Up on the balcony, Jiu Zui took a long, relaxed swig from his wine gourd, grinning from ear to ear. "That's my disciple," he chuckled. "Extort them blind."
"I am officially seizing the assets of this auction house!" Ji'an declared, marching toward the groaning auctioneer. She grabbed the man by the collar of his lavish, jewel-encrusted robes, hauling him up to eye level. "Where is the vault? And where are the keys to the rest of the cages?"
"T-The keys are on my belt!" the man wept, terrified of the soot-stained chef who hit like a falling mountain. "The vault is behind the stage! Please, take it all! Just spare my life!"
Ji'an snatched the heavy iron keyring from his belt. She didn't let him go, however. She cocked her arm back.
"This is for the bruise on his cheek," Ji'an said coldly.
CLANG!
The flat of the spatula connected with the side of the auctioneer's head, instantly knocking him unconscious. He slumped to the floor, entirely out of commission.
