Chapter 718 - Shift of Power (1/2)
Ming Zhi Yi's short entrance left quite an impression. Despite the deeper meaning it left to the guests, the event continued on peacefully in a lively manner.
”Ladies and gentlemen, presenting the Situ clan's mutton jade tassel hairpin, dating back to the early seventeenth century…”
”Going once! Going twice…”
The first part of the auction did not arouse much interest from the VVIPs, but they were still of excellent quality and allure that many guests participated with excitement.
The true start of the game would be at the next section of the auction, wherein all of the items of the greatest worth in the auction would be presented.
An intermission was inserted to prepare for the second half of the event. While a famous opera singer performed on the stage, the guests mingled and weaved amidst the tables and waiters.
In the end, there was still a clear division that could be seen at this moment.
The enormous hall was divided into three big groups and scattered small groups. The three main groups where people were concentrated the most were the legendary faction, Ming Zhi Yi's faction, and the neutral faction.
Given the free time they have, naturally, gossip would come about.
One of the members from the neutral faction glanced at the area at the front where the legendary families were surrounded by their own people.
The member leaned closer to the person beside him and asked in a murmur, ”Come to think of it, that 'new era' in Ming Zhi Yi's speech earlier, he is targeting the legendary families' faction, isn't he?”
His question brought a moment of silence to the group. As if everyone was simply waiting for an opening with their opinions, everyone opened up the topic that was still running in their minds since earlier.
A middle-aged man glanced around carefully and leaned closer before speaking up.
”You are not in attendance during the election, aren't you?”
”How did you know?”
”You wouldn't have asked that if you did.”
”Did something happen?”
”I am quite lucky since I got to witness the election that day. The organization is literally parted by half! If it is in the past, the legendary families' faction would have overwhelmed the organization without a doubt. But with Ming Zhi Yi's rising influence, we cannot say that now.”
”So the legendary factions are weakening? No way...”
”We still can't say for sure.”
”However, earlier in Ming Zhi Yi's speech, did you not see how those old men's faces darkened? They naturally got offended by Ming Zhi Yi's words. With their unexpected defeat last time, they would not stand by and watch Ming Zhi Yi do as he wanted. They will likely retaliate.”
”I think so, too.”
”Ming Zhi Yi's faction is growing day by day. Actually, I investigated him a bit when he was nominated as a candidate for the head of the organization, and do you know what I found?”
”What is it?”
”Nothing! And that is what's surprising! This man hid his power too deep!”
”Of course, he has to. Do you think he will still be standing here after offending the legendary families if he doesn't have some skills and ability? I personally think that he declared war today, because he has the power to do so.”
”Then what do we do? Do we side with the legendary families' faction? Or with Ming Zhi Yi's?”
”We stay neutral as usual. We survived for this long because we do not stand in the way of either side.” An old voice suddenly sounded amidst their confusion.