CHAPTER 816: CHAPTER 554: FRENCH PLANE TREE: THIS TIME, I WILL FAVOR YOU

Liu Zheng suggested.

"This is your real goal, isn’t it? Cunning human."

The French Plane Tree looked at him sideways.

"That’s right."

He admitted frankly.

To go up against a Peacock on his own was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.

Even in a barter system, the odds weren’t great.

But with the French Plane Tree on board, it was different. With this wealthy tycoon involved, the odds improved significantly.

"Hmm..."

The French Plane Tree hesitated.

"Are you worried about offending her?"

Liu Zheng goaded.

"Hmph, in an auction, it’s all about skills. If you fear offending someone, then what kind of collector are you?"

The French Plane Tree indeed took the bait.

"I think so too. Our Mr. Delago is of noble birth, with outstanding quality, and unmatched ability; how could he be afraid of a bird-man?"

"Besides, she’s just a Peacock, while you’re about to evolve into a Phoenix; you shouldn’t even consider her a threat."

He immediately piled on the flattery.

"Hmph, of course. Alright, considering your usual obedience, this highness will indulge you this time."

The French Plane Tree said haughtily.

"What random stuff have you been reading lately?"

Liu Zheng squinted.

"Yesterday, I found a palace intrigue novel in the sewer."

"The sewer sure has a lot of filth."

He sighed.

"Why does it feel like you’re insulting me?"

The French Plane Tree frowned.

"No way, you must be imagining things. By the way, what’s the format of the auction later?"

Liu Zheng denied and then changed the subject.

"The auction staff will come over later, so we can participate remotely."

The French Plane Tree replied.

"Goodness, an auction allowing remote participation? It’s the first time I’ve heard of that."

He feigned surprise.

"Hmph, silly human, so inexperienced. There are plenty of collectors with mobility issues, not to mention those who prefer staying in and dislike going out."

"At every auction, few attend in person; most participate remotely like us."

The French Plane Tree said.

"I see."

Liu Zheng nodded.

"Why’d you bring that fake wine seller here again? Just seeing it annoys me."

The French Plane Tree glanced at Niu Ma in the distance.

"No takeout orders, so I had to have my big boss act as my bodyguard. Care to order one for me?"

He probed further.

"Wishful thinking, don’t involve me in these energy-draining activities; I don’t want to end up with missing limbs or extra heads when hatched."

The French Plane Tree refused without hesitation.

"Speaking of which, I heard some news."

Liu Zheng shared about Six Feather Tea House inflating the price of Phoenix Blood Tea leaves.

"Another one coming up, why is evolving into a Phoenix so hard for me?"

The French Plane Tree complained.

"Good things take time. Besides, it might not necessarily be aimed at you."

He reassured.

"Hmph, in the Metropolis, nothing is ’might.’ Whenever you feel unlucky, it only gets worse than you imagined."

"True enough, that’s fair."

Liu Zheng agreed wholeheartedly.

"But having another Six Feather Tea House doesn’t change much; we just prepare as if the whole world is against us."

"Arrogant human, if everyone in the Metropolis targets me, what could you possibly do?"

The French Plane Tree sneered.

"I’ll do whatever I can. No matter how much blood you shed, I’ll make them shed even more."

He vowed.

"Hmph, all talk. Annoying human."

The French Plane Tree turned away, ignoring him.

In the tolerable silence, time slowly crept to 7:30 PM.

"Clack! Clack!"

Footsteps of leather shoes echoed from the street’s end.

Soon, someone with a projector on their neck approached them.

"Good evening, both of you. I’m the executor of tonight’s auction. It’s an honor to serve you esteemed collectors."

The projectionist bowed slightly, introducing themselves.

"Hello, working late is tough."

Liu Zheng replied politely, habitually offering a wad of cash.

"Thank you for your kind offer, Mr. Liu, but I can’t accept it."

The projector person unsurprisingly declined.

"Alright, stop it; he won’t accept."

Just as he prepared the usual ritual of insistence, the French Plane Tree intervened.

"Fine."

Since the French Plane Tree said so, Liu Zheng didn’t persist.

"The auction is about to start. Please provide the list of auction items, Mr. Liu."

The projectionist said.

The French Plane Tree had already submitted its list.

"Oh, alright."

Liu Zheng pondered, deciding to include the Mermaid Princess’s First Tear, Colorful Jelly, Universal Key (Bloodline Curse), the Monkey Claw that couldn’t grant wishes, and other items unusable for a while.

As for borrowed items, he kept them handy for when needed.

"That’s it."

He said.

"Alright. Please wait while we authenticate your submissions."

The projectionist opened their suitcase and placed each item inside.

"You’ll return them after verification, right?"

Liu Zheng asked.

"We will. However, if your items get auctioned, they can’t be used for further bidding."

The projectionist replied.

"Okay."

He nodded.

Once the auction house completed the verification and returned the items, it was already 8 PM.

"The opening ceremony of the auction is about to start. Would you two like to watch?"

The projectionist asked.

"No."

"Yes!"

The French Plane Tree and Liu Zheng responded simultaneously in opposing voices.

"What’s there to see; it’s the same routine every time, I’m sick of it."

The French Plane Tree smirked.

"I haven’t seen it before. This is my first auction, I should go through the whole process, right?"

He chuckled.

"Hmph, and your last. I won’t bring you next time. Humans are such a hassle."

The French Plane Tree grumbled.

"That just means I need to fully participate this time, or I’ll regret it forever."

Liu Zheng went along with it.

"Watch if you want; I’m not interested."

The French Plane Tree turned its face away, retrieving another book from the Black Soil.

Curious, he tried to see the cover, but it was completely hidden by roots.

"Tsk~"

Even blocked, he knew without asking; it was definitely that palace intrigue novel.

"Mr. Liu, should we start the screening?"

The projectionist asked again.

"Please do."

He nodded.

"Alright."

The projectionist backed away and switched on the projector.

A beam of light formed a screen ahead, initially blurry, but soon focused.

"Welcome, collectors, to our auction house. Yes, it’s me again, the host for this auction."

In a lavishly decorated ballroom, a penguin dressed in a tailcoat stood center stage, announcing loudly.

"Boo~"

Scattered boos arose from the audience seating below.

"Boo all you want; if you’re that capable, buy the auction house and replace me."

The penguin retorted.

"Wow, such an arrogant host! Doesn’t your auction house manage this?"

Liu Zheng exclaimed.

"It’s the owner of our auction house and a top collector in the Metropolis."

The projectionist explained.

"...Six."

He understood it all.

"This time, there are significantly more participants than last, so I hope your auction items are better. Unlike last time, where the success rate didn’t even reach its sixty percent. I was so angry, I couldn’t even bother eating seal meat."

The penguin continued.

"That you’re still poking around in seal caves means you’re not completely pissed off, right?"

Another collector jabbed back.

"As long as the auction goes well, laugh at me all you want. But if it doesn’t, my three brothers will be visiting each of you to collect compensation for emotional distress."