Du Jinpeng's expression changed drastically. He had been lost in thought, intending to use his influence to pressure others, but he had forgotten the most crucial thing.
If one could call it forgetting, it was more like an oversight born from tension.
Normally, he was adept at manipulating people, but now, facing Lin Xiaotian's icy gaze and the obvious mockery in his eyes, his heart trembled uncontrollably.
At this moment, he wished he could slap himself for his foolishness. If he hadn't spoken those words earlier, perhaps the auction house wouldn't have bothered him further, and they might have even spared him out of respect for Lin Xiaotian. But his ill-timed remark had completely angered the auction house.
It had also revealed the true nature of his relationship with Lin Xiaotian. His heart pounded, and he looked to Lin Xiaotian for help.
"Mr. Lin, please, help me. If I can't deal with this old man now, he will surely retaliate and wipe out our entire family. This old man is ruthless and will never let us off easily."
Lin Xiaotian said with a half-smile, "If you hadn't intended to use me for murder, perhaps I could have helped mediate. But you wanted to use my hand to harm him, and in such a despicable way, by leveraging my reputation."
"When you did that, you should have considered the consequences."
After speaking, Lin Xiaotian didn't even glance at him and turned to leave.
Du Jinpeng dared not linger any longer, for fear that the old man would not let him off easily.
He hurriedly chased after him, his eyes filled with immense anxiety.
"Mr. Lin, what price do you think I need to pay for you to help? Although we've resolved the Bai family's crisis, we've now offended the auction house, and this was all for you, Mr. Lin!"
"It was mainly to help you find the Medicine King Cauldron. Our family's strongest experts have already been lost to the auction house. If they decide to act against us, we will have no means of resistance."
Lin Xiaotian turned back with a half-smile, "Does that have anything to do with me?"
"The first time I approached you, I genuinely wanted to help, as I also sought revenge for the Medicine King Cauldron. But at that time, you dismissed me, saying I was not qualified to be involved in your affairs. However, for the sake of what I wanted, I endured it."
"But in the end, not only did you fail to provide any information about the cauldron, but you brought me one trouble after another. Considering the price your family has paid, I might have warned the auction house for you."
"But you shouldn't have tried to use me. You have to bear the consequences yourself!"
Bai Shaoxuan's face showed a mocking sneer. "Patriarch Du, how does it feel now?"
"One should be straightforward in life, without so many crooked thoughts. Everything you've done now is like lifting a rock only to drop it on your own feet. You deserve it."
"At this point, I advise you to leave this city as soon as possible. The faster you run, the fewer people in your family will die. I believe the auction house will absolutely not let you off easily, and they are likely already making their move."
"Even I can see that you've angered Mr. Lin. Not to mention that old man; he's very shrewd and saw the problem long ago. If you don't run now, you might not have the chance later."
"With Mr. Lin around, you are nothing but trash."
Du Jinpeng watched their retreating figures, his heart trembling uncontrollably, for he knew Bai Shaoxuan was telling the truth.
His face turned extremely pale, his eyes filled with regret.
He raised his hand and slapped himself hard. If he had another chance, he would never have spoken so carelessly.
Without any hesitation, he turned and prepared to flee, at least to notify his family in time.
However, as soon as he got into his car, a figure appeared in front of it. It was a middle-aged man, appearing to be in his late forties or early fifties. Upon seeing this person, Du Jinpeng's pupils contracted violently, his eyes filled with disbelief.
"The auction house actually has a master, and at least at the Land Immortal realm!"
Even if he hadn't reached that level, he had the discernment to recognize that the person before him was someone he absolutely could not contend with.
His heart felt as if it were being squeezed by a hand; the opponent's mere aura completely suppressed him.
This was a realm he could only dream of reaching. He knew he was utterly finished today. With a surge of desperation, he started the car and floored the accelerator, aiming directly at the figure.
However, in the next second, the figure suddenly rose and kicked out.
The oncoming vehicle was violently kicked on its side, causing the rear to lift and the tires to screech loudly against the ground, but to no avail. The person's leg was as if directly nailed to the car.
Du Jinpeng was completely despairing. He hurriedly took out his phone and tremblingly dialed Lin Xiaotian's number.
"Mr. Lin, save me! I have an important piece of information that can buy my life."
"If you agree to save me, I guarantee this information will pique your interest and bring you what you desire most."
Hearing this, Lin Xiaotian's eyes narrowed slightly, a cold glint flashing within them. "I knew this old man was hiding something. I never expected that even at the brink of your family's destruction, you'd still be plotting such schemes."
"You'd better ensure this information is true, otherwise, hmph!"
Lin Xiaotian let out a cold snort, but his voice carried a chilling killing intent.
At that moment, the figure in front of the car slowly raised its head, removing the hood. It grinned at Du Jinpeng.
Du Jinpeng's entire being froze, for the person standing before the car was Bai Shaoxuan.
He finally understood. This was not the auction house acting against him. It was all Lin Xiaotian's doing. Lin Xiaotian hadn't believed him; he was suspicious and had planned this from the start, deliberately letting Bai Shaoxuan scare him, which, in turn, elicited a few truthful statements from him.