You said you were going to make games, how did you become the richest man without doing anything?

Chapter 525 Eligibility for the Banquet

The atmosphere in the cafeteria was like a pot of boiling water, with undercurrents surging. At this moment, Wang Lina suddenly made an unexpected move. Her bright eyes flashed with an unusual light, and the corners of her mouth curled up slightly, as if she was confident.

"Miss Hualu, please wait a moment." Her voice was clear and pleasant, but with a hint of firmness that could not be ignored.

The white-haired girl Hua Lu stopped and turned to face Wang Lina. A hint of doubt flashed in her deep eyes. Wang Lina calmly pointed at Tang Yin, her voice carrying a hint of deliberate briskness:

"He is Tang Yin, the traveler who had a car accident in the Shenge River."

Tang Yin was caught off guard by this sudden introduction. He scratched his head subconsciously and said awkwardly, "...Ah, hello."

His mind raced, trying to understand the purpose of Wang Lina's sudden introduction. In such a tense atmosphere, was there still room for social interaction?

Wang Lina seemed to see through Tang Yin's doubts. She turned her gaze to Hua Lu with a meaningful smile on her lips. "She's Miss Hua Lu. A rare name, isn't it? Don't underestimate her. She's the current head of the Hua family, one of the major families in Baifeng Village."

Hua Lu nodded slightly, and a trace of imperceptible vigilance flashed in her deep eyes: "Please give me your guidance." Her voice was like a clear mountain spring, cold and yet with a hint of majesty.

Tang Yin was secretly surprised. He hadn't expected this seemingly young, white-haired girl to be the head of a prominent family. His thoughts drifted to Qian Jin, who also seemed to come from a distinguished background. How many unknown secrets were hidden in this village shrouded in mist?
Wang Lina's voice rang out again, this time pointing to the purple-haired loli: "She's Xiaome. We don't know her specific name, so we can only call her that."

Tang Yin followed Wang Lina's instructions and looked towards Xiao Mei. The purple-haired girl was sizing him up curiously with her large eyes. He tried to put on a friendly smile. "Hello, Xiao Mei?"

As soon as the words fell, Xiaome's shoulders suddenly trembled, as if startled by something. This subtle reaction attracted the attention of the people around.

A trace of panic flashed across Chen Xiang's face: "Oh..."

Zhao Gang frowned: "Uh..."

Chen Xiang immediately walked through the crowd and hid behind Hua Lu like a frightened deer, her eyes full of worry and anxiety.

Zhao Gang's eyes became sharp. He stared at Wang Lina with a hint of warning in his tone: "What do you want to do, Wang Lina?"

Wang Lina wasn't frightened by Zhao Gang's questioning. On the contrary, her expression became more confident: "I suggest excluding Tang Yin from the [banquet]."

These words exploded in the cafeteria like a bombshell. Everyone shuddered involuntarily, and a strange sense of tension filled the air.

Gao Zhijie frowned, with a hint of displeasure in his voice: “Lina, don’t act on your own.”

Zhao Gang immediately echoed, "Whether Tang Yin is a suspect or not must be decided at the Banquet, right?"

Their expressions and expectations were serious, as if this so-called "banquet" was a matter of life and death.

Wang Lina was unhurried, with the corners of her mouth slightly raised: "Don't get me wrong, I mean he is not qualified to attend the banquet, Brother Gang."

As soon as she finished speaking, Qin Yi couldn't help but interrupt. This boy, who looked like a high school student, had a face full of confusion and puzzlement: "What do you mean, Sister Lina, he is the most suspicious person!"

Wang Lina did not directly answer Qin Yi's question, but asked: "Xiaoyi, have you completed the [pre-banquet preparations]?"

Qin Yi was caught off guard by this sudden question. He stammered, "Huh? ...D-Done."

Wang Lina's eyes swept over everyone present, and there was a hint of provocation in her voice: "Is there anyone who hasn't finished it?"

The entire cafeteria fell into an eerie silence. Tang Yin felt as if he were on a battlefield, a battlefield without visible gunpowder. Everyone's expression grew complicated. Some lowered their heads in thought, some exchanged meaningful glances, and still others rubbed their hands nervously.

Tang Yin's mind raced, trying to comprehend the hidden message in this conversation. What secrets lay hidden behind the words "banquet" and "pre-banquet preparations"? Why was Wang Lina raising these questions at this moment?
He noticed that when Wang Lina uttered these words, everyone present had subtle reactions. Fear flashed in some people's eyes, some clenched their fists, and some subconsciously took a step back. These reactions told Tang Yin that this so-called "banquet" was definitely not an ordinary gathering.

……

Finally, Tang Yin mustered up the courage to break the suffocating silence. His voice trembled slightly, with a hint of uncertainty: "...Um, what does [pre-banquet preparations] mean?"

Wang Lina's gaze pierced Tang Yin like a sharp sword, her lips curling up slightly in a meaningful smile. "The reporter who didn't complete the [Pre-banquet Preparations] was already tainted, but Tang Yin wasn't. I believe the [Thousand Bright Gods] ignored him."

This sentence was like a bombshell, exploding in everyone's hearts. Tang Yin felt dizzy, and a question echoed in his mind: What exactly does this mean?
Wang Lina seemed to see through everyone's doubts. Her voice was clear and firm. "Although he was found in the Divine River, he is just an ordinary traveler. In other words, he will interfere with the [banquet]." She paused, her eyes becoming sharper. "No, it should be said that if we allow him to attend the [banquet], it will anger Qian Ming Shen and may even implicate us."

Zhao Gang's brows furrowed. He turned to a kind old woman and said with a hint of pleading in his voice, "Grandma Rong, what do you think?"

Granny Rong stared directly at Tang Yin with her weathered eyes. Her voice was hoarse but full of authority: "...Have you really not completed the [pre-banquet preparations]...?"

Tang Yin felt confused and uneasy. He subconsciously shook his head: "...What exactly does [Preparation before the Banquet] mean?"

Granny Rong's gaze grew profound, and she slowly uttered three mysterious words: "[褉], [物忌], [梦垫]..."

Wang Lina immediately took over and explained, "Wash yourself clean, stay indoors and sleep until dawn. These are the three things."

Tang Yin recalled his experience last night and couldn't help but chuckle. "Then it's not finished. Although I locked myself in the toilet, I didn't take a shower or sleep."

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire cafeteria erupted in an uproar. People were whispering and chatting amongst themselves, and a strange sense of tension hung in the air.

A trace of confusion flashed across Grandma Rong's face, and there was a hint of helplessness in her voice: "...I don't know...This is the first time I've encountered such a thing." Her tone did not sound like she was shirking responsibility, but instead revealed a real confusion.

Wang Lina turned her gaze to the white-haired girl, and her voice was filled with respect: "Ms. Hualu, what do you think?"

Hua Lu was silent for a moment, a thoughtful glint flashing in her deep, ponderous eyes. Perhaps due to power relations, Wang Lina seemed to have given her the final say.

Finally, Hua Lu spoke. Her voice was like a clear mountain spring, cold yet with a hint of majesty: "...I agree too. Since Qian Mingshen did not punish him, it proves that he is not under the jurisdiction of the [Mountain]..." This sentence once again ignited the atmosphere in the cafeteria. People's discussions rose one after another. Some were surprised, some were confused, and some showed expressions of fear.

A triumphant smile appeared on Wang Lina's face: "That's it."

However, Zhao Gang's expression became more serious. He stared at Wang Lina, with a hint of warning in his voice: "Lina, you know, if you exclude him from the banquet..."

Wang Lina took over the conversation without hesitation, a glint of determination flashing in her eyes: "Well, it will waste the opportunity of today's [banquet]."

Zhao Gang's gaze roamed across the crowd, finally settling on the burly old man. His voice was filled with uncertainty, yet also with respect for authority: "...Uncle Gao, what should we do?"

Gao Zhijie remained silent, a deep glint gleaming in his weathered eyes. The crowd around him unconsciously made way for him, as if awaiting an important decision. This matter clearly violated some unwritten rules here, and Zhao Gang naturally handed the decision to this highly respected elder.

After a moment of silence, Gao Zhijie spoke, his voice low and firm: "Exclude him from the banquet."

Zhao Gang frowned slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he just called out softly: "Uncle Gao..."

Gao Zhijie raised his hand, signaling him to calm down: "But..."

The old man's gaze was like a sharp blade, piercing straight at Tang Yin. He slowly pushed through the crowd and walked towards Tang Yin. Each step was full of power, as if stepping on the heartbeats of the crowd.

Tang Yin couldn't help but hold his breath. He had never seen such a contradictory being before. Although Gao Zhijie was over sixty, his eyes were still as sharp as an eagle. His bulging muscles held astonishing strength, showing no signs of aging. His entire body exuded intense aggression and anger, like a tiger ready to pounce.

Gao Zhijie approached Tang Yin and looked down at him. His voice was low and cold, and he spoke word by word: "Even if you are not under the jurisdiction of the mountain, you cannot violate our rules here. Otherwise, I will kill you."

These words were like a sharp sword, piercing Tang Yin's heart. He felt a chill running down his feet, but he forced himself not to retreat. Tang Yin secretly complained in his heart: How barbaric!

At this tense moment, a discordant voice suddenly rang out. Qian Jin, the middle-aged man who had been behaving strangely, suddenly shouted, "...Wait! Since we can exclude him from the banquet, then Miss Hualu and I don't have to attend either!"

Zhao Gang's eyes widened in shock at this sudden statement, and he asked in disbelief, "Huh? What do you mean?"

Qian Jin's face flushed crimson, as if he had made up his mind to let it all out: "We are from Baifeng Manor, right? What does the matter of Shenge River have to do with us?!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Granny Rong's kind yet stern voice rang out: "...Mr. Qian Jin, you can't say that... How could the people from the four elder families, Qian, Hua, Zheng, and Huang, have nothing to do with the banquet?"

Tong Xiaoliang, the boy who looked even younger than Tang Yin, also joined the discussion: "Uncle Qian, according to you, Qin Ming and I don't need to participate?"

Qian Jin seemed to be getting even more agitated, his voice tinged with contempt. "How can someone who was deposed be compared to us? Why do the people of the four major families have to participate in such a stupid event?"

Zhao Gang tried to lighten the mood, his tone softening: "...Um, Old Qian."

However, Qian Jin seemed to have triggered a switch and interrupted him sharply, "Don't be so affectionate, Gangzi. Let's go, Miss Hualu, we are not obligated to participate in this kind of activity!"

At this moment, Hualu, who had been silent the entire time, spoke. Her voice was as clear and cool as a mountain stream, yet it carried an undeniable force: "No, Qian Jin, as long as you're from Baifeng Manor... you can't claim you don't have this obligation. We're all equal, in the palm of Qianmingshen's hand, on the plate called the Hidden Mist Village..."

Qian Jin's momentum instantly vanished, and he stammered in defense: "...But, but..."

Gao Zhijie glanced at Qian Jin coldly, his voice tinged with threat: "If you have any objections, you can go anywhere you want, as long as you are not afraid of being contaminated."

This sentence was like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing Qian Jin's last remaining flame of resistance. He fell silent, his face a complex expression that was difficult to read: anger, fear, and a hint of helplessness.

……

Hualu quickly retrieved the key. With her return, as if an invisible signal, everyone began to leave the cafeteria one after another.

Gao Zhijie stared at Tang Yin with his sharp eyes, and said in a low and authoritative voice, "Go to another place."

Tang Yin felt a chill running down his spine, but he feigned composure, trying to keep his voice steady: "Okay... where to?"

Gao Zhijie didn't answer directly, but turned to Zhao Gang with a meaningful look in his eyes: "Gangzi, is that cage still usable?"

A hint of hesitation flashed across Zhao Gang's face, but he quickly regained his composure. "Oh... sure, but... ah, I get it. I'll take him there."

After leaving the cafeteria, Tang Yin felt a cool breeze brushing his cheeks. In the distance, the figures of the others gradually disappeared on the road leading to the square assembly hall. Only he and Zhao Gang were the exceptions, like two exiled aliens. Zhao Gang whispered, "Come with me."

They pushed aside the dense weeds and headed deeper into the village. Tang Yin noticed that the scenery grew increasingly desolate as they went deeper. The weeds were knee-high, and from time to time, unknown small animals scurried about. Moonlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting mottled shadows on the ground, as if countless pairs of eyes were watching from the dark.

Finally, they reached the end of the meadow. Before them lay a cliff covered in scrub, its rock surface etched with the marks of time. However, the most striking thing was a massive cage perched on the edge. Almost as large as the cabin, it even had a simple eaves, looking both eerie and absurd.

Zhao Gang's voice broke the silence, carrying a hint of apology: "...This is a cage for wild animals. Sorry, you have to stay here for the time being."

Tang Yin smiled bitterly, his heart filled with helplessness and doubt: "I shouldn't have the right to refuse, right?"

Zhao Gang's expression became more complicated, as if he was struggling between sympathy and duty. "Sorry, just stay here for the duration of the banquet. I won't let you stay in here for long."

Tang Yin took a deep breath and tried to clear his mind: "You can't let me know the details, right?"

Zhao Gang nodded slightly, a hint of helplessness flashing in his eyes: "...Yeah, that's right. In fact, you are already very lucky to be excluded from the banquet."

Tang Yin sighed helplessly. He didn't even know what the "Banquet" was, so how could he think he was lucky?

(End of this chapter)