Chapter Seventy: Curtain Falls

When the crowd saw that the bidder was Chief Kina, many faces shifted subtly. Setting aside the current bid of one hundred and fifty thousand gold coins, it hadn’t been long since he last produced over a hundred thousand; to be able to offer such a sum again in just a few days was a feat few families present could match. Moreover, what appeared to be a rather obscure sword technique might pose a challenge for others, but for Chief Kina, it would undoubtedly be like wings to a tiger.

The Kina family already possessed considerable strength, and now, with this precious sword technique, it seemed clear to all that—barring any unforeseen circumstances—their future prospects would be quite impressive.

Not far from Chief Kina sat the well-known arms merchant who had lost out in the previous auction. With a wry smile, he leaned over and said quietly, “Chief, you are indeed formidable. I’ve lost to you twice in a row at these auctions—I can’t compare. Allow me to offer my early congratulations on your family’s coming rise.”

Chief Kina shook his head modestly, a gentle smile on his lips. “You flatter me.”

For a long time, Changling City had been dominated by a handful of great families. Rarely did new forces rise to join the upper echelons, but among them, the Kina family was undoubtedly the most promising contender. Perhaps all they needed was time.

As for the true feelings of the other families—whether joy or anxiety, and what measures they would take—that was another matter entirely.

Like the arms merchant, many marveled at the Kina family’s wealth. While still not quite on par with the likes of the Lie family, it was nevertheless astonishing. Because of the high bid of one hundred and fifty thousand gold coins, the hall fell briefly silent, no one offering a higher price.

Auben Shan, witnessing the situation, grew ever more agitated. If he hadn’t been forced to spend nearly two hundred thousand gold coins earlier, he too could have competed for the Rotating Splitting Sword Technique. Regardless of the outcome, he would have prevented the Kina family from seizing the spotlight.

After some thought, Lie Chen abandoned the idea of bidding. Although his family could afford the sum, as long as the Auben family and others didn’t secure it, there was no need to waste the money. The Lie family was only just beginning to recover and still had much to manage financially.

Thus, with Lord Chitt likewise showing no intention to bid, the auction hall’s silence stretched on a little longer. Finally, seeing no further bids, Maya smiled softly and announced, “Congratulations to Chief Kina. For one hundred and fifty thousand gold coins, you have won the low-tier Black-grade martial technique—the Rotating Splitting Sword. I am sure, when paired with your Shattered Edge Sword, Chief, your strength will greatly increase.”

Chief Kina glanced up at Maya’s radiant smile, coughed lightly, and said quietly, “I’ll take your words as a blessing, Miss Maya.”

…

With the final lot successfully auctioned, this session of the auction came to its end. The earlier excitement gradually faded, and the crowd began to disperse, departing the hall through various exits.

Though the major families had bid only sparingly, the auction items that failed to interest them were still quite attractive to the city’s lesser families; in fact, most lots—save for the last few—were divided among these smaller players.

The Kina family, having drawn much attention, was now the focus of many discreet observers. Among the great families, the results were mixed: the Auben family had won the Shattering Crossbow, but at the cost of nearly two hundred thousand gold coins, thanks to the Lie family’s maneuvering—a victory that felt hollow. The Lie family, for its part, had bested the Aubens but, due to lack of funds, appeared to lose face and left empty-handed alongside Lord Chitt—a fact that could not be denied.

At the corridor exit, Lie Chen, Auben Shan, and Lord Chitt met. At the sight of Lie Chen, Auben Shan immediately felt a surge of pent-up frustration rise in his chest. He forced a few cold laughs and sneered, “Lie Chen, you must be quite upset about not getting the Shattering Crossbow this time, aren’t you?”

Lie Chen glanced at him with a frosty gaze and replied slowly, “I think you’re the one who’s upset.”

“Hmph!” Auben Shan’s eyes fell on Lie Ren at Lie Chen’s side. “I hear your son Lie Yan still hasn’t returned. In ten days, the Martial Trials begin. I wonder if your Lie family will have anyone to send to the tournament…”

Clearly, Auben Shan was disregarding Lie Ren entirely. The slight made Lie Ren’s expression shift subtly as he stole a glance at Lie Chen.

Lie Chen’s face remained cold as he said, “That’s not your concern. Since Lord Chitt is here, let me say this: for this tournament, Lie Que, Lie Ren, Lie Zhi, and Lie Feifei will all compete. Hmph. As for your Auben family, your so-called prodigy is injured—perhaps you’ll have no one to send at all?”

“You—!” Auben Shan was infuriated, feeling this was truly his unlucky day. Every exchange left him at a loss to Lie Chen. At the same time, his hatred for Su Yi—the one who had injured his son—deepened, a trace of murderous intent flickering in his eyes.

Enraged and bored, Auben Shan let out a cold snort, flung his sleeve, and left with his elders.

Watching Auben Shan’s retreating figure, Lie Chen’s eyes flashed coldly for a moment before he quickly collected himself and turned to Lord Chitt. “Lord Chitt, will your daughter compete in the tournament as well?”

Earlier, when Lie Chen had mentioned sending four participants, Lord Chitt had been somewhat surprised. Though it was customary for the great families to send more contestants, four was rather many. Still, with Lie Zhi and Lie Feifei’s abilities, their presence would be more for experience—they posed no threat to the top five.

Now, hearing Lie Chen’s question, Lord Chitt smiled lightly. “Gree will also try her hand—especially since Feifei is participating as well. Perhaps they will have a chance to spar.”

…

On the bluestone path within the auction grounds, Su Yi wandered aimlessly after a long afternoon of cultivation. Though he knew about the auction, he had avoided attending out of caution.

Having injured the Auben family’s only son, he knew Auben Shan had already sent fighters after him. If they met, conflict would be inevitable. Worse still, he had gotten involved with Lie Feifei, the Lie family’s heiress!

No matter the circumstances, Lie Chen would not care for excuses. If he learned of this, Su Yi would undoubtedly face his wrath.

“I can only hope to keep it from Lie Chen for now. Once the Martial Trials are over, I’ll leave Changling City to seek the Blood of Heaven and Earth. By then, even if he finds out, what can he do—chase me across a thousand miles?”

Glancing up, Su Yi judged that the auction should be nearly finished. After a moment’s thought, he headed toward the Appraisal Room.

Perhaps because of the ongoing auction, the grounds were nearly deserted. The few people he encountered regarded him with a mix of awe and respect, but he paid them little mind and continued on—only to run into two familiar faces.

It was Di Yuan and Ke Yue. Su Yi hadn’t seen Ke Yue since that incident. Now, Ke Yue’s face was deathly pale, his spirit utterly crushed; he could barely stand, supported only by several bodyguards.

Di Yuan seemed slightly better off, though his right arm was heavily bandaged and braced with hardwood splints.

Because of his grave injuries, Ke Yue could no longer remain at the auction house. After receiving compensation, he was preparing to leave. The moment he saw Su Yi, his face grew even paler, a deep regret settling in.

He regretted provoking Su Yi—especially after learning that even Captain Di Yuan, whom he had always relied on, had been soundly defeated. His remorse and fear only deepened.

In this world where strength was everything, the weak had no real right to survive. Yet Ke Yue, out of his own arrogance, had gone to challenge Su Yi and suffered utter ruin. Though he received compensation, his martial core was destroyed; he was now little more than a cripple.

And now, Ke Yue didn’t even possess the strength to seek revenge. If given another chance, he would have steered well clear of Su Yi and had nothing to do with him. But alas, even in a world with miracle elixirs, there was no medicine for regret.

The End of Chapter 70 – Summit of the Martial Path