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Chapter 974: Tang Tian'er

Yang Long glanced at the jade pendant in the host's hand again, a pang of jealousy in his heart. If he could consume the Purple Frost Divine Milk, he might be able to break through to the Grandmaster level within the next three years. Unfortunately, it was clearly destined for Prince Yan, leaving him no chance.

His eyes flickered with changing emotions, and for a moment, a sinister thought crossed his mind: to seize the item for himself then secretly search for the whereabouts of the Purple Frost Divine Milk.

However, he reluctantly abandoned the idea, recalling the terrifying power of Prince Yan and Chancellor Sun. Even if he became a Grandmaster, he would still be no match for them.

Meanwhile, Zu An was not surprised but rather delighted. He had been worrying he didn't have enough money to buy the item, and now, unexpectedly, a "sucker" had appeared?

Providing both experience and money, Zu An looked at Sun Ji as if he were a money-spreading child, sending a shiver down Sun Ji's spine. *Why does this guy look at me so strangely?* he wondered.

"Two million three hundred fifty thousand taels!" another person from a private box bid.

Clearly, this was no small sum, and everyone became more cautious as the bidding progressed.

The main reason was that the jade pendant only offered a clue to the Purple Frost Divine Milk; even if acquired, finding it wasn't guaranteed. Otherwise, the bids would have been much higher.

Zu An pondered for a moment before placing his own bid: "Two million four hundred thousand taels!" After bidding, he provocatively glanced at Sun Ji. He was worried Sun Ji wouldn't follow, and then who would he rely on to afford such an expensive item?

Just as he expected, noticing Zu An's provocative gaze, a surge of irritation welled up in Sun Ji's heart: "Two million five hundred thousand taels!" Rage value from Sun Ji +222 +222 +222...

He had realized that Zu An genuinely wanted the item this time, so he naturally couldn't let him have it. He couldn't lose to anyone, especially not him. Moreover, it was meant to be presented to Prince Yan, so he had to acquire it, no matter the cost.

Seeing Sun Ji take the bait, Zu An smiled faintly. He stopped engaging with Sun Ji and instead focused on the auction's progression.

There were many powerful figures in the other private boxes, and before he knew it, the price had reached three million taels. Zu An secretly sighed; he genuinely couldn't afford this price.

Sun Ji's eyelids twitched. This sum was by no means small for the Sun family. If not for the wealth accumulated over the years through his father's influence and the occasional robbery and extortion of passing merchant caravans, how would they normally come up with so much silver?

Fortunately, after a round of bidding, the other private boxes fell silent, clearly considering whether spending three million taels for a potentially useless clue was worth it. Sun Ji glared fiercely at Zu An, thinking, *If this guy dares to raise the price again, I'll let him win it. Not only will I get my revenge in front of everyone, but I can also seize it from him later, without having to pay a dime myself.*

At this thought, he felt a tinge of regret; he wished he hadn't been so eager to bid earlier. Zu An naturally guessed his intentions and gave him no opportunity, directly abandoning the bidding.

However, just because he gave up didn't mean other wealthy individuals would. As expected, the price quickly soared higher and higher. Sun Ji's face turned ashen, but no matter how much the price increased, he could always add more, and eventually, the price broke through four million taels.

At this point, the jade-token guests in the other private boxes could no longer bear it. Yi Commandery was, after all, Sun family territory, and competing with their financial power offered little advantage. Moreover, the information on the jade pendant might not even be useful. Consequently, those individuals successively gave up, allowing Sun Ji to secure it for four million taels.

Sun Ji's heart bled, but he knew the item was worth it, especially since it was for Prince Yan.

Soon, the Fat Venerable personally escorted the jade pendant to Sun Ji's private box. He handed over the item while also expecting payment.

Sun Ji pulled out banknotes totaling around three million taels and handed them over, then said, "I didn't bring enough money today. I'll have the rest sent to you when I return, or you can send someone with us to collect it."

He had been swindled out of hundreds of thousands of taels by guest number 333 earlier, so he genuinely didn't have that much money on him now.

The Fat Venerable's expression darkened. "Young Master Sun, there's no such rule."

Sun Ji replied, "Fat Venerable, you should know my identity. The Sun family can certainly afford this sum; there's no need to default on your debt. The main issue is that we weren't informed beforehand that you would be auctioning such an item, which is why I didn't bring enough money. Our Sun family has operated in Yi Commandery for many years; a monk can run, but his temple cannot. Do you mean to say we lack even this much credibility?"

Hearing the veiled threat in Sun Ji's tone, the Fat Venerable found himself in a difficult position. Indeed, there was no need to offend the Sun family over this, especially with Prince Yan backing them. If they retaliated, it would be the Pleasure Pavilion that couldn't escape, not the other way around.

"In that case, we will make an exception for Young Master, but due to the unnecessary risk incurred by the Pavilion, there will be an additional handling fee of one hundred thousand taels of silver. I hope Young Master understands."

Sun Ji frowned slightly but agreed, saying, "Very well." After reaching an agreement, Sun Ji promptly wrote an IOU and pressed his handprint onto it. He also left his personal folding fan as a token. Once the Fat Venerable confirmed everything, he handed the jade pendant to him.

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

Yang Long was startled. "Young Master, are you leaving now? Wouldn't it be better to wait until dawn tomorrow and have someone from the manor pick us up?" Sun Ji nodded. "Staying here risks complications. I'll only feel at ease once this jade pendant is delivered to my father and Prince Yan. As for safety, with your escort and our accompanying guards, who could stop us, unless the Fat Venerable himself intervened?"

Yang Long secretly nodded. The Pleasure Pavilion, being in Yi Commandery, certainly wouldn't dare to act against him. Besides these reasons, the Pavilion's unique entry and exit system also prevented others from uncovering the identities and movements of other guests. Therefore, leaving early was indeed safer. If they delayed, malevolent individuals from within might arrange a trap outside, potentially discovering their whereabouts.

Sun Ji then instructed a few guards to remain by the door, pretending he was still inside enjoying himself. Additionally, he specifically sent a subordinate to keep watch outside guest number 333's room.

"Hmph, let him live one more night. Once I've finished this important business, I'll bring people back and make him wish he were dead!" Sun Ji was absolutely not going to let go of the man who had repeatedly humiliated him, but having been born into a prominent family, he knew how to prioritize.

Meanwhile, Zu An was concentrating, stealthily listening to the conversation from the other side, when suddenly there was a knock on his private box door.

"Who is it?"

"Young Master, it's me." a sweet voice asked.

"Is something wrong?" Zu An frowned. It was the host from earlier. What did she want?

The beautiful hostess outside froze, her smile faltering. She hadn't expected him to show no intention of opening the door upon hearing her voice. *What an insensitive man*, she thought. But she quickly recovered and added, "I'm here specifically to deliver the Wolf King's Fang and Nine-Headed Pheasant Feathers to you." *You can't refuse that, can you?*

As expected, the moment she finished speaking, the door opened. Zu An observed the woman standing at the doorway. He had to admit, she was a stunning beauty, truly top-notch. Close up, he could appreciate her exquisite, alluring figure, accentuated by the cheongsam she wore. With her luscious red lips, sweet smile, and eyes that seemed to hold unspoken words, it was difficult to feel any ill will towards her. Zu An looked her up and down. "Miss, your dress doesn't seem to have anywhere to put those items, does it?" She was wearing a soft, thin dress with no pockets or bag.

"Calling me 'Miss' is a bit too formal," the beautiful hostess said with a radiant smile. "My name is Tang Tian'er; you can call me Tian'er. Won't you invite me in to sit down? It's a bit embarrassing to stand at the door where other guests might see us."

"A good surname, and a pleasant name too; Miss, you are indeed as sweet as sugar." In his mind, Zu An had a different thought: *Her words are so calculated, she's clearly a high-level schemer.*

"Young Master's words are also very sweet," Tang Tian'er replied. "How should I address you, Young Master?" Seeing him step aside and offer passage, she smoothly entered the room and closed the door behind her.

----

It's been so long since the last book was finished, and there are still things that need to be deleted or revised. *Sigh*, it was revised countless times during serialization and many times after completion. I really don't know what to say.

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