Chapter 515: Experienced and Farsighted
The bidding for the last item, the Dragon Seeking Device, was very intense, and the price continued to climb until it was eventually bought by the old man Zhu at a sky-high price of 3.2 billion yuan. Thus officially ended this session of the Capital Auction.
Tang Xiu didn't participate in the bidding for the Dragon Seeking Device. He could have as many low-grade magical devices as he wanted, so there was no need to spend a colossal amount of money to buy it. He was even confident that he could craft such a minor magical devices when his cultivation was promoted further.
The appearance of the Dragon Seeking Device also made him see a business opportunity. He calculated inwardly that if such a low-grade magical device could be sold at the sky-high price of 3.2 billion, what if he refined dozens of such minor magical devices and auctioned them?
As for Li Laoshan, he squeezed Tang Xiu's shoulder and smilingly said, "Brother Tang, the auction is over, let's leave! Besides, I don't have much interest in attending the evening banquet held by the Situ Family."
"What Brother Li said is right. After every auction ends, the Situ Family usually holds a banquet party to entertain the guests. However, there will be a very few pure businessmen attending such occasions. Those who stay to attend are all codgers from the Occult Sect."
Eccentric people from the Occult Sect?
Tang Xiu's expression moved as he suddenly said, "Two Old Brothers, I just bought two items here, and nearly spent all of my money. Since they will treat us tonight, that helps me save a bit of money! How about I borrow this occasion to treat you to dinner? Of course, I also brought Gods Nectar; they're in the trunk of my car. There is two boxes there, and we'll drink one box tonight, while Brother Wang can bring the other one back home."
Wang Daoyuan's look flickered as he smiled and said, "Gods Nectar is the most precious gift one could receive nowadays. It seems like I really got a huge profit today. Thanks a lot, Brother Tang. Then, let us stay to attend tonight's banquet party!"
"Since you guys want to stay, that's fine with me too," Li Laoshan shrugged his shoulders and smilingly said. "Anyhow, Brother Wang, though we did have some conflicts before, it didn't impact us much, and there were no losses either. Without exchanging something, it's like we can't get acquainted well with each other, right? So, we shall have a good drink this evening."
"Alright. I'll accompany you," laughed Wang Daoyuan with a loud voice.
A small boat passed through the narrow channel between the rivers. It was Ouyang Lulu in her crimson attire. She stood on the bow with a mile hanging on her face. After her boat came near Tang Xiu's boat, she stepped on the bow and jumped directly to Tang Xiu's side.
"There's no need to question Ouyang Lulu's vision. If it's necessary to describe it in a word, there's only one appropriate word for it: GREAT! Honey, I just realized that you're someone with extraordinary power, for your shadow has been behind all sorts of big events," said Ouyang Lulu, all smiling, while skillfully grasping Tang Xiu's arm.
"Can you not boast about yourself?" Tang Xiu shook his head and chuckled. "Be serious and tell me something, will you? How did you end up in Beijing this time? Becoming the host and auctioneer for the auction organized by the Situ Family, as well."
"That means that Ouyang Lulu has extraordinary abilities, with her supernatural power and boundless magical force, hence obtaining fame across the country… Ugh, that's not right. I should be well-known to all folks around the world. Hence, the insightful and wise leader of the Situ Family's plea for me to become the host and auctioneer," said Ouyang Lulu joyously.
"Do you want me to ignore you if you continue acting so narcissistic?" Ranted Tang Xiu.
"DON'T!" Ouyang Lulu hastily waved her hand and said with a tender smile. "Bah, you really don't have a sense of humor at all. Anyhow, the Head of the Situ Family, Situ Boyang, is my mother's foster father, so he can be regarded as my grandpa as well. Besides, my Paradise Manor is already open for business in Shanghai, so I don't have to worry about handling the management either, hence the reason I came to Beijing."
Tang Xiu understood in a flash and asked with a smile, "Then, when will you return to Shanghai?"
"I'm going back early tomorrow! That's right, when will you go back, too? I recall that school starts tomorrow, right?"
"Well, I'll treat you to dinner tonight by borrowing the other party's banquet because I'm gonna take a ride on your plane back to Shanghai. That won't be a problem for you, right?" Said Tang Xiu with a smile.
After glancing at Li Laoshan, Wang Daoyuan, and Su Yaning, Ouyang Lulu nodded and said, "No problem at all! But you have to wait for a while, though. I gotta tell my grandpa first, and only then can we leave."
"Where are you going?" Asked Tang Xiu.
"Huh? Aren't we going to dinner or something?" Asked Ouyang Lulu back.
"About that, we're staying here and attending the Situ Family's banquet party," said Tang Xiu with a chuckle.
Ouyang Lulu stared blankly, before she immediately said with a joyful expression, "That would be great! I'll introduce our grandpa to you later. He knows you already, and is full of praise about you!"
Tang Xiu was between laugh and tears after listening to her, "Say, Lulu, can you not always say we, us, or our word? That's your grandpa, but I don't have any relationship whatsoever with him."
"It's all the same, all the same!" Ouyang Lulu waved her hand with a colorful smile on her face. She immediately urged the crew to row to the shore. She even brazenly coiled her hands around Tang Xiu's waist without a shred of shyness at all, taking a ride on his car and rushed to the hotel that had been prepared by the Situ Family for the evening banquet.
As for Li Laoshan, he handed the Yuchang Sword over to his bodyguards and sent them away. Wang Daoyuan also did the same thing. After he gave the ancient sword to his bodyguards, he took Su Yaning together with him to board Li Laoshan's car and rushed to the hotel. At first, Su Yaning didn't want to attend the banquet, but Wang Daoyuan already learned that she was Tang Xiu's cousin. Thus, in order to get along with Tang Xiu, he used both persuasion and threats until Su Yaning eventually compromised.
At an international hotel in Beijing.
The banquet party hosted by the Situ Family was held in the ballroom on the 28th floor. Many of the guests who attended the auction had already arrived. The entire hall had been extravagantly arranged, as the crystal lamps illuminated every corner of the hall with its gentle lights. Wine and appetizers had already been served on the dining tables by beautiful waiters. And what made the arriving guests the most surprised was the two bottles of Gods Nectar placed on each dining table.
Inside a deluxe room next to the ballroom, Situ Boyang quietly read the information. He was already past his prime, in his 60s, yet was still full of vigor. In front of him were two people, a middle-aged man and a woman, who calmly stood still with smiles on their faces.
"Lulu has performed well, Father. Her glib tongue truly is a gift worth to showcase. Therefore, many items auctioned at the auction held by our Situ Family were sold at very high prices, much higher than our expectations," Situ Chao handed the information to Situ Boyang and reported with a smile.
With a satisfied look, Situ Boyang nodded and said, "It was great indeed. That's right, you all came back here, but where did that child, Lulu, go?"
"Ah, Lulu saw her sweetheart and was eager to see him, so she went straight to him right after the auction concluded," answered Situ Chao with a forced smile.
"Tang Xiu?" Situ Boyang's expression moved. "Did that young Divine Doctor Tang Xiu also participated in the auction?"
"Yes. He bought two items for a total value of 3.1 billion yuan," said Situ Chao with a nod.
"Two items? Don't tell me they are the first auctioned item—the Qin Emperor's Imperial Jade Seal and the Nine Phoenix Hairpin? Adding up these two items is exactly 3.1 billion yuan!" Said Situ Boyang, surprised.
"That's right, he bought exactly those two items," said Situ Chao with a smile.
Situ Boyang nodded and smilingly said, "Anyways, I met your Uncle Ouyang in Jingmen Island a few days ago. And I heard a lot of things about Tang Xiu from him. He's a very amazing young man."
"He is indeed quite amazing. In particular the company he established, the Magnificent Tang Corporation. Judging from the trend of its development… it's simply enviable and eye-catching. Furthermore, he's even a miracle-working doctor; it's simply beyond my expectation. That girl, Lulu, always sets her eyes high, and if this Tang Xiu was not remarkable enough, I don't think it would have been easy to get her impressed like this."
Situ Boyang nodded, "Later on, when you come into contact with Tang Xiu, get along and closer to him if he's really that good."
"But father, his identity is…" Situ Chao hesitated.
"I know that he hails from the Tang Family, which means that his identity is very sensitive. But since our family must also survive in Beijing, it is inevitable that we must get closer to some families. The Tang Family may have declined in recent years, yet a lean camel is still bigger than a horse. Once an outstanding junior emerges among the Tang Family's offspring, I'm sure that it won't be impossible for them to bounce back to their heydays. Compared to the Tang Family, the Yao Family is just too powerful. Thus, even though we're trying to get closer to them, I'm afraid that… Well, forget it. Just do what I tell you!"
For a while, Situ Chao fell into silence before he slowly said, "Father, are you planning to get involved with the political struggles with all the domestic forces in the country?"
"No, we won't get involved in it," said Situ Boyang lightly.
"Then, what you meant just now is…" pursued Situ Chao, doubtful.
"Ouyang Lulu is my granddaughter. The young man she likes and the Ouyang Family itself approves it. So, why do we have to refuse him just to avoid suspicion from others? Not to mention that Tang Xiu still has another identity as a Divine Doctor. If we deliberately keep distance, then it is us who got a problem here. Understand?"
As a smart person himself, Situ Chao could instantly understand what his father meant. Although the Situ Family wanted to get closer to the Tang Family, it was perfectly understandable and justified. After all, there was a relationship between Ouyang Lulu and Tang Xiu, as well as Tang Xiu's another identity as a Divine Doctor. Even if getting closer to him meant that many parties were going to be annoyed with them, what was the problem with that?
After giving it thought, Situ Chao nodded and said, "I understand what to do, Father."
In the banquet ballroom…
After Tang Xiu, Li Laoshan, Wang Daoyuan, and Ouyang Lulu arrived, they immediately attracted many people's attention, who came to greet them. Although Li Laoshan and Wang Daoyuan were not ordinary people, yet everyone there was of extraordinary status. They came greet them mainly because of Tang Xiu.
Despite the fact that many of them had already learned that Tang Xiu was an offspring of the Tang Family of Beijing, what people care about more was Tang Xiu's identity as a Divine Doctor. After all, when a person was still alive, who could guarantee that he would always be in good health? Hence, getting acquainted with a Divine Doctor only brought benefit and no harm.
Chapter 516: Temporary Priority
This kind of socializing was not something Tang Xiu liked, yet there was a purpose as to why he came today. After exchanging some greetings and pleasantries, he led Ouyang Lulu, Li Laoshan, and Wang Daoyuan to a remote table.
"Tang Xiu, why did you look tortured when you were exchanging pleasantries with others?" Asked Ouyang Lulu smilingly, as she came to Tang Xiu's side.
"I really hate this kind of social exchange with no food for the mind. They may talk to us warmly now, but they tend to forget who you are after parting ways. Even if they do remember us, it's because they encountered trouble or something like that. Their real objectives are definitely not as pure as you with your friends."
"That's right, that's right! Brother Tang's words have represented what I have in mind, too. When we both first met in Saipan, neither one of us knew who the other party really was, nor we knew each other's name. It's just that we felt that the other party was kind of interesting, and had something in common with each other."
At the side, Wang Daoyuan's expression flickered as he quickly asked, "Did you say that you and Brother Tang met in Saipan, Brother Li? In the past two months, I heard that there's a huge project being undertaken there. Could it be…"
"That has nothing to do with me. I heard about it too, but my business hasn't yet expanded abroad." Li Laoshan waved his hand and smiled.
Wang Daoyuan nodded and looked pensive as he said, "After I heard of a huge project being undertaken over there, I sent some people to investigate. Unfortunately, I didn't get much information from the investigation. I only heard that someone bought an island and is doing the reconstruction there. That's really a pity! Such a big project yet it didn't fall into my hands, or else I would probably be able to make a huge fortune."
Looking stunned, Li Laoshan glanced at Tang Xiu with a strange expression, though he didn't say anything.
Ouyang Lulu leaned closer after hearing it, and spoke in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Tang Xiu, what they are talking about must that island you bought, right?"
"It should be! But I don't want this matter to be known by many people, so you mustn't speak about it," said Tang Xiu with a similar undertone voice.
"Got it," said Ouyang Lulu with a faint smile.
The banquet organized by the Situ Family was very casual. As the Head of Situ Family—Situ Boyang, who was the host of the event, had finally arrived in person, and many of his old friends greeted him and dragged him to seat with them. The scene turned very lively as delicacies and good wine were then served.
Tang Xiu himself was quite reserved with his words. Even though nearly everyone who shared a table with him seemingly wanting to befriend him, yet he only responded with a simple reply to deal with them. The man who he paid attention to was Situ Boyang, the Head of the Situ Family.
"Tang Xiu, I'll take you to grandpa to pay our respects!" Ouyang Lulu suddenly put down her chopsticks and smilingly said.
"All right, I'll see him since he's your elder! Besides, I also need to talk about something with the Head of Situ Family as well," said Tang Xiu while smiling lightly.
There was an unusual expression on Ouyang Lulu's face as she asked, "Do you want to see Grandpa? For what?"
"You'll know about it after I meet him. Let's go!" Replied Tang Xiu with a light smile.
As the two got up and came to the table where Situ Boyang sat, Ouyang Lulu grabbed Tang Xiu's arm and smilingly said, "Grandpa, Tang Xiu and I came to give you a toast."
Turning his head to look at Ouyang Lulu, Situ Boyang's eyes immediately fell on Tang Xiu. After carefully observing him, he then nodded in satisfaction and said with a smile, "What a good young man. Tang Xiu, since you're my granddaughter's sweetheart, you will probably get closer with our Situ Family later."
"I'm sure that we will be getting closer, Grandpa Situ. Anyhow, please accept this cup of wine as a token of my respect," said Tang Xiu with a smile.
Situ Boyang raised his wine cup. After drinking it in one gulp, he smacked his mouth twice and sighed, "This Gods Nectar produced by your Magnificent Tang Corporation is simply exquisite. The flavor truly leaves a rich aftertaste. Tang Xiu, looking at Lulu's face, can you open the back door for this old man and sell some of them for my personal use?"
"Ah, you're joking. But if you really like it, I'll tell Kang Xia after I go back to send you some boxes," said Tang Xiu with a smile.
"Great! That's great!" Said Situ Boyang with a loud voice as he laughed.
"Grandpa Situ, may I speak with you after the banquet is over?" Asked Tang Xiu.
Surprised and staring vacantly for a moment, Situ Boyang then immediately nodded and said with a smile, "All right! Just come with Lulu later, and let us have a family chat."
"All right, then we won't bother you anymore!"
Tang Xiu replied and then took Ouyang Lulu back to their table. Inwardly, he was silently considering and analyzing some variables about doing business with Situ Boyang. Prior to this, he wouldn't have bothered to care about the Situ Family's existence; yet, after today's auction, he realized that he made a mistake. The Situ Family was part of the Occult Sect's force and had very close ties with many figures from the said Sect in China. Many things that he could use would be available and easy to obtain as long as he searched them via the Situ Family.
For example, this auction. The Situ Family was able to put out two objects, the Qin Emperor's Imperial Jade Seal and the Nine Phoenix Hairpin, which indicated how formidable and resourceful they were. Maybe sometime later the Situ Family would other good things again.
As the banquet concluded, Tang Xiu and Ouyang Lulu sent Li Laoshan and Wang Daoyuan out of the hotel. Following that, they then went to a luxury suite on the 28th floor of the hotel.
At this time, Situ Boyang was currently engaging in conversation with two old men. After seeing Tang Xiu and Ouyang Lulu's arrival, he waved his hand at them and said, "Tang Xiu, you and Lulu are a couple, so you're not an outsider. Wait for a while here, we're discussing some important things. We'll have chat after this."
"All right!" Tang Xiu replied, yet he didn't leave. Instead, he sat down with Ouyang Lulu on the sofa in the most back.
On the sofa in the center of the room, Situ Boyang put out the cigarette in his hand and slowly said, "We must find the map for that tomb; there's only one left. As long as we find it, I'll go and see to it personally. You guys must be ready and prepared as well since this will definitely a big deal for us."
A thin old man, who was wearing a Chinese tunic suit, nodded and said, "Rest assured! We're ready. It's a pity that we haven't been able to determine the precise location yet, though. Anyways, Brother Situ, is your body really fit to undertake such a dangerous task?"
"If you two old geezers can it, then why can't I?" Said Situ Boyang proudly. "The three of us have found and explored over 100 tombs, and there has never been an occasion where we can't judge their origin and what was buried inside them. We must never let this chance slip off our hands!"
"Yeah! It's quite unfortunate that Old Mole Zuan has died, though. That codger was kinda selfish. Had he called the three of us, then maybe he wouldn't have died. Although the Qin Emperor's Imperial Jade Seal was robbed by him from that ancient tomb, I still want to see that flying sword he told us at his last breath," said the thin old man with a sigh.
"Let's wait for the news! Even if we don't get the third map of the tomb, we can still trace the approximate direction. I'm sure that there must be a big secret in the Guzang mountain range," said Situ Boyang slowly.
Not far away from them, Tang Xiu, who was currently listening to their conversation, had his heart move slightly.
A sword that could fly? Could it be a flying sword? A flying sword that could fly without being controlled by anyone should be a sword laid out within a sword array formation. And this array must also be quite powerful. What kind of powerful figure could have arranged it?
As Tang Xiu thought up to there, he immediately got up and walked to the front of three old men, saying, "I just heard that you spoke about the existence of a sword that can fly. I may know something about this."
The two old men furrowed their brows. There was a displeased expression on their faces. As for Situ Boyang, though he also knitted his brows, he still replied with a smile, "Tang Xiu, since you you know about it, then tell us."
"The sword that can fly should the flying sword of cultivators from legend. If you said that there's a flying sword in the ancient tomb but there's no living person in it, that means that someone has arranged a sword array with a flying sword there. Those who can arrange a sword array are definitely strong powerhouses among cultivators, and perhaps, the might of that sword array is not to be underestimated as well."
"Sword array?" The three old men's complexion changed and exclaimed at the same time. They didn't expect that Tang Xiu would actually know about the existence of cultivators.
While pointing to the empty sofa at the side, Situ Boyang said, "Tang Xiu, since you know about cultivators, flying swords, and sword arrays, you should know more than that, right? All right, tell us!"
After Tang Xiu took a seat, he explained, "Cultivators are an existence veiled in mystery, possessing magical strength and terrifying abilities. Presumably, you all know that I bought the Qin Emperor's Imperial Jade Seal at a very high price at the auction. But haven't you thought as to why I bought it?"
After thinking for a while, Situ Boyang wore a serious expression and said, "Don't keep us guessing, Tang Xiu. Go straight to the point."
"Actually, the Qin Emperor's Imperial Jade Seal is a magical device, and a very powerful device at that. I can't tell you about its practical and specific uses, I'm afraid. But what I can say is that I know a lot about magical devices and cultivators. I can even tell you that I have the means to break that sword array."
Situ Boyang and the other two geezers had their complexion greatly changed. Shock could be seen on their faces, as they stared fixedly at Tang Xiu and didn't speak for a very long time.
Finally, Situ Boyang asked in a deep tone, "Tang Xiu, did you just tell us that the Qin Emperor's Imperial Jade Seal is a magical device and you that can break that sword array?"
"That's right!" Tang Xiu nodded.
"If so, are you a cultivator yourself?" Asked Situ Boyang quickly.
Shaking his head, Tang Xiu answered, "No, I'm not. But even though I'm not a cultivator, I know a lot about their situation. Of course, you can also regard me as a cultivator as well, since some of my abilities are comparable to them."
"What exactly are your abilities?" Asked the thin old man hurriedly.
"For instance, I have a deep knowledge in arrays, as well as am adept in manufacturing magic symbols and talismans," said Tang Xiu with a faint smile.
Arrays, magic symbols, and talismans?
The three people stared at Tang Xiu and were not able to speak anything.
They knew that Tang Xiu had another identity as a divine doctor, yet they never expected that he would also excel in arrays, as well as being adept in manufacturing magic symbols and talismans.
"From where and how did you learn about them, Tang Xiu?" Asked Situ Boyang.
"I always loved reading all kinds of books. Due to chancing upon some luck, I got a few books back then. The book contained knowledge about medicine, arrays, and magic symbols. And after many years of study and research, I eventually got proficient in them."