In the blink of an eye, all the students and teachers were utterly shocked. What status did Hong Gang have to show such respect to this young man?
At that moment, everyone became even more curious about Lin Mo's identity.
Lin Mo, however, was completely composed, with his hands clasped behind his back, and he looked into the distance with a detached gaze:
"Hong Gang, what is it that you want from me?"
"Mr. Lin, please forgive me. Actually, I would like Mr. Lin to attend a banquet hosted by our Hong Family and, while there, to help us with an appraisal," Hong Gang said with a respectful smile, explaining.
"Oh?" Lin Mo nodded his head.
Just as he was about to ask Hong Gang what he needed help with discerning, Hong Qianqian, who was beside him, couldn't hold back any longer.
"Mr. Lin, I don't know what virtues or capabilities you possess to command such respect from my father?"
As soon as Hong Qianqian spoke, it was with an explosive undertone.
Anyone astute could understand that Hong Qianqian thought Lin Mo lacked genuine talent and she felt disgruntled.
Lin Mo glanced at her and said with a light laugh:
"Do I need to tell you what I am capable of?"
Hong Qianqian snorted coldly and said with an edged tone: "So it seems that some people are all reputation with no real ability?"
Hong Gang glared at Hong Qianqian and scolded: "Qianqian, how do you speak to Mr. Lin? Apologize to Mr. Lin right now!"
"Dad."
Hong Qianqian looked slightly irritated, and pouting, she said: "You see how young he is, acting so full of himself. I really don't think he deserves such respect."
After her words, she called out to Mr. Huang who was behind her: "Mr. Huang, test him."
Upon hearing this, Mr. Huang took a stride and leapt, instantly arriving in front of Lin Mo.
Mr. Huang had, in fact, been feeling displeased with Lin Mo's arrogant demeanor ever since he observed his conduct.
Hong Gang was furious because Mr. Huang was a martial arts master that his daughter had just recruited outside today.
It was too late for him to stop it.
Mr. Huang's fist, incredibly fast, arrived in the blink of an eye.
Moreover, the fist was charged with fierce Gang Qi. If it landed on a regular person, it would surely crush them to pieces.
But Mr. Huang felt that since Hong Gang showed such respect, Mr. Lin must certainly have some ability.
However, he believed Lin Mo's strength was definitely no match for his own, and so he thought that he should be the one receiving such respect, not Lin Mo.
Seeing Mr. Huang's fist causing the air to almost ripple and twist, Lin Mo still stood in place, causing Hong Qianqian's disdain to grow even thicker:
"Hah, he doesn't even know how to dodge!"
Subsequently, Hong Qianqian shouted at Mr. Huang: "Mr. Huang, withdraw five parts of your power, be careful not to kill him."
Upon hearing this, Elder Hong nodded his head, but just as he was about to reduce his power, he was startled to see a foot sweeping towards him at the speed of lightning.
Elder Hong was completely taken aback; his pupils shrank suddenly, clearly sensing an extreme danger.
He immediately let out a loud cry and directly conjured up his strongest Gang Qi Barrier.
Boom!
However, to everyone's surprise, in the next second, Elder Hong's Gang Qi Barrier burst like a balloon, and he himself was sent flying against the wall, continuously vomiting blood and immediately passing out.
"What… What?"
Hong Qianqian's beautiful eyes widened in shock. Before she could react, her entire body was lifted off the ground as Lin Mo hoisted her up effortlessly.
In an instant, she felt as though she couldn't breathe, and the cold gaze from Lin Mo's eyes made her feel as if a freezing Siberian wind was sweeping over her, chilling her to the bone!
Witnessing this scene, Hong Gang had been terrified for a while and pleaded repeatedly:
"Mr. Lin, we were in the wrong! Truly, we were in the wrong! My daughter, she couldn't recognize Taishan; she was simply courting death."
"Please, Mr. Lin, I beg you to forgive this insignificant person and spare her life."
Lin Mo gave Hong Qianqian a cold glance before carelessly tossing her onto the ground as if she were a dog.
In that moment, Hong Qianqian realized how luxurious fresh air was to someone like her.
She also came to understand the sheer stupidity of the act she had just committed.
She was so frightened that she didn't even know how to begin thanking Lin Mo for sparing her life.
As for Hong Gang, he let out a long sigh of relief, his expression one of utmost respect:
"Thank you, Mr. Lin. Thank you very much."
Soon after, Hong Gang personally invited Lin Mo to visit the Hong Family.
It was then that Lin Mo found out that Hong Gang intended to purchase a Magic Artifact and wanted Lin Mo's help to appraise it and see if it was truly worth the price.
Lin Mo, Hong Gang, and Hong Qianqian made their way to the Hong Family's villa.
Upon entering the grand hall, there were already dozens of people seated inside.
Sitting on the right side were Hong Gang's brother, Hong De, and his son, Hong Rui.
As for the middle-aged man sitting beside Hong De named Qi Feng, he was a friend of Hong Gang, an expert in artifact appraisal, and a man with considerable martial power.
At this time, Hong Gang approached Qi Feng with a smile and introduced him proactively:
"Brother Qi, this is Mr. Lin. He's here to help me take a look."
Upon hearing this, Qi Feng immediately looked displeased, furrowing his brows as he scrutinized Lin Mo:
"It seems, Brother Hong, that you don't really have me in mind as a friend."
"Knowing full well that I was passing through Imperial City on my way to visit you, and fully capable of lending a hand, you still invited this young man."
"Is this not a slight to me, Qi Feng?"
Hong Gang immediately put on a wry smile and explained: "It's not as you think, Brother Qi. You are my good friend, and Mr. Lin is someone I hold in great respect. Having the opportunity to invite you both here is my honor, Hong Gang."
Qi Feng glanced indifferently at Lin Mo: "I'd like to see for myself what abilities this young man has that warrant such respect from you, Hong Gang."
Seeing this, Hong Gang turned to Lin Mo with a look of apology: "Mr. Lin, I didn't expect Brother Qi to be passing through Imperial City today, and even less that my brother would invite him over."
"It's fine." Lin Mo chuckled lightly and casually sat down on the sofa.
At that moment, Hong Gang glanced at Hong De and asked:
"Brother, where is that Magic Artifact you were talking about?"
Hong De let out a mysterious chuckle and called out to his right: "Master, please come out."
Everyone was taken aback, but after two or three seconds, they saw a man clad in a black robe and dark complexion come out of a small door on the right.
"The excellent item you wish to see is here."
The man in the black robe let out a chuckle. He appeared tall and lean, but there was a sinister aura emanating from him.
In his hands, he held a golden Buddha statue that looked quite square and sturdy. As soon as the black-robed man appeared holding it, a strange and intoxicating fragrance spread and diffused into the air.
Lin Mo's eyes slightly lifted, yet he remained impassive.