In the Red Moon Auction House, established by the influential Red Moon Family, the atmosphere was bustling with activity.
The Red Moon Family held significant power in the northern part of Glory City, with five noble families in the vicinity, all of whom obeyed them, including the Heavenly Mark Family.
In the past, because the Heavenly Mark Family was suppressed by the Divine Sacred Family, one of the Three Peaks Families, the Red Moon Family distanced themselves from them.
However, now that the Alchemists' Association had a close relationship with the Heavenly Mark Family, the Red Moon Family began to show goodwill towards them.
Inside the auction house, as nobles, Nie Hai, Nie En, and Nie Li were placed in the VIP room on the second floor.
They were accompanied by the heads of several other noble families and their attendants.
Nie Hai spotted a few familiar faces and went over to greet them.
“Patriarch Li Yuan, Patriarch Chi Feng, it has been a long time!” Nie Hai said, cupping his hands slightly in respect.
Patriarch Li Yuan, in his fifties or sixties, had some gray in his hair but appeared very spirited; he was the head of the Li Yuan Family.
Next to him stood Chi Feng, who seemed younger and was tall; he was the head of the Tian Kui Family.
“Patriarch Nie Hai, I hope you’ve been well!” both Li Yuan and Chi Feng responded with smiles, also cupping their hands.
“Ha ha, I’m well thanks to your two!” Nie Hai exchanged pleasantries.
He had a good relationship with both Li Yuan and Chi Feng, who still associated with him even during the tough times brought on by the Divine Sacred Family.
As Nie Hai conversed with Li Yuan and Chi Feng, Patriarch Jiang Ming of the Silver Tiger Family and Patriarch Lei Zhu of the Iron Gate Family, who were at a distance, exchanged glances filled with annoyance and jealousy.
“Patriarch Nie Hai seems very pleased with himself!” Lei Zhu said disdainfully.
Jiang Ming echoed with a sneer, “Indeed! He was once begging the Divine Sacred Family for help and nearly knelt before them. Now, with the protection from the Alchemists' Association, he can strut around again. But how long can the Alchemists’ Association protect the Heavenly Mark Family? I wonder if Patriarch Nie Hai can still be so proud later!”
Hearing Lei Zhu and Jiang Ming's words, Nie Hai's expression changed slightly.
The Silver Tiger Family and Iron Gate Family had always been at odds with the Heavenly Mark Family, and their mocking tones irritated him.
He forced a smile and retorted, “Why do I sense such a strong fragrance of jealousy? The Heavenly Mark Family is indeed being protected by the Alchemists' Association, which is far better than being ignored by some families!”
Both Lei Zhu and Jiang Ming’s expressions darkened.
Truth be told, they were quite envious of the Heavenly Mark Family.
The Alchemists’ Association was not what it used to be; it was said they purchased herbs from the Heavenly Mark Family at prices exceeding the market by more than thirty percent and even gifted them many high-level pills to cultivate outstanding juniors.
Meanwhile, the Silver Tiger and Iron Gate Families struggled to sell their herbs and had to sell them at a loss.
“To be a lackey of the Alchemists' Association and still think so highly of yourselves. Do you really think they regard you as treasures?” Lei Zhu scoffed.
Hearing this, both Li Yuan and Chi Feng spoke up.
“Patriarch Lei Zhu, you are mistaken. If the Heavenly Mark Family were truly lackeys of the Alchemists' Association, then there would be no need for such generous terms!” Li Yuan smiled gently, clearly siding with Nie Hai.
Chi Feng nodded in agreement: “Exactly! It’s evident that the Alchemists' Association has demands from the Heavenly Mark Family, which is why they provide such favorable conditions, benefiting our two families in the process!”
The Li Yuan Family and Tian Kui Family were selling their cultivated herbs to the Heavenly Mark Family at prices exceeding the market by ten percent, and the Heavenly Mark Family would then resell them to the Alchemists' Association, making quite a profit.
They had become a community of interests, rewarding the Heavenly Mark Family for supporting them during their downturn.
Lei Zhu and Jiang Ming frowned; they couldn’t fathom why such a powerful force as the Alchemists' Association had any need for the Heavenly Mark Family.
They had sent several subordinates to investigate, but no leads had surfaced.
A subtle hostility lingered in the VIP room.
Nie En and Nie Li sat by, sipping tea, indifferent to the rivalry between the heads of the families, unable to interject.
“The leaders of the Silver Tiger and Iron Gate Families have always been arrogant. When the Divine Sacred Family was suppressing us, they bought up territories at discount prices!” Nie En glanced at Lei Zhu and Jiang Ming, with a flicker of anger in his eyes. “If we had known they were the ones buying, we would never have sold! They took advantage of our plight and snatched away all our business!”
At Nie En's words, Nie Li raised an eyebrow.
If it were merely a typical family feud, he wouldn’t care, but if these two families were indeed lackeys of the Divine Sacred Family, Nie Li would not let them off easily.
The auction was about to begin, and all the family heads walked towards the viewing platform, gazing into the distance.
The auctioneer was a beautiful young girl dressed in slightly transparent silk, her exquisite features radiating allure.
One couldn’t help but admit that the Red Moon Family had a clever strategy; such a fiery and enticing girl could easily make people act impulsively and spend lavishly.
“Recently, the Heavenly Mark Family has been trading various herbs with the Alchemists' Association, so they must have made a good bit of money! With Patriarch Nie Hai here, the true treasure of this auction will likely be out of our reach!” Lei Zhu cast a sidelong glance at Nie Hai, laughing heartily.
“True, our resources cannot possibly compare to the Heavenly Mark Family!” Jiang Ming added with a smile.
Nie Hai’s expression darkened at the insinuations from Lei Zhu and Jiang Ming; how could he not pick up on their mockery? Yet, there was nothing he could do but swallow his frustration.
Though the Heavenly Mark Family had indeed made a substantial profit from collaborating with the Alchemists' Association, their foundation was still weak, barely managing to recover.
How could they compare with the Silver Tiger and Iron Gate Families?
Li Yuan and Chi Feng also frowned frequently as Lei Zhu and Jiang Ming continued to pressure them, making it quite bothersome.
At that moment, Nie Li, sitting to Nie Hai’s right, suddenly spoke up, “Gentlemen, you flatter us. The Heavenly Mark Family may not have much, but they have money. The true treasures of today’s auction will likely not belong to either of you!”
At Nie Li's words, Lei Zhu's face darkened. “You little brat, who do you think you are to speak to us? Can you even represent the Heavenly Mark Family?”
“Whether I can represent the Heavenly Mark Family is something you can ask Patriarch Nie Hai!” Nie Li replied calmly.
Nie Li's standing within the Heavenly Mark Family was definitely no longer the same, and Nie Hai nodded, saying, “He certainly can represent my Heavenly Mark Family!”
“A mere child dares to boast here, truly afraid of losing face!” Lei Zhu sneered.
Since Nie Hai affirmed Nie Li’s position, he had nothing to argue against. “The Heavenly Mark Family truly is falling behind, grooming such a spoiled junior!”
(End of Chapter)