Human Clan Defender-Chapter 463 - 210: The Road Widens (Seeking Monthly Pass)

Chapter 463: Chapter 210: The Road Widens (Seeking Monthly Pass)

After sending Li Shou away, Mu Qing said with a wry smile, "Defender Shen, it’s not that I didn’t want to remind you, but with Eunuch Li present, I couldn’t say too much openly."

"You’re overthinking it, Defender Mu," Shen Changqing said with a faint smile.

Li Shou, listening in from the side, thought it was natural that Mu Qing couldn’t offer any reminders. Of course, the main reason was that he currently didn’t want to deal with so many pointless matters. Whether Mu Qing truly had no choice or had other motives, it was irrelevant to him personally. Priorities. Shen Changqing’s mind was as clear as a bright mirror.

"By the way, people from Great Liang and Dayue have arrived. Has there been any action from Great Zhou and the Barbarian Clan?" he asked, changing the subject.

Upon hearing this, Mu Qing’s expression turned serious, and he nodded. "Yes, yesterday we discovered people from the Barbarian Clan and Great Zhou infiltrating South Nether Prefecture, but my men have already dealt with them."

The individuals sent by both factions were not strong. The Demon-Subduing Division could handle them without causing much of a disturbance.

Shen Changqing nodded. "It’s good that they were dealt with. However, I fear they won’t simply send just one group of people. This involves matters related to a Great Grandmaster, and I don’t believe they won’t be tempted. We need to continue our investigations; it’s better to kill the wrong person than to let anyone slip through."

The Barbarian Clan and Great Zhou were the true enemies. It wasn’t a problem if Martial Arts fell into the hands of Great Liang or Dayue, but he certainly didn’t want them to end up with Great Zhou or the Barbarian Clan. Both factions collaborated with Demon Evil. Shen Changqing felt an innate repulsion towards Demon Evil; therefore, he similarly detested any powers that cooperated with them.

"Rest assured, Defender Shen, I will have the Heavenly Inspection Guard increase the intensity of their search," Mu Qing said.

"Hmm, that would be best," Shen Changqing replied. He nodded, exchanged a few more words, and then left the grand hall.

He first went to check on the construction progress of the Demon-Subduing Prison. With Jiang An supervising, there were no significant issues. After a brief look, Shen Changqing left the Demon-Subduing Division and headed out of Mountain-Breaking City.

With a single step, he executed Hovering Crossing, appearing like an immortal descending to the mortal realm. It didn’t take him long to leave the city.

In a spacious valley, a crowd had gathered. Some wore bamboo hats, others were veiled, and some made no effort to hide their faces, walking about openly. Surrounding the valley were rows of shops. Vendors also found empty spots to sit and openly hawk their wares. At a glance, it looked much like an ordinary marketplace, with no significant differences. But if one looked closely, they would notice that the stallholders all possessed formidable strength, and among those walking around, many were powerful experts.

This was the black market outside Mountain-Breaking City.

Shen Changqing avoided attracting undue attention. Before reaching the black market, he had already landed and proceeded on foot. However, he didn’t conceal his facial features. Thus, the moment he stepped into the black market, he instantly attracted many people’s attention.

It couldn’t be helped. News of the Defender Envoy of South Nether Prefecture had already spread far and wide. Even if these people hadn’t actually seen Shen Changqing, they had managed to learn what he looked like from portraits in Mountain-Breaking City. Therefore, nowadays, few truly didn’t recognize the Defender Envoy of South Nether Prefecture.

As Shen Changqing stepped into the black market, the surroundings quieted somewhat. Some people even consciously made way for him, careful not to block his path.

Suddenly, someone cupped their fists and spoke earnestly, "Cangshan Sect pays respects to Defender Shen!"

The next moment, others quickly reacted.

"Falling Moon Sect pays respects to Defender Shen!"

"North Sea Sect pays respects to Defender Shen!"

"Pingyuan Valley pays respects—"

One by one, representatives from various Sect Forces loudly announced their sect’s name, hoping Shen Changqing would become familiar with them. If he remembered them, there might be substantial benefits.

Although the influence of the Demon-Subduing Division had been declining, and the recent upheaval by the Heaven Alliance had further diminished its deterrent power, its influence had substantially recovered ever since Shen Changqing emerged and halted the Heaven Alliance’s momentum. In South Nether Prefecture, the name Shen Changqing resounded like thunder. Even though the Demon-Subduing Division had not yet moved against the Heaven Alliance, with his presence, the Heaven Alliance’s chances of seizing the Demon-Subduing Division were slim. If they couldn’t even take down South Nether Prefecture, how could the Heaven Alliance even speak of overthrowing Great Qin? At that point, they might meet their downfall.

Apart from the forces that initially sided with the Heaven Alliance, few others had joined them since the ceasefire. Even if some harbored secret intentions, they were now adopting a wait-and-see attitude. They would wait until the situation became clear before deciding which side to take. However, this didn’t stop them from showing goodwill to Shen Changqing now.

The Demon-Subduing Division was the Demon-Subduing Division. Shen Changqing was Shen Changqing. Even if the influence of the Demon-Subduing Division declined, the prestige of a Great Grandmaster remained unshakable.

Listening to the conversations around him, Shen Changqing showed little emotion on the surface, merely nodding slightly in response. Such an attitude might have seemed somewhat cold and arrogant, but to others, it was perfectly normal.

At that moment, news of Shen Changqing’s arrival at the black market spread like the wind. People began to think: Now that he’s here, is the auction about to officially start?

Suddenly, many people staying in Mountain-Breaking City grew restless and began flocking towards the black market.

「On the other side.」

Shen Changqing had already arrived inside the Yuanyang Auction House. This time, no Attendants greeted him. Instead, a middle-aged man in brocade waited there, his authoritative face softened by a genial expression. Upon seeing Shen Changqing’s arrival, the man promptly approached to greet him.

"Yuan Sheng of the Yuanyang Auction House, I greet Lord Shen!"

"Yuan Sheng?" Upon hearing the name, Shen Changqing’s expression changed slightly. This was the first time he had heard the name, but he was well aware of which power had established the Yuanyang Auction House. That power was the renowned Yuan family of Great Qin. Since the man before him bore the surname Yuan, he was clearly a member of the Yuan family.

At this time, Yuan Sheng clasped his fists and smiled, "I am indeed the Family Head of the Yuan family and also the one in charge of this Yuanyang Auction House. Hearing of Lord Shen’s arrival, I came to greet you personally. It would have been remiss of the Yuanyang Auction House to send anyone else."

"So, you are Family Head Yuan." Shen Changqing suddenly understood. Family Head Yuan’s identity was beyond his expectations. But then he thought, with his current status, it wasn’t really a problem to have Family Head Yuan personally welcome him.

Yuan Sheng gestured, "This is not the place to talk, Lord Shen. Would you accompany me inside for a seat?"

"Please!"

"Please!"

The two walked inside, almost side by side.

After they were seated in the inner hall, Yuan Sheng immediately dismissed all the servants. Then, looking solemnly at Shen Changqing, he said, "Lord Shen’s time is precious, so I will cut to the chase. What I wish to know is, is Lord Shen fully prepared for this occasion?"

Shen Changqing’s expression was indifferent. "My preparations are nearly complete. However, what I want to know is how extensively your auction house has advertised and whether all the expected participants have arrived?" His purpose this time was to inquire about the progress. He had prepared the Martial Arts, but if the auction participants hadn’t all arrived, then starting the auction would be a waste.

Upon hearing this, Yuan Sheng spoke in a deep voice. "Lord Shen can rest assured, the Yuanyang Auction House never takes on tasks without full confidence. You gave us three months, so naturally, we have made thorough preparations. Representatives from both Great Liang and the Dayue Court have arrived, and nearly all the top Sects from both nations are present. Furthermore, even some Jianghu powers from Great Zhou have come. It can be said that most, if not all, of those capable of participating in the bidding have arrived. The few remaining powers that haven’t arrived yet should be here within a couple of days, I believe."

The allure of Grandmaster Martial Arts was even more astonishing than the Yuanyang Auction House had imagined. The news spread like wildfire, sweeping through the nations uncontrollably. Now, with the auction approaching, everyone was flocking here. The impact has been unprecedented.

Hearing this, Shen Changqing nodded. "If what Family Head Yuan says is true, then there should be no problem. Let’s set the auction for seven days from now."

"Agreed." Yuan Sheng smiled and then added, "Additionally, after discussion, the Yuanyang Auction House has unanimously decided not to take any commission from Lord Shen’s auction this time, as a token of our respect."

"In that case, I am much obliged," Shen Changqing also smiled.

Not taking a commission was indeed a significant favor. The sum involved in this auction would undoubtedly be substantial; if a commission were to be paid, it would be a considerable expense. For the Yuanyang Auction House to forgo such a large profit margin merely to curry favor with him was indeed a bold move. However, Shen Changqing did not refuse this favor. No one turns down free money. If the Yuanyang Auction House was offering, he would gladly accept.

Yuan Sheng’s expression became serious. "To be frank, Lord Shen, entrusting the auction of Grandmaster Martial Arts to our Yuanyang Auction House is, in itself, a great honor for the Yuan family. Moreover, thanks to this auction, the reputation of our Yuanyang Auction House has been greatly enhanced. Among the auction houses of the various nations, the Yuanyang Auction House’s name is now foremost, and our business will undoubtedly flourish in the future. In that regard, we are already benefiting greatly. To then take a commission from Lord Shen would be unjustifiable."

Yuan Sheng spoke with great sincerity. Shen Changqing appreciated his candor. He silently acknowledged the astuteness of Yuan Sheng’s words. After this, if the Yuan family were to seek his aid for something, he would find it rather difficult to refuse. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

This exchange had considerably broadened the path for the Yuan family.