Although Liu Zixuan is now very famous and caught between two sides at the forefront.

But everything has pros and cons, and this also gives him more choices and a voice.

He could actually step aside, ignore the Four Great Clans and the Eight Great Powers, and not care about these martial artists with no background.

Of course, others might be able to, but Liu Zixuan cannot stay out of it.

However, he can’t just agree to help anyone who comes by; although he’s not a businessman, he can’t work for nothing, can he?

Seeing the perplexed martial artists, Liu Zixuan smiled and said, "I know you are representing your respective sects, but the new year is approaching, and I just want to have a peaceful celebration here and relax a bit. I don’t want to talk too much about matters of the Jianghu."

"But..." The martial artist from the Hushan Sect was about to speak when Liu Zixuan interrupted him.

"No buts. If you want to talk about these things, you can do so after the festival, but not now. If you want to have a meal here, it’s on my tab. However, if you bring it up again, then you have two choices: either walk out of Ghost Wood City on your own, or I’ll have someone carry you out!"

"Zixuan..."

The martial artist from Hushan Sect still wanted to say something, but the martial artist from Liger Gate waved him off and said to Liu Zixuan, "Since Master Zixuan has said so, we won’t bother you any longer. We’ve heard that representatives from the Gu Family and Wei Family will be here today, can we be present to observe?"

"As you please! As long as it doesn’t interfere with my business,"

Liu Zixuan waved his hand and walked out.

In the corridor, he signaled to the waiter and said, "Have them wait for me in the private room I usually use upstairs."

"Okay!" The waiter nodded and went to the private room to invite the people from the Gu Family and Wei Family.

Liu Zixuan then went to the front desk, saying, "Send a few dishes and some bottles of wine to that private room upstairs. The restaurant will not be open to the public today. For guests who arrive, find a reason to send them away. All restaurant staff, except for the few left by Sister Wu, will officially start their New Year holiday. Notify the finance department to give everyone an extra month’s salary as a bonus."

"Okay, Brother Zixuan." The young lady at the front desk acknowledged, and she ran to the side to notify them via walkie-talkie.

Just then, Zhu Yi walked in from outside, laughing, "Have they arrived?"

"They’re all upstairs!"

"Oh, and I bumped into Liu Ruyan and the others on the way here. They told me to let you know they’ll be coming later today because they’re out shopping for New Year supplies," Zhu Yi said.

"Great, saves me the trouble of finding a way to send you away."

Liu Zixuan shrugged, "Come with me to meet the big shots from those two families."

"That’s exactly what I was thinking!"

Zhu Yi was also curious about what those figures, who stand above the Star Sea, looked like.

...

In the private room upstairs designated by Liu Zixuan.

After all, people from both the Gu and Wei families are among the Eight Great Powers and Four Great Clans. Even though they don’t interact often, they all know each other and are well aware of the purpose of this visit.

"Sorry for the long wait, everyone!"

At this moment, Liu Zixuan and Zhu Yi entered with a few extra bottles of wine, smiling broadly.

The people from the two families stood up, responding with smiles, as they clearly knew that Liu Zixuan was no pushover. When dealing with him, you had to be cautious, or you’d end up being led into a trap.

After greeting everyone to sit down, Liu Zixuan glanced around with a smile, "I expected the Gu and Wei Families to bring many people, but there are only six of you here."

"You’re joking. We’re here to discuss a deal, not a fight, so why bring so many people?" The middle-aged man sitting to Liu Zixuan’s left laughed.

Upon hearing this, Liu Zixuan picked up a bottle, and those next to him prepared for him to pour, but unexpectedly, he only filled glasses for himself and Zhu Yi, completely ignoring them.

"I am Gu Chengyuan from the Gu Family." The middle-aged man beside him, trying to ease the awkwardness, introduced himself and then poured wine for the others.

"I am Wei Zheng from the Wei Family, the second uncle of Wei Linming," the man on the right said with a smile.

Liu Zixuan nodded slightly. Judging by the name, Gu Chengyuan seemed to be of the same generation as Gu Chengkun, likely his brother. And as Wei Linming’s second uncle, it was clear that today’s visitors were high-level figures within the two families.

This also indicated that Gu Chengkun or Wei Linming, who were confined in the next room, were indispensable within their families; otherwise, such high-ranking individuals wouldn’t have come.

"Brother Liu, since none of us are idle, shall we talk while we drink?" Wei Zheng suggested.

Liu Zixuan took a sip of liquor and chuckled, "What’s the rush? Are you worried that Gu Chengkun and Wei Linming are suffering in my care?"

"That’s not what we mean. We just think that with the New Year approaching, you must have a lot on your plate, so we don’t want to impose too much," Gu Chengyuan replied with a smile.

Liu Zixuan glanced at the two of them, snorting, "I didn’t have any issues after returning from the south until you two stirred up trouble for me."

Gu Chengyuan and Wei Zheng were both momentarily speechless.

"Hahaha, no need for awkwardness. Let’s have a drink and start talking," Liu Zixuan said, raising his glass.

The six of them dared not say anything further; after all, in Ghost Wood City, they had to follow the wishes of the host.

After finishing his drink, Liu Zixuan stated, "There isn’t much to discuss, just a few simple words. Did you bring the money?"

Gu Chengyuan and Wei Zheng nodded directly.

"With the money here, everything is negotiable. Since you cooperated and didn’t play any tricks, I must say something upfront," Liu Zixuan said meaningfully with a smile.

Gu Chengyuan paused, "Please go ahead."

"You give me the money, and you can take your people away. In the City Center Restaurant, in Ghost Wood City, I can guarantee your safety, but once you’re out of Ghost Wood City, I can’t promise. To be frank, since yesterday until just now, more than one sect has come, and you should know why," Liu Zixuan’s words were partly a threat and partly a scare tactic.

After all, he couldn’t guarantee what those other sects’ martial artists might do to them.

Gu Chengyuan and Wei Zheng exchanged glances: "As long as you don’t personally take action, we can handle the rest!"

"Hahahaha!" Liu Zixuan laughed and cursed, "Darn it, what do you take me for? With all this money you’ve given me, you’re my esteemed guests. How could I possibly do anything to my esteemed guests!"