingqiuâs beard trembled wildly with a face full of rage; he obviously became truly furious and unintentionally released the oppressive aura of a Sword Saint. Although the surrounding Chamber of Commerce presidents possessed some cultivation, they trembled under this pressure, not daring to take an extra deep breath.
"Disciple dares not, disciple... disciple only saw them bullying others with their power and was afraid they would tarnish your good name, Master. Thatâs why I wanted to... to give them a warning," Ye Fengyun stammered in explanation, having never seen Wenren Qingqiu this angry before. He was shocked.
"Hmph, do you really think your Master has become senile, that you need to worry about everything? Speaking of bullying with power, do you think these Chambers of Commerce willingly take your orders out of goodwill? Itâs all because of my reputation. Arenât you also bullying others with your power?" Wenren Qingqiuâs anger intensified as he loudly rebuked Ye Fengyun after hearing his explanation.
Ye Fengyun shuddered. His Master was right; the very reason the major Chambers of Commerce followed his commands, joining hands to suppress the Nanyan Commerce, was all due to his Masterâs reputation. Even the prior difficulties he placed on Nanyan Commerce were because he had his Masterâs reputation to back him. In the end, he was indeed the real bully.
"Enough, I wonât say much more. Go back and reflect in seclusion. When youâve figured it out, you may come out," Wenren Qingqiu waved his hand and said.
"Yes, Master," Ye Fengyun dared not utter a word of objection, responding dejectedly.
"Alright, everyone disperse," Wenren Qingqiu then said to the Chamber of Commerce presidents and the onlookers.
The presidents, fearful of Wenren Qingqiuâs wrath turning on them, dared not linger and scurried out at once.
They had arrived with great momentum and now slunk away in defeat. Although there was no loss of wealth, they had utterly lost face. It wonât take long for news of todayâs events to spread far and wide.
Strange flowers and herbs that even the presidents of the time-honored Chambers of Commerce couldnât identify, and which only with great difficulty were identified by the retired Old Tributors from their families, were easily recognized by the Nanyan Commerce. Even Wenren Qingqiu personally confirmed their authenticity without any doubt. Once this news spreads, who would dare to say Nanyan Commerce lacks depth, who would dare question their strength?
To suppress Nanyan Commerce again would be impossible now.
If they had known it would turn out this way, they would have been better off not coming at all. Instead of slapping others, they have given a significant boost to someone elseâs reputation. Reflecting on this, they felt so regretful they could die.
As the presidents were turning to leave, Mu Hanyan, with sharp eyes, spotted Yuan Tianbo hiding at the very back of the crowd. Huh, this guy also came, and today heâs playing it cool, not sticking his head out like before.
Seeing Yuan Tianbo humble himself for once, Mu Hanyan was not inclined to make it hard for him anymore. However, suddenly remembering something, she changed her mind.
"Yuan Tianbo, you stay," Mu Hanyan said.
"Donât see me, donât see me, donât see me, uh..." Yuan Tianbo had been secretly praying not to be noticed by Mu Hanyan, and upon hearing her words, his face fell as he stopped in his tracks, resigned.
"I apologize; my unworthy disciple acted presumptuously and caused you difficulties. I will surely make it up to your Nanyan Commerce and ensure it does not affect the reputation of the Chamber," Wenren Qingqiu said to Mu Hanyan and the others, seeing that the crowd had mostly dispersed, not taking Yuan Tianbo too seriously, and bowed in apology.