When Xu Mu saw the information before him, his heart skipped a beat.
The Russell family of England — that was no ordinary name. They were a centuries-old noble house that had long since turned to commerce, controlling major arteries of the British economy: oil, natural gas, even arms manufacturing.
These were memories that came from the original villain Xu Mu's mind — even he had known how powerful the Russell family was.
What surprised Xu Mu was that such a woman, Isabella Russell, turned out to be one of Lin Yan's lovers.
Then again, it made sense. For someone like Lin Yan, a lifelong mercenary abroad, was it strange for him to have foreign women in his harem? Hardly.
Isabella didn't step onto the stage. Instead, microphone in hand, she stood gracefully below, speaking in flawless Dragon Nation dialect.
"Greetings, everyone. I am Isabella Russell."
The surrounding businessmen were stunned — even Xu Shou was taken aback.
They might not have heard of Isabella personally, but the name Russell was famous worldwide.
Foreign business families weren't like those in the Dragon Nation. Take the Russells, for instance — they held sway over the lifelines of Britain itself: petroleum, gas, and weapons.
Meanwhile, in the Dragon Nation, such industries were entirely state-controlled.
"Our family's business traditionally focuses on Europe," Isabella continued smoothly, "but we wish to expand. There's a saying in your country — 'Man climbs upward, water flows downward.'
"The Dragon Nation has an unimaginably vast market. I am here on behalf of the Russell Group to invest in your country."
After speaking, she handed the microphone to her bodyguard.
Her words left the hall utterly silent — then a wave of gasps spread through the crowd.
A behemoth like the Russell family investing here — and with the Feng family, no less?
The implication was clear to everyone.
No wonder Feng Kang had moved the thirtieth-anniversary celebration up a year.
This wasn't just a big deal for Jiangbei — it could shake the entire Dragon Nation.
The Feng family was about to rise.
That thought crossed every mind present.
At that moment, Dai Xiao smiled faintly. Standing from Chen Cai's table, he began walking toward Isabella's side.
Sure, he'd "played" with foreign women before — but this one… was on another level.
However, Isabella's bodyguards stepped in immediately, blocking his way.
"Feng Kang, tell them who I am!" Dai Xiao called out, hands clasped behind his back as he glared toward the stage.
But Feng Kang merely gave him a calm, faint glance. "Miss Isabella specifically requested an empty table. Young Master Dai, please find another seat."
"…What did you say?"
Dai Xiao's expression darkened instantly.
Even Chen Cai looked stunned — was this really the same Feng Kang she knew?
Dai Xiao was from the Dai family, one of the hidden clans — and Feng Kang dared to humiliate him publicly?
Did he think a foreign family's support could protect him? Didn't he know the saying, 'A strong dragon cannot suppress a local serpent'?
The Dai family was rooted here in Yang City; the Russells were thousands of miles away.
If he offended the Dais, would the Fengs still live to tell the tale?
"My father said not to disturb Miss Isabella," came another voice.
Feng Rui Li rose from another table, face expressionless. "Young Master Dai, this is our Feng family's event. We are the hosts. If you're unhappy, you can leave."
The entire hall went still.
Dai Xiao was stunned — as were the other businessmen. Even Chen Cai and Feng Jian exchanged bewildered glances.
What was happening to the Fengs today?
Didn't they know the Dai family wasn't as lenient as the Nangongs? Provoking them was suicidal!
"Feng Rui Li! Is that how you talk to me?" Dai Xiao barked furiously.
Just a few days ago, this man would've bowed to him. And now, before so many witnesses, he dared humiliate him publicly?
"My attitude is already polite," Feng Rui Li said coldly. "I told you to leave — not to get lost."
"Hahaha… Interesting." Dai Xiao sneered. "So you think, with a foreign family backing you, your Feng clan can touch the heavens now?"
Feng Kang's tone remained light. "Dai Xiao, I know you're impatient — but don't rush. I mentioned earlier this was a double celebration. You've only seen the first. Wait until I announce the second before causing a scene."
Dai Xiao snorted. Fine. Let's see what other trick this old man had up his sleeve.
"Besides the Russell family," Feng Kang said with a proud smile, "we've also gained a few new partners."
He turned toward the stage's side. "Mr. Lin, please come up."
A tall man — a little over 1.8 meters, his face covered in pockmarks and hidden behind sunglasses — walked out from behind the stage.
Two others followed: one middle-aged, one young. All three wore shades.
Xu Mu frowned slightly. He activated his Divine Eye, and his lips curved upward.
So the lead man… is Lin Yan.
He was wearing some kind of human-skin mask to conceal his identity.
"Mr. Lin," Feng Kang announced proudly, "is the second reason for our celebration."
He looked down upon the crowd. "All the guests here today are the top businessmen of Yang City. I trust you all know what a hidden clan is."
The hall went silent again — every ear tuned in.
"This time, both the Dai and Nangong families we invited are hidden clans," Feng Kang continued. "And the reason they're so powerful — I think you all understand — is because of ancient martial artists."
At that, Lin Yan suddenly raised his hand — and struck toward an empty white table below the stage.
Boom!
A thunderous vibration shook the air — and the table exploded into splinters.
Gasps erupted throughout the hall.
He shattered it from a distance!
What kind of power is that!?
Those from hidden families — like Dai Xiao and Ren Fuhai — went pale.
They knew exactly what that meant.
Gang Qi!
True inner strength refined to the level of releasing energy externally!
"Now," Feng Kang said, his tone full of arrogance, "you understand why we chose to celebrate our twenty-ninth anniversary."
His gaze swept toward Dai Xiao. "From this moment on… the Feng family is officially a hidden clan."
The entire hall erupted into chaos.
Dai Xiao clenched his fists, his face shifting between rage and disbelief.
"Dai Xiao, stop standing there. Sit down," Feng Rui Li said icily. "Otherwise—get out."
Dai Xiao snorted. "Heh. Just because of a few business partners—"
"Just because of us," Feng Rui Li interrupted, "we can make you disappear."
That shut him up. His eyes flickered with sudden unease.
"Hahaha, come now, we're all friends," Chen Cai interjected quickly, stepping in to smooth things over. She grabbed Dai Xiao's arm with a smile. "Young Master Dai, don't be angry. Come sit with me."
After a pause, Dai Xiao relented — since she'd offered a way down, he took it.
Chen Cai's heart, however, was pounding with excitement. She hadn't expected Feng Kang to have hidden so much power.
From this day forward, she would be the wife of a hidden clan's patriarch.
And that meant she had to seize control of the family fortune.
Feng Kang raised his mic again. "I know that hidden clans hold great influence. But our Feng family is still friends with all Yang City enterprises — we won't interfere with your profits."
Then, with a seemingly casual glance toward Xu Shou, he added, "However, as for out-of-town companies, especially those whose business overlaps with ours… perhaps it's best you stop cooperating."
The message couldn't be clearer.
All eyes turned toward Xu Shou.
The Xu family was finished.
The newly ascended hidden clan, backed by ancient martial power, needed an example — and the Xu family was the chicken to be slaughtered to warn the monkeys.
Xu Mu merely smiled.
He reached into his pocket and took out a USB drive.
The Feng family seemed to be overheating with arrogance.
He was just about to give them a cooling dose of medicine.