Chapter 76: The Little Playboy of Fengyang
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation.
Yu Zhao heard the commotion ahead and furrowed her brows slightly.
The tickets were sold out?
Would she miss the chance to purchase Supreme Essence Water?
The cultivators still waiting in line also erupted into an uproar upon hearing the news. The scene turned into utter chaos.
“Everyone, please quiet down! I have something to say!”
As the tension grew, a middle-aged man stepped onto the ticket counter platform. The silent release of his Golden Core pressure instantly quieted the crowd.
“I am Yu Zheng Mao, the person in charge of the Black Water City Auction. I fully understand your frustrations and, on behalf of the auction, express our gratitude for your support. It is precisely due to your enthusiasm that the ordinary seats have sold out so quickly.
However, there’s no need to panic. Apart from ordinary seats, we have also prepared premium and VIP seats for you. Both options are still available, so you can purchase them with ease.”
Hearing this, Yu Zhao let out a breath of relief.
But most of the crowd still frowned deeply.
“Manager Yu, what are the prices for these premium and VIP seats?” someone asked loudly.
Yu Zheng Mao smiled warmly, exuding an air of benevolence. “A premium seat costs ten mid-grade spirit stones, while a VIP seat costs ten high-grade spirit stones.”
“What the hell? Ten mid-grade spirit stones? Why not just rob us instead?”
“I’ve never seen ten high-grade spirit stones in my whole damn life!”
“Manager Yu, are you joking with us?”
“…”
The “outrageous” prices left everyone dumbfounded.
To put it into perspective, an ordinary seat cost ten low-grade spirit stones. For premium seats, the price jumped a hundredfold, and VIP seats were even more ridiculous—ten thousand times higher.
The majority of those queuing were unremarkable wandering cultivators. For them, a single low-grade spirit stone was spent with the utmost care, so how could they afford to part with ten mid-grade spirit stones just to attend an auction?
Faced with the crowd’s indignation, Yu Zheng Mao remained composed. His smile never faltered as he explained, “Ladies and gentlemen, the prices of all major auction houses are uniformly set. It is not our intention at Black Water City Auction to exploit you. We are simply following the standard rules. We ask for your understanding.”
“Manager Yu, there’s no need to explain to them. They’re just a bunch of paupers! Unlike them, I’ll take three premium seats—one for myself and two for my guards!”
The loud, arrogant voice belonged to none other than a certain familiar figure, accompanied by two others, squeezing their way through the crowd toward Yu Zheng Mao.
Yu Zhao clicked her tongue in annoyance, her brow furrowing further.
This nouveau riche had shown up at the perfect moment, redirecting the crowd’s ire toward himself and away from the auction house.
Yu Zheng Mao likely wished he could give the man a big kiss out of sheer gratitude.
Sure enough, Yu Zheng Mao’s eyes lit up as he looked at the trio.
Who was this helpful fool, so thoughtful and timely? A real lifesaver!
“This distinguished guest has such a regal bearing, exuding an extraordinary air of nobility. Might I ask for your esteemed name?”
The arrogant man raised his chin proudly while one of his loyal guards stepped forward to introduce him. “This is Young Master Fan, the eldest son of the Fan family patriarch from Fengyang City, known far and wide as the Little Playboy of Fengyang!”
Yu Zheng Mao: …
Yu Zhao: …
The crowd: … Seriously? Who let this idiot out?
“Keep it low-key, keep it low-key,” Young Master Fan said, waving his hand, though his smirk betrayed unrestrained glee.
Yu Zheng Mao seriously pondered for a moment but couldn’t quite recall where Fengyang City was located. Nonetheless, he professionally played along, saying, “Ah, so you’re the renowned Little Playboy of Fengyang! I’ve long admired your reputation!”
Young Master Fan became even more excited. “So even Manager Yu has heard of my name!”
Manager Yu choked slightly before responding, “Of… of course.”
“Hahaha, I’m actually not as extraordinary as the rumors say,” Fan boasted, laughing loudly. “I’m just a little more talented, a little more handsome, and a little wealthier than the average person.”
“What the hell? My fists are clenched. I really want to punch someone!”
A female cultivator standing in front of Yu Zhao suddenly cursed under her breath.
“To be honest, I’m also barely holding back,” muttered a middle-aged man not far away, clenching his fists.
The crowd began to eye Fan with a growing murderous intent.
Oblivious to this, Young Master Fan continued bragging about his “achievements” to Yu Zheng Mao.
While Yu Zheng Mao appreciated Fan diverting the crowd’s anger, he didn’t want to see him beaten to death. As soon as Fan paused to catch his breath, Yu Zheng Mao smoothly interjected, “Young Master Fan, a distinguished guest like yourself absolutely mustn’t miss this grand event. Why don’t I secure your seats now? The earlier we arrange them, the closer to the front they’ll be.”
“Excellent!” Fan was delighted by Yu Zheng Mao’s attentiveness and waved his hand grandly, signaling his guards to pay.
Just then, Yu Zhao’s calm voice rang out from the crowd, “How can mere premium seats be worthy of Young Master Fan? In my opinion, only VIP seats suit someone of his stature.”
The crowd froze for a moment before breaking into mischievous grins.
“Yes, yes, Manager Yu! How could you let Young Master Fan settle for premium seats? Prepare VIP seats immediately and get an eight-man sedan chair to carry him in!”
“No way, no way. Young Master Fan wouldn’t possibly be unable to afford VIP tickets, right? Is this all the Little Playboy of Fengyang amounts to?”
“Please, Young Master Fan, we’ve never seen anyone buy VIP tickets. Show some generosity and let us poor folks witness such grandeur!”
“…”
One of the guards hesitated mid-payment and looked uneasily at his master.
Young Master Fan’s face turned various shades of green and white.
As the only son of the Fan family patriarch, he had been spoiled since childhood. Whatever he wanted, he got, and spirit stones were never in short supply. However, the Fan family was only a moderately ranked small clan in Fengyang City, with limited wealth. No matter how favored he was, the family’s resources could only go so far.
At the moment, all the spirit stones he had barely amounted to enough for five VIP tickets. If he spent most of it on entry, there would be little left to bid on valuable items at the auction.
“Young Master Fan, the difference between premium and VIP seats is actually negligible. If you’re running low on spirit stones…” Yu Zheng Mao trailed off, offering a baiting suggestion with a look of feigned concern.
“Who says I’m short on money?” Fan immediately shot back, offended.
As the Little Playboy of Fengyang, he couldn’t lose face!
Spirit stones? He had them to spare!
“Young Master!”
The two guards were horrified, scrambling to dissuade him from this extravagant move.
But it was futile. Fan couldn’t be stopped.
With a loud smack, Fan slapped his storage pouch onto the counter and tilted his chin arrogantly at Yu Zheng Mao. “VIP seats! Three of them!”
“Understood! Three VIP seats it is!”
Yu Zheng Mao’s face bloomed into a broad, trumpet-like grin.
Heavens above! Today was surely his lucky day, blessed by the gods themselves!
Even though this benefactor wasn’t the sharpest tool in the shed, he was willing to spend.
One sentence, and he had extracted thirty high-grade spirit stones from the man!
Yu Zheng Mao couldn’t help but marvel, I must truly be a genius!
*Face palm*