"Now… unless you personally show up, I don't think she'll budge."
Yuan heard carefully, gave an understanding nod, and processed what to do next.
"Cancel the plan with Lan Yue," Yuan ordered. "And go to the Lan Family's booth and tell them not to bid for the Amber Lotus Petals."
"Hmm? You want to cancel the plan now?" The attendant sneered. "The plan cannot be canceled."
Most wouldn't dare raise their voice to Wu Qiong, the infamous Young Master of the Wu Clan.
But this attendant was different—he was one of the man in shadow's people.
That made him think he had the authority to defy Young Master Wu.
Just as the attendant opened his mouth to continue, a cold, oppressive gaze froze him in place.
'Let's act.'
Before the attendant could register the change in air, Yuan's fist flew toward his face.
The attendant, skilled and reactive, snapped back to reality just in time to catch Yuan's wrist.
"You! What are you doin—"
BANG—!!
Yuan's right hand, already half-raised, slammed into the man's abdomen with brutal force.
"Argh!"
The attendant fell to the floor, groaning and pressing his abdomen, trying to suppress the pain.
The people around them were about to rush in, but as soon as they recognized the face of the attacker, they hesitated and backed away.
After all it was Wu Qiong.
They retreated without a word.
Yuan took a step forward, glaring down coldly at the writhing man.
In a bone-chilling tone, he said, "Not even a cultivator, and you dare raise your voice against me?"
"Next time this happens, I will kill you."
The attendant stared into Yuan's eyes. They were dim, and almost empty.
Despite Wu Qiong being the Young Master of the Wu Clan, neither this man nor his comrades had ever treated him as such.
Wu Qiong had always been a joke among the Wu Clan. Neither feared nor respected. He was spoiled, arrogant, and weak.
People like this attendant had grown bolder, more dismissive, and their arrogance only grew with each passing day.
And that led to this moment.
"Haha!"
The attendant suddenly laughed maniacally, blood dripping from the corner of his lips. He wiped it away with the back of his sleeve.
Clearly, single act wasn't enough to undo years of disdain.
"Just you wait!" he growled.
Yuan's brow lifted slightly.
'Just that?'
He had expected retaliation. Perhaps even a full-blown fight. But the man simply picked himself up and limped away, probably to follow the order he initially defied.
In truth, the man in shadow had placed his people around Wu Qiong, not just these attendants, but also those Wu Qiong regularly interacted with.
Their purpose to inflate Wu Qiong's ego as much as possible and mold him into a controllable puppet.
That was why the attendant had refused the order, to make it clear that Wu Qiong was not in control.
And when Yuan threatened him, he didn't retaliate—not because of fear.
Yuan's gaze followed the retreating figure.
He had already activated [Eye of Omen] and saw the truth.
Disdain. Anger. All suppressed.
But not even a flicker of fear.
Yuan's expression returned to normal—calm, and in peace.
From Wu Qiong's memories, he recalled where Lady Xiao would be and began walking in that direction.
'Well, that was one hell of an act.'
Yuan wasn't someone who resorted to violence.
But Wu Qiong was.
In his day-to-day debauchery—whether drunk, surrounded by prostitutes, or lording over servants—he was the kind of man who always used his fists.
After all, he was never near someone who he could not punch.
Except for the time he drunkenly tried to assault Lan Yue.
Yuan found the personality disgusting, but one aspect of it was appealing.
Being a tyrant.
Hence, for now, he decided to create a persona, where against his enemies he would become a tyrant.
***
"Tch!"
Lady Xiao silently clicked her tongue.
'This Chen Mo is too good at haggling.'
Chen Mo spoke with precision, his words artfully chosen and softly delivered.
If not for her experience, she might've sold the slave girl for only 40,000 Ahn.
"Young Master Chen, I've already reduced the price significantly," she said, sighing. "And I even risked offending Young Master Wu for your sake."
Then the old technique — pausing and letting the world sink in.
Though old, still effective.
She continued.
"Please don't make me regret my decision."
Her tone sounded like that of a desperate girl, but they were crocodile tears.
Chen Mo remained unfazed. With a courteous smile, he responded,
"Lady Xiao, I understand your difficulties. But please, try to understand mine as well."
He gestured subtly toward the girl.
"Your item is useless, Lady Xiao. Aside from her beauty, she has nothing."
"And it's not as if our Taichian City lacks beauty."
He said it gently, almost casually.
"However, since it is you, Lady Xiao, I'll go up to 55,000 Ahn."
While they bargained, Yuan stood at a calculated distance, watching intently.
He carefully watched their expressions, listened to their words — and used [Eye of Omen].
Chen Mo and Lady Xiao held almost identical emotions toward Yuan: disdain and hatred.
Except that Lady Xiao also feared him.
And Chen Mo's hatred was flaring, and the disgust almost as deep as Lan Yue's.
'Lady Xiao is understandable. Wu Qiong has caused too much trouble in this auction house, and she could do very little about it.'
Then his gaze shifted to Chen Mo.
'But why does this guy feel such disdain? Wu Qiong's memories isn't being triggered, so did Wu Qiong simply forget?'
'Or is it simply because that bastard attendant misused the Wu family's name?'
Yuan thought for a few seconds.
Then his eyes landed on the slave girl, who stood motionless, chained, her eyes wide but dull, silently watching her life being bartered.
A glint passed through his eyes. His brow lifted in surprise.
Earlier, her emotions were a blazing inferno: hatred, disgust, malice, fury.
Now?
Barely a candlelight remained.
'Why?'
A guess formed in his mind, but he had no time to dwell.
Chen Mo might finalize the deal, and Yuan would be left with nothing but regret.
He already had a plan in mind.
Now that he had witnessed it himself…
He decided how he wanted to interfere.
He took a step forward.
Then halted.
The panel had appeared again.
[Name]: [Wu Qiong]
[Calling]: [Thief of Destiny]
[Status]: [Heavenly Dao's Curse] {Sealed}
[Attribute]: [Sacred Crucible Physique] [Heavenly Calamity Body] [Eye of Omen]
This time, [Thief of Destiny] was glowing mysteriously, pulsing as if eager to act.
'Chen Mo is a Chosen One.'
A sly smile crept across Yuan's lips.