Everyone’s curiosity was piqued by Lin Beichen’s questions, and they put down their wine glasses to look over, even Yuan Yanan was no exception.
"Lin Beichen, what are you trying to say?"
Huang Henxin still held his wine glass, distracted, but a flicker of panic flashed in his eyes.
"This Red Rope Gourd is indeed not some treasure. The runes and array engraved on it are just basic, and because of excessive wear, it’s almost about to break.
As you said, even as an unfinished magical artifact embryo, it is somewhat unqualified."
Lin Beichen said calmly, with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"In this world, lies are often nine parts true and one part false, making them the hardest to discern."
"You spoke nine parts but left out the most crucial part—the last part."
At this point, Lin Beichen noticed that everyone was intently focused, their curiosity piqued by his words, and so he changed the subject and spoke of something else.
"Zheng Xinxi, let me guess boldly. You went to attend the auction at Jiulong Hotel not because you found the information outside but because Huang Henxin told you about it, right?"
Hearing this, Zheng Xinxi instinctively nodded and immediately said,
"You’re correct. That day, I wanted to find a magical artifact to buy. I happened to be dining here, and indeed, Huang Henxin told me about it. What are you trying to say?"
"Nothing much, I’m just curious why Huang Henxin, knowing this item was useless, still encouraged you to buy it.
After all, if I hadn’t intervened, you would have bought it today. To be safe, you would still come here seeking Huang Henxin for appraisal.
At that time, when he told you what he said to me, what would you think?"
Zheng Xinxi gasped, turned to look at Huang Henxin.
Lin Beichen spoke convolutely, but the meaning was clear.
If he wanted to buy a magical artifact, and Huang Henxin introduced it to him, then after he spent a fortune to buy it, Huang Henxin would tell him it was useless. Wasn’t this a setup?
Although Zheng Xinxi was supposed to fall into the trap, Lin Beichen’s unexpected appearance disrupted it, involving Lin Beichen instead.
Liu Yunxi and others shivered, feeling uneasy.
So... Huang Henxin really is a fraud?
"Huang Henxin didn’t expect me to appear, so he thought you had already bought it. When he heard you were dining, he dropped everything to meet you, only to see me instead.
So he repeated to me what he was going to say to you, trying to get this item from me. After all, it didn’t matter who bought it; it was crucial for him that it landed in his hands!"
Lin Beichen gently stroked the Red Rope Gourd, his expression ambiguous, while Huang Henxin’s face grew darker.
Lin Beichen didn’t give Huang Henxin a chance to escape.
"Zheng Xinxi, you thought Huang Henxin devalued the Red Rope Gourd to vent your anger, not knowing he always considered you a fool and an easy target.
He couldn’t afford forty million to buy a magical artifact, so he had to scam it out of you!"
With a puff, Liu Yunxi couldn’t hold back a mouthful of wine, spraying it all over the table.
Liu Yunxi coughed violently, his face red, wanting to laugh but unable to, with a bizarre expression.
Though not as exaggerated as Liu Yunxi, others also found it somewhat amusing.
Zheng Xinxi’s face grew solemn, though angry at Lin Beichen’s words, understanding the gravity of the situation.
"Huang Henxin, is what Lin Beichen said true?"
"Young master, how can you believe his nonsense?"
"Nonsense?
He doesn’t know my identity, nor the time I attended the auction, yet he made perfect sense!
Other than you, no one else knew I went to Jiulong Hotel. You told me about the auction for a Red Rope magical artifact, and I thought it could make a great gift for my father.
I considered you a brother, only to find you deceived me?"
The more Zheng Xinxi spoke, the darker his expression became. His eyes even revealed a murderous intent, transforming from a gentleman to a street thug.
Huang Henxin, clearly a coward, confessed under Zheng Xinxi’s pressure, looking flustered.
"Young master, I was forced. The stock market has been fluctuating heavily, and I’ve lost all my money. I had no choice but to scam some money from you.
But rest assured, I’ll compensate you. As long as you give me this item, I’ll give you another magical artifact embryo. It can also serve as a gift for your father; he won’t notice."
Huang Henxin hastily tried to salvage the situation.
Zheng Xinxi, though furious, didn’t want Lin Beichen and others to see the drama.
Though Lin Beichen revealed the truth, his impression of mainlanders as inferior was deep-rooted.
Moreover, despite Huang Henxin’s faults, he was one of Zhou Kuangtian’s disciples, who, despite mixed reputation, commanded some respect due to Zhou Kuangtian.
Besides, despite Zheng Xinxi’s setup, he wasn’t directly affected, so he refrained from acting against Huang Henxin.
"Kid, not only did you ruin my plan, but you even saw through this item’s true nature. Who on earth are you?"
Huang Henxin glared at Lin Beichen, his expression unpleasant.
Not getting the prized possession and offending Zheng Xinxi, he had no idea how to resolve this, channeling his frustration towards Lin Beichen.
"I have no identity or mystic powers. Just happened to overhear your call with a debt collector downstairs."
Lin Beichen shrugged, replying nonchalantly.
Hearing this, Huang Henxin nearly choked in anger.
He thought Lin Beichen figured everything out, only to realize it was from eavesdropping on a call.
"Since you know the value of this item, give it to me! This is Xiang Island, our territory. You wouldn’t want to disappear, would you?"
Having torn the facade, Huang Henxin no longer pretended, glaring coldly at Lin Beichen with threats.
"Master, you have a reputation. How can you just grab others’ treasures?"
Yu Mengjie looked shocked, and Liu Yunxi quickly grabbed a wine bottle, standing by Lin Beichen’s side, glaring at Huang Henxin.
Scared by Huang Henxin’s tactics, they refused to back down, ready to defend Lin Beichen, their companion.
"Robbery? Who saw that?
If none of you speaks, who knows I’m robbing? I can leave this room as Zhou’s disciple, while you’re just a bunch of unfamiliar mainlanders. Who would believe you?"
Huang Henxin laughed, glaring at Lin Beichen.
"When did I say I’d rob you? You’d willingly hand it over, without thinking of calling the police!
If asked, you’d say it was voluntary, because I know spells..."
Huang Henxin cast a strange, meaningful look at the crowd, Lin Beichen sensing deep malice.
As Huang Henxin left, everyone looked at each other.
Yu Mengjie and others looked to Zheng Xinxi for help, but he ignored them, quickly leaving to catch Huang Henxin.
The room was left with Lin Beichen and his group.
Not a sound, everyone still in shock from the turn of events.
A renowned Feng Shui Master and a high-status heir.
Yu Mengjie and others never expected even these figures could be frauds.
"Lin Beichen, how did you know it was fake?"
Liu Yunxi asked curiously.
Lin Beichen smiled faintly, saying nothing.