Capital City Storms Chapter 5: Auction (2)

"Ahem," an old man standing on the high platform of the auction house cleared his throat loudly. The crowd below immediately quieted down, gazing at the old man on the stage. The main event had arrived, why were they still chattering away? The person on stage was the chief manager of the Capital City Auction House, fully in charge of all its affairs. If you were to ask who the owner of the Capital City Auction House was, that would be an even more formidable figure – the current Emperor.

"Everyone, today our Capital City Auction House is about to begin its most grand annual auction. Today, everyone will surely be happier and more excited than in previous years, because today there are five mysterious treasures, each valued at over five hundred thousand taels of silver. In addition to this, the Emperor has also specifically decreed that three lucky guests will be chosen from among you today. They will be able to choose any item with a starting bid of less than one hundred thousand taels of silver. The original owner of the chosen treasure will receive one hundred thousand taels of silver and also be granted a Yellow Jacket bestowed by the Emperor." The chief manager announced loudly to the attendees below the Emperor's benevolence.

"A Yellow Jacket! With a Yellow Jacket, you won't have to fear officials anymore. If only this Yellow Jacket could be sold, I'd pay a hundred thousand taels for it," a fat man, clearly a nouveau riche, said to his friend beside him.

"Only a hundred thousand taels? I'd give up three years of my earnings for this Yellow Jacket. This is a matter of bringing honor to one's ancestors!"

The chief manager also had a smile on his face. He had been very surprised when he first learned of the Emperor's decision. A Yellow Jacket is not something that can be bought with money!

I watched as the people outside were made incredibly excited by this move from the current Emperor. I also started to think that the Emperor was quite formidable. Giving away a few Yellow Jackets had no impact on him at all, yet it made everyone grateful to him. Moreover, the reputation of the auction house would only grow greater from this.

"Everyone, I will now announce the list of these three individuals," the chief manager said loudly, his voice echoing throughout the entire venue. It seemed this chief manager was also a martial arts master!

Looking at the attendees below who had completely quieted down, the chief manager continued, "These three are Li Tianxiang, the eldest son of the Li Family, who spent the most money at the auction house this year; the great hero Wang Shan, who provided the Buddhist treasure – the Jade Guanyin; and the provider of today's venue, the wealthiest man in the Capital City – Brother Wan San."

A group of people below were very annoyed. Giving this opportunity to these few individuals was like adding flowers to an already embroidered brocade. Did they lack this treasure worth one hundred thousand taels? But everyone also knew that the auction house's choice was not unreasonable. One spent the most money, another provided a Buddhist treasure, and the third provided the venue for today's event. What use was there in being angry!

"Alright, now for the real highlight of today – the annual auction begins! Please welcome the renowned appraiser – Old Mr. Wang to preside over today's event!" The chief manager's voice was full of confidence, covering the entire venue. When everyone looked towards the high platform, a grandly dressed old man was already standing on the stage.

"Hello everyone. I won't waste any time. All the auction items today are exquisite, all starting at over ten thousand taels of silver. First, let's present the first auction item of today – the Fish Slaying Sword, a work from the youth of Senior Ouyang, the greatest metallurgist on the Azure Dragon Continent. The Fish Slaying Sword is relatively short, and while it's not a top-tier killing sword, it is absolutely the best in the world for kitchen use. The starting bid is fifteen thousand taels of silver. The bidding begins now!" This Old Mr. Wang was truly efficient; he started the auction as soon as he took the stage.

"I bid twenty thousand taels," a lean fellow said somewhat smugly. He had just added five thousand taels and figured no one would compete with him. He was confident about next year's culinary competition.

"I bid twenty-one thousand taels," a fellow standing not far from him immediately raised the price, looking at the skinny man: "Next year's culinary competition will still be mine."

Everyone was watching these two fellows. They all knew them; these two were the most famous chefs, so it seemed this item would be fought over by these two.

"I bid twenty-two thousand taels," "I bid twenty-three thousand taels..."

"I want this item. My wife at home still uses it to cook for me!" A middle-aged man walked onto the high platform.

"Oh, it's the great hero Wang Shan. Since Great Hero Wang has chosen this kitchen treasure, we must certainly give the Fish Slaying Sword to Great Hero Wang. I, this humble one, wish Great Hero Wang and his wife a long and happy life together. Madam Wang is truly fortunate to have such a good husband as Great Hero Wang!" This Old Mr. Wang, who was so efficient at first, was now spewing a lot of flattery. He truly was a case of true masters hiding their skills!

Great Hero Wang smiled, looking very pleased. After receiving the Fish Slaying Sword, he announced loudly to the crowd below, "The fourth day of the third month next year will be my twentieth wedding anniversary with my wife. I will be hosting a grand banquet in my hometown, Yangzhou. I hope everyone will give me face and be sure to attend. I will take my leave now, and let the event continue." This Great Hero Wang descended the platform with great elegance. The crowd below was still praising Great Hero Wang's character amongst themselves.

"Brother Wang, who is that Great Hero Wang? He seems to have a lot of influence!" I, a novice who knew almost nothing about the outside world, asked Brother Wang, who was knowledgeable about everything.

"That Great Hero Wang Shan is no ordinary person. In Yangzhou, he is a man who brooks no argument. His family was originally extremely wealthy, and this Great Hero Wang is also a master of the third rank, which is what the young master's secret manual calls a Fusion Stage expert. He is accomplished in both civil and martial arts, and he is extremely affectionate with his wife, which is a widely praised tale in the martial world. Furthermore, he is very generous and often supports struggling martial artists, so he has excellent relationships with people," Brother Wang explained to me in detail the main aspects of Great Hero Wang Shan.

I nodded. This Wang Shan seemed like a pretty decent person. I just didn't know what he was like on the inside. I then turned my gaze back to the auction item platform.

"Esteemed elders, I, Li Tianxiang, would first like to thank the Capital City Auction House for the rewards. I also have something to announce: I will be entering the National Martial Academy this year, and my Li Family will donate two million taels of silver to the National Martial Academy. I will take my leave now, and let Grandpa Wang continue the auction." A boy, about ten years old, said very casually on the high platform.

"Wow, as expected of the foremost of the Four Great Families! They donate two million taels with one move. Look at how Li Family's eldest son speaks and handles affairs, even better than adults. No wonder the Li Family has remained the most powerful family for hundreds of years!" An old man in brocade robes said in a VIP room.

"Indeed, it's estimated that the Li Family will become even stronger in this young man's hands," another old man sitting beside him agreed wholeheartedly.

I looked down at the young man – Li Tianxiang, the future head of the Li Family – and an inexplicable sense of hostility arose within me.

"Alright, all the regular items for today have been auctioned. Please invite the original owners of the auction items chosen by the three lucky guests to the stage. Please have the chief manager personally award the Yellow Jackets." Old Mr. Wang finally spoke. Who were the three lucky individuals today?

"Ah! No way, besides the chief manager, why are there only two people?"

"Who is the other one? If they don't even want this opportunity, then give it to me! I'll pay one hundred thousand taels of silver for this chance."

"Everyone, I apologize. I am Li Tianchang from Taiyuan. Two of these three chosen items belong to me, hehe." Of the two individuals who came on stage, the taller one stepped forward and explained the situation to everyone.

"No way, such good luck, what kind of dog shit luck is this? I also had two auction items today."

"Don't be like that. Comparing yourself to others will kill you. Alas!"

"May I ask the chief manager, can I sell one of the Yellow Jackets to someone else?" That Li Tianchang quietly asked the chief manager.

"You can sell it, but the Yellow Jacket that is sold: first, it will have no effect, and no one will acknowledge it; second, be careful that the Emperor doesn't charge you with deceiving the sovereign." The chief manager was both exasperated and amused. He had never met someone like this, who actually wanted to sell something bestowed by the Emperor. He truly valued money over his life!

"Oh, thank you for the reminder, Chief Manager. Thank you, Chief Manager!" Li Tianchang was truly scared into a cold sweat. His entire face had turned somewhat pale, his lips seemed dry, and he desperately licked his lips with his tongue.

After I reached the Golden Core stage, my hearing and eyesight had both greatly improved, and I knew this myself. But I didn't expect that my hearing, besides hearing Li Tianchang's conversation, also picked up the sound of him desperately swallowing. Seeing Li Tianchang's pathetic appearance, even the bad mood I had when I saw Li Tianxiang earlier had lessened considerably.

When receiving the Yellow Jackets, the other fellow was overjoyed, while Li Tianchang showed no smile, which made the people below very depressed: This guy doesn't even have a smile when he gets two Yellow Jackets, and we can't even get one. Comparing yourself to others will kill you!

Li Tianchang looked at one Yellow Jacket on his body and another in his hand, but his heart was filled with fear. He was worried that the chief manager would tell the Emperor about his intention to sell the Yellow Jacket today. If the Emperor got angry, then... Thinking about it, a cold sweat broke out all over him again.

Finally, he could go down the stage. Li Tianchang had pleaded with the chief manager on stage, and after the chief manager had guaranteed countless times that he would never tell the Emperor about this matter, he was willing to step down.

Old Mr. Wang walked to the front, looked at everyone's gaze fixed on him, smiled with satisfaction, and shouted excitedly, "Everyone, the real main event is about to begin! The five mysterious treasures are about to appear! Are you all ready? Please welcome the first treasure –