251 Locked Onto Their Respective Targets (1/2)
Li You Ran was entrenching his position step by step whenever he spoke, and was drawing Hai Chen Feng into an ambush. Hai Chen Feng was a seasoned Sky Xuan expert and was usually calm. However, he had suddenly gotten angry, and had started behaving violently because of a few spoken words.
This scheme of Li You Ran was as profound as the ocean. He was indeed a formidable enemy.
Jun Mo Xie was certain that Li You Ran would eventually stop bidding if Hai Chen Feng would continue to blindly increase the price. He felt so because if it were him, he would've compelled the price to rise high, and then retreat at the opportune moment.
[Your plan was really good Li You Ran. It's a pity that you met Hai Chen Feng… and behind him — me. And you were doomed in that. This plan would've swindled any other person to fail!]
[You are indeed worthy of applause.]
Therefore, Jun Mo Xie had decided to act decisively, and put a stop to Hai Chen Feng's impulsive actions.
”Ha Ha Ha…” Hai Chen Feng was very experienced in worldly matters. And although Li You Ran had riled him up for a while, he had instantly gotten back his bearings with just a small warning from Young Master Jun.
It was extremely embarrassing for Hai Chen Feng to imagine himself standing atop the table. This was a disgrace to his identity as a Sky Xuan expert. Nevertheless, the lofty and towering Hai Chen Feng suddenly burst into laughter, ”The Li Family is worthy of being called 'one of the greatest families of Tian Xiang City'! It is indeed incomparably rich! He He He, I am a mere gang leader. Who am I to provoke the Imperial Preceptor's family? He he. These fifty bottles aren't the only ones with this wine. Keeping in mind Young Master Li's reputation, I will withdraw from this bid since he is so determined to get this batch.”
He calmly stepped down after saying this. Then, in the middle of this gathering, he cupped his palm towards Li You Ran as the corners of his mouth rose in a faint smile. ”Young Master Li is really fond of this wine. Therefore, I congratulate you for your successful bid in the first round of this auction.”
A few words had completely turned an awkward situation around. And those words were truly incisive.
Li You Ran was astonished for a moment. Though no one could make that out since his expression was hidden by the veil he was wearing; not a single ripple of the storm broke past the veil.
Li You Ran was completely puzzled. Hai Chen Feng was falling into his trap. In fact, it had seemed that he preparing to shout ten million judging by the degree of his emotional upheaval. However, Li You Ran had never expected that the leader of Jin Yang Gang would stand down and beat the drums of retreat at such a crucial time. [How is this possible?]
[Do I want the wine? This is a joke! Of course the wine is important to me, but I know that the first two rows are bound to get their fill. In fact, they won't even have to spend a very high price. They may even get it at the base price. How many bottles have I obtained after spending these precious five million silver taels?]
Li You Ran felt that a matter had not gone according to his calculations for the first time in his life. [But Hai Chen Feng's anger didn't seem false. So what's going on? Could one really control themselves in the nick of time? Not only did he withdraw form this meaningless struggle, but he also prevented hurting himself from hurting his reputation. He was almost about to prove that he uses force to bully people… ]
[Hai Cheng Feng surely doesn't have such insight, right?]
[Is there a skillful person behind him who might be providing instructions? If there is someone who stopped him when they saw the matter getting out of hand… what method were they using to transmit their instructions?] He was completely puzzled.
This troublesome train of thoughts ran in his mind for a period of time. Li You Ran was staring blankly at first, but he was then obliged to smile and act cordially the next moment. He got up and cupped his hands calmly. He then said, ”I would like to convey my heartfelt thanks to Gang Leader Hai for allowing me to win this bid.”
He laughed gently in self-ridicule before continuing, ”I figure that this young master has fallen into his own trap. Gang leader Hai understood the dirty game I was playing. I admire gang leader Hai's wisdom. I hope to seek the brilliant Gang Leader Hai's wisdom whenever I get the opportunity.”
Upstairs, Jun Mo Xie could not help but sigh, [Li You Ran handles matters in a watertight manner. He is extraordinary!]
A person discerning this matter would see that Li You Ran had deliberately tried to disrupt the bidding. Moreover, it was clearly visible that he had raised the price in a way which would certainly embarrass Hai Chen Feng. Everyone jeered at him when his plan unexpectedly failed, and he had to spend a monumental five million silver taels to obtain those fifty bottles.
However, Li You Ran's manner of speech suddenly became very frank. He had then taken responsibility for his actions, and admitted defeat with a smile. This act demanded a lot of courage and strength of character.
The two black clothed men behind Princess Ling Meng looked at each other. Their eyes were full of admiration, ”He adapted to the situations as they arose. This Li You Ran is some guy! He is a rare individual in this generation,” Mr Wen smiled as he said this in a low voice. ”Could it be that you don't think him to be clever?”
The other black robed man was the current Emperor of the Tian Xiang Empire. His vision was sharp and profound. He answered in an equally low voice, ”Indeed, I think he is quite worthy. However, the man behind Hai Chen Feng is even more commendable. He gave his instructions without leaving a trace; no trace will be found even if you look for it. Moreover, I believe that person's wisdom is in no way inferior to Li You Ran's. In fact, it's possible that this man may even be better than Li You Ran!”
”Another man behind Hai Chen Feng?” Mr. Wen did not understand.