Meanwhile, after leaving Qingyang Town, Chen Xuan headed straight for Yan City.
Upon entering the city, he went directly to the Wanjin Auction House located in the city center.
Outside the auction house, a dense crowd moved about like an army of ants relocating their home. Chen Xuan walked toward the entrance. At the door, a guard blocked his way, extended a hand, and said, "Ten Yang Yuan Stones."
Chen Xuan ignored him entirely, saying in a deep voice, "Tell Xia Wanjin to come see me at once!"
"???" The guard instantly flew into a rage. Who the hell do you think you are? You open your mouth and demand that our chamber of commerce's leader come see you? Do you think you're the city lord?
Everyone else also thought that Chen Xuan was being arrogant to the point of courting death. They all waited to see him get tossed out on his ear.
Yet the very next second, the expressions on everyone's faces froze.
*Splat!*
A long sword had pierced right through the guard's chest. Crimson blood dripped continuously from the tip of the blade down to the ground.
Wait! That sword looked like it belonged to the guard himself!
Suddenly, everyone was utterly dumbfounded. No one had seen clearly how this person before them had drawn the guard's own sword and used it to kill him. The speed was simply too fast!
*Bang!*
As they looked at the guard collapsed on the ground, a commotion broke out at the entrance of the Wanjin Auction House.
"This guy dares to kill someone from the Wanjin Auction House? Does he not want to survive in Yan City anymore?"
"Seriously, the grass on the grave of the last person who was this arrogant at the Wanjin Auction House is probably over a meter tall by now!"
"Look, look! Head Manager Xuan and Miss Xia are here!"
"Head Manager Xuan is truly full of charm!"
"Head Manager Xuan and Miss Xia are getting prettier and prettier. They look just like two sisters."
"Hehe, if I could pin them down on a bed and ravage them, I'd gladly give up ten years of my life!"
...
While the crowd stirred, the throng automatically parted to clear a path. Several figures walked toward Chen Xuan. Among them was a woman in a red dress. Her skin was as white as snow, and her peach-blossom cheeks possessed a flawless, jade-like beauty. In contrast, her full curves and graceful posture gave her a mature allure that made her all the more mesmerizing.
Beside her walked a tall woman in green. She was also exceptionally striking, though of a completely different type. At that moment, a trace of anger hung on the green-clad woman's face, especially as she looked at Chen Xuan.
The woman in the red qipao glanced at the guard's corpse on the ground, then raised her eyes to look at Chen Xuan. "Little brother, our Wanjin Auction House has never had any grudges with you, right?"
Since he dared to kill someone from the Wanjin Auction House in broad daylight, he must have something solid to rely on.
Without wasting any time, Chen Xuan cut straight to the point. "When did Lin Dong leave?"
Xuan Su's expression lit up with joy. "Sir, do you know Young Master Lin Dong?"
[Ding! Xuan Su generates excitement + agitation + delight + anticipation, Emotion Value +200]
[Ding! Xia Zhilan generates strange emotions, Emotion Value +50]
"Answer my question." Whether he asked her or Xia Wanjin, as long as he got a result, it was all the same.
Xuan Su was slightly stunned. "Young Master Lin Dong left a few days ago."
He left a few days ago? Hearing this answer, Chen Xuan turned around, ready to leave.
He had only taken a few steps when Xuan Su's voice came from behind him.
"Wait a moment!"
[Ding! Xuan Su generates surprise, Emotion Value +50]
[Ding! Xia Zhilan generates astonishment, Emotion Value +50]
The system prompts rang out one after another.
For the sake of the Emotion Value, Chen Xuan stopped in his tracks, turned his head, and asked, "Is there something else?"
"Xuan Su is so bold as to invite sir to share a meal. I wonder if you would be willing to grace us with your presence?" Xuan Su took light lotus steps forward, smiling as she issued the invitation toward Chen Xuan's back.
What? Head Manager Xuan actually took the initiative to invite him to dinner?!
For all these years, they had only ever heard rumors that Head Manager Xuan had relatively close contact with Lin Dong of the Qingyang Town Lin Family, yet she had never crossed that line. After all, that was a man before whom even City Lord Shi admitted defeat. What right did this brat have? Just because he was good-looking? That was stretching it way too far!
Beside Xuan Su, Xia Zhilan failed to understand either. Looking flustered, she tugged at Xuan Su's clothes and asked in a very quiet voice, "Aunt Xuan, are you trying to win him over?"
Xuan Su nodded and replied in a low voice, "This person's strength is formidable. We cannot miss out on him!"
Formidable? Could he possibly be as powerful as Lin Dong? Xia Zhilan felt deeply unconvinced.
Chen Xuan turned around, raised his eyes, and looked at Xuan Su, who was dressed in a red qipao, and Xia Zhilan, who was clad in green. "Lead the way."
As it happened, they were also on the system's list for collecting Emotion Value, so he could shear off a bit of wool. Besides, didn't they admire Lin Dong? Chen Xuan swore to himself that he would snatch away every single woman and every single opportunity related to Lin Dong! He wouldn't leave a single one for him!
"This way, sir."
Seeing Chen Xuan agree, a charming and alluring smile instantly bloomed across Xuan Su's elegant face. She then attentively led the way right beside Chen Xuan. The way she intentionally or unintentionally swayed her waist carried a distinct air of tempting people into sin, enough to give anyone a massive headache.
[Ding! Xuan Su generates happiness + anticipation, Emotion Value +100]
At the same time, Xuan Su did not forget to quietly instruct a guard to notify Xia Wanjin and tell him to get over here immediately.
Meanwhile, spies from the City Lord's Mansion in the crowd quickly ran back to report the news. The sight of Chen Xuan being welcomed by the two women flanking him made countless men in Yan City green with envy. Sharing a meal with Xuan Su—how many people's dream was that? Furthermore, Xia Zhilan, the daughter of the Wanjin Chamber of Commerce's president, was accompanying them on the side. It was practically the peak of one's life!
Still, anyone who could be treated with such careful deference by an old hand like Head Manager Xuan certainly couldn't be ordinary. Therefore, no hot-headed fools dared to step forward and provoke him.
Guided by Xuan Su, they arrived at the Wanjin Restaurant of the Wanjin Chamber of Commerce. With Xia Zhilan and Xuan Su present, the manager directly arranged a private room for them.
Once they sat down, Xuan Su smiled radiantly, her demeanor full of captivating charm. "Little brother, I am Xuan Su, the manager of the Wanjin Auction House, and this is Xia Zhilan, the daughter of the Wanjin Chamber of Commerce's president."
Xia Zhilan's delicate brows furrowed slightly, her expression rather displeased and clearly unconvinced.
Chen Xuan naturally saw it, but simply couldn't be bothered to respond.
Noticing the somewhat subtle atmosphere, Xuan Su hurriedly tried to get closer. "I wonder how I should address you, little brother?"
"Chen Xuan!"
"Little brother Chen Xuan, you aren't from our Tiandu Province, are you?"
Brother was brother. What was with adding "little" to it? Big or small, you haven't actually seen it for yourself, so you don't get a say!
Chen Xuan didn't bicker with her, instead asking with a hint of amusement, "What, if I'm not from Tiandu Province, am I not allowed to come here?"
"That's not it."
"You invited me here, so it probably isn't just as simple as sharing a meal."
"Xuan Su has always loved making the acquaintance of talented youths. Seeing just now that Chen Xuan... brother possesses extraordinary strength, I couldn't help but feel a desire to befriend you."
Chen Xuan chuckled. "How much longer before Xia Wanjin gets here? As it happens, I have a matter I need them to handle."
*How does he know I sent someone to fetch old Xia?*
Cold sweat poured down Xuan Su's face as she mentally cursed Xia Wanjin to hell and back. *Why aren't you here yet?! If you don't show up soon, I won't be able to hold my ground!*
...
*(Author's Note: Begging for monthly votes on QQ Reading. Thank you for your support, bosses!)*