Chapter 30

Chapter 30: The Bidding

The general seating area downstairs filled up quickly. As Mu Chen observed the auction's entrance closing, he realized that from this moment on, there was no leaving until it concluded.

"Is it about to begin?" Ye Shi mused, resting his chin on his hand and looking around curiously.

Typical of young exuberance, witnessing such grandeur for the first time, Ye Shi couldn't help but feel exhilarated.

Mu Chen nodded, saying, "Yes."

"Thank you all for attending today's auction. I hereby declare the auction officially open. Let us present the first item: a third-tier talisman, the Wind Control Charm!"

"Crafted by a third-level talisman master, it can boost the speed of anyone below a Martial Spirit level by twenty times."

"What does twenty-fold speed mean? I believe it speaks for itself. Now, the bidding starts at ten thousand yuan stones," the auctioneer announced with dramatic flair.

Twenty-fold speed? It's the ultimate tool for escaping formidable enemies. An essential for evading capture after committing a crime. In essence, possessing this could potentially save one's life!

Mu Chen squinted, thinking about how a Level-3 talisman master was so rare that not one could be found in Mo City. The value of this charm was self-evident.

Ye Shi's jaw dropped, disbelievingly uttering, "Ten thousand yuan stones for the opening item?"

Mu Chen smiled, "It's the first item and quite rare. Hence the steep price."

Ye Shi smirked dismissively, glaring at Mu Chen. "Just a bit expensive? It's extremely pricey."

Mu Chen nodded again, admitting, "...Yes, it's very, very pricey."

Mu Yuanfeng was always willing to spend generously on Mu Chen. Especially since Mu Chen's arrival, Mu Yuanfeng noticed his son had become more responsible with money. Despite this generosity, Mu Chen's entire wealth was limited to five thousand yuan stones.

"Eleven thousand."

"Twelve thousand."

"Fifteen thousand."

"Twenty thousand."

...

"Fifty-three thousand."

……

After a brief pause, bids started flying in. The price for the Wind Control Seal quickly surpassed fifty thousand. The bids mostly came from the elite rooms, occupied by the influential figures of Mo City.

Mu Chen noticed bids coming from Room Three, where Mu Ke, Mu Yuanfeng, and Mu Yuanhang were seated.

Ye Shi fumed, "Cowards, all of them! Relying on talismans to flee? Disgraceful and spiritless."

Rubbing his nose, Mu Chen echoed, "Exactly! These guys are all good for nothing."

Ye Shi glanced coldly at Mu Chen, "Can you afford one?"

Mu Chen quickly shook his head, "I can't." He could barely afford half at its base price.

"You can't even buy one, yet you call others spineless," Ye Shi retorted, giving Mu Chen a sidelong glance.

Mu Chen mumbled, "I was just agreeing with you."

Ye Shi sighed heavily, leaning despondently on the table, "I can't afford it either. I can't even afford meat."

Seeing the opportunity, Mu Chen ventured, "Stay at the Mu residence. I might not guarantee much, but I can at least offer you a bowl of meat."

Ye Shi looked at Mu Chen disdainfully, scoffing, "What, embarrassed by me being outside?"

Mu Chen forced a laugh, "Of course not. I'm just concerned about you."

Ye Shi snorted dismissively, glaring at Mu Chen, "I won't go to your house. I'd rather slaughter pigs at the tavern."

Mu Chen pondered for a moment, trying to persuade, "Every day, you slaughter pigs at the tavern, and yet they might not even let you taste a piece of pork. How about this? Come live at my place, and I'll have the kitchen prepare a pork knuckle for you daily."

Ye Shi swallowed hard, regaining his composure. He glared at Mu Chen and retorted, "Do you take me for a fool? Thinking you can bribe me with just a pork knuckle?"

Mu Chen thoughtfully offered, holding up two fingers, "How about two pork knuckles then?"

Ye Shi's breathing became heavier, his eyes wavered, and his heart raced. He licked his lips, grumbling, "You won't seduce me with that, you bastard."

Mu Chen gazed steadily at Ye Shi, considering for a while, then offered, "I'll throw in a roast chicken as well."

Ye Shi fiercely stepped on Mu Chen's foot. Mu Chen hopped in pain, exclaiming, "What was that for?"

With wide eyes, Ye Shi stared down Mu Chen, who sheepishly fell silent under the intense gaze.

Ye Shi, clenching his clothes, felt indignant at Mu Chen's tempting offers. He snorted coldly and turned away.

The auction progressed smoothly. The Wind Control Talisman was eventually auctioned off for a price of 67,000.

…………

After the Wind Control Talisman was sold, the next item seemed much more mundane. It was a finely crafted brush made with the tail of a blood-tailed deer and a handle of golden thread wood. It was considered valuable and was bought for 1,500 spirit stones.

Various weapons, elixirs, and talismans were presented, and the auction reached one climax after another.

A dagger was presented on stage, about a foot long. As soon as the dagger was revealed, Ye Shi's eyes lit up.

"This dagger, named Dragon Spring, was crafted by the renowned forging master Wu Yao. It can cut through iron as if it were mud and is deadly sharp. The starting price is 300 spirit stones," the auctioneer explained succinctly.

"500!" Mu Chen shouted the moment the auctioneer finished speaking.

Zhuang Yu, sitting in the audience, frowned and remarked, "Wasn't that Mu Chen's voice just now?"

Chen Mo nodded in agreement, "Yes, it must be him."

Narrowing his eyes, Zhuang Yu pondered, "I thought he favored swords. Why is he interested in a dagger now?"

Chen Moran shook his head, "I have no idea."

The bid swiftly reached eight hundred, with Mu Chen securing the dagger for twelve hundred yuan stones in the end.

Chen Mo commented sarcastically, "That Mu Chen really is loaded. He refused to lend me spirit stones before, but now he's splurging on a mere dagger."

The auction staff delivered the dagger to a private room, where the exchange with Mu Chen took place.

Ye Shi sat nearby, pretending to be disinterested. However, his eyes couldn't help but fixate on the dagger, filled with desire.

"It's for you," Mu Chen offered the dagger to Ye Shi.

Ye Shi looked at Mu Chen, questioning, "You're giving this to me? Why?"

"Didn't you like it? If you like it, I'll gift it to you," Mu Chen replied as if it were the most natural thing.

"What are you plotting?" Ye Shi eyed Mu Chen suspiciously.

With a playful smirk, Mu Chen teased, "Maybe I have some ulterior motives."

Ye Shi snatched the dagger, retorting, "You said it's a gift, so I won't be paying you."

Mu Chen assured, nodding, "Don't worry, I said it's yours, and it is."

Hearing this, Ye Shi happily accepted the dagger.

"Next up for auction is the Ice Lotus Elixir. This bottle is a transformation of the rarest part of the Ice Lotus, the Thousand-Petal Treasure. It is especially beneficial for those practicing water element techniques. Starting bid is 2,000 spirit stones," the auctioneer's voice echoed clearly in the private room.

Mu Chen's expression shifted subtly. Noticing this, Ye Shi felt an unusual stir within him.

The swiftest spread of rumors can be found not only in the courtesan houses but also in taverns. Working in a tavern, Ye Shi had long known that Zhuang Yu desperately sought the Ice Lotus Water, with several wealthy young men plotting on his behalf.

"3,000!" As the auctioneer's voice fell, a melodious voice rang out.

The one bidding was Miss Shui Linglong from the Shui family. She practiced the Ice Heart Technique, and obtaining the Ice Lotus Elixir would be a significant boost for her.

"3,500!" Chen Mo's voice sounded.

"4,000!" Shui Linglong countered quickly.

"4,500!" Chen Mo responded, though sounding slightly strained.

"5,000!" Shui Linglong declared, her tone determined.

"5,100!" Chen Mo gritted his teeth.

After a brief pause, Shui Linglong upped the bid, "5,200."

Mu Chen squinted, gauging Shui Linglong's limits. In the original story, Mu Chen would compete with her for the Ice Lotus Elixir, and she would harbor resentment against him because of it.

Mu Chen tilted his head, deciding he wouldn't partake in the Ice Lotus Elixir bidding. He wondered if Zhuang Yu would still secure the elixir without his interference.