CHAPTER 538: CHAPTER 536: AUCTION_1

"My friend, you have quite the gift."

The Chi Kong Young Master looked at Ling Chen with a solemn gaze. He knew perfectly well that extorting money was only one of Ling Chen’s objectives. What the man truly intended was to establish his dominance, warning the various powers in Blackwater City not to target him. Otherwise, they would end up like Black Snake. Today’s actions at the inn were a masterstroke, killing two birds with one stone.

"Not at all, not at all. These minor tricks of mine are just enough to swindle a bit of petty cash," Ling Chen said, shaking his head with a smile.

The Chi Kong Young Master waved his hand. "What you’ve swindled is hardly petty cash. Eight million taels of gold—that’s no small sum! Even I, as the Young Master of the Black Market, would likely struggle to produce that much on short notice. It’s nearly the entire fortune of a mid-tier Sect in the Martial World."

The likes of Black Snake had only amassed such wealth through frequent murder and robbery in the Black Sand Land. Others would not have been able to gather so much money.

With a smile still on his face, Ling Chen said, "If it weren’t for the Chi Kong Young Master’s cooperation today, I wouldn’t have gotten these eight million taels. However, this money will probably return to your Black Market tomorrow."

"Hehe, as for tomorrow’s auction, I must thank you both for gracing us with your presence," the Chi Kong Young Master replied politely. "This auction will be the largest held in Blackwater City in a decade. We’ve invested heavily to organize it, transporting many Treasures from our branches throughout the Five Kingdoms. I’m sure they will satisfy you both."

"Oh? In that case, I shall look forward to it." Ling Chen’s eyes lit up slightly. He had considerable immunity to most things, but he found the allure of Treasures truly irresistible.

"Chi Kong Young Master, we have other matters to attend to, so we’ll take our leave now," Liu Feiyue said, offering a cupped fist salute to the Chi Kong Young Master. She then waved to Ling Chen and walked towards the inn’s counter by herself.

"Excuse us." Ling Chen knew Liu Feiyue disliked people from the Black Market, so he also nodded to the Chi Kong Young Master before following her.

After all, the Black Market and the Cyan Robe Association were competitors in the Black Sand Land. It was likely the two factions had clashed frequently in this region.

"Young Master, should we have someone keep an eye on them?" one of the attendants whispered to the Chi Kong Young Master after Ling Chen and Liu Feiyue had departed.

"No need. Help me find out the background of that young man." The person the Chi Kong Young Master referred to was, of course, Ling Chen. He found it strange that their intelligence network had no information on this individual. This made him very curious. Who exactly is this man?

At this moment, led by the Shopkeeper, Ling Chen and Liu Feiyue finally reached their respective rooms.

This area was very tranquil. Lush greenery embraced the various pavilions and courtyards, and a faint, refreshing fragrance drifted through the air, invigorating one’s spirit. Such a serene and secluded place greatly pleased both Ling Chen and Liu Feiyue.

CREAK.

Gently pushing open the door, they stepped inside. A quick scan revealed that the accommodation not only had a living room and several side rooms but also a private chamber specifically designed for Cultivation. Gazing at the exceedingly well-appointed dwelling, even the discerning Ling Chen couldn’t help but let out sounds of admiration.

"After causing such a commotion today, I’m afraid our backgrounds will be thoroughly investigated very soon," Liu Feiyue said, shaking her head. The news of Ling Chen publicly dealing with Black Snake, the leader of the Curled Dragon Gang, would quickly spread throughout Blackwater City. Their activities in the city would no longer be a secret.

"Even if we hadn’t caused this scene, the Black Market would have found out our identities eventually. Besides, there are too many pests in this place. If we don’t use strong medicine, we’ll never be rid of them." Ling Chen chose a quiet spot to sit. He didn’t feel he had done anything wrong. The Black Market was, after all, a large, profit-driven organization. Since they were here to attend the auction, the Black Market probably wouldn’t cause them any trouble.

「...」

The Blackwater City Auction was held in the city’s extraordinarily spacious central square. However, even so, the Black Market seemed to have underestimated the draw of this auction. When Ling Chen and Liu Feiyue arrived at the auction venue, they were struck speechless by the sight of the dense, black sea of people that stretched almost as far as the eye could see. These people were all crazier than the next.

Within the crowd, Ling Chen could spot the members of many other powerful Sects from the Martial World. Apparently, many of them had traveled great distances from their respective territories in the Five Country Territory to attend this auction.

Among them, Ling Chen also noticed cultivators wearing the attire of the Sky Void Palace and the Divine Intent Sect. He unconsciously adjusted the headdress he wore. He had predicted that various powers would gather today, and familiar faces might appear. Therefore, he had once again disguised himself, dressing like a scholar. His current appearance was vastly different from his usual demeanor, so it should be unlikely for anyone to suspect he was Ling Chen.

Liu Feiyue also understood Ling Chen’s intentions, so she had changed her way of addressing him to "Junior Brother Wuchen," lest anyone overhear and cause unnecessary trouble.

Fortunately, the Black Market seemed to have anticipated this situation and had set up a dedicated channel for experts at the Grand Master realm and above. After making some inquiries, Ling Chen and Liu Feiyue navigated a few turns and successfully arrived at the entrance of this channel.

Numerous Black Market guards stood sentinel around the channel. The sharp weapons in their hands, glinting coldly, deterred the surging crowd kept at bay on the other side from approaching. At the channel’s entrance, several Black Market Deacons stood casually, yet the powerful aura emanating from them created a palpable sense of pressure for those nearby.

From time to time, a group of people would enter this special channel. Each time this happened, exclamations of awe would ripple through the surrounding crowd. Those who could enter here were mostly prominent experts and forces in the Martial World, particularly those with significant reputations in the Black Sand Land. For ordinary people, these prominent figures were a rare sight indeed.

The Black Market Deacons would then smile and respectfully welcome these groups into the channel.

Under the focus of numerous gazes, Ling Chen and Liu Feiyue slowly ascended the steps and walked towards the heavily guarded channel entrance. Many eyes scrutinized these two unfamiliar figures. One appeared to be an ordinary-looking scholar, while the woman beside him, dressed in white, was as beautiful as a painting. Her ethereal, otherworldly aura made many onlookers’ eyes light up.

Such stunning women were rarely seen in the Black Sand Land.

Amidst the surrounding murmurs of speculation, the three Black Market Deacons guarding the entrance also spotted the pair. When their gazes fell upon Liu Feiyue, noting her cool expression and white attire, their own expressions uniformly shifted. They exchanged a glance, then hastily came forward to greet them, their faces wreathed in enthusiastic smiles.