Everyone has to go through the hardships of time, accumulating enough experience to stand firm, but this person seemed to naturally understand worldly rules, no matter what he does, leaving everyone astonished.
However, the Immortal listened, his gaze calmly sweeping over the crowd, without a trace of pride on his face.
"According to my statistics, the Zheng Clan has a total of four business institutions, dominating nearly 200 billion in assets, and several additional private groups, totaling around 110,000 people relying on the Zheng Clan for their livelihood.
Lin Beichen found it easy to eradicate the Zheng Clan, but how will he resolve the issue of feeding these people?
Ultimately, he'll have to ask for our help, so there's no need for us to rush."
Upon hearing this, everyone burst into laughter, a hint of schadenfreude appearing on their faces.
Destruction is easy, construction is difficult.
Lin Beichen forcibly disrupted the rules of Xiang Island, and now it seems he is in the limelight, but he's planted a seed of trouble for himself.
He probably doesn't know how much trouble he's in.
When the livelihood of these 110,000 people becomes an issue, and it becomes a societal problem, no matter how mighty Lin Beichen is, he'll have no choice but to yield to them.
The reason they can stand firmly in Xiang Island's upper echelons is not just because of their power, but because they have enveloped every aspect of Xiang Island within their commercial empire.
"Unless he plans to recreate the heavens and earth, completely disrupting Xiang Island's structure for what's called a comprehensive reform, whatever he does won't hurt our vital interests."
The Immortal spoke again, a glint of gold flashing in his eyes.
The business interest group he represents consists of twelve entities, each with assets ranging from three hundred to over a thousand billion.
It's not an exaggeration to say that in another twenty years, the Immortal will be the next governor.
"Three days later, the Zheng Clan will hold their last family gathering, during which they will hand over the treasures accumulated over the years to Lin Beichen."
"I've heard some people are restless already, surely there'll be a spectacle then; I'm curious to see how Lin Beichen handles it."
A few people chuckled as they spoke, seemingly envisioning Lin Beichen's embarrassment.
In the restroom, several beauties were watching the Immortal playing ball outside, a light of infatuation flickering in their eyes.
Outsiders often call him the Immortal, yet few know his real name.
Only his closest companions know his name.
After the Zheng Clan's downfall, Lin Beichen voluntarily gave up most of the benefits, which didn't flow into society but was instead divided among the upper class.
Those playing ball took six-tenths of the share, not because their family was powerful, but because they reacted quickly, being well-prepared beforehand.
In fact, even if Lin Beichen hadn't acted, each family already perceived the risks within the Zheng Clan.
The old man was seriously ill, and his offspring weren't very capable. Once he died, the Zheng Clan was bound to descend into chaos.
The commercial battlefield is all about competition; thus, everyone was waiting for the old man's death.
But Lin Beichen's elixir successfully prolonged the old man's life, making them believe the Zheng Clan had weathered the crisis.
Yet they hadn't anticipated that the one who saved the old man would be the one to also kill him in the end.
While the Immortal and others were conspiring, Lin Beichen was sitting in a sedan, listening to a report from the Feng Shui Association.
And at the end of the stretched sedan, a man was shivering.
This person was none other than the eldest of the Zheng Clan, Zheng Xinxi.
Back in their first encounter, how glorious was Zheng Xinxi?
At the auction, he was eagerly anticipated, everyone he met addressing him as Young Master Zheng.
But now he seems like a stray dog, fearing for his life every day, unable to feed himself, relying only on others' sympathy for a bowl of food.
In just a few days, he's experienced life's ups and downs.
If he weren't so fearful of death, he would have already committed suicide.
Among the Zheng Clan's current generation, few are capable, with most just surviving on family resources.
Now that the family is gone, just like monkeys scattering when the tree falls, they can only travel elsewhere to find new lives.
Some can accept reality, gradually stabilizing their mindset, becoming ordinary people again; but some can't accept reality, still believing they are young masters, ultimately driven to suicide by the disparity.
Unlike others, although Zheng Xinxi was the eldest young master of the Zheng Clan, his temperament was the most resilient.
After a few days of hardship, Zheng Xinxi suddenly felt this kind of life wasn't all that bad.
It was when he decided to return to being an ordinary person that a call unexpectedly summoned him to Lin Beichen's side.
Meeting Lin Beichen again brought mixed emotions and greater trepidation to his heart.
With the Zheng Clan already extinct, why does Lin Beichen want to see him?
Could it be that Lin Beichen aims to eradicate any remnants?
Since getting in the car, he didn't dare breathe heavily, fearing that even slightly louder breathing might be seen as disrespect and lead to execution.
"Mr. Lin, I have deeply reflected. From now on, I won't keep the Zheng name. Whatever surname you allow me to take, I'll take."
Zheng Xinxi said tremblingly.
He wore a tattered suit, his hair unwashed for days, and his face smudged with dirt.
As he spoke, Zheng Xinxi carried the strong scent of alcohol.
These past few days, he drank heavily.
Normally, he didn't particularly like drinking, but without it now, he hadn't the courage to face reality sober.
Even if on a busy street, nobody would likely recognize him now.
The once-glorious Young Master Zheng is now just a pitiful street bum.
Lin Beichen casually watched Zheng Xinxi, his eyes utterly calm.
Zheng Xinxi's current plight has nothing to do with him.
The Zheng Clan's downfall was their own doing.
The old man was wise his whole life but became foolish at the critical moment.
And alongside his folly, the Zheng Clan too embarked on an irredeemable path.
"Hard times aren't easy, are they?"
Lin Beichen said lightly.
Upon hearing this, Zheng Xinxi's face changed complexly, a sudden flame of anger arose in his heart but he swiftly suppressed it, cautiously nodding.
No longer a young master, he isn't qualified to be angry or question Lin Beichen.
Lin Beichen nodded in silence.
Zheng Xinxi's ability to face reality and suppress his resentment signifies he hasn't foolishly gone beyond redemption.
"Mr. Lin, I truly know my mistake now. From now on, I'll live as an ordinary person. Just let me go."
Zheng Xinxi said dryly.
If not for limited space in the car, he would've knelt before Lin Beichen.
Yet Lin Beichen, upon hearing this, shook his head.
"You grew up with Immortal Jade in your mouth as the Zheng Clan's young master; how can you become an ordinary person?"
Lin Beichen said smilingly.
Hearing this, Zheng Xinxi felt his face turn pale, his spirit tremble, nearly fainting from fright.
What did Lin Beichen mean by these words?
Could he have guessed right that Lin Beichen is here to eradicate remnants?
Does this mean he isn't even qualified to be a waste...?
"Mr. Lin, I'm merely a waste; please don't push me anymore."
Zheng Xinxi exclaimed in terror.
Lin Beichen looked at Zheng Xinxi helplessly; he hadn't done anything, yet Zheng Xinxi was nearly frightened out of his wits.
Could someone like this truly aid him in handling certain groups?
"You need not panic, I have no intention of killing you, merely seeking a spokesperson to hold Xiang Island for me."
Lin Beichen stated plainly, directly voicing his intention.
He feared if he kept speaking in riddles, Zheng Xinxi might actually die of fright.
The seeds he planted aren't ready to grow into towering trees; until they mature, Zheng Xinxi is undoubtedly the best choice.
Just as long as Zheng Xinxi supports him for a year or two, Xiang Island's factions won't dare underestimate him anymore.
Lin Beichen isn't aiming to transform Xiang Island, but to hang a sword above their heads.
Using brute force can indeed suppress, but it's also too violent and superficial.
Zheng Xinxi resembles a knife thrust into their inner workings, capable of threatening everyone!