In the beginning, he was ranked alongside An Shigeng as a spoiled brat.

Page 13

The courtesy name Ziyu is not worthy of the name.

After putting away the wooden box, most of the guests from Tianji Tower had arrived.

The people invited by Tianji Tower this time were all familiar faces from the Nine Gates of Ghost Street, or well-known dignitaries; none of them were exactly respectable.

Only Zhuge Zhengwo was an exception!

Chapter Sixteen: The Yue King's Precious Sword and the Heavenly Silkworm Silk He Was Determined to Obtain

Tianji Tower!

This is the heart of Ghost Street, and on the surface it looks like an ordinary three-story restaurant.

In reality, the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion is divided into two parts, the upper part of which is full of traps and mechanisms, and even the top thieves would die if they entered.

The lower part is the underground secret chamber!

The meeting room where the Nine Gates gathered last time was the part of the Tianji Tower that was 'open to the public'.

Furthermore, the treasure room or other secret chambers are shrouded in absolute killing intent, making them forbidden and hidden areas of Ghost Street. Apart from Ghost Yama and Zhang Xiaoshan, no one else can see them at all.

At this time, Tianji Tower, following the auction design of the Crescent Moon Hotel, was divided into:

The main hall was filled with江湖人士 (jianghu figures), the second floor with wealthy merchants, and the third floor with high-ranking officials. A bright lamp was set up on one side of the private room, specifically for lighting sky lanterns.

"Distinguished guests, I, Ghost Yama, need not introduce myself."

Today, I am the only one from three of the nine gates of Ghost Street to be present; therefore, I will be the one to host this grand feast on Ghost Street!

Ghost Yama, who is in charge of the Heavenly Secrets Tower, holds a core position in Ghost Street.

As for the other two?

The golden-faced Buddha is rarely seen, and although the God of Wealth's identity is secretive, he is very likely one of the people present.

Ghost Street and its nine gates, though considered lowly by the powerful and wealthy, were by no means easy targets.

Especially those incredibly mysterious Upper Three families!

The reason why the three upper families are the three upper families is not just because they are mysterious.

"I will not beat around the bush with you now."

The reason why so many distinguished guests have gathered at Ghost Street is because Ghost Street has many good things, all of which are of high quality.

Ordinary customers may find it difficult to consume these items, or distinguished guests may require them but lack the means to do so. Therefore, Ghost Street will henceforth hold a grand event every month, and the list of the most sought-after items will be delivered to distinguished guests three days in advance.

Upon hearing about the operating model of Ghost Street, many people were surprised and their eyes lit up.

This gives them some budgetary flexibility, regardless of whether they are interested or not.

If there is anything they need, funds can be prepared in advance.

"This is the first auction, so all nine of us have brought out quite a few good items."

The first item up for auction was a treasure brought out by the Buddha, something that everyone was interested in—a sword.

This sword is named the Sword of Goujian, King of Yue. Its blade is engraved with bird and insect patterns, which, when translated, mean:

King Goujian of Yue made his own sword!

what?

Upon hearing this, everyone looked at the sword that was slowly revealed from under the red cloth.

Despite being over a thousand years old, it remains as bright as new, with a faint, cold glint in its eyes. It is impossible for it to be an ancient sword that is over a thousand years old.

"This is impossible!"

A question was uttered, and several dignitaries stood up. But Ghost Yama chuckled lightly:

"This is the first major event for Ghost Street, and it's the first item up for auction. We won't ruin our reputation."

This Sword of Goujian, King of Yue, was originally obtained by the Fifth Elder of the Nine Gates from an ancient tomb thousands of years ago. We, Ghost Street, can guarantee that this sword is genuine.

If this is false, Ghost Street will bear all the consequences!

Upon hearing Ghost Yama's words, Lei Laowu couldn't help but step forward and guarantee:

"I can vouch for that!"

Who is Lei Laowu?

Those in the underworld, especially the prominent figures who knew Lei Laowu's background, already considered him a golden brand.

People using Lei Laowu's name might be fake, but Lei Laowu never sells counterfeit goods. Therefore, with Lei Laowu's testimony, most people immediately believed him.

"Moreover, this sword is not just for decoration."

Ghost Yama took out a stack of large coins, at least nine of them piled together, and chuckled:

"May I ask which distinguished guest has come to give it a try? So that no one will say my haunted building is a charlatan? Young Master Zhang?"

"I?"

Seeing everyone looking at him with encouraging glances, Zhang Xiaoshan chuckled softly and said calmly:

"Since everyone trusts me, Ziyu will not refuse."

Zhang Xiaoshan leaped into the air, and to everyone's astonishment, he traversed seven or eight zhang (approximately 33-40 meters) of air before landing on the stage.

This scene shocked many people in the martial arts world and prominent figures in Lin'an.

It should be known that even the experts present couldn't leap seven or eight zhang in mid-air, let alone this spendthrift young master Zhang Xiaoshan. Ghost Yama couldn't help but praise:

"Young Master Zhang, what excellent lightness skill you have!"

"Borrowing something in mid-air is nothing special."

Borrowing something in mid-air?

Upon hearing Zhang Xiaoshan's words, many people immediately looked up at the sky.

Ordinary people wouldn't notice anything, but some experts, with Zhang Xiaoshan's hints, gradually discovered the clues and broke out in a cold sweat.

So insidious!

Because what cannot be seen is precisely the extremely sharp golden silkworm silk.

If one were unaware of the situation and rashly jumped up, they might be torn to pieces instantly. Even most of the members of the Nine Gates turned pale.

Because even they didn't know these things.

"It's just a little trick, please don't be offended."

Ghost Yama handed the Goujian Sword to Zhang Xiaoshan. After receiving the longsword, Zhang Xiaoshan pretended to examine it.

Then, with a sudden swing, it swept across nine large coins and a long table in an instant without the slightest hesitation, which made everyone present's eyes light up.

"What a sword!"

Zhang Xiaoshan casually tossed the sword aside and handed it to Gui Yanluo.

The sword was an ancient treasure, without any fakery. At least in the eyes of those swordsmen, Zhang Xiaoshan had not made any underhanded moves.

Even Zhuge Zhengwo couldn't help but sigh deeply.

After all, such a sword, setting aside its other value, is so sharp that it is beyond his means to purchase.

"Distinguished guests, the first item up for auction is the Sword of Goujian, King of Yue, priced at one thousand taels of gold."

Interested individuals, please inquire!

"Ten thousand!"

Back in the private room, Zhang Xiaoshan turned around and gave a soft shout to put the situation at ease.

Ten thousand taels of gold was a sum few of those present could afford, and the preemptive strike made everyone realize that this was Zhang Xiaoshan's strategy.

Ten thousand taels of gold—this is already close to the reserve price of the Sword of Goujian, King of Yue.

"Eleven thousand taels!"

Ten breaths later, everyone reacted and a second voice appeared.

He was a high-ranking official of the imperial court who was not afraid of Zhang Xiaoshan's intimidation at all, and was extremely fond of collecting precious swords.

"Twelve thousand five hundred taels!"

"Thirteen thousand taels!"

···

"Young Master Zhang, you don't want it anymore?"

Zhuge Zhengwo looked on with regret as he saw that Zhang Xiaoshan did not bid again.

"Mr. Zhuge is joking. If it were me, I would buy a sword for twenty or thirty thousand taels of gold and it would be my favorite."

But in my heart, this sword is now only worth ten thousand taels of gold.

I have no doubts about Zhuge Zheng, I just feel sorry for him.

Ultimately, the Sword of Goujian, King of Yue, was bought by a wealthy merchant for 30,000 taels of gold, twice the original price.

This is the advantage of auctions.

Otherwise, Zhang Xiaoshan's ten thousand taels of gold would have been the maximum.

Although Zhang Xiaoshan was simply transferring the money from one hand to the other, he had plenty of ways to resell it after taking it out, and at a price higher than ten thousand taels of gold.

"The second item for auction—a roll of silkworm silk, priced at one thousand taels of gold!"

Silkworm silk?

Zhang Xiaoshan looked at the roll of silkworm silk, which was already the size of a spool; it was probably more than enough to weave half a piece of the Heavenly Silkworm Armor.

Zhang Xiaoshan's eyes lit up immediately; this was one of his targets.

"Ten thousand taels!"

It's the young master of the Zhang family again!

Moreover, when everyone heard Zhang Xiaoshan ask for ten thousand taels, they knew it was clearly malicious price gouging, raising the starting price tenfold and eliminating most of the bidders.

"Ten thousand taels of gold? If Young Master Zhang wants it, then we'll give it to you!"

Upon hearing this, everyone turned to look at Zhang Xiaoshan.

After all, given the price range of a fine sword, buying it for ten thousand taels of gold wouldn't be a loss.

While a roll of silkworm silk is precious, it is not worth ten thousand taels of gold. Zhang Xiaoshan's asking price is more than double the original price, which is inflated.

But Zhang Xiaoshan remained expressionless, and no one knew his purpose, making it impossible for anyone to predict.

Soon, with the sound of a grandfather bell, a smile appeared on Zhang Xiaoshan's face, which immediately made everyone realize that something was wrong.

"Thank you all for your generosity and for giving me face!"

Chapter Seventeen: The Sea Fishing Pact - Little Pearl the Mermaid?

"Young Master Zhang wants this silkworm silk to make a precious armor?"

It is a widely accepted fact that wealthy people are afraid of death, especially for a wealthy family like the Zhang family.

Who says 'the barefoot aren't afraid of those wearing shoes'!

However, Zhang Xiaoshan shook his head, giving Zhuge Zhengwo and everyone else present a stunned answer:

"No, I'm going to use this silkworm silk to make fishing line for sea fishing!"

Sea fishing?

They didn't understand the world of the rich, but Zhang Xiaoshan's answer stunned even An Shigeng.

There is indeed a wandering swordsman in the martial arts world known as "the lone boatman in a straw hat and raincoat," who wields a fishing rod and a five-foot fishing line that kills without a trace, its sharpness being extremely deadly.

But with Zhang Xiaoshan's imposing manner, even the most 'old man in a straw hat and raincoat' would have to admit defeat.

"Young Master Zhang's interest?"

The crowd was unsure whether it was true or not; this answer was truly astonishing.

Using silkworm silk solely for fishing—that's truly the first person in the world to do so.