Auction House

Less than a week later.

Clatter, clatter!

The carriage came to a stop, its wheels settling after a brief jolt.

"We're finally here?"

It was Jiang Nannan's first time riding in a carriage for so long. Relief filled her pretty face. If they had not paid for it, she would have preferred to walk.

After getting down, she twisted her waist and complained, "I'm never riding one of these again. It nearly shook me to death."

"Mm, we're here."

Tang Ya's foot had fully recovered over the past few days. She had put her black stockings and short boots back on, sitting elegantly as she poked her head out to take a look, then nodded.

Jiang Mu got down as well and took in the sight of Shrek.

"It really is lively."

There were quite a few people. After all, it was the continent's number one academy, and Shrek City, which had developed around it, was naturally packed with people.

It was Jiang Nannan's first time traveling this far. By normal standards, it was Jiang Mu's first time as well, though he did not show much of a reaction.

But Jiang Nannan did not have such a strong heart. Since this was her first long journey, she felt somewhat worried and asked Jiang Mu, the pillar of support in her heart.

"So where are we going now?"

"I'll take you to consign the soul bone for auction first?"

"Shrek Academy is recruiting students lately, so the flow of people is at its peak. Auctions are being held one after another too."

Tang Ya offered her thoughts. She believed that if they consigned it now, it could be sold tonight or tomorrow.

Jiang Nannan did not agree right away. Instead, she turned her gaze to Jiang Mu, wanting to hear her little brother's opinion.

Jiang Mu nodded in agreement.

"Let's do that. But we don't know where to go."

"Come on, I'll lead the way."

Tang Ya had returned to being that lively young girl full of youthful innocence, skipping ahead to lead them.

Jiang Nannan watched her.

No matter how she looked at it, this image did not match the sect leader who bore a deep grudge and wanted to restore her sect. She was completely just a little girl, perhaps not even as mature and dependable as Jiang Mu.

"Is this reliable?"

Jiang Mu immediately understood what Jiang Nannan was thinking when he heard that.

"Well, being a little simple-minded is better than being full of bad intentions. At least she has no schemes and is easy to fool."

Yet for some reason, Jiang Nannan turned her eyes toward Jiang Mu after hearing that and muttered softly, "Hehe, yeah, yeah. Simple-minded and easy to fool. Maybe tomorrow you'll trick her away."

"Nannan, are you jealous?"

"Yes, I'm jealous!"

"You already took my first time, yet you're still thinking about other women. I'm telling Mom!"

Jiang Mu had only been joking, but his eyes instantly widened when he heard that.

"Please, you were the one who came onto me. It wasn't me who took it. And it was only a kiss."

Jiang Nannan folded her arms across her chest, not seeing anything wrong with what she had said. "Then say it properly. Wasn't it your first time?"

"Then say the whole thing! It's really easy to misunderstand!"

"Hmph~"

Jiang Nannan shook her little head, still angry.

"What are you two doing back there? Hurry up and catch up. We're almost at the auction house," Tang Ya called from ahead, finding it strange that the siblings kept falling behind.

"Coming."

Jiang Mu took Jiang Nannan's hand first to stop her from saying any more nonsense, then hurried after Tang Ya.

Tang Ya saw this and smiled teasingly. "Hehe, you siblings really are close. You're even holding hands."

Jiang Mu nodded. "Mm, Sister Nannan likes sticking to me."

Tang Ya was stunned by that. Are you sure you two are siblings? Not brother and sister?

"Hmph."

Jiang Nannan did not refute it, merely giving a soft snort. Her expression was adorable. She really did like sticking close to Jiang Mu.

After all, he was the little brother Mom had picked up for her. If Jiang Nannan did not take care of him, who would?

Was she supposed to let other women cling to him instead?

"Uh, all right."

Tang Ya stared at their clasped hands for a moment, then glanced at Jiang Mu's face before withdrawing her gaze. A look of regret and disappointment appeared on her face.

Not long after walking, they successfully arrived at the auction house.

Looking at the tall, bustling auction house, Jiang Mu nodded. It was only a thousand-year soul bone, but it should still fetch a considerable price.

And who knew? Perhaps a few suckers would get into a bidding war and insist on buying it.

"Come on, come on. I'll take you there."

They still needed Tang Ya to lead the way to consign the item. Tang Ya had sold several Tang Sect hidden weapons before. Though no major powers came to her for orders anymore.

Compared to soul tools, however, hidden weapons could be used by ordinary people, which was their advantage. There would always be a few nobles with poor martial souls and no soul power who wanted some means of self-defense. They could still be sold, making her a regular at auctions.

The place was nearby. With the token, they smoothly made their way backstage.

Click.

They pushed open the door and saw several people in the appraisal room.

One of them wore glasses and was clearly the appraiser. Beside him stood a rather young man dressed in Shrek Academy's uniform.

Hearing the sound, both turned their heads at the same time, and their expressions stiffened simultaneously. It seemed they knew each other.

The bespectacled appraiser was the first to recover, chuckling. "Well, well, is the Tang Sect's sect leader here to auction hidden weapons?"

Tang Ya stepped forward.

"Mm, I'm not auctioning hidden weapons today. I'm helping a friend auction something."

"Oh? What is it?"

Before he could ask further, Tang Ya took out the soul bone.

"A thousand-year soul bone?"

This was an auction house in Spirit City. A thousand-year soul bone was not enough to make his jaw drop; he merely raised his brows.

"Tang Ya, where did you get this soul bone? Did you find it while absorbing your third soul ring?"

The young man clearly knew Tang Ya from his reaction earlier. Seeing her take it out, he could not help asking.

But it did not sound like an ordinary question. It sounded more like he looked down on her, his tone full of disdain.

Tang Ya could not be bothered to answer him and simply nodded at the appraiser.

"Mm."

"All right. The usual terms: the auction house takes ten percent of the proceeds."

Jiang Mu, who stood nearby, did not say anything.

The commission was fairly reasonable. It was neither especially high nor especially low.

But the young man had clearly felt ignored and humiliated by Tang Ya's refusal to acknowledge him. Anger immediately flared, and he pointed at Tang Ya as he roared, "Tang Ya, don't give me that attitude like you do Bei Bei! If it weren't for Bei Bei, I couldn't even be bothered to greet you!"

"Hmm?"

Only then did Jiang Mu truly pay attention to him.

He turned to look at the young man. He knew Bei Bei, looked down on Tang Ya, and was around this age. Could he be Xu Sanshi?

Known by the nickname Pill Deliveryman.

"Xu Sanshi, you were the one who spoke to me first. Do I have to reply whenever anyone talks to me?"

Tang Ya refused to back down, raising her chin as she retorted.

"Besides, weren't your words full of contempt for me? Saying it was for Bei Bei's sake? In front of Bei Bei, you've criticized me plenty too. Who are you trying to fool with that act, you hypocrite?"