"Do you have a backer or something? But I don't recall hearing about a Xiang Clan in the Cloud Margin City before," Gong Qinyin asked doubtfully.

"No such thing. I don't have any backers in the Cloud Margin City," Xiang Shaoyun said. He paused for a bit then said, "Are things looking bad for your Gong Clan currently?"

"What do you know about that?" Gong Qinyin frowned.

"I know nothing except for the fact that your Gong Clan is currently weaker than the Wen Clan. Is that right?" asked Xiang Shaoyun.

"Yes," Gong Qinyin gave an honest answer.

"If I can help your Gong Clan build some sort of relationship with a Cloud Margin Pavilion elder, would things be better?" Xiang Shaoyun probed.

Gong Qinyin was surprised. "Is that possible?"

Although the Gong Clan...