Blood Sword Gang is infamous throughout the entire Jianyun Dynasty for charging protection fees, assassinations, operating private dungeons, imprisoning those who disobey, intimidation, and running gambling houses and brothels.
Almost all dark businesses had a touch of the Blood Sword Gang’s hand in them.
Bloody Beard strode to the front row and found all the seats were already occupied. He grabbed a chubby, round-faced middle-aged man and flung him aside.
This middle-aged man held a not insignificant status in the Royal Capital, and while he couldn’t strut arrogantly, he did carry some weight in society.
Yet faced with Bloody Beard’s rough treatment, he didn’t even dare to let out a fart.
He practically tumbled and scrambled to a seat in the back row and sat down.
"Hu Gang Leader is still as rough as ever!" A lean old man dressed in brocade with a large jade ring on his finger greeted Bloody Beard with a smile.
The tone contained no trace of fear, it was completely conversational among equals.
"I can’t compare to Mr. Qiao, you deal in medicinal materials, while I’m in the business of killing," said Bloody Beard as he plopped down, the expressions of the dozen or so big shots in the front row varied.
Some took the initiative to smile and greet Bloody Beard in an attempt to foster relationships.
Others distinctly remained separate, refusing to associate with him.
There were also a few who were filled with fear towards Bloody Beard, their expressions very unnatural and tense.
"Is Hu Gang Leader taking on jobs lately?" A middle-aged man in a yellow python robe asked with a gleam in his eye and a smile.
"Taking them, of course! As long as you can pay the silver, all business is welcome!" Bloody Beard’s gaze was bloodthirsty and his aura menacing. "The business Prince Liu wants the Blood Sword Gang to handle must be big. It’s too noisy here with too many ears, not suitable for discussion. After the auction ends, we should find a quiet place to go into detail!"
Hearing that Prince Liu wanted to conduct business with the Blood Sword Gang, several big shots who were not on good terms with Prince Liu immediately pricked up their ears to eavesdrop.
Each one’s expression turned very grave.
They feared that Prince Liu had bribed Bloody Beard to assassinate them.
In the distance, Chu Feng’s heart sank slightly. He had an instinctive feeling that Prince Liu was probably looking to hire the Blood Sword Gang to deal with Sword King Mansion.
The reason being that Sword King Mansion had suddenly risen to power recently, not only killing Chief Luo but also humiliating Manager Mo from Prince Liu Mansion. Additionally, the Sword King Mansion had refused a marriage alliance with Prince Liu Mansion.
This was equivalent to slapping Prince Liu Mansion across the face.
Prince Liu Mansion had the power to deal with Sword King Mansion themselves, but though Prince Chu had died, his influence still lingered. Many soldiers in the army continued to be loyal to the Chu Family in their hearts.
If Prince Liu moved against Sword King Mansion, he would most certainly lose the hearts of the military.
This would be extremely unfavorable for his quest to become the Grand Marshal.
Hiring an assassin to kill Chu Feng was the best option.
"Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests, good afternoon to all! Many of you might know me!"
"My name is Yu Ji, and I am the chief auctioneer of Heaven and Earth Auction! I urge all esteemed officials and wealthy masters to bid enthusiastically! Otherwise, I will be very sad!"
Yu Ji flicked her fringe and cast a sultry glance across the whole audience.
"The first treasure to be auctioned today is a Mysterious Iron Heavy Sword crafted from Mysterious Iron. This sword can slice through iron like mud and is incredibly heavy with forceful momentum, made by a famed craftsman, starting at one thousand silver taels."
Mysterious Iron is even superior to ordinary refined iron as material for refining tools.
Whether used to forge swords or armor, or a Heart Protector, it’s all quite exceptional.
However, it does have one flaw, which is its density far surpasses that of refined iron. The armor and weapons made are exceptionally heavy.
Those with lower cultivation levels simply can’t wield it.
Weapons and armor are external objects; cultivation is the fundamental. Chu Feng hasn’t even resolved the issue with his sword meridians, so naturally, he would not spend money on weapons.
He attended today’s auction primarily to oversee the bidding for his two elixirs.
Before long, it was time for Chu Feng’s Continuation Pill to be auctioned.
After all, the Continuation Pill is only a First-grade Elixir, and although it’s a rarity, its value is limited. Less significant treasures are naturally auctioned off earlier.
Eventually, Chu Feng’s Continuation Pill sold for five thousand silver taels.
This price was considered quite good.
After deducting a ten percent auction commission, Chu Feng would pocket four thousand five hundred silver taels. This was already enough for him to purchase quite a lot of medicinal herbs.
Following that, a succession of treasures was auctioned off, including precious medicinal herbs, secret technique manuals, and weapons and armor. The auction was a real mishmash where almost any kind of treasure could appear.
Finally, as we approached the end, a significant treasure was presented.
"Next up for auction is a Puppet Elixir refined by a mysterious Pill Master! The effect of this elixir is singular – to control warriors with a cultivation below that of Sword Saint-level."
Yu Ji’s voice was pleasant to the ear, with an enticing tone.
What? It can control even Sword Saints?
Can it really be that miraculous?
The crowd below immediately buzzed with excitement, and the big shots sitting in the front rows all had drastic changes in their expressions.
If this elixir fell into the hands of an enemy or competitor, that would be disastrous.
No one liked the idea of being enslaved and controlled.
Bloody Beard’s eyes shone with a determined light, and he sneakily glanced at a white-robed middle-aged man sitting not too far away. The white-robed man had a square face, an elegant and unrestrained demeanor, and was carrying two treasure swords crossed on his back.
Seated there, he was like a Sword Mountain, radiating an icy killing aura.
"Bloody Beard, you want to control me?" The white-robed middle-aged man had terrifyingly sharp senses.
He immediately noticed Bloody Beard’s malicious gaze.
"Dare not, dare not!" Bloody Beard feared neither heaven nor earth and had a powerful evil energy. However, facing this white-robed man, a hint of fear was clearly discernible.
Although both were of Great Sword Master Cultivation, there could be a world of difference in actual strength.
Depending on an individual’s cultivation, understanding of sword techniques and Sword Intent, the number of sword meridians achieved, personal combat experience, and adaptability... these could easily change the outcome of a fight.
Yu Ji announced with a light laugh, "The starting bid for the Puppet Elixir is twenty thousand silver taels! Each increase in bid must be no less than one thousand taels!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Prince Liu eagerly made his bid: "I offer twenty thousand silver taels!"
The efficacy of this elixir was incredibly against the natural order, even more terrifying than some Talismanic Elixirs. It could directly enslave and control warriors at the Sword Saint Level. It was totally irresistible.
"I offer twenty-one thousand taels!" the Qiao Family Master casually added one thousand taels.
Following that, the price skyrocketed. In the end, it actually reached forty thousand taels.
"I’m offering fifty thousand taels, and if anyone dares to compete, I’ll kill them!" Bloody Beard bellowed fiercely, slamming his hand on the table and shouting an exorbitant price.
On stage, Yu Ji’s gaze flickered slightly, her face turning serious, "Hu Gang Leader, according to the rules of the auction, the highest bidder wins. However, you may not threaten others."
Bloody Beard glared at Yu Ji, his gaze piercing her for two to three seconds, filled with lawless ferocity.
"Yu Ji, you dare to meddle in my business? Believe it or not, I’ll abduct you to the brothel to entertain guests?"