43: Auction

“You fellow...”

Ye Zirou was speechless for a moment, but still recounted everything she knew.

It turned out that Kong Wen and Chen Fang both served under a Cadre.

Not long ago, that Cadre died unexpectedly, leaving a vacancy, which led to the two of them vying for it.

To get promoted, the two had been openly and secretly battling for a month, and their subordinates were also attacking each other. As the day to confirm who would get the Cadre position drew closer, the conflict between them intensified.

And Shen Xi, under these circumstances, was drawn into this turmoil by Kong Wen.

“Kong Wen has a total of five major retainers, all of whom are in the Great Accomplishment of Yuanqi Realm, but no one knows their names. They can only be referred to by their attire. These five are White Robe, Green Robe, Purple Robe, Blue Robe, and the Black Robe whom you killed.”

“As for Chen Fang, he has four capable generals under him, also in the Great Accomplishment of Yuanqi, named East, West, South, and North. Since the number of Great Accomplishment of Yuanqi under him is less than Kong Wen's, Chen Fang was at a disadvantage in the competition. It is precisely because of your appearance that the forces of the two are almost equal, and your alliance has even put Chen Fang in an advantageous position.”

“But if Kong Wen were so easy to defeat, things would be simple. Before following that deceased Cadre, Kong Wen was once a subordinate of another Cadre. If the conflict truly reaches a white-hot stage, no one can guarantee whether his former superior will interfere.”

“After all, there are also factions among Cadres, and the other party naturally wants to support his own people to rise, strengthening his faction's power.”

Things were far more complicated than Shen Xi knew.

This matter could very likely involve high-level Cadres.

To become a Judgment Squad Cadre, one's strength must at least reach the Acquired Realm.

This is an existence that is a whole major Realm higher.

Even Shen Xi, facing an Acquired Realm expert, would have no power to fight back.

“Of course, the current situation is not yet critical to that extent. As I said, Cadres are also divided into factions. Kong Wen's old superior wants to support Kong Wen's ascension, and the opposing factions naturally won't let him have his way and will obstruct him. The true victory or defeat should still depend on the performance of the two.”

Ye Zirou comforted him.

However, she couldn't be 100% certain either.

No one could guarantee what this power struggle would ultimately evolve into.

“So, the next step is to weaken Kong Wen's side as much as possible and reduce his chances of getting the Cadre position.”

Shen Xi quickly made a firm judgment.

“Exactly, and tonight, there's a perfect opportunity.”

Ye Zirou slyly blinked her eyes.

“Due to the increasing number of foreign merchants coming to Zhu Feng City recently, everyone discussed it and decided to hold an auction to more efficiently sell their goods.”

“Among them are the Cultivate items that Purple Robe and White Robe need. They will definitely go to the auction.”

Shen Xi instantly understood.

This was to take advantage of the two being alone to take their lives and weaken Kong Wen's power.

“Can you confirm their route? If we set up an ambush beforehand, it will be more convenient to act.”

Shen Xi inquired.

“No need for such trouble. This auction is not just any auction. You can openly kill the two of them. However, originally your conflict with Kong Wen was only in the dark, and many people didn't know you killed Black Robe. Once you act in public, the conflict will be out in the open, and you might attract a lot of unnecessary trouble.”

Ye Zirou explained.

“He and I will eventually face each other in life and death, so it doesn't matter if it's in the open. But what do you mean by the auction being unusual?”

Shen Xi asked with some curiosity.

“I'm not telling you! You'll know tonight, for you being so indifferent to me before.”

Ye Zirou stuck out her tongue and rolled her eyes beautifully.

Before Shen Xi could speak again, she got up and left directly.

Only, a gilded invitation appeared on the table.

This was an invitation to the auction.

Shen Xi looked meaningfully at Ye Zirou's departing back.

From the current situation, the other party should have no ill will towards him. The auction was worth attending.

However, it was still that saying: there is no malice without reason, and no kindness without reason.

Ye Zirou's current behavior was a bit too friendly towards him; he still needed to be wary.

Thinking of this, Shen Xi put away the invitation and chose to meditate and adjust his breathing.

Tonight might involve a fierce battle, and he had to adjust his state to its Peak...Night quickly fell.

Shen Xi, who had been meditating all day, suddenly opened his eyes, two sharp gleams shooting out.

It was time to depart.

He walked towards the auction venue according to the address on the invitation.

Along the way, the number of passersby gradually decreased, and the guards secretly responsible for vigilance significantly increased.

Clearly, this auction was indeed a grand undertaking. The merchants from all over the world had expended considerable manpower and resources to ensure the auction proceeded smoothly without any mishaps.

Among them, there were no fewer than twenty Blood Refining and Energy Transformation Realm secret guards just for vigilance.

These were only those responsible for security; the true experts had not yet appeared.

Soon, Shen Xi arrived at the entrance of a hotel.

This was the most top-tier hotel in Zhu Feng City's Outer City, without equal.

Even the most ordinary room cost five figures for one night's stay.

And today, it had been booked by those merchants, so one could imagine how astonishing the cost was.

It wasn't until he reached the hotel entrance that someone appeared and stopped Shen Xi.

“Hello, the hotel has been booked today. No entry without an invitation.”

Upon hearing this, Shen Xi was about to take out his invitation.

Just then, a playboy, clearly hollowed out by wine and women, with a gaudily dressed woman in his arms, pushed his way in front of him.

“Get lost.”

The playboy impatiently cursed at Shen Xi.

Beside him, the alluring woman also disdainfully rolled her eyes: “What an unobservant fool. Didn't you see Young Master Liu is in a hurry to go in? You still dare to block the way, you're practically tired of living.”

“Why are you wasting words with this pauper? Just look at his attire; he clearly isn't qualified to enter the auction. Why haven't you sent someone to drive him away and waste my time?”

The playboy named Young Master Liu lectured the doorman again.

He was clearly accustomed to being arrogant and overbearing. Despite being a latecomer, he felt that Shen Xi talking to the doorman for a moment had wasted his precious time, and immediately became furious.

“Sir, please queue up. That gentleman was clearly here first.”