Chapter 14: Mu's Auction House

  After having lunch with his mother and sister at noon, Fang Li brought the Water and Fire Twin Swords out again, this time his destination was the largest auction house in Yan City.

  The Dazhi Empire is prosperous, and whether it's the imperial family or other powerful forces, they all need strong cultivators to support them. The largest auction house in Yanjing City is no exception, and it's an enterprise under the name of the Mu family, one of the top cultivation families in the Dazhi Empire. It almost monopolizes 70% of the auction market in the empire, with branches in major cities, and its influence cannot be underestimated.

  Of course, this is only a small part of the Mu family's industry. It is said that the overall strength of the Mu family can already rival that of the imperial family.

  Fang Li looked like he was fifteen or sixteen years old. Although his appearance couldn't be described as handsome, it was quite delicate and clean-cut. He wore a pale blue shirt that had been washed until it was almost white, which made him look a bit shabby, but also neat and tidy, giving people a very refreshing impression.

  However, the guards at the entrance of the pawnshop might not care about that. They only noticed Fang Li's shabby clothes and immediately became vigilant, looking at him with a defensive posture.

  。

  How others see it is their freedom, Fang Li is unwilling to add more reason, just carefully observing the auction house in front of him.

  This auction house is located in the center of the bustling street, with many passersby, but what attracts Fang Li's attention is still the five golden characters on the signboard - Mu Jia Auction House.

  The two words "Mujia" are a kind of authority, although it can't be said to be fair and just, but at least they follow the industry rules, won't leak out the information of sellers or even some buyers, and definitely won't collude with some small-time merchants to secretly embezzle valuable items from sellers or even murder and rob them.

  Moreover, even if Fang Li exposed his identity as a second-order array master, he might not be considered anything in the eyes of the powerful Mu family, except for a slight surprise, and they probably wouldn't pay much attention to it.

  "After some thought, it seems that auctioning the Water and Fire Twin Swords here is the safest option." Fang Li muttered to himself, no longer hesitating, and strode inside with large steps.

  As the shabbily dressed young man approached, the two guards at the entrance of the pawnshop immediately furrowed their brows. One of them, a tall and thin guard, stepped forward and blocked Fang Li's path, saying calmly: "This is the Mu family's property, and idle people are not allowed to enter or exit at will."

  Fang Li didn't want to bother with these two, but he didn't expect them to block his way, while those dressed in finery could enter at will. It was also the temperament of a young man that Fang Li suddenly felt a surge of anger in his heart, and he raised his head abruptly, saying coldly: "Is this the hospitality of the Mu family's pawnshop? It seems it's nothing more than this."

  Fang Li's face turned red with rage, and his voice rose several decibels. They were already in the middle of a bustling street, and immediately attracted a crowd of onlookers.

  Two guards were scolded by a shabby young man, their faces somewhat embarrassed. The tall and thin guard's eyes condensed, saying disdainfully: "The Mu family auction house only welcomes guests, not beggars, lest it affect other customers from conducting transactions."

  The guard's words were extremely severe, directly insulting Fang Li as a beggar. The onlookers couldn't help but size up Fang Li's attire, which was indeed shabby, and one by one they revealed understanding expressions.

  Fang Li stopped talking and just stared coldly at the guard in front of him. Although he wouldn't kill someone for a single insult, he had to teach him a painful lesson; otherwise, his heart wouldn't feel at ease.

  "Who is making noise outside?"

  At this time, a soft voice came, and a girl in palace attire walked out gently.

  A 28-year-old girl, with a goose egg face, red lips and white teeth, is quite charming. However, between her eyebrows, there is a hint of gentleness, especially in those eyes, pure as water, making one feel peaceful at heart.

  The appearance of the palace-style girl, however, drew everyone's attention. Perhaps she wasn't enough to stun the country or the city, but that stunning feeling was very strong. Even Fang Li, who had a steady temperament, couldn't help but take two more glances at her.

  "Have seen Miss Mu." The two guards saw the palace-dressed girl walk out and didn't dare to hesitate, immediately stepped forward to pay their respects.

  Miss Mu, isn't he a member of the Mu family? Fang Li's mind was filled with doubts, wanting to know that the Mu family wasn't someone their Fang family could compare to. Even if it was just a collateral branch descendant, in the great Qi country, they were still highly respected existences. Logically speaking, in a small city like Yan Yang, the Mu family wouldn't possibly send a family member over to manage things.

  "What's going on? Why are there so many people gathered here?" Miss Mu asked the two guards as she scanned her surroundings.

  "Some people are deliberately picking a fight." The tall and thin guard reacted quickly, pointing at Fang Li and saying, but he was intentionally distorting the facts.

  "Oh?" Miss Mu's delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly as she glanced at Fang Li, but instead of immediately lashing out, she patiently asked: "Is the story about the guard true?"

  Fang Li sneered, "Causing a scene at the entrance of the Mu family's industry? You believe it? It was just a self-righteous watchdog who disliked my shabby clothes and deliberately refused me entry, which attracted a crowd of onlookers."

  Miss Mu frowned and looked at the two guards beside her, asking: "Is what this young man said true?"

  The tall and thin guard shrugged his shoulders indifferently and said calmly, "Indeed, the previous auction house manager had instructed that anyone who seemed suspicious was not allowed to enter the auction house. I think this kid looks very suspicious, so stopping him is just following procedure."

  "Then why did you just say someone was causing trouble and deliberately cheating me?" The girl's eyes suddenly condensed, her pure and clear eyes instantly turned into icy coldness, the whole atmosphere changed with it, which can be seen from her anger at this moment.

  The two guards were taken aback at the same time, and they did not expect that the gentle and elegant Miss Mu would actually get angry! The guard who had never spoken before couldn't help but step forward and said: "Miss, please calm down. This kid doesn't look like a good person at first glance. If he sneaks in to steal guests' belongings, it will affect the reputation of our inn."

  "Haha, stealing money? You two have been insulting me one after another, this matter will not be settled easily"

  Fang Li listened and then burst out laughing, speaking first, and immediately looked at Miss Mu, calmly saying: "If the Mu family really treats people like this based on appearance, driving away guests arbitrarily, I'll leave now. But I wonder if the reputation of the Mu family will be affected?"

  Before Miss Mu could speak, the tall and thin guard sneered: "You think you're someone? To the Mu family, you don't even count as an ant, how much reputation can you affect? Don't overestimate yourself." The tall and thin guard had a pleased expression, he had also driven away many people who didn't please his eyes before, but he hadn't met anyone like Fang Li who dared to talk back, however the more temperamental the person was, the more satisfying it was to trample on them.

  "I'm just a small fry, of course I don't count for much. But in front of the Mo family's reputation, you're not even worth a fart. Today, I might not enter this auction house again, but as for you, who knows how you'll face your master after I leave?" Fang Li smiled lightly and turned to leave without hesitation.

  Miss Mu stood at the side, never speaking, watching as more and more people gathered around her, her face changing with uncertainty. This was the first time she had encountered such a situation, and being young, she didn't know how to handle it for the moment. However, in her heart, she hated those two guards and Fang Li to death. The two guards, as servants, had deceived her at first and then insulted the guest without restraint, not putting themselves in their place, deserving of punishment. As for Fang Li, he was like a sharp sword, his words carrying a sharp aura that made Miss Mu feel uncomfortable all over, naturally making her have no good feelings towards him.

  Watching Fang Li turn and leave, both bodyguards had a triumphant look on their faces, like victorious roosters.

  "Hey, young man, wait a minute!" After careful consideration, Miss Mu suddenly spoke up, wanting to stop Fang Li.

  Fang Li naturally heard it, but he didn't care and continued on his way.

  Miss Mu was anxious, her lotus steps moved lightly, and her slender figure passed through the crowd. She grabbed Fang Li's arm and said urgently: "Young master, slow down, this matter is indeed the fault of those two guards. Our Mu family auction house will not arbitrarily drive away any guest."

  Miss Mu's actions, however, left the onlookers stunned. Who would have thought that she would actually try to retain that awkward young man? Especially those two guards, who had initially looked so pleased with themselves, now immediately turned gloomy and inwardly cursed: "Because of a poor little boy, our lady has lost face, how foolish!"

  Fang Li only felt a fragrance wafting over, and then his arm was grabbed by someone. He turned around to see an extraordinary face before him. At this moment, Fang Li and Miss Mu were separated by no more than a foot, such a close distance, yet it made Fang Li couldn't help but take a few more glances at her. Her red lips and white teeth, combined with that delicate skin, truly made her a stunning beauty.

  。

  "Men and women do not give or receive things directly, Miss Mu please restrain yourself." Fang Li said coldly, although the girl in front of him was very beautiful, but what did she have to do with him? He immediately dropped his gaze on the jade hand that grasped his arm, indicating for her to let go.

  "You!" Hearing Fang Li's sudden utterance, Miss Mu felt both embarrassed and angry, her beautiful eyes fixed intently on Fang Li.

  "Miss, you're holding onto me so tightly, surely it's not just to stare at me?" Fang Li said calmly.

  Miss Mu's breathing became somewhat uneven, her chest heaving up and down, but she still managed to force out a smile: "Young master is joking, this matter was indeed our auction house's fault first, I apologize for it. If young master needs to conduct transactions at the auction house, I can personally be your guide as a gesture of apology."

  This remark, however, surprised Fang Lidao somewhat, as he did not expect a member of the Mu family to be so polite. Nevertheless, thinking that she had been demoted to a small city like Yanjing, he couldn't help but feel relieved, thinking that her status in the family was probably not high either.

  Thinking of this, Fang Li couldn't help but take another look at the girl in front of him. The girl's eyes were clear and bright, indeed without the arrogant air that was typical of children from large families.

  "Sorry, I was a bit out of line just now. Please forgive me, miss." Fang Li made a fist and said. We're all pitiful people, why must we make things difficult for each other?

  Miss Mu was taken aback, looking at Fang Li with a suspicious gaze, somewhat perplexed by his change in attitude. Just now he had called her "miss", why was he now calling her "young lady"? However, she still replied: "Young master doesn't have to be like this, the auction house also has its own mistakes. If young master is willing, why not enter the auction house with me? I can explain some details of the auction to you."

  Miss Mu was being so polite, but it completely ignited the two guards by her side. The tall and thin guard stepped forward, his dry face twitching slightly as he said loudly: "Miss, why must you be so polite to this little brat, losing face for our Mu family's auction house?!"

  These words were extremely harsh, and didn't put the girl in his eyes at all.

  Another guard, though silent and taciturn, had a scar from his neck to his chin under his icy gaze, which made it clear that he was not someone to be trifled with. At this moment, he stood behind the tall and thin guard, staring coldly at the girl, clearly showing his discontent.

  "You scoundrels, I may be a woman, but the auction house of Yan Cheng is still under my control. Are you two thinking of rebelling against me?" Miss Mu was furious, and although she had just arrived and didn't have much authority, she couldn't tolerate her subordinates being so provocative towards her.