Chapter 426: Unveiling

“The directors of these consortiums are indeed no easy targets.”

Chen Ling still sat alone, now sensing that something was off. Although the five major consortiums treated him with respect, no one had yet mentioned a single word about a deal.

Chen Ling didn't believe these consortiums hadn't colluded behind the scenes. If that were the case, Chen Ling speculated their motives were likely one of two things: either they had conspired to drive down his price and buy the gold at the lowest possible cost, or they didn't intend to let him sell the gold at all, thus trapping him in this capital city.

Either scenario was extremely disadvantageous for Chen Ling. If it had been any of his other martial brothers, they would likely have fallen into this intangible trap, just as the consortiums had planned. But alas... Chen Ling was not them.

“Trying to scheme against me?” Chen Ling’s eyes narrowed. “I’d like to see how strong your ‘iron barrel’ truly is.”

With a thought, an invisible python emerged from between Chen Ling’s brows and slithered around the venue for a long time, as if searching for a suitable target. Finally, Chen Ling’s gaze settled on Zong Wen, who was holding a wine glass, with one arm around an actress, laughing heartily.

The heart-python silently coiled around Zong Wen's body, and with a gaping maw, swallowed all of Zong Wen's joy. Zong Wen, who had been laughing boisterously moments before, suddenly felt a profound dullness. He took a confused gulp of wine, then released the actress and began searching for his next target. The heart-python, having devoured ‘joy’, moved through the venue. The guests, immersed in merriment, were unaware that they had already become the prey of Envoy Chen Ling.

As the final performance concluded, applause erupted throughout the banquet hall. Zong Wen, director of the Huadu Consortium, stood not far from Chen Ling, clapping so vigorously his hands turned red.

The host walked onto the stage from the side, seemingly ready to speak, but was stopped by Mu Chunsheng. Mu Chunsheng gestured for his son to push his wheelchair onto the stage, and the venue immediately fell silent.

Seeing Mu Chunsheng about to go on stage, the other consortium directors' expressions turned somewhat grim. They had already guessed what was about to happen.

“To welcome His Excellency the Envoy to Hongchen Capital, our Beidou Consortium has specially prepared a lavish gift for him,” Mu Chunsheng said from his wheelchair, his voice as gentle as possible.

“This gift is a Zitan Peace Buddha statue that I had transported back from the South Sea Realm. It is considered a rare treasure in this world. It symbolizes our friendship with His Excellency the Envoy, one that will endure through all trials and last forever.”

As his words fell, his son, standing behind him, immediately led the applause. Scattered applause also sounded from the audience, but the other consortium directors showed no inclination to clap.

It wasn't that they didn't want to give Chen Ling a gift, but Mu Chunsheng's offering was far too valuable. A Zitan Peace Buddha statue was something one could only hope to encounter, not seek out. While the other consortiums could afford it, if a single Peace Buddha statue could secure an envoy's protection, it would be an absolute bargain. But the crucial point was that success was far from guaranteed.

Several consecutive envoys had visited the capital, but none had shown any willingness to cooperate with the consortiums. Spending such a vast sum on a gift, only for it to be unappreciated, would mean a complete loss. Only Mu Chunsheng, gravely ill and pushed to desperation, possessed the audacity to try.

Since Mu Chunsheng had presented the Zitan Peace Buddha, it was almost impossible for other consortiums to offer a more valuable gift. Rather than having their gifts look worthless next to the Peace Buddha, it was better not to give any at all and find other ways to exert influence. This was also why Zong Wen continually tried to push actresses from his company onto Chen Ling.

“Next, we would be honored if His Excellency the Envoy would personally unveil it, allowing everyone the privilege of seeing the true form of this Peace Buddha,” Mu Chunsheng said, standing on stage and making a respectful gesture of invitation.

That Chen Ling would personally unveil it at the banquet was something he had specifically requested earlier. Mu Chunsheng, upon hearing this news, was undoubtedly overjoyed, because it meant the envoy would publicly accept the consortium's goodwill, and even if this "goodwill" wasn't genuine, it could be extensively publicized by the media, building momentum for the Beidou Consortium.

All eyes simultaneously turned to Chen Ling. Under these gazes—some expectant, some displeased, some resigned—Chen Ling slowly rose and walked towards the center of the stage.

As Chen Ling approached, a smile he couldn't suppress spread across Mu Chunsheng's lips.

When the figure in the black trench coat stood beside Mu Chunsheng, the latter began to clap with a smile, and scattered applause from the audience followed. He then made a gesture of invitation to Chen Ling:

“Your Excellency the Envoy, please unveil it.”

No expression could be discerned from the ancient golden mask. His gaze swept over the crowd, and a hint of playful amusement flickered deep within his eyes. Envoy Chen Ling reached a hand beneath the white cloth, as if caressing the expensive Zitan Peace Buddha. But then he frowned slightly and let out a soft sound of surprise.

“Your Excellency?” Mu Chunsheng, who was closest to Chen Ling, heard his faint sound and instinctively asked in confusion.

Chen Ling did not look at him; instead, he stared intently at the enormous object before him. With a strong pull, the white cloth covering the Zitan Peace Buddha instantly slid away!

Below the stage, everyone who had been curiously observing the treasure, eager to see the true form of the legendary Zitan Peace Buddha, simultaneously widened their eyes...

The next moment, expressions of utter shock appeared on their faces.

“Th-this is...”

“The Zitan Peace Buddha???”

Behind Mu Chunsheng, a tall, decaying piece of deadwood was revealed to everyone’s sight. Its mottled bark, like Mu Chunsheng's own skin, was riddled with holes from insect gnawing, utterly devoid of life. On its gnarled branches hung a few rotten ropes, making it look like a piece of scrap wood just salvaged from a garbage dump.

The moment they clearly saw the "Zitan Peace Buddha," everyone present fell into a dead silence. This eerie silence gave Mu Chunsheng an ominous premonition. He turned his head in confusion, saw the dilapidated deadwood, and suddenly froze in shock.

What was going on?? Where was the Zitan Peace Buddha?! What the hell was this?!!

Reporters' flashbulbs repeatedly lit up the venue. They had originally been invited by Mu Chunsheng to document this historic moment, but now they clearly captured the Golden Envoy posing with a piece of dilapidated deadwood.

Amidst this suffocating silence, the mysterious and chilling golden mask slowly turned towards Mu Chunsheng in his wheelchair...

“Beidou Consortium...”

“Is this... the gift you presented to me?”

BOOM—!!

As the white cloth was unveiled, a thunderous roar erupted, accompanying Envoy Chen Ling's fury.