C14 He Was Very Dignified

The speaker was none other than Zheng Hongyi, the Zheng family's manager, who was in attendance at the auction.

After his outburst, he smugly prepared to sit back and enjoy the unfolding drama.

Though the accusations were baseless, steering suspicion toward the Zhou family and Zhou Jibo was undoubtedly advantageous for the Zhengs.

Ideally, the Zhou family and Zhou Jibo would become the focus of scrutiny, the targets of collective disdain.

As Zhou Chulang's cry of "Shameless!" rang out, Zheng Hongyi's laughter grew more triumphant. "Shameless? This is strategy."

But before he could take his seat, a firm hand clamped onto his shoulder.

"Do you really think you can come to the Myriad Treasure Auction House and cause a scene, you country bumpkin?"

It was Yan Yuanlu, livid with rage, who had marched over and seized him.

Zheng Hongyi's smirk instantly stiffened as he hastily pleaded, "Mr. Yan, I beg your pardon."

"Save your excuses!" Yan Yuanlu barked, "Shopkeeper! Who is this man?"

"He's from the Zheng family of Icefair," replied the shopkeeper of Glorious House.

"Good! I'll remember that," Yan Yuanlu said, dropping Zheng Hongyi to the floor, still seething. "Throw him out! The Zheng family is henceforth banned from the Myriad Treasure Auction House and the Glorious House!"

The Glorious House shopkeeper responded promptly, "Understood. From now on, Glorious House will cease all dealings with the Zheng family. Furthermore, no shop in Icefair will sell any cultivation-related items to the Zhengs."

Zheng Hongyi scrambled to his feet, his voice filled with panic, "How can this be?"

Yan Yuanlu scoffed, "An ignorant man like you couldn't possibly comprehend the reach of the Myriad Treasure Auction House. You tried to exploit the auction for your own squabbles; now you're paying the price!"

"It's not just you and your Zheng family; the Zhou family and Zhou Jibo you mentioned are in the same boat!"

Zheng Hongyi's eyes bulged as he collapsed in despair.

Was this the might of the capital's major powers? By merely stirring up a trivial issue, he had brought calamity upon the Zheng family!

What would the Patriarch and the elders do to him when he returned—flay him alive?

Yan Yuanlu turned to the Glorious House's shopkeeper and said, "Have you committed to memory what I told you? The Zheng and Zhou families are barred from entering here, no exceptions."

The shopkeeper hesitated, "Mr. Yan, we still need to discuss the Zhou family's situation."

Zhou Chulang, along with Zhou Tong and others, quickly approached and bowed deeply to Yan Yuanlu. "Mr. Yan, the Zhou family is innocent! We've been wronged by the Zheng family, our adversaries, who have deliberately set us up..."

Yan Yuanlu cut him off with a gesture, "Save your breath! If the Myriad Treasure Auction House doesn't set an example, how will you understand the consequences? The Zhou family is no exception to the rules!"

Zhou Chulang, Zhou Tong, and the rest were dumbfounded. How could the Myriad Treasure Auction House be so domineering and irrational?

Were they to suffer a grave injustice at the hands of the Zheng family today?

They were torn between their deep resentment towards the Zheng family's dishonor and their sense of hopelessness in the current predicament.

But with Yan Yuanlu dismissing their pleas, what were they to do?

The Glorious House's shopkeeper leaned in and whispered to Yan Yuanlu once more, "Mr. Yan, please reconsider the matter with the Zhou family."

Yan Yuanlu grew more irritable, "What's the issue? Are you involved with them? Or is the Zhou family beyond my reach?"

The shopkeeper quickly assured him with an apologetic smile, "Neither is the case!"

"Then follow my instructions," Yan Yuanlu declared decisively.

As Yan Yuanlu's frustration mounted, the shopkeeper urgently added, "However, the two items earlier were indeed delivered to Zhou Jibo of the Zhou family!"

Yan Yuanlu paused, surprised. "The youngster with the Earth Spirit low-grade bone root, that's Zhou Jibo of the Zhou family?"

"Yes, Mr. Yan, that's him," confirmed the shopkeeper of the Glorious House. "How shall we proceed?"

Regaining his composure, Yan Yuanlu decided, "We'll only take action against the Zheng family. Leave the Zhou family out of this."

After a moment's contemplation, recognizing Zhou Jibo's exceptional bone root and his unique mental cultivation method, it was clear that his future accomplishments would transcend the Innate Stage. Determined to eradicate any lingering doubts, he made his decision.

Yan Yuanlu offered a respectful bow to Zhou Chulang, saying, "I apologize for my earlier misunderstanding. The Zhou family is certainly blameless. I ask for your forgiveness. Please relay to Young Master Zhou that my actions were driven by necessity."

Innocent? Driven by necessity?

The attendees were well aware that these were merely formalities. Yan Yuanlu's earlier behavior had been domineering, dismissing any attempt at explanation, intent on reprimanding the blameless Zhou family—a fact witnessed by all.

Yet, upon hearing Zhou Jibo's name, his demeanor softened to one of courtesy and politeness. He referred to him as "Young Master Zhou" and even addressed Zhou Chulang as "Old Sir." Was this truly an apology borne from recognizing the Zhou family's innocence?

Zhou Jibo commanded respect!

The families and merchants on the third floor were inwardly astounded. Zheng Hongyi, the Zheng family's steward, was filled with despair. Who could have predicted that the Myriad Treasure Auction House from the capital would show such deference to Zhou Jibo of the Zhou family?

Apart from Zheng Hongyi, the Yu family elder was equally taken aback: the Zhou family had produced such an exceptional figure! It appeared that the commitment made to Zhou Qian by their Patriarch was no longer feasible. They needed to extricate themselves quickly and avoid offending Zhou Jibo at all costs.

Zhou Chulang was flattered beyond measure, his initial alarm turning to delight.

Thanks to Zhou Jibo's influence, he too had been addressed as "Old Sir" by an Innate master—a tremendous honor indeed!

He repeatedly affirmed Yan Yuanlu's words with a series of "Okay," his gaze involuntarily drifting towards the private room.

Yan Yuanlu chuckled, "Zhou Jibo is presently engaged in a transaction with our Myriad Treasure Auction House. Please, join us in the private room for tea a bit later."

"Yes, of course!" replied Zhou Chulang.

With his curiosity piqued yet contained, he led Zhou Youqing and Zhou Tong back to their original seats.

As the auction was about to recommence, Lang Shen, the Castellan of Icefair, spoke up, "Mr. Yan, could you disclose the offer made by Zhou Jibo that compelled the Myriad Treasure Auction House to accommodate his request?"

Yan Yuanlu offered a smile and said, "Lord Lang, you jest. One of our core principles at the Myriad Treasure Auction House is to ensure our clients' confidentiality. Our earlier slip-up in revealing a client's identity was a serious breach of that trust. We absolutely cannot disclose anything further."

Despite Lang Shen's persistent curiosity, Yan Yuanlu reiterated his warning, "Young Master Zhou possesses an Earth Spirit bone root. He's destined to reach at least the Soul Separation Stage. I must ask, is it worth it for the families of Icefair to risk offending a future master over trivial gains?"

Realizing his intentions had been exposed, City Lord Lang Shen chuckled awkwardly and chose to remain silent.

The others harboring ill intentions inwardly took heed. Yan Yuanlu's words rang true; it would be foolish to incur the wrath of a potential Soul Separation Stage master for mere short-term benefits.