Chapter Seven: The Banquet at the City Lord's Mansion (Part One)

Votes are truly scarce, and my motivation is nearly depleted. Let me recommend a good book—serial number 104239. At the very least, I quite like it; it’s truly excellent.

Shortly after, Qian Duo invited Kuang Chi to his home. Kuang Chi hadn’t expected that Qian Duo would not only own a grand mansion in Nostalgia City, but also run an auction house of considerable size.

Seated in the main hall of Qian Duo’s residence, Kuang Chi watched as Qian Duo bowed deeply to him once again. After Kuang Chi bade him rise, he studied Qian Duo for a moment, then glanced around at the busy servants. Finally, he spoke: “Mr. Qian, to be honest, I’ve been curious all along as to why you’ve chosen to follow me. Seeing your household as it is now only deepens my suspicion. Would you care to enlighten me?”

Qian Duo pondered for a while, then looked at Kuang Chi and Anna before replying, “Master, you may find this hard to believe, but from the moment I first met you, I was captivated by your bearing and your presence…”

He wished to continue, but Kuang Chi—thoroughly disgusted—interrupted him at once. Anna, beside them, burst out laughing, pointing at Qian Duo. “Mr. Qian is just as the rumors say, ha ha…”

Qian Duo merely smiled lightly. He could only say such things, for he certainly couldn’t reveal the truth: that he had overheard Kuang Chi’s conversation with Old Tuo, and had been drawn by Kuang Chi’s ability to leave the Forgotten Star Domain after fifty years, his formidable backing, and the three ant crystals he possessed.

Kuang Chi could only sigh, “Enough, I won’t ask you any further. All you need to know is that as long as you do not betray me, and carry out your duties with diligence, I can grant you greater wealth and broader power.”

Upon these words, Anna’s face showed astonishment, and something indescribable flickered in Qian Duo’s gaze.

Kuang Chi had received leadership training since years ago; his command of subordinates was not learned in vain. He knew well what would win over which kind of person. Qian Duo’s ambitions were, indeed, precisely these two things.

Once more, Qian Duo bowed to Kuang Chi with utmost respect.

Without much thought, Kuang Chi pulled an ant crystal from his breast and said, “It’s said these ant crystals are extremely valuable. Founding a clan requires capital, and you already operate an auction house; let’s have you sell it.”

Qian Duo dared not accept the item, hurriedly protesting, “Master, this ant crystal is too precious, too rare to be sold. While I’m not the wealthiest man in Nostalgia City, I can still muster such funds. This ant crystal is vital for our clan’s future development.”

Seeing Qian Duo’s insistence, Kuang Chi promptly cut him off.

Kuang Chi understood that founding a clan must never rely too heavily on the assets of his subordinates, nor should he accept too much help from them. Otherwise, unforeseen troubles would surely arise in the future. This is a cardinal error in managing followers.

He smiled and said, “I have more ant crystals, and I’ll continue to obtain them in the future. Acquiring them isn’t a great challenge for me.”

With that, he tossed the ant crystal to Qian Duo and added, “Though you’re now counted among my clan, yours is not mine, nor is it the family’s. I hope you keep this distinction clear, or else, if you suffer losses, don’t come to me with complaints. As for the auction fee, charge it as usual.”

After speaking, Kuang Chi stood up and grinned at Anna. “Anna, come on, let’s continue our stroll.”

Anna nodded, delighted, and rose with him.

Qian Duo chimed in, “Master, I’ll arrange accommodations for you here.”

Kuang Chi shook his head. “No need. I’ll stay at Anna’s home. Anna, her grandfather, and I get along splendidly. Once we’ve sold the ant crystal and built our own residence, I’ll move out.”

He paused, then continued, “Also, don’t call me ‘Master’ anymore. Address me as ‘Young Master’.”

Qian Duo was momentarily stunned, falling into deep thought, but replied, “Yes, Young Master.”

Returning to the street, though only a brief interval had passed, Kuang Chi had already become a celebrity in Nostalgia City. The reputation of an exile could make a nobody famous overnight, let alone someone who had appeared with the city’s most beautiful woman, planned to found his own sect, and won the allegiance of the man known as Nostalgia City’s sharpest mind, Qian Duo.

Once more, Kuang Chi walked the streets—not as a mere, worthless native in others’ eyes, but as the focus of everyone’s attention.

Fortunately, such public scrutiny was nothing new to Kuang Chi or Anna.

Not long after they returned to Anna’s home, Old Tuo cheerfully hurried over. Upon seeing Kuang Chi and Anna, he feigned ignorance and asked, “Well, did you two have fun?”

Anna blushed and nodded gently. Old Tuo, seeing her demeanor, laughed heartily before turning to Kuang Chi, “Why didn’t Qian Duo come? That young man is no ordinary fellow—I didn’t misjudge him. He’s astute and knows how to seize opportunity.”

Kuang Chi smiled and said, “Old Tuo, I gave an ant crystal to Qian Duo for auction. What price do you think it’ll fetch?”

Old Tuo seemed stunned, and after a lengthy silence, his face was filled with anger. “What? You’re auctioning an ant crystal? Why didn’t you tell me earlier? If you’d asked, I could have given you whatever sum you needed. In the Forgotten Star, you simply can’t buy such a thing with money.”

Seeing Old Tuo’s reaction, Kuang Chi quickly explained, “Old Tuo, the money is secondary. What I truly seek is the influence.”

Old Tuo finally came to his senses, pondered a moment, then said, “You’re not simple yourself—just as cunning as Qian Duo. It’s true, if Qian Duo handles it properly, this ant crystal—which is not rare for you—can bring you unimaginable fame and charisma.”

After a pause, Old Tuo added, “When you have time, let’s go to the surface together. What do you think?”

Kuang Chi smiled. “Of course, no problem. In the coming days, I may need your help with many matters.”

Old Tuo was overjoyed at Kuang Chi’s agreement. “Help? There’s no question of help. I’ve told you before—your affairs are mine. If you need anything from this old man, just speak up.”

Kuang Chi smiled, no longer declining, and bowed slightly to Old Tuo.

At that moment, Anna, somewhat displeased, said, “Grandfather, that Du Menka came again just now and said he wants to compete with Kuang Chi.”

Old Tuo burst out laughing, casting a peculiar glance at Kuang Chi, and then said to Anna, “You’re worried about him, aren’t you?”

He laughed again, then quickly pulled Anna’s hand away from the long hair on his face. “Kuang Chi is no ordinary man. Do you really think he’d lose to that boy from the Toka family? That young man is truly ignorant. With his cultivation, barely able to withstand the surface gale, he dares challenge someone who has spent hundreds of hours on the surface.”