The Two Things Behind the Door

The maid placed the box on the platform.

When the red cloth was drawn away, an irregular piece of gray-black metal appeared beneath the auction lights.

Ancient patterns covered its surface.

Time had worn many of them faint.

Hao Nhien recognized it immediately.

It was the very metal fragment Chu Thanh had once transferred to Lang Tuyet on the road to Sea City.

He knew she had formally handed the shipment over to the Heavenly Spirit Merchant Association.

What he had not expected was for the item to appear in tonight’s auction.

Lin Yun looked toward the audience.

This time, he did not give a long introduction.

“The next item is an ancient metal fragment brought in through a Sea Region transport route.”

“Preliminary appraisal by the merchant association has failed to determine its exact age.”

“We have also found no spiritual-power fluctuation or confirmed function.”

A person below immediately called out,

“No spiritual power.”

“No known function.”

“Then what are we supposed to buy it for?”

Lin Yun replied calmly,

“You are free not to buy it.”

“But if someone else recognizes its value, purchasing it from them afterward may not be so easy.”

A few people laughed.

Someone else spoke.

“Then at least let us inspect it more closely.”

“Images and preliminary appraisal results have already been provided to those who registered interest.”

“As for the actual object, forgive us.”

“The merchant association does not allow unrestricted contact before a transaction is completed.”

“What if it turns out to be nothing but a lump of iron?”

Lin Yun smiled.

“Then that fellow Daoist will own a lump of iron with a rather respectable age.”

The hall erupted in laughter.

Hao Nhien’s lips curved slightly.

But his attention had already shifted toward the metal token inside his storage ring.

The moment the gray-black fragment appeared on the stage, he had suddenly sensed an extremely faint fluctuation from the token he purchased at the harbor market.

The sensation passed so quickly that for an instant he wondered whether he had imagined it.

Hao Nhien extended spiritual sense to inspect the token.

It remained quietly inside the storage ring.

No light.

No unusual spiritual power.

Nothing visibly changed.

But when Hao Nhien returned his attention to the metal fragment on the stage, that familiar sensation appeared again.

Very faintly.

As though some connection existed between the two objects—one he could not yet identify.

Hao Nhien slowly took out the token and placed it in his palm.

Lang Tuyet noticed immediately.

“What is it?”

Hao Nhien looked toward the stage.

“This token seems to have reacted to that fragment just now.”

Lang Tuyet raised an eyebrow.

“You’re certain?”

“Not completely.”

“It didn’t release spiritual power.”

“But I sensed an extremely faint fluctuation.”

“I already suspected the patterns on the two objects were similar.”

“Now I want to examine them even more closely.”

Lang Tuyet looked from the token in his hand to the item onstage.

“You want to buy it?”

Hao Nhien nodded.

“I want to compare them directly.”

“Even if there is ultimately no connection, at least I can confirm whether my suspicion was wrong.”

Lang Tuyet smiled.

“Then try.”

Below them, Lin Yun had announced the starting price.

One thousand mid-grade spirit stones.

Minimum increase of one hundred.

Several people who specialized in collecting ancient objects began bidding.

The author's published chapter is available on the official page; this rendition was reproduced without approval.

“One thousand one hundred!”

“One thousand three hundred!”

“One thousand five hundred!”

The price rose slowly.

Most participants had no interest in spending heavily on an item with no confirmed function.

A few found the ancient patterns interesting.

When the price reached two thousand, Lang Tuyet finally spoke.

“Three thousand.”

Her voice carried down from the private room.

Those still considering another bid immediately looked upward.

The man who had just offered two thousand thought for a moment.

Then shook his head.

An object with no proven function was not worth competing with someone in a private room merely out of curiosity.

Lin Yun waited through all three calls.

Then struck the hammer.

“Three thousand mid-grade spirit stones.”

“Sold!”

Hao Nhien watched the fragment being carried away.

A trace of anticipation appeared within him.

One item had been purchased casually at a harbor market.

The other had been a shipment Chu Thanh and his escorts had risked their lives to protect on the road to Sea City.

The patterns were similar.

And now there seemed to be some response when the two were near each other.

If they truly were connected, Hao Nhien wanted to know why an apparently ordinary token recovered from the sea shared traces with an item important enough for an armed group to pursue over several days.

Lang Tuyet noticed his expression.

“After the auction, I’ll transfer the fragment to you.”

“You can examine both properly then.”

Hao Nhien nodded.

“Good.”

The auction continued.

Several more spiritual artifacts and medicinal items appeared.

But the attention of the hall was gradually shifting toward the final item.

Long before tonight, many people had already heard that the Heavenly Spirit Merchant Association intended to present the Ancient Bow again in Sea City.

This was not its first appearance.

Those who frequently attended auctions at major branches had even known about the object for years.

The lights around the central platform dimmed.

Two maids slowly carried out a long stand covered in black cloth.

Conversation across the hall gradually faded.

Lin Yun approached the stand.

This time, the familiar smile disappeared from his face.

“Fellow Daoists.”

“The final item of tonight’s auction.”

He reached out.

The black cloth fell away.

An ancient bow of dark violet-black wood appeared beneath the lights.

It was nearly four chi long.

Its curvature was old-fashioned.

No dazzling spiritual light came from its surface.

No oppressive aura.

If judged only by appearance, it was less impressive than many spiritual artifacts sold earlier that night.

Hao Nhien immediately sat straighter.

His eyes fixed upon the bow.

That familiar sensation from memory appeared once more.

He could not explain it clearly.

But every time he looked at the bow, some vague association rose inside him.

As though he had encountered it somewhere impossibly long ago.

Lin Yun swept his gaze across the hall.

“Nameless Ancient Bow.”

“Origin unknown.”

“Rank unknown.”

“To this day, no confirmed function has been identified.”

Someone below immediately laughed.

“Old Lin, you don’t need such a long introduction.”

“We already know this thing!”

Another voice joined in.

“This is the same bow from Dong Nguyen last time, isn’t it?”

“Not only Dong Nguyen.”

“I saw it in the Frozen North two years ago!”

“And you still haven’t found a suitable owner?”

Lin Yun was not offended.

“Precisely because we have not, it is being presented again today.”

“The fellow Daoists who tested it previously obtained no result.”

“But perhaps this time, someone with the proper affinity has appeared.”

He briefly explained the transaction conditions.

Then announced,

“Starting price: ten supreme-grade spirit stones.”

The hall became considerably quieter.

Not because that amount was impossible for the powerful factions occupying the private rooms.

The problem was that spending those spirit stones did not guarantee the bow could be used.

Under the announced rules, anyone attempting to acquire the Ancient Bow had to test it inside the merchant association.

Only if the bow produced the required response could the transaction be completed.

Someone below shook his head.

“Ten supreme-grade spirit stones just to test your luck?”

“Who would dare?”

The person beside him turned.

“Do you even have ten supreme-grade spirit stones?”

“…No.”

“Then why are you worried?”

Several people nearby laughed.

No one bid.

Hao Nhien continued staring at the Ancient Bow.

Something stirred within him.

He had come to Southern Border specifically because he wanted to understand the secret of this bow.

Now it was before him.

Even though he had no idea whether he could make it respond, he still wanted to try.

Hao Nhien lifted his hand slightly.

Before he could speak, a soft hand rested lightly over the back of his.

Lang Tuyet shook her head.

“Don’t rush.”

Hao Nhien looked toward her.

“Why?”

She leaned closer and lowered her voice.

“I already prepared for this.”

Hao Nhien frowned slightly.

Lang Tuyet looked down at the bow.

“Before leaving Dong Nguyen, I registered to receive the Ancient Bow through the Sea City branch.”

“If no one buys it in tonight’s auction, I have the authority to take custody of it.”

Hao Nhien looked at her.

“You arranged that before we left?”

“Of course.”

“I knew we would eventually come to Southern Border.”

“And the Ancient Bow happened to be transferred here.”

“If I can obtain it through my merchant-association authority, why would I let you spend ten supreme-grade spirit stones competing for it?”

Hao Nhien considered the logic.

Then laughed.

“That does make sense.”

Lang Tuyet looked slightly pleased with herself.

“Only now you realize it?”

“I simply didn’t expect you to prepare that far ahead.”

“If someone working in a merchant association doesn’t know how to calculate, no amount of spirit stones they earn will ever be enough.”

She tapped one finger lightly against the back of his hand.

“So sit still.”

“Let everyone else decide whether they want to pay.”

Hao Nhien nodded.

He did not bid.

Below, Lin Yun continued waiting.

“Ten supreme-grade spirit stones.”

“Does any fellow Daoist wish to try?”

No answer.

Someone toward the back called out,

“Old Lin, reduce it to nine next time.”

“Maybe someone will buy it.”

Lin Yun turned toward the speaker.

“If that fellow Daoist genuinely wishes to purchase it, this old man can submit the proposal on your behalf.”

The man immediately fell silent.

Those around him laughed.

Lin Yun waited a little longer.

Then began the count.

Still no one accepted the opening price.

Finally, the old man looked toward the Ancient Bow and let out a slight breath.

“No bids.”

“The item remains unsold.”

The hammer struck.

The auction was officially over.

The atmosphere in the hall relaxed immediately.

Those who had purchased items began speaking with attendants about payment and delivery.

Others formed small groups and discussed the objects that had appeared during the night.

Some regretted withdrawing too early.

Others were delighted to have purchased what they wanted for less than expected.

Hao Nhien looked down.

He suddenly noticed the Western Wastes cultivator from earlier passing the row where the female cultivator who had purchased the Azure Water Sword was sitting.

The man still looked extremely pleased with his Foundation Establishment Pill.

As he passed her, he cupped his hands and spoke with complete seriousness.

“Miss, next time you buy something, you should think carefully.”

“Don’t miss something truly important because you spent your spirit stones on smaller things.”

The woman stared at him.

For a moment, she seemed unable to decide how to respond.

Someone beside her burst out laughing.

“You spent the entire auction bidding and only managed to buy one pill.”

“And now you’re teaching other people how to shop?”

The Western Wastes cultivator was not embarrassed.

“I bought the thing I needed most.”

“Doesn’t that mean I know exactly how to calculate?”

He laughed loudly.

Then quickly left the hall.

Hao Nhien watched him go.

He could not help laughing as well.

Lang Tuyet stood and adjusted her sleeves.

“Let’s go.”

Hao Nhien looked at her.

“Where?”

“First, we collect the metal fragment you just purchased.”

“Then I’ll take you to the storage area where the Ancient Bow is being kept.”

Hao Nhien rose.

Inside his storage ring, the token from the harbor market remained quiet.

The strange response had disappeared.

But now he had a chance to directly compare it with the metal fragment Chu Thanh had once escorted.

And the Ancient Bow he had been searching for was waiting behind the auction hall.

Hao Nhien looked down at the stage as attendants began clearing it.

Originally, he had come here only because of the Ancient Bow.

He had not expected that by the end of the night, he would also have purchased an object potentially connected to the token he had found by chance at the harbor market.

Lang Tuyet had already reached the door.

She turned back toward him.

“Little Brother Hao Nhien, what are you still standing there for?”

“Wasn’t this what you’ve been waiting for all night?”

Hao Nhien smiled.

Then quickly followed.

Beyond the door leading into the Heavenly Spirit Merchant Association’s secure storage area, the two objects he most wanted to investigate during this visit to Sea City were finally within reach.

And tonight, there might still be more waiting for him than he expected.