Chapter 37: The Legendary Treasure

Lin Feng had never heard of the Demon Luo Society, but as a member of the Tang family, Tang Ke was well aware of it. This so-called "Demon Luo Society" was an underground organization active in the southwestern borderlands of China, shrouded in mystery and wielding considerable power. Their actions were notoriously ruthless and lawless, committing every imaginable evil in the Golden Triangle at the border of three countries. Rumor had it that they now intended to expand toward the coastal regions.

Could it be that Luo Jiale belonged to the Demon Luo Society?

At this thought, Tang Ke's legs went weak, barely able to stand.

"Demon Luo Society? How ridiculous..."

Lin Feng sneered coldly. In this lifetime, he knew nothing of the so-called Demon Luo Society, nor did he care to. Even if he did, what of it? Such a mortal organization was beneath his notice. He had no patience for idle words with mere ants.

Lin Feng reached out, his hand moving like a gust of wind, snatching the token and crushing it effortlessly. He then raised his hand and seized Luo Jiale by the throat, lifting him off the ground.

"You..."

Luo Jiale had never expected his opponent to be completely unafraid of the Demon Luo Society. His legs flailed helplessly, his hands clawing desperately at Lin Feng's iron grip.

Yet Lin Feng's hand was as solid as steel, immovable.

"I... give..."

With great difficulty, Luo Jiale managed to utter two words, nearly fainting as he hurriedly slipped off the ring from his right hand and tossed it to Lin Feng.

Given the choice between life and treasure, life was naturally more important.

"Heh, and its origin—don't tell me you don't know." Lin Feng's gaze turned cold, his tone mocking.

"Its origin..." Luo Jiale's eyes flickered, and he sneered inwardly. "I excavated this item from an ancient tomb deep within Cloudpeak Mountain, in the Cloud Gorge."

With ten thousand years of cultivation and boundless experience, Lin Feng could easily tell that Luo Jiale was not lying. However, this "Cloudpeak Mountain" likely harbored hidden dangers.

Lin Feng, however, cared little. After ten thousand years of cultivation, what peril had he not braved? Imperial tombs, ancient demon graves—there was nowhere he could not go.

As the saying goes, fortune favors the bold. What was there to fear?

Rubbing his neck, Luo Jiale glared at Lin Feng and growled menacingly, "Boy, I won't forget you. Just wait. Anyone who dares insult the Demon Luo Society will meet a terrible end. One day, I'll make you beg for life and death alike!"

Having issued his threat, Luo Jiale gritted his teeth, flung his sleeve, and turned to leave.

Tang Ke, hearing the words "Demon Luo Society" from Luo Jiale's lips, was even more certain of his suspicions.

Lin Feng had truly stirred up a disaster!

"Sir, the Demon Luo Society is no trivial matter. You..."

Lin Feng waved his hand calmly, his demeanor serene. "The time is about right. Take me to the inner hall."

"But... about Luo Jiale..."

Seeing Lin Feng's utter disregard, Tang Ke could only lead him to the auction's inner chamber.

...

After bidding farewell to Li Yating, Lin Feng, guided by Tang Ke, soon arrived at the top floor of the Tang family mansion.

Pushing open the door, he entered a wide, exquisitely decorated room, where two groups were seated around a massive square table, facing off.

On one side sat the leading figures of Binhai City, headed by Elder Tang and a long-bearded old man beside him. Lin Feng vaguely recalled that this bearded elder was Elder Feng, whose family rivaled the Tang family in Binhai.

Behind Elder Tang were more than a dozen heads of Binhai's top families and CEOs of major conglomerates—each a force to be reckoned with in the city.

Opposite them were the elites from Chuzhou, about sixteen in all, including Luo Jiale, clearly bringing their full strength.

At their head was a middle-aged man dressed in a traditional robe, a string of yellow jade Buddhist beads around his neck, idly playing with a pair of iron walnuts. He had a distinctly streetwise air.

He was Liu Ke, the leading figure of Chuzhou.

Upon seeing Lin Feng arrive, Liu Ke lazily raised his hand and pointed at Lin Feng with a wry smile. "Elder Tang, who is this youngster? Has Binhai run out of people? Even a kid like this can join the upper circles? Seems I've overestimated your city."

"Chief Liu, I think this fellow is just a troublemaker who sneaked in. We ought to toss him out," Luo Jiale said darkly, twisting his mouth and urging Lin Feng's expulsion.

Standing beside Elder Feng was his granddaughter, Feng Jing, who instantly recognized Lin Feng. She sneered, "Him? His name is Lin Feng, son-in-law of the third-rate Yao family—a famous good-for-nothing in Binhai. Just a pretty boy living off his wife. He probably charmed some heiress to get in here."

Feng Jing, confident in her knowledge of Lin Feng's background, spoke deliberately to embarrass him and, by extension, undermine the Tang family and tarnish Tang Yun Yun's reputation.

Elder Tang frowned slightly at her words.

But Elder Feng, unconcerned, smiled, secretly pleased to see the Tang family disgraced.

As expected, Feng Jing's remarks provoked a burst of laughter.

"Hahaha! Who would have thought Binhai harbored such oddities? Someone like this at the Treasure Contest? You might as well surrender now," Liu Ke jeered, his sharp words echoing among the Chuzhou magnates.

The mocking was relentless, and the Binhai magnates' faces turned ashen. The hot-tempered among them pointed at Lin Feng and roared, "Someone, are you all dead? Throw this brat out! Haven't we lost enough face?"

"Exactly! This is a gathering of the elite, not a place for some inexperienced youth to meddle! Get him out!"

One by one, the magnates were arrogant and condescending. To them, Lin Feng was just an inferior, hardly worth their attention.

Feng Jing watched Lin Feng endure ridicule and rebuke, feeling a rush of satisfaction. She thought, "Lin Feng, you're just a playboy, huh? Did you really think charming Tang Yun Yun would get you into high society? Think again. At best, you're just a disposable plaything."

Luo Jiale, meanwhile, wore a smug smile, staring at Lin Feng with a look that said, "What can you do?"

Faced with these so-called elites' rebuke, Lin Feng remained calm. With ten thousand years of cultivation defying the heavens, what scene had he not witnessed? Mortal ridicule was child's play.

He shrugged and prepared to leave.

Qin Guanyun, anxious, wanted to intervene but lacked the status to go against the crowd.

"Wait. Mr. Lin here is the expert I invited to appraise treasures, though young, his skills are extraordinary. He is present as one of the Tang family's representatives," Elder Tang declared solemnly, disregarding the opposition from the Binhai magnates and placing Lin Feng at his side.

"Well, well, Binhai certainly is full of surprises. Fine, count him in. Let the Treasure Contest begin!" Liu Ke laughed, waving his hand to start the contest.

...

The Tang family went first. Elder Tang produced a jade tablet from his pocket.

The tablet was pure white, crafted from premium mutton-fat jade. Carved upon it was an image of the sage riding an ox, lifelike and imbued with a trace of Daoist essence—quite extraordinary.

"This jade tablet was specially acquired by me. Legend has it that it belonged to the founder of Daoism, the sage himself. It was carved by his disciples and has been passed down for over two thousand years. It is said to grant clarity of mind and spirit, enhance longevity, and inspire the heart toward the Dao."

Elder Tang placed the tablet on the table, making a gesture to invite the opposing appraiser to examine its authenticity and estimate its value.