The security chief burst into tears. He had worked so hard to reach his current position, and his salary had increased significantly. But now, offending just one person had ruined everything. He was filled with so much regret. If only he had been more cautious just now. He was in deep trouble. He could never have dread that Du Le'an, a powerful real estate tycoon, would show such respect to an unemployed drifter.
Song Wulin, who was standing to the side, was equally stunned. What in the world is going on? Fan Ruobing was even more dumbfounded, but before any of them could react, soone else arrived.
"City Lord Zhao is here!"
The crowd hurriedly parted to make way. As the City Lord of Kang City, Zhao Xiong's status was naturally supre. Yet, to everyone's surprise, Zhao Xiong headed straight for Yang Qi. "Mr. Yang, I apologize for my late arrival and for the grievance you have suffered. What exactly happened?"
"It's fine. President Du has already handled it for . Let's go to the Treasure Competition."
Yang Qi shot Song Wulin a cold look, a sneer of disdain on his face. Then, escorted by Zhao Xiong and the others, he made his way to the main venue.
"Miss Li, shall we go together?" Yang Qi suddenly stopped and smiled at Li Qingyan.
"Can I?" she asked, her voice filled with disbelief. According to her status, she normally wouldn't be qualified to enter the main venue. She was supposed to watch from the large screens out here. But now that Yang Qi had invited her, she naturally had the right.
"Of course, you can!" Du Le'an said with a smile. "Who would dare say no? You two go on ahead. I'll take care of things here."
Du Le'an turned to Song Wulin and said coldly, "You'd better keep a low profile on my territory. Otherwise, don't bla
for disrespecting your father!"
With that, he dismissed the security chief on the spot, demoting him back to a regular guard to be kept under observation. It was a single chance for him to reform.
By now, Yang Qi and Li Qingyan had arrived at the main venue.
Seeing Zhao Xiong, many people stood up as a sign of respect. In Kang City, Zhao Xiong held a high status as the City Lord.
"Prefecture Master Lei!"
However, even Zhao Xiong had to go and pay his respects to Lei Qingtian. Lei Qingtian smiled and waved off the formalities. He then clasped his hands in a respectful salute toward Yang Qi.
"Prefecture Master Lei, there's no need for such ceremony. Has the War God King not arrived?" Yang Qi asked. He was actually quite interested in eting the War God King. He had heard many legends about the War God King and the Dragon King, but he had never t either of them in person.
"The War God King is famously elusive. Any one of these ordinary-looking Martial Artists could be him. We've reserved a seat for him. If he wishes to take it, he will. If not, there's nothing we can do," Lei Qingtian said.
"Then let's be seated," Yang Qi said, not pressing the matter further. He sat down beside Zhao Xiong.
The wealthy Fan Family and three of the four major families had all arrived. The Liang Family, however, was nowhere to be seen. This was only natural. After Liang Jin was killed, all their assets had been carved up. The Liang Family was completely finished.
"As one of the four great families of the Kang City Business Alliance, and as a local, I will take the liberty of starting things off!" the Chen Family Head announced, bringing out his Treasure.
Because everyone suspected the War God King might be in the crowd, this year's Treasure Competition was taken very seriously. The treasures being presented were all considered extrely powerful, with so even believed to be Magic Artifacts.
The Chen Family Head unveiled his Treasure, which turned out to be a Pill Furnace. Unfortunately, the Pill Furnace could no longer be used for alchemy due to its age. Surprisingly, however, it still emitted bursts of a faint, pleasant fragrance. A single glance told you that residual dicinal power was still present.
"This Treasure is a Pill Furnace said to have been used by ancient Cultivators for alchemy. Because it contains the essence of dicinal stones, placing it in a room can prolong life and ward off all diseases. It's truly magical!"
As soon as he finished speaking, an attendant brought the Pill Furnace forward. The mont it was presented, a rich fragrance filled the air.
"It's truly magical! I feel completely invigorated!"
"Indeed! I had a slight cough earlier, but now it's completely gone. How amazing!"
Everyone was astounded.
Only Yang Qi secretly shook his head. This Pill Furnace's remaining dicinal effects are almost completely gone. Even if it works, it will only last for half a month at most. The more it's shown off, the faster the effects will dissipate. It's a sha that secular people don't understand these things, believing it to be a Treasure that possesses a spirit, when in fact it's rely the effect of so residual dicinal potency.
"Would anyone like to appraise it?" the Chen Family Head asked, looking very pleased with himself. Suddenly, his gaze fell upon Yang Qi, and he smiled faintly. "City Lord Zhao, this must be your Treasure Appraiser, correct?"
"Indeed," Zhao Xiong nodded.
"Then why not have this gentleman appraise it?" the Chen Family Head sneered. He wanted to make Yang Qi look like a fool on the spot. In his eyes, there was no way Yang Qi knew anything about appraising Treasures.
Yang Qi, of course, knew what he was thinking. He stood up, glanced at the furnace, and stated plainly, "It's nothing but a piece of scrap tal. What kind of Treasure do you call that?"
"What!" The Chen Family Head was furious. "You ignorant brat, spouting such nonsense! You dare to call my Treasure scrap tal? That's utter foolishness! If this isn't a Treasure, then what in the world is?"
"I believe this is indeed a Treasure. The young man doesn't know what he's talking about and should keep his mouth shut!" one man declared.
"Exactly, I agree," a second one chid in. "A Treasure like this is a rare sight!"
These two were Treasure Appraisers, renowned throughout the south. Their opinions were clearly the opposite of Yang Qi's, which made Zhao Xiong a bit nervous. He knew Yang Qi was proficient in dical Skills, but he wasn't entirely sure about his ability to appraise Treasures.
"Kid, you heard them! The Masters all say this is a Treasure, which proves you have no judgnt. I am certain to take first place in this Treasure Competition!" the Chen Family Head sneered.
"How ridiculous."
Yang Qi stood up and walked toward the Pill Furnace. He opened his mouth and took a light breath, instantly absorbing every last bit of its residual dicinal potency. In a flash, the Pill Furnace beca nothing more than a piece of scrap tal, not even valuable enough to be called an antique.
"Brat, if you can't give
a reasonable explanation today, I'm not letting this go!" the Chen Family Head snarled, thinking Yang Qi was deliberately looking for a fight.
Down below, Li Qingyan was breaking out in a cold sweat for Yang Qi.
"Heh, there's no need for
to explain anything," Yang Qi said with a faint smile. "Why don't the Masters take another look? Perhaps they were the ones who misjudged it."
Everyone looked over. The fragrance that had filled the air was gone. The Pill Furnace itself seed to have aged considerably.
"Strange... could I have been seeing things? This is just scrap tal!"
"I was mistaken. The young man truly has a keen eye!"
"Impressive, truly impressive!"
"Family Head Chen, you should probably put that thing away before you embarrass yourself further!"
The Chen Family Head was also dumbfounded. He stared at Yang Qi, his face turning beet red. "You brat! What did you do to my Treasure to make it useless?"
"What are you talking about? What could I have done? It was just scrap tal to begin with," Yang Qi said with a placid smile, taking his seat once more.
He had, of course, done sothing. But since no one saw it, it was as if he had done nothing at all.
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