44 Start of the Auction (1/2)

The auction had not even started however the crowd was already almost filling the area. This location was far from patrol and is considered a dead spot within the city. Besides for shady dealings, nobody ever comes here. However today was different. Today, the place was teeming with people some coming with questionable motives and some in desperation. As the leader, Xiong Dazhan had the role of being the host for the auction. Overnight, the gang had spent tireless hours re-cuffing the 'goods' and transported them to the location. Xin Fan could see the weary eyes of the men around him reassuring him of his success.

”You! Guard the goods with Huo Ming!”

The boss pointed at Xin Fan and gave an order. Amongst the people under him, only Xin Fan and Huo Ming have had proper rest. Xiong Dazhan could not bring himself to trust the tired men to keep a lookout over the goods. As much as he didn't trust the new recruit, it was still better than nothing.

”The rest of you! Guard the perimeters! Remember your mask!”

The men all donned a plain white mask on their faces before they shuffled around and ambled away, leaving just the boss, Huo Ming, Xin Fan, and the goods. Of course, a few men were kept behind just in case something happened.

”The show's about to start! Huo Ming, pass me my clothes.”

”On to it boss!”

Huo Ming ran over the side to pass over a red and black checked shirt and bow. After the boss wore it, he threw over a bearskin coat to which the boss draped over his shoulders.

”My mask?”

”Here.”

Huo Ming passed over and intricately designed mask that covered the boss's face from head to nose. It was designed to have the look of a bear's head from jaw up.

”Good...Very good...Let the show begin!”

The boss slowly walked up to the stage that was hastily constructed overnight.

”Ladies and Gentlemen. Some of you may be here to find a new servant.”

The boss spoke in a soft tone, almost servile unlike his usual attitude. It just shows the amount experience he had gained over his years in the business.

”Some of you may be here to find your family.”

Despite being on the inside, Xin Fan could here the angry muttering happening outside. He could just tell that a majority of the people there are just there to buy back their lost family.

”And of course, lets not forget that some of you may come here to buy things to toy with, fulfill your sick fantasies, before throwing away after they break.”

Amongst the crowd, there were a few people that was chuckling at his remark. It is to no surprise that these were the people who he was talking about.

”Nevertheless, in front of me, you are all on the same playing ground. Let you money be your swords as you bid for the prize. We do not discriminate as long as we get the money. Today, we have 154 goods to be sold, the greatest we have had for the last couple years. And to conclude, let the show begin.”

The place was silent. It was as if even a pin's drop could be heard.

*Clap*

A person started to clap. He was dressed in fancy clothes, presumably a noble.

*Clap*Clap*

And then another.

*Clap*Clap*Clap*Clap*

Before long, the whole place was in applause. Despite not knowing what was going on, the crowd of people just kept clapping. This was just a show of the reputation of the Black Circus.

”Let the first one come up.”

Huo Ming walked over to the child with 1 marked on the handcuffs. He ordered a underling nearby to wear a mask to take it up onstage but not before he uncuffed the child. The man complied, roughly pushing the child forwards urging him to walk. The child had bones already protruding through the skin. He was significantly shorter than the rest and had signs of extreme malnourished. His skin white as paper shivered as he stood on stage looked on by hundreds of people.

”The starting bid goes for 100Mu!”

”110”

There was an immediate response from the crowd. The one who spoke was an old man with a grim expression.

”110 from the gentleman over there! Anyone else? 3...2...”