Chapter 487: Treasures at the Auction

Chapter 487: Treasures at the Auction

Mid-afternoon.

"Brother Jiang!!"

Bai Luoyu pushed open the gate of the small courtyard and saw Jiang Ning and Lvyi. He immediately broke into a smile.

"Shall we go?" Jiang Ning asked.

"Let's go!" Bai Luoyu nodded.

He then called out into the courtyard.

"Hongmei, Qingzhu, we're leaving!"

As his words echoed, two female voices replied from within.

"Yes, Master!"

"Yes, Master!"

Jiang Ning couldn't help but glance sideways. He remembered that Bai Luoyu had come to Guangning City alone, without any maids or family members. The voices he heard now were clearly two of the maids he had seen at Bai Luoyu's residence.

A moment later, a young woman in a white dress and another in a green dress appeared in Jiang Ning's view. They were among the maids he had seen at Bai Luoyu's residence, and he had met them a few times before.

"Hello, Master Jiang!"

"Hello, Master Jiang!"

Hongmei and Qingzhu, as Bai Luoyu called them, bowed gracefully, clearly well-trained.

Jiang Ning nodded slightly and looked at Bai Luoyu. Bai Luoyu seemed to understand Jiang Ning's confusion and smiled.

"I've gotten used to having them take care of my daily needs. I felt uncomfortable on the road, so I sent a message for them to join me halfway through the journey."

Hearing this, Jiang Ning couldn't help but smile.

"Brother Bai sure knows how to enjoy life!"

Bai Luoyu laughed heartily.

"Why endure unnecessary hardships? We're only here once, so we should enjoy life and seize the day!"

Jiang Ning nodded in agreement. Each stage of life has its own joys. As the saying goes, "I wish to buy osmanthus and drink wine, but it's not the same as when I was young." Life is short, and once you reach a certain age, you can never recapture the unique pleasures of your youth. Just like childhood cartoons, which can no longer bring the same joy they once did, or a high-end computer that gathers dust as you grow older.

So, he agreed with Bai Luoyu. Life is meant to be enjoyed and cherished. Why suffer needlessly?

A short while later, they set off for Ye Zhengqi's residence. On the day they left Shen Wenyuan's place, Ye Zhengqi had also received an invitation from the head of the Ten Thousand Blossoms Tower, Xie Yun.

"At their lord's request, he has already gone to the Ten Thousand Blossoms Tower!" the butler at the Ye residence said respectfully to Jiang Ning and Bai Luoyu.

"Since that's the case, we'll take our leave!" Jiang Ning said.

"I'll see the two of you off!" the butler quickly added.

At the Ten Thousand Blossoms Tower, the once spacious and empty main hall was now bustling with activity, filled with luxurious carriages.

"Quite a spectacle, indeed!" Jiang Ning remarked, looking at the congested road ahead.

Bai Luoyu gently fanned himself, smiling. "I'm sure there will be many interesting items to see and perhaps even acquire!"

Jiang Ning nodded in agreement. Despite having read many books, his knowledge was still somewhat limited. Many things are hard to visualize from mere descriptions.

For example, the Seed Leaf he intended to obtain. While he knew its effects—capable of transforming into a mark and attaching to the human body, with the ability to contain the vast in the small—its exact form was still unclear to him. The Seed Leaf's origin was rooted in Buddhist scriptures, but its appearance remained a mystery.

"Brother Bai, let's go!" Jiang Ning said, leading the way toward the Ten Thousand Blossoms Tower's entrance.

"Hey, isn't that Inspector Jiang and Inspector Bai?" someone called out as they approached the gate.

Hearing the voice, Jiang Ning and Bai Luoyu turned to see who it was.

"Inspector Xu, greetings!"

Jiang Ning recognized the man, a Sixth Rank official known as a Tongpan. As a Tongpan, he had the duty of inspecting officials and assisting in criminal matters, making him a significant figure in the city. He was also known as the "Third Lord" in the prefecture's hierarchy, second only to the Prefect (Fourth Rank) and the Deputy Prefect (Fifth Rank).

Jiang Ning knew Inspector Xu from a previous gathering hosted by Zhao Yu Long, where he was one of the invited guests.

At this moment.

Xu Tongpan, who had been chatting with several people at the entrance, suddenly greeted Jiang Ning, Male, and Bai Luoyu, instantly drawing the attention and surprise of those nearby.

"Who are those two?" someone whispered.

The person next to him slowly shook his head in response.

The crowd became instantly curious about Jiang Ning, Male, and Bai Luoyu.

Especially given their youthful appearance and impressive demeanor, the curiosity grew even more intense.

"Inspectors?" someone murmured to themselves, then seemed to remember something and said, "Could these two be Inspectors from one of the surrounding counties? Now that Lord Wenyuan has taken office, it's logical that the chief officials from the surrounding counties would come to report."

"Probably!" the person beside him nodded slightly in agreement.

Once the crowd realized the identities of Jiang Ning, Male, and Bai Luoyu, they became more solemn.

A county Inspector.

In terms of status, even in Guangning City, they were significant figures.

The fact that Xu Tongpan had taken the initiative to greet Jiang Ning, Male, and Bai Luoyu spoke volumes.

Moreover, being a county Inspector also indicated formidable martial arts prowess.

Combining personal martial strength with significant power, such individuals were naturally intimidating.

Their youth and promising future only added to the aura of mystery and respect.

The crowd at the entrance watched with keen interest.

Bai Luoyu smiled, fanning himself with a folding fan, having long grown accustomed to such attention.

The two approached the entrance of the Ten Thousand Blossoms Tower.

"Are the two esteemed guests here for the summer auction?" a reception maid asked Jiang Ning, Male and Bai Luoyu respectfully.

"Indeed!" Jiang Ning, Male nodded and pulled out the invitation they had prepared in advance.

The lead reception maid's body trembled slightly when she saw the Black Gold invitation.

Black Gold invitations were only issued to individuals of Grandmaster-level status.

Holding a Black Gold invitation meant they would not just have a seat on the fifth floor for the auction, but a private room.

She respectfully took the invitation from Jiang Ning, Male.

Her companion quickly walked into the building to prepare.

"Please follow me, esteemed guests!" the lead reception maid said respectfully.

"By the way, here's mine as well!" Bai Luoyu also pulled out the Black Gold invitation given to him by the tower's owner, Xie Yun.

Upon seeing Bai Luoyu's Black Gold invitation, the reception maid became even more respectful.

Two guests holding Black Gold invitations were of tremendous importance.

"May the supervisor arrive soon!" she silently prayed.

She was afraid of making any mistakes while serving these two distinguished guests.

Meanwhile.

As Jiang Ning, Male, and Bai Luoyu entered the Ten Thousand Blossoms Tower, the crowd began to converse.

"Lord Xu, are the Inspector Jiang and Inspector Bai you mentioned indeed Inspectors from one of the counties?"

Xu Tongpan, with his mustache, nodded slowly. "Yes, they are indeed Inspectors, from Dongling County!"

"Indeed, no wonder Lord Xu greeted them so warmly!" the person beside him nodded in understanding.

"These two are young and accomplished, especially Inspector Jiang, who is extremely young. From what I understand, he has the makings of a young Grandmaster", Xu Tongpan added.

"Young Grandmaster?" someone in the crowd exclaimed in amazement. "If what Lord Xu says is true, his future is truly boundless!"

Xu Tongpan nodded slightly and continued, "I've heard that Inspector Jiang plans to participate in the grand martial examination this summer."

"Does that mean Inspector Jiang is under thirty years old?" someone asked, eyes wide.

"Of course! Can't you tell from his youthful appearance? He looks no more than in his early twenties", the person beside him replied.

"Lord Xu, what rank is Inspector Jiang in martial arts?" someone inquired.

"Fourth Rank, I believe", Xu Tongpan said casually.

"Whoa—"

"Whoa—"

"..."

The crowd around him drew sharp breaths.

"Fourth Rank. Does that mean the top spot in the martial examination is already his?" someone asked.

"Not necessarily. Don't forget the Seventh Young Master of the Guangning Marquis Manor. He reached Fourth Rank at the beginning of the year and has been under the tutelage of the Guangning Prefecture. His strength must be formidable by now."

"That's true!" someone nodded in agreement.

At the Ten Thousand Blossoms Tower.

"Please follow me, esteemed guests!" the maid led the way.

"Please be careful of the steps, esteemed guests!" the maid reminded them.

Just then.

She looked up and saw Shen Congyun standing on the second floor, feeling a great sense of relief.

"Supervisor Shen, you have arrived!" the maid said respectfully.

Shen Congyun, looking at Jiang Ning, Male on the steps, was momentarily taken aback.

Just now, someone from below reported that two distinguished guests had arrived with a black gold invitation, and he was still guessing who they might be.

After all, in Guangning City, the number of people eligible to receive a black gold invitation and be invited into the Vip room by the Auction House is not many.

Moreover, the number of people with the intention to participate in the auction is even fewer.

But no matter who he thought of, he never imagined it would be Jiang Ning, Male.

Just a few days ago, he had personally handed over the invitation for the first row at the auction to Jiang Ning, Male.

As this thought flashed through his mind, Shen Congyun quickly descended the stairs.

"Inspector Jiang, it's been a long time!!" Shen Congyun clasped his hands and said.

"Brother Shen!" Jiang Ning, Male clasped his hands in return and then introduced the person beside him: "This is Bai Luoyu, the Inspector of Dongling County."

"Nice to meet you, Inspector Bai!" Shen Congyun clasped his hands.

"I know you! Shen Congyun!" Bai Luoyu said.

"To have Inspector Bai remember me is an honor!" Shen Congyun said with a smile.

Then, he gestured: "Distinguished guests, please come in!"

Fifth floor.

The afternoon sunlight filtered through the transparent glazed tiles and fell into the hall.

At this moment, half of the seats were already occupied.

The outer part of the hall was elevated, while the central stage was lower.

There were individual lacquer tables and tables for two.

Fruits, tea, and fine wines were already prepared on the lacquer tables.

Jiang Ning glanced around and then withdrew his gaze.

"Please follow me!" Shen Congyun said again, leading the two toward the Vip rooms on either side of the stage, which were elevated by more than three meters.

A moment later.

Lvyi closed the door and took off her shoes at the entrance.

The floor of the Vip room was covered with expensive leather carpets.

"Really comfortable!!" Lvyi squinted her eyes and exclaimed, "It feels like walking on clouds!"

Jiang Ning, Male, wearing silk shoes, walked to the window and smiled at Lvyi's exclamation.

"You've never walked on clouds, how would you know what it feels like?"

Lvyi stuck out her tongue at Jiang Ning, Male, then mumbled something incoherently.

Jiang Ning, Male pushed open the window and looked down at the stage.

From the window to the stage, the distance was only about ten meters, similar to the distance from the first-row lacquer tables, providing a clear view.

But in terms of comfort and privacy, it was much better.

In front of the open window, there was a curtain of pearl-like beads, sufficient to conceal his identity.

Jiang Ning, Male glanced around a few times, then nodded in satisfaction and closed the window.

He picked up the wine pot on the redwood round table and took a sip.

"Very good!"

He nodded again.

"The Vip room is indeed comfortable!"

Lvyi nodded repeatedly, like a chick pecking at rice.

"Master is absolutely right, the Vip Private Box is indeed more comfortable."

As she spoke, she picked up a few sheets of paper from the table and handed them to Jiang Ning, Male.

"Master, why don't you take a look? These are the items to be auctioned later."

Hearing this, Jiang Ning, Male took the papers from Lvyi and quickly scanned through them.

"There are 126 items to be auctioned! It seems there will be some good things!" He nodded slightly.

"Master, but we are so poor now!" Lvyi said with a pained expression.

"No worries!" Jiang Ning, Male said as he browsed through the descriptions of the 126 auction items: "It's not bad to gain some knowledge!"

"Besides, with the items I have consigned, I can also participate in the bidding!"

As he spoke, Jiang Ning, Male quickly found the items he had consigned.

Item number 119, black tiger bone, starting bid at 10 gold.

"10 gold, not bad at all!"

Jiang Ning, Male nodded.

He was not surprised that the unit of currency here was gold.

In Great Xia, gold was truly valuable.

The exchange rate of one gold to one thousand silver clearly showed the difference.

In a world with extraordinary powers, the value of gold and silver was limited.

Nothing was more valuable than personal strength, longevity, or the evolution of life.

In his past life, if there were Heavenly Treasures that could extend life by ten years and the strength to protect them, a single Heavenly Treasure could be auctioned for enough to create a world-class billionaire.

In the face of longevity, wealth was merely a number.

He then found the other items he had consigned.

Item number 56, purple and green twin swords, starting bid at 300 gold.

Item number 21, Desire-Severing Scripture, starting bid at 800 gold.

Item number 20, Green Wave Sword Scripture, starting bid at 1000 gold.

Item number 19, Blood Jade, starting bid at 1000 gold.

As he scanned further, he couldn't help but whistle softly.

Starting from item number 15, the starting bids were all over 1000 gold.

Then, he locked onto item number 1, the main event.

The starting bid was a staggering 5000 gold.

The description, however, was blank.

"5000 gold, I wonder what item could be so expensive!"

Jiang Ning, Male's thoughts raced.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end