As the echo of Hai Chen Feng's voice faded, the grand hall seemed to still, the tension thick as aged wine. Then, with a faint rustle of robes, a black-clothed youngster slowly rose from the second row.
His every movement was unhurried, almost lazy, yet impossibly refined. Even though his face was hidden behind a thin black veil, there was an undeniable grace about him, as though he embodied every ounce of elegance beneath the heavens. The way he carried himself, the calmness in his posture, it was the very definition of poise.
This young man was none other than the Li Family's heir, Li You Ran.
And it was the first time in years that he had graced a public event with his presence.
"I bid one million and five hundred thousand silver taels," His voice rang clear through the hall. It was smooth and tranquil, like a cool breeze whispering through an autumn forest.
There was not the slightest hint of aggression in it, only an effortless confidence that silenced every murmur.
"This is the first round of the auction for this 'Heavenly Wine.' This is of great importance. This Young Master is also fascinated with this wine. Therefore, I must ask Gang Leader Hai to forgive me."
His words were polite, even refined, but everyone in the room could sense the subtle spark beneath the civility.
Li You Ran turned his gaze toward Hai Chen Feng, a gentle smile curving his lips. Outwardly, it appeared to be admiration, the courteous acknowledgment of one powerful man to another. Yet deep within his calm eyes, emotions churned unseen.
Just two nights ago, two of his senior brothers had set out on a mission and returned battered, broken, and humiliated. Their defeat had come at the hands of none other than the man standing before him, the new leader of the Jin Yang Gang.
Even if both sides had suffered injuries, Li You Ran could not simply let this pass. Especially when his eldest senior brother was sitting quietly behind him.
This auction would be the perfect stage.
Li You Ran's plan was simple. He wanted to disrupt Hai Chen Feng's momentum and probe the financial depth of his gang. After all, the auction would cost millions. If Hai Chen Feng was reckless enough to keep bidding blindly, the gang would be crippled by its own pride. And if that happened, Li You Ran's revenge would be quiet, elegant, and absolute.
"So the Li Family's Young Master is also very fond of wines, huh?" Hai Chen Feng's chuckle rolled like thunder in his chest. His tone was calm, but his eyes gleamed with challenge. "This, however, is not a problem. It is only natural that the price will go high. And since that is the case, I bid three million silver taels!"
A series of gasps echoed through the hall.
Three million taels was a figure that would bankrupt a lot of families, yet Hai Chen Feng uttered it without a blink.
For him, money was dust.
After all, the Jin Yang Gang wasn't bidding for itself; it was bidding for Young Master Jun's profit.
And for Hai Chen Feng, that was reason enough to spend without hesitation.
Li You Ran's lips curved faintly. Three million was impressive… but not nearly enough.
Besides, if Hai Chen Feng frightened the others into silence, the fun would end too soon. So he tilted his head, his smile growing playful.
"Gang Leader Hai is indeed very rich," Li You Ran said softly, his voice like flowing water. "As expected."
Then, with a light laugh that seemed almost musical, he raised a single finger. "This Young Master bids three million silver taels... and one copper."
The entire hall froze.
Three million silver taels... and one copper?!
That single word 'copper' echoed louder than any shout could have.
It was an open insult wrapped in grace.
Hai Chen Feng's expression darkened instantly. Fury surged up from his chest like fire. His breath came fast and sharp as his gaze locked onto the veiled youth.
"Young Master Li's family is truly great," He said coldly. "Adding just one copper to three million... Hehe... However, my heart is untroubled in this regard. I will not hesitate to spend ten thousand gold taels more. Therefore, I bid five million!"
A collective hiss rose from the audience.
Five million taels was an astronomical figure.
But Hai Chen Feng's temper had snapped. His pride as a Sky Xuan master and gang leader would not let him endure such mockery.
'This boy is too damn annoying!' He seethed inwardly. 'Adding one copper? What kind of insult is that?! Dammit... I'll end this right now!'
"This is merely the nature of an auction, Gang Leader Hai," Li You Ran replied lightly, the corner of his mouth lifting in serene amusement. "Didn't you yourself say, 'it is only natural that the price will go high'? Then why are you getting so mad about this? Such behavior isn't good, he he."
A ripple of laughter went through the crowd, restrained yet delighted.
"Every family here is noble," Li You Ran continued, unhurried and unbothered. "And everyone's demeanor is surely befitting their station. This Young Master has merely added to the price; I've broken no rule, after all. There are no stipulations about how much one must add. My Li Family is but a small family; we cannot afford to increase the bid by too much. Kindly forgive me."
He gave a light sigh, feigning humility. "However, since Gang Leader Hai feels this way... I will admit that I have sinned... for I do wish to avoid annoying him!"
Hai Chen Feng's face was pale with anger, though a dangerous smile twitched at his lips. 'Keep adding,' he thought viciously. 'The moment you do, I'll stop and you'll be the one paying for this foolishness!'
Li You Ran seemed to sense the thought behind those eyes. He paused delicately, then with a mild expression said, "Then... I will bid five million silver taels... and two coppers."
The room exploded with laughter, unable to contain it this time.
Hai Chen Feng's rage broke its chains. He slammed his foot on the table, the wood cracking under the force as he leapt onto it, roaring, "You—boy! You've gone too far! You—!"
But before he could finish, a faint, lazy voice whispered directly in his ear, so close it felt as though the words had been breathed into his mind.
"Let him have it."
Hai Chen Feng froze, and his eyes darted around wildly.
That voice... it unmistakably belonged to Young Master Jun.
Yet it made no sense. There was no technique in the Xuan Xuan Continent capable of sending one's voice into another's ear like that. And stranger still, no one else in the hall seemed to have heard a thing.
"I'm telling you to let him have it," The voice came again, calm but absolute. "Do not bid again, and that's an order."
Though soft, the authority behind those words crushed any hesitation.
Hai Chen Feng clenched his fists and then slowly sat back down.
'Yes, I will obey.'
From his private booth, Jun Mo Xie watched silently, his chin resting on his hand. He had noticed Li You Ran the moment the youth entered. His every movement was polished to perfection.
This was his first time seeing Li You Ran face-to-face.
Li You Ran's every gesture, every smile, was flawless.
Even the way he breathed seemed rehearsed.
Jun Mo Xie narrowed his eyes.
'However, does such a perfect personality truly exist in this world?'
He didn't believe it for a second.
The heavens weren't perfect, nor even the earth perfect. No one and nothing ever was perfect.
And so, as Jun Mo Xie's gaze lingered on Li You Ran's calm, veiled smile and he saw through it.
That perfection was not real; it was only an illusion.
'This brat is truly fake to the core.'
--- ✦ ✦ ✦ ---
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