Chapter 1082: Chapter 744: Appraisal
"Strange items?"
"Yes, part of them are magic artifacts, while the rest I can’t clearly explain either." The management of intelligence at the Peace Hotel is quite strict, even they know very little.
"Senior brother, hotel transactions have always been very secretive. Why are they holding a public auction this time?"
This puzzled Yang Xiao the most. Previously, when he came for transactions, he wouldn’t see anyone, let alone customers. He couldn’t even see the hotel staff. This transaction method greatly assured the anonymity of the parties involved.
"We are not entirely sure, as it is a directive from above, but I imagine there are only a few reasons. Firstly, the items at this treasure appraisal event are special, many of which are rare treasures hard to find elsewhere. Due to their scarcity, it’s difficult for the hotel to set a price, so an open auction is conducted, where the highest bidder wins."
"The lively atmosphere of an auction can also further drive up the prices of the items. They’ll set up oxygen enhancement devices at the venue to cause people to lose judgment on value when excited."
"Besides, this is also a good opportunity for the hotel to showcase its heritage and connections. With the current unsettled situation, the hotel hopes to use this chance to intimidate those restless individuals."
After saying this, Daoist Qingfeng returned to the room and soon came out carrying a beautifully carved wooden box, which he solemnly handed over to Yang Xiao, urging, "This is a collection of our master’s, very precious, and it’s your chip for the auctioning of that treasure."
After speaking, he opened the box in front of Yang Xiao. Inside was a porcelain bottle, displaying a remarkably beautiful sky-blue glaze, radiant even in dim light.
"This is an artifact rated as Ghost Level Top Grade, with special abilities. If nothing goes wrong, it should allow us to attain the master’s desired item," Daoist Qingfeng explained. "There are three main treasures at this appraisal event, and the item the master wants is the first one."
Senior Brother Qingfeng did not explain what the exchanged treasure was, and since he chose not to reveal, Yang Xiao knew there was a reason and refrained from asking. Having received so many favors recently, Yang Xiao hoped to find an opportunity to repay them, and this was a fitting chance.
"Senior Brother Qingfeng, please inform Master Uncle that I will handle this matter well. I will stay in town during this period, so do not hesitate to ask if there’s anything needed." Yang Xiao accepted the box politely and bowed to Senior Brother Qingfeng.
"Junior brother, you needn’t worry. Though it’s a public auction, every participant will receive special clothing and wear masks provided by the hotel. Unless you voluntarily expose yourself, others will find it difficult to guess your identity. The hotel won’t neglect this basic protective measure," Daoist Qingfeng reassured.
"That’s for the best," Yang Xiao nodded. Given his special status, having both an official position and many enemies, keeping a low profile was wise.
Daoist Qingfeng reminded him that he could bring a companion to attend, as going alone would draw more attention.
For the companion, Daoist Qingfeng recommended Tong Han. Daoist Qingfeng had interacted with Tong Han several times and found her to have a clear mind, decisive in action, and considerate in judgment, making her a reliable person.
After making these arrangements, Daoist Qingfeng did not hold Yang Xiao any longer and let him leave, advising him not to contact unless it was of great urgency.
Upon returning, Yang Xiao found Tong Han and explained the situation to her. Initially, Tong Han was reluctant to join such a commotion, but she agreed after Yang Xiao pleaded with her.
With everything settled, they had to wait. A day later, the hotel contacted Yang Xiao, instructing him to come at ten o’clock at night to exchange for the necessary chips for the auction.
Following Daoist Qingfeng’s instructions, Yang Xiao brought the Ghost Level Top-Grade Sky Blue Porcelain Bottle and also packed various Resentful Eyes he had gathered, all rated above Fierce Grade, and arrived at the hotel’s side entrance, entering the pre-arranged room.
He left all the artifacts except for the Sky Blue Porcelain Bottle in a wooden cabinet outside. This porcelain bottle was too important, and Yang Xiao wouldn’t lose it at any cost, keeping it with him at all times.
Through a small bamboo tube for information transfer by the hotel, Yang Xiao learned the procedures and rules of the auction. Firstly, he needed to exchange the artifacts he held for something called ’golden chips’ and then use these chips to bid for treasures at the auction.
Upon exchanging for golden chips, Yang Xiao realized the high standards of the auction; the minimum rating for an artifact eligible for exchange was at least Fierce Grade.
Fierce Grade artifacts no longer held any allure for Yang Xiao, but it was only for him. It’s worth noting that the only such artifact owned by the Venerable One of the Yu Yuan Sect he defeated was of this level.
As for his comrades at Rongcheng Patrol Division, he didn’t know about the Director and Deputy Director, but at least half of the Captains and Deputy Captains didn’t have Fierce Grade artifacts.
People like him and Qu Muzhi were absolute exceptions.
Yang Xiao brought a total of six Fierce Grade artifacts and one Ghost Level artifact, specifically the embroidery needle he retrieved from Cen Fengyang.
Soon, the amount that could be exchanged was revealed. The hotel only agreed to exchange five pieces of the Level 5 Magical Artifacts, one of which did not meet the hotel’s requirement. The golden chips exchangeable for these five pieces were 1100, 1300, 1000, 1200, and 1500 respectively, totaling 6100 golden chips.
To Yang Xiao’s surprise, the highest valued piece among these five was actually the one Lina had, worth 1500 golden chips.
As for that embroidery needle, it already met the hotel’s minimum standard for this auction. The hotel offered two options. The first option was a direct purchase by the hotel, with an offer price of 9500 golden chips, after which the item would belong to the hotel.
The second option was for the hotel to auction it on his behalf, with the highest bidder winning it. No matter how much it eventually auctioned for, the proceeds would go to Yang Xiao, with the hotel taking a 15% commission.
Knowing the hotel’s nature of always seeking a profit, Yang Xiao decisively chose the second option. He had previously been wounded by the embroidery needle and knew it was a decent magic artifact, worth far more than 9500.
The hotel’s price was slashed too aggressively. To Yang Xiao, it seemed that the offered price could very well just be a starting bid.
As for his uncle’s treasure, it was reserved for the final competition. The value of the last three treasures at the auction couldn’t be measured by golden chips. It followed the ancient law of bartering goods. Yang Xiao was also curious about what kind of treasures these three would be.
His uncle was a true Netherworld-level Apostle, one of the infamous Taoist Double Killers of the past. Anything that could intrigue his uncle had to be extraordinary.
After depositing the exchanged golden chips into the hotel’s account, Yang Xiao received a set of clothing: a black, wide robe that covered his whole body completely. On the chest, there was a number attached. His number was 44; what a damn auspicious number.
At his request, the hotel gave him another identical robe, which was meant for Tong Han.
After leaving the hotel, Yang Xiao stayed on his turf, going nowhere, waiting for the auction to begin.
Two days flew by quickly, and at 10 PM sharp, the disguised Yang Xiao and Tong Han set off. Unlike the usual quietness, Xiang Ma Town was noticeably livelier at night.
During the day, Yang Xiao received news that Xiang Ma Town would be under a curfew tonight, and no idle individuals were allowed out.
Walking on the street, they occasionally bumped into people dressed like him and Tong Han. However, everyone minded their own business, going their own way. In the dimly lit corners of the streets, gaze as sharp as arrows were watching these people intently; they were the hidden Ghost Slaves.
Most of the Ghost Slaves at the Peace Hotel were dispatched tonight, raising the hotel’s defense level to an extraordinarily high degree.
Even though there were experts like the Taoist Two Demons present, the hotel remained vigilant, which was enough to prove the appearance of some real treasures in this auction.
Yang Xiao also had a clear understanding of his uncle. Despite his uncle’s strong abilities, his status within the hotel wasn’t as high as imagined. After all, he was just a hired fighter for the hotel, not much different from a Ghost Slave. The difference was that his uncle was a top fighter, a Netherworld-level Apostle, and the main big shot holding the fort.
The hotel provided his uncle with a place to cultivate peacefully, free from the threat of enemies pursuing him. In return, his uncle naturally handled some thorny troubles for the hotel. This was essentially a transaction.
The fact that the hotel dared to take in such a bloodstained Taoist Demon like his uncle was enough to show the terrifying power behind the hotel.
Along the way, with his keen sense of perception, Yang Xiao found several hidden Ghost Slaves. All the Ghost Slaves lurking around the hotel’s core area tonight wore masks with the Li character, proving their identity as genuine Fierce Level Apostles.
In addition, Yang Xiao also discovered two Ghost Slaves with the Netherworld character. These two weren’t hiding in the least, each carrying a Paper Lantern, standing at the hotel entrance like welcoming doormen.
Of course, it looked more like a silent deterrent. With the Netherworld Ghost Slaves serving as doormen, the level of experts attending the auction would be extraordinary, and anyone intending to cause trouble better weigh their abilities first.
Yang Xiao didn’t intend to stir up trouble. His primary purpose for coming this time was to exchange treasures for his uncle. Of course, if he could conveniently snag some useful items for himself, that would be even better.
Currently, Yang Xiao didn’t know what he lacked. In terms of magical artifacts, he had his good sister Yan Xuan, which almost freed him from worry. He came this time primarily to broaden his horizons.
After verifying the authenticity of the invitation, the Ghost Slave guarding the door allowed Yang Xiao and Tong Han to enter and handed him a Paper Lantern with the number 44 on it.
Following the guiding Ghost Slave, Yang Xiao headed underground within the hotel, but not on the path to his uncle’s residence; instead, it was in another direction. Then, he took an elevator to go deeper underground.
Exiting the elevator, directly opposite was a black double door. As the doors were opened by the Ghost Slaves standing on either side, the scene in front of Yang Xiao made him widen his eyes involuntarily. A massive underground space resembling a concert hall was exposed before him.
