Chapter 77: Checking In at the Auction

Zhang Ning, who was walking ahead, of course noticed the dispute among them. At first, he had simply recalled Lin Feng’s profound kicking technique, remembered how Lin Feng had faced both Han Zun and Fourth Senior Brother without so much as a change in expression, daring to stand before them with such confidence. Zhang Ning thought Lin Feng must have something to rely on. He glanced at Lin Feng, vaguely recalling that when Lin Feng came to participate in the disciple assessment, he had clearly carried a broadsword on his back—so why was he holding a heavy sword now? Could it be that I have another “hidden master” by my side? With this thought, Zhang Ning grew distracted, and before he knew it, he had watched the entire dispute play out by Lin Feng’s side.

By now, the situation had escalated so that both the chubby boy and the young noble beside Lin Feng had handed their storage pouches to him, engaging in a bidding war with the two young women as if determined to buy something from the street stall. Yet, even pooling their resources, it seemed they still fell short. The stall owner, sensing the intensity of their struggle, instinctively believed the brick was some kind of divine artifact, and promptly raised the price, throwing the scene into greater chaos, while the crowd around them grew restless.

Unconsciously, Zhang Ning stopped in his tracks, and the two impressive figures beside him—who had denied him any face just moments before—halted as well. Zhang Ning asked curiously, “The Twin Beauties of Wuning? Ranking experts? Senior brother, Han Zun, what do you make of this?”

Unexpectedly, Han Zun scoffed, “Don’t lump me together with them!” Fourth Senior Brother Han Zhifei had an even colder reaction: he frowned and declared without hesitation, “The name ‘Wuning City’ is inappropriate. If it should fall under the domain of the Grand Demon Sect in the future, it must be changed for auspiciousness.”

Zhang Ning was left speechless for a moment, then burst out laughing. “That’s not what I meant. It’s just that the one they’re bullying—Lin Feng—happens to be one of mine.”

Han Zun raised his eyebrows and said nothing, while Fourth Senior Brother Han Zhifei nodded. “Let’s go.” Zhang Ning understood their intent, his expression turning serious as he nodded firmly. “Let’s go over.” With that, he strode toward Lin Feng.

“Miss Yin, take it back. I won’t accept anything of yours.” Lin Feng felt as if he were holding a searing hot potato. What he wanted most now was not the brick but to return the purse, faintly scented with a woman’s fragrance, as quickly as possible.

He took his brother Chen Baishu’s storage pouch with no guilt at all, feeling it was only right. Accepting Luo Suiyuan’s was tolerable—he knew it would mean trading tricks with Luo in the future, but he could live with that. But Yin Hongling’s storage pouch was on a different level entirely. With her background and their delicate relationship, how could he possibly accept her things at such a moment?

Lin Feng felt himself caught in that all-too-familiar web of intrigue once more, a sense of despair even creeping in. Just then, a heroic figure strode over, casually tossing a storage pouch to the stall owner and remarking carelessly, “Keep the change.” It was none other than the Fifth Prince, Zhang Ning, whom Lin Feng so wished to follow.

The stall owner grabbed the pouch, seeming about to say something, but then froze; ecstasy and terror appeared on his face all at once, contorting his features. Without the least composure, he dropped to his knees before Zhang Ning. “Thank you for your generosity, my lord!” he cried, then turned and fled without a backward glance, vanishing in the blink of an eye and leaving the crowd gasping in astonishment.

This was the moment for outrageous demands, yet the stall owner’s reaction made it clear—this suddenly intervening youth must be someone extraordinary…

Witnessing this, Wu Youshu still managed to maintain her composure, but Wang Yan’er’s delicate brows drew together in fury, and she bit her lip hard in frustration.

Han Zun and Han Zhifei remained calm. After all, it was only a minor matter. Zhang Ning surely knew his limits; there were probably tokens of identity in the pouch as well as money, enough to persuade the stall owner not to be greedy. But Lin Feng felt completely differently. At this moment, the small child who had come to stand before him seemed as tall as a mountain—tall enough to pull him out of despair. He heard the child’s voice: “Hurry up. Didn’t we come to the lantern festival together? Do you think it’s right to make me wait for you?”

An hour later.

Zhang Ning’s hands were filled with all kinds of trinkets. Glancing at the others, who carried just as much, he couldn’t help but laugh with glee, his eyes crinkling in delight. Buying that brick for Lin Feng had definitely been the right move!

Ever since Lin Feng, with a look of “saved at last,” had caught up with Zhang Ning, he had been ingeniously keeping the conversation flowing. His skill at setting the mood was better than anyone Zhang Ning had ever met, and his insight was remarkable. Thanks to Lin Feng’s thick skin and Zhang Ning’s subtle efforts, the two formidable figures—Fourth Senior Brother Han Zhifei and Han Zun—had finally relaxed and truly joined Zhang Ning in enjoying the lantern festival.

Zhang Ning was having the time of his life. Masks, sugar figures, fishing for goldfish, riddles, barbecue—he tried everything! The entertainment at this festival really was incredibly varied.

Zhang Ning didn’t want to look too closely into the origins of some of these familiar amusements. He knew all too well they must be the handiwork of that transmigrator senior brother who never gave him an inch! But as long as he didn’t dwell on it, he could truly enjoy himself. His winning streak at every game confirmed his own talents, and his genuine happiness was infectious—even his two stern companions began to smile. This only made Zhang Ning all the more delighted.

Seeing how much fun Zhang Ning was having, the other two gave up on making things difficult for the Fifth Prince, and Lin Feng relaxed a little as well. After a moment’s thought, he suggested, “There’s an annual auction in Wuning City tonight. If Your Highness is interested, perhaps we could go have a look?”

An auction? Of course—he hadn’t checked off that classic scene yet!

Zhang Ning was momentarily surprised, then agreed at once.

Meanwhile—

Wang Yan’er was stamping her feet in frustration, looking anything but ladylike. Even her beauty seemed diminished by her anger.

“No, I can’t swallow this insult! They must pay for this! So what if they rely on their family’s power? How powerful could their backgrounds possibly be? We don’t have to handle it ourselves… it can be done without anyone ever knowing!”

Seeing the situation deteriorate, Wu Youshu, who had been trying to calm her, could only sigh inwardly and make her decision. With resignation, she said, “All right.”

The moment Wang Yan’er heard her assent, her face lit up. Grabbing Wu Youshu’s hand, she beamed, “Thank you, Sister Wu! I knew you were the best!”