Compared to the silent accumulation of his Infinite Record, the worship of the masses felt like background noise.
That said, not everyone was indifferent.
The noble families of the city experienced a golden age overnight. Trade routes multiplied. Inns overflowed. Spirit herbs doubled in price. Artifacts were auctioned like vegetables.
No one benefitted more than the Song Family.
Thanks to their early closeness with the dojo, their status skyrocketed. Song Po moved decisively. He expanded their businesses, secured supply chains, bought out failing competitors, and positioned the family at the center of the city's booming economy.
Other major families were swallowed whole in the process. Mergers disguised as alliances. Acquisitions masked as cooperation.
Only the Fang Family remained intact, though reduced to a quiet corner of influence.
Song Po knew where the invisible line was.
Push too far, and Wang Chen might take offense.
