"What requirements might our honored guest have?" A middle-aged man who looked to be in his early forties walked in. His face was lean, his cheekbones slightly high, and faint wrinkles marked the corners of his eyes and his forehead. Long years spent bent over a table carving had left him broad across the shoulders and back.
"This is Chen Ying, our master jewelry designer and carver," Manager Liu immediately stood up and introduced him.
At the mention of a master jewelry designer and carver, realization dawned on Ling Yu, followed by a surge of delight. Wasn't carving the formation core of a Soul Tool essentially the same kind of work as carving jewelry?
"Are you still taking on jewelry-carving apprentices here?" Too excited to restrain himself, Ling Yu blurted out the question.
He regretted it the moment the words left his mouth. Even asking Xue Qinghe later to find a royal master jeweler to teach him would have been better than this situation. He had clearly come to commission something, so how had it suddenly turned into a job hunt?
"Uh, sorry. I lost my composure just now," Ling Yu hurriedly apologized.
"You want to learn jewelry design and carving?" Chen Ying took no offense. Instead, he looked in surprise at Ling Yu, whose bearing was anything but ordinary, and wondered, Wasn't I told an honored guest had come to commission something? Why is he suddenly asking to become an apprentice? Am I that famous?
"I do have that intention. My apologies, Master Chen Ying. I was presumptuous just now."
"No harm done. It's rare for a young gentleman to have such refined interests." Chen Ying waved a hand.
Knock, knock, knock... A knock came at the door, and Manager Liu frowned. The shop's reception rules were clear-when an honored guest was present, no one was to interrupt without an urgent matter of great importance.
After bowing to Ling Yu in apology, he called, "Come in!"
A middle-aged woman in neat, practical clothes walked in, her eyes clear and her expression urgent.
"Greetings, honored guest!" She first bowed to Ling Yu in greeting, then turned to Manager Liu. "Manager, there's an urgent matter that requires your attention!"
"My apologies, honored guest. I need to step away briefly. Later, I will offer you a gift within the limits of my authority as compensation." Manager Liu bowed solemnly.
"It's all right. Please attend to your business." Ling Yu nodded without minding.
Manager Liu hurried out after the woman. Master Chen Ying remained standing in attendance and only sat down at Ling Yu's invitation.
After just a few sips of tea, another knock came at the door. Ling Yu called for them to enter, and the door opened to reveal Manager Liu.
That was quick! Ling Yu was surprised.
"My sincerest apologies!" Manager Liu bowed the moment he entered.
"My discernment was lacking. I failed to notice in time that your VIP card was issued personally by the sect master, and consequently neglected you. Please forgive me, honored guest."
Seeing his old friend adopt such an attitude, Chen Ying realized that Ling Yu's background was no simple matter. He immediately rose and bowed alongside him.
Seriously? He gave me such a high-level VIP card just from seeing a Soul Ring?
Is the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect really that generous, or did he guess I was involved with the Heaven Dou Secret Medicine? Ling Yu considered it briefly, then immediately helped the two men straighten up.
"It's fine. I didn't know what Sect Master Ning gave me was so high-level either. This wasn't your fault."
"Thank you for your kindness." The two bowed again.
"Honored guest, you mentioned just now that you wanted to learn jewelry design and carving, correct?" Manager Liu spoke very softly, his tone rising slightly at the end.
"Would that be convenient for you?" Seeing him bring the matter up again, Ling Yu guessed they had agreed to his request. It would also save him from troubling Xue Qinghe again.
Yet Ling Yu had forgotten that fate's gifts already came with a price marked on them.
"Certainly. As long as you wish to learn, we can arrange it at any time." Manager Liu desperately hoped Ling Yu would agree, so he could make up for his failure.
"We're on holiday at the moment. I could come here every morning to study for four hours. Would that work for you?"
"Of course. Just give us a time and place, and we'll arrange a carriage to pick you up every day."
"Seven every morning, then. Just send the carriage to the school gates."
"As you wish. To be safe, may I confirm that you are a student of Heaven Dou Royal Academy?" Although the style of his uniform already made Ling Yu's school apparent, Manager Liu was now like a man mistaking a bow's reflection in his cup for a snake, and sought confirmation once more.
"Yes. Then I won't trouble you any longer. Sorry for the trouble of making the arrangements for tomorrow, Manager Liu."
"Not at all, not at all. Let us see you out." Manager Liu raised his hand and pulled the door open for Ling Yu, extending his arm in a crisp motion.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect really does have excellent service. No wonder its business has grown so large, Ling Yu thought after leaving and boarding the carriage.
"Xiao Yu, where are we going?" Su Yao asked.
"We wouldn't have much time to stay even if we went back. Why don't we just take a ride around the city?"
"All right."
Sitting in the carriage, Ling Yu watched the people along the roadside. Some laughed, some argued, and some were numb. A sentence surfaced in his mind: Everyone is striving to keep moving forward in life.
Suddenly, a domed building leaped into Ling Yu's field of vision.
"Senior Su Yao, what's that?" Ling Yu's throat shifted slightly as he asked in a low voice.
Su Yao looked up and glanced over. "That's the auction house."
An auction house. It does have quite a connection with my second Soul Skill. Perhaps I can find something there. A thought stirred in Ling Yu's mind.
"Is it still open at this hour?"
"Of course. This is a round-the-clock auction house."
"Then sorry for the trouble, but please head over there. I'd like to take a look."
Su Yao nodded and went to tell the coachman to turn. They arrived shortly afterward.
As soon as the two stepped out of the carriage, a young hostess at the entrance approached. "Welcome, honored guests!"
"Hello. I'd like to take a look inside the auction house. Are there any requirements or entry thresholds?" Ling Yu asked.
The girl was somewhat surprised. The Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's carriage and uniform were themselves a special symbol of nobility. In principle, almost any guest who had both would have a VIP card for the auction house.
At the very least, they would come with another noble who was a regular customer. Why would some greenhorn come straight to the entrance to ask?
"The minimum entry requirement is just ten thousand gold coins."
"If you are a noble, we can make you a VIP card after verifying your status. On future visits, you would only need to present it." Though puzzled, she could not afford to offend someone with that carriage and uniform alone, so she still answered Ling Yu's question respectfully.
I wonder whether my recently granted title of Viscount Nuoding will be any use. I haven't even had a coat of arms or an identity token made. It looks like I'll have to visit the Royal College of Arms and ask sometime, Ling Yu thought.
"Xiao Yu, you can use the token His Majesty bestowed on you." Su Yao stepped closer and spoke quietly.
As soon as she finished, Ling Yu took it out of his Storage Soul Tool and handed it to the hostess. "Would this do?"
At the sight of its special golden material and the engraved character for "Heaven," the girl immediately realized whose token it was. She promptly bowed. "I had eyes but failed to recognize a distinguished guest. Please forgive me, honored guest."
Why does it feel like I've been using my status to slap people in the face all day? Ling Yu sighed inwardly.
"It wasn't your fault. Take us inside."
"Thank you, honored guest. This way, please!" The hostess hurriedly led the two into the auction house.