Demon Lord and His Unknown Child With the Empress

Chapter 56
This Couple Must Be Extraordinary…

The next day, the snowfall subsided, leaving a blanket of white covering the rooftops and every corner of the streets. Nanli City was a pristine world of snow.

Beneath the largest arena in Nanli City, a massive crowd had gathered, eagerly awaiting an important and rare spectacle.

The Contests of Commerce between the two major merchant clans of Nanli City, the Qi family and the Jiang family, were about to begin!

The victor would gain control of the entire Nanli City’s commerce, while the loser would likely be forced to withdraw from the merchant world forever!

The crowd eagerly anticipated witnessing this historic moment for Nanli City, whispering and exchanging excited chatter.

“Hey, who do you think will win this contest, the Qi family or the Jiang family?”

“I think it’s most likely the Jiang family!”

“Sigh, if the Jiang family gains more power, Nanli City will become their domain!”

“Exactly! The Jiang family already relies on their exclusive Body Tempering Liquid to jack up prices. It’s ridiculously expensive!”

“And they keep lowering the prices for the demonic beast materials we hunt!”

“If the Jiang family controls all the businesses in Nanli City, how will we survive?”

“We risk our lives hunting demonic beasts in the Demon Realm Forest every day, and we barely earn anything!”

“The Qi family must not fall!”

Most of the people present hoped for the Qi family’s victory.

This contest not only concerned the two merchant clans but also the future livelihoods of many cultivators in Nanli City.

The Jiang family, relying on their power and influence, had been exploiting people by buying materials and herbs at low prices and selling them at exorbitant rates, causing widespread discontent and hardship.

At least the Qi family offered fair prices and treated people fairly.

If the Qi family fell, life in Nanli City would become much harder for them!

However, many were pessimistic about the Qi family’s chances of winning today.

“It will be difficult for the Qi family to defeat the Jiang family!”

“I heard that the power backing the Jiang family has sent a very powerful elder!”

“It’s said that he has Heaven Human Realm cultivation!”

“Heaven Human Realm! Oh my god! What can the Qi family do?”

“Even if they sold the entire Qi family, they might not be able to hire a Heaven Human Realm expert!”

“Sigh…”

Amidst the sighs and worries of the crowd, the Qi family finally appeared.

Qi Rongchang, the patriarch of the Qi family, who was nearing sixty years old, slowly walked towards the arena, accompanied by Qi Yuan, the family stewards, and guards.

The Qi family had a history of nearly a hundred years in Nanli City. They were considered a veteran merchant clan, renowned for their fair trade practices and reasonable prices.

As soon as they appeared, many in the crowd cheered and offered their support.

“Go, Elder Qi!”

“Elder Qi, you must not lose!”

“I only trust the Qi family’s business. Elder Qi, you must persevere!”

Facing the encouragement from the crowd, Qi Rongchang’s aged face beamed with a smile, and he nodded repeatedly in acknowledgment.

With the help of his family, he slowly made his way towards Luo Ruying and Ning Yechen, who had arrived earlier.

This was the first time Qi Rongchang had met Ning Yechen and his family. His aged eyes were filled with admiration and respect.

Ever since Qi Yuan returned to the Qi family, she had been constantly talking about Luo Ruying and Ning Yechen.

She couldn’t stop singing their praises.

Initially, he hadn’t paid much attention, but then he learned that Luo Ruying had slain dozens of Martial Spirit Realm cultivators with a single sword strike.

And then Ning Yechen healed Qi Yuan’s meridians and gifted her that precious Meridian Healing Elixir formula.

Qi Rongchang was convinced that his Qi family had encountered extraordinary benefactors!

He had been wanting to find an opportunity to personally express his gratitude, but Qi Yuan told him that they didn’t like to be disturbed, so he had to give up on the idea.

Now, finally seeing them in person, Qi Rongchang was even more certain of his thoughts.

Having been a merchant his entire life, he was a good judge of character.

This woman was breathtakingly beautiful, with an ethereal aura. It was clear at a glance that she came from an extraordinary background.

Although the man only appeared handsome and refined, someone who could heal damaged meridians and casually give away such a precious formula couldn’t be ordinary.

This couple must be extraordinary…

“I am Qi Rongchang, Patriarch of the Qi family. It is an honor to meet you both.”

“Thank you for your help to my Qi family.”

Qi Rongchang bowed respectfully to Luo Ruying and Ning Yechen, expressing his gratitude.

“There’s no need to be so polite, Patriarch Qi. My assistance to the Qi family was simply a transaction with Miss Qi,” Luo Ruying said calmly, holding Luo Hongye.

“I understand.”

“My Qi family will remember this kindness. Regardless of the outcome today, if you need anything in the future, please do not hesitate to ask. My Qi family will do everything in our power to help.”

Qi Rongchang wasn’t foolish. He knew that a mere two million tael house wasn’t enough to persuade Luo Ruying to fight for the Qi family.

Luo Ruying was helping them out of kindness and because she couldn’t stand the Jiang family’s actions.

The Qi family was naturally grateful.

Just as they were conversing, the Jiang family arrived.

As soon as Jiang Zhen and his entourage appeared, the surrounding crowd parted, keeping a wide distance, a stark contrast to the Qi family’s entrance.

Ignoring the crowd, Jiang Zhen strode towards the Qi family.

He was followed by a group of people and an effeminate-looking man with a pale complexion, dressed in white lotus robes.

Even Jiang Li, whose manhood had been crippled, had regained consciousness after several days of intensive treatment. He was now in a wheelchair, being pushed along.

Seeing the Qi family, Jiang Zhen sneered and approached them, taunting.

“Elder Qi~ You’re still alive~ Seeing you in such good health makes me so happy~”

Qi Rongchang could easily detect the sarcasm in Jiang Zhen’s tone. He glared at him with his old eyes and retorted bluntly:

“I’m in excellent health! I might even outlive you.”

When the Jiang family first arrived in Nanli City, they were just a small merchant clan, on the verge of bankruptcy several times.

It was the Qi family who kindly acquired them and integrated them into their business.

Later, with the Qi family’s generous support, they gradually grew and prospered.

But he hadn’t expected that after becoming powerful, the Jiang family would establish their own independent merchant clan and, disregarding their past debt of gratitude, relentlessly encroach upon the Qi family’s territory, almost driving them out of Nanli City!

Seeing the Jiang family, Qi Rongchang regretted ever taking in those ungrateful wretches!

“Hmph!”

Jiang Zhen was angered, but then he sneered and continued, “It’s been a while, Elder Qi. Your tongue is still as sharp as ever. In memory of our past relationship, I advise you to give up.”

“Today, your Qi family will undoubtedly lose! Surrender now and hand over the remaining control of the commercial streets. With the Qi family’s assets, you can still enjoy a comfortable retirement.”

“Why risk everything?”

“Hmph, the Contests of Commerce haven’t even begun. How can you be so sure that my Qi family will lose? Could it be that your Jiang family is afraid?”

Qi Rongchang said resolutely, refusing to back down.

Even if it meant losing everything, he wouldn’t give up!

Seeing the Jiang family’s arrogance, Qi Yuan couldn’t help but step forward and retort,

“If you want to swallow our Qi family’s business, wait until you win!”