PNB Chapter 132: Ginger is still spicier when old
Chapter 132: Ginger is still spicier when old
Xingqiu: "So you two know each other."
"Yes, we met in Mondstadt. We had a very pleasant conversation." Xuan Yue said calmly, afraid that saying more would ruin his image.
"Hmm...hmm! We had dinner together yesterday..." Paimon didn't know what to say. She should probably start calling Qingyue now, right?
“This one…” Shen He seemed to have noticed something, but Xuan Yue shook her head slightly, preventing her from continuing.
"Sir, are you sure? That 'Mingxia Floating Life Stone' is overpriced, and I don't really recommend you bid on it. Moreover, if you were to participate in the auction, I'm afraid..." Seeing that no one was around, Xingqiu revealed the truth about the auction.
Xuan Yue naturally understood Xing Qiu's meaning. The Flying Cloud Merchant Guild was auctioning the Floating Life Stone at this critical juncture to raise its value. At the same time, it would generate more traffic for the Flying Cloud Merchant Guild, attracting more merchants. Auctions naturally go to the highest bidder, and with this increased traffic, the Flying Cloud Merchant Guild would receive a higher cash discount.
However, "Qingyue" is a prominent businessman, a top figure in high society; otherwise, he wouldn't have been invited to oversee the event. But everything has two sides. If he participates in the auction, he might not achieve the expected bid, and many others will leave disappointed. This would make the Feiyun Chamber of Commerce many enemies…
"...In that case, let's switch to another one." After much deliberation, Xuan Yue decided to try a different approach. It's just a Floating Life Stone, isn't it? He actually knew the whereabouts of one of them.
"Change it?"
Shen He was somewhat confused and did not understand Xuan Yue's meaning.
Xuan Yue: "Well, since this Floating Life Stone doesn't match its actual value, let's find another one. I remember that the True Lord Minghai Qixia once obtained a 'Mingxia Floating Life Stone.' Since you're on good terms with immortals, perhaps you could go and take a look."
Paimon: "The True Lord of Narumi and Qixia... that's a name I've never heard of..."
(Never heard of it...)
A look of sadness appeared in Xuan Yue's eyes: "He... was an immortal who loved collecting rare and precious treasures. He had a very good relationship with True Lord Lishui Dieshan, but... he has already passed away."
“Qingyue…” Kong wanted to comfort Xuanyue, but her eyes quickly regained their luster, and the sadness from before disappeared without a trace.
"Alright, let's get back to the main topic. The Records of Idle Clouds states that the True Lord of Qixia of the Sea of Sound once personally built a grotto-heaven to store all kinds of rare treasures. Among them is the Mingxia Floating Life Stone that you are looking for."
“That’s right, that’s right, as expected of Mr. Qingyue.” Xingqiu’s eyes were filled with admiration: “After the passing of the True Lord of Minghai Qixia, the grotto-heaven was abandoned and buried in the dust of history. Fortunately, I recently collected a batch of rare unofficial historical records and found some clues about this grotto-heaven. After several comparisons, I can basically confirm that the grotto-heaven is located near Lisha.”
"Great!... But can we really go get it?" Paimon couldn't help but look at Xuan Yue, as if asking for his opinion: "Wouldn't that be a bit... um, disrespectful to the Immortal Master?"
"..." Xuan Yue actually lowered her head and pondered for a moment. If Ming Hai were still alive, it really might be possible...
“It’s alright. As far as I know, the Narumi Qixia True Lord is magnanimous by nature. Even if he were alive, he wouldn’t care about such trivial matters.”
Seeing that none of them spoke, Shen He shared his thoughts.
"A naturally open-minded...a rather novel viewpoint. May I ask which classic text it comes from?" Xingqiu was full of questions. How come he had never read it before?
Shen He: "It's just a rumor circulating in the mountains and fields."
Xuan Yue looked at Shen He with a somewhat ambiguous expression (-_-||): (Ming Hai, this is Liu Yun's disciple, the child is still young, please forgive him in heaven. Just so you know, you can't blame me for this, I'll just make it up to you later...)
"Okay, go ahead. Be careful on the road. Xingqiu also said that the area has been abandoned for a long time, and there might be some demons there." Xuan Yue muttered to herself, but on the surface she remained calm and composed.
"Yes, thank you Qingyue and Xingqiu."
Paimon waved goodbye to them and expressed his gratitude.
Xingqiu: "I wish you a safe journey..."
After watching them walk away, Xuan Yue noticed the confusion in Xing Qiu's eyes: "What's wrong? You stared at that woman's back for so long, could it be—"
"Ahem! Sir, please watch your words." Xingqiu was startled. "I simply feel that young lady bears a resemblance to one of my friends..."
"Hehe, no need to be nervous. But the auction is almost over, isn't it? Is there anything else I should be aware of?"
“My father said that you should make yourself at home, sir. A private box for the auction has been prepared for you, and we are just waiting for you to take your seat. My father will take you backstage later to see the items that will be auctioned today.”
"Ok, I know."
------
Xuan Yue thought the auction would end quickly, but unexpectedly, internal strife broke out within the Chamber of Commerce just minutes before the auction, causing considerable turmoil.
The reason for the auction was that many people came for the "Mingxia Floating Life Stone". Therefore, many senior members of the Feiyun Chamber of Commerce suggested that the item be auctioned in advance. Of course, half of them still believed that it should be kept as the final item to maximize profits.
The two sides were deadlocked, which led to a civil war. The shouting and cursing could be heard from a great distance.
And so the following scene unfolded...
"So, the argument started over a trivial matter." Xuan Yue sat at the head of the table, next to Xing Qiu's father, the current president of the Fei Yun Chamber of Commerce.
At this moment, Xuan Yue closed her eyes, leaned back in her chair, and sipped her tea. Everyone below bowed their heads respectfully, not daring to breathe, and the atmosphere was unusually heavy.
"I don't care about the standards of other auction houses. But the Feiyun Chamber of Commerce's auction standards have always been very clear: auctions are conducted according to the specific value of the items. But now—"
Xuan Yue raised her eyes slightly, her tone growing even colder: "Because of a trivial action by Tianquan Star, your whole group has lost your composure and broken the rules. What kind of behavior is this—"
"...Sir, please calm down. I believe that after your lesson, these guys will probably behave themselves for a while. Listen, the auction is about to begin, you see..." The Chamber of Commerce president mustered his courage to reassure Xuan Yue, fearing that if he delayed any longer, all of these people would be kicked out.
Don't ask why. It's just that a few months ago, someone was falsifying accounts, which Xuan Yue happened to discover. Coincidentally, Xuan Qing was unconscious at the time, and he was in a bad mood. Then Xuan Yue reshuffled the Chamber of Commerce. Now, those who remain are all truly capable and talented. But if Xuan Yue gets really angry... he really will attack indiscriminately.
And so, Xuan Yue was persuaded by the Chamber of Commerce president to return to the private room, and was promised that if the gentleman took a liking to any of the items to be auctioned later, it would be given to him as a personal gift.
"No need, I don't need that little bit of money. Since we're here to make a statement, there's no need to compete with them, otherwise it would seem like bullying." Xuan Yue naturally knew the president's little scheme, but he needed it just in case. If the Feiyun Chamber of Commerce wanted to rise to prominence, money alone wasn't enough; it also needed to establish its authority.
Xingqiu deliberately led him through that noisy little courtyard; it turned out someone had set up a trap. Of course, this was also a good thing; at least they wouldn't have to worry so much about the accounts later. As the saying goes, experience counts.
As for the items you want to bid on…
Of course, he doesn't need to do it himself; there's a "master appraiser" sitting right in the audience.
(Then I beg you, Mr. Zhongli—)
At this moment, Zhong Li, sitting below the stage, still maintained his calm and composed demeanor. Even after receiving Xuan Yue's telepathic message, his expression remained unchanged.
I've gotten used to it...