Chapter 978: Tang Tianer

Yang Long looked at the jade pendant in the host’s hand again, a pang of jealousy stirring within him. If he could take the Purple Frost Divine Milk, he might be able to break through to the Grandmaster level within the next three years. Unfortunately, it was meant as a tribute to Prince Yan, clearly leaving him out of the running.

His gaze shifted erratically, and for a moment, a sinister thought crossed his mind. He considered seizing the item for himself at that very moment, and then secretly seeking the whereabouts of the Purple Frost Divine Milk.

However, he reluctantly abandoned the idea. He recalled the terrifying power of Prince Yan and Minister Sun. Even if he became a Grandmaster, he would still be no match for those two.

On the other hand, Zu An was not surprised but rather delighted. He had been worried he didn't have enough money to buy the item, but now, unexpectedly, a convenient deep pocket had appeared to foot the bill.

Not only providing experience but also money, Zu An looked at Sun Ji as if he were a walking money tree, causing Sun Ji to feel a shiver of discomfort. He wondered why this guy was looking at him so strangely.

"Two million three hundred fifty thousand taels!" At this moment, someone from another private room made a bid.

Clearly, this was no small sum. As the bidding progressed, everyone became more cautious. The main reason was that the jade pendant only offered a clue to the Purple Frost Divine Milk; even if purchased, there was no guarantee of finding it. Otherwise, the bids would have been much higher.

Zu An thought for a moment and then bid, "Two million four hundred thousand taels!"

After speaking, he provocatively glanced at Sun Ji. He worried that the other party wouldn't raise the bid, and then who would he rely on to afford such an expensive item?

Sure enough, noticing Zu An's provocative gaze, a surge of anger rose within Sun Ji. "Two million five hundred thousand taels!"

Anger value from Sun Ji: 222,222,222…

He had already realized that Zu An genuinely wanted the item this time. Naturally, he couldn't let Zu An acquire it. He couldn't lose to him, no matter who else he might lose to. Moreover, he originally intended to buy it as a tribute to Prince Yan, so he had to acquire it at any cost.

Seeing Sun Ji take the bait, Zu An smiled faintly and ignored him, focusing instead on the progression of the auction.

There were many influential figures in the other private rooms. Before he knew it, the price had reached three million taels. Zu An secretly sighed; this price was truly beyond his means.

Sun Ji's eyelids twitched. It was important to know that this sum was not small for the Sun family. Had it not been for the wealth they had amassed over the years through his father's influence, combined with plundering and extorting passing merchant caravans, how could they normally have come up with so much silver?

Fortunately, after another round, the other private rooms that had been bidding fell silent. They were clearly weighing whether spending three million taels was worth it for a clue that might turn out to be useless.

Sun Ji glared fiercely at Zu An, thinking that if this guy dared to raise the price again, he would let him win the bid. This would not only settle the score for previous slights in front of everyone, but he could also seize the item from him afterward, without having to pay a single coin himself.

Thinking of this, he felt a twinge of regret. He wished he hadn't been so eager to bid earlier.

Zu An, of course, guessed his thoughts. Giving him no opportunity, he simply abandoned his bid. But even if he gave up, the other wealthy individuals might not. Sure enough, the price quickly soared higher and higher.

Sun Ji's face turned ashen. Yet no matter how high the price rose, he kept raising his bid. Finally, the price broke through four million taels.

Now, even the guests in the other private rooms couldn't bear it any longer. Yi County was, after all, the Sun family's territory, and competing with them in terms of wealth offered no real advantage. Coupled with the uncertainty of the jade pendant's information being useful, those individuals successively gave up, allowing Sun Ji to win the bid at four million taels.

Sun Ji's heart was bleeding, but he reasoned that the item was worth it, as it was to be presented to Prince Yan.

Soon, Venerable Fatty personally escorted the jade pendant to Sun Ji's private room. While handing over the item, he also came to collect payment.

Sun Ji took out banknotes totaling approximately three million taels and handed them over. Then he said, "I didn't bring enough money today. I'll send the rest to you when I return, or you can send someone with us to collect it." He had also been tricked out of several hundred thousand taels by guest number 333 earlier today, so he truly didn't have that much money on him now.

Venerable Fatty's expression darkened. "Young Master Sun, that's not how we do things here."

Sun Ji said, "Venerable Fatty, you should know my identity. The Sun family can certainly afford this sum; there's no need to renege on your payment. We simply didn't know you would be auctioning such an item beforehand, which is why I didn't bring enough money. Our Sun family has operated in Yi County for many years; a monk can flee, but his temple cannot. Do you mean to say we have no credibility?"

Hearing the veiled threat in his tone, Venerable Fatty felt a dilemma. There was indeed no need to offend the Sun family over this. Prince Yan was behind them, after all. If they sought revenge, it would be Carefree Tower that couldn't escape the consequences.

"Since that's the case, we will make an exception for Young Master this one time. However, as the establishment is incurring unnecessary risk, there will be an additional handling fee of one hundred thousand taels of silver. We hope Young Master will understand."

Sun Ji frowned slightly, but still agreed, "Very well."

With both parties in agreement, Sun Ji proceeded to write an IOU and affix his handprint. He also left his folding fan as a token. After Venerable Fatty confirmed everything, he handed the jade pendant to him.

After Venerable Fatty left, Sun Ji carefully put away the box and then stood up to leave.

Yang Long was startled. "Young Master, are you leaving already? Wouldn't it be better to notify people from the manor to pick you up after dawn tomorrow?"

Sun Ji nodded. "Lingering here will only invite trouble. I'll only feel at ease once this jade pendant is delivered to my father and Prince Yan. As for safety, with you escorting us, plus our accompanying guards, who could stop us unless Venerable Fatty personally intervenes?"

Yang Long secretly nodded. Carefree Tower, being in Yi County, would certainly not dare to lay a hand on him. Besides these reasons, Carefree Tower's unique entry and exit mechanism also prevented others from uncovering the identities and whereabouts of other guests. Therefore, leaving early was safer for them. If they delayed too long, malicious individuals might go out and lay traps, potentially discovering their whereabouts.

Sun Ji arranged for a few guards to continue standing by the door, pretending that he was still inside the room, indulging in pleasure. Additionally, he specially dispatched a subordinate to stake out the room of guest number 333.

"Hmph, let him live one more night. Once I've finished this important matter, I'll bring people back and make him wish he were dead but unable to die!" Sun Ji was absolutely determined not to let go of this fellow who had humiliated him multiple times, but having been born into an influential family, he knew how to prioritize.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Zu An was focusing his mind, eavesdropping on the conversation from the other room, when suddenly, a knock sounded outside his private room.

"Who is it?"

"Young Master, it's me." A sweet voice replied.

"What do you need?" Zu An frowned. It was the host from before. What was she doing here?

The beautiful host outside the door stiffened, her smile faltering. She hadn't expected him to show no intention of opening the door upon hearing her voice. What an insensitive man!

But she quickly recovered, and continued, "I've come specifically to deliver the Wolf King's Tooth and Nine-Headed Pheasant Feather you purchased earlier."

You can't refuse that, can you?

Sure enough, as soon as her voice faded, the door opened.

Zu An scrutinized the woman at the door. He had to admit, she was a top-tier beauty. Observing her up close, he could further appreciate her shapely and proud figure, accentuated by the qipao. Coupled with her luscious red lips, sweet smile, and eyes that seemed to hold unspoken words, it was hard for anyone to feel dislike towards her.

Zu An looked her up and down. "Miss, there doesn't seem to be anywhere on your attire to put those items." She was wearing a soft, thin dress, without even a purse.

"Calling me 'Miss' sounds a bit too formal," the beautiful host said with a beaming smile. "My name is Tang Tian'er; Young Master can call me Tian'er. Young Master, won't you invite me in to sit down? Standing at the door like this, if other guests see us, it might be a bit embarrassing."

"Your surname is good, and your name is lovely. Miss, you are indeed as sweet as sugar." Zu An, however, thought differently to himself. Her words were saccharine and calculating, betraying a skilled hand at subtle deception.

"Young Master's words are also very sweet," she said. "What should I call Young Master?" Seeing him step aside to make way, Tang Tian'er gracefully entered the room and casually closed the door behind her.