Sect Leader's Rise to the top!

The auction was concluded and the guests were all ushered into a large dining hall for the post-auction banquet. Those who were able to buy items during the auction were also going over to pay for and claim their prizes.

Kai was brought over to a VIP room where his earnings were presented to him. The Song family had purchased the Qi-Crystal for 50,000 gold coins had not pressured Kai and simply gave him an open invitation to visit them at their family estate whenever he felt like it. As for the money, the auction house would usually take a percentage as a handling and service fee. However,, this was waived for Kai as a special favor to him.

Kai didn't argue and gladly took the money. He split off 2000 gold for Mei Lee and gave it to her. Kai still owed her for helping him buy his home so he was intent on paying her back as soon as possible. She tried her best to refuse it, but Kai wouldn't take no for an answer. He had no interest in owing anybody anything. The Song family chose to overpay for his Qi-Crystal by themselves so Kai had no interest or intentions of giving or taking any favors from them.

Kai wanted to leave as soon as possible so he could go back to his alchemy practice. Craftsmaster Lee and Mei Lee were about to escort Kai out when the door to the private room opened suddenly.

Chen Dou walked into the room confidently, his green robes fluttering as he walked. He was still followed by his entourage of guards from the Order of the Rose including Hou Zhou.

"Old Lee, I'll admit that today was quite interesting. I had no idea you were still hiding so much good stuff..."

Chen Dou looked over to Kai, trying to size him up. He was curious as to why the Song family was so interested in this man, to the point that they were willing to give him an open-ended favor. The Song family was one of the few families with talented young Internal cultivators as well as veteran internal cultivators holding down the fort. Such a prestigious family shouldn't care about some wandering cultivator.

Craftsmaster Lee stood between Kai and Chen Dou. "What gives you the courage to burst into my private room?, does the Chen family wish to go against the rulings imposed by the Twin-Lion's sect?!", yelled Craftsmaster Lee angrily.

After mentioning the Twin-Lions sect, the room became silent and the guards behind Chen Dou had worried looks on their faces.

However, Chen Dou seemed unphased and simply waved his hands dismissively before speaking again." The rulings have not been broken. I am just here to congratulate you on a successful auction...well then, if you will excuse me..."

Chen Dou waltzed out of the room with a sinister grin on his face, quickly followed by his guards.

"Uncle, the other families are becoming a lot bolder. I believe we need to give our stance sooner rather than later..."

"Yes, I agree", said Craftsmaster Lee as he looked over at Kai. "Mr. Kai, about the proposal. If you agree to take the clothing store under your protection, then my Lee family can agree to give you 20% of the proceeds..."

Kai raised his eyebrows under his mask while listening to him. Previously they had offered 5%, but now it was 20%?. They were either really desperate or he just didn't understand the severity of their situation.

Mei Lee saw Kai wasn't responding and decided to chime in. "Mr. Kai, the store isn't very profitable but we somehow have to use this to protect and rebuild our family. It just won't be sustainable if we give you anything more than this. Once we're back on our feet, we can propose a new deal that is equally beneficial.

Kai was surprised yet again. Did they take his silence as him saying 20% wasn't enough?. With the current profit of 2000 gold, Kai would be getting 400 gold a month which was free money.

Craftsmaster Lee looked at Kai curiously. This deal was in their favor seeing as they would be able to keep 80% of the profits. He thanked Kai again.

"There are currently 100 direct members of the Lee family with about 150 indirect members. These are guards, servants, and the like. We will be moving them out of the Lee family compound and into an apartment building that we have purchased right beside the store. If I happen to die, an official notice will be passed stating that both these properties and businesses are under your protection..."

Mei Lee decided to explain when she noticed Kai being quiet again. ", You don't have to worry Mr. Kai. Once we announce that we are under protection, then an official battle request must be submitted to the Twin-Lions sect before anything can be done. The fights will be monitored and sanctioned by the Twin-Lions sect's representatives as well. They have absolute authority within the city so no family will oppose this.

"I see, so it will be sanctioned battles. I won't have to sit around waiting for an enemy attack...good". Kai said this as he nodded his head. His biggest worry had been how he would protect the business, but if the challengers had to submit applications and set a date, then protecting them wouldn't be much of an inconvenience.

Kai left the auction house in a good mood. He was now 48,000 gold richer and had just signed a contract to get 20% of the Lee Family's clothing business.. This would net him around 400 gold a month in profit and would likely only increase as time went on.