Shui Yongquan has cleansed all his memories with the Mind-cleansing Technique. Although he still retains a high level of cultivation, as a Ghost Servant, how much value does he have left?
Did the Ferry Gang sell him just for the money?
Is there a possibility they want to use Shui Yongquan as bait?
Li Banfeng must be cautious about these matters.
After waiting for about ten minutes, the banquet began. Although it is called a grand banquet, the setup is indeed grand, with each table served with over a dozen dishes, and various drinks laid out by the side.
The guests did not come here just to eat, but the host's scene is a must, as it is also part of the reciprocal gift.
A few women walked between the tables, handing each guest a Harmonizing Agent.
The price of this Harmonizing Agent is roughly over seven thousand, and this is the main part of the reciprocal gift.
Jin Shunying held the Harmonizing Agent, uncertain whether to accept it, as her ticket was given by Li Banfeng. Logically, the reciprocal gift should also belong to Li Banfeng.
She sneaked a glance at Li Banfeng, only to see him sitting in the shadows. Without close observation, his silhouette could barely be seen. The women distributing the Harmonizing Agent also ignored Li Banfeng.
Jin Shunying dared not look again; the boss had instructed her not to talk to him once the banquet commenced, as it might ruin the boss's plans.
A woman in her thirties entered the dance floor; she is the owner of the dance hall and the host of the grand banquet, named Chi Huiyi. She first greeted the guests, then shouted, "Twelve appetizer dishes, please enjoy, dear guests."
The appetizers refer to auction items that are not considered very valuable, including Elixirs, Weapons, and Spiritual Objects, among which the Weapons and Spiritual Objects are commonly used by Nightmare Cultivators. Jin Shunying felt tempted, but after the bidding started escalating in waves, she quickly calmed down.
Although she had some savings and had just received a sum from the boss, Jin Shunying always had a clear plan for where every penny should be spent, and items with apparent premiums rarely fell within her consideration.
After the appetizers, it was time for the main courses.
There were three main courses in total.
The first course was a Puppet.
Chi Huiyi said, "The store owner will take the ladle."
This means the seller will introduce the item.
An elderly man in his seventies entered the dance floor. He did not speak but reached his hand into the Puppet's back to start operating it.
With little movement, the old craftsman demonstrated each joint of the Puppet bit by bit.
Li Banfeng didn't understand Craftsmanship Methods, but he had seen a lot of superior craftsmanship in Puluo State.
The workmanship of this Puppet was outstanding, with very flexible joints, a physique of remarkable durability, and every mechanism hidden within the body was crafted with finesse.
Once the demonstration was over, Chi Huiyi said, "The store owner opens the bid at one hundred fifty. Please appreciate, guests."
One hundred fifty means one point five million.
This grand banquet mainly caters to Nightmare Cultivators, and this Puppet as the main course seemed a bit inappropriate.
But those in the know understood that this Puppet was incredibly useful for Nightmare Cultivators. Some Lost Souls are not suitable for direct combat, but by possessing the Puppet, they can exhibit higher combat strength. In terms of both material and craftsmanship, a price of one point five million isn't expensive.
"One point seven."
"Two hundred."
"Two hundred thirty!"
The guests continually placed bids, and it was finally sold for three point one million.
The elderly man left the dance floor to hand over the money and goods to the guest.
Chi Huiyi shouted, "Second main course, the store owner will take the ladle."
Seeing the second main course, Li Banfeng remained unmoved, although his heart skipped a beat.
He saw Shui Yongquan.
Shui Yongquan was wearing a short shirt and single pants, chained in iron, expressionless, led by a man to the center of the dance floor.
All the guests present examined Shui Yongquan, commenting constantly.
"Is this the Wounded Demon Fiend? Aged to such a state?"
"Looking so thin and frail, can he even fight?"
"He appears spiritless, is he ill?"
"This thing isn't cheap. Despite its impressive name, isn't it just a sick mule? Can it grind or plow fields? What use is there in buying it?"
Listening to everyone's criticisms, Li Banfeng's eyebrows twitched slightly.
Shui Yongquan, the Local Deity, a Feudal Lord!
Yet now, like cattle, such poor remarks are being made.
The store owner wore a cape and massive bamboo hat, addressing the crowd, "This is a Wounded Demon Fiend, there's no need for me to elaborate."
He only said this in a voice laden with concealment, yet Earrings still discerned the tone.
"Master, it is him."
Chu Zikai.
Li Banfeng gently pinched his fingers, still maintaining composure.
Chi Huiyi said, "The store owner opens the bid at one hundred, please appreciate, guests!"
The ballroom fell silent.
Many guests in attendance came for the Wounded Demon Fiend.
Yet with invisible cultivation and Chu Zikai's brief introduction, no one could affirm whether this Wounded Demon Fiend was real or its quality.
Taking advantage of the silence, Jin Shunying spoke first, "One hundred ten!"
Adding one million, hoping no one else would vie for it, marking the completion of the task.
"One hundred thirty!" A man behind her increased the bid, tightening Jin Shunying's chest.
Who is this person?
She wanted to see the boss's attitude, but didn't dare turn around easily, remembering his instruction: under any circumstances, she must buy the Wounded Demon Fiend.
"One hundred thirty-five!" Jin Shunying increased it by fifty.
The guests murmured about the small increment.
"One hundred eighty!" The man behind her added again.
"One thousand, eight hundred fifty!" Jin Shunying's voice trembled slightly, despite not using her own money, the figure evidently exceeded her comfort level.
"Two thousand!" The man continued raising the bid.
Who on earth is this person?
Li Banfeng was also curious.
Jin Shunying continued incrementing by fifty, the man increased by two to three hundred.
Li Banfeng turned to glance at the man, who wore a black windbreaker with the collar turned high, a mountaineering hat pulled low.
Using a hat brim to obscure one's face, Li Banfeng, being an expert, activated Golden Gaze Autumn Hair, and through the shadows discerned some features.
The person had used a Disguise Technique, but Li Banfeng could still identify some details, seemingly Song Qianhun.
He came here likely for his underwear, which did not surprise Li Banfeng.
But why would he spend so much on Shui Yongquan?
Being a Nightmare Cultivator, is his intention merely to acquire a Ghost Servant?
"Three thousand two!" The man raised the bid again, Earrings identified the voice this time.
"Master, it's that Senior."
Li Banfeng quietly approached the man's side, asking in a low voice, "Senior Song, do you really want this Wounded Demon Fiend so much?"
Recognized by Li Qi, Song Qianhun didn't conceal anymore, "He is my friend, I cannot let him be so mistreated!"
After speaking, Song Qianhun raised the bid to three thousand five.
The price exceeded expectations, Chu Zikai smiled triumphantly.
Behind him, at the shameless bar, stood a blond-haired, blue-eyed elder.
This elder arrived with Chu Zikai and quietly observed each guest's reaction.
If the deal went smoothly, and they profited, naturally it was great.
If the deal didn't proceed smoothly, he was also prepared to handle it accordingly. After all, the Ferry Gang wouldn't suffer losses.
Song Qianhun continued bidding, Li Banfeng said, "Since he's your friend, could Senior please offer some assistance?"
Song Qianhun asked, "What do you mean?"
"Let's work together to rescue the friend and reclaim the underwear."
PS: The foreigner by Chu Zikai's side once saved him, detailed in chapter 537.