Chapter 13-16 (1/2)
Chapter 13 - Dignitaries
About 7-9 PM in the night, the Autumn Leaf Manor had ended the exhibition. At this moment, any ordinary man was no longer allowed to enter because the auction was about to begin. Those who either did not have the invitation or whose wealth did not reach a certain criteria were not allowed to enter...
Although the Antiquity Town's residents could not enter the Autumn Leaf Manor again, some of them still choose to wait outside. However, they, on their own accord, stood on either side of road; they did not dare to stand in the middle and block the road. They wanted to know who will be able to own the Seven Color Snake King's corpse as soon as possible. After all, in the Antiquity Town, this could be regarded as a big event!
The Autumn Leaf Manor's doors were still open, but the guests entering at the moment were completely different from the one visiting in the afternoon. A bunch of VIPs who were dressed in luxurious clothes continued to walk into the Autumn Leaf Manor along with their subordinates. They all had certain status among the public, and most importantly, they had no shortage of money. Only they had the ability to encroach on the Seven Colored Snake King.
”Check it out, that's the Cleansing Song Trading Guild's President. Although the Cleansing Song Trading Guild is not as big as three major trading guilds, there is not much difference. That is one big magnate. It seems the Cleansing Song Trading Guild is very interested in this auction!”
”Even the Moonlight Trading Guild's President, Great Sea Restaurant's owner, and Snow Flower Trading Guild's President are also here. The Captain of Antiquity Town's guards is also here, all dignitaries are coming one by one!”
”My G.o.d! It's the Cloud's Feather Guild's President Yang Yu. The Cloud's Feather Guild is one of three major trading guilds of the Antiquity Town. These trading guilds have so much money that you can't even imagine, not to mention that Yang Yu is also a very powerful martial artist. Who knew that he will also come for the Seven Colored Snake King.”
Everyone looked at a young man who wore a white long gown and had an extraordinary bearing as he stepped into the Autumn Leaf Manor's door. Two entourage also followed behind the white robed man. This white robed man was none other than the Cloud's Feather Guild's President — Yang Yu!
”It's not just Cloud's Feather Guild, I heard that the other two major trading guilds, the Thousand Sun Guild and Qingmo Guild, have also received the invitation; they should be coming soon to partic.i.p.ate in this banquet!” Some of the people, who watched Yang Yu enter the Autumn Leaf Manor, said after pondering a bit.
This auction had already gained the attraction of countless people. Everyone in the Antiquity Town could not refuse such temptation, and now the initiative turned into the hands of Autumn Leaf Caravan!
There was a constant pandemonium among the bunch of folks standing outside the Autumn Leaf Manor. The VIPs who usually didn't make a public appearance were now entering the seemingly plain and bland Autumn Leaf Manor one by one; so everyone was completely shocked!
Suddenly, only for a moment, the entire pandemonium strangely quieted down. Everyone's gaze turned towards a nearby road, moreover, everyone had a slight look of panic on their face as if they had seen something very terrible!
Not so far away, a bunch of people were walking over. The number of people in this group was approximately ten. Furthermore, after taking a careful look, the entire group consisted of females who looked stunning. Although they could not be regarded as exceedingly beautiful which could lead to the downfall of nations, they were as beautiful as a flower.
What's more was that every female in this beautiful group carried a longsword in their hand. Although the sword was inside the scabbard, everyone had not the slightest doubt that they could take it out it an instant and would cut anyone who dared to intrude upon them.
However, amidst these group of females was a young girl who wore a royal long dress. This young girl's appearance was not much different than the beautiful females beside her, but, ”her skin was as soft as cream, it was completely white and delicate, her breath smelled like an orchid”, this sentence could perfectly describe that she was like a seductress who could beguile any man's soul.
”Femme fatale, this seductress would one day ruin some nation!” Such kind of thoughts unconsciously appeared in everyone's heart when they looked at the seductive girl. But they didn't dare to have any thoughts for her. She was the President of one of the three major trading guilds, the Qingmo Guild. In the Antiquity Town, she was known as Demoness Qingmo!
The demoness' looks were deceptive, she was not as weak as her appearance showed. She was rather outstanding who had turned an obscure Qingmo Guild into one of the three major trading guilds in the Antiquity Town. Her seductive appearance was very deceptive, everyone who had underestimated her and tried to hit on her had fallen beneath her foot. G.o.d knows how many men's corpses who thought of hitting on her were fed to dogs!
The Qingmo Guild had a team of guards that was completely comprised of females, who went by the name of Demon Guards. And the beautiful females beside Demoness Qingmo not only looked beautiful, they were the elite of the elite of the Demon Guards.
Everyone of them possessed an extraordinary strength; not one of them was any weaker than Yang Hu. Moreover, these Demon Guards had experienced bloodshed, who knows how many enemies of Qingmo Guild had fallen to h.e.l.l under their swords!
The Demon Guards surrounding Demoness Qingmo walked towards the Autumn Leaf Manor's gates. Although, it was only some ten individuals, when they were walking on the road, everyone unconsciously retreated two steps , more importantly, they did not dare to even glance towards Demoness Qingmo's direction. After Demoness Qingmo's figure disappeared inside the Autumn Leaf Manor, everyone heaved a sigh of relief.
Who knew how much blood had been shed for Demoness Qingmo to get such notoriety. They didn't have the guts to infuriate this Demoness Qingmo, who despite her seductive appearance, had a b.l.o.o.d.y heart.
Everyone had not yet woken from their stupor before a silhouette from far away arrived at a quick speed. His was extremely fast to the point that in just few breaths, this silhouette who was a few hundred meters away had appeared at the entrance of Autumn Leaf Manor. It was a middle-aged man of approximately forty years of age. The man had an black ancient longsword on his back, and a sharp aura was gus.h.i.+ng out from his entire body. Under his aura, everyone shuddered; they did not dare to make any sound!
The middle-aged man did not seem to care about the behavior of these people. With a flash, his figure once again disappeared as he went straight inside the Autumn Leaf Manor!
”Who is this expert? Why is it that I was unable to move just from his aura?!” A weak man said with a look a fear. Just a moment ago he felt as if his life was not his own!
”He is the Antiquity Town's strongest expert, Tyrant Sword Xiao Feng!” A man beside him said. His tone, too, had a trace of fear in it. His strength was not too bad, but facing the strongest expert, he was no different than an ant!
”Xiao Feng? If I remember it correctly, isn't the President of Thousand Sun Guild also called Xiao Feng, is it him?” The previous man skeptically asked!
”Right... The Thousand Sun Guild's President, Xiao Feng is also the Antiquity Town's strongest expert!”
”Hiss...” Everyone who did not know about him sucked a cold lump of air. The Thousand Sun Guild's President was already a top level VIP in the Antiquity Town, not to mention, this President was the strongest expert of the Antiquity Town. Who else could provoke Thousand Sun Guild!
Whatever was happening outside, it did not affect the proceedings of the Autumn Leaf Manor. A large hall inside the Autumn Leaf Manor which had gone through some simple modifications was completely filled with guests already. Whereas, at the front of the hall, a makes.h.i.+ft auctioning platform had been constructed.
Several gla.s.s boxes that were covered in red cloth were placed upon the stage; inside was the Seven Colored Snake King that was going to be auctioned tonight. However, it had been dissected by the Autumn Leaf Caravan. After all, almost no one was capable enough to pay for the entire Seven Colored Snake King. Even if the three major trading guilds could pay its price, their respective trading guilds would lose a substantial sum of money which even they could not be able to bear. This loss of money would substantially affect the normal operation of their respective trading guild!
Under the stage, the presidents of all three major trading guilds, the Thousand Sun Guild, Qingmo Guild, and Cloud's Feather Guild, sat right at the front, followed by the representatives of various trading guilds. Everyone was clearly aware of their own status, they were all clear where they should sit and where they shouldn't!
Yang Yu lightly waved a white paper fan while seated. He was extremely refined as if he was a good young master in a chaotic world. However, everyone did not dare to look down upon him. Although he had only inherited the Cloud's Feather Guild's President's position, he was the best among a dozen or so successors who had finally inherited the president's position. This itself clearly speak of his abilities, moreover, since he inherited the Cloud's Feather Guild, the profits of Cloud's Feather Guild grew every year. This person could not be underestimated!
As for the Demoness Qingmo, she lazily sat on her seat. She was unimaginably charming, but thinking about the b.l.o.o.d.y road she had paved, they had no choice but to withdraw their gazes. Even Yang Yu did not dare to directly glance at Demoness Qingmo!
However, Xiao Feng was unlike everyone else. When he sat on his seat, he directly closed his pair of eyes, as if everything around him had nothing to do with him!
As for the guests sitting in the back, they were all discussing in a hushed tone. After all, they were weak. Just by relying on their own wealth, they simply could not compare with the three major trading guilds. If they did not cooperate together or draw some people in, perhaps they could only watch the show!
Soon, after all the seats in the large hall were completely full, the auction started right away…
Chapter 14 - Auction
Gu Hai slowly walked onto the auction platform. After all, as far as the Autumn Leaf Caravan was concerned, they were completely unfamiliar with auctioning. A qualified auctioneer couldn't be raised in a single day. So, Gu Hai could only take it up on himself.
Dressed in white colored robe, a pair of white gloves on his hand, and his long hair casually thrown behind his back, Gu Hai peacefully stood on the stage, which also gave him some bearing of a scholar.
However, the very moment Gu Hai went up the auction platform, Demoness Qingmo, who had her eyes closed all along as she sat below the platform, suddenly looked at Gu Hai. The others too in the same manner looked at Gu Hai and noticed that he was just an ordinary person who didn't have any cultivation whatsoever, yet all three of them could feel an air of superiority surrounding Gu Hai. Being able to maintain a n.o.ble temperament in all circ.u.mstances meant that he was just the same as those three. All three simultaneously engraved this impression in their hearts that this person was not so simple!
Gu Hai stood atop the platform with an air of calmness. Waving the small hammer in his hand as he gently struck it on the table, the hall immediately quieted down. Everyone knew that the auction had already started. This was a grand feast. They had to invest their entirety into it. Perhaps most people were only here to watch the drama, but even doing so required them to maintain silence!
”Welcome everyone, I'm gratified by your presence in this humble Autumn Leaf Manor. This Gu won't bore you with any more courtesies. I'll directly start the auction!” Gu Hai directly lifted up the red cloth from a somewhat small gla.s.s box. Inside it were four sharp snake fangs. The fangs even had a green l.u.s.tre which seemed to be coming from the netherworld itself, sending s.h.i.+vers down the spine of anyone looking.
”I believe that this doesn't need my introduction. Four fangs of the Seven Colored Snake King. If forged into a weapon by a Forging Grandmaster, I believe that they would certainly become four best quality weapons. These kind of weapons could be considered as Divine Artifacts in the Chen Kingdom.” Gu Hai paused for a bit before continuing, ”Starting bid price is 1000 Gold, the increase each time cannot be less than 10 Gold…..”
”Qingmo Guild bids 3000 Gold.” Gu Hai's voice hadn't even faded away when Demoness Qingmo casually extended her snow-white hands and spoke in a soft voice. Even though the tone was light, it carried an inexhaustible charm as if it had a trace of magic which was beguiling everyone in the hall!
In that moment, except for Xiao Feng who showed a severe and strict temperament from top to bottom, the other people became absent minded momentarily. Even the dull as water Yang Yu couldn't help but stare foolishly at the extraordinarily beautiful lady by his side.
However, the moment Gu Hai became absent-minded, the black Weiqi piece in his mind sent out a dull and serene light directly rousing Gu Hai and causing him to sober up immediately.
Gu Hai was afraid of looking at Demoness Qingmo below the platform. He became somewhat apprehensive all of a sudden. Not only did this woman have a charm that could cause fall of countries and bring calamity to its people, her intelligence was also beyond the ordinary. Now it seemed like she even possessed the ability of bewitchment. It seems that for her to single-handedly develop Qingmo Guild to this level was definitely not so simple as it appeared on the surface!
As for Xiao Feng, he only glanced at the snake fangs on the platform earlier and then closed his eyes. As far as he was concerned, there was only the sword behind his back. His heart would not be affected by these external objects and would definitely not be influenced in the slightest by Demoness Qingmo's voice!
”Qingmo Guild has bid 3,000 Gold, is there anyone who wants to bid here?” Gu Hai said looking at the dull faces of everyone. This time's auction was precisely to seek wealth, it would naturally not allow these snake fangs to be auctioned so easily even though the price that the Demoness Qingmo had offered was already quite high!
Gu Hai's voice was very gentle, but upon hearing this voice, everyone was awakened as if they were roused from a dream. As they looked once more towards Demoness Qingmo, a cold sweat ran down their backs. This woman was really too formidable.
However, Yang Yu actually looked deeply at Demoness Qingmo and took a deep breath before saying: ”I really didn't expect that President Qingmo's Sound Charm Technique is so fierce. Even this Yang fell into it.”
”Chairman Yang jests. This little girl just put out a bid, How can there be any Sound Charm Technique?” Demoness Qingmo let out a faint smile. Although she replied to Yang Yu's question, her attention was focused entirely on the platform. Xiao Feng's strength was extremely abnormal and there was nothing out of the ordinary for him to resist her Sound Charm Technique, but the one on the platform who didn't even have the slightest bit of cultivation was able to instantaneously awaken from her bewitchment. This person was definitely not simple!
Yang Yu looked around towards the attendees and the Demoness Qingmo. After pondering for a moment, he didn't raise his own right hand and eventually discarded the thought of raising the price. It was not worth it to incur the hostility of this woman for these snake teeth, let alone the fact that this price of 3,000 Gold couldn't be considered to be low.
Since even Yang Yu didn't make any bid, it was impossible for the Presidents of other trading guilds to bid. Gu Hai also didn't dawdle, and directly sealed the deal at the price of 3,000 Gold.
”Up next in the auction is the Seven Colored Snake King's snake skin. I believe that you all can see for yourselves that the Xiantian Powerhouse had directly cut this Seven Coloured Snake King into two halves. Therefore, this snake skin is also divided into two for auctioning separately. I believe everyone has also seen the snake scales atop the snake skin. We had to use an extremely special method to peel off this snake skin. If it were used to make Soft Armour then aside from a Xiantian Powerhouse, I believe there won't be any person capable of cutting it open!” Gu Hai narrated slowly while simultaneously pulling off the red cloth from atop a box revealing the Seven Colored Snake King's snake skin inside. The snake scales were glittering with the s.h.i.+ne of seven colours and looked particularly dazzling.
”The starting price is 800 Gold, and the increase each time cannot be less than 10 Gold!”
For a long time after Gu Hai spoke, there wasn't anyone bidding to raise the price. Rather they were looking at Demoness Qingmo sitting on her chair. However, beyond all their expectations, Demoness Qingmo remained reclining down on the chair without any intent of raising any bid!
”Moonlight Trading Guild bids 850 Gold.” Finally there was someone who couldn't resist making a bid. There was almost no one that could withstand the temptation of a soft armor that could resist the attacks from most of the experts in Chen Empire.
”900 Gold, Snowy Peak Trading Guild bids for 900 Gold!”
”920 Gold.”
”I bid for 1,330 Gold…”
The biddings did not show any signs of halting. All the trading guild presidents were bidding like madmen.
”2,000 Gold!” At last Yang Yu made his bid raising the auction price to 2,000 gold.
The presidents of other trading guilds quieted down instantly, ”It's not that they couldn't bid beyond 2,000 gold, but in doing so their business would end being paralyzed.” Almost all of the trading guilds stopped bidding!
”Cleansing Song Trading Guild bids for 2,100 Gold!” The middle-aged Cleansing Song Trading Guild president said. Cleansing Song Trading Guild was also a big trading guild in Antiquity Town and putting out 2,100 gold wouldn't strain them very much.
”2,500 Gold Taels.” Yang Yu contemptuously looked at Cleansing Song president. There were only three big trading guilds in Antiquity Town and other trading guilds couldn't even dream of matching their capabilities!
One must know that these three big trading guilds weren't limited to just this Antiquity Town. Even in the Royal City, these three would be considered as major trading guilds!
Cleansing Song Trading Guild president looked on helplessly at Yang Yu. Even though he was capable of bidding even higher, Yang Yu was equally capable of doing the same. When it came to financial capability, even several Cleansing Song Trading Guilds would not be able to match up to Cloud's Feather Guild. Moreover, they couldn't go on increasing the bid. If they were to offend Cloud's Feather Guild, then Cleansing Song Trading Guild's days in Antiquity Town wouldn't pa.s.s by so easily!
Xiao Feng, still as before, maintaining his composure, kept his eyes closed. Clearly this seven coloured snake skin was nothing in his eyes. Even Demoness Qingmo was still insolently leaning on her chair, seemingly not paying any heed to this seven coloured snake skin at all!
Gu Hai swept his vision across everyone's expressions. He knew that there won't be anyone raising any more bids, so he naturally struck his little hammer down three times indicating that this deal had been closed.
”Now we are auctioning the second portion of the snake skin. The starting price is 800 Gold, and the increase each time can't be less than…..”
”2,500 Gold!” Demoness Qingmo once again interrupted Gu Hai mid-speech. However this time, even though her voice carried an intent of attraction, it didn't have the same bewitchment as before. Clearly, this time Demoness Qingmo didn't unleash her Sound Charm Technique, but after she had finished speaking Demoness Qingmo provocatively looked at Gu Hai!
Gu Hai looked at Demoness Qingmo and couldn't help but praise inwardly for her strategic retreat only to advance later. And now, there was no one who could compete with her for the Seven Colored Snake Skin. Even Yang Yu also wouldn't be able to make matching bids again. This should probably be some rule that became established through common agreement amongst themselves.
”Congratulations to President Qingmo for being successful in bidding for this piece of Seven Colored Snake Skin.” Gu Hai spoke softly.
Chapter 15 - Xiao Feng's Favor
”Before we go into the next auction, I have a thing to announce to everyone!” Gu Hai raised his hand motioning everyone to quiet down, ”The Autumn Leaf Trading Guild has decided that each and every Trading Guild's President here would receive a jin of Seven Colored King Snake's meat for free!”
Just as Gu Hai's voice faded, the minor trading guilds' presidents sitting at the back of the hall became somewhat excited. They originally believed that they could only play the role of spectators to this show, so receiving a jin of Seven Colored Snake King's meat was completely beyond their imagination. Even though it was not much, but it was still rare and precious. They couldn't even dream of this kind of thing earlier..
However, regarding the presidents of those big trading guilds, especially the three major trading guilds, their faces didn't change in the slightest. After all, they were well experienced and knowledgeable. The Seven Colored Snake King's meat was merely something used by Houtian Realm Cultivators to boost their cultivation. Even though it was rare, there were many objects that could act as subst.i.tute for it.
”Up next, the Autumn Leaf Trading Guild will be auctioning 10 portions of Seven Coloured Snake King's meat. Each portion weighs two jin. Now the auction of the first portion will begin. Each portion will have a starting price of 200 gold!” Gu Hai struck the little hammer in his hand onto the table immediately stopping the discussions amongst the people, indicating that a new round of auction had already begin!
”Snowy Beauty Trading Guild bids 210 Gold!”
”Don't even think of getting that Seven Coloured Snake King's meat for just 210 Gold, don't you dare. I bid 230 Gold.”
As far as those small guilds were concerned, the Seven Coloured Snake King's meat was a treasure. Moreover, the price was also within their acceptable range. Naturally, they would bid like crazy!