Return to Wutan City, Auction Plans

Wutan City, Mittle Auction House.

Today was the monthly auction held according to custom. The setting sun painted the horizon red, and the auction house was packed with people, lively beyond compare!

Just then, a masked youth approached from afar. As he drew near, he slowly raised his head and fixed his gaze on the sign hanging above the pavilion.

"Without realizing it, I've been gone for nearly a year. Sister Ya Fei, have you been well?" Liu Yun murmured.

Stepping through the main doors and walking down a long corridor, Liu Yun arrived at a room to one side. The door bore three glittering golden characters: "Appraiser."

Pushing the door open, he found the room rather spacious and empty. Only a middle-aged man sat before him, looking bored in a chair beside a table. Hearing the door open, the man looked up. When he saw Liu Yun's distinctive mask, he froze for a moment before breaking into delighted joy.

"Young Master, you've finally returned!" the middle-aged man said excitedly.

"Mm. You've all worked hard. Has everything at the auction house gone smoothly this past year?" Liu Yun asked as he found a seat.

"Smoothly, very smoothly. Ever since Young Master came to Wutan City, headquarters has given us more benefits. The auction house has flourished because of it, and our sales have increased by more than double compared to previous years."

The middle-aged man was extremely excited. He was not a member of the Mite'er Family; he had come to the Mittle Auction House merely to make a living. With better benefits and treatment, he was naturally happy.

"Mm, that's good. How is Sister Ya Fei?" Liu Yun asked casually.

"Lady Ya Fei is doing well too. However, recently, it seems someone from headquarters has been urging her to return. I heard they want her to enter a marriage alliance!"

The middle-aged man's originally booming voice grew quieter and quieter. In the Wutan City branch, anyone with eyes could see that the Young Master liked Ya Fei, and Ya Fei often found herself thinking of Liu Yun as well.

Especially over the past few months, whenever she had free time, Ya Fei had habitually sat down and stared blankly into space.

Sure enough, the middle-aged man saw Liu Yun's expression begin to darken.

"Young Master, the auction has already begun. Would you like to go take a look?" the middle-aged man hurriedly changed the subject.

It had to be said that the middle-aged man was quite skilled at reading the room. When the atmosphere hit freezing point, he immediately diverted the topic. Not only had he informed Liu Yun of Ya Fei's situation, but he had also eased the tension in time.

Liu Yun looked at the middle-aged man in a new light. With some promotion, this man might become Ya Fei's capable assistant in the future.

"No rush. I happen to have a few items to auction off," Liu Yun said, shaking his head.

"What does Young Master intend to auction?" the middle-aged man asked, looking at Liu Yun expectantly.

"That can wait. By the way, has Elder He returned?" Liu Yun asked.

"Young Master, Elder He returned several days ago!"

"Good. Go find Elder He first. I'll wait for you here," Liu Yun said joyfully.

Although He Qingfeng had the trump card Liu Yun had given him and was a Dou Ling himself, he had been within the Crimson Flame Tiger's self-destruction range at the time. Liu Yun could not be certain that he had emerged unharmed. After all, that had been the core region of the Monster Mountain Range.

Over the past few days, Liu Yun had been worried about He Qingfeng's safety. Now that he heard this good news, his foul mood over Ya Fei being forced into marriage improved by more than half.

The middle-aged man bowed slightly, then pushed open the door and left.

Liu Yun did not wait long. Before long, the door was pushed open from outside, and He Qingfeng strode in first, his face still filled with wild joy.

Liu Yun had worried about He Qingfeng, but how could He Qingfeng not have worried about him? The Crimson Flame Tiger's sudden self-destruction had terrified him. Even a Dou Ling like him had nearly been blown to death, let alone Liu Yun, who had only been a Nine-star Dou Zhe at the time.

Speaking of which, He Qingfeng deeply regretted cutting away half of the Crimson Flame Tiger's origin and forcing it to self-destruct.

He had originally thought that after losing half its origin, the beast would have no ability to continue pursuing him. Yet he had not expected that creature to be so fierce and unyielding that it would directly throw away its life to perish together with him.

How many people in this world had such courage, daring to take revenge on an enemy through self-destruction? Better a miserable life than a glorious death. Many people still clung to the hope of survival even in their final moments.

The moment He Qingfeng pushed open the door and saw Liu Yun, he felt his entire body relax. The heart he had been holding tight finally settled.

Although Liu Yun held a noble status, after spending the past year together, there was no doubt about the bond between them. He Qingfeng had long since come to regard him as a son.

"Young Master!" He Qingfeng called with a smile.

"Elder He, I intend to auction off the Fifth-tier Beast Fire and the Tears of Cold Flame. I need your cooperation," Liu Yun said bluntly.

He Qingfeng froze. His first thought was that his Young Master had gone mad. How difficult was it to find a Fifth-tier Beast Fire? The Tears of Cold Flame was an even more extraordinary treasure. Yet Liu Yun wanted to auction them off. Wasn't that far too wasteful?

"Young Master, these two items are exceedingly precious. Shouldn't you reconsider?" He Qingfeng felt his head ache.

"It's fine, Elder He. I have my own plans," Liu Yun said indifferently.

"But... even if you want to auction them, shouldn't you do so in the Imperial Capital? What kind of price can Wutan City possibly offer?" He Qingfeng still asked in confusion, turning his suggestion into a question.

"It's precisely because Wutan City can't offer a good price that I want to auction them here," Liu Yun said meaningfully.

What? (òωó?)!

He Qingfeng and the middle-aged man who had entered with him both made comical expressions. He Qingfeng even began to wonder whether Liu Yun's brain had been damaged by the explosion.

As for the middle-aged man, he was already completely dumbfounded.

What had he just heard? The Young Master actually possessed a Fifth-tier Beast Fire! That was a divine treasure countless Alchemists could break their heads over and still fail to obtain. As for the Tears of Cold Flame, although he had never heard of it, anything placed alongside a Fifth-tier Beast Fire could not possibly be ordinary.

Yet Liu Yun intended to auction off such heaven-defying treasures. Was this some kind of international joke?

"Elder He, change your appearance. Later, conceal your identity and bid on these two items, then purchase them," Liu Yun said.

Elder He nodded in acknowledgment. He did not understand Liu Yun's purpose in doing this. Was it merely to show off?

He remembered the principle that wealth should not be displayed. He had explained it to Liu Yun many times!

However, this Young Master had always been mysterious. Perhaps he had some other purpose. Having thought it through somewhat, He Qingfeng said nothing more. He only needed to follow Liu Yun's instructions.

"Sir, explain everything to Sister Ya Fei. Have her auction the items herself, and tell her it was my decision," Liu Yun said to the middle-aged man.

"Young Master, you are too polite. My surname is Hu, and I'm third among my brothers. You may simply call me Hu San!" the middle-aged man introduced himself solemnly.

"Good!" Liu Yun smiled, then continued to the two of them, "In that case, let's split up and act at once!"