Chapter 205: Waiting for a Public Execution
Zhang Hu and Tao Ming were already prepared when the auction enforcer arrived in the blink of an eye. With a polite ninety-degree bow, he spoke in a calm and measured tone.
On the high platform, the second auction round had yet to begin—perhaps they were waiting for the first transaction to be completed before proceeding.
Because of this, every single pair of eyes in the venue was now locked onto Yu Luo’s group.
To the audience, the enforcer’s polite demeanor was nothing more than a prelude to forceful action.
If Yu Luo couldn’t produce the required sum, they would soon face a deadly hunt from the Feng City’s forces—right here in the auction hall.
Just the thought of it made Tao Ming and Zhang Hu’s hearts pound violently.
“Young Master…”
Both men spoke in unison, instantly leaping to their feet from their seats!
But before either of them could finish their sentences—before they could even stand up fully—Yu Luo raised a hand and yanked them both back down.
Her sudden action only heightened their alarm. The confusion in their eyes deepened.
“May I ask,” Yu Luo began, her voice deliberately lowered to sound rougher and more masculine, “is the twenty thousand taels… in silver?”
Ever the stingy miser, she clung to the last shred of hope, fixing her eyes on the enforcer standing before them with a bright smile.
The moment her words fell, an uproar of laughter erupted around them!
Among the people laughing the loudest? That insufferable Ye Lu!
Even the enforcer’s professional smile froze momentarily, as if he hadn’t expected such a ridiculous question.
“Hahaha, are you joking? Do you think I would deceive you?”
Ye Lu’s infuriatingly smug voice chimed in again.
Yu Luo shot him a sharp glare.
She swore—tonight, she would make sure this man suffered!
“Sir,” the enforcer exhaled deeply, trying to keep his composure. “Are you saying you bid without knowing our rules, or do you simply lack the funds?”
Hearing this, Yu Luo instantly understood.
“So, you mean… it really is twenty thousand taels of gold?”
“Young Master…!”
Tao Ming’s voice was filled with panic. To him, it was clear Yu Luo was just stalling for time.
But what use was that?
They had no reinforcements. No backup plan.
Why was their Young Master not running already?!
Anxious beyond measure, Tao Ming nearly blurted out a plea for Yu Luo to flee, but before he could utter a word, she silenced him with a glare.
Heart racing, he had no choice but to clamp his mouth shut—but his grip on his sword hilt tightened considerably.
“Yes, esteemed guest,” the enforcer confirmed with a polished professional smile.
Yu Luo inhaled deeply, bracing herself for what was coming next.
The audience, sensing imminent bloodshed, began subtly shifting away from their seats, preparing to avoid collateral damage.
But instead of panic, Yu Luo calmly reached into her sleeve, pulled out a thick stack of papers, and placed them onto the enforcer’s tray.
The sight shocked the entire venue.
They were banknotes—thick, crisp, and unmistakably printed in gold taels.
Tao Ming, who had been moments away from despair, suddenly froze in astonishment.
Even Zhang Hu—always the composed one—seemed to momentarily lose control, his eyes burning with emotion.
“Young Master, you…?”
He stared at the enforcer’s tray, his normally stoic demeanor cracking as the realization hit him.
They had underestimated their Young Master.
They had come so close to believing they were doomed, but their Young Master…
At that moment, Zhang Hu felt as if he had been granted a second life.
As for Ye Lu—he physically jumped from his seat!
Unable to contain his shock, he lunged forward, eyes locked onto the stack of golden banknotes in the enforcer’s tray.
His face, which had been full of smug amusement, was now frozen in pure disbelief.
One thousand taels per note.
A full stack.
The smile completely vanished from his face.
His mouth opened and closed soundlessly, his gaze moving sluggishly from the banknotes to Yu Luo’s face.
And then, slowly, his expression transformed into one of deep amusement.
He raised a hand—and gave Yu Luo a big thumbs-up.
A glint of undisguised admiration flickered in his eyes.
“Impressive,” Ye Lu finally murmured, his grin growing wider. “Truly impressive.”
Yu Luo ignored him entirely.
What was twenty thousand taels of gold to her?
Nothing but numbers!
This damn man had looked down on her? Just wait!
She had even more surprises waiting for him.
The spectators, who had expected to witness a brutal execution, were now utterly dumbfounded.
Sure, they all had money—they could afford a 300-tael ticket to enter the auction.
But to casually drop twenty thousand taels of gold?
That was another level entirely.
Nobody—not a single person—had anticipated that the seemingly naive bidder actually had the wealth to back up their bid.
“Sir, please verify the amount,” Yu Luo reminded the enforcer, her voice calm. “Twenty notes, each worth one thousand gold taels.”
The enforcer—who had nearly assumed she was bluffing—visibly snapped back to attention.
With a courteous nod, he meticulously counted the notes.
“Honored guest, the total is correct—twenty thousand gold taels,” he confirmed. He then produced a wooden plaque and handed it to Yu Luo. “This is your claim token. After the auction, please present it to retrieve your purchase.”
Yu Luo accepted the token without hesitation, offering the enforcer a polite nod.
“Additionally,” the enforcer continued, pulling out a second token, “this is Feng City’s VIP pass. Should you return in the future, this token allows direct entry into the city—no more waiting in line. Furthermore, all purchases in Feng City, including those at the auction house, will automatically receive a ten percent discount. We wish you an enjoyable experience in Feng City, and we look forward to serving you again.”
