Apotheosis Begins with Tai Chi

"Silence."

Wu Zhan barked the order. The few who had been clamoring instantly fell silent, not daring to make another peep.

"For the sake of fairness, each of you will first submit the Trade Document you’re willing to wager. Master Shen will then choose from among them."

As soon as he said this, a Scribe immediately brought out paper and brushes.

Seeing this, Shen Mi’s beautiful eyes instantly brightened. Her voice was full of sincerity as she said,

"Thank you, Lord Wu! That was a brilliant move! I was originally in a passive position, but now I can actively choose a Trade Document I desire... Thank you so much!"

"No need to thank me."

Wu Zhan waved his hand and smiled.

"You’re Little Brother Chen’s sister, which makes you one of us now. I’ll be sure to look out for you wherever I can."

"Thank you! Thank you!"

Hearing this, Shen Mi was overjoyed.

As the saying goes, a distant magistrate is no match for the official on the ground.

To receive such a promise from Wu Zhan while doing business in the South Outer City was as good as receiving an imperial edict from the Emperor himself.

Of course, Shen Mi was crystal clear in her Heart: the person she should be most grateful to wasn’t Wu Zhan, but Chen Cheng.

Without Chen Cheng, she, Shen Mi, wouldn’t even have the right to be sitting here.

At this thought.

She felt an unprecedented certainty in her heart. Investing in Chen Cheng earlier was absolutely, without a doubt, the single best decision she had ever made in her life!

"My lord..."

Soon, the Scribe brought over the slips of paper on which the eight trading companies had each written the name of their wagered Trade Document.

Wu Zhan didn’t look at them. He just gave a meaningful glance, and the Scribe immediately presented the papers to Shen Mi and Chen Cheng.

Chen Cheng wasn’t familiar with these Trade Documents.

Naturally, he left the decision to Shen Mi.

Safety first, profit second—this was more or less Shen Mi’s silent selection criteria.

Before long, she had a target in mind.

But when it came to making the final choice, she hesitated, unable to fully commit.

Meanwhile, in the private room occupied by the members of the Wan Tong Trading Company.

Gu Lan’an frowned slightly. "Father, do you think Shen Mi will choose our Wan Tong for the duel?"

"That depends on how much courage she has,"

Gu Heng said flatly.

"Yufeng’s performance just now was too outstanding. I was worried Shen Mi wouldn’t dare to choose us. That’s why I wrote down Wan Tong’s most profitable and safest trade route!"

"Let’s hope she gets blinded by the profits... To be honest, I truly covet that plot of land belonging to her Yongsheng Trading Company. Once I get it, I can complete my strategic layout in the South Outer City!"

Gu Heng sighed.

"If I had known things would get so complicated today, I shouldn’t have held back on that final price. I should have just added a bit more money and bought it from her directly... Now, if another company snatches it away, my entire year will be ruined..."

"Uncle Gu, how about I go and help you?"

Just then, Liu Yufeng stood up, an arrogant, ambiguous smile on his face.

"Yufeng? You have a way to make Shen Mi choose us?" Gu Heng’s eyes lit up.

"I can try. But, after it’s done..." Liu Yufeng raised his eyebrows, his meaning perfectly clear.

Gu Heng immediately made a decision. "As long as you can help me win that plot of land from Yongsheng Trading Company, you can ask for whatever you want!"

Hearing this, Liu Yufeng put on that gentle and charming smile again. Though his words were for Gu Heng, his eyes were fixed lovingly on Gu Lan’an.

"I have been spending time with Lan’an for over a month now and have long since come to admire her. I hope Uncle Gu will grant me my wish!"

"This..."

Gu Heng glanced at Liu Yufeng, then at his daughter’s expression, and instantly understood.

"Fine. As long as Lan’an is willing, I would be happy to see it happen!"

"It’s a deal!"

Liu Yufeng smiled, stood up, and walked toward the main hall.

"Sister Mi."

Chen Cheng glanced to the side and asked in a low voice,

"You still haven’t chosen?"

Shen Mi shook her head and said softly,

"The best one here is this Southern Road Trade Document from Wan Tong. It’s the most profitable, and the route is secure, with almost no danger... But I’m just worried that Liu’s strength is too great. What if you get hurt..."

"Shen Mi!"

Before Chen Cheng could speak, Liu Yufeng had already walked over, taunting in a cold voice,

"Why isn’t that old dog Wen Yu here? How do you expect to win a duel without him? Don’t tell me you’re relying on this pretty boy next to you? How old is he? Still suckling at his mother’s breast?"

Hearing this, Shen Mi flew into a rage and shot up to her feet, but Chen Cheng placed a firm hand on her shoulder, holding her down.

Chen Cheng took the paper from Wan Tong from her hand, slowly rose to his feet, and handed it to Wu Zhan. His tone was calm as he said,

"Lord Wu, we’ve made our choice."

"Are you sure?"

Wu Zhan’s expression shifted slightly, and a flicker of worry, hard to detect, crossed his eyes.

He could clearly see that Liu Yufeng’s strength far surpassed others of the Same Tier. He was afraid that Chen Cheng, by impulsively accepting the fight, would suffer a great loss.

He was about to offer a word of caution, but then he saw that the look in Chen Cheng’s eyes had completely changed.

Those dark eyes looked calm and placid, betraying no joy or anger.

Yet, they made Wu Zhan’s heart tremble with a chilling fear.

’This one is truly beyond persuasion!’

"Alright... I understand."

Wu Zhan took the paper and announced in a clear voice,

"In this duel, Chen Cheng of Yongsheng Trading Company will face Liu Yufeng of Wan Tong Trading Company! Someone, bring the Life and Death Contract! Once this contract is signed, life and death are decided by fate, and no one will be held accountable afterward!"

As soon as the words were spoken, a Scribe immediately brought out a Life and Death Contract on a tray.

Chen Cheng was the first to take the brush. After signing his name, he walked silently onto the fighting stage.

Liu Yufeng sneered. He unhurriedly picked up the brush, toyed with it pretentiously for a moment, and then signed his name slowly, stroke by stroke.

"Yufeng really has his ways. He angered the opponent with a single sentence."

Gu Heng watched from a distance, the smile on his lips so wide he could no longer suppress it.

"Hmph. I said it before, that Chen Cheng’s Heart Nature is flawed!"

Gu Lan’an said, her eyes filled with disdain.

"He’s always putting on airs and acting all high and mighty. But when it matters, he has no self-control at all. Just a few provoking words and he forgets his own name! Just watch how Brother Yufeng puts him in his place!"

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