191: Chapter 190 Linjing Assassination 3 191: Chapter 190 Linjing Assassination 3 As dusk fell, the broker appeared punctually in front of his room door,
“Daoist Yu, it’s time to set off.”
Hou Niao was of course using a false name, ah, it was Yu Zhengxing; he didn’t intentionally mean to cause trouble for old Yu.
Uncle Yu himself had said that if you’re going to kill, do it openly, which is to not conceal the intent of the Quanzhen Sect’s actions, so naturally, as the defender of Miao Gao Town, he had to make it clear.
Of course, he only mentioned the surname Yu, but didn’t dare to utter the full name; otherwise, it could have scared Gu Xiqiao into fleeing the city.
It would suffice to declare his name at the final moment of the killing.
Uncle Yu stood straight, strong enough to ride a horse on his shoulders, he wouldn’t care.
Winding through the unfamiliar Linjing, Hou Niao could only guess they were heading toward the poor and most chaotic district of Linjing City, a melting pot of all sorts from all walks of life,
“Why come to such a place?
Aren’t you afraid of getting into trouble?”
After all the effort, he definitely didn’t want to see the duck he’s cooked fly away.
The broker hastily reassured,
“This area is where the Daoist Palace influence is weakest in Linjing City, filled with the impoverished, very chaotic; but to us, what danger is there in such mortal chaos?
It’s just to avoid the cultivation tax, actually, there are still some good places in this western part of the city, Daoist Yu will know once you arrive.”
They finally arrived in front of a gloomy residence, indistinguishable from the other mansions, lacking both guardian lions and beast ring plaques, of course, there were no doorkeepers either.
From the shadows outside the house, a figure emerged, whispered a few words to the broker, then opened the side gate to let them in.
Once inside the courtyard, it remained dark, but upon entering the second courtyard, the scene changed abruptly, brightly lit, with quite sophisticated decor; white walls, a winding water path outside the courtyard, and the faint sound of string music, all intended to ease the caution of first-time visitors here, pondering such an arrangement, no doubt the host’s power was extraordinary, and naturally, the likelihood of underhanded tactics was lower.
Servants brought tea and water, with fruits and snacks on the sideboard for taking, about a dozen cultivators sat scattered around, all below the Tongxuan realm, each closed their eyes focusing their mind, yet no one whispered to each other, the caution evident on every face.
The broker led him to an empty seat and settled him down, whispering with a chuckle, “What do you think?
An ordinary appearance, with hidden depths, conducting such affairs requires being inconspicuous, who would want to advertise loudly?
Quietly earning Spirit Stones, is it not wonderful?”
Hou Niao looked somewhat nervous, his eyes darting back and forth, not settling until he saw that no one present was interested in him, each minding their own business, only then did he slightly relax,
“These people are all here for the transaction, right?
Didn’t you say that the buyers and sellers shouldn’t meet face to face?
In such a brightly lit place, aren’t you afraid…”
The broker shook his head, “Daoist Yu doesn’t know, there are no buyers here, all are sellers like you.
How could the merchant provide an environment for you to get to know each other?
To be honest, everyone here is short of Spirit Stones, what use is knowing each other?
They are all truly ‘poor’ Daoists.”
He continued to instruct him, “Later, when it actually begins, there will be a host to control the auction’s pace, during this process try not to disturb him.
A good host can greatly enhance the atmosphere, enlivening the scene, the more enthusiastic the mood, the higher the buyers might bid.
Pay attention when he points to you, you then go up on stage and display your treasures, and don’t speak otherwise, even if there are doubts about your treasures from below, do not retort, just be a puppet, everything is controlled by the host.
Trust me, with the same batch of treasures, an experienced host could at least make your treasures sell for thirty percent more, Daoist Yu just wait to count your Spirit Stones.”
Hou Niao shifted uneasily in his chair, “I hope so, I’m telling you if I sense anything wrong, I will turn around and leave, I have divine skills and spells in Jianghu that are well known…”
The broker stifled a laugh, embodying the typical bravado with a fragile interior, “Do you have any other demands?”
Hou Niao pondered for a moment, “I request to appear last, to first observe the situation.”
The broker internally cursed, noting Hou Niao’s numerous annoying quirks, but at this stage, even if he grew wings, he wouldn’t escape their control.
“Fine, I can try to arrange that, but it definitely can’t be last, because your treasure isn’t grand enough to be the finale!
There are many items far more precious than yours!
Thus, I can place you in the latter half, but I will have to really stretch my neck out to ask for favors.”
After waiting a moment, a few more people arrived, totaling less than twenty sellers; a truly pitifully small gathering in his view.
Moreover, he suspected that among them were a few shills, evident from the disdain occasionally shown in their expressions, clearly up to no good.
There are shills among the sellers, not to mention the buyers, who are probably mostly shills too, all to create a certain atmosphere and then dominate the transactions.
It’s a rigged setting.
A servant brought over some hoods, distributing one after another, covering everything but the eyes; Hou Niao tested it briefly, recognizing it as ordinary fabric.
In such a setting, at such a realm level, how could the hosts possibly use Cultivation supplies?
The lights dimmed sequentially until only a row of lights above the main stage remained bright; the sellers were concentrated on one side below the stage, then the buyers began to enter, also covered by black fabric, only their eyes visible.
Everyone was well-ordered, clearly aware of their current circumstances.
This was not the time for useless chit-chat.
Completing the transactions early and each getting what they wanted was the real issue at hand.
There were no formalities, as a Cultivator emerged from deep within the back hall, still hooded in black, and took a position on the stage; with everyone on and below the stage hooded in black cloth, it looked like a covert gathering of some Evil Sect, somewhat eerie.
“I am humbly presiding over this auction, coordinating the transactions among you all.
The rules have been clearly stated: once you let go of an item, the deal is final.
Should anyone harbor ill intentions, let it be known you were forewarned.”
The voice was hoarse, as if from a leaky bellows.
Hou Niao was intrigued; in the Jade Scroll given to him by Yu Zhengxing, there had been a description of Gu Xiqiao, including his hoarse and gritty voice—not due to injury, but from practicing a Sound Wave Skill.
In a realm environment like the Daoist Sect, he had plenty of strange skills to choose from.
His appearance was indistinguishable; but considering the voice, such a coincidence was rare, and adding the match in height and build, there was a fifty percent chance the person was indeed Gu Xiqiao!
It was a craving for the thrill of hosting an auction in secret; many immersed themselves in the path of trade, seeking that sense of control.
But Hou Niao was a calm person, never acting rashly; he could gamble when striking with a sword, but identifying people was not something to bet on, and fifty percent certainty was not enough!
He decided to continue waiting.