As the carriage approached the banquet hall, Leo was struck by the sight. The building was enormous, with a tall tower at the center and many guards standing outside.
Luxurious carriages and expensive clothes could be seen everywhere. It was like a parade, with many important and powerful figures walking into the banquet.
As Leo and Jessica exited their carriage, a servant greeted them.
"Welco to the Four Wind banquet. The event will be held inside. Please follow ."
The servant guided them toward the main hall.
As they entered, Leo noticed the many guards standing near the doors. He scanned them and their movents, noticing that all of them were martial artists.
Four Wind rchant didn't just spend luxury on decoration but also security.
'There are at least a hundred guards here. And the decoration... It's pretty luxurious but not to the top. Every guest has their own table and servants. The elevated platform in the middle... That should be where the auctioneer will present the items. The stage is filled with treasures and antiques, so are even valuable weapons.'
A quick look showed how big this banquet was.
In Murim, one's wealth and status was important. Everyone wanted to show the others that they were powerful or wealthy, and Four rchant knew that very well.
That was why the sitting position was based on the item one presented and the gift one gave to the host.
Once entering, the servant took them to what seed like a reception counter and turned toward them.
"If you have so greetings to the host, please leave it here. The servant here will help you."
"It's an honor." A beautiful female servant bowed at them from behind the counter.
They were shaless enough to ask for a gift directly, calling it greetings.
Leo was not surprised.
After the servant said that, he took out the prepared gift, wrapped in a simple cloth.
"Please give my greeting to Lord Ming Yuchan from Four Wind rchant. This is a Crystal Ring, an item he has been searching for."
He opened the box for the servants to see, causing their eyes to pop.
"Oh my goodness, this is real! Master Yang Ji, your gift will surely please the Master."
"Is that so? Then, please send this to him. My wife and I have another gift, so we will present it separately in the future. I hope you understand."
"Of course, Master Yang Ji. We will ensure that the Master receives your gift."
"Thank you very much. Now, if you don't mind, my wife and I will join the banquet. Can you show where our table is?"
"Yes, please follow . It's right here."
With that, the servant guided them to their table.
The banquet was a lively affair. There were many martial artists and powerful figures mingling and laughing. Many of them were eating and drinking, and the sll of delicious food was everywhere.
When Leo and Jessica passed by them, many people took a glance. So were curious, so were chard by Jessica's charm, and so looked at them with a calculated look.
Why?
Because the servant took them to the table close to the elevated stage in the center, a table reserved for important guests.
'Well, the gift is an item the CEO is desperately searching for. Maybe the servant took there to show off to the other rchants. Hmm, not a bad move. This will help get a good impression from Four Wind rchant and make my search for the girl easier.'
With their connection in the festival that he might be able to use, searching for hidden information would be easier. It wasn't limited to the short term alone. In the long term, this relationship would be even beneficial for the Hallowed Insect and rcenary Union.
And, with the gift and his persona as a mysterious and wealthy rchant, gaining attention was not hard.
'I just need to play the role well and expand my network.'
He could see a bright future ahead.
***
In a room lit by a bright light, a man with a haggard look sat behind a table with docunts piling up in front of him. His brush moved swiftly as he signed his na on the paper, his expression solemn.
The man was Ming Yuchan, the CEO of Four Wind rchant and one of the richest rchants in the kingdom.
Due to his busy schedule, he has not had enough sleep for months already.
'This is all because the Crystal Ring is stolen. That cursed Gong Jin! If I don't find him soon, I won't have enough energy to survive the winter!'
His mind was filled with regret and frustration. He should have not let that traitor escape.
Grunting, he took a sip of tea and leaned back on his chair.
Suddenly, a knock ca from the door.
Ming Yuchan gritted his teeth. The last thing he needed was to get bothered. But he stayed professional and answered after sighing.
"What is it?"
"My Lord, a gift has arrived."
"A gift? Didn't I say that you should put them together and appraise them before reporting to ?"
"This one is... different. You might want to have this imdiately." Discover more stories at empire
"What?" Ming Yuchan frowned.
There was no reason for him to rush the appraisal. And, a gift was not sothing to be rushed.
However, the servant who knew his personality well still bothered to bring the gift to him imdiately. Which ant, this gift was so important that he had to look at it by himself right now.
"Fine. Bring it here."
After he said that, the door was opened and a servant entered. This servant was the one who brought Leo and Jessica to their table.
In his hand, a simple box could be seen.
"I present to you, Master Ming, the gift from Young Lord Yang Ji."
"Yang Ji? Who is he?"
"According to the receptionist, he is a newly appeared rchant who has a high reputation. He appeared in the Capital yesterday and..." The servant put the box on the table and opened it, "He presented you with a Crystal Ring as his gift."
Inside the box, the sparkling ring was clearly visible.
"Ahhh! It's the Crystal Ring!"
Ming Yuchan was shocked and quickly grabbed the ring. He observed it carefully and noticed the unique engraving on the inside of the ring.
Losing composure wasn't sothing that happened a lot for him. However, this was the mont he let it all go and yelled loudly.
"It's really the Crystal Ring! How did he get this? Where did he find it?!"
"My Lord, please calm down. This ring is real and authentic. There is no doubt about it."
"I know that! But, how did he find it?!"
Ming Yuchan could barely control his excitent. He could say goodbye to his sleepless night with this artifact. One could even say this ring was a lifesaver for him.
"We don't know. The person in question didn't elaborate, but... He also submitted Raging Tiger's martial art thod for the auction."
"Raging Tiger? That lost thod?! Is it really here?"
"Yes, it is. The authenticity has been verified by Master Wu Jian."
"Wu Jian?"
"Yes, my Lord. He was the one who examined the manual and confird that it's the real thing. If I may add, he seems to have a high opinion of Young Master Yang Ji."
"Interesting."
"Yes, he even helped him choose his outfit for the banquet and recomnded the makeup artist. The clothes Young Lord Yang Ji is wearing are from Wu Jian's store. Also, Young Lady Yang Rong is a beauty, and..."
The servant stopped when he saw Ming Yuchan's face turning serious.
When the Lord looked like that, it was best not to ntion anything else. He was in a deep thought and planning sothing.
As the servant had followed Ming Yuchan since young, he knew that he planned sothing that might change the current situation.
'If he is so eager to make contact with Young Master Yang Ji, then...'
The servant kept his thoughts to himself.
It was not his place to interrupt the CEO's thinking.
After a minute, Ming Yuchan nodded and put on the ring. His complexion imdiately returned to normal.
Standing there wasn't a haggard man from before, but a handso gentleman with a bright smile on his face.
"Tell the receptionist that I would like to et Young Master Yang Ji and his wife, Yang Rong. Let's invite them to the VIP lounge after the auction. I'd like to have a private discussion with them. Also, make sure to tell the auctioneer to give the scroll the utmost care. I don't want any mistakes or errors."
"Yes, my Lord."
The servant bowed and left the room.
Left behind, Ming Yuchan smiled and caressed the crystal ring. He could feel the power surging through his body, revitalizing him and making his mind work way better than before.
'The effect is still as good as the last ti. I must thank Yang Ji and his wife later. This ring is worth all the trouble. Now, I need to prepare for the auction. I can't miss this opportunity.'
With his energy replenished, he began his preparation for the auction. He returned to his seat and finished all the docunts pilling up on his table with godly efficiency.
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