Chapter 127: The Show Begins

"Today, on the occasion of this birthday banquet, I wish to share a few words with you all and enjoy this joyous fellowship. May everyone here be blessed with robust health, a harmonious family, and prosperous endeavors. And may our friendships be like this fine aged wine—growing richer and deeper with every passing year.

"Come, everyone, let us drink this cup together!"

Amid a chorus of flattering praise, the guests raised their glasses to drink, their faces beaming.

Qian Zihao downed his drink in a single gulp, cursing wildly in his head. You old bastard, are you giving a fucking thesis defense? Spouting one load of pretentious bullshit after another—just announce the damn engagement already!

"Everyone, aside from my birthday today, there is another joyous matter I wish to announce..." To Qian Zihao's visible excitement, Murong Zhuo finally reached the main point.

Murong Zhuo paused. His naturally imposing gaze swept slowly across the hall, eventually landing on Nangong Mengli in the corner. When he noticed Su Mu standing beside her, a trace of coldness flashed through his eyes.

Su Mu smiled faintly. "The show begins."

"Mengli, come here," Murong Zhuo said calmly.

Nangong Mengli slowly rose to her feet. Bearing an unhurried grace on her exquisite face, she walked elegantly toward the center of the hall. Instantly, every eye in the room gravitated toward her. She seemed born to be the focal point of a crowd, showing not the slightest hint of discomfort in such a setting.

The piano music in the hall suddenly swelled into a passionate crescendo, as if foreshadowing what was to come.

"My daughter Mengli has reached the age of marriage..." Seeing Nangong Mengli approach, Murong Zhuo immediately moved to announce her engagement to Qian Zihao. But halfway through his sentence, a cold female voice suddenly interrupted.

"Mengli respectfully wishes Father a happy birthday."

The crowd blinked in surprise, and the atmosphere in the hall turned slightly strange. Murong Zhuo had been right on the verge of announcing a joyous occasion—what was the meaning of this sudden interruption? To commit such a breach of etiquette under everyone's watchful eyes was truly intriguing.

Sure enough, Murong Zhuo's expression slowly chilled. His naturally imposing gaze fell upon Nangong Mengli, his eyes so deep it was impossible to read his mood.

The three children behind him looked on with eager anticipation, clearly excited to see how their half-sibling would be punished.

Nangong Mengli acted as if she hadn't noticed Murong Zhuo's glare, continuing on her own, "Mengli has specially prepared a birthday gift for you..."

"What gift could possibly be so important? Didn't you see that your father was speaking? Step down for now. We will discuss it later." Murong Zhuo's flat voice cut Nangong Mengli off. Anyone familiar with him knew that this old noble was on the very brink of losing his temper.

However, Nangong Mengli did not step down. Instead, she pulled a small mahogany box from her clutch.

"Father, this birthday gift is too precious. It truly cannot wait a single moment."

The crowd broke into a greater uproar. Everyone thought Nangong Mengli had lost her mind. Publicly defying the Murong Family Head? And as a mere illegitimate daughter, no less! In a setting like this, even the eldest son, Murong Yun, would face extremely severe punishment for such behavior. After all, nobles were a class that cared about status and propriety above all else in this world.

Murong Zhuo's expression thoroughly darkened. "It seems I have indulged you too much, so much so that you..." He suddenly paused mid-sentence. As if struck by a sudden realization, a gleam of intense excitement surged into his eyes.

He considered himself fairly familiar with this illegitimate daughter. She was usually low-key, cautious, and meticulous. She never dared to defy him, let alone in a public setting. For her to act so out of character today... could it be...

"Could your birthday gift be..."

Nangong Mengli nodded. "That's right. It is the Eye of Gold."

"What!?" Qian Zihao was the first to cry out, pure disbelief written across his face.

The three Murong family children paled as well, as if the words 'Eye of Gold' possessed some magical power.

Murong Zhuo could no longer maintain his majestic facade. His aged heart pounded with wild excitement.

Nangong Mengli smiled faintly. Right in front of the crowd, she flipped open the mahogany box in her hands. Instantly, a brilliant ray of golden light flashed outward!

Inside, a solid golden bead that resembled a human eyeball lay resting quietly in the box.

"The Eye of Gold!? It really is the Eye of Gold! It looks exactly like the records in the ancient texts!" Murong Zhuo's voice trembled slightly. He could barely suppress his euphoria; his entire soul had been captivated by the Eye of Gold.

It wasn't just him—everyone else reacted the exact same way. A thick, naked greed burned in the eyes of everyone staring at the Eye of Gold. These members of high society naturally understood its true value. Compared to the Eye of Gold, a Mithril Mine was practically worthless.

This was a wondrous artifact capable of forging a Gold tier powerhouse!

Because of this, absolutely no one noticed Su Mu standing at the back of the crowd. Behind his Tinted Glasses, his eyes were glowing with a crystalline blue light.

"Mengli... my good daughter! Hahaha... Out of all my children, you are the one I have always valued the most. Quick... hand the Eye of Gold to me!" With the prize he had coveted for years finally right in front of him, even this seasoned noble couldn't stop himself from losing his composure.

But even as he spoke, his hands moved faster than his words. He rushed two steps forward, reaching out to snatch the Eye of Gold.

But right at that moment, an unexpected twist occurred!

Snap!

The exact instant Murong Zhuo was about to touch the Eye of Gold, all the brilliant lights in the banquet hall blacked out, plunging the entire room into silent darkness.

Crash!

The colossal crystal chandelier crashed to the floor, the sound ringing out across the hall.

"Ahhh!" Ear-piercing shrieks erupted from several women in the crowd.

"Hahaha... The Eye of Gold! The Eye of Gold!" Murong Zhuo cackled wildly in the pitch black. Intoxicated by euphoria, he didn't care at all that the lights had suddenly gone out. All he cared about was the Eye of Gold in his hands. As long as he had it, he wouldn't care even if the entire Boli Hotel blew up.

"Heh..." A deep chuckle laced with mockery suddenly rang out. The laughter wasn't particularly loud, yet it seemed to echo right beside everyone's ears, ringing through the dark with absolute clarity.

"Murong Zhuo, thank you for your selfless contribution. I'll be taking the Eye of Gold."

Just as the voice faded, the lights in the banquet hall flared back on. The piercing glare forced everyone to squint, but when their vision finally adjusted, their faces contorted in shock. Out of nowhere, another person had appeared in the middle of the room.

It was a man dressed in a swallowtail coat, standing directly amidst the shattered remains of the chandelier. Under the bright lights, the broken shards gleamed with a dreamlike luster, forming a crystal carpet laid out specifically for him. He was tall and straight-backed like a solitary pine, exuding an aura of innate nobility.