Sitting across from the head of the Fang family was his uncle William Grant, dressed in fine silks, his aunt, and the whole family of his cousin Samuel Grant. In the two rows of chairs below sat the shopkeepers and young masters who had rushed in from the seven cities and nine prefectures, filling the entire hall.

At this moment, uncle William Grant was angrily speaking to the head of the Fang family, discussing a certain business of the Fang family.

The so-called Twelve Linked Docks were actually twelve piers along the lake, guarding the major trade routes from north and south. It was truly one of the most profitable businesses in Liuhu City. Originally, this business would never have fallen into the hands of the Fang family, but back then, the waters were plagued by river monsters that preyed on the people and attacked passing boats. It was Charles Foster, who was still cultivating at the Jiuxian Sect at the time, who led his fellow disciples to come and slay the river monsters, clearing the waterways. Grateful, the boatmen all pledged their business to the Fang family.

At this time, uncle was making a scene, his voice nearly shaking the hall, waving his arms, full of guarantees.

The head of the Fang family was a weak man, never liking to argue with relatives like this. Moreover, he truly did not understand the business world, and was heartbroken and distressed, his thoughts in chaos. Helplessly, he waved his hand and only said, “Just handle it as you see fit…”

Uncle’s whole family looked delighted, exchanging glances and raising their eyebrows.

Meanwhile, the shopkeepers and young masters around them looked at each other in dismay. Some sighed and shook their heads quietly, but no one spoke up.

“The businesses around Liuhu City are meant to provide for my parents in their old age. Uncle, you shouldn’t be coveting them!”

Just then, Carter Foster walked into the inner hall, sat down on the grand armchair at the head, and signaled the maid to bring a cup of hot tea.

As soon as he spoke, he drew the attention of everyone in the hall.

“You… you… this child really doesn’t know how to talk!”

Uncle was stunned for a moment, then dissatisfied, scolded Carter Foster: “I’m doing this for the good of the Fang family, how can you say I’m coveting it?”

Carter Foster, feeling thirsty, picked up the tea beside the head of the Fang family and drank half a cup before putting it down. He turned to look at his uncle, who had the face of a butcher, and said, “Ten years ago, uncle’s family moved from Shannan County to Liuhu. Out of family ties, our family gave you a house, land, and shops—who knows how much in total. Now you have over a thousand acres of good farmland outside the city, seven or eight manors, and even my cousin was only able to enter Baixiang Academy thanks to my brother’s connections, transforming into a cultivator!”

As he spoke, he frowned: “Now my brother has passed away, my parents are grieving, and everything is in chaos. As relatives, uncle, if you can’t help, you should at least cause less trouble. Yet you take advantage of this moment to come and loot a burning house—what kind of business is that?”

Everyone in the inner hall suddenly looked at Carter Foster, astonished.

Usually, this second young master of the Fang family was notorious for being a wastrel, spending money like water and getting into all sorts of trouble. Everyone privately called him a fool. Who would have thought that at this moment, he would say such things in front of everyone?

“How can you talk like that?”

Uncle’s face turned red, swelling like a pig’s liver. After a long moment, he shouted, “Are you saying your relatives want to harm you?”

Carter Foster put down the teacup and said, “I know uncle is family and wouldn’t harm me, but I am curious—this business of the Twelve Linked Docks outside the city only gave uncle’s family a small share, just enough to get some dividends each year. When have you ever managed it? And why are you now in such a hurry to take over the business, needing the land deeds and business seals?”

Uncle was left speechless, his mouth open but unable to say a word.

Aunt, seeing uncle gaping like a thirsty fish and unable to utter a word, grew anxious. But she didn’t dare speak rashly in front of the Fang family’s young master, so she quietly nudged Carter Foster’s cousin sitting in the middle and gestured with her mouth.

Carter Foster’s cousin, surnamed Cao, named Chang, was a year older than Carter Foster. He was large and burly, with one big eye and one small, always seeming to look at people askance, fierce and intimidating. Two years ago, he entered Baixiang Academy and had already learned some magic, becoming a proper little cultivator. In the eyes of ordinary people, he was like a little immortal who could summon wind and rain!

He had been sitting there absentmindedly eating Fang family pastries. After his mother nudged him, he snapped to attention, strained his thick, veined neck, swallowed the pastry in his mouth, suddenly put on a stern face, and slammed his hand down on the rosewood side table beside him.

Crash!

The sturdy, heavy table collapsed under his blow, turning into a pile of splinters.

“How dare you talk to my father like that?”

He glared angrily, coldly staring at Carter Foster on the grand armchair, his eyes as if he wanted to eat him alive.

The eldest son of the Cao family was a well-known figure in Liuhu City, famous for his fierceness, and would resort to violence without a word.

“Chang’er, you… you…”

His cousin’s angry shout startled everyone in the hall.