Yang Jianchuan stuck out his chin to Li Mo, yet the latter didn’t bat an eyelid.
“5 million going once!”
“5 million going twice!”
“Sold!”
The auctioneer broke the speed record when he struck the hammer, afraid Yang Jianchuan was going back on his bid.
Yang Jianchuan saw everyone around him talking in hushed tones, as if finding amusing.
As for Li Mo, he was cool as a cucumber.
‘Was I wrong?’ Yang Jianchuan scrutinized Huang Lixing, but Grandmaster Huang was foolproof with the black sunglasses and mouth mask.
Yang Jianchuan’s face twisted.
He bidded not because the cauldron was a relic, but because Li Mo wanted it.
Who was Li Mo? Just a minor Yang Jianchuan found unworthy of his attention. What Yang Jianchuan was interested in, however, was Huang Lixing.
Grandmaster Huang saw through the jade seal’s flaw, proving this oddly garbed grandmaster wasn’t your run of the mill. He must’ve spurred Li Mo to bid on the cauldron so Yang Jianchuan jumped the gun in shouting a sky-high price.
Yet, Li Mo wasn’t the least bit bothered he stole the limelight. Anyone else would be pissed if they lost the bidding war over a precious item.
‘What’s happening? Was I perhaps wrong?’ Yang Jianchuan’s head was swooning.
He went on stage and his mere touch set the cauldron off to crumble into a pile of useless rocks.
The crowd went wild in laughter.
There was even someone saying the jade seal Yang Jianchuan was also in pieces.
One said, the wealthy were willful. And another completed with, there were fools each year, but this year had the most.
Yang Jianchuan went beet red as he ran off the stage. Jian Xiaoyan was tactful not to call him back to redeem his ‘prize’, but not that much since she called for the workers to take away the ‘precious’ Shang dynasty stone cauldron.
Li Mo shook his head.
He saw the item’s true value, but that was something only Li Mo could capitalize on. To anyone else, it was junk.
The cauldron was made out of plain rock, unremarkable in every way. The rock didn’t hide anything either. Li Mo wanted it because it had a thick wrathful qi.
This was just another type of spiritual qi. Compared to other mild spiritual qi types, wrathful qi was exceedingly destructive. Without a proper method, it would cause harm instead of benefitting the user.
This cauldron was used in sacrifices, Bathed in livestock blood, and even human’s. For hundreds of years the wrathful qi grew and grew and never dissipated.
The cauldron was useless to others while Li Mo intended to use it for his eight-sided Spiritual Gathering Array.
But it wasn’t crucial. Having it was fine, while not having it, was also fine.
Yang Jianchuan sank in his chair and seemed to feel every derision aimed at him.
The fourth item was an ancient painting, ending up won by Hu Dezhi.
The fifth item was an old sword from the Warring States period(T/N: 475-221 BC). It looked intact for the most part, except for the rusty edge.
Many among the audience were sword enthusiasts, shouting their prices. In the end, the price settled at 150 millions.
The owner was again Hu Dezhi.
The sixth item was a hexagon box and as big as a fist.
Jian Xiaoyan explained, “This is a mechanical box made by an ancient craftsman from the late Ming dynasty(T/N: early 17th century.). The owner told us his father found this mechanical box 11 years ago. He spent all these years trying to open it without results.”
Zhang Jingshen continued, “What is inside? No one knows. But based solely on the box’s design, it is of marvelous craftsmanship and is sure to hide something precious!”
Hu Dezhi shouted, “Old Zhang, how can’t it be open? Just cut it apart!”
The crowd laughed.
Zhang Jingshen joined too, “Friend, that is something done in case of a common item. But this mechanical box was built with the heart and soul of the craftsman. Tell me, do you think the item would still be intact after tearing it open?”
Hu Dezhi asked, “How much is this item?”
“The opening bid will be 150 thousand.”
“It’s quite cheap. Can I have a closer look at it?”
“Of course.”
Hu Dezhi wasn’t from Shenjing Province, but his wealth spoke volumes. He even bought the Warring States period sword with 150 millions without batting an eye. He had the money so of course he could look at it.
The audience saw a lanky man making its way to the stage. He was 1,9 meters tall, towering over the anchors by a head.
Hu Dezhi twirled the box around then put it back, “Can’t make anything of it. There’s no sound either. Probably nothing good inside.”
Zhang Jingshen nodded, “Yes, the box is very light. Everyone can see it closer on the screens.”
Once Hu Dezhi left, the bidding commenced.
The price ramped up slowly, the box having not gained the interest of the crowd. It was an antique because of its dating.
“2 million!” Li Mo stood holding his sign.
The crowd didn’t show any reaction.
Yang Jianchuan was watching Li Mo in shock, but didn’t pick on any reaction from his face.
The bidding stopped there. Despite being a mechanical box, it was made of wood. It wasn’t damaged but may be rotten inside. This kind of item wasn’t like those made of metal, jade or stone.
Yang Jianchuan stared at Li Mo all this time, but nothing came of it. He stood up and raised his sign, but was still plagued by indecision…
“2 million going once!”
“2 million going twice!”
“Sold!”
Yang Jianchuan sat down unsure. He didn’t lack the money, but the two bitter experiences marked him deeply.
“Please bring it for me.”
Li Mo gave An Yuxin his card and told her the pin number.
An Yuxin was soon back with the box.
“2 million over a piece of wood. Quite the steal!” Yang Jianchuan mocked.
“Master.” Li Mo gave the box to Huang Lixing, who received it.
The instant he had it, the mechanical creaked three times and opened. Three dazzling ancient coins were revealed.
“Heaven, earth, and man, the most exceptional coins!” Someone cried in amazement.
