Chapter 188: The More the Merrier

The black market.

Existing outside the capital, nestled within an unknown valley.

From the outside, no one would ever suspect that this desolate valley houses the black market.

But passing through the thorny passage, Shen Changqing was astonished to find that the so-called black market was far more bustling than he had imagined.

"So this is the black market!"

Looking at the throng of people passing by, a look of amazement crossed his face.

If he didn’t know the true origins of this place, he might have mistaken it for a small town somewhere within Great Qin.

"Lord Shen, follow me."

Ji Qu led Shen Changqing toward the auction house.

Along the way, he kept his gaze trained on their surroundings, speaking in a low voice.

"Lord Shen, the black market has its rules. The most important one is that you must not pry into the origins of others, or you’ll invite unnecessary trouble."

"Understood."

Shen Changqing nodded.

He cared little for the rules of the black market.

What truly mattered to him was the price his martial arts techniques could fetch.

Before long, Ji Qu brought Shen Changqing to the Yuanyang Auction House.

As soon as they entered, an attendant approached them.

Without wasting any words, Ji Qu presented two gilt name cards.

Upon seeing the cards, the attendant’s expression changed dramatically. He hurriedly said, "Please, both of you, take a seat in the wing-room. I will report your arrival immediately."

The two said nothing, following the attendant to the wing-room and taking their seats.

In less than a quarter of an hour, a middle-aged man in luxurious robes strode in from outside.

His gaze lingered on Ji Qu for a moment before settling on Shen Changqing.

"I am Warden No. 1 of the Yuanyang Auction House. My apologies for the wait."

"You’re welcome."

Shen Changqing’s expression remained calm.

Ji Qu, seated beside him, remained silent.

Warden No. 1 sat down opposite them, his gaze fixed on Shen Changqing.

"This must be Lord Shen Changqing of the Demon Suppression Division, a truly outstanding talent. The Yuanyang Auction House is deeply impressed by Lord Shen’s slaying of the Barbarian General."

"You flatter me. I didn’t expect Warden No. 1 of the Yuanyang Auction House to be an expert who has reached the Body Forging Realm."

Shen Changqing studied the man carefully.

He sensed a Qi and blood energy within the man as terrifying as a wild beast.

He had only sensed such a level of Qi and blood from those in the Seclusion Pavilion.

Clearly, discarding his identity as Warden of the Yuanyang Auction House, this man was a Grandmaster Late Stage expert in the Jianghu.

Ji Qu remained outwardly calm, but inwardly, he was shocked.

If Shen Changqing hadn’t revealed it, he would never have known that the man before him was a Grandmaster Late Stage expert.

Even after his strength was exposed, Warden No. 1 maintained his warm smile.

"Lord Shen has an insightful eye. I am impressed. It’s just that I’ve been immersed in martial arts for decades, spending a great deal of time before barely reaching this level. Compared to Lord Shen, the difference is vast!"

After saying that, he cleared his throat and adopted a serious expression.

"Let’s get down to business. Apart from Lord Shen’s three Grandmaster martial arts techniques, all the other auction items are ready. If Lord Shen has brought the techniques, then the auction can officially begin."

"Of course, I brought them."

Shen Changqing reached into his robes and took out the copied versions of the three martial arts techniques, placing them on the table.

The other two immediately focused their attention on them.

Invincible Golden Body!

Heavenly Martial Divine Gang!

Hundred Battle Saber Technique!

Warden No. 1 and Ji Qu both wore puzzled expressions, their experience failing to provide any knowledge of these three techniques.

However, it was precisely because they had never heard of them that Warden No. 1 felt truly at ease.

"If Lord Shen trusts us, leave the martial arts techniques with the Yuanyang Auction House. The auction will officially begin in half an hour."

"Since I came to the Yuanyang Auction House, of course I trust you."

"That’s good."

Warden No. 1 smiled, casually collecting the three martial arts techniques before standing up.

"The auction venue is on the third and fourth levels. I’ll have someone lead you up now. If there’s anything you desire in the meantime, feel free to bid on it."

With that, Warden No. 1 clapped his hands, and an attendant walked in from outside.

"Escort these two honored guests to the fourth level and seat them. Await the start of the auction and do not commit any indiscretions."

"Understood."

The attendant bowed.

"Honored guests, please follow me!"

The Yuanyang Auction House covered a large area. The first and second levels primarily sold ordinary items, while the third and fourth levels were dedicated to auctions.

Arriving at the fourth level, the attendant arranged for them a wing-room before retreating.

The wing-room was small, accommodating only about seven or eight people.

Within the wing-room was a transparent window, offering a clear view of the auction platform below.

It was worth noting that the third and fourth levels were directly connected for the auction, allowing a direct view of the third level floor from the fourth level windows.

The auction platform was located on the third level floor.

Shen Changqing then retracted his gaze, turning his attention to the other wing-rooms.

However, each wing-room window was covered by a substance similar to glass, preventing a clear view inside.

Ji Qu explained, "The material on the windows is called glaze, originally from Great Yue. It allows two-way visibility but was later modified to allow only one-way visibility.

Because of this characteristic, it’s widely used in auction houses."

At this point, Ji Qu pointed to the tiny holes in the walls of the wing-room, resembling small honeycombs at first glance.

"Those holes are for transmitting sound from the room. If Lord Shen wants to bid, shouting in the room will naturally be heard by others."

Hearing the explanation, Shen Changqing remained calm.

He wasn’t an unsophisticated bumpkin who would be amazed by his first visit to an auction house.

After Ji Qu finished speaking, he finally smiled.

"Brother Ji is very familiar with the auction house. Do you come here often?"

"Haha, this old one occasionally comes once in a while. After all, some good things are hard to buy at ordinary times and can only be obtained through auctions."

Ji Qu forced an awkward smile.

A human skin mask was good, but it couldn’t perfectly simulate the joys and sorrows of a normal person.

At first glance, it was quite strange.

After explaining, Ji Qu picked up the teapot on the table and poured a cup of tea for Shen Changqing, then poured one for himself.

"The Yuanyang Auction House rarely holds auctions. It only auctions once at the beginning of each month. If someone wants to auction something but misses the time, they’ll have to wait until the next month.

This time, it shouldn’t have started so early, but Lord Shen’s reputation and the importance of the three Grandmaster martial arts techniques allowed the Yuanyang Auction House to make an exception."

Ji Qu said with a smile.

Three Grandmaster martial arts techniques, coupled with the reputation of the Demon Suppression Division, were enough to tempt any Jianghu faction.

Seeing that Shen Changqing didn’t speak, he continued.

"Some people in the Jianghu obtain precious treasures that they can’t use themselves, or they want to exchange them for silver. Generally, to sell at a high price, they’ll choose to auction them at an auction house.

However, auction houses don’t accept just anything. After evaluation, they must be deemed worth no less than ten thousand taels of silver to qualify as an auction item.

This completely eliminates useless items from appearing in the auction, wasting everyone’s time.

If Lord Shen has any ideas, you can bid directly on anything you fancy later. The silver can be deducted from the earnings of the three Grandmaster martial arts techniques."

After Ji Qu finished speaking, he picked up his teacup and took a sip.

Just as Shen Changqing had said, he was a regular at the auction house, otherwise, he wouldn’t have obtained the Yuanyang Auction House’s VIP status.

However, most of the time, Ji Qu watched others auction, rarely participating himself.

There was no way around it.

The Demon Suppression Division’s salary was meager. Even if the Demon Slaying Envoys occasionally earned some extra income, it was all spent.

To participate in the auction, without tens of thousands of taels of silver, one basically had no right to speak.

In this aspect, he was truly poor.

Lord Shen also picked up his teacup, his gaze falling on the auction platform below.

"Items useful to Grandmasters are probably rare at auctions, aren’t they?"

"Indeed, they are rare."

Ji Qu nodded in deep agreement.

"Most of the time, the auctioned items are useful to Meridian Opening and Innate martial artists. Items useful to Grandmasters are extremely rare.

But every time they appear, they cause quite a stir.

This time, Lord Shen’s auction of three Grandmaster martial arts techniques is far more significant than usual. As far as I know, many sects from various prefectures have arrived.

If the half-month time frame wasn’t so tight, I suspect that even people from other countries might have come to participate in the auction."

"Other countries—are you talking about Great Zhou and Great Yue?"

Shen Changqing’s expression faltered.

Ji Qu nodded.

"That’s right. Grandmaster martial arts techniques are treasures that can change the fate of most Jianghu people. If they can obtain them, they can even change the destiny of a sect, the destiny of a faction.

Grandmaster martial arts techniques are scarce in the Great Qin Jianghu, and they’re just as scarce in Great Zhou, Great Yue, and other places.

Wherever a Grandmaster martial arts technique appears, others will flock to it.

Right now, it’s only been half a month, but many Jianghu factions have already arrived. Jianghu factions from neighboring Guangyuan Prefecture, Nanyou Prefecture, and other places have almost all come."

From Ji Qu’s words, Shen Changqing suddenly realized that he had still underestimated the appeal of Grandmaster martial arts techniques.

However, the more people there were, the higher the final auction price might be.

A smile appeared on his face.

"The more people who come, the better. If no one is fighting over them, I’ll be worried that the price will be too low!"

End of Chapter