Chapter [B3] 36 — The Auction

Chapter [B3] 36 — The Auction

Days passed in the blink of an eye, and soon the day of the auction had arrived. I watched Yu Lan make some last minute arrangements, as her men moved about, setting up refreshments and making sure everything was in perfect condition for the event. Alongside the Lords men, my own sect members, the Cloud Peak sect had also sent people, taking care of the last batch of ruffians. Ash had been prowling around like a death specter, and as a result, crime rate had dropped to an all time low around this part of the city, leaving people rather pleased.

That had been a somewhat unintended effect, but public opinion being good regarding the auction could only serve to help me. Afterall, people were what I wanted, more than anything else. To Yu Lans chagrin, Id asked her to make the auction public in its true sense. Besides the invited people who would be bidding for the items and buying them, Id also asked her to set out an outer area for watching, which had some simple snacks available for anyone to walk in and obtain as well. She didn't understand why I would do this, especially when none of these people would be spending money, but it was hard to explain the concept of a showcase to someone who hadnt lived on Earth.

Sure, these people were not going to buy anything today. But they would see, and tell others, of the things they saw, of the curious things they learned, and from where all of this had come from. Very few of them would seek the sect out quickly, many may even dismiss it because it was too good to be true. But I didnt need many, just a few, enough people with the right abilities and a sense of curiosity who may seek out the opportunities I was presenting and that would be enough.

They would form the embers upon which the fires of this new era would burn. But I was getting too ahead of myself, for now, we still had to set up the fuel, and wait for the willing participants to arrive.

Despite my nerves, I watched things more or less go smoothly. Yu Lan was good at managing her people, and she was a strong leader and business woman, so even with the problems from the thugs and other financial strains as merchants and vendors had started to cut her off, shed managed to pull everything together, gaining my respect. Time passed quickly as I waited from behind the scenes, watching the first carriages starting to roll in as the smaller merchants began to arrive, taking their seats at the back while servants offered them refreshments.

It didnt long for the halls to be filled as people arrived one by one. And not just merchants and nobles, common people began to arrive as well, lured in by free food, and then held by curiosity as they watched from the upper floors outer rings. One by one Yu Lan greeted the lords and nobles, welcoming them. Many already seemed familiar with the woman, discussing matters of business and other little details.

I remained hidden behind the stage, simply watching. After enough of the important people had arrived, and a crowd now buzzed on the upper floor, watching with curiosity, Yu Lan took the stage. So far the merchants had simply been intermingling amongst each other, using the chance to network and get to know other people. But as Yu Lan stepped on, the lights that had faintly been glowing all around shut down, leaving two directed beams of the woman, capturing everyones attention immediately.

I couldnt help but grin. Setting that up using light crystals had been so worth it.

Yu Lan walked on stage, speaking with Qi bolstering her voice, carrying it across the crowd.

Welcome to the Jade Orchid Hall. It is good to see so many fine folks present here on this auspicious day. Many of you are already aware of what we are here for today. The Divine Tree sect from the Seventh Peak has brought some truly unique artifacts in front of us today, she said, and whispers spread amongst the crowd.

Not many knew what the Divine Tree sect was. We were far too new.

But there is something else you do not know yet. Something truly special about these items we will see today, she said, and the crowd lingered onto every word of hers. I had to admit, she had talent, and was working for every bit of the cut she took.

Everything presented in front of you today is the work of a new Sage.

Gasps ran across the front rows. Those who understood what that meant looked on in shock, and those who didnt, were drawn further in by the reactions of others around them.

A sage who wishes to remain hidden from the world, a member of a provincial sect but with insights powerful enough to shake the heavens! A magnanimous figure who is willing to share their work to all of us. Now, without further ado, let me present to you the first item!

I felt my heart beating, and tried to hold back my excitement. It was time. Everything would depend on this.

***

It was a peculiar looking thing, with many wooden square things set onto its surface and some metal pieces present, while paper was put at the top. Yu Lan walked up to the device, putting the paper in as she pressed one of the squares.

A loud click came out as the character present on it stamped itself onto the paper instantly, pristine in its make and ink, without a single flaw. Yu Lan continued to press the keys and rather quickly the page began to fill out, and then the device clinged once more, as she shifted a level over and the paper moved up. Turning around, she spoke once more. And once again, this device, and the method to create it, are being shared by the ever magnanimous sage! Yu Lan said.

Jiang Baowen started to feel a little temped. A device like this could save him hours. And if his men could use it too, theyd be able to go through documents twice as fast as well.

But were still not done! Yu Lan said.

Jiang Baowen almost threw his hands in the air. Now what?! What could possibly be left here?

Take just one last look at your invitation, Yu Lan said, her smile wide and Jiang complied, looking once more. You may see the jade orchids insignia. A symbol we take a lot of pride in. Now feel free to compare them with the invitation given to the person next to you.

Glancing sideways, he noticed another younger merchant and his vassal received the invitation from the man whod offered, as Jiang looked at the two. What was there to see? It was the same insignia.

You may try to find any difference, but you will not find even a hairs difference between the two. It is, truly, perfect. How do I know this? Because, these insignias were created using the final creation that the sage wished to share alongside these two, Yu Lan said, as men moved over a large device, and Yu Lan pulled away the cloth.

It is called the printing press, and its ability is not limited to just insignias! Whatever you wish to create, this device can create, and it can create hundreds of them within a day. Entire books, created and written- no, printed. All together, in rapid succession. That is the final piece to the first item we wish to present. The three together, forming the ability to give one of you today, any one of you, to become the owner of the ability to create and spread books with the finest quality of paper across the entire empire!

Jiang Baowen felt his jaw drop. This this was well and truly incredible. He looked down at the invitation in his hand, finding it shaking. The ability to create books rapidly, the amount of book keeping it could save- no not just that, he could use this to reach out to more merchants, he could directly sell the paper and put his own insignia, spreading his name out and expanding trade. This was revolutionary. And this was the first item? What was next? What could stand against this?

It was only when the bids began to pour in that Jiang Baowen snapped out of his thoughts. Shouts filled the chamber as people bid one after the other, and he couldnt afford to lose here.

One Thousand Gold! he shouted himself, but his bid was quickly outmatched. In a hurry he turned to his vassal. Quickly he glanced sideways. Send a word to my son, tell him to collect as much gold and spirit jade as he can. Were going to have to go all in today, he said. Hed be damned if he let this chance slip.

***

As the shouts of bids began to pour out, I finally felt some of my nerves starting to unravel. Things were going well- heck, they were going better than I had anticipated. But I wouldnt have the time to enjoy the scene.

After all, this event was just the lure. The public bait to capture the true fish that awaited me. I walked through the corridors, making my way to a chamber beyond which a representative from each of the five families would be waiting for me. The real auction was going to happen here.

Slowly, I took a breath. This was it, this was the time to prove my worth.

Reaching out, I opened the door, and with confidence I did not quite feel, I walked inside.