Song Gui froze in place. It was the Elder who had appeared!
As the branch manager, Song Gui was well aware of the Elder's identity. He was someone close to the young lady, and his power was unfathomable. Such a being was actually behind Li Xuan!
More importantly, the Elder addressed Li Xuan as "Young Master"!
Young Master, what a title!
Rumor had it that Xingyao Merchant Guild had a young master, but he hadn't arrived in the Four-Dimensional Space yet. The young lady was merely managing the Xingyao Merchant Guild on his behalf. The Elder's address to Li Xuan undoubtedly confirmed Li Xuan's identity.
Thump!
The thought of having actually tried to kill the future master of Xingyao Merchant Guild made Song Gui kneel down immediately.
The ten peak Dao Proving realm experts were also stunned. They were clearly unaware of the Elder's existence. But seeing Song Gui kneel, they instantly understood the terrifying identity of the old man.
Yet, despite the Elder's status, he was so respectful to Li Xuan. In an instant, the ten men understood why Li Xuan had asked them whether they were from Xingyao Merchant Guild or Song Gui's lackeys.
This was them being made to choose.
For a moment, the leader and the other eight men turned pale. Their choice had undoubtedly left them with no way out.
"Young Master, how shall we deal with them?" the Elder asked, bowing slightly to Li Xuan. The Elder had been in the void before Dan Wuxie arrived. He had witnessed everything.
From the very beginning, this matter was a problem of the Yuan Realm branch of Xingyao Merchant Guild. Not only did they disturb Li Xuan's cultivation, but they even resorted to brute force. Furthermore, knowing that Li Xuan was traveling alone on a Xingyao Merchant Guild cloud ship, any discerning individual would have guessed that Li Xuan either had considerable backing or a connection to the head office.
After all, cloud ships were not for sale within Xingyao Merchant Guild.
The person Li Xuan had slain with a sword had dared to accuse Li Xuan of abusing his power and even prepared to capture Li Xuan and hand him over to the head office to further his own development. This was naturally also due to looking down on Li Xuan's True One realm cultivation.
The Elder had initially thought Song Gui, upon his arrival, would be a sensible person. But to his surprise, he immediately moved to suppress Li Xuan without a word. Honestly, the Elder was also displeased. How could such a person be in charge of a branch?
When Li Xuan had told Luo Xuan about his intention to reform the Xingyao Merchant Guild internally, the Elder had thought Li Xuan was making a fuss over nothing. After all, it was inevitable for there to be some pests within a faction. But the problem was definitely not as severe as Li Xuan had claimed.
However, after experiencing this incident, the Elder suddenly felt that Li Xuan's actions were correct. Xingyao Merchant Guild had developed for so many years, and it indeed needed a good reform.
Li Xuan pondered for a moment before saying, "Elder, does the guild have an enforcement mechanism?"
The Elder was taken aback and then shook his head. In the past, issues within branches were mostly handled by supervisors from the head office. The enforcement mechanism Li Xuan spoke of did not exist in the head office.
Li Xuan nodded slightly and said, "It seems this is not just their own problem; the internal structure of the head office also has some loopholes."
After speaking, Li Xuan's gaze shifted to the person who had spoken earlier. "What is your name?"
"Reporting to Your Lord... Reporting to Young Master, your subordinate's name is Tie Ning," the man replied, bowing immediately.
As soon as Tie Ning finished speaking, the Elder on the side looked at Tie Ning with some surprise. Given Li Xuan's status, Tie Ning's address of "Young Master" was acceptable. However, according to Xingyao Merchant Guild's hierarchy, Tie Ning should have respectfully addressed Li Xuan as "Young Master."
But Tie Ning addressing Li Xuan as "Young Master" rather than "Young Master of the Guild" carried different implications. "Young Master" implied belonging to Li Xuan personally, while "Young Master of the Guild" suggested being part of Xingyao Merchant Guild. But since Xingyao Merchant Guild also belonged to Li Xuan, this created a distinction between close subordinates and others.
It had to be said that Tie Ning's address had secured the best possible position for himself.
Li Xuan also looked at Tie Ning with a meaningful gaze and said, "Tie Ning, that's a good name. I plan to establish an enforcement team with only one purpose: to cleanse internal issues in all branches. What do you think?"
"As Young Master commands, so shall your subordinate act," Tie Ning said, bowing immediately.
Li Xuan nodded with satisfaction and said, "Very good. Effective immediately, you are the captain of the enforcement team. However, you will have to select the team members yourself. As for the number, I only require quality over quantity."
"Your subordinate will do his utmost!" Tie Ning trembled with excitement. Although it was just the captain of an enforcement team, it was a team directly under Li Xuan. Moreover, from the Elder's conversation just now, this person was the future master of Xingyao Merchant Guild.
"I will discuss some details with you later. You may wait to the side for now." Li Xuan nodded, then turned his gaze to the Elder and said, "Elder, these people are to be detained for now. We will investigate the specific situation after the enforcement team is established. What do you think of this arrangement?"
The Elder trembled with deference and bowed, "As Young Master arranges."
Li Xuan smiled and said, "Elder, there is no need for such formality. Since Sister Xuan sent you to accompany me, she clearly trusts you. Therefore, I also trust you. These people will be handed over to you to be taken back to the head office later."
"Alright," the Elder nodded. Luo Xuan's arrangement was for the Elder to secretly protect Li Xuan, but now that he had been discovered by Li Xuan, that purpose was lost. Therefore, there was no need for him to stay any longer.
Song Gui and the others, kneeling in mid-air, were already drenched in sweat, but none dared to think of escaping. Aside from the Elder present, they also had to consider their families. Only the nine peak Dao Proving realm experts were filled with regret.
If only they had known Li Xuan's identity, why would they have chosen to curry favor with Song Gui?
One moment in heaven, one moment in hell.
A quarter of an hour later, Tie Ning bowed to Li Xuan and retreated three steps. Li Xuan's gaze turned to the Elder, who, seeing this, waved his hand and enveloped Song Gui and the others.
"Young Master, this old servant shall take his leave now," the Elder said, bowing to Li Xuan after completing the task.
"Regarding the matter of the enforcement team, Elder, please let Tie Ning discuss the details with Sister Xuan. As for the Yuan Realm branch manager, I will look for a suitable candidate. Also, please hand this image stone to Lian Qiao," Li Xuan nodded, then waved his hand, sending an image stone flying towards the Elder.
"This old servant understands," the Elder nodded, took the image stone, waved his hand to lift Tie Ning, and then vanished from the spot.
As the Elder departed, Li Xuan let out a sigh of relief and then said to Dan Wuxie, "Old Man Dan, we haven't finished drinking yet. Shall we continue in the Yuan Realm?"
Dan Wuxie only then came back to his senses and nodded, saying with emotion, "I never expected you, little fellow, to have such terrifying backing. It seems entrusting Xiao Bai to you back then was indeed the most wise decision I ever made."
Li Xuan smiled and said, "Old Man Dan, let's talk while we drink later."
Dan Wuxie smiled and nodded, "Good, good, good. I can guarantee you plenty of wine!"