Elder Su and Tianyang moved swiftly through the bustling streets. The sky was tinged with the warm hues of twilight, casting long shadows across the cobbled pathways.
Elder Su glanced at Tianyang, her voice laced with concern. "Young Master Tianyang, since the patriarch left for the Eternal Bloom Clan, the eight major families have been relentless. They don't dare to attack us openly, but they are strangling us through trade. They are suppressing our businesses, intimidating our partners, and snatching our merchants. Even commoners fear associating with us — they are suffocating us."
Tianyang's eyes narrowed beneath the hood of his cloak.
"Spineless cowards. Hiding behind underhanded tactics."
"The auction house," Elder Su continued, "is the last major business from which we were thriving, but..." Her voice trailed off.
"But?" Tianyang probed.
