“Sir!” Xiao Yue’Er saw the killing intent in Shuidong Liu’s eyes and quickly grabbed his hand.
“Justice will prevail in the end.
You…
you don’t have to get so worked up!”
“I’m not worked up!” Shuidong Liu seethed with hatred.
Though he was an illegitimate son, he had been thrown into a mine pit as a child and left for dead.
If it weren’t for some of the old miners there looking after him, he would have died long ago!
A loyal subject performs great deeds, washes away past shame, and restores old glory, only for the emperor to worry about his throne and execute the hero’s entire family.
What kind of bullshit is that!
He was from the modern era of Earth.
‘Are kings and generals destined for greatness by birth?!’
‘Absolve his crime?’
“But who’s the real criminal in this affair!”
“That unworthy descendant…
isn’t he afraid his ancestor will climb out of his coffin and strike him dead!”
Shuidong Liu’s gaze was as sharp as a blade and as cold as frost.
Xiaoyu whispered, “Young Master, please lower your voice.
No one can hear us, but…”
“No buts.
If someone really spreads this around, then I’ll just have to fight my way to Yunlong City!”
The anger Shuidong Liu had bottled up for years erupted all at once.
‘What’s there to be afraid of!’
‘He wasn’t afraid when he was weak!’
‘Now he felt he was strong enough.
He was ready.
It was time!’
‘So what was there to be afraid of now!’
Xiao Xiang’Er looked up with a slight smile.
“If you want to fight your way to Yunlong City, Yue’Er can help you!”
“Sis, don’t cause trouble!” Xiao Yue’Er didn’t understand.
‘What’s gotten into my sister today?
Doesn’t she know that Yunlong City is teeming with powerful masters?’
‘At the very least, she had to ensure Sir could get away safely.’
Shuidong Liu smiled and reassured Xiao Yue’Er, “Don’t worry, I haven’t even solved the problems here yet!”
But in his heart, he knew this conflict was bound to erupt sooner or later.
Shuidong Liu followed them out for a meal.
The Duchess was quite hospitable and showed no signs of distance toward him, even though Duke Zhen had not agreed to the marriage.
After the meal, Shuidong Liu didn’t see Huang Wenlong or Xiao Liang.
“Where did they go?”
“Where else?
My second brother is never home.
He goes wherever there’s fun to be had in Celestial Fragrance City!”
“The Second Young Master probably went to Luotian Pavilion.
There’s a big auction there today, and that woman, Liu Yin, is personally making an appearance!” Xiaoyu grumbled as she spoke, clearly displeased with Liu Yin.
Shuidong Liu asked curiously, “What are they auctioning?”
“Weapons, Cultivation Techniques, and a bunch of other junk meant to scam people.
Most of it is fake, anyway!”
Hearing this, he wasn’t particularly interested, but he didn’t immediately return to his cultivation either.
He decided to spend some time with Xiao Yue’Er.
After all, the favor of a beautiful woman is the hardest to repay, and besides, Xiao Yue’Er’s sincere affection had truly moved him…
「Luotian Pavilion.」
The auction hall was already packed with over a hundred people.
Xiao Liang’s large frame was impossible to hide.
He leaned over and whispered, “Wenlong, look at lot number thirteen.
It’s a Wind and Cloud Map painted by a master of the Ten Realms of Longevity!”
“What are you planning to do?”
“It would definitely be a huge help to my little sister.
Maybe she could break through with just one look!”
“And then?”
“We buy it!” Xiao Liang said with a goofy grin.
Huang Wenlong sighed.
“Buy it with what?
Huang Yi came back, but aside from himself, he only brought a single piece of Luminous Jade.”
Xiao Liang chuckled, leaning close to his ear.
“I’ve got fifteen pieces right here!”
“Fif—” Huang Wenlong almost shouted, staring at him in disbelief.
“Did you rob the Eldest Miss’s stash?”
“Nonsense.
I wouldn’t dare go near Third Sister’s things.
This is stuff I just collected.”
The network of Duke Zhen’s Mansion was far more powerful than that of Dongling Mansion.
“Dongliu taught you Swordsmanship.
If you buy a treasure for my little sister, it’ll count as repaying the favor.
Dongliu will definitely be happy, and my little sister won’t refuse it either!”
As he spoke, Xiao Liang pulled out a pouch and tossed it to Huang Wenlong.
“Bid!
Crush them!”
“It’s only a fragment of a painting.” Huang Wenlong knew very well that if it were complete, it never would have been brought to Celestial Fragrance City, because no one here could afford it.
“A fragment is still precious!
Bid!”
Xiao Liang couldn’t make heads or tails of the painting.
‘The Wind and Cloud Map…
but where were the wind and clouds?’
But Huang Wenlong hadn’t refused, which meant it must truly be useful.
In the auction hall, many people were watching the two of them.
They breathed a sigh of relief when the pair didn’t bid on anything, but that changed when the Wind and Cloud Map came up.
Liu Yin’s every glance was captivating.
The light purple gauze she wore only added to her allure, causing everyone present to stare intently at her delicate skin.
In her hands, she displayed the Wind and Cloud Map.
“This is a Wind and Cloud Map, painted by a master of the Ten Realms of Longevity.
Due to the passage of time, the map is incomplete.
The starting bid is one Luminous Jade.
Items of equivalent value may also be used for the transaction!”
“Five pieces!” Huang Wenlong was the first to raise his hand.
Everyone’s expression changed slightly.
“Master Huang, what use do you have for this map?
Why not…” Someone who was about to bid “two” was startled into silence.
At the same time, their curiosity was piqued.
“It’s a gift!”
Huang Wenlong cut the other person off directly.
“Six pieces!” another person called out from a corner.
Huang Wenlong was surprised.
“Song?
You came all the way to Celestial Fragrance City just to hide in a corner?
You have that many Luminous Jades?”
“I don’t.
But I can barter with other items.
Luotian Pavilion accepts all sorts of treasures, doesn’t it?” Song Changfeng smiled faintly.
He wore a simple gray robe, and his face was etched with world-weary wrinkles.
If you saw him in a field, you would likely mistake him for an old farmer.
“Eight pieces!”
“You…” Song Changfeng said, slightly angered.
“Master Huang, we have no conflict between us, do we?”
“We do not!”
“In that case, let me have this painting, and my Song Family will owe you three favors.
What do you say?” Song Changfeng offered decisively, without a moment’s hesitation.
The entire hall instantly erupted in an uproar.
“Three favors from the Song Family!
The Song Family, just like the Huang Family, governs a mansion and its ninety-nine cities.
That’s an enormous debt of gratitude!”
“I heard that the Song Family’s old man, Elder Song, has been unable to step into the True Qi Realm for many years, and his life is coming to an end.
That’s why they came all the way from Celestial Wind Mansion to Celestial Fragrance City, just for this painting, hoping for a breakthrough!”
The favor of saving a life and enabling a breakthrough—if Huang Wenlong agreed, it would be an unimaginable asset!
Song Changfeng simply stood up and cupped his hands.
“What all of you say is correct.
My father is in urgent need of this map.
Master Huang…”
“Actually, I also intend to use it to repay a favor!”
Song Changfeng’s expression changed.
‘He had already said so much, yet Huang Wenlong still wouldn’t yield?’
“Nine pieces!” Song Changfeng clenched his fist, glaring at him.
“Ten pieces!”
Song Changfeng’s fist tightened as he said coldly, “Master Huang, I think you had better ask your father about this!”
Huang Wenlong nodded.
“I understand what you mean, Song, but you have your reasons, and I have mine!”
“This item, I cannot yield!”
Song Changfeng said angrily, “Even if it means making an enemy of my Song Family?”
“Even if Elder Song passes away and your Song Family holds me responsible, I will not yield!” Huang Wenlong said coolly.
“Have I made myself clear enough?”
Huang Wenlong didn’t take the threat to heart at all.
Celestial Wind Mansion and Dongling Mansion were far apart.
Besides, this was the Xiao Family’s fiefdom.
What would Song Changfeng dare to do here?
“You…”
“Gentlemen!” Liu Yin’s Flowing Sound of Clear Spirit interrupted the two of them.
“Bidding within Luotian Pavilion is based on financial strength.
Please be quiet!”
“Hmph!” Song Changfeng shot Huang Wenlong a murderous glare as he sat back down.
“Eleven pieces!”
Huang Wenlong was also shocked.
The Song Family and the Huang Family had equal status and similar power.
Where did they get the resources to produce items equivalent to eleven pieces?
As Huang Wenlong thought it over, he guessed it was probably Elder Song.
Although he had one foot in the grave, he was still a genuine master of the Ten Realms of Divine Power, at the Magic Realm.
It was possible he had accumulated some treasures over the years.
“Twelve!” Huang Wenlong had wanted to jump straight to fifteen, but there was no need to be wasteful.
Seeing Song Changfeng’s furious expression, no one else in the hall dared to make a sound.
“Good, good, good…” Since learning of this auction, Song Changfeng, the venerable master of a mansion and its ninety-nine cities, had not only incurred countless favors begging for help, but had even kneeled before others.
But now!
“Huang Wenlong, I’ll remember this!
I’ll remember you!” Enraged, Song Changfeng stormed out.
Huang Wenlong frowned.
“Song…”
“Hmph!” Song Changfeng clenched his fists, his eyes filled with killing intent.
Outside Luotian Pavilion, a group of guards asked, “Mansion Master, what should we do?
Should we…
rob them?”
“This is Dongling Mansion’s territory, Duke Zhen’s fiefdom!
If we make a move here, are you trying to get the Mansion Master killed?”
A few of the guards muttered amongst themselves.
But Song Changfeng’s voice was savage.
“I must get my hands on that map!”