"Huh?"
"Huh!"
The goatee-wearing man, whose shoulder was being embraced, suddenly froze.
Why,
Did he feel,
A chilling wind whistling towards his crotch.
No!
It wasn't the cold wind, but the chill he felt, making his underwear, which was stuck to his butt from standing guard in the heat, cling even tighter.
He felt a chill in his groin.
Gulp.
The goatee-wearing guard swallowed, then subtly turned his head to see Chen Yu's profile.
Dark, gloomy.
His eyes seemed to be emitting a crimson glow.
"M-Mr. Chen..."
"I like people like you, hahaha!" Just as the goatee-wearing man's heart was about to leap into his throat, Chen Yu suddenly patted his shoulder twice. "You're quite analytical. Were you a detective before?"
"I..."
"Are you interested in working for me?"
Chen Yu smiled, nowhere near as grim as the goatee-wearing man had perceived.
It was just—
Before the goatee-wearing man could reply, Chen Yu chuckled again.
"Never mind, it's better to let you continue serving as a city guard. The city needs your protection, and the mission is arduous. I shouldn't steal people from the city." Chen Yu whispered with a smile, then asked, "Where's that mole-faced guy from earlier?"
The goatee-wearing man looked bewildered.
Could it be,
He had seen things wrongly.
Chen Yu's face was now filled with a smile that made the goatee-wearing man feel as if he were bathed in spring breeze, making him seriously doubt if he had imagined it.
Composing himself, the goatee-wearing man said softly.
"Our city is holding an auction, with many people coming from all over to participate. The captain is maintaining order within the city, and I'm stationed outside."
"No wonder."
Chen Yu nodded.
He had noticed the surprisingly large flow of people in the city earlier, and it turned out they were all here for the auction.
"Could you trouble yourself to lead me there?" Chen Yu asked softly.
Since the city guards were needed to maintain order within the city, the internal crowd would likely be very large, and trying to push through bit by bit would be a waste of time.
"Are you also here to participate in the auction, sir?"
"Of course."
"Do you have an invitation?"
"Huh?" Chen Yu frowned. "An invitation? Do I need an invitation to attend the auction?"
"Yes!"
The goatee-wearing man nodded.
"The Elton family sent out 300 invitations to various places a week ago, inviting merchants and mercenaries. You..."
"I don't."
Chen Yu reached out and grasped the goatee-wearing man's hand.
His touch was slightly cool.
The goatee-wearing man instinctively glanced down, and his eyes fell upon a golden hue.
Gold coins!
"Actually, it's fine even if you don't have an invitation. With your wealth, Mr. Chen, you can more than afford to participate in this auction." The goatee-wearing man, having received the gold coins, was beaming as if he had eaten honey. "I still have some influence in the city, so I'll just say a few words to the organizers."
"I appreciate your help."
"It's my duty, it's my duty. Mr. Chen, shall we head into the city now?"
"Please."
Upon entering the city, Chen Yu couldn't help but be astonished.
A sea of people.
He truly hadn't expected an auction to draw such a massive crowd into the city. Street sides were filled with vendors shouting their wares, and carts pulled by donkeys were hawking their goods.
"These are traveling merchants."
The goatee-wearing man led the way for Chen Yu, also providing introductions.
"When the city hosts an auction, traveling merchants come here to set up stalls. Not everyone who comes to the city is eligible to participate in the auction; many are here for these traveling merchants."
"Oh?"
Chen Yu raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Do traveling merchants have good wares?"
"Some do." The goatee-wearing man smiled. "Traveling merchants traverse various places, and some indeed have treasures. However, some also use this opportunity to swindle."
"Swindle?"
"Yes. Many people set up stalls here under the guise of traveling merchants. Most of their goods are defective or fake. Many people in the city are defrauded every year."
"Don't they do anything about it?"
Chen Yu frowned.
"They do, but how can they manage it!" The goatee-wearing man smiled wryly. "Traveling merchants have varied appearances, and it's difficult to distinguish them by sight. Moreover, some traveling merchants do mix in fake goods with their wares, making it impossible to guard against."
"Why not issue identification?" Chen Yu murmured.
"Ah?"
"Let traveling merchants register their identities, and allow citizens to purchase from stalls with valid travel merchant certificates. If fake goods appear, you can apprehend them through their registered identity, can't you?"
The goatee-wearing man looked at Chen Yu with surprise for a long time.
"Mr. Chen, you truly are a wealthy merchant; your ideas are much sharper than ours, the city guards." The goatee-wearing man offered a flattering remark, then pointed to a tall building ahead. "Sir, this is where the auction will be held. Please wait here while I get an invitation for you."
"Go ahead."
Watching the goatee-wearing man leave, Chen Yu looked up at the building before him.
A tall building!
In reality, it was only relatively tall.
If it were outside the underground world, the building before him would at most be a villa.
A large plaque hung above the entrance, bearing the words 'Turner Auction House.' From the name, it was clear it was a local establishment.
The Elton family was renting this building to hold the auction.
The entrance was bustling with people.
White horse-drawn carriages rumbled past incessantly. As they stopped, elegantly dressed individuals would alight, greeted by welcoming remarks from people who rushed forward.
"Mr. Chen!"
Just as Chen Yu was waiting, the goatee-wearing man ran up with a beaming smile.
"Let's go, you can participate in the auction now."
"Wow, that was efficient. You've got some pull, haven't you?" Chen Yu said with a smile, and the goatee-wearing man grinned back. "The tip you gave me worked. I gave the gold coin to the supervisor there, and coupled with my status as a deputy city guard, he agreed."
"I won't mistreat you for working for me."
Tapping his prayer beads lightly.
Chen Yu took out five gold coins and placed them in the goatee-wearing man's hand.
"Mr. Chen..."
The goatee-wearing man was dumbfounded.
Five gold coins.
That was more than his annual salary. This money was enough to buy a decent house in the city.
"You did a good job. Take this and buy your subordinates some drinks."
"Thank you, Mr. Chen." The goatee-wearing man was filled with excitement and, bowing deferentially, led Chen Yu towards the auction house entrance.
As Chen Yu was about to enter, a clear voice called out from behind.
"Stop!"
A sharp cry came from behind. Chen Yu and the goatee-wearing man instinctively turned their heads, only to see a young girl with a fierce expression walking towards them.
Upon recognizing the newcomer, Chen Yu couldn't help but smile.
"It's you?"