"Who’s that, deliberately causing trouble?"
"Must be a newcor, doesn’t know the rules."
"Who’s yapping over there, I said I wanted that painting."
From Box Number Six, Xiao Yu spoke with a face as still as water; he had just declared that he was determined to obtain the painting. If soone was still bidding at this point, they were clearly not taking him seriously, effectively slapping him in the face.
Li Feng sneered coldly, "Ha, just because you say it’s yours doesn’t make it so."
"Auctioneer, I’ll take the painting for one billion."
Listening to Li Feng’s tone, Xiao Yu scoffed, "Hmph, you seem to have misunderstood the situation. I already bid two billion Federation Coins. You bid one billion? Are you joking?"
"This is an underground auction, strength rules supre."
"If you don’t have the money, go ho and play. Why put on an act here?"
Xiao Yu retorted without any civility, unable to stomach the insolence of soone trying to snatch his prize right from under his nose.
"Wrap it up and bring it over."
Li Feng ended the call directly after speaking, not bothering to waste more words. Sofia looked up at Li Feng with seductive eyes, "Master, do you want to...!"
Watching Sofia pressing up against him, Li Feng took a breath, "Clean yourself up, and leave once the painting is delivered."
Sofia pursed her lips, "Master, what’s the rush, we still have ti."
Li Feng regarded Sofia.
"Are you doubting my strength?"
Recalling sothing, Sofia’s cheeks flushed like the dawn as she hurried to the suite’s private washroom.
Inside the auction hall.
"Sorry sir, this painting is already spoken for."
The auctioneer suddenly apologized.
"What do you an by that? I won the bid for this painting. Even if he wants to contest it, he should at least raise my bid. One billion, are you kidding ?"
"If you don’t give a satisfactory explanation, I won’t let this rest."
Xiao Yu was livid with anger, not only had soone hijacked the painting he set his sights on, but the bidder also offered the lowest price, and it seed as though the auction house was on the verge of accepting this farcical bid.
"That’s right, what is this, a joke? The underground auction house has always stood for fairness and strength. What is this supposed to an!"
"We want an explanation."
"Everyone, please calm down."
At that mont, the previously retired host returned to the stage, speaking into the microphone.
"Ladies and gentlen, this is no farce on the part of our auction house. We respect the rules and all attendees."
"Bullshit, I don’t see you respecting us, we want an explanation."
"Right, we demand an explanation."
"Just because it was two billion you didn’t auction it, giving it to a one billion bid, not even backroom deals work like that."
The host looked down at the excited crowd with a cold and indifferent expression, waiting for silence to return.
"You want an explanation, I’ll give you one."
"The first rule of the Dark Codex, ’Underground all laws obey the first principle: strength reigns supre.’"
"Xiao Yu is from the Xiao Family, entitled to enter a prized Box."
"That’s right."
If Xiao Yu hadn’t disclosed his identity, maybe others wouldn’t know who they were bidding against. But once Xiao Yu announced who he was, nobody would dare disrespect the Xiao Family.
The Xiao Family, a distinguished lineage, an ancient noble house.
The host sneered.
"The one wanting the painting is of the highest ranking."
With fewer than ten words from the host, the room fell silent. Those who wished to speak swallowed their words, nearly biting their tongues.
The highest ranking.
In the over twenty years Sea City’s underground auction had operated, individuals from prized Boxes were already a big deal, occasionally even those from lesser Boxes made an appearance. But those of the highest ranking were unheard of.
They had privileges.
As long as the gavel hadn’t fallen, the highest-ranking individuals could claim what they desired for the lowest bid. In most cases, those of the highest ranking didn’t even need to attend the auction; a simple notification and the item would be theirs.
"Any other questions?"
The host scanned the room, glancing at the prized Box before announcing, "Continue!"
With that, the host turned and left the stage, handing the auction back to the auctioneer and taking the painting off the stage.
A mont later.
The host appeared outside the highest-ranking Box and knocked.
Sofia ca forward to open the door, and the host stepped inside upon glancing at her.
"My Lord, here is the ’Immortal Scroll Number Eighty-Seven’ you requested."
The host bowed respectfully towards Li Feng, who sat amidst the Arctic Bear Skin, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
The man was too young.
In this world, those with the greatest power were either old or definitely not young at heart; power-holders in their forties or fifties were considered in their pri.
Li Feng turned his head towards the bowing host handing over the painting, noted the host’s purple attire which accentuated the figure; such garnts demanded a good form to carry off – both graceful and tall, without long legs you couldn’t hope to wear such a garnt with an air of ethereal beauty.
Li Feng imdiately composed himself; the Scarborough Market was no ordinary place, and the won here were all far from simple.
Even a servant could be a princess.
"Transfer the amount directly. Also, I want her contract of servitude. Take care of it for ," Li Feng said, handing over his five-star Black Gold Card.
"Of course, My Lord."
Zi Xuan took the card and showed no surprise; a five-star Black Gold Card was not unusual here, especially for those of the highest rank who possessed such cards, it was nothing out of the ordinary.
"My Lord, I am the humble Zi Xuan, fortunate to et you. Here is my business card."
Zi Xuan took care of the matters herself, imdiately introducing herself to the Lord.
"My Lord, if there is anything you need, you may call at any ti, Zi Xuan awaits your summons."
Li Feng took the business card, which was purple and scented with a faint aroma of violets, adorned with a phone number and nothing else.
Soon, Li Feng received both the painting and Sofia’s contract of servitude. Zi Xuan escorted Li Feng and his companion out of the auction house before stopping.
"Hmph, unbidden favors are often a prelude to treachery."
Sofia said jealously.
Li Feng turned to Sofia, "The way you say that, it’s as if you’re including yourself in the insult."
Sofia’s face turned crimson with embarrassnt.
"Master, I would never." Sofia cooed, clinging to Li Feng’s arm.
"Master, Sofia has been found. She’s with a man."
"Finally, I’ve found you."
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