Chapter 4830 — The Sole Supplier
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 2
A ring of exquisitely lavish private boxes had been built around the perimeter, and below them lay a vast, empty floor scattered with several hundred seats. At the very center of the floor stood a conspicuous raised platform—clearly the podium for this grand auction.
Wei Zhao took in the magnificent, ornate spectacle and could not help clicking his tongue in secret admiration. He had attended auctions of very high caliber before—both the one on the Far North Isle and the one on the Central Isle would surely count as first-rate—but setting everything else aside, the staging alone fell a notch short of what lay before him now. Truly, this was East Continent for you!
The moment Wei Zhao and Old Chai stepped through the door, the first thing they saw was Steward Hao and Steward Jin, who had arrived ahead of them. Catching sight of Old Chai, the two men's faces immediately broke into knowing, mocking smiles.
"Steward Chai, I didn't expect we'd be meeting again so soon. So tell me, where are your seats?" Steward Hao asked with a leer. As for Wei Zhao, he did not spare him a single glance, taking him for nothing more than a petty hanger-on.
"Number One," Old Chai said, pointing toward the floor ahead. Table One was the table nearest the podium—a rather good seat by any measure.
"Ooh, that does sound impressive. But I hear that this time, anyone of even slight standing has a private box of their own. What's the meaning of this? Does the great Hong Clan Merchant Guild not even rate a box, and has to squeeze in down below with the ordinary disciples? Tsk, tsk!" Steward Jin seized the moment to jump in with his mockery.
Old Chai's expression shifted slightly. This was indeed a thorn in his heart. This grand auction was plainly a joint effort by the other competitors to target the Hong Clan Merchant Guild, and Morning Star Academy, which ought to have been an impartial, neutral judge, had already revealed its stance through the seating arrangement alone.
Table One might sound distinguished, but in truth it was nothing more than a roasting rack for the Hong Clan Merchant Guild, good only for making them a laughingstock. Otherwise, given the guild's standing, they should at the very least have rated a VIP box—and one in the top ten, no less!
"Heh, from the sound of that, Steward Jin, your Jinyu Merchant Guild must have been assigned a box, have you? I wonder which number it is?" Old Chai shot back, striking straight at the face.
"I—" Steward Jin was choked speechless once more. His old face flushed, and he shrank his neck back. As if! His Jinyu Merchant Guild was on the verge of collapse; managing to attend this grand auction at all was fortunate enough. How could they possibly rate a VIP box?!
"Number Twelve!" Steward Hao suddenly answered on his behalf. "That's my Haomen Metropolis's box. The Jinyu Merchant Guild may not have one, but it has become a vassal guild of my Haomen Metropolis, so naturally it can enter the box with me. I wonder, Steward Chai, whether you might be interested in the same?"
"Chai Laoshi, I suggest you wise up and agree while you can. The Hong Clan Merchant Guild may have a grand name, but it can't save your Morning Star Branch. Throw in your lot with Steward Hao and at least you'll keep a bowl of rice. And you won't have to squeeze in down below with the ordinary disciples for all to mock. We're all businessmen who care about appearances—we have faces to keep. Wouldn't you say?" Steward Jin chimed in.
"Yes, quite right. I do care about my face. It's a pity you don't care about yours, which is why I'd best keep my distance from Your Excellency—lest I be laughed at too," Old Chai said, glancing at him askance.