Jiujiu the Auctioneer, Old Ties, and Obtaining the Carving Knife

It had to be said that the Starlight Auction House truly deserved its reputation as a top-tier power backed by the imperial family. Even a single VIP lounge was luxurious enough to rival the imperial-class grand hotels outside.

Sitting on a soft sofa stuffed with swan down and covered in Flame Lion King fur, eating rare fruits whose names many commoners would not know even in their lifetimes, and gazing at the resplendent decorations and priceless ornaments, Qiangu Yunche sighed. This was what a truly wealthy and decadent life looked like.

Although the Qiangu Clan was powerful, most of its members were devoted to cultivation. Only a small portion of those with ordinary talent chose to go out and manage the family businesses.

But that did not mean the Qiangu Clan was poor. It only meant that its members did not care much about such external comforts.

The Qiangu Clan's businesses mainly revolved around medicinal herbs and Soul Beasts.

Whether medicinal herbs or Soul Beasts, both were among the most profitable industries on the Douluo Continent. To put it bluntly, medicine with a cost of five hundred Gold Soul Coins could be sold for at least five thousand Gold Soul Coins. That was a full tenfold difference!

Though everyone appeared to live rather frugally at the family grounds, that was merely on the surface. At the very least, the Qiangu Clan would never lack Gold Soul Coins.

If a powerful family with eight Title Douluo did not even have enough Gold Soul Coins to support its members, it would be a laughingstock if word got out.

After waiting in the VIP lounge for roughly a quarter of an hour, there was a knock at the door. Only after Qiangu Yunche said, "Come in," did the person outside open the door and enter.

Qiangu Yunche had just finished peeling a piece of fruit for Qiangu Yunmei. When he looked up, his gaze met a pair of shimmering golden eyes.

That single glance left Qiangu Yunche rather stunned.

He had seen plenty of beauties. Whether Yang Shu, Qiangu Yunmei, or the other women in the clan, nearly all of them were beautiful due to their exceptional bloodlines.

Yet the feeling this young girl gave Qiangu Yunche was completely different from that of his clanswomen.

The girl wore a long golden dress, her hair the same color as her gown, cascading down her back in large waves.

Her features were exquisitely beautiful, her skin fairer than snow. Her eyes resembled rippling waves spreading across a spring lake after rain, and every glance carried an air of elegant refinement.

The fitted dress outlined her slender waist and straight, long legs. Most astonishing of all were the full fruits growing upon still-unripe branches; the forbidden allure between innocence and maturity was displayed upon her to the fullest.

Yet what drew people to her most was that unforgettable brilliance.

"Good evening, esteemed guests. I am Jiujiu, an auctioneer of the Starlight Auction House."

Her melodious voice rang through the VIP lounge as the girl gracefully offered a bow.

It was not the etiquette of a servant, but the social etiquette reserved exclusively for nobles.

"Auctioneer Jiujiu, good evening." Qiangu Yunche nodded, inwardly surprised. Even without considering her appearance or bearing, merely hearing the name Jiujiu was enough for him to know her identity.

Qiangu Yunmei said nothing. She merely watched the golden-haired girl with interest. There was no hostility in her gaze, yet it still gave Xu Jiujiu an inexplicable feeling.

However, she was a royal princess who had grown up immersed in the world of fame and fortune. What grand scenes had she not seen? Though puzzled inside, she remained outwardly composed.

After Qiangu Yunche gestured for her to sit, Xu Jiujiu slowly stepped forward and took a seat on the sofa to the right.

She took out the golden token Qiangu Liting had given Qiangu Yunche, then said softly:

"Gold-tier members are eligible to directly purchase unsold auction items at their reserve price plus ten percent. However, before the purchase, Jiujiu would like to presumptuously ask: what is the relationship between you two esteemed guests and Mr. Pei, who is registered under this token?"

Pei?

It seemed his father had used an alias when attending auctions back then.

"He is our father," Qiangu Yunche said softly. "If verification is needed, we can call him over. He is currently in Star Luo City."

"There is no need to trouble Mr. Pei. Jiujiu was merely making a routine inquiry. I hope you two esteemed guests will not take offense." A glint flashed through Xu Jiujiu's eyes.

Others might not know, but Xu Jiujiu, who had taken charge of the Starlight Auction House's affairs four years ago, knew exactly what kind of person the Mr. Pei behind this golden token was.

Back then, the Star Luo Imperial Family had offered exceedingly generous terms in an attempt to recruit Mr. Pei. Those terms had even included having an expert from the Star Luo Imperial Family's Offering Hall hunt a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast for him as his ninth Soul Ring.

There was only one reason the Star Luo Imperial Family had been willing to offer such lavish terms: Mr. Pei's potential was truly terrifying. Even the head of the Star Luo Empire's Offering Hall had once intended to accept him as a disciple.

Combined with his handsome appearance and refined bearing, he had even caused one of Xu Jiujiu's imperial sisters to keep him in her heart for years. It was only after that imperial sister married and bore children that she finally managed to let go of that one-sided affection.

"It is nothing. Then, can we discuss business now?" Qiangu Yunche personally poured Xu Jiujiu a cup of tea. Without waiting for her reply, he said directly:

"Auctioneer Jiujiu, the unsold item I want is the Spirit Eater Carving Knife. The price is negotiable."

After a pause, Qiangu Yunche smiled. "Of course, Miss Jiujiu seems rather familiar with my father. With that connection, perhaps Miss Jiujiu can give me a discount as well?"

Xu Jiujiu was initially startled upon hearing Spirit Eater Carving Knife.

After all, this cursed auction item had failed to sell far too many times. It had even fallen from top-tier auctions to third-tier auctions, where no one showed any interest. She had considered many valuable unsold items, but the Spirit Eater Carving Knife had never crossed her mind.

Qiangu Yunche's next words made her instinctively wary.

She was certain that she had controlled her expression flawlessly just now, yet Qiangu Yunche had still seen through her thoughts at a glance.

Clearly, his powers of observation were exceptionally sharp. That was not something an ordinary person could achieve.

Still, though he had seen through her, Xu Jiujiu was not flustered.

She first introduced the Spirit Eater Carving Knife to Qiangu Yunche in detail according to procedure, then said solemnly:

"Young Master Pei, Jiujiu has already made the information concerning the Spirit Eater Carving Knife very clear. If you truly wish to purchase it, I can represent the auction house and charge you only its cost price of one hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins. This is already the lowest price. Any less, and we would be taking a loss... Furthermore, I must remind you in advance that if anything happens after you purchase the Spirit Eater Carving Knife, the Starlight Auction House will bear no responsibility."

Qiangu Yunche said nothing. He simply handed the golden card directly to Xu Jiujiu.

Seeing that Qiangu Yunche was truly resolute, Xu Jiujiu said nothing more. She rose and handed the card to the maid waiting outside, then quietly gave a few instructions.

In less than the time it took to drink half a cup of tea, the golden card and an item covered by red cloth were delivered into the VIP lounge by the maid.

The efficiency was astonishing.

Qiangu Yunche put the items away. After completing the final arrangements with Xu Jiujiu, he rose alongside Qiangu Yunmei.

Xu Jiujiu personally escorted them to the main entrance. In the end, she still asked:

"May I ask how many days Young Master Pei plans to remain in Star Luo City?"

"What, does Your Highness the Princess wish to treat me to a meal?" Qiangu Yunche turned back with a smile, directly revealing her identity.

Xu Jiujiu froze slightly, then an even brighter smile blossomed across her face.

"I first wish to pay Uncle Pei a visit. After all, he and our imperial family shared some history back then... But after the visit, I will have plenty of time. And I know a restaurant with excellent food."

Qiangu Yunche waved his hand. Watching Qiangu Yunmei's figure already walking into the distance, he said softly:

"Then one week from now. We will be a little busy these next few days. Mm... Since it is a restaurant recommended by Your Highness the Princess, I will certainly go and taste its flavors when the time comes..."

"Also, to tell Your Highness the Princess the truth, our real surname is not Pei, but Qiangu—the Qiangu of rise and fall through the ages."

"My name is Qiangu Yunche. It is a pleasure to meet you."