C23 Misinformation Spread like Wildfire!

At that moment, Lin Luoyan ventured cautiously, "Lee Qingyue has shown you disrespect before, but he's not inherently a bad person. He's just a bit too proud. I'd like to apologize on his behalf first, and then I'll have him offer you a formal apology. Could you possibly forgive him this time?"

"Oh?" Yu Beigu slowed his pace upon hearing this, then turned slightly to give Lin Luoyan a faint, amused smile.

Facing Yu Beigu's detached gaze, which seemed to betray no human emotion, as if peering from another realm or akin to a divine being's glance, Lin Luoyan felt an involuntary pause in her heartbeat. Alone with Yu Beigu's gaze, she began to grasp the indescribable, terrifying pressure lurking within the depths of this young man's eyes. It was in this moment that she felt a flicker of understanding regarding the legends her grandfather had recounted of a god-like elder.

Simultaneously, she grew convinced that the young man before her belonged to the same extraordinary class of individuals as the venerable figure from her grandfather's memories. Her certainty solidified as she faced Yu Beigu, her own eyes, brimming with intelligence, softening as she continued to look at him.

The Xu family, even now, was unaware that Yu Beigu's true strength was his most formidable asset, not the various trump cards they suspected he possessed. Why would Yu Beigu need to rely on anyone else? Regardless of Lee Qingyue's vast influence and the power to twist right into wrong, what would it matter? If Yu Beigu desired his demise, it would be as effortless as flicking a finger.

Yet, it was Lin Luoyan's timely intervention that had prevented Yu Beigu from acting. More unexpectedly, she had astutely detected the subtle power he possessed, leaving Yu Beigu quite astonished. Ordinary people should not be able to perceive the power of a cultivator, after all. Clearly, Lin Luoyan harbored some secrets of her own.

Their eye contact lasted only a few seconds, but Lin Luoyan persevered, teeth clenched in determination. Unbeknownst to her, sweat had soaked through her clothes, as if she had endured an entire cycle of rebirth.

If Yu Beigu hadn't been made uncomfortable by her tender gaze, he might not have looked away.

"I am not one to hold petty grudges."

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Lin Luoyan behind him, her face pale and her heart pounding erratically. For some reason, she found Yu Beigu to be incredibly handsome.

Despite being significantly older than him, she couldn't help but desire to be his woman.

"Yes, yes."

Lin Luoyan quickly came to her senses and hurriedly agreed. She also felt a wave of relief wash over her, dispelling the terrifying illusion she had just experienced. She exhaled deeply and followed him, her head bowed.

In her heart, she vowed to give Lee Qingyue a stern lesson when she returned, to teach him a thing or two about restraint.

...

After the recent incident, Lin Luoyan had come to understand the young man's formidable presence, and her demeanor grew even more deferential.

As they emerged, a middle-aged man with the air of a seasoned scholar, who was the chief steward of Greenhaven Manor, was already waiting outside the hall.

"This is Lin Xiquan, the Chief Butler of Greenhaven Manor. The Treasure Convention starts in an hour, so he'll take us to the Treasure Storage Hall for a preview," Yu Beigu explained.

Lin Luoyan instinctively drew closer to Yu Beigu, speaking with an affectionate tone.

"Director Lin, you flatter us. Let's proceed to the viewing," responded the Chief Butler, exuding an air of nobility. "Two of our security guards failed to recognize the importance of Director Lin's guest and have been dismissed for their offense. They also violated the manor's rules, and we will hold them accountable on behalf of Mr. Yu. Their punishment is well-deserved and will serve as a lesson to others."

He led the way, speaking in a tone that was both calm and respectful, which was quite pleasing to the ear.

Yet, his eyes occasionally studied Yu Beigu, discerning from his experience that the young man likely came from a modest background.

It was astonishing to him that someone from such humble origins could compel Lin Luoyan to risk offending so many people.

As the Chief Butler of Greenhaven Manor, Lin Xiquan was well-regarded for his management skills within the industry.

Moreover, having retired from a high-ranking position in the Municipal Party Committee, he was accustomed to receiving smiles from city officials. In his eyes, someone like Yu Beigu would not usually command such attention.

In reality, although he was puzzled by Lin Luoyan's keen interest in a young man, his doubt was fleeting.

From his perspective, there were only a couple of explanations.

The first was that the young man had a significant background. Yet, this seemed unlikely, as he had already dismissed the idea.

The second was that the young man possessed something the Lin family desired.

He had seen similar faces before and was familiar with the scions of major families who visited Slagos around Yu Beigu's age.

If Yu Beigu had an impressive background, he would have recognized it.

Thus, he discarded the first possibility.

That left only the second possibility.

To him, Yu Beigu simply wasn't significant enough to warrant his attention.

Whether dismissing the two security guards or taking them alone to the exhibit hall, it was all due to Lin Luoyan's status.

As for Yu Beigu, he was merely a student, hardly someone who could catch the eye of someone at his level.

"The jade treasures displayed here have been painstakingly collected from renowned mines worldwide by Director Zhao."

The heart-shaped jade ring, originating from Hetian, is of chalcedony quality. It contains a peculiar bone that is said to bring good fortune to its wearer.

This jade pendant, unearthed from a noble's tomb during the Warring States period, is believed to have unique properties and, with prolonged viewing, can heal ailments.

"The Eight Trigrams Jade Plate dates back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties from Dragon Tiger Mountain..."

"This is..."

"This piece is..."

Lin Luo's eyes gleamed as he surveyed the treasures filling three-quarters of the exhibit hall, with some destined for auction.

Each item was a coveted gem among Zliland's elite, particularly the Eight Trigrams Jade Plate from Dragon Tiger Mountain.

Lin Xiquan introduced each piece with evident pride, reciting their histories and origins effortlessly, without hesitation.

Moreover, he claimed that some jade artifacts had mysterious origins and powers. Lin Luoyan's eyes sparkled notably when she heard that one of the jade plates was rumored to bestow everlasting youth.

"Mr. Yu, what are your thoughts on these treasures after having a look?" Lin Luoyan inquired, following her initial expression of admiration.

With just a brief glance, Yu Beigu shook his head lightly and responded, "Haha, the majority are merely interpretations of legendary tales. Essentially, about ninety percent are simply ordinary artifacts with a touch of history."

Yu Beigu had a keen eye for discerning which items possessed extraordinary abilities and which were akin to the so-called hope gemstones—cursed stones that were nothing more than the subject of tall tales spun by idle gossipers.

Despite his skepticism, Yu Beigu did sense the presence of some truly unique items among the collection, ones that emitted subtle traces of counterfeit spiritual energy.