Volume 1, Chapter 40: Jointly Certified by the Four Great Chambers of Commerce: I, Wang Mu, the Number One Philanthropist of the Northern Territory

"Does it matter?"

"It matters immensely!"

If the Young Master of Langya was merely the Young Master of Langya, it wouldn't be a big deal. After all, the Northern Domain has the Four Great Chambers of Commerce; at worst, one could simply avoid future contact.

However, the Young Master of Langya is simultaneously the Young Master of the Prince Wei's Estate and the Young Master of the Northern Nether Sacred Land. That is an entirely different story!

Across this vast Northern Domain, how many factions do not survive by depending on their nod and breath?

Donating more than the Young Master of the Wang family and momentarily stealing the spotlight was secondary.

The most crucial point was this: if viewed by discerning eyes, wouldn't it be an understatement to interpret this as taking sides?

That would be equivalent to openly and blatantly going against the Young Master of the Wang family!

How many factions possess such audacity?

Have they grown tired of living?
……

Hearing this analysis, many present who had previously failed to grasp the crux of the matter suddenly came to a sharp realization.

Sure enough.

During the subsequent donation process.

Not a single faction dared to make a contribution exceeding the ten-thousand-spirit-stone mark.

Even the sects that had previously boasted about donating hundreds of thousands or even a million spirit stones.

Quietly silenced themselves at this moment.

They simply settled on a pleasant-sounding figure, such as nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine!

After all.

Being on good terms with the Three Great Chambers of Commerce was one thing.

But to genuinely declare their stance publicly? They lacked the courage.

Although the Wang family had shown signs of gradual decline over recent years.

An emaciated camel is still larger than a horse!

What if they provoked the family and were made an example of as the proverbial bird that sticks its head out?
……

As the proceedings continued, the donation amounts grew smaller and smaller.

Tang Qian's expression grew increasingly unsightly.

Aqiushan Hong, the president of Penglai, along with the presidents of the other two chambers, offered cold snorts, barely restraining themselves from flicking their sleeves and storming off.

It was only through the persistent and persuasive urging of Gou Anshi and the others that they managed to remain seated.
……

The donation ceremony concluded.

Unsurprisingly.

Wang Mu claimed the top spot.

According to the rules publicly announced by the Three Great Chambers of Commerce, the presidents of all three chambers were required to jointly present the award to Wang Mu to highlight his immeasurable virtue.

"The Young Master is busy with official duties and instructed me before I came that should we be fortunate enough to win, I am to receive the award on his behalf," Nie Tingting said with a gentle smile.

That damned fellow, he really did this on purpose!

He even arranged for someone to accept the award in advance!

Tang Qian gnashed his teeth in his heart.

The woman in the crimson dress standing before him possessed breathtaking beauty and a captivating figure, easily rivaling the Twelve Golden Hairpins of the Miaoyin Pavilion who had appeared earlier.

Yet in Tang Qian's eyes, that smile had become utterly hideous and hateful!
……

"Many thanks to the Young Master of the Wang family for his generous contribution!"

Aqiushan Hong was, after all, an ancient monster who had lived for countless years, possessing unfathomable depth. No matter how deep his inner dissatisfaction, he could still maintain a calm exterior.

Nie Tingting accepted the jade stele inscribed with the four characters [Immeasurable Merit] from the hands of the three presidents.

With her exceptionally discerning eye.

She instantly sensed its extraordinary nature.

"Hiss, top-tier thousand-year-old Sea Heart Jade! And the craftsmanship is supreme..."

Nie Tingting clicked her tongue in admiration, speaking out loud for all to hear: "Such a rare treasure, if placed at an auction house, could easily fetch several hundred thousand spirit stones! Our Young Master will definitely love it!"

Tang Qian: "..."
Gou Anshi: "..."
Aqiushan Hong: "..."
Everyone else: "..."
……

Good grief.

Most people manage to profit while maintaining polite pretences.

As for your side?

You not only pocketed the profits, but you were also practically delivering a succession of slaps across their faces!

The Young Master of the Wang family had only donated a total of ten thousand spirit stones.

Yet he walked away with this spiritual jade worth hundreds of thousands of spirit stones.

How was this any different from picking something up for free?

Who wouldn't love that?

One could only say...

As expected of the Young Master of the Langya Chamber of Commerce.

His business acumen is truly peerless!
……

A grand and imposing ceremony.

Fizzled out into nothingness with the departure of Nie Tingting.

Tang Qian remained expressionless from start to finish.

Yet his fists never once relaxed.

If not for his formidable willpower keeping him in check, he would have long since lost control and made a move.

Originally.

The Three Great Chambers of Commerce had also arranged for an evening banquet.

However, anyone with eyes could perceive that the atmosphere on-site had turned chillingly, bizarrely cold to the extreme.

Guests made various excuses and departed one after another.

Only those factions closely aligned with the major chambers gritted their teeth and stayed behind.
……

Inside the room.

Profound silence reigned.

Aqiushan Hong stood with his hands behind his back in the shadows, his entire presence as cold as the sea.

Tang Qian looked at his back, gritted his teeth, and said, "I'm sorry, Father, I bungled things! I didn't expect that Wang family prodigal to be so despicable in his methods!"

Aqiushan Hong retorted, "A prodigal? Do you truly believe today's events could be orchestrated by a mere prodigal?"
……

Tang Qian: "..."

Aqiushan Hong's expression was obscured in the dim light. "With just ten thousand spirit stones, he completely disrupted the grand ceremony that our Three Great Chambers of Commerce painstakingly prepared for so long...

This Young Master of the Wang family either has an expert advising him from the shadows, or... we completely misjudged him from the start!"

Tang Qian remained silent, but his gaze betrayed the fact that he leaned heavily toward the latter possibility.

Aqiushan Hong slowly turned, gazing at Tang Qian as he narrowed his eyes: "I know you are burning with a desire for revenge, but you must remember one rule...

Never let hatred completely blind your vision!

If you cannot even see your opponent clearly, you will inevitably suffer a devastating and total defeat in the end."

Tang Qian understood this as both a reminder and a warning.

A layer of cold sweat surfaced on his back.

He hurriedly replied, "I understand, Father! From now on, I will never underestimate him in the slightest!"

Aqiushan Hong nodded.

Turning fully around, his expression under the light softened somewhat: "Although there were unexpected hitlets during this ceremony, it doesn't matter!

The true focus lies ahead; after all, making money is a long-term endeavor!"

"Yes!"
……

"Tsk tsk tsk..."

"Truly a fine piece of jade. Splendid, simply splendid!"

On Tianjue Island.

Wang Mu fondled the spiritual jade stele inscribed with the four characters [Immeasurable Merit], looking thoroughly satisfied.

Nie Tingting covered her mouth and chuckled softly, "I imagine that Young Master Tang is so furious right now his lungs are about to burst!"

Wang Mu smiled, then suddenly asked, "Has the headquarters of our foundation been completed?"

Nie Tingting replied promptly, "It is nearing completion. Per your instructions, it is built right within the Daliang Royal City, not far from the royal palace."

Wang Mu nodded. "Place this jade stele right at the main entrance of the headquarters! In the future, no matter which branch is established, have an identical one built and placed there as well!"

Nie Tingting paused in surprise. "Young Master, this is, after all, something given by the Penglai Yunhai Chamber of Commerce. Placing it at our headquarters entrance—is that appropriate?"

Although this jade stele was undeniably valuable, it wasn't so peerlessly precious that it couldn't be replaced.

The Langya Chamber of Commerce could easily find something better if they searched casually.

Why bother using someone else's?

Would people think we couldn't afford our own?

Wang Mu smiled faintly: "The most important asset of a foundation is not financial power, but its reputation! Place this item at the entrance. In the future, should anyone ask, just tell them that our foundation's virtue and benevolence are officially recognized by the Four Great Chambers of Commerce!

Who would dare to question us then?"

Upon hearing this, Nie Tingting's eyes lit up with sudden understanding!

She mentally exclaimed: *Brilliant!*

This jade stele was issued by the Penglai Yunhai Foundation to the donors of the highest merit.

And Wang Mu himself was the founder of the Northern Domain's premier charitable foundation.

Wasn't this precisely an official endorsement by the Four Great Chambers of Commerce?

Throughout the entire Northern Domain.

One could no longer find an endorsement of greater authority than this!