Chapter 1698 — An Early Visit

Becoming a great family had always been Divine Physician Kang's dream, and this time was the Kang family's opportunity — one he was determined to seize.

In the Yu family's reception hall, Yu Shuixing received Divine Physician Kang and Kang Guifeng.

"This isn't the first time we've met, and I know full well why you two have come." Yu Shuixing looked at Divine Physician Kang and Kang Guifeng, and without beating around the bush said directly, "But if you wish to become a great family, shouldn't you show a little sincerity?"

"That... of course we won't let the Yu family head help us for nothing. In the future, our Kang family will become the Yu family's most steadfast supporter, and moreover, once the agent contracts expire, the distribution network of our Divine Physician Kang Pharmaceutical Group will be handed over to the Yu family's trading company." Kang Guifeng said. These were the chips he had long since prepared; at present, they were the only chips the Kang family had.

"These seem a little too little, don't they?" Yu Shuixing said. "Mr. Kang, support is nothing but empty words, and as for the distribution network — from what I understand, with the competition from Doctor Guan's Pharmaceuticals, your company's sales have been sliding steadily, and I'd guess there's no profit left to speak of?"

"That..." Kang Guifeng flushed. Indeed, what Yu Shuixing said was precisely his weak spot; but the Kang family's chips were few at present. With the competition from Doctor Guan's Pharmaceuticals, the Kang family was no longer what it once was — now they had no money and no decent products to offer. It could be said that their chances of becoming a great family were now even worse than at the time of the last auction...

"Ahem, ahem..." Divine Physician Kang was an old fox. At this moment he coughed twice and lowered his voice: "Since the Yu family head puts it that way, then this old man will let the Yu family head in on a piece of news! But since our Kang family is to become the Yu family's steadfast supporter, then after Mr. Yu learns this news, please do not sell us out..."

"Oh? Go on," said Yu Shuixing, his interest instantly piqued by Divine Physician Kang's mysterious manner.

"Recently, our Kang family has been researching the formula for the Life-Extending Detox Pill, and I believe we will soon make progress. Once we develop the Life-Extending Detox Pill, then the Kang family's standing... I need not say it; the Yu family head should understand..." Divine Physician Kang said. "I can guarantee that all Life-Extending Detox Pills refined in the future will be supplied to the Yu family first. I wonder what the Yu family head thinks of this chip?"

"In other words, it hasn't been developed yet?" Yu Shuixing remained calm, not letting the grand pie Divine Physician Kang painted dizzy his head.

"Naturally. While I wouldn't say it's fraught with difficulties, it does take a great deal of effort." Divine Physician Kang spoke without concealment. "The Yu family head should know that it is we who are taking the initiative to seek cooperation with you now, but once our Life-Extending Detox Pill is successfully refined, it will be the other great families seeking cooperation with us..."

Yu Shuixing was no fool and naturally understood the meaning behind Divine Physician Kang's words, but this was in fact a gamble. The Kang family was indeed researching the Life-Extending Detox Pill, but how confident they were, and whether they could actually develop it, remained unknown.

Of course, Yu Shuixing also understood that the Kang family was more anxious than he was to research the Life-Extending Detox Pill, so the news was not necessarily fabricated. The Kang family was currently floundering under the impact of Doctor Guan's Pharmaceuticals; if no flagship product appeared soon, even if they were upgraded to a great family, they would not last long.

And this time, the Chen family's removal from the ranks of the great families was already irreversible. Even if the Chen family had a groundless betrothal to some ancient sect, that could not stop Yu Shuixing from making his move! This time Yu Feng had caused trouble; if the Yu family did not root them out completely, they would be in the wrong. Better to strike the Chen family dead in one blow and leave them no chance to rise again.

As for the Song family, Yu Shuixing would have to see Song Xiangwen's attitude. If he was willing to marry Qiu Lingshan over, then he could act as if nothing had ever happened; otherwise, the Song family would be in danger this time as well.

As for the Wu family and the Liu family — although word had come that Wu Chengtian of the Wu family had been crippled, and the Liu family had no cultivators and was relatively weak, the two families were joined by marriage. This time Yu Shuixing had no designs on them, lest he stir up too much and provoke a backlash!

Besides, with so many great family seats left vacant, it would be hard to arrange other families to fill them. Too many empty seats would make the position of a great family worthless; leaving only one or two vacant each time would make those qualified families batter their heads against the door to get in, and it would also highlight the Yu family's importance.

Judging by the current situation, the Kang family, as a candidate, did meet the conditions, and they had also made gestures of closeness. So after pondering for a moment, Yu Shuixing nodded and said, "Fine. Then this time I will help your Kang family become a great family. But I must say the ugly words first: if you do not produce a presentable flagship product for a long time, then the Kang family's future will be rather worrying!"

"We understand that, naturally," Divine Physician Kang said with a nod. "We will work hard."

"Good. Come to the Great Families Assembly as well, and cooperate with me when necessary. I will remove the Chen family from the ranks of the great families and let you take their place!" Yu Shuixing said.

"Yes, I understand. Please rest assured, Yu family head — we will certainly follow your lead!" Kang Guifeng said hastily.

"Mm. Then I will see you then," Yu Shuixing said, picking up his teacup.

Divine Physician Kang and Kang Guifeng were not people who could not read a room. Seeing Yu Shuixing's gesture, they knew it was a signal for them to leave, and they quickly rose to their feet. "Then we will not disturb the Yu family head any longer. We will take our leave first. We will certainly attend the Great Families Assembly on time!"

"Mm. Xiaofeng, see the old master Kang out for me!" Yu Shuixing said to Yu Feng, who stood behind him.

"Old Master Kang, Mr. Kang, this way please..." Yu Feng said politely to Divine Physician Kang, though his thoughts were on Qiu Lingshan — wondering whether the Song patriarch, Song Xiangwen, had made his decision yet.

That was how Yu Feng was: the harder something was to obtain, the more intolerably it itched in his heart. In truth, it was not that Qiu Lingshan was peerlessly beautiful — among the great families there were others whose looks matched hers and who had background as well: Liu Jinghan of the Liu family, Sun Jingyan of the Sun family, and of course several girls of somewhat lesser beauty who were also born into great families.

But the moment Yu Feng saw Qiu Lingshan, he felt a desire to conquer her. The more she refused him, the more he wanted to have her.