The commerce fair was only halfway through, and the Pavilion couldn't let the Yuan Clan's pride derail it. They had lost the wager. Now, they had to face the consequences. They had already been humiliated. What difference would a little more make?0

"Bow and apologize!" The cry echoed from all directions, growing louder and more synchronized with every chant.0

Impatience swept through the plaza. By late afternoon, the fair still hadn't reached its final segment. In past years, the event would have already concluded by now. Such a delay was unheard of.0

"Patriarch!" The Yuan Clan's elders turned to Yuan Huaiguang, their expressions twisted in fury, eyes burning with shame. Their teeth clenched, barely restraining their anger. If it came to it, they would rather withdraw from the fair entirely than suffer this disgrace.0

All Four Great Clans had taken losses, so why did everyone demand that only they apologize? Bowing would mean publicly admitting fault, and that was something none of them could stomach.0

"Patriarch Yuan, you'd better think this through," Elder Long Chen warned calmly. "If you refuse to apologize now, the Yuan Clan will lose all opportunity to partner with the Spirit Jade Pavilion."0

Everyone could...0