Imperial Treasure

Chapter 1420 - 826: Zhou Yu

Sui Yi, standing at the entrance of the mansion, glanced at the person walking out from under the sakura tree.

There were not too many nor too few people; each seemed to have an impressive background, especially the person at the forefront.

A young man in his thirties, not dressed particularly formally, in short sleeves, shorts, and cloth shoes, his face bearing a moderate smile. After walking out, he didn’t even glance at Chen Ke’s and these people’s embarrassment; he just looked at Gong Jiu and others, saying, "Sorry, I originally thought Chen Ke and his people encountered some danger, but it turned out to be a misunderstanding."

As he spoke, he waved his hand, and instantly, those few people retreated backward and obediently stayed behind those favored by the heavens.

Being called the favored by the heavens was indeed fitting, because Gong Jiu and others quickly recognized a few among them.

However, this young man seemed unfamiliar, yet appeared to be the leader.

Flower Demon and Gong Jiu inherently feared nothing; during times when they were not very powerful, they dared to accompany Sui Yi to confront the Forbidden Forest, so how could they be too timid now?

"You didn’t even ask, how do you know it was a misunderstanding?" Flower Demon said with a half-smile.

The young man laughed and stepped forward, "Gong Jiu, Flower Demon, you two are well-known figures in Jiangdu, renowned martial arts masters, famous in our circle. Usually, you both don’t bully others; surely, it was Chen Ke and his people who were ignorant and provoked you, prompting you to take action..."

The way this person spoke was truly pleasant, yet not flattering.

Gong Jiu knew such a person has some skills. Although her diplomatic abilities weren’t lacking, compared to Flower Demon’s adeptness in social maneuvering, it was better not to speak much now. She then crossed her arms and observed the others more closely, increasingly surprised with what she saw.

"Well, you really got it right. Gong Jiu and I are indeed honest; we’ve never bullied anyone..."

This remark made her own people blush.

However, this man seemed quite amused; as Chen Ke and others, shocked and unwilling, wanted to speak, he waved, and these people changed their expressions, obediently retreated.

And he walked up to Su Zimu: "Minister Su, long time no see."

So, Su Zimu recognized this person.

"Mr. Zhou Yu isn’t strategizing for Sulong, but rather came here to relax?" Su Zimu’s words undoubtedly revealed the identity of this person to Gong Jiu and others.

Sulong is a top domestic financial group, based in Jiangsu, and Zhou Yu’s background is just as everyone might guess upon hearing Sulong - the Zhou Family of the ******!

Zhou Yu is the current Sect Leader; in terms of total assets, Sulong Group’s market value is about three times that of Sui Yi, Gong Jiu, and Flower Demon combined!

This is the true giant of capital.

Therefore, in terms of wealth, Gong Jiu and others could not compare with them; however, business does not fight politics. Su Zimu is in politics, and so is Su Ziyi; the Su Family is full of political and literary giants, and the patriarch has disciples across the world, so Zhou Yu naturally took the initiative to approach, and the people he brought soon made introductions.

Each one had a distinguished status, not lacking powerful children from military and political backgrounds, and heirs of great wealth from Capital City. Their inner qualities were unknown, but at least they appeared extraordinary compared to Chen Ke’s group.

Gong Jiu and others quickly understood.

Chen Ke and his group of idiots were used.

—The other party obviously had an ulterior motive today.

However, they also indeed had value for networking, just let it happen naturally.

As for Chen Ke and these cannon fodder, Gong Jiu couldn’t be bothered to deal with them. Using a fork, she lightly drew a line across Chen Ke’s neck, smiled, "Little one, though you’re not that young, you’re too inexperienced. In the future, refrain from participating in such pie-in-the-sky matters..."

She retracted the fork, exchanged a glance with Sui Yi as he exited the door, raising her eyebrows.

Sui Yi was noncommittal; the group were all quite strong-minded, indulging themselves in entertainment, ironically making Zhou Yu’s group rather uneasy.

Very soon, Zhou Yu calmly proposed whether he could rest inside the mansion...

Earlier, Cao Ling had mentioned it, and of course, everyone didn’t object...

That group of people then went inside and just then realized that the men and women were actually quite young, many being in their early twenties...

One young woman seemed rather familiar.

A star?

As this woman was embraced by a young man, passing by as Pu Qinghan was talking to Yhan Qingwu...

A few people paused for a moment.

Just then, Pu Qinghan had been standing behind everyone, not having revealed herself; it was only now visible that there was an actress here...

"Sister Pu," the female star greeted with a beaming smile, reaching out to greet...

Pu Qinghan saw her and was not surprised; of course, even if she were surprised, she wouldn’t show it, "Miss Liew, long time no see."

Liew Wan, the new popular young star, has a fair share of popularity, although she’s currently following the flower vase route, fundamentally incomparable to someone like Pu Qinghan who possesses great looks, high acting skills, and top-notch fame. Therefore, she’s inclined to cozy up; furthermore, in that circle, even unrelated individuals can be spun into ten years of sisterly affection, not to mention the minor collaborations between the two in the past.

However, she forgot that the present environment wasn’t within the circle, and Pu Qinghan typically maintains a strict distinction between her circle and personal life, now her attitude was indifferent, cutting off any further interaction from the other, leaving the companion beside her somewhat displeased, saying, "I didn’t expect the renowned Qing Yuan to be here, truly seeing is believing...Indeed beautiful and elegant..."

Qing Yuan is the name of a character in a film starring Pu Qinghan, who won multiple film festival Best Actress awards. It’s the story of a brothel’s top courtesan with a troubled background, also known as a famous assassin in the Martial Arts World, with a tragic and ruthless path, torn between national calamity and family hatred, and the world’s fate. Especially when Qing Yuan was besieged and dying, her last glance when leaping from the peerless Bright Tower became a classic in film history.

Hence, many call her Qing Yuan, a term of praise and respect.

Yet this young man’s tone differed.

Arrogant, frivolous.

Well, for these elite individuals, an actress is no different from a third-rate star; both are merely performers.

No difference.

Pu Qinghan hadn’t gotten angry yet, when Gong Jiu and the others first frowned, but the former spoke up first.

"Overpraised."

The tone remained calm.

The young man chuckled softly, hugging Liew Yun as they went inside.

"Zhou Yu... I didn’t expect this person to come to the Capital City. Has it been a bit unstable lately?"

Cao Ling finished her fruit, glanced inside, and approached Gong Jiu and the others, saying, "Those people earlier, if not part of a national enterprise, then they’re from influential families. Lin Yun, you surely recognize them."

Of course, they recognized them. Earlier, Lin Yun and Ye Chunan had even greeted them, as Sui Tang Square now circulates in the Capital City, and there are many dealings with these people.

"*********, the Shen Family is the true overlord of the Capital City, while the Zhou, Qian, and Jin families have branches in other provinces. It’s considered a tacit agreement. But I’ve heard from my brother over the years that the Zhou Family has developed rapidly, seemingly about to interfere in the Capital City... squeezing the Shen Family. I didn’t expect Zhou Yu to bring a group of people to the Cherry Snow Forest as a show of strength... and the Shen Family surprisingly allowed it!"

Everyone sensed the tension but came to realize Zhou Yu deliberately brought Chen Ke’s group over, likely intending to recruit them.

But it’s not the godly opponents you fear; it’s the foolish teammates. The attitude the young man inadvertently displayed to Pu Qinghan instantly put Gong Jiu and the others on guard against them.

They protect their own.

This moment, Zhou Yu, entering the villa, lost his earlier calm smile, turning expressionless as he glanced back at the young man.

The others hurriedly called out the women they had brought along.

Only a few remained in the lounge.

"You can’t talk properly, at least try not to talk at all?"

It was a harsh rebuke.

The young man felt cold all over, awkwardly twitching his lips: "Zhou, probably not... That Pu Qinghan is just a performer anyway. Even if Gong Jiu has a good relationship with her, it shouldn’t affect the broader situation..."

Zhou Yu remained silent. People of their background often treated even family ties as leverage, let alone friendships?

But Gong Jiu’s group was notoriously protective within the circle, so perhaps...

Zhou Yu stayed unattached, while others helped smooth things over, and thus the matter was passed over. As they rested by the sofa, looking out the floor-to-ceiling windows, they could see the men and women outside enjoying themselves freely.

"I recognize the others, but who are those two?"

The most prominent presence wasn’t Gong Jiu, Su Zimu, Pu Qinghan, nor that cold handsome man who calmly dominated the screen; upon closer observation, the true core figures emerged.

"Zhou, that woman..."

Zhou Yu was at that moment watching Sui Yi, his eyes deep and penetrating, "Haven’t you seen the biggest news in the Capital City recently?"

"Isn’t it the Thousand Years Martial Birth? To be frank, Zhou, didn’t you come to the Capital City mainly for the Thousand Years Martial Birth?"

Zhou Yu shook his head, lightly chuckling, "That’s for the future. I’m talking about things that have already happened..."

After a moment of silence, a composed young man said, "Sui Tang Square? Sui Yi?"

Everyone involuntarily quieted down.

Of course, including Zhou Yu, none knew about the Imperial Guards’ activities. In their memories, Sui Yi was considered more of a commercial marvel of the past.

"It’s her," Zhou Yu smiled, "Seeing is believing."

"Then just now..." someone felt puzzled; if Zhou Yu’s primary goal was this Sui Yi, he could have approached her directly. Given Zhou Yu’s status as the Zhou family’s sect leader, surely Sui Yi would show some respect...

"Don’t underestimate her. Although we’re wealthy, we can influence the national economy, but now is money more important or power?"

Of course, it’s power!

The few whose fathers were in politics responded by straightening their backs, but suddenly heard Zhou Yu’s next statement.

"Yet for the Thousand Years Martial Birth, even your fathers couldn’t get an invitation."

Silence.

"While outside, at least half have already made it on the invitation list, starting with Sui Yi. Just now, if things had blown up... it would be us who suffer."

"So, from now on, think before you speak. If you really don’t understand, just be silent."

"If anyone ruins my plans..."

"Do you understand what I mean?"

Dead silence.

Complete silence.