Chương 73: Du Ruhui

Sea of Clouds Pavilion, Auction. Listening to Yun Shan's explanations, Song Que and Zhong Hong felt nothing but continuous shock. So in the past, I was truly just a frog at the bottom of a well! Looking up at the sky and thinking it was only that big! It seemed he needed to regularly visit the Commandery Capital to gather information and accelerate his steps into the wider world.

To think that the power of Grandmasters and Great Grandmasters could suppress an entire region, even standing on equal footing with the imperial court! Seeing a bright and clear future ahead, Grandee Song was endlessly excited.

"Chief Manager Yun, so the imperial court is truly unable to wipe out a single noble family?" Zhong Hong asked in disbelief. With his worldview confined to Yellow Leaf Town, in his limited understanding, the imperial court was the sky. Now, hearing that a family existed on equal footing with the sky completely shattered his worldview!

"It's not that they can't wipe them out. In the Great Yan Dynasty, the imperial family is still supreme. If they wanted to annihilate the Taiyi Family and were willing to pay a massive price, they could do it."

"But the question is whether they can endure that price! Not to mention foreign enemies eyeing them covetously, there is no shortage of people domestically coveting the throne! Therefore, as long as the Taiyi Family doesn't rebel, they can comfortably continue acting as local emperors in their territory." So that's how it is!

"Furthermore, there is no shortage of super factions in this world. You'll hear about them if you pay attention in the future. Sometimes, their words are even more effective than an imperial edict!" Old Yun said, a hint of yearning in his voice.

"Thank you, Chief Manager Yun, for clearing up our confusion! You truly know many hidden secrets!"

"Hehe, it's all thanks to my Patriarch traveling far and wide. This old man just eavesdropped on a thing or two." Clangggg.... Just then, the bell signaling the start of the auction rang. The three hurriedly focused their attention on the stage.

"Attention, the auction has started! Young Master Song, if you need silver, just say the word."

"Understood. Thank you, Chief Manager." At this moment, a grey-haired, vigorous old man walked onto the center stage. A quick glance showed his cultivation was not ordinary. Dressed in elegant scholarly attire, he stepped to the center and cupped his hands to the audience:"Greetings, everyone. The Sea of Clouds Pavilion is truly honored by your presence today!"

"Many of you here already know me, but there are also new faces. Please allow this old man to introduce himself once more. I am Lai Wenhuy, today's auctioneer. A warm welcome to all distinguished guests!" Applause erupted in the hall, accompanied by continuous teasing.

"Elder Lai, we're already familiar with you! No need for further introductions, we came here to see the treasures!"

"Haha, exactly, Old Man Lai! Hurry up and start!" Down on the stage, Elder Lai smiled and greeted everyone. Just then, a shout echoed, overpowering the entire hall.

"Gang Master Du has arrived!" A group of people appeared at the entrance. Leading them was a robust, muscular man who still looked quite young, perhaps in his late thirties. His sharp, eagle-like eyes swept across the entire hall. The seated guests, willing or not, all stood up and greeted him politely.

"Gang Master Du."...

"Gang Master Du." Looking across the hall in satisfaction, Du Ruhui nodded:"Everyone is too polite. Please, sit." Then, acting like the host of the venue, he swaggered to his seat. Many in the crowd were angry, but fearing his power, they didn't dare say anything, sitting down with sullen expressions. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

Standing on the stage, Lai Wenhuy only flashed a fleeting hint of anger before quickly stepping up to defuse the awkwardness.

"So it is Gang Master Du! We thought you had business and couldn't make it today. Everyone, please take your seats, today's auction will commence immediately!"... On a high platform, within a secret VIP box, several people stood watching everything unfold below.

"Hmph, what arrogance! That Du Ruhui is doing this on purpose to make us lose face!" The person standing on the left—the same Miss Qing Zhu who had seen Song Que off last time—raised her eyebrows in anger and shouted in displeasure. The three people in the room were none other than Yun Xi, Elder Kong, and Qing Zhu. Yun Xi frowned darkly, then sighed softly:"The Lingjiang Gang has repeatedly tried to interfere and buy shares in the Sea of Clouds Pavilion. Their gluttony is far too ugly!"

"Ugly is an understatement! They constantly create difficulties for us, and that old thief Du actually covets you, Miss! They are truly a pack of wolves! Miss, you should quickly write a letter to the Patriarch and have him punish this old dog!" Hearing her words, Yun Xi smiled bitterly. Didn't she know her own family's situation? Her father had divided the brothers and sisters into different regions with the clear intention of testing them. This was to find a successor for the Patriarch position!

Her father definitely wouldn't provide any extra assistance. Furthermore, the Yun Family hadn't found a particularly good way to deal with the Lingjiang Gang. After all, her father's main profession was being a merchant; his cultivation level was only marginally higher than Du Ruhui's. Moreover, Du Ruhui was quite renowned as a backbone member of the next generation within the Nine Rivers Alliance. The Alliance Leaders were paying attention to him. The Yun Family didn't dare upset the Nine Rivers Alliance.

Fortunately, the Yun Family were no pushovers either. That man surnamed Du only dared to play disgusting little tricks on them; he didn't dare act rashly. But Du Ruhui was still quite young, and his potential wasn't tapped out yet. If he broke through to the Eighth Grade one day, this branch would be in danger! Yun Xi worried secretly. Beside her, Elder Kong looked on sympathetically but could offer no help. He was only a peak Sixth-Grade martial artist.

He could exchange a move or two with a newly advanced First-Tier expert, but facing Du Ruhui head-on would be seeking death! He was merely a Guest Elder of the Yun Family. Although he cared for Yun Xi, asking him to seek his own death for her was something Old Kong could respectfully decline.... Inside their private box. Watching Du Ruhui swagger in and act like the guest usurping the host, Yun Shan was also furious, grinding his teeth audibly. He couldn't help but curse in a low voice:"Bastard!

The Lingjiang Gang bullies others too much!" To loudly announce his name in the middle of the event like that... This was clearly starting trouble! Song Que and Zhong Hong naturally noticed it too.

"Senior Yun, do you have a feud with the Lingjiang Gang?"

"Hmph, not exactly. It's just that old dog Du is bullying us too much! He lusts after my family's Young Miss and wants this Sea of Clouds Pavilion as well! He wants both wealth and beauty! He's dreaming! Our Yun Family is not easily provoked!" So there was this kind of drama! Although he didn't know the exact details, seeing Old Du's thuggish way of chasing women, Song Que inwardly despised him. Absolutely no class! However, this was a matter between their two families.

It wasn't his place as an outsider to intervene, so he merely brushed past the topic. Everyone's attention began to focus on the auction items on the stage.... On the stage, Lai Wenhuy was speaking eloquently, introducing the items:"The first item opening today's auction is a bottle of ten Qi Replenishing Pills! They are extremely beneficial to martial artists and were personally concocted by Grandmaster Shi of Yangnan Prefecture!"

"If anyone needs to nourish their blood and Qi or break through a bottleneck, this item is absolutely indispensable!"

"The starting price is 1000 taels of silver! The bidding starts now!"

"1100 taels!"

"I bid 1200 taels!"... To Song Que, who had the Tesseract, this item's effect was no different from eating ginseng. Thus, he had no intention of buying finished pills; buying potent raw herbs to eat was enough. But to others, this was an excellent elixir. Therefore, the price quickly escalated, and it was eventually bought for 1800 taels....

"Next is a secret manual for the Plum Blossom Fist. It is highly effective for tempering skin and flesh, and building a foundation for the body! Any friends whose family lacks an inherited martial art can buy this to keep! Starting price: 1000 taels!"...

"The next item is a treasured sword: the Fish Intestine Sword! It cuts iron like mud! It is only one step away from being able to channel true Qi and becoming a Renowned Sword! Even so, its preciousness goes without saying! Starting price: 5000 taels! Sword-wielding experts, this is a rare opportunity, do not miss it!" Oh? Treasured swords and Renowned swords? Arriving here, I realize I still know absolutely nothing!

Hearing the unfamiliar terms, Song Que couldn't suppress his curiosity and turned to ask Yun Shan:"Senior, how are weapons classified into grades?" Watching item after item fetch high prices on the stage, Old Yun felt gleeful inwardly. His earlier annoyance had vanished without a trace. Hearing Song Que's question, he happily explained:"Weapons are divided into four categories. The most common are the ordinary swords and sabers on the streets.

Above those are 'Sharp Weapons', meticulously crafted by skilled blacksmiths. Compared to ordinary goods, they are much sharper, harder, and difficult to destroy."

"Above that are 'Renowned Weapons'. These must be created by Grandmasters with profound cultivation. During the crafting process, true Qi is infused into them. Therefore, when First-Tier experts use them, they can channel their true Qi through the weapon without obstruction. Thus, usually only First-Tier experts have the qualifications to use them."

"Finally, there are 'Divine Weapons'. Rumor has it that divine weapons have a spirit! They can communicate with their master and possess miraculous uses! I've never seen one myself, so I don't know if it's true." Even ghosts exist, so weapons with spirits don't seem absurd. Song Que firmly believed Old Yun's words without a doubt. Inwardly, he sighed at how vast this world was, with all sorts of bizarre and wondrous things constantly emerging.... The auction paused briefly at noon for a light meal before resuming.

Since it was only held twice a year, every single item brought onto the stage was a treasure, and no item's value dipped below 1000 taels. After a long wait, the few items Song Que was anticipating finally came up for bid one after another.