Nan'an Street was actually an antique street with a considerable history in Chuan City.
The autumn wind was bleak, and suddenly a drizzling rain began to fall. As the saying goes, one autumn rain brings one degree of cold. The late autumn rainy night was already noticeably chilly.
Suddenly, a stretched luxury car slowly drove onto Nan'an Street and stopped in front of the time-honored antique shop, Baibaizhai.
This old antique shop was a seven-story wooden pagoda, with a triple courtyard, looking very grand and magnificent. To own such an ancient building in a prime location and occupy the most central position on the entire antique street showed the owner's strength.
Zhuge Wushuang, who had been waiting by the door, quickly stepped forward to open the car door and said, "Master, this is it!"
Xiao Yunlong got out of the car and looked around, and a familiar yet strange feeling surged in his heart.
Once upon a time, when he was the young master of the Xiao family, one of the four great families, he had also visited this antique street many times with his elders.
However, times had changed. Much of this street had been demolished and rebuilt. Although the overall structure was largely preserved, many things had changed.
"Let's go in!" Xiao Yunlong tightened his jacket and strode in.
Zhuge Wushuang, Tang Bowen, and Tu Fu, along with Jun Bufan and Pan Chaofeng, a total of five people, followed closely behind.
"Gentlemen, please show your invitations!" the four security guards at the door immediately said.
Baibaizhai had a great reputation in the antique circle of Chuan City, and it was backed by the Zhao family, one of the four great families of Chuan City. Its grandeur was always immense.
Moreover, Baibaizhai was holding an antique auction that evening, which was by invitation only, targeting the upper-class circles of Chuan City. It was not a place anyone could enter.
Xiao Yunlong did not speak, but slightly turned his head to look at Tu Fu on his left.
Tu Fu immediately understood. He took a step forward, slapped one of the security guards away, and then kicked the other to the ground.
"Damn it, you blind fools! How dare you block our young master? Are you tired of living?" Tu Fu roared, glaring with his large, bell-like eyes.
The two security guards had never seen such a scene and were so scared that they didn't dare to utter another word.
Xiao Yunlong, too lazy to look at them, immediately stepped through the gate.
At this time, many guests were also arriving at the entrance. Seeing Tu Fu's actions, they were all so shocked that their jaws almost dropped.
"Good heavens, they dare to cause trouble at Baibaizhai! Who are these people?"
"I don't know. They don't look like locals. I wonder where they came from!"
"Could they be a few reckless bumpkins who are used to being arrogant in small places and have come here to cause trouble? They'll probably regret it later!"
The surrounding guests murmured, but none of them stepped forward. After all, for them, minding their own business was the principle of life.
Only after Xiao Yunlong and his party had completely entered did the two security guards get up from the ground.
"Immediately notify the captain, and have the captain inform the boss that the eldest young master of the Zhao family is also coming tonight. Those guys just now looked hostile, so we need to be on guard!"
The security guard then quickly took out his phone to contact his captain.
Xiao Yunlong and his party passed through a winding corridor and then arrived at the spacious main hall. Judging by the layout, this should be the auction hall.
The entire venue was about three hundred square meters, and many guests had already arrived. There were successful middle-aged men in suits and dashing young gentlemen. These people were all members of Chuan City's upper society.
Without exception, almost every man, whether old, middle-aged, or young gentlemen, had a female companion by his side, some even more than one. These female companions were all dressed flamboyantly and adorned with jewels. Some were socialites, and some were new internet celebrities, and so on.
The entire venue was noisy, much like a marketplace.
Xiao Yunlong glanced around and saw a few familiar figures, but these people clearly did not recognize him.
After all, so many years had passed. When he fled Chuan City, Xiao Yunlong was just eighteen years old. He was a tall and thin student at the time, and his appearance and demeanor had changed greatly.
Of course, Xiao Yunlong had no intention of going up to greet them. He found a corner seat and sat down. Zhuge Wushuang, Tu Fu, and the others also sat down beside him.
"Master, I see there are many private rooms on the second floor. We can see the auction hall from above. How about we go up?"
Tu Fu leaned over and whispered, feeling that his master's status was somewhat diminished by sitting in the noisy hall.
"No need, just sit here!"
Xiao Yunlong waved his hand and added, "Also, my identity should not be revealed for the time being, understood?"
"Yes!" Tu Fu and the others nodded.
This strange scene naturally attracted the attention of many people present. After all, the guests present all had beautiful women by their sides, some even with one on each arm, while Xiao Yunlong and his group of men were together, which seemed somewhat out of place.
Xiao Yunlong remained indifferent, even slowly closing his eyes, exuding an aura of "do not disturb." Those who had originally wanted to strike up a conversation with him had no choice but to give up.
As more and more guests arrived, the large venue became even more boisterous. Then, as the host stepped onto the stage and signaled, the scene finally quieted down, signaling the start of Baibaizhai's auction that night.
The host introduced the situation of the auction, the main guests, and the notary public, etc. Seeing that everyone was getting impatient, he quickly finished his speech and moved on to the main topic of the auction.
The first item to be auctioned was a fine pear blossom Grand Tutor chair from a previous dynasty. It was said that this chair had been used by a prince of a previous dynasty, and its value was self-evident.
"Starting bid is five hundred thousand, with increments of no less than ten thousand. Bidding starts now!"
As the host's voice fell, the scene immediately became noisy again, with people bidding enthusiastically.
Soon, the price reached two million. At this price, the number of bidders clearly decreased significantly. It was finally sold for two million two hundred fifty thousand!
Next, the second item was a string of fine, round jade beads. Both the quality and color were top-notch. Under the light, they emitted a clear and pure luster, making it obvious at a glance that they were not ordinary items.
This string of jade beads was eventually bought by a bald, portly man with women on both arms for over three million.
Then the third item was put up for auction...
Throughout the entire process, Xiao Yunlong leaned back in his chair with his eyes closed, resting. He showed no intention of participating, and those who didn't know him would have thought he had fallen asleep.
This continued until the last auction item.
The host then straightened his collar and said loudly, "Distinguished guests and friends, the auction is nearing its end. Our final highlight, the ultimate treasure, is finally about to be presented. I'm sure many friends can't wait any longer. Let's present it!"
Two tall women in qipaos held a scroll and slowly walked onto the stage. Then, at the host's signal, they carefully unrolled the scroll.
It turned out to be a painting, a massive scroll eight meters long and one point eight meters wide.
The entire scroll was painted using the splash-ink freehand style. Winding and majestic mountains stood tall, waterfalls hung like a silver river, clouds churned and billowed, and strange trees stood upright. The whole scene was majestic and grand.
The host introduced, "As you can see, this calligraphy and painting is the 'Ten Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains' which was almost lost in the early years!"
Upon hearing the words "Ten Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains," Xiao Yunlong's eyes suddenly opened, and two sharp beams of light shot out.
Zhuge Wushuang and the others nearby immediately understood that this "Ten Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains" should be a collection from the master's family from years ago.
The entire scene was instantly in an uproar, with people discussing animatedly. Even in the private rooms on the second floor, some people lifted the gauze curtains and came out to stand on the railings to watch.
It was clear that many guests present, especially those in the private rooms on the second floor, had come for this masterpiece.
"This 'Ten Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains' painting, I believe everyone present knows its origin. It was once a treasure of the Xiao family, one of the four great families of Chuan City. However, after the Xiao family was destroyed, the whereabouts of this masterpiece became unknown. It has only reappeared in the last six months. Given the prestige of Baibaizhai, I don't think its authenticity will be doubted."
Before the host could finish speaking, someone below shouted, "Alright, stop rambling. Since it's from Baibaizhai, it's naturally not a fake. Just hurry up and start the bidding. We're all getting impatient!"
"Okay, then let's begin the auction. The starting bid is six million six hundred sixty thousand, with increments of no less than five hundred thousand. Bidding starts now!" the host announced loudly.
"I bid eight million!"
"I bid ten million!"
"I bid ten million one hundred thousand!"
Instantly, everyone in the hall began to bid.
Seeing this, Xiao Yunlong slowly raised his hand and shouted, "I bid one hundred million!"
Suddenly, the noisy scene fell silent. Everyone turned to look at him, wondering who this fellow was and how he could be so wealthy and extravagant, bidding one hundred million right off the bat.
Those arranged in the main hall were naturally of a lower status than those on the second floor. Bidding one hundred million immediately disqualified most of them.
Just then, a faint voice came from a private room on the far left of the second floor, "This masterpiece is indeed worth the price. I bid one hundred and twenty million!"
"One billion!" Xiao Yunlong blurted out without thinking and raised his hand.
A cold snort came from the private room on the left of the second floor, and then there was silence.
The entire hall was once again in an uproar. Everyone turned to look at Xiao Yunlong, their faces filled with shock.
It was clear that ten billion far exceeded the value of the painting. However, people couldn't understand why the young man with the buzz cut in the corner was so foolish and rich.
Of course, at this moment, some observant people in the hall sensed that something was wrong. They could see that this young man with the buzz cut was not here to bid, but to cause trouble and make a scene!
Just then, the entire venue, led by a burly and stout man, was stormed by a group of bodyguards.
At the same time, the private room in the center of the second floor was opened, and a young man in a white suit with peach blossom eyes and a charming face walked out.
"Hmph, do you think my Baibaizhai is a marketplace? I'd like to see what kind of demon or ghost you are!"
The charming young man let out a cold snort and slowly walked down, accompanied by an elder.