Chapter 96: Auction House President, Zhu Qingyi!

In the Room

"Are you leaving already?" Frank asked with a tone full of reluctance, slowly picking up the teapot and pouring tea into my cup.

"Yes. The main reason I came here this time was to obtain the Alchemist Badge. It will make traveling easier in the future. You know I dislike being tied down. I'm very interested in the outside world," I said, pointing to the sixth-grade Alchemist Badge on my chest. I lifted the cup and took a sip.

"Hmm, that’s true. There’s no place in this world without partings. Besides, you’re still so young; you shouldn’t stay confined within this narrow guild. You should go out and explore," Frank sighed deeply before nodding in agreement.

Seeing Frank so understanding of right and wrong made me happy. I smiled softly as I finished the last sip of tea.

"Since you’re leaving anyway, why not stay at the guild tonight? I’ll arrange a room for you and hold a farewell banquet with plenty of food and drink. How does that sound?" Frank proposed after a moment’s thought.

I paused briefly before saying, "Alright, leave everything to you, Guildmaster. There’s still some time now, so I’ll take this chance to explore Blackrock City."

"Good. You go enjoy yourself, and leave the guild affairs to me," Frank said, beaming with joy at my agreement.

——

Stepping out of the room and heading towards the corridor exit, I glanced at Yahan at the front desk. She was bent over, engrossed in writing something. I smiled faintly, thinking, “This little girl…” I then walked quietly towards her, making sure not to disturb her.

Yahan was so focused on her work she didn’t notice my arrival. My footsteps were soundless, as if I didn’t exist, so she remained oblivious.

I didn’t interrupt her, just stood there watching her write.

When Yahan finished the last line, she put down her pen and exclaimed, "Finally done! I’m exhausted!" Then she stretched lazily and let out a delighted sigh, "Ah! That feels great!"

She stopped and opened her eyes to look ahead, then suddenly froze. "You, Elder, when did you get here?" Her face flushed red, and embarrassed, she weakly asked, "Elder, you saw all that!"

"Yes," I nodded gently.

Oh, how embarrassing! Since you saw everything, it’s so humiliating! Yahan hurriedly covered her face, thinking to herself.

"It’s nothing, really. It’s quite normal. Also, don’t call me Elder outside; it makes me sound old. Just call me Qian Mo," I said.

"Ah, ah, okay, Elder... Qian Mo," Yahan replied.

"I never expected someone as young as you to have actually earned a sixth-grade Alchemist Badge," Yahan said in disbelief.

"Are you jealous?" I teased, pointing to the badge on my chest.

Yahan blinked and said, "Of course! Sixth-grade Alchemist! I don’t even know if I can reach that in my lifetime. Honestly, I’d be happy to just reach fourth grade. Unlike you, who’s already sixth grade at twenty, we’re full of envy and admiration, but mostly envy." She rested her hand on her chin, pouting.

Watching her like that, telling her feelings, I smiled inside. You can’t envy this, brother’s not an ordinary person—he has a system! Heh heh heh!

"Don’t worry, as long as you study hard, I guarantee you can reach your goals. Alright, I won’t keep you; I’m going out for a walk," I waved my hand and took the lead towards the door.

Looking at my back, Yahan was mesmerized, admiring every inch from head to toe. The white robe and the jade pendant at my waist all highlighted my exceptional talent!

So handsome! So perfect! If only I had a husband like that! Yahan’s heart fluttered with excitement, filling in all the impossible fantasies in her mind.

Outside, my appearance was truly a pleasure to behold.

"Hey, Yahan?! Yahan?" A firm voice called out. Yahan was still lost in her thoughts and didn’t hear at first. After several calls, she finally woke with a start, glaring with displeasure at whoever disturbed her beautiful dream. But upon seeing the person, her displeasure turned into a smile, "G-Guildmaster, did you need something?"

It was none other than Frank, the guildmaster, here to discuss preparations for my farewell party tonight.

Frank briefed Yahan on the evening’s plans and the tasks at hand, then moved on to the next matter.

"Is he really leaving after tonight?" Hearing Frank say I would be leaving after the farewell, Yahan’s mood dipped but quickly resolved herself, "Well, someone as outstanding as him shouldn’t be stuck in such a narrow place. Besides, he was just here to get the Alchemist Badge… sigh, forget it."

She patted her cheek and muttered to herself, "Yahan, Yahan, how could such a great man be mine? Stop daydreaming! Reality is important! Right now is important! Reality is important!" She repeated herself thrice for emphasis.

Finally, Yahan snapped out of it and went to carry out Frank’s orders.

Exiting the Alchemist Guild, the two guards at the door immediately greeted me respectfully in unison, "Greetings, Elder Mo!"

I smiled faintly and nodded, "Hmm," then continued walking outside. No one stopped me, only envious eyes fixated on the sixth-grade Alchemist Badge on my chest, all staring intently, afraid I might vanish from their sight at any moment.

I maintained a friendly smile and walked calmly, thinking, Fame isn’t always good; having so many eyes on me is quite troublesome. I quickened my pace slightly to leave the crowd behind. They dared not block my way and promptly made way.

At a small intersection, I thought for a moment and said, "Forget it, this is too tiring. I’ll just take off the badge." With that, I removed the badge from my chest and stored it in the system warehouse.

Much better. Being so conspicuous isn’t good; I prefer to act low-key.

Walking along the roadside, I overheard passersby discussing today’s Blackrock City auction. I decided to check it out.

Following the direction in my mind’s map, I entered a moderately sized shop with luxurious decor and a large crowd.

"Brother, I wonder what good stuff will be at the auction today," a man at the entrance said to another.

The other, with a blade of grass dangling from his mouth, squinted and replied, "Hmph, who cares? We’re just here to see for ourselves. Whatever’s there, we’ll just watch. No need to bother with useless things. Besides, even if there’s something good, it’s not for us. Look at the families near Blackrock City—they have piles of money. We won’t get a share. And if it goes wrong, it could bring trouble." He patted the other’s shoulder halfway through.

The first man nodded, feeling it made sense. "True."

"Qiangzi, it’s our turn."

"Alright, Tielong."

The two men were named Tielong and Qiangzi.

Watching people pass by with tickets, I thought, Ticket? I don’t have one. But I smiled to myself, knowing I have something better than a ticket.

When it was my turn, the ticket collector outside asked, "Young master, where’s your ticket? No ticket, no entry!"

I smiled politely and said, "Sorry, it’s my first time here. I don’t have a ticket."

"No ticket, next! Don’t hold up the line," a rough voice said.

"Yeah, yeah!"

"Don’t disturb us!"

The ticket holders began to boo.

"Did you hear that? If you don’t leave, don’t blame us for being unreasonable," the rough voice warned again.

I crossed my arms calmly and asked, "Oh? And what kind of 'unreasonable' do you mean?" Our eyes met, and his gaze turned cold and terrifying, making it hard to breathe. Seeing the effect, I reined in my expression and continued, "Please tell me what you mean by that."

The man’s face paled, trembling as he stammered, "N-n-nothing."

I pulled out my sixth-grade Alchemist Badge and waved it at him. "I don’t have a ticket, but I have this. Does that qualify me for entry?"

The man looked up sharply, squinting in fear. "Si-sixth-grade Alchemist?!" Realizing his mistake, he quickly corrected himself, "M-my lord, I didn’t recognize you. Please forgive me."

I wasn’t bothered by this tiny ant and asked, "Can I enter now?"

"Y-yes, yes!" The man nodded quickly like a pecking chicken and hastily made a gesture to let me pass.

I glanced around and slowly walked inside. As soon as I entered, the man immediately ordered someone, "What are you waiting for? Quickly prepare a good VIP room for this lord. If he’s not satisfied, we’ll be doomed!"

"Yes, yes, Boss Gang! I’m on it!" The man dropped his things and rushed off.

Gangmo suddenly wondered if he was stupid for offending a sixth-grade Alchemist. "I’m alive!" He slapped his face, muttering in disbelief.

"Sixth-grade Alchemist?!" The crowd behind was shocked too. They had been mocking earlier and were lucky to still be alive. They all sighed in relief.

"It’s nothing. How could such a big shot care about us little people? Come on, everyone, hurry up and hand in your tickets," Gangmo calmed them anxiously. He was even more scared than the others. When he looked at me, it felt like he was already dead.

That feeling was truly terrifying, beyond description.

After everyone entered, Gangmo slapped himself and scolded, "I should have told the steward about such an important guest immediately." Then he ran off.

Inside the hall, I walked slowly, lifting one foot completely before stepping forward with the other, observing my surroundings. The setup was similar to the Mittel auction—an elevated stage with seats around it, and three or four rooms upstairs, probably VIP rooms, I guessed.

"Sir, please follow me. We’ve prepared a VIP room for you," a man’s voice came from beside me. It was the man Gangmo had called earlier.

"Oh? A VIP room?" I asked deliberately.

"Yes, sir," the man bowed and answered nervously, afraid of making a mistake.

Looking at him, I thought, Do I really seem that intimidating? I shook my head and said lightly, "Lead the way."

"Right away, sir," he said, leading me down a corridor to the second-floor private rooms. As I thought, the four rooms upstairs were indeed VIP rooms, marked clearly with the words "VIP Room."

The door opened, and the man respectfully said, "Sir, after you."

I said "Hmm," and walked in, surveying the room. The man cautiously asked, "Is the room to your satisfaction?"

I withdrew my gaze and nodded. "Alright, you may go do what you need to do." Then I waved my hand.

"Yes, sir." After the door closed, the man sighed in relief, thinking, Serving such a big shot is really stressful; I almost couldn’t breathe.

If I heard that, I’d laugh. What’s there to be out of breath about? It’s just your narrow-mindedness. Out there, no one’s so pretentious.

But I was unaware of all this, only knowing they were afraid of me.

I sat down on the sofa, feeling comfortable. Before me was a large transparent window with a direct view of the stage seats. It would be easy to see everything clearly later. I smirked, "Sure enough, people with power are different. Like a lord ruling the world, who dares offend me?"

I took off the jade pendant from my waist and toyed with it in my hand, muttering, "With such a nice environment, how could I be without cigarettes?"

I pulled out a fresh pack of cigarettes from the warehouse, lit one with a familiar flame, and inhaled deeply.

"Ah!"

"Refreshing."

I shook my head lazily, lying on the sofa and enjoying the moment.

——

*Knock Knock Knock*

At this moment, Gangmo knocked on the steward’s office door.

A deep voice came from inside: "Come in."

Hearing the permission, Gangmo happily opened the door and said, "Chairman Zhu, Chairman Zhu."

Seeing Gangmo, a man sitting at a desk reviewing accounts spoke calmly, "Gangmo, why the rush? Take a breath and explain."

"Chairman Zhu, a sixth-grade Alchemist has come to our auction!" Gangmo said after catching his breath.

"Hmm, and… what? You said what? Sixth-grade Alchemist?!" Zhu Qingyi, who had been calm and dismissive, grew increasingly uneasy. He suddenly roared, standing up abruptly, setting down the ledger, took a deep breath, calmed himself, and asked again, "Is this true?"

"Yes, yes, and that lord even has a sixth-grade Alchemist Badge. He looks unfamiliar; I don’t think he’s from here," Gangmo said, nodding vigorously.

Recalling Gangmo’s words, Zhu Qingyi’s mind unconsciously replayed everything that happened this morning at the Alchemist Guild. He asked, "Was that lord wearing a white robe with a jade pendant at the waist? And was this your first time seeing him?" He described the image in his mind.

Gangmo recalled it exactly: white robe, jade pendant, first time seeing him. He nodded immediately, "Yes, Chairman Zhu, exactly as you said."

"Where is that lord now?" Zhu Qingyi asked excitedly.

"I assigned someone to prepare a VIP room," Gangmo replied.

"Haha, good, very good. You did well there," Zhu Qingyi laughed heartily.

Then Gangmo said nervously, "But… I think I offended that lord."

He told Zhu Qingyi about the earlier incident.

Zhu Qingyi was furious, shouting, "What? Gangmo! You offended a sixth-grade Alchemist? Do you realize how much trouble you’ve caused? Do you want our Zhu Da Auction to be finished? You—" He pointed fiercely at Gangmo, then slammed the table and shouted, "Come! We’re going to apologize to that lord right now, or we’re done! You may be finished, but don’t drag down the Zhu Da Auction!"

Gangmo shuddered, sweat dripping from his forehead, tremblingly replied, "Y-yes, Chairman Zhu."

"You idiot! Even if someone doesn’t have a ticket, you can’t talk to them like that. You should have asked if they wanted to buy a ticket or something better. Now you regret it, huh?" Zhu Qingyi scolded as they walked.

"Yes, yes, Chairman, I was wrong," Gangmo said with a bitter expression, head bowed low.

"Which VIP room is that lord in?" Zhu Qingyi stopped and asked, still angry that Gangmo had caused trouble with a sixth-grade Alchemist.

"I don’t know… I told Xiao Xiao to arrange it," Gangmo weakly answered.

"Then hurry and call Xiao Xiao here! What are you waiting for? Should I go?" Zhu Qingyi shouted.

"Yes, Chairman, I’m going now." Gangmo disappeared, returning shortly.

"Well? Did you find out?" Zhu Qingyi asked coldly.

"Y-yes," Gangmo panted.

Following Xiao Xiao’s information, Zhu Qingyi and Gangmo arrived at the VIP room directly opposite the main stage on the second floor.

"This is it," Gangmo whispered.

Zhu Qingyi glared at Gangmo, then straightened his clothes and knocked on the door.

*Knock Knock—*

I was comfortably lying on the sofa when the knock disturbed me. Annoyed, I thought, I was just relaxing—why knock? Who’s bothering me now?

"Come in," I said, sitting up with a stiff expression.

The two outside exchanged glances. Zhu Qingyi slowly pushed open the door, entered, and closed it behind him.

"Yes? Who are you, and what do you want?" I asked, tilting my ear slightly.

"Um..." Gangmo tried to speak but was silenced by a glare from Zhu Qingyi. Zhu Qingyi cupped his hands and announced loudly, "I am Zhu Qingyi, Chairman of the Zhu Da Auction!"

"You’re Zhu Qingyi?!" I shouted.

Gangmo and Zhu Qingyi were startled by my outburst. Zhu Qingyi saw my expression and grew worried, nervously asking, "Does my lord know me?"

I took a deep breath, blinked, and slowly exhaled, "No."

Gangmo and Zhu Qingyi felt like dying inside. Why shout so loudly if you don’t know us? We were scared you were going to kill us.

Zhu Qingyi relaxed, turning his back and wiping sweat from his hands.

"Why are you two so timid? Sit!" I gestured to the sofa.

Zhu Qingyi sat down and began to speak slowly, "Well..."

"Stop! Let me guess what you want to say," I interrupted, raising my hand.

Zhu Qingyi paused, thinking, Fine, you’re the boss—I’ll play along.

I stroked my chin. "I guess two things: First, you’re here to support this guy’s apology. Otherwise, why bring someone along?" I pointed at Gangmo.

Gangmo could only smile awkwardly.

I raised two fingers. "Second, Chairman Zhu wants to meet me, the sixth-grade Alchemist."

"Am I right, Chairman Zhu?" I asked, reclining slightly on the sofa.

Zhu Qingyi nodded awkwardly, "Yes, lord. Regarding the Gangmo incident..."

Before he could finish, Gangmo suddenly knelt down with a thud. I raised an eyebrow, thinking, So direct?

"L-lord, I take full responsibility for what happened. It was my own doing, unrelated to Zhu Da Auction. If you want someone to blame, blame me!" Gangmo tearfully admitted his fault.

Zhu Qingyi silently nodded in approval at Gangmo’s behavior.

"You don’t know the value of a man’s dignity, to kneel so easily," I said, staring coldly at Gangmo.

"As long as the lord forgives me, I’d give up even my gold!" Gangmo looked up with determined eyes.

Zhu Qingyi nodded silently, pleased. His life now depends on his own words.

I hadn’t held a grudge, then said lightly, "You may rise. How could I, a big shot, bother with a small fry like you? But next time, it won’t be so easy."

Zhu Qingyi visibly relaxed. Gangmo was overjoyed and sighed deeply, quickly thanking me, "Thank you for your forgiveness, lord. I promise there won’t be a next time!"

"Alright. Your matter is settled. You may leave. Next should be my meeting with Chairman Zhu," I said, waving Gangmo away and turning to Zhu Qingyi.

Gangmo glanced at Zhu Qingyi, who frowned and said, "Lord told you to leave; why are you still standing there? Go!"

"Yes, yes. I’m leaving now," Gangmo said, standing and running out.

Watching Gangmo’s retreat, I smiled faintly. "Your boss really cares about his employees."

Zhu Qingyi smiled awkwardly and said bitterly, "Lord, don’t mock me. With that guy around, our auction’s reputation is at stake."

"Oh? I’m curious—if that’s the case, why don’t you fire him?" I asked, intrigued.

Zhu Qingyi sighed deeply, "Little Gang grew up an orphan. I found him in a village that was massacred. Although he sometimes causes trouble, he’s not a bad person. I kept him because if he went out alone, he’d be dead for sure. In this world, the strong rule. He’d be beaten to death."

Hearing this, I frowned and murmured, "Massacre, orphan?" Orphan, huh? I am one too, I thought.

"I see," I nodded slightly.

"You can ask whatever you want. If I can, I’ll tell you," I said.

"Really?" Zhu Qingyi asked excitedly.

"Yes," I nodded.

"Then... lord..."

"Don’t call me lord or chairman. I don’t like that. Call me young master," I waved my hand.

"Alright, young master. May I ask if you were the one who caught the lightning with your body at the Alchemist Guild this morning?" Zhu Qingyi cautiously asked.

"Yes, that was me," I nodded.

Zhu Qingyi took a deep breath, thinking, So that’s true! Such terrifying alchemical lightning, and this person caught it unharmed!

He continued, "Young master, you’re not from the Gamma Empire, right? I heard only Dan Wang Guhe of the Yunlan Sect in the Gamma Empire is a sixth-grade Alchemist, and he’s quite old. Compared to you, he’s far behind. You’re so young and already sixth grade; your future is limitless!"

He kept praising me.

"Dan Wang Guhe? To be blunt, he’s nothing to me. Believe it or not, that’s your business," I said calmly, my eyes clear and undisturbed.

(End of chapter)