bestfiction Chapter 227 Me? A Shill?
Chapter 227 Me? A Shill?
It's true that clothes make the man and a saddle makes the horse; as long as Zhong Ming doesn't play the good guy, he'll always be the perfect one.
Zhong Ming turned his head, startling one of the soldiers behind Captain Qi into taking a step back.
"What's wrong? Is my outfit weird?"
"No, no, no... You're in very good condition right now." The soldier stammered, startled. Zhong Ming's current appearance was quite similar to that of a certain general who was known for his sternness.
They are very similar in temperament.
A hint of nostalgia appeared on Captain Qi's serious face. Most of the soldiers here were trained by the auction house itself, but they also recruited some retired veterans. These people especially admired the generals in the army, especially the generals who had died.
When a person dies, the first thing people forget is their minor flaws.
“Master Cuihong, there is absolutely no problem with your attire. Apart from being careful not to talk to others, no one will dare to question you.”
Those guards were too busy keeping their distance from Zhong Ming to even begin to check. If it were the mortal guards who came to inspect, wouldn't that be like their own people checking their own people?
"That's good." Zhong Ming lowered his head slightly. It was his first time wearing a wig, and he felt like a circus acrobat with a string of teacups on his head. He dared not move for fear of falling.
This, on the contrary, made his steps steady, just like a great general.
"Immortal Master, there's something else I'd like to ask you at the same time," Captain Qi said suddenly, after exchanging a few words with the guards behind him.
"whats the matter."
"If the auction goes cold, please make a bid. Of course, you don't need to actually pay; just make a show of it."
"Me?" Zhong Ming pointed to himself. This wasn't a good idea; wasn't the point to hide it as much as possible? Offering a bid would attract attention...
Wait a minute, I'm playing the role of a general at an auction, so it would be normal for me to buy something, right?
"So... one second before the item failed to sell?"
"Great, it's wonderful that you're willing to help. During the bidding phase, the host will count down to ten. If no one buys, you can place your bid at the last moment." Captain Qi felt relieved. This was something that usually wouldn't attract attention, but some people might suspect that he had hired someone to cause trouble.
For example, someone who consigns an item for auction might consign it, and you might sell it at auction, then tell them it was bought by a shill when it actually failed to sell.
Isn't this... ripping me off for the consignment fee?
But with Master Cuihong's appearance, identity, and strength, there's definitely no one who would dare cause trouble.
"The auction will begin in about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. Immortal Master, you may take your time to browse."
The time it takes for an incense stick to burn is neither long nor short; it's enough for him to walk around the rather simple auction venue.
While he was wandering around, he heard some rumors about the auction.
Some people were whispering, but in the face of the powerful physique of the seventh level of Qi Refining, it was no different from shouting. Zhong Ming's ears twitched, and he heard people discussing topics such as "ancient tombs," "stone carvings," and "burial objects."
Unearthing ancient tombs is a very common occurrence. From ancient times to the present, people have always thought about being buried in the ground for peace. Generations of people have been buried there. In some places that have been wealthy for many years, you can find a grave mound with just one shovel in the suburbs.
The only difference is between a mass grave and the ancestral graves of a fallen family.
Zhong Ming turned around, and people around him avoided him as if they had seen a plague god. Even some uniformed guards trembled as they passed by him.
Zhong Ming walked around, found it uninteresting, and then found his seat and sat down.
The surroundings were bustling with activity. As the show was about to start, many people rushed over and were about to take their seats. However, Zhong Ming happened to be sitting near the exit, and everyone instinctively took a detour, almost causing a traffic jam.
Finally, just as the last person took their seat, the auction began.
A beautiful woman with light makeup gracefully walked onto the stage. She was voluptuous and her steps were swaying. Her adornments were faintly visible, and several layers of almost transparent gauze covered her jewelry and patterns, making them difficult to see clearly.
The allure lies in what is partially hidden.
Most of those present were seasoned veterans, accustomed to such scenes. Only some of their relatives and friends, who hadn't been there many times, were thrilled and unable to contain themselves.
Yes, I'm talking about Zhong Ming.
His face was contorted in an extreme way. He tried to maintain a serious expression, but couldn't help but shift his gaze with difficulty, scanning the entire room.
Most of the people in the front field were wearing masks or had calm expressions. As Zhong Ming looked at them, his mood gradually calmed down.
The female host began to warm up the audience; her voice was completely different from her figure—clear, pleasant, and like taking a bite of a plump green plum, leaving one's mouth watering.
"The first item up for auction is a rare treasure from the distant East Sea."
A group of strong men carried a large cabinet up, making it look like they were bringing back the Dragon King's daughter.
Some people frowned. Yunlu City auctions usually start with expensive jewelry, but this time it seems a bit different.
"Let me introduce to you, distinguished guests, the bones of the Wicken Sea Monster, which is unique to the East China Sea. It is a nearly complete skeleton."
Since it can be brought to a mortal's auction, it must not be a great demon beast, but just an ordinary fish. However, there are rare species among ordinary fish. In the East Sea, where demon beasts are everywhere, ordinary fish that are huge but have no demon power are naturally rare.
But there is one characteristic.
"Some distinguished guests seem to already know its effects. That's right, grinding its bones into powder can enhance male virility, and the effect is so significant that it's immediate."
She emphasized the word "establishing a pole" and winked at the audience.
Having hosted auctions of various treasures, she knew that every extra word she uttered would annoy the distinguished guests, so she immediately said, "Starting price: one hundred taels of gold, with each bid increment no less than ten taels of gold."
"One hundred and fifty taels." A woman's voice almost screamed throughout the hall as she held up the sign and waved it.
Her male companion looked at her with a look of utter despair.
"Sister, you should tone it down a bit. Doesn't everyone in the auction hall know I'm not doing so well?"
The woman showed no sign of backing down, glaring fiercely at the others.
As for the men... most of them tacitly came up with some excuses.
"Ahem, my nephew is getting married next month, so this gift is quite presentable, one hundred and eighty taels."
“Brother, this matter is urgent, not serious. My cousin is getting married for the second time in ten days. He is already old and weak, but he has caught the eye of a young lady from a wealthy family. We can’t lose face. Brother, how about you give it to us? Two hundred taels.”
The clothes the speaker was wearing were not something an ordinary person could wear; among mortals, he was at least an official of a high rank. If he was telling the truth, then the wealthy family he mentioned was definitely a powerful force.
The woman completely ignored these words, wishing she could rush up and bite these competitors to death right now, shouting, "Three hundred taels of gold!"