Full-Time Magister: The Failed Knight, But the Dark Angel

Chapter 179 Subduing the Bai Family, Shanghai Naval Battle Stronghold

A gentle breeze ripples across the calm lake, and the emerald lotus leaves sway and exude fragrance, surrounding the ancient and grand hexagonal pavilion with its green tiles and red wood in the center of the lake.

This is the courtyard of the Bai family patriarch.

In the center of the pavilion was an eight-immortal table. Bai Tingting, wearing a fitted, sky-blue sweatshirt, bent down to pour tea, highlighting the contrasting charm of slender branches bearing abundant fruit.

Sitting next to Qin Yu'er and Nan Jue, Mu Ningwei thanked Bai Tingting and smiled at the old man opposite him.

"Senior White's courtyard has such tasteful style."

The Bai family head stroked his beard and laughed, "Hahaha, it's just the old man's nostalgia. To have earned the appreciation of Instructor Ning Wei, the construction of this courtyard was worthwhile."

Mu Ningwei exchanged a few kind words with the Bai family head, creating an exceptionally harmonious atmosphere.

Seeing this, Mu Ningwei brought up the main topic, "Senior Bai, what are your thoughts on the recent rampant activity of sea monsters?"

The head of the Bai family said solemnly, "A white typhoon has swept across the Pacific Ocean and is moving eastward. Wherever it passes, any neighboring country is attacked by the sirens."

"Rising global sea levels could very well be a precursor to a sirens invasion. Fortunately, our country has Neon as a buffer zone, and Typhoon White will hit Neon first when it makes landfall."

"Sigh, these are turbulent times."

The Bai family head's ideas are the ideas of the vast majority of high-ranking officials in the country.

Everyone anticipated that Typhoon White would bring the Siren invasion.

However, with neon lights blocking the way, most people weren't in a hurry, except for a few who were worried about accidents.

If Mu Ningwei hadn't known in advance that Typhoon White would change course and that most of the sirens would bypass Neon and head straight for China, he would have had the same thought as them.

Mu Ningwei did not attempt to correct the misunderstanding. "Although the neon lights will block most of Typhoon White, given the scale of Typhoon White, a large number of sirens will still reach the border of China."

"At that time, Shanghai will be the first to bear the brunt."

Patriarch Bai inquired, "Shanghai is also actively preparing to fight the Siren. Instructor Ning Wei specifically mentioned this; what are your thoughts?"

Mu Ningwei spoke eloquently, "Shanghai is close to the ocean and has the Yangtze River within its borders. The biggest threats are the river demons and sea demons. Due to the threat of sea demons, maritime trade has always required the protection of mages, which is extremely costly and has limited its development."

"I plan to take this opportunity to build a large base in Shanghai to support the development of shipping. I believe Senior Bai can see the potential profits."

The head of the Bai family pondered for two seconds, "Is this the future development plan of Jiao Weixin Group?"

Mu Ningwei nodded, "Not only the group, but the Mu family will also get involved. I also hope to invite the Bai family and the Dongfang family to join, so we can make money together."

The head of the Bai family raised an eyebrow.

He had assumed that Mu Ningwei brought this up simply because he wanted to cooperate with the Bai family.

Unexpectedly, Mu Ningwei's plan was to include all three major families of Shanghai.

So, who will be in charge then?

The Bai family head keenly sensed the ambition beneath Mu Ningwei's sunny smile, and after a moment's thought, bluntly stated:

"Where does the Bai family stand in the maritime industry that Professor Ning Wei plans to establish?"

Mu Ningwei drew a triangle on the table. "Since it was my suggestion, the shipping industry will naturally be led by my Mu family. On this basis, the Bai family and the Dongfang family will have secondary rights."

Nan Jue and Bai Tingting glanced sideways.

Now even the two of them understood that Mu Ningwei wanted the Bai and Dongfang families to submit to him!

I hope there won't be any arguments...

Bai Tingting looked at her grandfather with some concern.

When the Bai family head saw the worried look in Bai Tingting's eyes, he sighed inwardly.

As the head of the Bai family, he knew far more than Bai Tingting.

Since Mu Ningwei's return, the Mu family has been on a meteoric rise, forging connections with major domestic powers and developing at an extremely rapid pace.

The rise of Jiao Weixin Group has spread to major cities across the country, making it the second largest commercial group in China after the Zhao family's industries, and has also brought the influence of the Mu family to an unprecedented level.

All of this is inextricably linked to Mu Ningwei.

Not to mention that Mu Ningwei had already demonstrated the strength to wipe out the Lu family.

Although the Bai family was once one of the "Four Great Families of Shanghai," on par with the Mu family.

But now, when people mention the Bai family, who would compare them to the Mu family?

The head of the Bai family, having recognized reality, naturally wouldn't be angry that Mu Ningwei had given the Bai family a status second only to the Mu family.

In fact, if the Bai family could earn money by following the Mu family and ride this rocket, they would definitely also gain a lot of benefits.

However, the underlying meaning of this is that the Bai family will gradually become the Mu family's subordinate, which is something the Bai family head cannot tolerate.

The family has stood strong for so many years, and now it's passed down to him, only to become someone else's lackey?

Just a few years ago, the Mu family, which was at the same level, had a stroke of luck and produced a Mu Ningwei, which propelled them to great heights.

The head of the Bai family was unwilling to accept this.

However, the rise of the Mu family is unstoppable, and the Bai family can't possibly abandon their foundation and migrate with the entire clan. Being in the same city, they will inevitably face the same situation sooner or later.

Perhaps we could join forces with the Dongfang family to fight against the Mu family...

The head of the Bai family made his decision with a solemn expression:

"I have carefully considered Professor Ning Wei's suggestion and feel that it has great potential."

"However, I am dissatisfied that the Bai family can only achieve the position of second-in-command."

"As the head of the family, I naturally have to strive for the family's interests appropriately."

Mu Ningwei remained calm and composed. "So, what Senior Bai means?"

The head of the Bai family took a deep breath. "In this world, money and status are all illusory; strength is the only true measure of success."

"We've had a match, haven't we? I may not be a match for Instructor Ning Wei, but this old bone of mine is still quite tough."

"If Professor Ning Wei cannot demonstrate the power to convince me, the Bai family will refuse to participate in your plan."

Mu Ningwei smiled wryly, "So, in other words, as long as we subdue Senior Bai, the Bai family will fully cooperate?"

Patriarch Bai nodded. "That's right."

"Alright, it's a deal. This isn't a good place to perform, please follow me."

The Bai family head was also a man of strong emotions. He immediately followed Mu Ningwei away from the lakeside pavilion, flapping his magical wings and flying away.

Bai Tingting was a little worried, "Won't Brother Mu and Grandpa accidentally start fighting?"

From Bai Tingting's perspective, she hopes that the Bai family and the Mu family will deepen their cooperation, even if it means becoming vassals.

Mu Ningwei possessed the unmistakable aura of a forbidden curse. The Bai family's foundation was in Shanghai, and unless they sought refuge with other powerful families or clans, they would certainly have to obey the Mu family's orders.

Bai Tingting was just worried that Mu Ningwei and her grandfather would really get into a fight, leading to a complete breakdown in relations between the two clans.

That would put her in a very awkward position.

Nan Jue analyzed seriously, "The Bai family head's strength is definitely at the top level of the super-rank. But Instructor Ning Wei cannot be judged by common sense. He has the strength to suppress the Abyss of Fiends, so he should be able to defeat the Bai family head without harming him."

"Instructor Yu'er, you should know Instructor Ning Wei's strength better than we do. What are your thoughts on this duel?"

Qin Yu'er gently lifted her veil with her delicate hand, lowered her head, and slowly and deliberately ate her food. Upon hearing this, she blinked and said confidently:

"Don't worry, Instructor Ning Wei can easily defeat even a hundred Bai family heads."

(End of this chapter)