Ling fought back the urge to relax into the sofa's plush cushions. The fabric was deceptively soft, coaxing the tension from his muscles with each passing second. But he couldn't afford comfort—not now. Every instinct urged him to get up, leave, and return to training. He shifted his gaze from Li Yuan to the heavy curtains draped across the windows, then back again before speaking, his voice low and measured.
"Is this place private enough?"
Li Yuan gave a subtle nod, her expression calm and confident. She gestured elegantly toward the dark velvet curtains. "These are premium soundproof drapes. We may not be the largest auction house in the village anymore, but we pride ourselves on discretion and quality protection. It's essential, considering the types of goods we handle—items of great rarity… or stolen treasures of even greater worth." She leaned slightly forward. "You may speak freely, Fifth Young Lord."
Ling paused, eyes narrowing slightly as he studied her. Though she wore the airs of sophistication, there was something plain and straightforward beneath the act. Not necessarily untrustworthy, but certainly calculated. He reached into his pocket and drew out a gleaming emerald the size of a thumb, holding it between two fingers so the light caught its surface.
"Are you interested now, Miss Yuan?" he asked, letting just a hint of challenge enter his tone. "I trust you know what this is."
Her eyes widened—just a flicker—but it was enough. Even without touching it, she recognized the faint glow that shimmered within. The emerald was no mere ornament.
"A soul gem," she murmured. "May I examine it?"
Ling hesitated. He hated the idea of handing over something so valuable, especially to someone he barely knew. But after a tense moment, he let out a slow breath and placed the gem on the table. His fingers lingered a moment too long before pulling away. He watched her carefully as she picked it up and examined it under the amber glow of the ceiling lantern, her eyes gleaming with a mix of curiosity and satisfaction—like a wolf catching scent of blood in the snow.
Soul gems weren't common, though not entirely rare either. They could be refined into spirit pills—vital for those seeking to break into the elusive Spirit Rank. That realm lay above the Sky Rank, a stage where one's will and chi began to harmonize, becoming a force of true cultivation. Ling had found the gem nestled deep in the folds of Chu's discarded clothing after their last encounter. He'd recognized it immediately and understood its worth—especially in their remote region, where such items were seldom seen.
Since Chu himself was still too weak to make proper use of it, Ling had decided to part with the gem. Better to use its value for something tangible than let it gather dust.
Li Yuan finished examining the soul gem and set it down carefully on the table without a word. Her expression was unreadable, and that unsettled Ling. Was she unimpressed? Suspicious? He prayed she wouldn't call it a fake and toss him from the building. That kind of humiliation would burn.
But instead of speaking, she reached for a drink resting beside her. With practiced ease, she removed the seal and poured the amber liquid into two ceramic cups. Foam rose gently to the brim of both as the aroma of fermented rice and plum filled the air.
To Ling, that was a good sign.
They exchanged no words as they each lifted their cups. The saké's thick scent hit Ling's nose first, rich and sharp. He brought the drink to his lips and downed it in a few quick gulps. He wasn't a heavy drinker, but he could appreciate a good bottle—and free was even better.
Still, he refused to be lulled into a false sense of ease. He placed his cup down and got straight to the point.
"So how much will it sell for?"
Li Yuan sighed, setting her own cup back onto the lacquered wood table. Her demeanor had softened, slightly. "I don't pry into the private lives of my clients," she said. "That's a rule in this business. Where your items come from isn't my concern. But…" Her eyes studied him now with keener interest. "I'll allow myself one indulgence of curiosity. Why choose the Weeping Shallows to host such a valuable item?"
Ling answered without hesitation, his tone cold and decisive. "The Weeping Shallows has never turned me away. Besides, I've heard my mother had a... special relationship with this place. But let's not get sentimental. I need to sell the gem."
He could've sworn he saw a faint smile tug at the edge of her lips, but it was gone just as quickly as it appeared.
"Patience, young lord," she said smoothly. "If you allow me one day, I can spread the word—gather some wealthier buyers. That could easily double your profit. But if you insist on rushing it today, you may not get the outcome you're hoping for."
Ling tilted his head, silently weighing the options. A higher price was tempting, but delays posed their own risks. He needed the money—not for luxury, but for survival. Resources, training, protection. Waiting even a day could allow word to leak out. And if Queen Tasha caught wind of his actions, she'd tighten her leash. He had no family backing him. If she decided he was a liability, his life could be snuffed out like a candle.
Then there was the lingering fear of whoever had tried to kill him before. He hadn't forgotten the two thugs that cornered him. If they came again, they wouldn't leave the job unfinished.
His voice was steel when he spoke again. "I can't wait until tomorrow. What are the terms?"
Li Yuan gave a slow, thoughtful nod. "Sixty-forty. You'll receive the larger share, of course. If the auction goes well, we could see offers nearing a million."
Ling's eyes narrowed slightly. A fair offer—but he still had room to push.
"Seventy-thirty."
Li Yuan let out a short laugh, warm but edged with amusement. "I don't think you fully grasp how this works, dear. Just because you've brought something valuable doesn't mean you get to dictate the terms. This is still business. And let's be honest—you need to sell quickly. I doubt the other auction houses would be this accommodating. From where I'm sitting, you're running out of options." She leaned in just slightly. "I may be desperate. But you? You're at least three times more."
Ling clenched his jaw, his mind racing. He could press the matter further, but doing so might push her away—and right now, he couldn't afford another enemy. The original offer wasn't unreasonable, but he needed something more.
He exhaled slowly, eyes sharpening as his voice dropped a note. "Then I have a proposal."
"I'm listening," she replied, her tone tinged with delight.