Chapter 612 Auction for a Scroll (3k)
After finishing these words, the projection turned black and white, leaving only the stunned gazes of the crowd and the faint professional smiles of the auctioneer and a few others.
“Oni? Is it the oni from the Hyakki Yagyō or does it mean something else…”
Muttering softly, Su Jiu’s gaze fell on the scroll, a thoughtful expression on her face. In the context of the Cherry Blossom Country, “oni” can represent many things—hidden gods, demonic monsters, and so on.
“What the hell is an ‘oni’? Isn’t it just a monster…”
“Never mind the ‘oni.’ There were rumors before that it might contain alchemical items from the legendary alchemist Fujiwara Kichiemon.”
“Fujiwara Kichiemon?! He was known as an alchemist comparable to China’s Mo Family in the Edo period?”
The people below were also discussing animatedly, but they clearly didn’t care about this “oni.” Their minds were more focused on the treasures of the Daimyo.
After all, these ancient Daimyo treasures contained works by Fujiwara Kichiemon, a legendary alchemist from the former foremost family!
Legend has it that this Alchemy King created top-tier weapons for the various Daimyo of the Cherry Blossom Country, and even the legendary Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi had his touch…
As everyone discussed, many who were unaware could vaguely understand the uniqueness of this map and showedgreedy expressions. However, some also showed concern—
Would this treasure be excavated beforehand, and then a blank scroll be sold? After all, the Tengu Clan isn’t stupid. Why would they sell it cheaply if they could dig it up themselves?
Listening to the hushed discussions, the guild leader holding the wine pot noticed the shift in everyone’s thoughts. He immediately waved his hand and announced loudly again:
“I know what everyone is thinking. In this rather long period, the Tengu Clan has indeed explored the treasures within. The ‘X’ marks on the map indicate already explored treasures, but each treasure hunt resulted in a certain number of casualties. They can no longer afford to lose anyone…”
“According to the professional review by Chairman Jin’s team, there are still two Daimyo tombs and the location of that ‘oni.’ Both Daimyo were War God level powerhouses who had interactions with the Fujiwara family during their lives.”
Compared to those who already knew about the scroll, the other forces suddenly became excited!
Even the red-cloaked woman from before showed some interest. Behind her, several people wearing eye patches appeared, both male and female, seeming to be discussing what to do.
As for Shendai Yamaha, there’s no need to even mention him. His gaze was fixed on the scroll. Whether it was for his own business, or for his family, he had to get it!
On the crystal stage, the Baiyun Guild leader slowly scanned the faces in the audience, whose breathing was gradually becoming rapid. He then smiled with satisfaction, pointed at the scroll, and said with a smile:
“The starting bid is 88 Intermediate Magic Crystals. Each increment must be no less than 10 Intermediate Magic Crystals. Unlike other goods, it… has no reserve price.”
As soon as these words were spoken, the people on the second floor fell silent, their eyes flashing with thoughts of their own. If they could obtain anything from the legendary alchemist, even just one item, it could probably cover their costs.
“This scroll is indeed a bit expensive, and even if I buy it, I’ll have to deal with those dark and gray forces. After all, this is international waters.”
Su Jiu looked at the wooden box on the stage. It would be a lie to say she wasn’t interested, but even the starting bid made her somewhat intimidated. She estimated that it would likely cost at least five hundred Intermediate Magic Crystals in the end.
She knew that it was not something she could compete for in her current state. In fact, she shouldn’t do anything attention-grabbing without being a High-Rank Battle King.
“When it comes to the Divine Blood Potion, I need to contact Sister Youyou and have her send people to pick up this ship.”
Recalling this again, Su Jiu withdrew her gaze, took out her phone, and dialed Yan Youyou’s private number, briefly explaining the matter of the Divine Blood Potion and the Kamishiro family’s actions.
Hearing that the Kamishiro family might use these students for human testing, Youyou’s tone immediately became serious:
“I will have someone contact the Cherry Blossom Country’s embassy. When the ship docks at the Cherry Blossom Country’s coast, you must keep an eye on these students and prevent them from being injected with those messy potions.”
“It might not be possible… I’m being targeted.”
Su Jiu replied, her gaze inadvertently falling on Shendai Yamaha, who was competing for the scroll. She could guess that he might make a move against her in advance.
“Dada…”
There was a slight pause on the other end of the phone, followed by the sound of a keyboard. It seemed as if she was holding the phone with her shoulder, and then spoke:
“Your location is at the black market venue in international waters, right? That’s a temporary territory that Battle God Jin Zicheng applied for with the international community. I’ll try to contact him in the name of the government and ask him to assist in protecting your safety.”
After a brief silence, Su Jiu squinted her eyes as she looked at Shendai Yamaha, who was only at the High-Rank Battle King level, and then said, “Sister Youyou, I don’t need protection. I just need you to communicate with Chairman Jin so that he doesn’t interfere with my actions.”
“Alright, you must be careful.”
Hearing Su Jiu’s words, Youyou naturally understood what she meant. She had also learned from Ren that this junior sister’s strength had grown to a very strong level, at least much stronger than her current self.
After hanging up the phone, Su Jiu leaned back on the lounge chair, waiting for Lin to finish her cultivation and stabilize her internal cultivation, estimating it would take about ten more minutes.
The auction hall below had entered a fierce stage. The leaders of the forces on the second floor were arguing heatedly. Many people even thought that the inflated prices had stirred up some anger, with shouts and the clashing of weapons echoing throughout the auction.
“The Kamishiro Family’s representative bids 845 Intermediate Magic Crystals. Does anyone else wish to bid?”
The Baiyun Guild leader still asked with a smile. This price had far exceeded the actual value of the map itself. Only the Kamishiro Family could spend so much to compete. The financial strength of the eight great families was beyond that of ordinary forces.
The other forces, hearing that this amount could hire several Battle Gods, couldn’t help but click their tongues and lost their interest in competing, merely looking at Shendai Yamaha with lingering gazes.
Finally, the Baiyun Guild leader announced the winner, gave a long speech, and Shendai Yamaha, who had obtained the map, disappeared, seemingly to avoid the other forces.
…
“It seems that many figures are approaching from all sides, and a lot of mental power is probing this way, but they haven’t made a move.”
On the stage where Su Jiu was located, a senile voice sounded. Ryūgetsu-kun’s pupils suddenly opened, and he looked towards the dark distance with great concern, “From what I can sense alone, there are several Battle King level individuals, and even more than three High-Rank Battle Kings…”
“Don’t rush, it might not be us they’re looking for.”
Hearing Ryūgetsu-kun’s words, Su Jiu didn’t seem anxious. Instead, she beckoned a waiter, ordered some food, and began cracking melon seeds while waiting for Lin to finish her cultivation, acting as leisurely as possible.
His deer face showed a solemnity similar to that of a human. Ryūgetsu-kun earnestly reminded again, “But they’ve locked their mental power onto us. It’s highly likely they’re targeting us! If you know any local commercial guilds, why not spend money to request protection?”
He couldn’t sense Su Jiu’s strength, but he was still extremely worried. After all, alchemical items could be used for concealment. Even if Su Jiu had become stronger over a year, she couldn’t possibly face such a encirclement.
“If those commercial guilds have intentions, they will come to us. We just have to wait.”
Waving his hand, Su Jiu didn’t want to be the first bird to stick its head out. She had also offended the Hundred Rivers Battle God, and acting rashly might lead to an attack when she was down.
Moreover, as long as they were within the auction house, they were safe. Those people wouldn’t dare to act rashly. Waiting for Lin’s cultivation to recover somewhat would also be more prudent.
“Heh heh…”
Just as Su Jiu thought, soon a figure walked towards their platform with a chuckle. It was the Baiyun Guild leader from before, holding a wine pot, with two East Asian-looking maids on his side, carrying some low-grade magic crystals.
Seeing the person arrive, Ryūgetsu-kun slowly stood up and walked towards Su Jiu, his fur slightly bristling, ready to fight.
Glancing at Ryūgetsu-kun, who was warily observing him, the Baiyun Guild leader just smiled and didn’t seem to mind. His gaze fell on Su Jiu, who was lying on the lounge chair cracking melon seeds, and he lightly pointed and said with a smile:
“Among the people outside are members of other commercial guilds. It’s inconvenient for me to act. Here are some magic crystals, also for your discounted purchases. I hope you will patronize our Baiyun Commercial Guild again next time…”
“That is for sure.”
As the saying goes, one shouldn’t hit a smiling person. Su Jiu smiled and put the low-grade magic crystals into her bag. She naturally understood his meaning—I’ve reported you, and I hope we can cooperate again next time.
…
Outside, figures in black clothes landed in different locations. The leader was dressed entirely in black, but his face revealed him to be the man in the black and white kimono who had spoken with Shendai Yamaha earlier.
He frowned and looked towards the auction hall, then asked into his earpiece, “Yamaha-kun, what is the current situation? Why haven’t they left yet?”
For the deer that he had just bid on, he had even specially notified the Hundred Rivers Battle God to assist. But he hadn’t expected the other party to be so stubborn and patient.
On the other end of the phone, Shendai Yamaha responded breathlessly, “Hoo hoo… I don’t know. Hurry up on your end, someone has been chasing me, and their strength seems to be above High-Rank Battle King!”
“If you have trouble, Yamaha-kun, I can’t do anything here. They’ve been hiding inside the auction house.”
Upon hearing this, the man’s face showed a look of distress. Shendai Yamaha was their intermediary with the Kamishiro family. If he were to be stranded here, it would be a truly dire situation.
His eyes were fixed on the location inside, and a drop of cold sweat appeared on his forehead. He continuously prayed for Su Jiu to come out quickly…
