Lin Fan looked at the list of names and cross-referenced them with the people sitting around the table. He discovered that three people were missing: the mysterious guest, the Poison King of the Nether Pavilion, Xie Jun, and the leader of the Dragon-Tiger Gang, Lou Yuan.
There were also several women’s names on the list, yet apart from Zhang Qingfang, not a single woman from that list was at the table.
Directly across from him sat a man wearing a Western cowboy hat and a champagne-colored Tang suit embroidered with dragons, puffing on a cigar. The hat obscured most of his face, making it impossible to see his features clearly. Beside him, Zhang Qingfang was soothing Xiaohua, who was curled up in her arms, eyes half-closed and already fast asleep.
This man, presumably, was the leader of the Nether Pavilion. According to the seating chart, beside the leader sat Niu Chuan, the top henchman of the Dragon-Tiger Gang, who was covered in bandages and plaster, with only one eye visible. Next to him was the branch leader of the Nether Pavilion, Yexiao. Niu Chuan was the very man who had tried to force-feed Aoxue alcohol that day.
In the corner, two other men who had been whispering about him were people Lin Fan knew all too well. As those around the table began to introduce themselves, these two caught his interest.
"I am Zhu Han, General Manager of the Zhu Group. This is a wedding anniversary gift for the leader and his wife: Blood Bodhi. Consuming it can prolong life, strengthen the body, and even grant one special abilities."
As the box opened, two translucent, crimson fruits were revealed. They looked incredibly tempting. The leader nodded.
"As expected of a scion of the Four Great Families, to find such a treasure. These grow only on cliffs in the darkest, coldest depths, producing only one fruit every hundred years. You are truly thoughtful, my young nephew."
Niu Chuan grinned from ear to ear.
"He Zhenming, Hall Master of the Sky Wolf Gang. I have already withdrawn from the gang and now serve as a regional deacon for the Dragon-Tiger Gang. I offer you both a millennium-old ginseng. It has immense medicinal value and is a rare treasure for any practitioner."
"Mm, good," Gu Yunting nodded in satisfaction.
"And I am Niu Chuan, the newly appointed Deputy General Manager of the Nether Pavilion. I hope for everyone's support in the future! Since we are all enemies of Lin Fan, we are all friends here! I will do my absolute best for this group. I have brought a grand gift for the leader and his wife, to express my gratitude for Elder Ge’s guidance!"
At Niu Chuan’s command, servants carried a massive tray into the center of the conference room. While the crowd watched in bewilderment, the iron cover was removed, revealing an artifact covered in golden veins. The surface emitted a searing heat.
"This is..." Elder Ge asked, slightly puzzled.
"This is the legendary ancient Xuanyuan Sword, an heirloom of my family! It contains infinite power and mysterious incantations, representing justice and courage! Possessing it can increase your cultivation a hundredfold!"
As soon as he spoke, envy flickered in the eyes of everyone present.
"As expected of Brother Zhu’s best friend! To be friends with you is to bring glory to one’s ancestors!"
"And you, He Zhenming—you certainly had the foresight to leave the Sky Wolf Gang early! I’ve long despised Lang Yingjie. I heard he’s actually started cozying up to that piece of trash from the Lin Family!"
Niu Chuan was riding high. He presented the item personally. Gu Yunting took it, stroking the smooth, glowing golden surface with great affection. "Haha, Niu Chuan, you really are thoughtful."
Lin Fan found it all quite funny. It was truly pathetic that they were so excited over a fifty-dollar knockoff. The real ancient Xuanyuan Sword was with the Lin Family; it was the only one in the world.
"Next! Hurry up!"
The old man beside Lin Fan stood up unsteadily and squinted at the list for a long time. "You old geezer, don't waste everyone's time!"
Lin Fan whispered in the old man's ear, "Former Deputy President, Gu Dong. Gift: a pair of jade ruyi."
The old man tremblingly finished reading, which deeply dissatisfied Niu Chuan. "You old fossil! You’re supposed to be a deputy president, yet you don't care about the group at all! The leader has treated you far too well."
"Next, next!" Gu Yunting urged impatiently.
Lin Fan surveyed the table full of "treasures"—niche, low-grade emeralds, rubies, and jadeite. Apart from the old man's jade ruyi, which had some historical interest, the rest of the replicas were simply eyesores.
Just then, a red chest was opened, revealing a trove of gold and jewels. The surrounding crowd was stunned. Inside the chest, piles of red property deeds, land titles, pearls, jade, and gold formed a small mountain.
"Who sent this? That’s at least a billion in assets."
Lin Fan found the chest familiar. Wasn't this the dowry gift Bai Tianxiong had tried to give him, which he had refused? Why was it here? Even the leader was captivated by the treasure.
"Who sent this?"
A heavy voice rang out from the crowd. "Elder Ge, although I, Bai Tianxiong, am a member of the Bai Family, my heart is with the Dragon-Tiger Gang and the Nether Pavilion. Today, on your and your wife's seventh anniversary, this is but a small token of my sincerity. Once we join forces to eliminate that piece of trash, the Bai Family will be yours to command."
The father and son knelt before the leader and Niu Chuan, kowtowing in fear and reverence. Niu Chuan, having never seen so much wealth in his life, immediately made a promise to Bai Tianba. "Don't worry. From now on, we are one family!"
Only then did the father and son rise cautiously. Lin Fan, however, was unfazed. After all, none of those things were real. The items Bai Tianxiong had offered him that day were fakes as well; he had only refused them out of respect for the old man's dignity. The Bai family's fortune had long been squandered by these unfilial sons. There was no money left. It was laughable that they had resorted to stealing household assets just to suck up to outsiders.
The leader smiled and gestured for the pair to take their seats.
"Good. Next."
When it was Lin Fan’s turn, he started to stand, but Zhang Qingfang spoke up. "Young man, you can skip it. Sit down, sit down! Don't be shy. Of all the gifts here, this is the one I like best."
"Elder Ge, Madam, I came in a rush and didn't bring any gifts, so I'd like to give this little Xiaohua to the Madam. I hope you like it."
Zhang Qingfang looked delighted, stroking Xiaohua’s head. In her eyes, these piles of gold and jewelry were merely fleeting smoke—you can't bring them with you when you die. None of it was as genuine as the companionship of the little pig before her.
The crowd’s attention was instantly drawn to the pig in Zhang Qingfang’s arms, followed by bursts of laughter.
"Hahaha, what kind of idiot comes up with an idea like that? Does he think this is a livestock market? He’s actually giving a pig!"
"Exactly! Where did this pig farmer come from? I bet the most valuable thing in your house is this stinking pig."
"A bumpkin who’s never seen the world. A single piece of jewelry here could buy out your entire bar! Aren't you ashamed of yourself?"
"If you're broke and useless, at least bring a beautiful woman to entertain us. If you really can't do anything else, crawl over and lick Manager Niu’s shoe soles—that would be more interesting than this!"
"Hahaha!"
Lin Fan looked at the snobs and spat out a single sentence: "Mine is the real deal, unlike some people who have the gall to show off fakes."