The next day, as dawn began to break.
The grand assembly hall was already filled to capacity. For this meeting, the various managers of the main branch had spared no effort. As per Li Xuan's requirements, the hall could indeed accommodate all three thousand six hundred and fifty branch managers.
At this moment, all the branch managers were seated. Silence permeated the hall. In the days leading up to this, everyone had sensed that this work report was different from previous ones, naturally making them more wary.
As time passed, the branch managers began to frown. They had been waiting for an hour, yet no high-ranking official from the main branch had appeared.
Just as murmurs of discontent began to spread, the managers of the main branch entered.
"Manager Wei Qi, why hasn't the Grand Pavilion Master arrived yet?" A branch manager, spotting a manager, immediately stood up and inquired.
Wei Qi paused for a moment upon hearing this, then continued towards his seat without looking back. The former's brows furrowed, and many branch managers around him felt a sense of foreboding.
"Thank you all for waiting," a voice called out, and Li Xuan's figure slowly entered.
The crowd turned at the sound, their eyes filled with confusion. They obviously didn't recognize Li Xuan. However, his appearance at this moment naturally led to much speculation.
"Regarding this work report, there's no need for you to report," Li Xuan said, standing at the specially designed central high seat. After surveying the crowd, he spoke.
"For years, Xingyao Trading Company has adhered to the rule of independent branch governance, granting considerable power to each branch. While this has indeed led to rapid development, it has also gradually exposed many drawbacks over time."
Li Xuan paused and continued, "Human greed is innate; I never deny that. So, I understand greed. But the degree of greed and its consequences can vary greatly."
"As the saying goes, a thousand-mile dike can be breached by an ant's nest. These greedy individuals, or even those insatiably greedy, are the hidden ant's nests within that dike. To prevent this thousand-mile dike from collapsing, what do you think should be done?"
Li Xuan finished speaking and looked at the crowd, his expression distant and indifferent.
"Who are you?" a branch manager stood up and asked Li Xuan.
Li Xuan looked at him and replied, "Who I am is not important. What is important is that your next choice will determine how I proceed."
"You have one minute. Anyone who has been involved in corruption may step forward and admit guilt. You will only have this one chance."
As Li Xuan finished speaking, the expressions of those in the hall shifted. They looked at each other, and for a moment, no one stood up.
"You have ten seconds remaining," Li Xuan surveyed the crowd, his voice chillingly repeated.
As Li Xuan's words fell, the hall was silent. Only in the last few seconds did a scattered dozen figures, with shame etched on their faces, stand up.
Li Xuan closed his eyes briefly, then opened them to reveal disappointment.
"You, go to the side first," Li Xuan said to the seventeen figures who had stood up.
As Li Xuan's words ended, a manager immediately stood up and guided the seventeen to a vacant area to the side.
The remaining individuals' expressions turned solemn. The managers from the main branch held significant positions, and now they were performing duties akin to attendants. This clearly indicated Li Xuan's high status within the main branch.
"I gave you an opportunity. Unfortunately, you did not cherish it. Since that is the case, do not blame me for showing no mercy." As Li Xuan finished speaking, figures suddenly appeared out of thin air.
Each figure exuded the aura of peak Cheng Dao realm. The expressions of those in the hall changed drastically, clearly realizing that the person on the central platform was serious.
"Gao Qiao, Branch Manager of the Immortal Realm Branch. In office for thirty-five years, embezzled approximately 13 billion high-grade spirit stones and 47.5 billion mid-grade spirit stones."
"Fu Sheng, Branch Manager of the Hunyuan Continent Branch. In office for twenty-seven years, embezzled approximately 10.3 billion high-grade spirit stones and 35.9 billion mid-grade spirit stones."
"..."
"Gui Qi, Branch Manager of the Beast Domain Branch. In office for thirty-three years, embezzled approximately 9.8 billion high-grade spirit stones and 28.5 billion mid-grade spirit stones."
As Li Xuan's voice fell, those named changed color. The next moment, a powerful aura locked onto the individuals being pointed out.
"I must say, I was somewhat shocked when I received this intelligence. You have not failed the main branch. What you have failed are those merchants you harmed, those families and forces you defrauded."
Li Xuan closed his eyes, and then a cold voice rang out.
"Kill them all."
As Li Xuan's words fell, the eight people who had just been named moved to escape. However, the enforcers who had already locked onto them would not give them any chance. In an instant, all eight were annihilated.
"Sir, I confess! I am willing to give up all my possessions. I beg you to spare my life!" Seeing the eight instantly killed, panic seized everyone in the hall. With sixteen enforcers already acting, they had no hope of escaping.
Li Xuan slowly opened his eyes and shook his head, "I have already given you your chance."
"All individuals on this list are to be eliminated!" Li Xuan's gaze shifted to an enforcer, and with a wave of his hand, a spiritual light shot towards the enforcer.
"Your orders are received, Young Master!" Gui Jun replied with a bow, and a powerful aura erupted, sweeping across the hall.
"Young Master? He... he's actually the Young Master!"
Gui Jun's address immediately drew everyone's attention. The branch managers were aware of Luo Xuan's existence. Luo Xuan was referred to as the Young Lady, and the title of Young Master was enough to explain everything.
At that moment, everyone finally understood the identity of the man before them. Countless people regretted not having stepped forward earlier.
However, as Li Xuan had said, the opportunity had passed. In this world, there was no such thing as regret medicine.
Soon, with the efforts of the sixteen enforcers, out of the three thousand six hundred and fifty branch managers, only twelve hundred and sixty remained. The spatial rings of those who were annihilated were collected by the managers.
Li Xuan's gaze shifted to the seventeen individuals who had voluntarily stepped forward. "Because you stepped forward willingly, I will not kill you. Furthermore, I will give you a chance to mend your ways. If you transgress again, you should understand the consequences."
Li Xuan then looked at the remaining twelve hundred and sixty people. "You are the true pillars of Xingyao Trading Company. I am very pleased that you did not fall into corruption. Effective immediately, your salaries will be doubled."
"In addition, I will assess you based on your performance. Those who are qualified will be eligible to join the main branch."
As Li Xuan's words ended, the crowd became excited.
"Lian Qiao." Li Xuan smiled slightly and then called out.
"Young Master." Lian Qiao stepped forward.
Li Xuan smiled and said, "Next, you will explain the new rules and regulations to them."
"Yes." Lian Qiao nodded in response.
Li Xuan nodded and then turned to leave.
After leaving the assembly hall, Li Xuan's figure flickered and vanished.
He reappeared within the Prison Suppression.
Upon seeing the figure before him, Li Xuan smiled faintly.
"Yao'er, you are awake."