Chapter 034: Suffering Defeat (2)

Shen Qing had believed that the Water Spirit Flower would undoubtedly be his, but unexpectedly, Ao Defan suddenly appeared and offered a price a full ten thousand gold coins higher than his own bid. Rage surged in his chest as he immediately stood up and strode angrily to the balcony, shoving Shen Aofan aside. His sinister gaze swept toward the private room where the bidding had just come from. When he saw who it was, his fury intensified.

Ao Defan met his glare without flinching, returning it with a fierce look of his own.

Shen Qing's face darkened with rage—it was the private room where Shen Duo was seated. Surely, that useless wretch had orchestrated this. An even stronger sense of rivalry welled up within him; he could not allow that failure to obtain such a rare treasure.

With a steely expression, his sharp voice rang out: "I bid ninety thousand gold coins!"

A wave of astonishment rippled through the auction hall. Truly worthy of being the Lord of Luo City—he bid ninety thousand gold coins without even blinking. Lina, with a playful laugh, teased, "Lord Shen is certainly wealthy and generous. It seems the Water Spirit Flower will inevitably fall into his hands today."

Shen Duo glanced lightly at Shen Qing’s tense expression, still leisurely observing alongside Lei Hang. Ao Defan was a proud man, and now, needing the Water Spirit Flower urgently, he had no intention of letting Shen Qing win so easily. He cast Shen Qing a cold glance and announced a bid of one hundred thousand gold coins!

The crowd erupted. One hundred thousand gold coins! Even for a treasure as rare as the Water Spirit Flower, this price was more than justified. All eyes turned to Ao Defan, filled with admiration, envy, and awe.

Shen Qing had not expected Ao Defan to be so oblivious to the situation, daring to raise the bid further. His fists clenched at his sides, and a hint of hesitation creased his brow. Ninety thousand gold coins was already a stretch for him as city lord; now Ao Defan had easily bid one hundred thousand. If he backed down now, wouldn’t he be mocked by that useless wretch? Wouldn’t his chance to advance slip away for nothing? Gritting his teeth, he painfully shouted, "One hundred and ten thousand!"

Ao Defan had not anticipated Shen Qing’s determination to claim the Water Spirit Flower, pushing the bid to such an astronomical figure. One hundred thousand was his absolute limit, and even then, he needed the help of the Blazing Flame Mercenary Corps to gather the funds. Now, to go any higher was truly difficult. Ao Defan frowned, his face full of hesitation.

Seeing Ao Defan’s indecision, Shen Qing felt triumphant. He even felt that the one hundred and ten thousand he bid was well worth it. He and Shen Aofan looked over at Ao Defan’s private room with mocking, provocative eyes.

A faint smile curled the corner of Shen Duo’s cold, youthful face as she leaned in and whispered a few words to Lei Hang. Lei Hang’s worried expression suddenly shifted to one of disbelief as he looked at Shen Duo in surprise and asked, “Shen Duo, are you serious?”

Shen Duo nodded calmly, her certainty unwavering. Although Lei Hang was curious about why Shen Duo had told him this, he suppressed his urge to inquire further. Rising, he walked over to Ao Defan and quietly repeated Shen Duo’s words to him.

Ao Defan’s worried and reluctant face instantly broke into a smile. He looked excitedly at Lei Hang, then at Shen Duo, grabbing Lei Hang’s arm and asking, “Is this true?”

Lei Hang replied earnestly, “Shen Duo has never lied to me.”

If not for the many people watching, Ao Defan would have laughed aloud to express his joy. Meanwhile, Lina was still waiting for his bid. Ao Defan collected himself and gestured to Lina, indicating that he was withdrawing from the auction. The audience thought they must have misseen—hadn’t Ao Defan just seemed determined to win the Water Spirit Flower? Why give up so easily now?

Amidst confusion from the crowd, Ao Defan calmly returned to his seat in the private room. Shen Qing and Shen Aofan were equally baffled. Shen Qing had expected Ao Defan, unable to secure the Water Spirit Flower, to be filled with regret and pain. Yet, not only did Ao Defan show not a hint of such emotion, he seemed completely at ease. Shen Qing had an uneasy feeling that something was amiss.

Lina’s sweet, gentle voice echoed through the hall: “Is there anyone else who wishes to compete for the Water Spirit Flower?” At her words, the hall fell silent. One hundred and ten thousand gold coins—who in Luo City could afford it?

After a brief pause without further bids, Lina tapped her gavel on the auction table. “Congratulations to Lord Shen for securing the Water Spirit Flower at a price of one hundred and ten thousand gold coins. Please proceed backstage after the auction to complete the necessary formalities.”

Shen Qing’s eye twitched. Though he had finally obtained the Water Spirit Flower he had dreamed of, which could help him advance, why did he feel not the slightest joy? The mention of one hundred and ten thousand gold coins during Lina’s final announcement made his heart ache. One hundred and ten thousand gold coins—his savings over many years, all spent on this flower. Shen Aofan, however, was not so downcast; he was still intoxicated by the flirtatious glance Lina had thrown him from the stage.

The auctioned item prices were directly tied to the auctioneer’s commission. With the Water Spirit Flower fetching such a high price, Lina’s share would be substantial. Since the flower was purchased by his father, Shen Aofan would soon have a chance to meet Lina.

Shen Qing, frustrated and irritable, dragged his son, who was still in a daze, and kicked Shen Aofan’s calf, cursing angrily, “Useless fool! Isn’t it embarrassing enough to be tripped up by women?” Shen Aofan blushed, memories of his humiliating defeat against Shen Duo at the Blazing Flame Mercenary Corps resurfacing. He bit his lip in anger, but obediently followed his father back to their private room and sat quietly.

With the Water Spirit Flower auctioned off, the afternoon session drew to a close. After the auction, staff personally delivered the items won by Shen Duo, Lei Hang, and Ao Defan to their private room, completed the transactions and paperwork, and the group finally left the auction house.

Passing the massive statue of the Holy Radiance Goddess outside the auction hall, Ao Defan impatiently led Shen Duo and Lei Hang to the most famous Buteau Tavern in Luo City—a favorite haunt of wandering illusionists and mercenaries to relax, kill time, and gather information.

After requesting a premium private room from the enthusiastic proprietress and settling in, Ao Defan turned to Shen Duo and asked, “Shen Duo, Lei Hang said you have the Water Spirit Flower I need—could that be true?”

Without a word, Shen Duo took out a perfect Water Spirit Flower from her storage ring and placed it before Ao Defan. “Uncle Ao Defan, see if this is what you’re looking for.”

Ao Defan’s hands trembled as he took the flower and examined it closely. It was indeed a Water Spirit Flower, even larger and brighter than the one auctioned, its blue glow more dazzling.

“Shen Duo, how much do you want for this Water Spirit Flower? As long as it’s within Uncle Ao Defan’s means, I won’t be stingy.” Ao Defan caressed the flower obsessively.

Shen Duo smiled gently and replied with astonishing generosity, “Since Uncle Ao Defan needs it urgently, just take it.”

Lei Hang’s eyes widened in shock. This was a treasure worth tens of thousands of gold coins, and she was simply giving it away! Yet, thinking about it, this was just Shen Duo’s way—she always repaid those who truly cared for her a hundredfold.