Chapter 718 - Shift of Power

Ming Zhi Yi's short entrance left quite an impression. Despite the deeper meaning it left to the guests, the event continued on peacefully in a lively manner.

"Ladies and gentlemen, presenting the Situ clan's mutton jade tassel hairpin, dating back to the early seventeenth century…"

"Going once! Going twice…"

The first part of the auction did not arouse much interest from the VVIPs, but they were still of excellent quality and allure that many guests participated with excitement. 

The true start of the game would be at the next section of the auction, wherein all of the items of the greatest worth in the auction would be presented.

An intermission was inserted to prepare for the second half of the event. While a famous opera singer performed on the stage, the guests mingled and weaved amidst the tables and waiters.

In the end, there was still a clear division that could be seen at this moment.

The enormous hall was divided into three big groups and scattered small groups. The three main groups where people were concentrated the most were the legendary faction, Ming Zhi Yi's faction, and the neutral faction.

Given the free time they have, naturally, gossip would come about.

One of the members from the neutral faction glanced at the area at the front where the legendary families were surrounded by their own people. 

The member leaned closer to the person beside him and asked in a murmur, "Come to think of it, that 'new era' in Ming Zhi Yi's speech earlier, he is targeting the legendary families' faction, isn't he?"

His question brought a moment of silence to the group. As if everyone was simply waiting for an opening with their opinions, everyone opened up the topic that was still running in their minds since earlier.

A middle-aged man glanced around carefully and leaned closer before speaking up. 

"You are not in attendance during the election, aren't you?"

"How did you know?"

"You wouldn't have asked that if you did."

"Did something happen?"

"I am quite lucky since I got to witness the election that day. The organization is literally parted by half! If it is in the past, the legendary families' faction would have overwhelmed the organization without a doubt. But with Ming Zhi Yi's rising influence, we cannot say that now."

"So the legendary factions are weakening? No way..."

"We still can't say for sure."

"However, earlier in Ming Zhi Yi's speech, did you not see how those old men's faces darkened? They naturally got offended by Ming Zhi Yi's words. With their unexpected defeat last time, they would not stand by and watch Ming Zhi Yi do as he wanted. They will likely retaliate."

"I think so, too."

"Ming Zhi Yi's faction is growing day by day. Actually, I investigated him a bit when he was nominated as a candidate for the head of the organization, and do you know what I found?"

"What is it?"

"Nothing! And that is what's surprising! This man hid his power too deep!"

"Of course, he has to. Do you think he will still be standing here after offending the legendary families if he doesn't have some skills and ability? I personally think that he declared war today, because he has the power to do so."

"Then what do we do? Do we side with the legendary families' faction? Or with Ming Zhi Yi's?"

"We stay neutral as usual. We survived for this long because we do not stand in the way of either side." An old voice suddenly sounded amidst their confusion. 

All heads in the neutral faction's table turned towards the old man.

The old man was one of the elders in the organization whom these people looked up to. However, despite his long years of being a VIP member and the extensive array of connections he had, he never tried to step up in the VVIP's position or joined the shift of power.

"That's right." 

"It is too risky to side with either of the two. We better stay out of it."

The people from the neutral faction nodded their heads in agreement. It was too early to say who was on the winning side.

"But you know… I feel rather nostalgic at this time. Like a deja vu," one of the elders suddenly said. 

He looked at the stage where Ming Zhi Yi stood earlier.

"Deja vu? You're now acting like your age."

The elder ignored his old friend's joke. He continued to ponder thoughtfully. 

"This feeling is similar to when I first witnessed the Qian family gathering the other families to pressure the legendary families. Do you remember those old days?"

The other elders who heard the old man's words looked at Ming Zhi Yi's faction. 

Silver with festive markings, as if to celebrate the joyful day. Yet that man seemed to move mechanically, without life.

"Ah, now that you mention it, you are indeed right. These younger people do not know, but the atmosphere today was just like that time. However, at that time, I was certain that the Qian family would lose." 

One of the younger generations turned to the respectable old man. "Then how about now, Sir?"

The old man narrowed his eyes. 

Although he could not see very well, the man in another mask felt a lot younger than Ming Zhi Yi. 

He was probably Ming Zhi Yi's son, Lu Jin. 

"Hmmm… I am not sure. For some reason, Ming Zhi Yi is so confident as if everything is under his control. But I cannot say for sure."

After the old man's words, everyone in the neutral faction was quiet. 

If the most experienced person in their group could not even think of the outcome, then this battle between Ming Zhi Yi and the legendary families' faction would be hard to predict.

Before everyone in the neutral faction returned to their tables, the respectable old man suddenly spoke.

"However, you young ones should know. The legendary families stayed in their position for a very long time, because they had the power, wealth, and ability to do so. It is hard to uproot a gigantic old tree which has long been rooted deeply into the earth's depths."

.....

The second part of the auction was the liveliest, as huge streams of money constantly flowed out of the mouths of the guests and members.

When a crown of an iconic queen of a northern kingdom that was lost in war in ancient times was put on the stage, the VVIPs started to move.

The crown from ancient times was a real treasure that these big bosses were anticipating to get. 

However, it was only the start of the 'special presents' that Ming Zhi Yi had talked about.

After the lost antique crown, there were many other precious royal antiques and treasures of old adventures that were put on the stage.