Red Moon Auction House.
This auction house was run by the Red Moon Family, one of the seven great noble families. The Red Moon Family held considerable sway in the northern part of the
Previously, when the Tian Hen Family had been oppressed by the Sacred Family — one of the three supreme families — the Red Moon Family had distanced itself. But now, seeing how close the Alchemist Association and the Tian Hen Family had become, the Red Moon Family began making overtures of goodwill once more.
The auction house was bustling with people. As noble family heads,
With them were the heads and retainers of several other noble families.
Nie Hai spotted a few acquaintances and went over to greet them.
"Family Head
Li Yuan looked to be in his fifties or sixties. Though his hair and beard had begun to gray, his spirit was vigorous. He was the head of the Li Yuan Family. Beside him stood Chi Feng, somewhat younger and towering in stature — head of the Tian Kui Family.
"Family Head Nie Hai, hope you've been well!" Li Yuan and Chi Feng both returned the cupped-hand salute with smiles.
"Ha ha, thanks to you two!" Nie Hai exchanged pleasantries. His relationship with Li Yuan and Chi Feng had always been decent — even during the period of oppression by the Sacred Family, they had maintained some contact.
Seeing Nie Hai chatting warmly with Li Yuan and Chi Feng, Family Head
"Family Head Nie Hai seems to be riding high!" Lei Zhuo remarked with faint mockery.
Beside him, Family Head Jiang Ming sneered, "Isn't that the truth? Before, when the Sacred Family was crushing them, he was practically on his knees begging for mercy. Now that he's got the Alchemist Association's protection, he thinks he can strut around. But how long can the Alchemist Association protect the Tian Hen Family? The Sacred Family will make its move eventually. I wonder if Family Head Nie Hai will be so smug then!"
Hearing Lei Zhuo and Jiang Ming's words, Nie Hai's expression shifted slightly. The Silver Tiger Family and the Iron Gate Family had never been on good terms with the Tian Hen Family, and the cold sarcasm in their voices left a bitter taste. He naturally wouldn't back down, so he smiled dismissively. "Why do I smell such a strong scent of sourness? Yes, the Tian Hen Family does enjoy the Alchemist Association's protection — but that's still better than certain families whose grandmothers and grandfathers won't even give them the time of day!"
Lei Zhuo and Jiang Ming's faces darkened. Honestly, they were deeply envious. The Alchemist Association of today was nothing like the old one. They'd heard that the Association purchased herbs from the Tian Hen Family at over thirty percent above market price, and had even gifted them a considerable number of high-grade pills — enough to cultivate many outstanding young members. Meanwhile, the herbs grown by their Silver Tiger and Iron Gate families had no buyers at all, forcing them to sell at painful discounts.
"Being the Alchemist Association's lapdog and still so self-righteous," Lei Zhuo scoffed. "As if the Association actually thinks you're anything special!"
At Lei Zhuo's words, Li Yuan and Chi Feng both spoke up.
"Family Head Lei Zhuo, I'd say you're mistaken. If the Tian Hen Family were merely the Association's lapdog, why would the Association offer them such generous terms?" Li Yuan said with a mild smile, clearly taking Nie Hai's side.
Chi Feng nodded. "Exactly. It's obviously the Association that needs something from the Tian Hen Family — that's why they're offering such favorable conditions. It's benefited our two families as well!"
Li Yuan's Li Yuan Family and Chi Feng's Tian Kui Family sold their herbs to the Tian Hen Family at ten percent above market price, and the Tian Hen Family in turn resold them to the Alchemist Association, earning a healthy profit. They had become partners in mutual interest. This was their reward for extending a helping hand when the Tian Hen Family had been down on its luck.
Lei Zhuo and Jiang Ming snorted coldly. They still couldn't figure out what the Alchemist Association — such a massive organization — could possibly need from the Tian Hen Family. They'd sent plenty of people to investigate, but turned up nothing.
A faint undercurrent of hostility persisted in the VIP room.
Nie En and Nie Li sat off to the side sipping tea. It was a squabble between family heads — none of their business, and there was nothing for them to say.
"The heads of the Silver Tiger and Iron Gate families have always been insufferably arrogant," Nie En muttered, watching Lei Zhuo and Jiang Ming from across the room, a flicker of anger in his eyes. "When the Sacred Family was suppressing us, they drove down prices and sent people to buy up one of our territories. If we'd known it was them, we never would have sold! During the Sacred Family's crackdown, those two families did the most damage — they snatched away all our business!"
Hearing Nie En's words, Nie Li's eyebrow arched slightly. If it were just ordinary family feuding, he wouldn't have cared. But if these two families were lackeys of the Sacred Family, Nie Li would not let them off.
The auction was about to begin, and the various family heads stepped to the viewing platform, looking out toward the stage.
The auctioneer was a beautiful young woman dressed in a gossamer silk garment that was almost translucent. Combined with her delicate features, she radiated an irresistible allure. The Red Moon Family was clever indeed — a woman so attractive could easily make men lose their heads and throw their money around.
"The Tian Hen Family must have made a fortune trading all those herbs with the Alchemist Association lately!" Lei Zhuo glanced sideways at Nie Hai and laughed. "With Family Head Nie Hai here, I'm afraid the real treasures of this auction are out of our reach!"
"Indeed," Jiang Ming chimed in with a grin. "How could our finances possibly compare to the Tian Hen Family's?"
Nie Hai's expression was grim. The mockery in Lei Zhuo and Jiang Ming's words was impossible to miss, yet he had no choice but to swallow his pride. Though the recent partnership with the Alchemist Association had indeed brought in significant income, the Tian Hen Family's foundations were still thin — they'd only just barely recovered their vitality. How could they compete with the Silver Tiger and Iron Gate families?
Li Yuan and Chi Feng frowned repeatedly. Lei Zhuo and Jiang Ming were pressing harder and harder, relentless in their provocations — thoroughly irritating.
Just then, Nie Li, seated at Nie Hai's right, suddenly spoke up. "You flatter us, Family Heads. The Tian Hen Family may lack many things, but we certainly don't lack money. As for the real treasures at today's auction — I'm afraid they may indeed be out of your reach!"
Lei Zhuo's face darkened. "Boy, who do you think you are? How dare you speak to us! Can you even represent the Tian Hen Family?"
"Whether or not I can represent the Tian Hen Family — why don't you ask Family Head Nie Hai?" Nie Li replied calmly.
Nie Li's standing within the Tian Hen Family had indeed changed beyond recognition. Nie Hai nodded. "He most certainly can represent the Tian Hen Family."
"A brat who dares spout such big words — I hope he doesn't strain his tongue!" Lei Zhuo snorted. Since Nie Hai had vouched for Nie Li, there was nothing more he could say. "The Tian Hen Family truly is declining — to coddle a junior like this!"