Heaven Slaying Blade

Miao Yi Niang gently shook her head, a hint of perplexity in her eyes. She quietly said, "No, although I rarely attend auctions, as the manager of the Gluttonous Pavilion, I receive invitations for almost every auction. I've attended occasionally, but this time ... it's the first."

With that, Miao Yi Niang looked at Chu Mo with a touch of surprise: "How were you able to identify those people as clan members?"

Chu Mo chuckled and replied softly, "Someone from a clan, even if they cover themselves from head to toe, cannot hide their inherent arrogance."

Miao Yi Niang glared at Chu Mo, "Are you tarring everyone with the same brush?"

Chu Mo let out a quiet laugh.

Miao Yi Niang sighed lightly. "However, you do make sense."

Chu Yan curiously studied the people around her, quietly observing their every move, while also noting the various exits of the auction house. The details were all imprinted in her mind, a habit she'd already grown accustomed to.

Aside from her unsuccessful assassination attempt on Chu Mo, Chu Yan possessed an exceptional talent for gathering intelligence. Her observations were acute and her insight profound.

This was the main reason why her assassination attempt had failed that day.

Because she instantly recognized that Chu Mo was not someone she could assassinate. If she continued, she would only be throwing her life away. And as events later proved, she was right.

After some time, the main door of the auction house finally closed. At that point, nearly 70 percent of the large hall on the first floor was occupied.

Almost half had concealed their true identities. The remainder, those who had no qualms about being recognized, were either fearless and afraid of no one, or they had no intention of bidding and were merely there to enjoy the spectacle.

At that moment, a fat middle-aged man made his way onto the bottom stage. If one did not look carefully, it would appear as if a ball of flesh had rolled up.

Yet any person who knew anything about the auction house would not dare to underestimate this portly middle-aged man. Because he was the head auctioneer of the auction house. Few knew his name, but almost everyone referred to him as Fatty Brother.

"Strange, why is Fatty Brother here today? Is some big item going to appear?"

Indeed, it's unusual. Without any significant items, Fatty Brother would never show up."

"After all, Fatty Brother is the second in command at the auction house..."

People familiar with each other huddled together, whispering among themselves.

The people who hadn't masked their identities were taken by surprise upon seeing Fatty Brother. Some on their faces expressed regret. Because Fatty Brother's presence suggested that unexpected treasures might appear at this auction.

"Haha, old friends, new friends, happy new year to you all. Fatty Brother has missed you," Fatty Brother's voice boomed throughout the auction hall as he wore a friendly smile.

"Fatty Brother sees some friends with dispirited looks. Perhaps my appearance suggests to you that there must be splendid items at this auction."

"Isn't it so?" someone in the hall shouted back.

Fatty Brother chuckled, nodding, "Indeed, there are splendid items on this occasion. A lot, in fact! However, those of you who haven't concealed your identities don't need to worry. Although the items are splendid, they are not worth enough to incite murder."

With that, Fatty Brother laughed. "Alright, let's get down to business. Let's start today's auction."

As he spoke, the spherical middle-aged man's demeanor changed. He transformed from a jovial capitalist into a dignified figure.

Chu Mo, surprised and intrigued, watched without blinking. However, at this moment, he felt a gaze on him. Within that gaze resided a distinct hint of murderous intent!

"Huh?" Chu Mo was taken aback, thinking to himself, wasn't my disguise perfect? Master had said that this camouflage technique was something that no one on the entire Four Symbols Continent could see through, right?

But Chu Mo soon realized that the murderous intent was not directed at him, but at Miao Yi Niang standing beside him!

Because Chu Mo clearly felt that Miao Yi Niang's body was tensed, as if she were quite nervous.

Chu Mo subtly patted Miao Yi Niang's hand to reassure her.

Then, Chu Mo felt that Miao Yi Niang seemed to relax slightly but she was still somewhat anxious.

At this moment, Fatty Brother on the stage had brought out the first auction item - a bronze ding, an ancient food vessel that dated back to more than a thousand years ago. The ding was about a meter tall with three legs and two loop handles. It was covered with patches of rust and seemed to have images of various birds and beasts carved on it.

Upon seeing this ding, Miao Yi Niang's breath suddenly became a little hurried, and she abruptly tightened her grip on Chu Mo's hand.

Her hand was a bit cold and shaky.

Chu Mo narrowed his eyes, his face showing no emotion. Meanwhile, the previously dormant jade piece, unexpectedly gave off a heat, startling him.

"Everyone, look closely. This ding has a rich history. It's not a product of the Azure Dragon Continent, but hails from the distant Vermilion Bird Continent. Allegedly, it even originated from a once prominent sect." Fatty Brother introduced from above.

From Miao Yi Niang's trembling cold hand, Chu Mo inferred something. He tightened his grip on Miao Yi Niang's hand and then turned his attention to Fatty Brother on stage.

"From my experience, this ding might have been a vessel for worship, or it could've been used for refining medicine. The means of the sect are indeed beyond the comprehension of us ordinary folks." Fatty Brother said with a slight smile, "Regardless of its magnificent past, now... it's merely an antique. Displaying it at home as an auspicious charm could be a good choice. Its opening bid starts at two hundred ... gold!"

As Fatty Brother said 'two hundred', Chu Mo noticed many people itching to make a bid. However, when he added 'gold' afterwards, their eager faces fell instantaneously, their ready-to-bid hands reluctantly lowered.

One gold was ten silver, even if this bronze ding truly originated from a sect in the Vermilion Bird Continent, it's not worth two thousand silver. This starting price seemed rather outrageous.

Chu Mo didn't immediately make a move due to the enigmatic gaze he'd sensed and its potential connection to the bronze ding, which probably came from the Piaomiao Palace.

Though Chu Mo wasn't naturally suspicious, this situation seemed quite strange.

Fatty Brother glanced at the crowd, unruffled. He chuckled and said, "Yes, the price may be steep, but after all, it's an artifact from a prominent sect. Who knows if it has any other extraordinary uses? They say, perhaps the mere act of storing water in it could heal illness, haha, just kidding, folks. Don't take that seriously. God forbid you get poisoned and blame me."

Fatty Brother's lively and humorous words lightened the atmosphere. He continued, "Even if it's just an antique, I believe, it'd be worth the price. Of course, the prerequisite is you like it. If you like it, it's valuable!"

At this point, a voice rang out from within the hall, someone finally made a bid.

"Two hundred and ten gold, I want it. Quite right, Fatty Brother, value lies in the eyes of the beholder. I find this item appealing, I'll place it at my front door to collect rainwater."

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I appreciate hunter_wu for being the leader of the Heaven Slaying Blade. The reason for my gratitude is that I heard you rewarded me dozens of times using your mobile phone to become the leader ... This kind of support leaves me speechless. Today was supposed to be the third night watch, but for you, I added one more chapter! Thanks for your support!

Secondly, I would like to apologize to a reader whose name I have forgotten, who posted some doubts and criticisms regarding the early plot. I did not consider anything significant because these doubts will be answered as the story proceeds. The administrator removed the post thinking that newbie could find it offending. Here, I want to apologize to you: Sorry! Even though you may not see it.

I have advised the management to be cautious, as long as it does not involve personal attacks or advertising promotions, story discussion posts will not be deleted anymore. After all, a thousand people have a thousand Hamlets in their hearts, right? At the same time, I hope everyone can forgive our beautiful administrators, as newcomers inevitably make mistakes, and everyone should be given a chance to correct them.

The third point, I am seriously in need of recommendation votes... Please, everyone, don't only focus on monthly votes... if you don't have a monthly ticket, please give me a recommendation? Kisses, love you all. (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to qidian.com to vote for recommendation tickets or monthly tickets, your support, is my biggest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)