Xu Hao hadn't even spoken when Liu Ruyan, beside him, melancholically asked the bodyguard, "Did you get a clear look? What did they look like? Was it a girl?"

The sourness in her words was unrestrained. Previously, Ruyan was a bit worried that, with Xu Hao being so outstanding now, surely many girls would appear around him. Indeed, it seemed to be the case.

They didn't even know who it was, yet they started expressing affection from afar!

"It was a girl, President Liu! Probably around sixteen or seventeen years old, very beautiful... And there was an old man with her, but unfortunately, they didn't leave their names or contact information!" the bodyguard replied.

After hearing the bodyguard, Ruyan gently stamped her foot on the ground, glancing at Xu Hao with feigned anger, "You bad guy!"

But upon further thought, she couldn't really blame Xu Hao. Who could blame him for being so outstanding? Enjoyingthestory?Findmoreat*.

Liu Ruyan sighed deeply, knowing that as Xu Hao became more and more prominent, she could not enjoy him all to herself. Now, Ruyan's thoughts were simple—she only hoped that no matter how Xu Hao developed in the future, he wouldn't forget her.

The several auctions that followed featured only ordinary items, nothing of floating light. Xu Hao wasn't particularly interested, and by the time the auction ended, it was already past seven o'clock.

Everyone moved to the adjacent restaurant, sitting in groups of three or five at each table, officially starting the meal.

However, when it came to seating, Xu Hao glanced at the seating arrangement, his eyebrows raised in surprise!

Though Liu Tianxiong was one of Jing'an's top figures, he was indeed seated at the main table. However, he wasn't at the head seat but at the second table down.

The prime seats at the top table were occupied by several old men and women with sparse hair. Although these people did not speak loudly, the aura emanating from them arrested Xu Hao's heart.

These were the real power players—figures he hardly saw on television, mostly hidden behind the scenes.

The most eye-catching among them was an old man in camouflage, about sixty or seventy years old, with protruding veins on his face that seemed to indicate some illness.

Seeing Xu Hao's gaze constantly drifting to that table, Liu Tianxiong whispered to him, "Young Master Xu, the people at that table are Jing'an's retired behind-the-scenes magnates. For instance, that Elder Jiang in camouflage, rumor has it he was a major deterrent to foreign enemies in his day, serving in some mysterious military unit.

"Although Elder Jiang has stepped back due to health issues now, his influence remains substantial. With a mere stamp of his foot, Huaya trembles! In the provincial capital, the Jiang Family's power is not small at all, even dominating the entire Southwest. However, for Young Master Xu, they're still not prominent enough to be acquainted with you!"

Liu Tianxiong's words shocked Xu Hao, wondering how formidable his own father's power must be if the Family Head of the Jiang family, dominant over the entire Southwest, was deemed unworthy of meeting him.

Though astonished internally, Xu Hao responded with a smile, "Family Head Liu jests. Right now, I am still but a little shrimp, and it is necessary to get to know Elder Jiang!"

Liu Tianxiong nodded slightly, "Well then, I shall introduce you."

As he spoke, Liu Tianxiong took up his glass and stood up, signalling to Xu Hao, ready to go over and greet Elder Jiang.

But just as Xu Hao and Liu Tianxiong were about to move, Elder Jiang at Table 1 suddenly convulsed, frothing at the mouth, and collapsed onto his chair.

People nearby were in an uproar, "Quick, someone... Elder Jiang has fainted!"

The Yun Family, as the hosts of today's charity event, swiftly sprang into action with Yun Feiyang and his father rushing out, directing a group of people to carefully lay Elder Jiang on a stretcher. Several doctors in white coats rushed in, hastily checking Elder Jiang's blood pressure and using various instruments.

A large crowd blocked Xu Hao and Liu Tianxiong from the front, keeping them at the back.

Elder Jiang had fainted during the banquet, and while Liu Tianxiong sighed, he didn't have any particular thoughts about it.

But Xu Hao furrowed his brow as his medical knowledge raced through his mind. Seeing the symptoms on Elder Jiang, a frightening condition immediately surfaced in his mind!

Life Devouring Gu!

This was one of the Ten Great Forbidden Gu from the Miaojiang Region, a poisonous gu that, once inside a body, continually absorbs the person's essence blood and vitality, accelerating death.

Moreover, when necessary, it could secrete toxins affecting the nervous system, thus impairing the person's judgment.

It was similar to the sort depicted in TV series where control over a person's will might be asserted—of course, it could not reach such powerful extents in reality, but the effects were somewhat similar, affecting decision-making at least.

Lately, under the tutelage of Wang Zhong the butler, Xu Hao had also come to understand the power distribution throughout Huaya.

Deep within the 100,000 mountains of Miaojiang, there existed an ancient sect called the Gushen Sect. Fifty years ago, the followers of the Gushen Sect were spread throughout Huaya, harming the common people.

Later, a combined effort from the Martial Arts Forces and officials substantially defeated the followers of the Gushen Sect, driving the survivors to the Miaojiang Region.

The government later issued a ban, prohibiting any members of the Gushen Sect from leaving the Miaojiang Region. But the appearance of the Life Devouring Gu in Jing'an now was not a good sign.

With the Life Devouring Gu within a body, current technological means were unable to remove it. The only method was to use Guigu's Thirteen Needles, combined with dark energy, to force it out. Any other method would endanger the host's life—fortunately, Xu Hao had the knowledge of Guigu's Thirteen Needles.

While he had never employed these techniques before, he was thoroughly familiar with them.

As the doctors clumsily administered various hormones and resorted to electric shocks, waiting for the ambulance to arrive, it was clear their efforts were misguided.

Xu Hao was just about to step forward to help when Yun Feiyang entered through a side door with an elderly man with white hair, shouting, "Everyone, make way—Medicine King Mr. Lei from the Southwest has arrived."