Chapter 665: Astonishing Tycoon Aura Shocks Xu

Passive Value: 570212.

In just a short moment, the Passive Value had increased by over a hundred thousand.

That meant that after the whole morning's effort, they were now reaching the peak of profitability.

How could they just pack up and end the day like this?

If this were any other time, Xu Xiaoshou might have chosen to back down when facing this aggressive group from the City Lord's Mansion guards. But today, he was Xu Shao, the heir of a Semi-Sage family, and with such high profits driving him, how could he carelessly call it quits?

"Fang Ning, is that right?"

Xu Xiaoshou pressed down on the frightened Xin Gugu and stepped forward to confront him. "And if my answer is 'no'?"

"There's no 'no' option." Fang Ning's response was surprisingly calm and composed, though his words left no room for doubt.

He knew all too well about Xu Shao's bold style, so he had already prepared for a non-peaceful resolution.

Xu Xiaoshou waved his hand dismissively. "I bought this Chaosheng Lou and renamed it Tian Shang Di Yi Lou. Today, I'm just hiring one person. Tell me, have I violated any regulations of the Wang City?"

"You haven't technically broken any rules, but the impact is quite serious, so please wrap things up as soon as possible." Fang Ning spoke politely.

"The building is mine, and I can't even set up a table outside my own door with a hiring sign?"

"It's not that you can't, it's just not advisable."

"Not advisable?"

Xu Xiaoshou snorted. "Since I haven't violated any regulations, and the impact is caused by the crowd lining up—which isn't my intention—then where does this 'not advisable' come from? And who should be responsible for it?"

Fang Ning was taken aback, and before he could reply, Xu Xiaoshou continued, "If I understand correctly, the City Lord's Mansion guards are supposed to maintain order in the Wang City."

"Since the order here is disrupted, you should just restore it. Why overstep and come after me directly?"

"Or do you all think I'm an easy target, so you want to solve the problem at its root to make your jobs easier?"

Fang Ning was at a loss for words.

Was that interpretation so unreasonable?

"Xu Shao's meaning is..."

"My meaning is, we at Tian Shang Di Yi Lou will continue hiring, and you can handle maintaining the crowd's order and preventing any trouble. That's all." Xu Xiaoshou interrupted.

As soon as he said this, the onlookers erupted in an uproar.

Everyone was shocked.

It was well known in Dongtian Wangcheng that the highest authorities must not be offended.

And the ones with the power to hold them accountable were the City Lord's Mansion guards.

Above them was the Shengshen Hall, which oversaw the world, but at that level, they wouldn't bother with such minor matters—they were focused on strategizing against the major dark forces across the land.

So, strictly speaking, any move by the City Lord's Mansion guards was a big deal.

And now, this Xu Shao wasn't even giving them face?

"Damn, this guy's too bold!"

"Is this the confidence of a Semi-Sage family? Not even respecting the City Lord's Mansion?"

"Who doesn't know Fang Tongling? He's famous for his short temper, but now he's being so polite to this Xu Shao from Tian Shang Di Yi Lou. It's unbelievable—I've never seen such a mild Fang Tongling before."

"The key is... what Xu Shao said isn't wrong!"

"He's hiring for his own Tian Shang Di Yi Lou, and maintaining order is the City Lord's Mansion's job. Everyone's in their own lane, so they should just mind their own business. But..."

The speaker trailed off amid the noisy chatter.

The logic was sound, and everyone understood it.

But in situations like this, even the highest authorities had to give the City Lord's Mansion some face, right?

After all, in Dongtian Wangcheng, who dared offend the City Lord's Mansion?

That would be like poking the tiger—asking for trouble!

Fang Ning hadn't spoken yet, but the other guards behind him were furious at Xu Xiaoshou's words and the surrounding murmurs.

When had they ever been treated like this?

In the past, as soon as the guards appeared, which faction didn't show them some respect?

This kid was relying on his backing to suppress the local powers?

"From what you're saying, you want to keep setting up, and we City Lord's Mansion guards should maintain order for you and manage the lines?" A younger guard behind Fang Ning spoke up in anger.

Xu Xiaoshou looked at the man.

He was in his twenties or late twenties, with Zongshi-level cultivation, and already in the City Lord's Mansion guards—his future was promising.

Xu Xiaoshou smiled and turned back to the frowning but silent Fang Ning. "If that's how Fang Tongling wants to see it, then sure, why not."

The crowd was in an uproar.

"Step back, step back!"

"Holy crap, I've never seen anyone talk to Fang Tongling like that. Isn't he asking to get smashed?"

"You're overthinking it. This is the wealthy Xu Shao we're talking about. Just look at how he bought out Chaosheng Lou—that kind of boldness means even Shengshen Hall would give Tian Shang Di Yi Lou some face. A mere Fang Tongling is... well, um, cough cough!"

"Awesome! Everyone back up. I just want to watch the Wangzuo battle. I've been stuck at Xing Si Jing peak for so long; I need to observe a fight to help me break through."

"Wow, a Zongshi-level big shot? You're here applying for a tea-pouring job?"

"...Shut up!"

"Oh."

The crowd's reactions only fueled the tension, pushing the anger on both sides to the limit.

Xin Gugu stepped in front of Xu Xiaoshou, glaring fiercely at the guards in white.

He knew this wasn't that "White-clothed one," but if a fight broke out and all these people ended up bloodied at the doors of Tian Shang Di Yi Lou, the real White-clothed or Red-clothed from Shengshen Hall would probably show up.

Then things would get messy for him...

But if Xu Xiaoshou wanted to fight, he had to be the first one in, no questions asked!

His aura sharpened, his hair flying wildly.

After the morning's events, everyone knew that this young man guarding Xu Shao was also a Wangzuo.

Fang Ning had looked into the intel, so he knew this seemingly junior figure was actually a bodyguard from a Semi-Sage family, with strength roughly on par with his own.

He didn't meet Xin Gugu's sharp gaze but kept his eyes on Xu Xiaoshou behind him, his expression neutral.

"Xu Shao is overthinking it. If the crowd were smaller, I, Fang Ning, wouldn't mind sparing some people to help you out."

"But today's impact is too severe. The guards have other duties and can't commit all our forces to such trivial matters."

"So..."

"So you can just send some lower-ranking people to help." Xu Xiaoshou cut in with a chuckle. "Nothing chaotic will happen here, and no fights are needed, so Fang Tongling can send some ordinary folks to maintain order. I'm sure everyone would be more willing to give the City Lord's Mansion that face."

This retort caught Fang Ning completely off guard, and the guards behind him were equally provoked by Xu Xiaoshou's words.

Good one—absolutely no courtesy!

It was like he was turning the offered olive branch into a ladder to climb higher!

"Xu Shao has gone too far."

Fang Ning's eyes turned serious, his expression growing colder.

Those with sharp eyes could see that this burly Fang Tongling's neck was already veins bulging—he wasn't known for his patience, after all.

"The City Lord's Mansion guards don't have the leisure to come help Xu Shao manage a queue!" Fang Ning said firmly.

"That's a shame..."

Xu Xiaoshou glanced at his Passive Value again. Just from this conversation, he'd gained nearly eight or nine thousand more. How could he give that up so easily?

His voice hardened. "If the City Lord's Mansion is going to bully people and target law-abiding citizens like us, then forgive me, Xu someone, for not playing along!"

"You!" The younger guard behind couldn't hold back, starting with a loud "You" before his furious expression made him step forward, only to be pulled back by Fang Ning.

"Fang boss..."

"Stand down!"

Fang Ning sharply ordered his subordinate.

He couldn't let his people act rashly against this Xu Shao.

Setting aside everything else, just because of the guy's background, the City Lord's Mansion guards really couldn't touch him.

And as the onlookers had said, even Shengshen Hall would have to treat someone who rented Chaosheng Lou for half a year with respect.

But not acting didn't mean doing nothing.

Fang Ning composed himself and spoke evenly, "Xu Shao... the City Lord's Mansion doesn't have a specific rule saying your actions violate anything, but any behavior that seriously affects our ability to maintain public security, whether directly or indirectly, gives us the right to demand you stop immediately."

"Given the current special period with the Wang City trials, keeping order is already challenging. If your actions lead to issues elsewhere..."

"Or if, right here, some ill-intentioned person exploits the chaos to cause trouble..."

"Then the responsibility would be something even you, Xu Shao, couldn't shoulder!"

"Oh, responsibility..." Xu Xiaoshou pondered, as if realizing something. "Compensation, right? So that's your angle. Go on, how much? I can afford it."

"I..." Fang Ning was speechless for a moment.

Who could have guessed Xu Shao would twist his earnest advice into something so bizarre?

Did Fang Ning seem like someone after money?

And he wasn't the type to beat around the bush like that!

How had this guy turned him into some seasoned official in an instant?

"Xu... you Xu fellow!"

The young guard couldn't take it anymore. He'd meant to use his full name in anger but changed it at the last second, which deflated his rage and left his face flushed with frustration.

After a pause, he said heavily, "My Fang boss isn't implying that at all! Don't twist his words. He said to pack up, so just pack up. Why all the excuses?!"

Xu Xiaoshou turned to him. "How much? A million, ten million... or a billion?"

He frowned, muttering to himself, "Just for maintaining order? That's not worth that much blood money, is it? Or is the cost of people in Dongtian Wangcheng that high? Already up to a billion?"

Without waiting for a response, he patted Xin Gugu.

"Get the money ready."

In an instant, the entire scene was stunned by Xu Xiaoshou's extravagance.

"This..."

"Are you kidding? A billion just like that? Is his family's Lingjing crystals blown in by the wind? And a billion Lingjing—that's so heavy, could the wind even carry it!"

"Oh my god, Tian Shang Di Yi Lou is insane. I've never seen anyone so absurd in my life... Someone, please throw some Lingjing at me too!"

"I came to the right place! Even just pouring tea at Tian Shang Di Yi Lou must pay a fortune... I mean in Lingjing."

"Damn, this guy's a legend!"

Even Fang Ning, who prided himself on his unyielding pride, was momentarily dazed by the mention of "a billion."

He quickly calculated—if they sent a dozen or so idle people to handle order, and it netted them that amount, it didn't seem like a bad deal?

But he shook his head, snapping back to seriousness. "Xu Shao, let's be straightforward—I know that's not what I meant."

"Then what do you mean? Care to spell it out?" Xu Xiaoshou raised an eyebrow.

He knew exactly what the other meant.

This was the central district, after all. If anyone dared cause trouble, they wouldn't pick this spot.

Did they think the City Lord's Mansion, Shengshen Hall, and all the major Lianchi Master associations were just for show?

Even if a Zhandao tried something, they'd be suppressed in an instant.

The only real issue his setup caused was traffic, and that was minor. If money could smooth it over and make everyone happy, wouldn't that be ideal?

Most importantly, with thousands or tens of thousands of Passive Value flowing in every minute, Xu Xiaoshou couldn't bear to end the hiring event!

Fang Ning was boiling with anger, and the guards behind him gripped their sword hilts.

On the other side, Xin Gugu, despite the pat, didn't move.

He knew the money was with Xu Xiaoshou, and after renting the building, he still had some surplus on him, so there wasn't much to prepare.

What he needed to prepare for was if these guards suddenly attacked—he had to protect first.

The two sides glared at each other, the tension white-hot.

Neither wanted to make the first move, but neither would back down, making the situation incredibly awkward.

"May this old man say a few words?"

At that moment, a elderly voice chuckled from the crowd.

An old man with white hair and a green robe emerged from the long line that had been pushed back.

He held a folding fan, lightly tapping it against his palm, exuding an otherworldly air. He glanced between the two groups and smiled. "How about this? Let this old man mediate. Everyone takes a step back."

He first looked at the City Lord's Mansion guards and said with a smile, "For you all, as long as Xu Shao packs up, you can complete your task and go about your work, right?"

Then he turned to Xu Xiaoshou and nodded kindly. "And for you, young brother, your main goal in hiring is just to find a suitable person for pouring tea. I'm quite familiar with that sort of thing."

"So, here's an idea!"

He snapped his fan shut and said seriously, "I'll reluctantly take on this job and work at your Tian Shang Di Yi Lou for a while."

"Since today's event is only hiring one person, you've met your goal and can end it. Then the guards' friends can finish their task and leave. Everyone wins—how does that sound?"