Chapter 64: The Celestial Derivation Sect Leader’s Probing

Chapter 64: Chapter 64: The Celestial Derivation Sect Leader’s Probing

Liu Yicai received Shui Zebo and Li Zeyu in the reception room on the top floor.

The reception wasn’t overly courteous, but it wasn’t a cold shoulder, either.

Not only did he offer them seats, but he also personally brewed them two bowls of tea.

Though there were clearly better tea leaves on the table, he only brewed the most ordinary kind for the two of them.

Watching this, Shui Zebo couldn’t help but feel his face flush with humiliation.

But once they discerned that Liu Yicai’s Cultivation Realm was that of the Nascent Soul, they had no choice but to suppress their anger.

’The shopkeeper of a mere branch was a Nascent Soul Realm Cultivator. What Realm must the big boss behind Mr. Hong’s Auction House be?’

After all, the status of a Nascent Soul Realm Cultivator was by no means low, even within the Six Sects and Eight Gates of the Eastern Domain.

"To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit? Please, speak freely."

After brewing the tea, Liu Yicai sat back down in his chair and asked with a faint smile.

Shui Zebo pulled an invitation from his robes, stood, and offered it to Liu Yicai. "My son is to be wed on the eighth of next month. As Mr. Hong’s Auction House is a part of our Cultivation Realm, I have come personally to deliver this invitation. I hope that Shopkeeper Liu and your big boss will honor us with your presence."

Liu Yicai didn’t take the invitation. Instead, he frowned and sneered, "Invite our big boss to honor you with his presence? Let me be blunt: your Celestial Derivation Sect isn’t worthy. As for me, I’m afraid I won’t be able to make it either. Since you’re here, you must know that the eighth of the twelfth month is the grand opening of this very branch. How could I possibly leave?"

Shui Zebo frowned, retracted his hand, took two steps back, and sat down again.

He asked, "And what is the name of your esteemed establishment’s big boss?"

A humorless smile touched Liu Yicai’s lips. "What’s this? Is Sect Leader Shui here to probe the depths of our auction house? If that’s the case, I must ask you both to leave. I dare not speak the big boss’s name without his permission. Please, don’t make things difficult for me."

The more Liu Yicai spoke this way, the more uncertain Shui Zebo became.

Shui Zebo quickly replied, "No, no, Shopkeeper Liu, you’ve misunderstood. We came today simply to foster goodwill."

Still smiling, Liu Yicai said, "Actually, I have a good idea why you’ve come, Sect Leader Shui. First, we opened a branch in Nanling County City without so much as informing the Celestial Derivation Sect. Second, our grand opening also happens to fall on the eighth of the twelfth month."

Shui Zebo nodded.

But Liu Yicai’s expression suddenly hardened. With a cold snort, he said, "Sect Leader Shui, are you overestimating yourself? Or perhaps, you’re overestimating the Celestial Derivation Sect?"

Shui Zebo’s expression darkened, his tone turning grim. "Shopkeeper Liu, what is the meaning of this? We came in good faith and have shown no disrespect. Yet you, Shopkeeper Liu, have been nothing but disdainful. Why?"

The atmosphere instantly grew tense, thick with hostility.

Liu Yicai didn’t back down. A cold smile played on his lips as he said, "I’m just a man who likes to speak his mind. You say I’m disdainful? Fine. This confidence is a gift from my boss. What now? Does Sect Leader Shui intend to fight?"

"Shopkeeper Liu, Shopkeeper Liu, you misunderstand! That’s not what our Sect Leader meant," Li Zeyu hurriedly interjected, trying to smooth things over.

Liu Yicai pursed his lips. "For the sake of Elder Li, who seems to know his place, I’ll say a little more. Opening a branch in Nanling County on the eighth of the twelfth month was a direct order from our big boss. As for whether we’re targeting your Celestial Derivation Sect, I believe you’re worrying for nothing. You simply don’t understand the extent of our big boss’s power. The wedding of the Celestial Derivation Sect Leader’s son is truly beneath our big boss’s notice. Forget the Sect Leader’s son—even if you yourself were getting married, Sect Leader Shui, our big boss wouldn’t bother making a fuss."

He paused for a moment before continuing, "However, I suspect the big boss might also see an opportunity. After all, with your son’s wedding, many Cultivators from the Eastern Domain will come to offer their congratulations. The more Cultivators there are, the grander our auction will be, wouldn’t you agree? We are businessmen, after all. Profit is our ultimate goal."

Having said his piece, Liu Yicai stood up, clearly ready to see his guests out.

He said, "I definitely won’t be able to attend the Celestial Derivation Sect’s wedding banquet. But I will certainly pay a visit after the fact. By the way, the rumors about the items in our upcoming auction are true. Sect Leader Shui, you can send some of your people to participate. I will arrange a private room for your Sect in advance."

Shui Zebo and Li Zeyu took their leave.

Only after they had gone did Liu Yicai sneer and mutter to himself, "’What’s real appears false, and what’s false appears real. A game of smoke and mirrors. You think you can pry information from me? Keep dreaming.’"

After leaving, Shui Zebo and Li Zeyu discussed the meeting on their way back to Nanling Mountain.

"Elder Li, how much of what that shopkeeper said do you think we can believe?" Shui Zebo asked.

Li Zeyu shook his head. "Thirty percent at most. But I could hear the hostility toward our Celestial Derivation Sect in his tone. This auction house will certainly be the first real rival we’ve faced."

"Do you think it’s connected to Red Blood Mansion?"

"Sect Leader, didn’t you already come to a conclusion about that? Red Blood Mansion is nothing but a disorganized mob. They have power, yes, but given Yan Qi’s personality... while he loves to scheme and plot, he’s not capable of something on this scale. If Red Blood Mansion were truly behind that shopkeeper, he wouldn’t have dared to speak to you that way, Sect Leader."

"Only a mighty dragon dares to cross the river," Shui Zebo said with a sigh. "We know they don’t come in peace. All we can do is prepare our defenses, just in case."

That night, Chu Fan slipped into Mr. Hong’s Auction House alone. He met not only with Liu Yicai, but also with Ji Bufan, Ying Xiao, and Che Dagui.

The moment they saw Chu Fan, they moved to kneel and pay their respects, but he stopped them.

"My lord, you shouldn’t have come. Too many eyes are on the auction house these days," said Ji Bufan.

"I only came to confirm one thing; otherwise, I couldn’t rest easy. Seeing you all has put my mind at ease. However, I’m here to remind you: I have a complete plan for the Celestial Derivation Sect on the eighth of the twelfth month. You just need to look after the auction house. For now, do not get involved in my affairs. When the three-year period is up, I will have many tasks for you to do."

"Shui Zebo was here over two hours ago," said Liu Yicai.

"I know. I’ve been keeping an eye on things from nearby all day. I assume Shui Zebo was here to probe?"

Liu Yicai recounted everything that had happened since their arrival at dusk.

"You handled it well," Chu Fan said. "Shui Zebo may be arrogant, but he’s also suspicious. He won’t dare move against the auction house until he’s certain of the identity of the big boss behind it. If it were Yan Qi, however, he would likely use some sort of scheme to test the waters."

They had intended to report on the progress the eight of them had made over the past few months, but Chu Fan simply waved his hand, saying that everything could wait until the three-year period was over. After giving a few more instructions, Chu Fan departed.

While Chu Fan was at the auction house visiting Liu Yicai and the others, Yan Ying had also gone out alone. She had even left the city to meet with two old men, giving them some instructions before returning.

In an instant, the winds of change began to blow, and storm clouds gathered over all of Nanling County City.