The Dragon's Mandate

Not far away, a tall woman in a red dress, full of allure, noticed Navid. After a moment of scrutiny, she exclaimed in surprise, "Navid Byrd? Is that really you?"

Around her, a group of peers also turned their attention to Navid.

"He does look a bit like him!"

"But Navid Byrd, that pretty boy, couldn't possibly have such an aura. It must be a mistake!"

"Yeah, I don't think so either!"

People whispered and pointed.

Back in school, Navid Byrd was indeed thin and always kept to himself, like a solitary night hawk. His grades weren't exceptional, and his looks were average—just another face in the crowd.

But the man standing before them now had sharp features and an aura of confidence that seemed to command respect. He was nothing like the Navid they remembered, and no one would easily connect the two.

Navid looked at the vaguely familiar faces in front of him, walked over, and smiled slightly. "Do you... remember me?"

"It really is you! I knew I wasn't mistaken," Dulcie Hall's eyes lit up with joy.

She immediately warmed up to Navid and introduced him to the people around her.

"Navid Byrd, it's been five years. I heard you joined the army. How's that going? You must be at least a minor officer by now!"

A man with a somewhat delicate appearance spoke in a strange tone.

His name was Yan Su, one of Navid's childhood classmates.

"Not a minor officer," Navid shook his head directly.

Yan's expression immediately turned disdainful.

"Then a mid-level officer?"

"No, not that either!" Navid shook his head again.

"Come on, man, you've been in the army for years, and you're still just a regular soldier?" Yan Su laughed loudly, his mockery clear and unrestrained.

"Or maybe you grew up in the mess hall, haha!" His laughter was infectious, and others around couldn't help but snicker, their disdain evident.

"Enough Yan Su , stop it!" Dulcie Hall interjected coldly. "Navid Byrd, they're just joking. Don't take it to heart."

Navid simply smiled, not letting their words affect him. He wouldn't waste his time on such trivial people.

Five years in the military, facing life and death countless times, had left him unflappable. Such petty insults were beneath his notice.

His honors and medals were earned with blood, not something to flaunt.

Just then, the crowd in the hall began to buzz with excitement.

"Look, Mr. Meng is here...!"

"I heard all the proceeds from this auction will go to charity, and the two most famous paintings are from him and the Qu family."

"Yeah, I heard that 'The pear Orchard ' and 'The Ode of forgetfulness' were Old Ernest Byrd's treasures. But when someone dies, their influence fades. Who cares about the feelings of the dead now?"

The Byrd family once dominated the southern city, practically ruling it. Those were the golden years for the Du Corporation and the happiest years for the people.

Old Ernest Byrd was generous and helped many, but overnight, his family was destroyed, and the three major families seized the opportunity to rise.

From that moment on, the skies over Tongnan City changed! Nowadays, the Byrd family is a taboo topic in Tongnan City, something everyone avoids discussing.

Archer Moon was the picture of confidence, basking in the admiration of many, while Navid Byrd's eyes, calm as a still pond, were filled with a growing murderous intent.

Watching Archer play the role of a benevolent philanthropist, chatting and laughing with the crowd, Navid's coldness deepened.

Nearby, Yan Su, ever the troublemaker, remarked, "These two paintings are said to be one of a kind. Old Ernest Byrd might be a bit muddled, but he's got plenty of treasures."

"Yan Su, have you no shame? Others might gossip, but what right do you have?" another young man, Luke Anderson, glared at Yan Su, scolding, "Don't forget, when you couldn't afford college, it was the Byrd family who helped you."

Yan Su scoffed dismissively, "So what? I earned that help with my own abilities. The Byrd family just wanted to look good, seeking fame and recognition."

"Ever since the Byrd family became the richest in Tongnan City, they've only cared about the common folk, offending all the elite families. Truly foolish."

Luke Anderson, exasperated, retorted, "Yan Su, you ungrateful scoundrel, how dare you speak of the Byrd family?"

Just as Yan was about to retort, Navid Byrd interrupted with a wave of his hand, casting a sidelong glance, "You're not wrong. When you receive kindness, you should have respect."

"You benefited from Old Ernest Byrd's generosity. No one's asking you to repay it, but at least don't speak so arrogantly. You should... apologize to the Byrd family."

Navid, as a member of the Byrd family, kept a low profile, so few knew his true background.

Su Yan looked at Navid as if he were a fool, smirking wickedly, "Who do you think you are, daring to lecture me?"

"The Byrd family are fools, and Old Ernest Byrd is an idiot. What are you gonna do about it?"

Navid Byrd spoke with indifference, "Remember my words. I hope you won't regret it later."

Su Yan scoffed, "Regret? Don't worry, that day will never come."

He was arrogant and fearless. In his eyes, as long as someone wasn't in a high position, an ordinary person couldn't touch him.

At that moment, a beautiful hostess gracefully took the stage, holding a microphone. She flashed a professional smile and began to explain the auction details.

"Welcome, everyone, to this charity auction dinner. Before we officially begin, on behalf of the organizers, I would like to extend special thanks to Dr. Archer and Miss Qu. Ten percent of the funds raised from their donations of the Sori Garden and the Forget-Me-Not Collection will be given to the orphanage."

As soon as she finished speaking, applause erupted. Archer Moon stood up, beaming and waving to the crowd, as Emma Yates had entrusted him with overseeing the auction.

After tonight, Archer Moon would become even more revered throughout the Tongnan City, reaching new heights, and who knows how much his worth would increase.

The staff quickly announced the official start of the auction.

"Today, the starting price for these two auction items is twenty million!" The auctioneer announced, gesturing to the crew behind the curtain. Slowly, the curtain rose.

"Oh my goodness, this is..."

"And now, let the bidding begin, with each increment no less than five million."

It was well-known that the Pear Orchard Scroll and the Ode of Forgetfulness were unique pieces. Not only were they crafted by renowned artists, but their sheer collectible value had antique enthusiasts seeing red with envy.

Before long, the bidding had soared to nearly forty million. Just as the auctioneer was about to bring down the gavel, a cool, deep voice cut through the air.

"Fifty million!"

Everyone turned to see who had made the bid. It was a young man with a refined appearance and an air of nobility.

"Isn't that Xavier Walker, the second son of the Walker family?"

"Rumor has it that the Governor of Tongnan City is fond of these pieces. Perhaps he's planning to gift them?"

"The Walker family is at its peak, one of the top four families. Ever since the Byrd family... well, with Xavier making a move, I doubt there will be any more competition!"

The room buzzed with chatter. The Walker, Xia, Wang and Zhang families were indeed century-old lineages, with the Xia family being particularly enigmatic.

Since conspiring to take over the Byrd family five years ago, the three families' status had risen steadily, becoming an unshakable force in South City.

They supported each other, standing strong together.

In the vast expanse of Tongnan City, no family dared to challenge them.

"The second son of the Walker family bids fifty million. Anyone else want to join in?" The deep voice of the auctioneer echoed around the room.

Everyone knew that the combined value of these two paintings was well over a hundred million, and now that the bid had reached fifty million, no one dared to follow. This showed the formidable status of the Walker family.

The auctioneer was just about to bring down the gavel and announce the winner when a sudden bid rang out, "Ninety million!"

Dulcie Hall, Su Yan, and Luke Anderson were shocked, as if they had seen a ghost, all eyes turning to Navid Byrd.

Everyone was even more surprised as they scrutinized the young man. He was unfamiliar, someone they had never seen before.

"Who is this fool, daring to challenge the Walker family in public? Is he some internet celebrity trying to boost his fame?"

"What nonsense! Risking his life for popularity?"

"Look at him, dressed so shabbily. I bet he can't even come up with a million, yet he dares to bid?"

Xavier Walker glared at Navid Byrd with a dark expression.

"Who do you think you are, daring to compete with me?"

His eyes were mocking, lips barely moving as he slowly uttered, "One hundred million."